by Erika Wilde
He continued to nuzzle her throat, then trailed hot, damp kisses lower. Finding her breasts, he curled his tongue around a waiting nipple, licked at her slowly, then drew her deep into his mouth with a soft, wet, suctioning pull that made her thighs clench his thighs and her hips rock rhythmically against his thickening cock.
“Noah, please,” she urged on a long, drawn-out moan.
With the urgent plea in her smoky voice and the sexy, provocative gyration of her hips, she brought him to the brink of climax. Without preamble, he reached beneath the skirt of her dress and yanked her panties down and off her legs. One touch of his fingers against the slick folds of her pussy told him she was beyond ready for him and any other foreplay was unnecessary.
He reached for his belt, his movements frenzied as he jerked at the buckle and pulled the strap free. The steel button and zipper followed, and he shoved his pants over his hips, just low enough to free his shaft. Grabbing the foil packet that had started this sexual encounter, he quickly rolled the condom on. When he glanced back up, he found Natalie watching him, taking in his size and length with an appreciative lick of her lips.
Her arms and hands were still propped behind her on the desk as he’d ordered, and she looked completely wanton with her top open and her naked breasts quivering. Her dress was hiked up around her splayed thighs, giving him an unobstructed view of the pink, pouty lips of her sex, glistening with her dewy essence—all his for the taking.
Cupping her luscious ass in his hands, he pulled her hips to the very edge of the desk, positioning her for his possession and forcing her to press her knees against his waist for better leverage. Taking his cock in his hand, he rubbed the sensitive, swollen head through her petal-soft folds, bathing the tip in slick moisture before ending the torment and pushing into her with one long, hard stroke.
She sucked in a swift breath, and a raw sound of pleasure rumbled from deep inside his chest as he watched her body envelop him, surrounding him in wet heat, and felt the exquisite squeeze of her inner muscles.
The sheer bliss of finally being inside of her was so intense, so startling, he had to take a moment to savor the feeling because he knew it was only a matter of a few strokes before he’d come. His skin burned, his muscles ached, and his stomach constricted with the need to thrust.
Holding back, he lifted his eyes to her face, finding her lips parted and her pupils dilated with heat and arousal. Wanting her on the edge, too, he pressed his thumb against the hard knot of nerves between her legs, just above where they were joined, teasing her with feather-light caresses that gradually deepened to long, rhythmic strokes. Her body trembled, and he could feel her fighting the orgasm building within her.
“Noah…move.”
He shook his head, denying her for the moment, not until he extracted what he wanted from her. “I want to watch you when you come.” And he wouldn’t be far behind, he knew.
She groaned, closed her eyes, and gave herself up to the sinful, erotic ministrations of his fingers against her clit. She clenched her legs around his hips, her breathing escaping in short pants. When he felt her body draw tight and contract around his rigid shaft he finally did move, and took her where they both were desperate to go.
Yet he couldn’t seem to get close enough, deep enough. He pumped his hips forward and back, again and again—every thrust heavier, harder, than the one before. His heart thumped in his chest and his pulse surged, urging him on, taking him higher, but it was ultimately her soft, keening cry and the rippling of her second climax that milked him to completion, leaving him drained and light-headed from the incredible, shuddering release they’d shared.
Stunned by the intensity of their joining, he gathered her close, and she buried her face against his neck and sighed contentedly.
“Oh, wow, is it always this hot between us?” she murmured, her teasing tone bringing levity to the moment.
“Mmm,” he replied noncommittally, because he couldn’t bring himself to tell her it was their first time. “If it gets any hotter I think we’ll spontaneously combust.”
Her soft, appreciative laughter wrapped around him. “That doesn’t sound like such a bad way to go.”
Oh, he most definitely agreed, knowing he’d found heaven in her arms. And now that he’d had a taste of how good it was between them, physically and emotionally, he knew letting her go when all this was over wasn’t an option.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Natalie leaned her head against the back of her leather seat and glanced out the passenger window of Noah’s car. Absently, she took in the scenery as her mind wandered over the past two days. Ever since that evening in Noah’s office when she’d seduced him, things had definitely changed between them, in a very good way. She felt closer to him, more intimately connected. He’d not only fulfilled her wildest fantasies, but touched her with tenderness and the kind of intimacy she longed for, as well. And she had to admit that even he seemed more relaxed around her. Less tense, and more affectionate.
They’d spent yesterday together on what felt like a date, and she’d enjoyed every bit of her time with Noah. When she’d insisted that she needed to get out of the house for fresh air and stimulating activity or she’d go mad, he’d hadn’t refused her request or tried to tell her she needed more rest. He took her to a movie, a romantic comedy that made them both laugh out loud, and they’d grabbed an early dinner at a restaurant before returning home.
She’d gone upstairs to change for bed while Noah headed into his office to put together files and paperwork on a case and make last-minute calls in preparation for his trip today. All she remembered was crawling beneath the covers, determined to wait for Noah so they could make love again, only to fall asleep and wake up in the middle of the night snuggled in his arms. She’d felt so content and secure, that just being cocooned in his warmth and scent had been enough for her. By the time she’d woken from a sound, dreamless sleep in the morning, Noah was already showered, changed, and had breakfast waiting for her.
Now, Natalie still wore a satisfied smile on her face as Noah drove her to Cole’s to spend the day with Melodie while he was out of town until later that afternoon. When she’d casually asked him where, exactly, he was going, he’d evaded the issue with, “It’s a private, confidential matter” and she’d respected the answer as part of his job as a private investigator.
“Here we are,” Noah said, his deep, smooth voice penetrating her thoughts.
She glanced out the windshield at Cole’s residence, taking in the two-story house, circular drive, and immaculate landscaping, none of which she recognized.
She sighed. “I hate to ask this, but have I been here before?”
He turned off the car and hesitated, seemingly distracted, then replied, “A few times.”
“I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that the place doesn’t look at all familiar,” she said wryly, and when he opened his mouth to reply, she beat him to the punch. “I know, I know, give it time and it’ll come to me.”
A sexy grin eased across his mouth. “It’s good to know you’re retaining some things, after all.” He winked at her.
She made a face at him for his teasing remark. “Ha-ha. Very funny, wise guy.”
They exited the car, and Noah tucked her hand in his as they headed up the walkway to the house. Her arm bumped against something solid at the waistband of his jeans beneath his untucked shirt, and she knew immediately what she’d discovered.
“You’re wearing your gun.” Her voice was as startled as she felt. “Is this a dangerous case you’re investigating?”
He stopped under the awning covering the front porch and cupped her jaw in his big hands, his eyes warm and reassuring as they latched onto hers. “Every case is potentially dangerous. I always wear my gun when I’m out on assignment, and sometimes when instinct tells me to. I even wore the holster yesterday when we went to the movie and dinner.”
Surprise curled through her. “You did?”
He nodded. “
Yep. You were snuggling up to my right side, so that’s probably why you didn’t feel it, but it was definitely there.” After letting go of her face, he rang the doorbell.
Seconds later, Melodie met them at the door, and as soon as they entered she immediately gathered Natalie in an enthusiastic hug. The embrace was warm and friendly and made Natalie feel welcome and part of the family. The sense of belonging was a novel feeling—another one she didn’t remember, but one she liked a whole lot.
Melodie stepped back to give her a critical once-over. “How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good.” As they walked into the spacious living room, Natalie glanced at the man still beside her and smiled. “Noah’s been taking good care of me. He’s a little overbearing at times, but we’re working on that.”
Noah’s soon-to-be sister-in-law laughed, her green eyes sparkling in pure delight. “He never used to be that way, but I guess it just takes the right woman to bring out the overprotective side in a Sommers’ man.” She leaned close to Natalie but didn’t bother lowering her voice. “Take it from me and my experience with Cole, these boys like to be in control and tend to be a bit dominant at times. Then again, it’s nice to see Noah so tied up in knots over a woman.”
Noah sent a mock scowl Melodie’s way. “That’s enough, Mel,” he warned lightly, then turned to Natalie with a charming grin. “Don’t believe a word she says about me.”
Before Natalie could reply, Cole walked into the room, his striking blue gaze checking her out in a reserved kind of way. There was no denying both brothers were incredibly handsome, but Cole was definitely the more serious of the two.
He smiled in greeting. “I was just getting ready to take off for the office. I’m glad I got the chance to see you before I left. You look great.”
“Thanks.” Absently, she touched the scab on her cheek from her cut, which she’d left uncovered for the day. “I still have a few bumps and bruises, and my memory is still fuzzy, but I can’t complain because I know I could be in a lot worse shape.”
“I know you’re feeling much better,” Noah cut in, his tone authoritative, “but take it easy and don’t overdo today.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
“She’ll be fine, Noah.” Melodie waved away his concern. “Quit worrying. I’ll take good care of her while you’re gone.”
Satisfied with her assurance, Noah glanced at the time on his cell phone. “I need to get going so I don’t miss my flight. I’ll be back around six tonight to pick you up.” He leaned down and kissed Natalie softly on the lips, the fleeting contact over much too soon for her liking.
“Be safe,” she said, the words slipping out automatically.
He stared at her for a long moment, his brow furrowed, then he said huskily, “You, too.”
His response seemed to hold a deeper meaning she couldn’t quite grasp, one that made an odd sense of foreboding settle over her. Ridiculous, she knew, and immediately pushed the disconcerting sensation aside.
“Come on, Cole. I’ll walk you out,” Noah said to his brother. “There are a few things I need to discuss with you regarding this case.”
With one last goodbye, the men left.
“Are you ready to go?” Natalie asked Melodie.
The other woman nodded. “Just let me grab my purse from upstairs, and we can be on our way.”
Half an hour later they were standing in a well-known bridal boutique in San Francisco, surrounded by row upon row of white, frothy gowns, pastel and jewel-toned bridesmaids dresses, and other wedding paraphernalia. The huge, one-stop store was divided into sections, covering everything from shoes, lingerie and accessories to casual and fancy evening wear.
A young saleswoman told Melodie that they’d pull her wedding dress and let her know when the seamstress was ready for her final fitting. While the two of them waited, they browsed through the various sections of the shop and wandered into the eveningwear department.
Melodie shuffled through a rack of outfits and pulled out a two-piece ensemble made up of black lace pants and a matching halter top. “What do you think of this?” she asked, holding it up to her curvaceous figure for Natalie to see. “I need a few new outfits for the honeymoon, and this might work for a night out on the town in the Bahamas.”
Natalie grinned, seeing the glow on the other woman’s face and knowing her soon-to-be husband put it there. “I like it, and I’m sure Cole will, too.”
“I think you’re right.” She draped the outfit over her arm and continued looking through another rack. “Do you have something to wear to the wedding on Saturday?”
Natalie fingered the soft angora knit of an off-the-shoulder sweater dress that had captured her attention, liking the way the fabric felt against her skin. She considered Melodie’s question, thinking of all her clothes hanging in Noah’s closet. Most of her outfits and dresses were more suited to everyday wear, nothing that was appropriate for a fancy ceremony and reception. Nothing to turn a man’s head the way she wanted to turn Noah’s.
“I don’t think I’ve bought anything for the wedding,” she replied, and smiled impishly at Melodie. “This loss of memory really is the pits.”
Understanding softened Melodie’s gaze. “I’m sure it is, but look on the bright side. It’s a great excuse to buy yourself something fun and new. Why don’t you try on a few dresses and see if you find something you like?”
Natalie liked Melodie’s way of thinking, which lightened her mood considerably. “I think I will.” She plucked the sleek, sexy dress from the rack, certain the wine color would complement her dark hair and skin tone.
The next few hours passed quickly, with Natalie enjoying a female camaraderie with Melodie and learning that they had a lot of common interests. While trying on outfits together, they indulged in girl talk, and Melodie had amused her with the story of how she’d snagged Cole for her very own. And when Melodie finally tried on her wedding gown and asked Natalie’s opinion, she’d replied honestly that she’d never seen a more beautiful bride.
A melancholy look entered Melodie’s eyes as she explained how she’d grown up without a mother, and while her father was very dear to her, it was times like this that made being without a feminine influence in her life difficult. Natalie understood Melodie’s feelings, because she still felt the loss of both of her parents, and suspected she always would.
By the time they left the boutique midafternoon, their arms were laden with shopping bags filled with bridal accessories and new outfits for both of them. The dress Natalie had chosen had fit perfectly, and she’d splurged on matching shoes, tasteful earrings, and even new lingerie to replace her practical cotton underwear. She’d paid for all her purchases with the credit card in her purse, because she wasn’t sure how much money she had in her bank account to use her debit card.
“Wow, I’m famished,” Melodie said after they dropped all their bags into the trunk of her car. “How about you?”
“I could use a bite to eat.” Natalie’s stomach chose that moment to growl, and her eyes widened in chagrin. “I guess all that power-shopping made me work up an appetite.”
Melodie laughed. “Glad to hear it. There’s a café on the corner. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
They walked along the sidewalk to the restaurant and requested a table on the patio since it was such a warm, beautiful day. Melodie ordered a club sandwich and iced tea, and Natalie opted for a chef’s salad and diet soda. The waitress headed back to the kitchen, and Natalie absently glanced beyond Melodie as the hostess seated a nice-looking blond-haired man a few tables away from them, who was by himself. He looked her way, met her gaze, and an arrogant smile curved the corner of his mouth.
A sense of familiarity tugged at her subconscious, startling her. Frowning, she tried to bring the vague thought filtering through her memory into better focus, but her mind refused to cooperate. Her chest grew tight, her skin prickled, and she felt ensnared by the other man’s penetrating stare.
Shaken by the overwhelming sense of apprehension taking up residence within her, she broke eye contact and returned her attention back to her friend, keeping her gaze on Melodie’s animated features as she talked.
While they waited for their lunch to be delivered, Natalie listened as Cole’s fiancée filled her in on all the wedding preparations she’d planned in the past six months. Their conversation and the glimpses she caught of the gorgeous diamond solitaire ring on Melodie’s left hand reminded Natalie that she knew nothing about her own engagement or wedding plans.
Unable to help herself, she glanced down at her own bare finger, then back up at Melodie. “Have Noah and I set a wedding date yet?”
The other woman’s eyes rounded in surprise at her question, but she quickly recovered her startled composure. “Well, uh, no, not that I’m aware of.” She shifted in her chair as if the subject made her uncomfortable.
Natalie didn’t let Melodie’s odd behavior stop her from learning more. “Have we been engaged long?”
Melodie took a long drink of her iced tea before answering. “Actually, it was all very sudden…” She fiddled with her napkin, opening the folded cloth and spreading it on her lap and making a big production of doing so. “And with your recent accident I’m sure making wedding plans isn’t a priority for either one of you at the moment, at least not until you’re feeling better.”
Boy, now there was a statement that was all too familiar. “You sound just like Noah.”
“Noah’s a smart guy,” Melodie replied with a cheeky grin.
The waitress arrived with their meals, giving Natalie a handful of seconds to analyze Melodie’s answers. All her explanations had been logical, but like everything else in her life at the moment, something was off. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pinpoint the source of her own discomfort and uncertainty.
