But first he wanted one last night with her.
Chapter Ten
Less than an hour later, Noah shrugged out of his formal jacket, tossed it onto the chair in the corner of his bedroom and locked gazes with the woman who made him hard with wanting. "Have I told you how incredibly sexy you look in that dress you're wearing?"
With a sensual smile curving her lips, she closed the distance between them, tugged his bow tie loose and dropped it to the floor. Then she started in on the buttons of his dress shirt, her warm lips kissing each inch of skin she bared. "Yeah, you have, and I do believe you made mention of wondering what I'm wearing beneath it, too."
"So I did," he said huskily, helping her as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders, down his arms and off. "Is that an invitation to find out?"
Laving one of his nipples with the flat of her tongue, she unbuckled his belt, pulled his zipper carefully over his enormous erection, and let his trousers fall to pool around his bare feet. His briefs followed, which he promptly kicked aside, leaving him completely naked while she remained fully dressed.
"Consider it an invitation, a dare, a challenge."
She knelt in front of him, her palms sliding down his hair-roughened thighs as she went. "I'm game for any or all three."
He chuckled at her playful reply, then groaned as she wrapped her fingers around his aching shaft and stroked him from base to tip, drawing a bead of clear fluid from the head of his penis. Pulling the clip from her hair, he tangled his fingers in the spill of silky strands and dared her to indulge in a more carnal intimacy.
He watched his fantasy unfold as her lashes drifted shut, her lips parted, and she enveloped him in the wet heat and suction of her mouth. She teased him with her tongue, drawing him deeper still, and when she moaned in the back of her throat, the sound vibrated along his shaft and threatened his control.
Effortlessly, she'd taken over the reins of tonight's seduction. She pushed him to the brink, testing his restraint not once, but twice, before she finally stopped, leaving him full and throbbing for release. Refusing to go there without her along for the ride, he pulled her back up and captured her mouth with his, taking over with a challenge of his own.
Their tongues tangled and mated as he tugged the sleeves of her dress all the way down her arms. With a helpful shimmy of her hips, the sweater material slid the rest of the way off her body. When he finally stepped back and looked his fill of her, standing there in a strapless bra, barely there string-bikini panties and silky thigh-high stockings, the first thought that filled his mind was that she was a sexy centerfold come to life. His own personal playmate to enjoy and devour.
"This was definitely worth waiting for," he murmured appreciatively.
Dipping his head, he traced the full swells of her lush breasts with his tongue while reaching behind her to release the catch on her bra. The garment fell to the floor, and he latched onto a taut nipple, suckling her as his name tumbled from her lips. He cupped her other breast in his palm, fondling the warm, resilient flesh until the dual assault had her body twisting against him and her fingers digging into the muscles of his back.
He straightened, and with a hot, deep kiss he guided her back toward the foot of the bed and onto the center of the mattress. He didn't join her just yet, too enthralled by the sight of her lying there. Her blond hair haloed her head, her breasts rose and fell with each deep breath she took, those insubstantial panties covered her feminine secrets, and the provocative stockings encased her long, slender limbs.
Hooking his fingers beneath the thin strings at the sides of her panties, he dragged the damp scrap of fabric down her legs while his lips pressed hot, moist, openmouthed kisses up her thighs. His tongue tasted, his teeth marked her, and she writhed and moaned under his ministrations.
Once her underwear was off, she automatically opened her stocking-clad legs, issuing him the final invitation to come inside her. He did, using his tongue and fingers to make love to her and take her to the edge of orgasm. Again and again, he teased and tormented her with the promise of an explosive climax, just as she'd done to him.
When he was confident that she was primed for him and a few strokes away from release, he rolled on a condom and knelt between her legs. But instead of driving into her as she seemed to expect, he shoved a pillow beneath her bottom, raising her pelvis higher, and draped her thighs over his so that his pulsing cock nestled against the warmth and dewy wetness of her sex.
She looked up at him, a sultry smile on her lips. "You have a thing for pillows, don't you."
"It gives me better leverage, and deeper access." His hand smoothed down her fiat belly and his thumb pressed against her swollen clitoris, making her groan and grip the covers at her sides. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I'm all yours, to do with as you please." She dampened her bottom lip with her tongue and asked, "Aren't you going to take off my stockings?"
"No, I don't think I am." His other hand trailed over the strip of bare skin where the lacy bands of her stockings ended, and his stomach muscles constricted in restraint. "I find the contrast of sheer black nylon against your pale, creamy flesh highly erotic."
She blinked lazily, sensually. "You make me feel erotic."
Aching to be inside her, he guided the head of his shaft between her slick folds, found her opening and pushed forward, watching as she took the entire length of him. She made a small sound of pleasure as he buried himself to the hilt, though he didn't move or thrust, just savored the heat and tightness and wonder of being such an intimate part of her.
Keeping his finger on that pulsing nub of flesh at the hood of her sex, he lifted his gaze to hers. Now that he was inside her, he didn't want their lovemaking to end, though he knew it was inevitable. But before he sent them both soaring, he needed to know what was going through her mind, what was happening in her heart.
"What else do I make you feel?" he murmured, arousing her all over again with the slow, slick slide of his fingers.
"Desired," she whispered breathlessly, moving against him in an instinctive motion that drew him deeper. "And cherished."
Unable to hold off any longer, done tormenting them both, he gave her body what it craved, using a firm, seductive touch to make her unravel. He watched her beautiful expression as she came, savoring her soft cries of completion, determined to devote everything about this passionate moment, this woman, to memory, and praying she did the same.
Before the contractions ebbed completely, he moved over her, pressing her deeper into the mattress with the weight of his body, and the heavy, rhythmic glide of his thrusts. He entwined their fingers at the side of her head and she locked her heels at the base of his spine, the tilted angle of her hips granting him deeper penetration and greater friction.
She gasped as he pumped harder, higher, and he watched ecstasy play across her features as yet another orgasm convulsed through her. She quivered beneath him, her inner muscles tightening around his length, milking him with exquisite spasms and coaxing him over that razor-sharp edge of pleasure with her. Arching into her one last time, he tossed his head back with a low, primal growl and gave himself over to the branding heat and scorching climax that jolted down his spine and rocketed through his veins.
Utterly drained, he lowered himself fully on top of her, heartbeat to heartbeat, and kissed her tenderly, deeply, loathe to separate their bodies and shatter the cocoon of intimacy that was theirs alone to share. Possibly, for the very last time.
Minutes later, he lifted his head and smoothed her hair away from her face. "Are you okay?"
A soft smile curved her lips. "Mmm, never better." Her fingers touched his jaw, his lips, and she suddenly grew very serious. "I love you," she whispered, the truth of her emotions shining bright in her eyes, along with a wealth of trust that he didn't deserve. "I just needed to say the words out loud."
His chest tightened in response, and he swallowed hard. "I love you, too," he said, unable to deny what was in his own heart, as well.<
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She brought his mouth back to hers, sealing the profound moment with a slow, languid kiss that made both of their bodies quicken with renewed desire. And as Noah proceeded to make love to her again, he couldn't help but wonder what this night, and their declarations, would cost them both come the morning when he revealed the truth.
Noah had never been so afraid of losing anything in his entire life. From a very early age he'd learned to guard his thoughts and feelings, protect his emotions from potential pain, and form no attachments other than to his immediate family.
He'd broken every single one of those rules with Natalie, who'd gotten under his skin and filled an emptiness in him he hadn't even known existed until her. And for the first time ever, he wanted a woman in his life permanently, was willing to risk everything to give up his solitary lifestyle and make a forever kind of commitment to Natalie, who was just as much of a lost and lonely soul as he'd been.
But first the truth between them beckoned.
Uncertainties and doubts attacked Noah's empty stomach, invading his system like angry bees, making him all too aware of everything Natalie stood to lose, too. Inhaling a steady breath, he squeezed his eyes shut, dipped his head beneath the hot, harsh spray of water in the shower, and tried to wash away his misgivings about their upcoming conversation.
She'd told him she loved him, and while last night he'd rejoiced in the declaration, now a small, insecure part of him couldn't stop analyzing her revelation. Did she truly love him, or did she only believe she loved him because of her amnesia and their intimate situation?
He was so damned torn and confused, he couldn't think straight. He craved time and distance to clear his head and figure out the best way to tell her the truth-that their relationship was all a fabrication that started out as a way to protect her, and ended up with him so emotionally involved he knew he'd never be the same again. No matter the outcome of their discussion.
Shutting off the shower, he dried off with a towel and quietly got dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, then socks and sneakers. He walked over to the bed where Natalie was still sleeping and took in her disheveled hair and content expression, knowing he was responsible for both. He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across her cheek, watching as she blinked her eyes open and looked up at him with a frown.
"What are you doing out of bed and dressed?" she asked, her disappointment plain.
"It's nine-thirty, sleepyhead," he said with a smile. "Do you plan on staying in bed all day long?"
"Maybe, if you'll consider joining me." Grinning shamelessly, she stretched her lithe body, uncaring of the covers that fell to her waist and revealed her naked breasts.
It took every ounce of control he possessed to resist her very tempting offer to spend the day in bed with her and forget about the real world. He straightened and thrust his fingers into the front pockets of his jeans to keep from touching her warm, supple skin and luscious curves."How about I go out and get us some pastries and lattes for breakfast?"
"Mmm," she said, the one word a provocative, come-hither purr in her throat. "I could handle that."
"Great." He took a step back, then another, fighting his body's desires with the need to make things right with her before they made love again. "I'll be back in about half an hour," he promised, and then he was gone.
Natalie lay in bed, listening to the sound of Noah's light footsteps heading down the stairs to the foyer. She heard him stop there to set the silent house alarm before leaving to pick up breakfast. A small smile touched her lips at his protective nature, though now that she knew why he was taking extra precautions with her safety, she appreciated his attendveness.
She heard his car back out of the driveway, then an overwhelming silence settled over the house, along with the realization that she didn't like being alone. After a week of constantly being surrounded by people, she felt a bit uneasy being companionless. Which was ridiculous, she knew, since she clearly couldn't spend the rest of her life with a bodyguard attached to her side.
Yet it seemed by Noah's reserved behavior this morning and his restless desire to get out of the house that he needed a reprieve, even if it was a brief one. In a way she understood. Last night had been so emotionally intense, a surrender of hearts and souls in a way that felt like the very first time for her. She'd been thrown by the depth of her feelings for Noah and hadn't been able to hold back the declaration that had felt so perfectly right.
Yet for as much as he'd returned her sentiment, there had been a few times she'd sensed uncertainties within him, as if something deep and personal was going on in his mind that he wasn't ready or willing to divulge just yet. Then again, there was always the possibility that she might be reading too much into her own insecurities.
With a sigh, she got out of bed and padded to the bathroom. After taking care of personal business, she brushed her teeth and changed into her drawstring pants and a loose, comfy T-shirt. Just as she finished combing out the tangles in her hair, the sound of shattering glass downstairs made her jump, and her heart accelerated to a hard, pounding beat.
Startled, and certain Noah had returned and accidentally broken something, she dropped the brush on the vanity and started out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
"Noah?" she called, and came to an abrupt halt when she saw that the glass from one of the windows flanking the front door was scattered on the floor in the entryway. The door was ajar, and the morning breeze wafted indoors. The cool air caused goose bumps to rise on her flesh, contradicting the hot prickle of unease invading her entire body.
Her gaze shot to the security system on the wall. The red light on the alarm panel flashed, indicating the silent alarm had been set off. Noah wasn't home, and someone had obviously broken into the house.
The phone rang, the loud, jangling noise breaking through the silence and Natalie's paralyzed nerves. Praying it was Noah, or even the security company, she leapt over the shattered glass on the floor, ran into the kitchen and grabbed the portable unit. Before she could connect the call a familiar male figure appeared on the other side of the counter and ripped the phone line from the wall, leaving her with a dead unit in her hand.
She screamed in fright and stumbled back a few steps. Terror gripped her as she stared at the man who'd been stalking her-her ex-boyfriend, according to Noah. A man who obviously had no qualms about breaking and entering to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was her.
Oh, God.
An arrogant smile lifted his lips. "Hello, Natalie," he said, though he didn't make any move toward her. The counter between the family room and kitchen still separated them, but his presence emanated an underlying animosity she felt to her bones.
Shaking from the inside out, she curled her fingers tight around the receiver in her hand to keep her grounded. "Ch-Ch-Chad," she stammered, surprised that her vocal chords worked.
He lifted a blond brow, looking immensely pleased at her recollection. "You finally remember me. I was beginning to think that your amnesia, and Noah's influence on you, had permanently erased me from your memory."
His voice was low and tinged with malevolence.
Disjointed memories flashed in her mind, of Chad's face twisted with fury and a temper to match. And then the recollection crystallized. She'd been the victim of that rage before-it was what had caused her to leave Chad and start a new life here in Oakland.
She was stunned by the memory, and terrified by Chad's irrational frame of mind and what he was capable of doing to her. "Get out, now," she ordered adamantly.
"We'll be leaving together this time," he said, too calmly. "Do you know how long I've been waiting to catch you alone? It hasn't been easy with your watchdog by your side at all times."
Refusing to turn her back on him, she took a step back, then another, edging closer to her only means of escape-a framed threshold leading to the formal dining room and the stairs that headed up to the second level of the house. She thought of Noah's revolver in the bedroom upstairs, and knew that i
t was her best source of defense against this deranged man.
But she had to get to the weapon first.
"You'll always be mine, Natalie," Chad said possessively, drawing her full attention back to him.
Her chest tightened as his familiar words sank in. They were the same as the words she'd read on the card that had accompanied the bouquet she'd received at the hospital. Noah hadn't sent her those flowers, she realized. Chad had.
"You never should have left me," he chided as he moved around the counter, his steps deceptively slow and unhurried, his gaze dark and direct. "Did you really think that I wouldn't be able to find you? And I can't believe that your lover thought that I couldn't get to you, just because you were locked in his house. You're mine, and this time I'm not letting you go."
He was too close, too dangerous, and she'd had enough. Taking advantage of the only weapon and distraction she had available to her, she pitched the phone in her hand at Chad's head. The unit hit its mark, striking him in the temple. He grabbed his head and howled in pain, and she turned and ran through the opposite doorway and up the stairs, desperate to get to Noah's gun.
Once she'd made it to the master bedroom, she shut and locked the door. She bolted over to the dresser and rummaged through the drawer where he kept his revolver, her heart beating in time with the heavy, angry footsteps of Chad coming up the stairs.
She tossed Noah's cotton undershirts onto the floor in her frantic search, and a sob of despair caught in her throat when she realized that the gun was gone. He must have donned it this morning, though for the life of her she couldn't remember him wearing his holster, which didn't mean much. She'd grown so used to the weapon being a part of him that she hardly noticed it anymore.
But the fact remained that the gun was gone, and she was trapped upstairs with a crazed man after her.
The bedroom door rattled as Chad tried to kick in the sturdy wooden panel, spurring Natalie to find another means of defense. She'd gone through two other drawers for something sharp or blunt to use when the door cracked and splintered from the force of Chad's repeated blows, then crashed open.
The Ultimate Seduction Page 16
