Truly, Madly, Sweetly (Sweet Love)

by Kira Archer

  Nat let loose and shook her ass for all she was worth. The worries she’d been hauling around slipped away. She forgot about everyone else on the floor and just danced. Her blood pumped through her system, heating her skin, leaving her breathless as she spun.

  Nat could feel Eric’s eyes on her, burning into her, through her. She glanced at him, meaning only to take a quick look, but her eyes locked with his. She turned to fully face him, letting her hands roam down over her hips, her thighs and then slowly back up. Into her hair, lifting it and letting it fall free again. Part of her couldn’t believe what she was doing. The other part couldn’t believe it had taken her so long. She’d been fantasizing about her Gelato Man for weeks. And by some miracle, he actually seemed interested in her, too. Even if it was just the alcohol talking. No way was she going to waste the moment. She bit her lip and swayed her hips again, keeping her eyes locked on his.

  The corner of Eric’s mouth slowly lifted. He threw back the shot in his hand and stood, coming toward her. He’d taken off his jacket and his shirt clung to him, letting her see every minute movement of his body as he began to dance. He reached for her, pulling her into him, his hand burning through the thin fabric of her dress. Nat pressed her hands against his chest, her breath catching in her throat at the contact she’d been craving all night.

  He drew her in, molding their hips together in a quick grind, before pushing her away, spinning her around, and wrapping an arm around her waist. Her ass nestled firmly against his hips, they swayed, their bodies glued together, pulsing through the slower bridge of the song. The alcohol buzz had nothing on the effect of Eric’s hands on her, his body moving with hers. Nat hazily wondered if it were possible to pass out from sheer lust.

  The tempo slowly picked up and Eric spun her around again. Nat laughed, grabbing his hand, moving with him in time to the bass that thumped through the club. She didn’t know where Gina was. Didn’t care. Didn’t see anyone but Eric, didn’t feel anything but his hands on her body, his breath against her neck when he pulled her in close.

  A slower song blended through the speakers and Eric drew her into his body without skipping a beat. He pressed her against him, hands on her hips. Nat draped an arm around his neck, letting her head fall back as they moved together.

  This was a bad idea. She knew it. Knew things were building to a crescendo she wouldn’t be able to stop. Knew she was so going to regret it in the morning. And at the same time, she didn’t care. Eric’s body moving against hers, his eyes burning into hers, his hands holding her close…he was all that mattered. She didn’t want anything else at that moment. Except maybe a few less layers of clothing.

  Nat had been the prude in the corner looking down on the people making out on the dance floor. She sent out a mental apology to anyone she’d mentally judged over the years. Because, oh my God, she wanted nothing more than to ram her tongue down Eric’s throat, and she really didn’t give a flying fuck who was watching.

  Eric apparently had the same idea and Nat nearly sobbed in relief when he wrapped both his arms around her waist and pressed her closer. He fisted his hand in her hair and dragged her mouth to his. Their lips met, tongues tangling, devouring each other. There was nothing gentle or sweet about it. No slow build up. They were both too amped up for that.

  Eric pushed her away and Nat gasped, her eyes flying open. He smiled at her, his slightly swollen lips stretching in a sexy grin that made her weak at the knees. He spun her around and then pulled her in so her back was cradled against his chest. His arm clamped around her waist, keeping her firmly pressed to him. They swayed to the beat of the music, Eric’s lips skimming up the slope of her shoulder to the sensitive spot at the base of her neck. His teeth grazed her skin and she jerked, her arm lifting to wrap around the back of his neck, keeping his mouth fixed firmly against the pulse throbbing in her throat. He broke away only long enough to move back to her lips, capturing her mouth and stealing her breath.

  She twisted in his arms so she could fully face him, nipping at his bottom lip as she pulled slightly away, breaking contact. Eric’s hands clamped around her waist, keeping her molded to him. A slow smile spread across Nat’s lips and she let her head fall back. She wrapped a leg around his hip, letting him support her weight as her upper body arched backward, still swaying in time with him.

  He brought her slowly back up, a heat burning in his eyes that she knew was echoed in her own. Bad idea as it may be, there was no turning back now. They were seconds from ripping each other’s clothes off, right there on the dance floor. Nat pushed any other thought out of her head. She’d never wanted anything so badly in her whole life as she wanted him in that moment. And for once she was going to do what she wanted and be happy, and everything else could be damned.

  Nat brought her lips up to Eric’s ear. “Let’s get out of here,” she breathed, nipping his earlobe.

  Eric pulled back far enough that he could look her full in the face. “You sure?”

  She knew he wanted to. With his body glued to hers, he couldn’t have hidden it if he tried. And she appreciated him making sure she was making a rational decision. But she was also impatient with it. There was no point denying what was between them and the only thing she wanted to do was get out of the club and go somewhere she could rip that shirt off him and get her hands on every delicious inch of his body.

  She answered him by grabbing his hand and pulling him off the floor. They stopped by their table long enough for Eric to nod good-bye to Jared and grab his jacket, which he draped strategically over his arm. Nat gave Gina a little wave, ignoring her friend’s shocked and amused expression, and let Eric tow her out the door.

  The walk home was a blur of hands and lips and a vague sense of embarrassment whenever someone had to clear their throats to get around them on the sidewalk. Nat nearly sobbed in relief once they reached Eric’s brownstone. They jogged up the stairs to the front door and Eric pulled her against him, claiming her lips again while he fumbled for the keys in his pocket. Nat vaguely realized there were still people wandering about the streets, but nothing much registered on her radar but Eric.

  He dropped the keys on the stoop but neither took much notice. Eric pushed her up against his front door, his hands tangling in her hair as he angled her mouth to fit to his. She yanked his T-shirt out of his jeans, desperate to get her hands on his bare chest. He pulled the shoulder of her dress to the side, kissing across her collarbone. One thumb grazed across a nipple and Nat gasped and arched into him. He cupped her breast, bringing his mouth back to hers.

  Someone coughed. Eric and Nat glanced up, disoriented, and froze when they met the shocked gaze of someone’s little old night-owl grandma, apparently setting out to walk her dog. Eric nodded at her, his hand still entangled in Nat’s dress, his body pressed to hers. Moving, however, would definitely be worse, seeing as how it would give the poor old woman an eyeful of the rock solid length currently straining the seams in Eric’s pants.

  “Good evening, Mrs. Jankowski. Going for a walk?” he asked.

  Nat smiled and felt around on the ground for the keys with her foot.

  Mrs. Jankowski nodded, her mouth hanging slightly open. “Just taking Peanut out.”

  “Got them,” Nat whispered, kicking her foot out of her stiletto long enough to snake the keys with her toes. She brought her foot up behind her, grabbed the keys and shoved them into Eric’s hands.

  “Ah. Lovely night for it,” he said, jamming his key into the lock. Nat sagged against him in relief when she heard the lock click.

  “We’re just on our way in. Have a good night then.” Eric opened the door and they stumbled inside and slammed it, shutting out the sight of his thoroughly shocked and mildly amused neighbor.

  The moment the door closed, Eric and Natalie burst out laughing.

  “Oh my God, your poor neighbor.”

  “Yeah, I’m going to have to move for sure.”

  They laughed again. The movement brought Eric and his poor pants ba
ck into contact with the sensitive skin of Nat’s bare thighs and her laughter choked off in a gasp. Eric’s eyes locked with hers and their smiles faded.

  Then his lips were on hers again, his hands roaming over every inch he could touch. Eric spun Nat into the hallway and up a flight of stairs before she could catch her breath.

  They hit the second floor and she was up against the wall again. But this time they were alone. No one was going to interrupt them. Nat grabbed Eric’s shirt and tugged it over his head, exposing his muscled chest. She lightly raked her nails down his chest and over his rock-hard abs, not hard enough to even redden his skin, just enough to make him shudder and groan against her mouth.

  He backed up, pulling her with him through the apartment. Nat didn’t even register where they were, didn’t notice anything other than Eric. She kept her mouth fused with his and kicked off her shoes. Seconds later, his hit the floor with two solid thumps. He pushed her dress off her shoulders, leaving her in nothing but her bra and lacy black underwear. Eric stopped, his gaze raking her over from head to toe.

  “My God. You are so beautiful.”

  Heat rushed to Nat’s cheeks and she reached for him, pulling his head down so she could kiss him. His large warm hands encircled her waist and Nat sighed against his lips. She felt tiny and fragile and at the same time more powerful and safe than she’d ever felt before. Eric’s hands trembled slightly against her skin and she smiled, loving that he was just as affected as she. The intensity building in her escalated until her whole body tingled with it. She craved Eric, wanted his touch, wanted him inside her.

  She fumbled with the zipper of Eric’s pants and he reached down to help. They’d reached his bedroom and he groped for the light switch. When the light blared on, Nat broke away from Eric just long enough to glance around the room. The sight of the king-sized bed, sheets still tussled from the night before, had her heart lurching into her throat. A hint of anxiety crept through her, cooling the heat of desire burning through her veins.

  Then Eric’s pants hit the floor and he was on his knees in front of her, his hand skimming up the back of her legs. His lips and tongue trailed up, nibbling at the soft skin of her inner thighs until he reached her overheated core. He sucked at her through the thin lace panties, his teeth lightly scraping over her until she thought her legs would give out. She sucked in a ragged breath of air, clutching at his head and shoulders.

  Eric surged to his feet, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed in just a few steps. Her underwear joined his on the floor, the mattress sinking under his weight as he knelt over her. He settled between her legs, kissing his way up her body. Nat couldn’t think straight anymore. Couldn’t think of anything but the sensations Eric was causing. She reached for him. Pulled him to her. Groaned when his weight settled on her, the heat of his skin burning through her.

  “Wait,” she said, her voice coming out in a breathy whisper she barely recognized. “Do you…we need…” She couldn’t get the thought out but Eric was already on it.

  “Yeah, hang on, I’ve got…” His weight left her for a brief moment while he fumbled at the nightstand’s drawer. The lamp sitting on the table crashed to the floor.

  “Shit!”

  Nat laughed but the movement pushed Eric’s thigh against the juncture of her legs and she sucked in a strangled breath. “Eric,” she said, reaching for him, “please. I need…” He pushed his leg against her again.

  “I know, Cupcake.”

  He grabbed the box, spilling foil packets all over the bed.

  “Think we’ll need that many?” Nat asked with a breathy laugh.

  “I like to be optimistic,” he said, grabbing a packet and ripping it open.

  “Good to know.”

  He rocked his thigh against her again while he rolled the condom on, and she gasped, rubbing against him.

  His fingers slipped inside her, teasing, testing. Nat cried out, her hips lifting, straining toward him. He didn’t make her wait. He guided himself inside, thrusting to the hilt in one motion. Eric held still for a second, leaning down to kiss her, letting her get used to the feel of him.

  Nat was on fire. Every cell in her body throbbed with her pounding heart, every nerve ending pulsing as Eric retreated and plunged, his mouth and hands building pleasure upon pleasure until she burned with it. She wasn’t going to be able to hold out for long. A few more strokes and her world exploded. She gasped his name, clinging to him as wave after wave rippled through her. His tempo increased and a few moments later he joined her, his body going rigid as he found his release.

  Eric collapsed against her, rolling to the side so he wouldn’t crush her. He brushed her hair out of her face, pulling her to him and tucking her against his body. He kissed her cheek, her temple, then her lips, lingering gently while their heart rates returned to normal.

  …

  Nat rolled on her side and Eric quickly cleaned up and then pulled her into him, spooning her against him so she could curl into his warmth.

  “Next time,” he said, turning her face so he could kiss her again, “we’ll take our time.”

  Nat laughed, her voice low and deep, utterly spent. “Next time? Pretty confident, are you?”

  “At the moment, very.” Hell, he had so much adrenaline and testosterone flowing through him he was pretty sure he could jump out the window and fly. A night of marathon sex would be a piece of cake. A very delicious piece of scrumptious Cupcake. He leaned down to nuzzle her neck, pressing small, lingering kisses up the slender column and across her jawline.

  “Already?” Nat murmured, her voice hitching on the last syllable. “Are you sure you can do it again so soon?”

  “Most definitely. And this time, it’ll be even better.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible.”

  “Don’t underestimate me. I’m pretty spectacular, you know.”

  “Hmm,” Nat said, wiggling a little. “You don’t say.”

  Eric sucked in his breath as her ass rubbed against him. “Feeling playful, are we?”

  Nat rolled onto her stomach, looking back over her shoulder at him with the sexiest smile he’d ever seen in his life. It was all he could do not to jump on her like some savage beast and plunge into her right there and then. He’d been teasing, but to his surprise he was already completely hard and ready for her again. God, he’d never get enough of her. One taste and he was ready to follow her around like a faithful puppy for the rest of their lives.

  She cocked a finger at him, biting the side of her lip, and Eric’s brain short-circuited. He leaned over to run his hands down the smooth skin of her back. His lips and tongue followed, trailing their way down her spine. Her back bowed, pushing against his lips as he nibbled at the sensitive skin. He massaged the flesh of her ass, kissing the little hollow at the base of her spine. Nat moaned and Eric closed his eyes, breathing deeply in his struggle for control. He was about to lose it without even entering her. And that would be a fucking waste of epic proportions. He lay beside her and pulled her leg up over his hip. She immediately rocked against him.

  He grabbed her hips, keeping her steady. He’d meant it. This time they were going slow. He was going to make it last as long as he could, until she was screaming his name, begging for release. Nat was already whimpering, her breaths coming in short, sharp pants that mingled with gasps whenever his fingers trailed across her skin. Her skin was flushed, and the sight of her straining for him made him throb to the point of pain.

  Eric grabbed another condom, let her watch as he rolled it on inch by inch. Then he grasped her hips and guided himself into her as slowly as he could. He stopped and retreated an inch and Nat cried out. She tried to push against him, bring him farther inside, but he held her hips steady. He teased her. Penetrating an inch or two only to retreat. Again, and once more, until Nat’s body was quivering in his grasp.

  “Eric,” she gasped.

  He jerked against her, his name on her lips nearly undoing him. He’d meant t
o draw it out even longer, but he couldn’t wait anymore. He rolled Nat to her back, keeping her leg wrapped firmly around his waist, and thrust hard, filling her to the core. Nat cried out, her breath ragged. He reached one hand between them to play with her engorged nipple, rolling it between his fingers as he thrust into her. His other hand grabbed her hips for support as he began to plunge into her, harder and faster. She moaned his name, rocking into him, meeting him thrust for thrust, both of them crying out.

  She arched into him as she came and he collapsed on top of her, their breath mingling as they panted in spent ecstasy together. He rolled off her, gently turning her until she faced him. He kissed her, his hands cupping her face.

  “I was wrong. You are the one who is spectacular.”

  She laughed and rested her head on his chest. “Don’t sell yourself short. That was just…amazing.”

  “Hmmm. Just wait until round three.”

  Nat laughed again. “You’re going to have to give me a few minutes.”

  “Not a problem. I think I need a little recoup time myself.”

  “I’m not sure we can best that last one.”

  “Oh ye of little faith,” Eric said.

  Before Nat could argue further, Eric set about showing her just how wrong she was. By the end of their third time, she’d lost the ability to do anything but feel the sensations Eric wrought in her body. Neither one of them spoke, but just curled up together in an exhausted heap. Eric fell asleep in the very early hours of the morning, his arms wrapped around Natalie, feeling more complete than he’d ever felt in his life.

  Chapter Six

  Nat’s eyes cracked open and she blinked at her surroundings, disoriented for a second. The soft sound of someone breathing next to her had her heart pounding in her throat. She slowly peeked over her shoulder at Eric snuggled up behind her. Holy hell. Part of her wanted to cuddle up against him and go back to sleep. The rest of her was flooded with such abject embarrassment she was certain she’d melt into a puddle of shame right there on the bed. His bed. That she was lying in. Naked.