said, “Once.”
Something in his voice struck her as odd, but the hunger in his eyes wiped her mind clean.
“And then we’ll be okay,” she said.
He didn’t reply, exactly. Instead, he kissed her.
14
Nate had been a lot of things, but he’d never been a liar before.
Usually, when he did wrong, he admitted it. When he was at school, if he’d punched a guy or smoked some weed he’d say, “Yeah, Ma, I punched that guy. I smoked some weed.” Even when he’d been in court after an anti-fash protest that turned into a brawl, he’d happily pled guilty to affray because… well, because he’d done it.
But here he was, after thirty years of honesty, letting Hannah believe that one time would be enough. He supposed, technically, that the lie didn’t matter. Because one time wouldn’t be enough, but it would be the end. She clearly wasn’t interested in more, and Nate… Nate would only allow himself this, anyway. Only this. And only because she’d asked for it.
Funny how none of that made him feel any better. Funny how none of that stopped his mind from whispering, You are absolute scum.
Funny how he knew, almost instinctively, that kissing her would silence the voices in his head.
Hannah’s cheeks felt so sweet and delicate in his hands. The way her eyes fluttered closed, as if she’d been waiting for this, sent a warmth through him that had nothing to do with the need in his blood or the ache in his cock. How she’d ever thought he didn’t like her, Nate had no idea. But after this, he had a feeling she’d never forget it.
His mouth found hers and something in him clicked into place. He’d thought she’d taste of lipstick and lust and burning flames, but instead, she was… she was cool mint and a hint of sugar, and something he couldn’t identify. That mysterious something, earthy and intimate, drew him in the most. It made him deepen the gentle touch of their lips, made him pour out his passion until she finally opened for him. He swept his thumb over the velvety skin of her cheek as his tongue explored the heat of her mouth.
She moaned, a sweet, whimpering sound, and Nate lost what little restraint he’d had, wrapping an arm around her waist to haul her closer. Only, the closer they got, the more he noticed the height difference between them. So he took the only sensible option and picked her up.
Only to be rewarded with a shriek and a smack to the back of the head. “Put me down!”
“Don’t be difficult.”
“Nate!”
He rolled his eyes, put her back on her feet, and sank to his knees.
“What the hell are you doing now?” she demanded.
He didn’t answer. He couldn’t, because this new position put his face on a level with her cleavage, swelling gently beneath her loose, white shirt. To Nate, Hannah’s tits were sort of like his nose: obviously, he knew they were there, but his eyes generally refused to show him. Anytime he’d come close to looking at her chest, guilt forced his gaze to slide away without registering any of the details.
But apparently, his eyes were feeling more cooperative today. Because he could see, quite clearly, the hint of deep brown flesh displayed by her loosened top buttons. He could even see the tiny mole that kissed the curve of her left breast. He wanted to lick that mole.
He could also see the rise and fall of her chest as she panted softly, its rhythm almost hypnotic. He heard every sharp inhale, every shaking exhale, because this was Hannah and he felt everything about her, even when he shouldn’t. He had no idea how, but he did. He’d hear her calling his name from miles away and he’d see her reaching for him in the dark. He knew that she was reaching for him now even though she hadn’t moved a muscle.
So he undid the button that strained over her breasts, his hands seeming bigger and clumsier than usual. Still, he managed to open her shirt and push down the cups of her bra. He managed not to come on the spot when she released a high, tight whimper. He managed not to moan out loud when her tits fell into his palms. Nate caressed the ripe mounds, savoured her silky skin, and watched her face.
She was beautiful. She rolled her lips inward, frowning ferociously, her expression pained. She wrapped a hand around his wrist and nodded, breathless, while