me, whispering in my ear, “But if there were more, if you'd allow me, I’d learn every inch of your body and each curve of your face. I want to taste you, I want to lick you, and I want you to lie back and let me be with you—no walls, no running. Just you and me.”
My chest rapidly rises and falls as he speaks. It feels like he has me by my neck while I’m dangling over a canyon. It’s terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.
“My walls haven’t been up with you,” I protest.
“They’re not totally down either, though. Aren't you curious? Don’t you wonder what it would be like if they were?”
I stiffen, thinking about it. It would be wonderful and exhilarating. It’s insane and reckless—like tossing the condom. He wants to taste me, to do things we haven’t done yet. I’ve not made love to him, and it sounds like that’s what he wants. We fucked, we played hard, we had fun, but now he wants more.
Part of me wants to take it and run. Is it possible to be with him like that, knowing it will all be over in a few short days? Forever isn’t real. Matt taught me that. Mom cemented the concept in my mind. All we have is today, right now. So, why not? Giving my body to him will be easy. It’s my heart that’s having issues. But that’s what he’s asking for—me, totally pliant, unguarded.
When I fail to answer, Nate’s expression darkens. “When you change your mind, you know where to find me.” He turns and walks away, leaving me behind with a gaping mouth.
CHAPTER 4
Did he seriously just say that? I want to fight with him, but I shouldn’t walk away from the painting. Hastily, I pack up my stuff and leave the canvas out on the easel to dry. I drag my palm over the light switches and the room floods with darkness. I pull the door shut and stride down the hallway to Nate’s office, planning on getting up in his face. I have a million things to say. My body is supercharged and buzzing. He gets under my skin, and it’s bad enough that I can’t stop thinking about him.
When I get to his office, the door is shut, and there’s no light spilling beneath the crack under the door. He’s gone home for the night. Damn it. I sigh, annoyed, not wanting to go home. Actually, I don’t know what I want. I’m hot and bothered, but Nate is getting too serious.
I stare at his door and wonder if I should go looking for Josh. I like him and if I want him, does it matter what he’s done? Part of me thinks it’s stupid. The other part says Josh had his chance to abuse me but didn’t. He protected me instead. Sighing, I turn and lean my back against Nate’s door and start to slide down, planning to sit on my butt. The door isn’t latched, and, when I press my back against it, the door gives and swings open. I’m already off-kilter having planned to sit down. The result is embarrassing. I fall backward into Nate’s office, slamming the door into the wall and shaking the frames hung above my head as I fall on my ass. I can’t stop the momentum, continuing until I’m on my back, staring at the ceiling.
“Bloody hell.”
An amused voice cuts through the darkness. “Are you English now?”
I don’t move. I just lie there, frowning. Fine, I’m pouting. What the hell is he doing sitting here in the dark? Two seconds later, Nate is standing over me, his head cocked to the side and a smile on those delicious lips. “Back so soon?”
I glare at him and fold my arms over my chest. “You’re an arrogant asshole if you think I’m here because I can’t breathe without you. I’m never doing that again.”
The smile fades from Nate’s face. “Not every guy is like him, you know.”
“I don’t know that. I don’t know you, and I’m not getting my heart ripped out of my chest again.”
“So why are you here?”
“For the view, obviously. Your ceiling is sublime in this light.” I pause and glance up at him out of the corner of my eye. “Why are you sitting in the dark?”
He sighs, running a hand down the back of his neck and turning toward his desk. He strides over and plucks a paper from the top, then tosses