Hot and Bothered - Erika Wilde Page 0,67
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.
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 had to be revealed.
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. “Since I’m out of eggs and bacon, how about I go 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 he pinned her to the bed and fucked her again. “I’ll be back in about half an hour,” he promised, and then he was gone.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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