Free Salvation by Stephanie John Page B

he murmured, eyes gleaming mischievously, “ we ’ d have tangled up my bedsheets hours ago. ”
    The way he stared at me with such conviction, along with his sureness of himself, and us, excited me.
    “ You can ’ t deny the attraction, Kara. ” His fingertips grazed my cheek as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “ You want it, too. Otherwise you wouldn ’ t be here. ”
    Nate was right. I had come back for more. I was lost, struggling with my emotions. “ Everything about you is so … overwhelming. ” For the first time in almost a year, I ’ d found someone I was actually interested in. But Nate wanted nothing beyond sex. “ You know this can ’ t work. We ’ re expecting completely different outcomes. ”
    His expression softened as he ran a thumb along my jaw. “ You took the words right out of my mouth. ”
    I frowned as I scanned his face, noting his own bewilderment. Why continue the pursuit if he didn’t think we ’ d work out?
    “ I don ’ t want to become a woman whose face you won ’ t even remember in a few weeks ’ time. ”
    “ You never could be, ” he assured quietly. “ You ’ re the only woman I ’ ve considered having more with in a long time. I know I came on strong at the beginning. It was a mistake, I realise that now. ” His expression saddened his eyes. “ But, uncomplicated is all I ’ ve known lately, all I ’ ve allowed myself to have. It ’ s difficult to change that overnight. ”
    I turned, wondering why Nate believed he was so unworthy of emotional intimacy, and faced the ocean. His hand crossed my back and settled on my hip, his head nuzzling mine. The breeze blew over me as I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. The salty sea air blended with the woody hues of shower gel from this complicated man beside me.
    “ Listen, I ’ m away on business the next few days. Use our time apart to really think about what you want. ”
    I ’ d do nothing but think about him. “ I do like you, Nate. ”
    “ That ’ s good to know, ” he said playfully, tucking me into his side. “ Hate to think you kissed men you didn ’ t like that way. ”
     
    I was grateful we had the long drive back to the city before having to say goodbye.
    “ Are you still okay with the top down? ” Nate asked as he climbed into the car.
    “ I like it, ” I told him, clipping up my seatbelt, noting he locked the doors.
    “ Say if you get cold. I ’ ll put the seat warmer on. ”
    “ Heated seats? ” I don ’ t know why I was surprised. The Bentley was top of the range; of course it had all the latest mod-cons.
    “ Second thoughts, don ’ t want you getting sick. ” As we drove away from the house, a stream of warm air steadily emitted through the seat cushion around my neck.
    “ Hmm, this is nice, ” I murmured, snuggling into the seat. “ It makes me sleepy. ”
    “ Be my guest. ” Nate ’ s eyes glinted mischievously to match his smile. There was no way I ’ d be falling asleep. “ There ’ s a built-in massager if you really want to relax. ”
    “ Are you talking about yourself, Mr Blake? ”
    He laughed loudly as he concentrated on the road and shook his head. “ No, though ask me nicely, ” he purred, “ I ’ ll be more than willing to oblige. ”
    I grinned. “ You keep your obliging hands on the steering wheel, thank you. ”
    Nate reached over and squeezed my knee, sending a thrill up the inside of my leg. I clenched my thighs together, hoping to appease the throbbing. His fingers were long, and I was certain they would be exceptionally talented. I covered his hand with mine and switched them to the armrest between us because I couldn ’ t stand having it on me, imagining it creeping up my thigh and doing all sorts of naughty things to me.
    Old Motown music played quietly in the background. When a particular song started, I burst into laughter. “ Let ’ s Get it On? ” I snorted. “ Did you choose that on purpose? ”
    “ No, it ’ s on shuffle. ”