But her lips were so warm and soft that he couldn't resist, he parted them with his tongue, then slid along her teeth, teasing out her own tongue until they massaged each other.
If he hadn't known better, he might have thought Natalie had been waiting for this for a long while. The way she kissed him, with so much enthusiasm and exuberance, filled him with warmth that spread through his entire body and made his aching cock that much stiffer.
Without thinking, he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her tighter against him, until he was sure that she could feel his hot bulge against her stomach.
If he couldn't bring himself to move away, maybe that would make her leave. Or at least realize the severity of the situation.
Instead, she pushed onto her tiptoes and rubbed against him, working him through her pants until he closed his eyes and bit her lip.
She moaned, biting him back, then sliding her hands beneath his shirt and teasing his muscles.
For a minute, he wondered if she could feel how fast his heart was beating through his skin, but he didn't care. He only wanted to feel her soft flesh rubbing him up and down, the gentle scrape of her nails along his obliques.
He released her lips, then closed his lips over her earlobe, nibbling and licking, and then blowing cool air on the skin there until she shivered in his arms.
Then he began guiding her back, tracing the length of her neck with sweet, soft kisses as his hands dipped beneath her skirt and felt the creamy softness of her outer thighs.
How many times had he wanted to do this? In the middle of the office? In the middle of a meeting? In the middle of the street?
And still, she felt even smoother than he'd imagined, her toned thighs flexing against his touch and he went up and up and up...
Then there was the undeniable sensation of lace against the pads of his thumbs. Rough and sexy lace. All he had to do was push it aside, feel the juncture of her thighs, work her into a frenzy.
His gaze met hers for an single instant and he realized that they were both holding their breath.
This was the moment. Now or never.
It was still a bad idea, he knew that much, but he wasn't sure it was so bad not to risk it. Garret had told him not to. And Eliza. And Rachael, too.
But he defied any man alive to stared at a flushed Natalie Gains and walk away.
Luckily, though, she spared him the decision again.
"This is wrong." Natalie crabbed onto the mattress, then swung around the side and rolled to her feet. He didn't think it was possible, but her face became still redder, and she snatched up her coat and purse so quickly that he was shocked she hadn't winded herself.
"I'm sorry," he started.
Dammit.
What was his problem with her?
He never would have acted this way with anyone else.
With anyone else he would have walked away long enough and left them in his dust.
Now, though...
Now it wasn't so easy.
"It's not your fault. I just," she swallowed, swinging her purse onto her shoulder as she bum rushed the door, "I just realized something. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Na—" But it was no use. The door clicked behind her and she was gone.
Just as well, he supposed. He didn't know what he'd say to her anyway.
And even if he did, how would he be able to explain that in spite of everything—the weirdness and the extreme measures--everything.
He still wasn't ready to give up?