It’s the kind of hope that electrifies every cell and seeps into my bones. When it comes to work, I always strive to be a realist. When it comes to love, I’m allowed to hope and dream, right?
“I used to spend my weekends working,” he says, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear with one hand. “Even if there wasn’t anything pressing to do, I’d find ways to keep myself occupied: research for future projects, you name it. I needed to fill my time with something. But right now, all I want is to fill my time with you. The prospect of staying in with you all day—all weekend, in fact—sounds like the best idea I’ve ever had.”
“It does, huh?” I feel ridiculously proud as I rest my hands on his chest. Knowing he’s enjoying our time together as much as I am brings me pure joy.
“Yeah.”
“I wonder what we could possibly do indoors all day.”
Nate offers me a devilish smile in return, palming one breast. My nipple instantly responds. Without warning, he lowers his head to my chest, swiping his tongue over my other nipple once and then descending lower to my navel. He looks at me seductively while he moves lower still. I part my legs almost involuntarily and he smiles against my belly. I have an inkling I’m about to be teased, but I enjoy this too much to protest.
Nate skims his fingers down my bikini line, and the light touch sends a searing heat through the sensitive skin. He slicks his thumb across my opening once and my knees buckle. As if foreseeing this, he grabs one of my ass cheeks, his fingers pressing tightly against my skin. The thinly disguised desperation in his eyes has me trembling with anticipation. Tilting my pelvis slightly up toward him, he undoes me with the first lick across my sensitive spot, and when his lips suck gently at my clit, I’m about to break out of my skin.
Then he lets go of my ass, his mouth traveling upward on my belly again, and higher still as he rises. His fingers skim up my arms, turning my skin to gooseflesh.
“Why are you teasing me?” I complain. “Go back down there.”
“Patience, Alice. I know what we’ll be doing all day.” His voice is like hot chocolate: rich, thick, and full of promise.
“You’re shameless, but I’m completely on board with the plan.” Especially because it means I’ll get many chances to get my revenge, teasing him the way he did with me.
“Get dressed and let’s have breakfast.”
Ah, and so begins the first step of my revenge plan. Nate heads to the kitchen, leaving me alone to get dressed. I cover myself with a silk robe, fastening it around my waist with the belt but leaving the top open, showing plenty of cleavage. If I take large steps, one can clearly see I haven’t put on panties. I intend to take large steps often.
I love Nate’s apartment. It’s rather small, like mine, just one bedroom, but his living room is enormous. The furniture is mostly white, the books and souvenirs from his trips lining the shelves and counters forming uneven splashes of color. It’s beautiful.
Joining Nate in the living room, I help him set the table. As we prepare the breakfast, I can feel his gaze on me. Like the little devil I am, I shift my legs in such a way that he can clearly take a peek under the robe. I’m immensely satisfied when he sucks in a deep breath and immediately abandons his task of making fresh orange juice. He moves behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders and kissing the side of my neck.
“If you go on like this, we’re going to eat in about a hundred years,” I warn him.
“Maybe I’ll just eat you, Alice. You taste so good.”
His words travel straight between my thighs, and my cheeks burn. Licking my lips, I remind myself that I’m supposed to be the one driving him crazy, not the other way around. But I have a hunch that I don’t stand much of a chance to win my own challenge. When Nate touches me, my body responds.
“Breakfast first,” I find myself saying, and damn if I’m not proud for resisting him. “Don’t forget the orange juice.”
***
After we’re done with breakfast, the sound of Nate’s phone ringing reaches us from the foyer.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“Nah, it’s my work ringtone. It can wait until Monday. Today I’m all yours.”
I flash him a grin, touching his feet under the table. But whoever is calling him doesn’t give up. After the fourth time the phone starts ringing, I encourage him to answer it, as it could be urgent. Grudgingly, Nate leaves the table. He answers in the foyer, and I’m dismayed when he all but barks at the person on the other end. But as he returns to the living room, phone plastered to his ear, I hear his conversation partner barking too.
Not wanting to seem like I’m eavesdropping, I start clearing the table, bringing everything to the kitchen. While I put the dirty dishes in the washer, I try to block out his voice. If he wants to share the topic of the conversation with me later, then I’ll gladly listen, but for now, I’m trying to offer him privacy. Unfortunately, Nate paces around the living room, and the person at the other end of the line talks so loudly I can’t help overhearing, especially when Nate stops just two feet away from me. It’s completely unintentional.
“They’re sinking so fast in London, they’ll beg you to take the job over in no time.” The man at the other end of the line laughs wholeheartedly, as if he can’t wait for the scenario to happen. Unease rises in my throat, constricting my breath. The fear that all this might be just temporary slices through me. Nate moves back on the couch and I hear nothing more, instead focusing on my tasks
My ears perk up when Nate finishes the call, which is exactly when I finish cleaning everything, and I raise my gaze to watch him. He’s pacing around the living room. Uh-oh! I recognize this behavior. He’s like a feline predator, ready to pounce. He’s not just annoyed but downright mad.
“I can make more orange juice if you want,” I offer from the kitchen island, breaking the silence.
Instead of returning to the table, Nate slumps on the couch, deep lines marring his forehead. “Lost my appetite.”
Well, that won’t do. I resolve to make his frown disappear by any means. Heading to the couch, I sit next to him, tucking my feet underneath me.