His eyes widened. “I never thought I’d see you look at me like that again.”
“I’ve been fighting this for two months,” she murmured as they walked toward his suite. “It’s been hell wanting you and knowing—” Her voice broke. The last thing he deserved was to hear her say again that she’d chosen being there for her sister over him.
His fingers tightened against hers as he slid the key card into the electronic lock. As soon as they crossed the threshold he kicked the door closed, gathered her into his arms and kissed her. Mia sighed against his mouth, her lips parting to welcome the plunge of his tongue. She filled her fingers with his soft wavy hair and held him close.
I love you. The words reverberated in her mind, but she didn’t dare say them out loud. As much as she wanted him, wanted this, she couldn’t commit to anything beyond this night. Soon she would have to consider Nate’s place in her life. This connection between them had grown so fast and Mia wasn’t accustomed to recklessly throwing herself into any situation. And then there were the doubts that rose after Ivy voiced her opinion about Mia not belonging in the limelight by his side.
Mia took Nate’s hand and drew him toward the suite’s bedroom. He deserved someone beautiful and confident to walk the red carpet and make other public appearances with him. Mia was too used to hiding in the background, and she knew he wanted to partner in everything private and public. But with his hands sweeping down her spine, his palms sliding over her butt cheeks to lift her against his hard body, it was hard to think about all the reasons she wasn’t right for him.
“I’m going to do all the talking for you tonight,” she told him, panting as his lips found the sensitive skin on the side of her neck. “You just tell me what to say and I’ll say it.”
There was a mischievous glint in the depths of Nate’s gray eyes as he made an okay sign. He snagged the hem of her dress and skimmed it up her body. The cool air struck her overheated skin and Mia shivered. For a couple seconds the cotton material tangled in her hair as it went over her head and she was blinded. The loss of her sight awakened her sense of smell and she breathed in Nate’s familiar scent of soap and aftershave.
Immediately she was transported back to that night in Sydney. She’d been a little intimidated by the discrepancy between their levels of sexual experience and what he might expect of her. And then she’d forgotten to be nervous as his mouth traveled over her body and he introduced her to pleasure she’d never known. After having nearly two months to relive that night over and over, Mia was more than ready to do to him all the things she’d been dreaming about.
His shirt followed her dress to the floor. Once his gorgeous chest was bared to her eyes, she went after his pants with a vengeance. Teeth gritted in concentration, she worked his belt free and had her hands on his zipper when he stopped her.
“What are you doing?” She tugged, trying to free herself from his grip. “I need you naked.”
Nate set his forehead against hers and brought her hands to his lips. His breath puffed against her skin as he feathered kisses across her knuckles. Then he turned her in his arms and shifted so they were facing the mirror.
“Before we do this, I want you to know it’s never been just about sex for me.”
“I know.” She relaxed against Nate’s strong torso. The hard ridge of his erection nudged against her backside and she resisted the urge to rub against him. “But can’t we talk about this later?”
“Now. It’s important you understand how much I need you in my life. This isn’t something I’m doing lightly. Can you say the same?”
“If you’re going to ask me to choose you right now, I can’t. Is it possible for you to accept that I care about you and want this to work between us? I’m not leading you on, but I need time to sort everything out.”
“You’re asking me to be patient.”
“And I know it’s a lot. You’re so wonderful and I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I wish I could tell you I will make it easy on you, but I’m a selfish jerk who wants you all to himself.” He met her eyes in the mirror and gave her wolfish grin. “Now repeat after me...” He began simultaneously signing and caressing her body to act out his words.
“I love your breasts and the way your nipples go hard when I touch them,” she translated, quaking in reaction to his touch. “Nate, you’re killing me with this.”
He stopped signing long enough to pop the clasp of her strapless bra. Mia watched it slide off her breasts and hit the floor. Next he skimmed his fingers beneath the elastic of her panties and sent those plunging to the floor, too. Mia stepped out of them. Although she was no stranger to her naked body reflected in the mirror, seeing Nate’s large hand fanned over her stomach was an erotic image she’d never forget.
“Keep going.”
“I can’t wait to taste you.” A vivid blush dotted her cheeks as she repeated what Nate had signed. “I love how sensitive you are. It makes me crazy to hear you moan.”
He trailed the tips of his fingers along her neck and into the hollow of her throat, all the while watching her in the mirror. She half closed her eyes as each of her senses demanded her attention. The silky drag of his lips across her shoulder competed with the tantalizing view of his fingers circling her belly button before skimming downward.
“Nate.” His name was a plea as she shifted her hips, seeking the promise of greater pleasure beneath his hands. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Am I ready for you?” she repeated, her voice a husky moan. “The answer is yes.”
He laughed, a brief huff of air against her neck. “I’m ready for you, too. Can’t you feel it?” He rocked his hips forward and drove his erection against her.
“Then what are you waiting for?”
She dropped her hand to his thigh and slid her palm along the sinewy length. His muscles bunched and jumped beneath her touch.
“I like taking my time with you,” Mia repeated, watching as he lifted his fingers to her breasts and brushed the aching tips. She arched her back. “Later you can take your time. Now I want you to make me come.”