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Keeping his finger on that pulsing nub of flesh at the hood of her sex, he lifted his gaze to hers. Now that he was inside her, he didn’t want this moment to end, though he knew it was inevitable. But before he sent them both soaring, he needed to know what was going through her mind, what was happening in her heart.
“What else do I make you feel?” he murmured, arousing her all over again with the slow, slick slide of his fingers.
“Desired,” she whispered breathlessly, moving against him in an instinctive motion that drew him deeper. “And cherished.”
Unable to hold off any longer, and done tormenting them both, he gave her body what it craved, using a firm, seductive touch to make her unravel. He watched her beautiful expression as she came, savoring her soft cries of completion, determined to devote everything about this passionate moment, this woman, to memory, and praying she did the same.
Before the contractions ebbed completely, he moved over her, pressing her deeper into the mattress with the weight of his body, and the heavy, rhythmic glide of his thrusts. He entwined their fingers at the side of her head and she locked her heels at the base of his spine, the tilted angle of her hips granting him deeper penetration and greater friction.
She gasped as he pumped harder, higher, and he watched ecstasy play across her features as yet another orgasm convulsed through her. She quivered beneath him, her inner muscles tightening around his length, milking him with exquisite spasms and coaxing him over that razor-sharp edge of pleasure with her. Arching into her one last time, he tossed his head back with a low, primal growl and gave himself over to the branding heat and scorching climax that jolted down his spine and rocketed through his veins.
Utterly drained, he lowered himself fully on top of her, heartbeat to heartbeat, and kissed her tenderly, deeply, loathe to separate their bodies and shatter the cocoon of intimacy that was theirs alone to share. Possibly, for the very last 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 solit
ary 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 to pick up breakfast. A small smile touched her lips at his protective nature, though now that she knew why he was taking extra precautions with her safety, she appreciated his attentiveness.
She heard his car back out of the driveway, then an overwhelming silence settled over the house, along with the realization that she didn’t like being alone. After a week of constantly being surrounded by people, she felt a bit uneasy being companionless. Which was ridiculous, she knew, since she clearly couldn’t spend the rest of her life with a bodyguard attached to her side.
Yet it seemed by Noah’s reserved behavior this morning and his restless desire to get out of the house that he needed a reprieve, even if it was a brief one. In a way, she understood. Last night had been so emotionally intense, a surrender of hearts and souls in a way that felt like the very first time for her. She’d been thrown by the depth of her feelings for Noah and hadn’t been able to hold back the declaration that had felt so perfectly right.
