Page 84 of Guarded Deputy
Nate’sfingerscaressmyarm while I lean into him, watching Melanie and Jake go from hating each other to slowly rekindling their romance. I sigh with a smile. No matter how many times I’ve watched this movie, it feels like the first time.
To watch it with Nate holding me makes it a whole new experience. My heart expands and drums to a different beat. My skin pebbles, and my stomach clenches with the desire to crawl into him and stay there forever.
He’s amazing, sweet, gentle and caring. The way he’s made sure I’m okay all afternoon speaks volumes. Instead of high-tailing it out of here like my craziness might be contagious, he’s stayed. It says a lot about a man when he stays.
I shift and look up at him, to find him staring at the TV, but his eyes glance down at me as soon as he feels me move.
“Are you okay?” His other hand brushes away the mess of hair from my face.
“Yeah.”
“Is it time to reapply the cream?” He scoots back to sit up straighter.
“No.” I hold him down, placing a hand on his chest. His heart has a steady beat I can get lost in like the bass of a techno song your body can’t help but move to.
“Are you sleepy? I can go so you can rest. You’ve had an exciting day.”
I snort at his word choice and shake my head. “Can you stay? I mean, I don’t mean that we have to you know, and you live with your sister so it’d probably look bad, especially since I’m her son’s teacher. Ugh, this is so awkward.” I ramble.
“Lizzy.” His voice is firm.
I look at him, waiting for what he’s going to say.
“It’s not awkward. Yeah, it’s a little unconventional since I’m related to one of your students, but it’s not a big deal. We live in a small town where it’s almost impossible to not have like a two degrees of separation situation on our hands.” His eyes search mine. “You’re a professional, and you’ll keep your personal and professional life separate.”
“I will,” I quickly say.
Nate leans in, his lips a centimeter away from mine. “I’ll stay.”
A smile curves my lips and I close the gap, kissing him lazily. Nate groans, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and pulling me until I’m sitting on his lap. The feel of his arms around me never ceases to make me feel cared for and yet wanted and desired.
His lips move with mine, finding our rhythm. Tentatively, I peek my tongue out and instantly find the tip of his. All modesty dissipates, and I shift on his lap so I can kiss him better and lose myself in this man.
His hands roam up and down my body in a way that makes me feel sexy. Like if his hands were kissing me the way his lips are. They hold me close, pull me to him, touch with desperation. It’s everything I’ve always fantasized about and yet better because Nate couldn’t be conjured by my thoughts.
I moan into the kiss, gripping the back of his shirt. My body buzzes with desire as his tongue tangles with mine.
Nate slows our kiss and holds my face, staring at me.
“I can’t,” he says.
“Can’t what?” I lean back to get a better look at him.
“I can’t control myself around you. We need to slow down, take a breather.”
“Why?”
“You’re injured.”
I laugh at his excuse and hold his face, smiling.
“I want to be with you. I want to do this, but only when we’re both ready. If you want more time, need more of us together before we take that step, I’m perfectly okay with it.”
“I don’t want you to regret anything.”
“I could never regret anything with you. You’re my cup of coffee.” I grin, using the words he wrote on my coffee cup.
Growling, he hugs me tightly, kissing my clavicle. His scruffy beard scratches my skin, and I love the sensation it brings about. Fire in the pit of my stomach grows.