Page 99 of Guarded Deputy
I could lie to myself and say that what I feel for him is trivial, but Nate has stolen my heart and mended its pieces. It beats for him. For his kindness and gentle heart beneath that tough exterior. For the way he cares for me and treats the kids in school.
The echo of footsteps interrupts my train of thought, and I open one eye to find Nate standing in the doorway, already stripping off his shirt and staring at me with flared eyes.
“You look stunning like that. The water trying to blur your body but not quite accomplishing it. Are you feeling better?”
I nod, staring at him as his hands move to his shorts.
“Good. I couldn’t figure out the problem, but hopefully you can get someone out here tomorrow.”
“My landlord said he’ll get it fixed.”
“I’m glad. I’m gonna get in there with you, babe.”
I scoot up and his eyes zero in on my chest. When he strips, there’s nothing hiding his erection. I shiver at the view of his naked body before me, unabashedly exposed for me to admire like a work of art.
His body is my favorite masterpiece. It belongs in a museum, but I’d get jealous of everyone ogling him. Possessiveness consumes me, wanting to keep this man completely to myself.
He settles behind me, long legs stretching on either side of me. I grip his knees and use them for leverage to scoot back against his chest and sigh happily.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“What for?” His arms are around my body, hands lazily cupping water and letting it slip through is fingers.
“For being you.” I turn my head and kiss his arm wherever I can reach.
He, on the other hand, leans forward and kisses the back of my neck in response. We stay like this for a bit. When the water warms up, I turn on the tap again and fill it with cold water, balancing the temperature.
“You know what?”
“What?” I turn my head to look at him.
“This turned out better.”
“Really?” I furrow my brows. “Because I’m not about muggy heat indoors.”
His chest rumbles with laughter against my back, and it’s oddly soothing.
“But being here is much better than rushing to have sex. This is slow and steady.” He fingers brush along my leg up my thigh.
“So sex in cold water to counteract the heat in the apartment?”
“Bingo,” he jokes.
I turn around and straddle him so we can see each other. Nate arches an eyebrows and smiles.
“I’m going to hurt my neck by turning it to look at you. This is more effective and your thighs are a comfortable chair.”
“You can sit on me whenever.”
“Noted.” We stare at each other with borderline cheesy expressions.
“You really are Murphy’s Law,” Nate says as he leans closer to me.
“I hate it.”
“I don’t. It wouldn’t have brought us to this point. I very much approve. Please continue to always be that way.” A smile brushes his lips in the sweetest way.
“I don’t have a choice. It’s a part of my DNA.”