Page 86 of Brooklynaire

“Not too long,” he says, rubbing my back. “Fifty slides orso.”

“Are there charts and graphs?” I try to ask. But unfortunately I let out a snort-laugh,too.

Nate keeps his poker face, but his eyes are smiling. “There are four diagrams, drawn from my fantasies. And also specs and performanceestimates.”

“Oh, Nate,” I gasp. “Don’t ever change.” I’m on the brink of hysteria here. I want him but it’s so hard to just give in. We spent so many years not doingthis…

He kisses me—just leans right in and takes my mouth withhis.

It takes me about 1.5 seconds to get over my surprise. Maybe less. I wrap my arms around him and just hold on as he breeches my lips, then slides his tongue into my mouth. He tastes like chocolate and confidence. Two great tastes that go great together. And I’m agoner.

Forgetting my earlier hesitation, I sift my fingers through his hair and tug him closer. With a groan, he slides his hand slowly down my body, leaving shivers in its wake. And then that naughty hand skims up the inside of my thigh. I’ve forgotten how good thatfeels.

Maybe he would have paused there, except Nate discovers I’m wearing thigh-high stockings under my dress. His fingertips find skin, and he makes a noise of happy surprise. Since I have no self-control, I relax my muscles, giving him betteraccess.

His next kiss is deep and slow, and his thumb strokes over my lace panties, right between mylegs.

I give a desperate moan into his mouth, startling usboth.

Nate must be very startled indeed because I lose his hand and he yanks my knees together and sits upsuddenly.

That’s when I see Ramesh standing right inside the door, his pistol drawn but pointing down at the floor. I let out a little shriek of surprise. Or embarrassment. Probablyboth.

“Seriously?” Nate says, his facered.

Ramesh looks up at the ceiling and shakes his head. “Two heat signatures. If you were on, say, a sofa right now, I wouldn’t have been confused. But on the stairs? Looked like a struggle. And you didn’t engage the security systems like you alwaysdo.”

“Forgot to,” Natesputters.

I put my face in myhands.

“Bye,” Ramesh says. “Lock up after me. We’ll discuss security protocols tomorrow. You can tweak some things.” He disappears. The door closesagain.

Nate lets out a frustrated groan. “I’msorry…”

“I know,” I say, cutting him off. “This will probably be funny eventually. But I need aminute.”

“I’ll bet,” hesighs.

* * *

Nate

I’m so frustrated. Sexually and otherwise. I have enough trouble with my own awkwardnesses. I don’t need any help ruining the moment from my securityteam.

Rebecca slowly rises to her feet, looking pained andunhappy.

I shoot up, too. “Youokay?”

“Yup. Just sore. This morning I went to a Pilates class that Ari recommended. My abs and glutes may never forgiveme.”

That gives me an idea. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you. And it isn’t a securityfeature.”

She gives me a rueful smile, but then she takes the hand I’ve offered her and follows me back down the stairs, through the parlor and into thekitchen.

“Evening, Nate!” Bingley says again as we pass through the parlor. “Evening,” I reply. “Engage all securitysystems.”

“Roger,Roger!”