Page 14

When I finally end the session, thanking everyone for their participation, the players file out quickly. I gather my materials slowly, hoping to avoid any one-on-one encounters.

The parking lot is nearly empty when I exit the building. The sky has darkened, and a light drizzle falls, turning the asphalt slick and reflective. I pull my coat tighter and walk quickly toward my car, keys clutched in my hand.

"Elena."

I freeze at his voice and turn slowly. Nate stands outside his car, hair slightly damp from the rain, eyes intense in the dim light.

"What do you want?" My voice comes out sharper than intended.

"To talk to you."

"About what? How I need to 'loosen up'?" I step toward him, anger propelling me forward. "Was that fun for you today? Undermining me in front of the entire team?"

He doesn't back down. "That's not what I was doing."

"Really? Because it sure as hell felt like it." My voice rises despite my efforts to control it. "Do you have any idea how hard I work to be taken seriously? And you just..."

"I wasn't trying to undermine you." His jaw tightens. "I was trying to get you to look at me. To acknowledge me. You've been avoiding me since our last session."

"Because what we're doing is wrong!" The words burst out. "It's unethical. If anyone found out?—"

"But they won't." He steps closer.

"That's not the point." I run a hand through my hair, frustration mounting. "You can't make comments like that in front of the team. You can't look at me like... like..."

"Like what?" Another step closer. "Like I'm remembering how your body feels under me? Like I'm counting the hours until I can touch you again?"

My breath catches. "Stop."

"Do you really want me to?" His voice drops lower. "Because I don't think you do."

"You don't know what I want."

His hand reaches out, fingertips brushing my cheek. The contact jolts through me like an electric current. "I think I know exactly what you want, Elena."

I should push him away. I should turn and walk to my car. Instead, I grab his leather jacket and pull him toward me, my mouth finding his with desperate intensity.

He responds immediately, arms encircling my waist, pulling me against him. The rain falls harder now, cold drops sliding down my neck, but all I feel is heat where our bodies press together.

"My car," I gasp against his mouth. "Now."

We stumble backward toward my SUV, still kissing, hands grasping at wet clothes. I fumble with keys, unlocking the door. We tumble into the backseat, a tangle of limbs. The space is cramped but neither of us care.

"We’ve got to stop doing this," I whisper as his mouth traces my neck.

"Just this one last time." His hands slide under my shirt, find bare skin and pull my bra aside exposing my nipples.

He lowers his head to suck on one nipple while teasing the other with deft fingers. My hips involuntarily move into his, finding the pressure I need.

His kisses move lower, nipping and licking a path to the waistband of my pants.

He undoes them in a hurry, peeling them off along with my underwear.

I know we shouldn’t be doing this at all and definitely not in the Blades facility parking lot, but the sensation of Nate's hot tongue on my clit drowns out any lingering thoughts.

His fingers slip inside me as he laps at my clit, hitting that spot that sends tremors of pleasure through every nerve ending in my body.

"You're so wet for me, baby," he murmurs before resuming his skilled tongue work.

I can't take it anymore. With a deep sense of urgency, I push Nate onto his back, unbuckle his pants, and tug them down just enough to free his erection. I stroke him a few times before straddling him and lowering myself onto him, gasping as he fills me completely.

We move together, our rhythm frantic and urgent. I clutch at him while he grips my hips, thrusting into me.

“I think about this all the time. I know you do too. You have to… we’re just so damn good together,” he says, reaching between us and finding my clit.

Our moans fill the car along with the sound of rain on the roof. My climax builds and builds until it explodes through me, leaving me trembling. Nate follows soon after, releasing inside me with a guttural groan.

Thank god we've completely fogged up the windows with all our pent-up desire. No one could see in here even if there was anyone around this late.

Reality creeps back in as we dress in awkward silence. The passion of moments before is replaced by the steady drumming of rain on the roof.

"I should go," he says finally, straightening his shirt. "Team dinner tonight and I can’t be late. Can I see you later on tonight?"

I would like nothing more but I know that’s a really bad idea. We said this was going to be the last time and we need to stick to that.

“That’s not a good idea, Nate. We really have to stop this.”

He nods hesitantly and leans over, presses his lips to mine one more time—gentle now, almost tender. "You're amazing, Elena. You know that, right?"

Then he's gone, slipping out into the rain, closing the door softly behind him.

I climb into the driver's seat, hands shaking as I grip the steering wheel. The first tear falls without warning, followed quickly by another. Soon I'm sobbing, shoulders heaving, face buried in my hands.

I finally admit the truth to myself: this isn't just sex anymore. It isn't just forbidden attraction or physical chemistry. Somewhere between our first night and now, between his flirtation and his vulnerability, between his arrogance and his pain—I've started to fall for him. Really fall for him.

The rain hammers down harder, providing a soundtrack to my breakdown. I feel so lost, so out of control. Everything is hanging by a thread because I can't stay away from this man.

I'm falling for Nate Barnes. And I have absolutely no idea what to do about it.