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  His pulse raced, and he felt a light sheen of sweat on the back of his neck. He gently placed Val's wrists side by side and looped the belt around them, tightly enough for her to feel constrained, but not so tight that she felt helpless. He glanced up at her, wary of what he'd see in her eyes or what she'd say, but she simply smiled.

  Excitement coursed through him. "Lie back," he ordered.

  After she was flat on her back, he pushed her arms over her head. He got up and lightly tied the end of the belt around the leg of the side table next to the arm of the couch. "If you pull against this too hard, you'll topple the table and break the lamp."

  "Making sure I don't move?"

  He smiled. "Making sure you understand that you can get loose, but there will be a consequence." He lightly kissed her lips. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

  Her gaze met his. "Yes. I trust you."

  The acceptance in her eyes, along with her soft words, struck his heart. She looked so innocent, lying there in an old, casual sweatshirt pushed up just enough to reveal her stomach. Her slightly mussed hair and eager expression did funny things to his insides. It made him want to love her, protect her, possess her.

  He shook his head. The storm was jumbling his emotions inside as much as it was jumbling the neighborhood outside. It had to be the affects of the storm, because he'd never felt so connected to a woman. Not this quickly. He felt as if they'd known each other for years. And more than just in passing.

  Val nudged him with her knee. "Hey, you losing interest already?"

  The question brought him back to reality. "No way. Just planning my strategy."

  "Ooo, I like the sound of that."

  Nathan sat next to her and fluttered his fingertips across her stomach. The lights flickered, and she glanced around the room. He felt her stiffen and knew what she was feeling. "It's okay. I won't leave you until the storm is over."

  Their gazes locked once more. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means a lot to me." Her expression softened, and she started to say something more, but stopped herself.

  At her hesitation, curiosity filled him. He longed to ask her what she'd wanted to say but decided not to push her to open up to him. Not yet. He didn't want to strain the trust building between them.

  He leaned down and kissed her lips, lightly at first, then deepening the kiss when she opened her mouth for him. He pushed the sweatshirt up her body, until his hands made contact with her bare breasts. Full and soft. He cupped one mound, testing the weight, then he rubbed his thumb across the nipple.

  Val arched her back. The table shook, rattling the items on top.

  "Easy," Nathan warned. "I think I have you tied too tightly." He reached for the belt.

  "No. Please. I like it this way."

  His pulse jumped at her words. "Okay." He cupped both her breasts in his hands and squeezed lightly. Beautiful. He leaned down and licked one nipple, smiling when Val gasped at the wet contact. He lightly nibbled on the plump nub, and she moaned and squirmed beneath him.

  Oh, the things he'd love to do to her.

  He trailed kisses down her ribs and across her stomach. His fingers hooked inside her sweatpants, and he dragged them down her long legs. Her plain white socks quickly followed. He deposited each item on the carpet. When he glanced back at her, his lips twitched, and he tried his best to contain the chuckle that threatened to spill from his mouth.

  "What?" Val glanced down her body. "Oh, shoot!" Her face reddened. "I wasn't expecting to be seduced."

  Nathan played with the elastic of her black and white, puppy-paws underwear.

  "I'm so embarrassed."

  "Don't be. They're cute." He eased her underwear down her legs and stuffed the item into a pocket of the robe he wore. He'd remember to retrieve it before he left. A souvenir of this night together. A juvenile act maybe, but he couldn't help himself just this once. He'd buy her something really nice in return.

  As he looked down at Val, tied up and naked, except for the sweatshirt pushed above her breasts, every nerve in his body came alive. He'd never seen a more erotic sight.

  She lifted her leg and pushed her foot inside his robe, sliding her thigh around his waist. "Take that thing off."

  "Hey, who's in charge of this seduction?" he asked, caressing her leg with a light touch. Nevertheless, he stripped off the robe, as she instructed, and stretched out, covering her body with his. He felt her moist heat right through his boxers. He hardened even more than he already was. His need for her was more painful than he thought possible. He kissed the side of her neck, letting his tongue stroke her skin. He wanted to taste every inch of her flesh.

  Val writhed beneath him as his hands roamed up and down her body. "You're torturing me. I need to feel you inside me. Please."

  He stilled. "Damn." He moved off her and stood up.

  "What's wrong?" Her eyes widened. "You're not leaving, are you?"

  The panic in her gaze caused a feeling of protectiveness to wash over him. "Not a chance. We're all right. I just need to get a condom." He saw her visibly relax. "I'll be right back." He walked into the laundry room and grabbed his wallet off the shelf. Though he hadn't been with a woman in a while and definitely hadn't expected anything to happen tonight, he always made sure he was prepared.

  When he returned to the living room, the sight of Val restrained and at his mercy struck him again. He had to have her. Now. He stripped off his boxers.

  Her gaze immediately zeroed in on his cock. The slight smile on her lips made him feel more than worthy in her eyes.

  As Val's hungry gaze remained on his body, he took several deep breaths to try to get somewhat of a grip on his desire, so he didn't take her too quickly. He wanted this to be good for the both of them. At the same time, he felt the need to plunge his cock inside her like some feral creature. He'd never experienced such an urgency to join with a woman.

  Val spread her thighs. "Please, Nathan."

  Her blatant invitation, and his name spoken in her passion-laced voice, undid him. He sat beside her and pushed his fingers between her thighs, past her curls, to make sure she was ready for him.

  "Oh, yes!" She bucked against his hand.

  He rolled on the condom, and with an almost animalistic growl, he shifted, positioning himself between her spread thighs. As he looked into her eyes, he pressed his hardness into her body, one thick inch at a time. She never broke eye contact and her warm, moist folds squeezed him tightly.

  He about lost it. He knew if he wasn't careful, this would all be over with way too soon. "Don't move," he hissed, closing his eyes, trying to get a grip on his body and his emotions.

  Chapter 3

  Val remained motionless beneath Nathan, watching his jaw clench and sweat form on his brow. She wanted to tell him not to hold back, to just take her. But she remained silent, letting him set the pace.

  After a moment, he opened his eyes, and his gaze locked with hers. A savage need filled his expression. He pulled his cock almost completely out of her body, then slid back in to the hilt. Once, twice, three times.

  Sweet torture! She pushed her pelvis up against his, needing release. A whimper escaped her lips, and Nathan smiled.

  He pulled back again, then pressed deeply. Harder this time. His gaze, intense and so erotic, never left hers.

  "Faster," she begged. With her hands tied, she felt helpless. She wanted to grab Nathan, sink her fingers into his skin, hold him against her and never let go. At the same time, feeling helpless like this allowed her to concentrate on her own pleasure, and she loved that.

  "Faster?"

  "Yes," she answered in a breathy whisper.

  "Harder, too?"

  "Yes. Oh, yes."

  He didn't hesitate to give her what she wanted, and more. Nathan filled her completely, not just physically, but emotionally. Sensations built to a level Val never believed possible. She was on the edge, teetering toward an explosive release that she craved more than her next breath.

  "Come on,
baby," Nathan encouraged as he thrust into her insistently. "Let go."

  Val's climax shot through her. Her back arched, and she called out Nathan's name. She felt his body stiffen, and his groans of pleasure rumbled through her. The ecstasy seemed endless, as wave after wave of erotic sensation crashed through her.

  Finally, they collapsed together, exhausted and breathing heavily. After several silent moments, Nathan raised his head. "Wow. That was amazing. Sorry about the lamp."

  "What?" She glanced behind her before realizing that she'd pulled loose of the belt and tipped the table. "I didn't even notice. Well, I don't really care, because it was worth it. You were worth it. I'll clean it up later."

  Nathan kissed her gently on the lips, then disposed of the condom. "You're incredible." He shifted their positions so she rested half on his chest. "I think I've just gained a new appreciation for storms."

  She smiled and caressed his chest, pulling lightly on the sparse, dark hair covering his skin. "Me, too."

  He looked out the living room window. "It's still going strong out there."

  With a saucy smile, her hand slid along his well-muscled thigh and between his legs. Surprise made her glance down. "And you're still going strong in here." She looked back into his eyes.

  He chuckled. "Not quite. But it won't take much. You bring out the best in me." He reached for one of the chocolate pints. "Melted just enough."

  "For what?" She felt her heart accelerate, beating heavily against her ribs.

  "A girl with a chocolate fetish should be able to figure that one out. Let's indulge our tongues. In every way imaginable."

  Before she could respond, the doorbell rang, interrupting the intimate moment. He looked at her and his brow crinkled. "Expecting company?"

  "No."

  The doorbell rang twice more, in rapid succession, like a friend or neighbor might do. "I hope there's no problem," she said, concern running through her. They both dressed quickly. "I'm coming!" Val rushed to the door. She forgot to look out the window and instead just unlocked and pulled open the door.

  Immediate aggravation, along with a strong wind, hit her square in the face. "Grant!"

  "Damn, it's cold out here." He pushed inside without being invited and shook off the rain, splattering her and the walls. "I got your text and thought I'd stop by so we could talk about it. Or maybe more than talk. I'm horny as hell. Heather is out of town. We won't have to worry about her catching us."

  The balls of this guy! When his voice faded, and his eyes narrowed, she turned. Nathan stood a few feet behind her, in the robe, with his arms crossed.

  "Well," Grant added in a rigid voice. "Seems like I interrupted something. It didn't take you long to move on with someone else."

  Val gaped at him. "Are you kidding me? Firstly, it's none of your business. Secondly, you dumped me almost a year ago for someone else. And lastly, get out of my house."

  "Nathan, isn't it?" he asked, looking around her.

  "That's right," Nathan answered.

  "Yeah. I recognize you. You work upstairs in the investments division. I suppose you recognize me, too."

  "Actually, no."

  Grant visibly stiffened. Val had to force herself not to laugh. Nathan had just verbally punched Grant right where he lived. In his ego.

  "Well, you should know," Grant began, his tone chillier than the air outside, as he glared at Nathan, "this one won't let you up her butt, so don't even try."

  Embarrassment gripped Val like a vise. "What? I can't believe--" How dare he say such a thing! To Nathan! And right in front of her! "H-How could you even--" She sputtered, unable to form a cohesive reply.

  Nathan stepped up beside her and slid his arm around her waist. He glared back at Grant. "How about you get out of here before I go up your butt."

  Grant's mouth fell open, and he backtracked, almost stumbling out the door. Nathan pushed him the rest of the way out and slammed the door in his face, then he turned toward her. He cupped her cheeks. "Are you all right?"

  She nodded. "I'm so sorry about that." She felt mortified. "He's a problem."

  "He's a jerk. And he won't be a problem. I'll see to it. That's a promise."

  Something protective in his eyes made her believe him. Her heart warmed, and she felt special for the first time in a long while. Even so, she feared to hope for too much from this man. "So now what?" She lowered her gaze, unsure of their situation, now that the intimacy of the evening had been interrupted. "Your clothes are probably dry."

  "Probably for a while now." He glanced outside. "But I think this storm might just last the night. And I did promise to stay until it was over."

  She looked back up at him, and her heart expanded with tender emotions. "You also said something about tongues and indulging my chocolate fetish. You know how I love to lick and suck it." She felt his cock harden under the robe. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "I'd love to lick and suck it for you."

  He groaned. Nathan brushed his thumb across her lips. He leaned close to her ear. "I love to suck and lick delicious things too," he whispered. "How about I show you?"

  At the seductive tone of his words, she almost swooned. She stepped even closer to him, and he took her fully into his arms, hugging her tightly.

  Val didn't know where this relationship would ultimately end up going, but she was excited to find out. Janine had done her the best favor ever. When she looked into Nathan's chocolaty eyes, she felt happier and more cared for than she ever had in her life. And that was all that mattered. For now.