"Like you, Ember. I want you in my life permanently, and I don’t think we're too different in age or in status or in any way. This stopped being a fling weeks ago," he continued. "I don't doflings. I don't let people into my home or my life unless they mean more than that. And you mean more than that."
"Nate—"
"I'm developing real feelings for you," he said, cutting me off. "This feels more like a relationship than anything I've had in years. Maybe ever. And I need to know if you feel the same."
My heart hammered against my ribs, and I felt the tears burning behind my eyes. "I do," I whispered. "I'm just… scared."
His eyes swept over my face and his grip on my cheeks tightened before he leaned in to kiss me softly. It was so tender yet so possessive all at once. I could hardly breathe.
"How do we even do this?" I asked as he pulled me against his chest in a hug. "The whole committee is watching us. The whole town is judging us. They made up their minds already at just the gossip started by some rude men who couldn't look past my age. And when they find out the truth? That I'm really sleeping with you? What then?"
"Let them judge," he said, his arms tightening around me. "The whole world could burn down, and I'd still want you. And I'll never let them come between us and what we have, okay?"
Nate's forehead pressed against mine and he tilted his head enough to touch his lips to mine.
This time, I kissed him and felt the pinch of clinginess in my chest. I wanted to feel close to him to make this all go away, and nothing would satisfy me but that.
So I wrapped my arms around him and scooted toward the edge of the couch, kissing him harder.
Those kisses turned more passionate, deepening until his hand was fisted in my hair and my head was arched back, exposing the column of my neck to him.
Nate’s kisses left my lips, where his mouth trailed fire all the way to my collar bone.
I felt the chemistry rising between us, my body responding to the urgency in his touch.
My arms tightened around him, urging him to close the remaining distance.
“Ember, you drive me wild,” he murmured against my skin, his voice low and rough. “I lose control of myself around you."
I tugged at his shirt, with fumbling fingers until he helped me pull it off. His bare chest pressed against me, while I palmed the skin of his back.
Our kisses grew frantic as he slid onto the sofa, and I shifted to straddle his lap, feeling his arousal through his jeans.
“Can you just be inside me?” I whispered, grinding against him. “I just want to feel closer to you."
Little by little, the clothing came off, piling on the floor and the couch beside us as our kissing became more urgent.
When I slid from his lap to shove my jeans down, he took the moment to shed his, and as soon as I lowered myself back to his lap, he pushed into me, sinking with a grunt of satisfaction.
“God, you’re perfect,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.
“It’s incredible,” I replied, my voice breathy as I began to move.
My hips rocked against his, finding a rhythm that sent jolts of sensations through my body.
His hands gripped my waist, steadying me as we moved together.
I leaned forward, kissing him hard, my tongue exploring his mouth.
Every time he bottomed out I gasped a little and when he started thrusting upward in time with my hips rocking, I thought I'd lose it.
“Keep going like that,” he urged, his hands sliding up to cup my breasts. “You’re making me feel so good."
I moaned softly while he pinched and twisted my nipples, sending jolts through my body.
My pace quickened, driven by the building tension in my core.
His eyes darkened with desire, watching me as I rode him.
