I laugh, the sound turning into a gasp as Nate’s hands slide teasingly along my hips. “Well, mission very much accomplished.”
Nate slowly lowers my jeans to my knees, revealing the light-blue lacy panties I chose this morning. A shiver runs through me, part excitement, part exposure to the cool air. But when I see Nate’s eyes widen, pupils dilating with desire, any chill evaporates instantly.
“God, Cas,” he breathes, running a finger along the delicate lace. “You’re killing me here.”
I grin, a mix of pride and nervousness bubbling up inside me. “Good kill?”
“The best,” Nate murmurs, leaning in to press his face against my hip. His breath is warm through the thin fabric, making me tremble. “Missed you so much.”
“It’s only been two days,” I tease, though my voice wavers as his lips brush my skin.
Nate looks up, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Two days too long. Do you have any idea how distracting you are?”
I laugh, the sound turning breathy as his fingers play with the waistband of the panties. “Me? Distracting? I’m not the one on my knees looking like every fantasy come to life.”
“Flatterer.” Nate chuckles, hooking his thumbs under the lace. “May I?”
I nod, suddenly grateful for the locked door and drawn blinds. As Nate slowly pulls down my underwear, I’m hyperaware of every sensation—the slide of the fabric against my skin, the brush of Nate’s fingers, the cool air hitting newly exposed flesh. My breath catches in my throat, anticipation coiling tight in my belly.
“Beautiful,” Nate whispers, and the reverence in his voice makes my heart skip a beat.
His mouth on me is exquisite torture. I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair as waves of pleasure crash over me. Every lick, every subtle movement of his tongue sends sparks shooting through my body. I’m hyperaware of every sensation—the warmth of his breath, the gentle pressure of his hands on my hips, steadying me as my knees threaten to buckle.
“God, Nate,” I moan, struggling to keep my voice down. The intensity is overwhelming, each touch feeling magnified a hundredfold.
I look down, meeting Nate’s eyes, and the connection between us feels electric. There’s such tenderness in his gaze, such devotion, that it makes my chest ache.
As the pressure builds, I feel myself spiraling higher and higher. My breath comes in short, sharp pants, my body trembling. “I’m close,” I warn, tugging gently at Nate’s hair.
He hums in acknowledgment, the vibration sending a jolt through me, and redoubles his efforts. The world narrows to this single point of contact, this moment of pure, unfiltered bliss.
When I finally tumble over the edge, it’s with Nate’s name on my lips. The release is intense, leaving me shaking and breathless. As I come down from the high, I feel boneless, satiated in a way that goes beyond the physical.
Nate rises, pressing soft kisses to my hip, stomach, and chest as he stands. When he reaches my lips, I kiss him deeply, tasting myself on his tongue. The intimacy of it makes me shiver.
“Let me,” I murmur against his mouth, reaching for his belt. But Nate gently catches my wrists, stopping me.
“Later,” he says softly, kissing my forehead. “This was for you.”
Nate’s fingers trail lazily up and down my spine, sending pleasant shivers through me. I’m still catching my breath as my heart rate slowly returns to normal.
“You know,” Nate murmurs, his lips brushing my ear, “I should probably head back. But I promise, we’ll pick this up later.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “Is that so?”
His answer is another deep kiss that leaves me breathless before he finally pulls away.
As we reluctantly make ourselves presentable again, all I can think about is how different this winter is from last year. Back then, I was drowning, barely keeping my head above water and wondering how I’d live without my mom. Now, here in Maplewood, I’ve found a home, a purpose, and something else I’m too scared to think about, let alone voice.
“Hey,” I say, catching Nate’s hand as he reaches for the door. “Thank you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “For the mind-blowing orgasm? Because, trust me, the pleasure was all mine.”
I blush but shake my head. “No, I mean yes, that was…incredible. But I meant thank you for today. For lunch, for being here, for everything.”
After Nate leaves, reassuring me he can walk back to the office for his car, I decide to focus on work rather than let myself get lost in daydreams about him. The maple syrup from Moon Meadows is calling to me, and I’ve been itching to experiment with new recipes.
I spend the next hour testing different combinations. A classic maple latte is obvious, but I want something special. After several attempts, I find the perfect balance—a maple custard latte inspired by Red’s famous pie. The syrup adds warmth and depth to the espresso while a hint of vanilla and a dash of cinnamon creates that custard-like sweetness.
