“Yeah, the story of how she damn near became road kill.”
“Larry!”
“I’m just saying.”
As the other couple continued their bantering, Gracie’s entire focus remained on Nate. His gaze bore down into hers so deeply it felt as though he was touching her soul.
She was still trying to decipher whether or not the emotion behind his eyes was real or part of his act when the skies opened up, breaking whatever spell she’d been under.
Rain began to pour down on them in sheets. Connie and Larry said their goodbyes and began walking as fast as they could back to their place.
Gracie stood and reached for the food, but Nate grabbed her hand and started to pull her toward their cabin.
“But, the food,” she glanced at the bench now behind her.
“Leave it,” Nate ordered gruffly.
Blinking against the rain, Gracie struggled to understand the expression on his face. He almost looked upset, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why.
She had to walk double-time to keep up with his long strides, and as they covered the remaining distance to their cabin’s porch, she desperately tried to figure out what she’d said that had him so upset.
Nate threw open the door and pulled her roughly inside. Slamming the door shut, he locked it then turned back to her.
The cabin was dark, but light from the porch lamp shone through the window behind him, allowing Gracie to make out his tall silhouette.
Standing there, sopping wet and dripping all over the wood floor, she had to know what she’d done wrong.
“What did I do?” she whispered softly.
Nate shook his head slowly. “I can’t do this.”
Her heart dropped. “I tried sticking to as much of the truth as possible, just like you said. I’m sorry.” She started to turn away. “I thought my story was—”
He reached for her forearm and pulled her flush against his chest. “Perfect. Your story was perfect. You…” he swiped some wet strands from her face. “Jesus, Gracie.Youare fucking perfect.”
Her pulse spiked and her knees shook. “But, you just said you can’t do this.”
He spun them around and pushed her up against the door. “I meant, I can’t keep looking at you and not touch you. I can’t hear that beautiful fucking laugh of yours and not want to swallow it up with my own breath.” He cupped her damp face with both hands. “I can’t be around you another second and not dothis.”
Nate slammed his lips against hers with such force her head would have banged against it had he not slid one of his hands around to protect her.
Always protecting me.
For all of two seconds, she considered asking him about his hands-off rule. Then, he slid his tongue into her mouth.
Kissing him back with the same level of passion and desire, Gracie gave as good as she got. She allowed her hands to begin their own exploration, reaching for the bottom hem of his T.
Her insides did a major happy dance when Nate broke away just long enough to pull the shirt up and over his head. He leaned in, his mouth continuing its delicious assault, as she began to slide her fingers against his hard, bare chest.
Gracie felt his sharp inhale when the pads of her fingers gently rubbed across his taught nipples. Loving how reactive he was to her touch, she ran her fingertips over the tiny nubs again.
He must have decided all was fair in passion and sex, because Nate pulled away suddenly and tore her t-shirt from her body. He then expertly released the clasp on her new bra and slid the straps off her shoulders and down her arms until it fell onto the floor beside them.
“Holy God,” he exhaled loudly as he stared. “You truly are beautiful.”
Wearing nothing but her panties and a pair of yoga pants, Gracie reached for his chest again.
“So, are you,” she whispered honestly.
