“When is the kissing going to start?” she asked.
“You ask too many questions. This isn’t a wedding you’re in charge of. There are no schedules, tablets and earpieces tonight. Go with it.”
“Yes, sir,” Natalie said with a sheepish smile. Admittedly, she had trouble letting go and not knowing every aspect of the plan. She didn’t think she had anything to worry about here, so she tried to turn off her brain and just let Colin take the lead. That was the whole point tonight, anyway.
His fingers delved into her hair as he leaned in for the kiss. Natalie braced herself for the earth-shattering impact, but at first at least, it was just a kiss. He coaxed her mouth open, letting his tongue slide along hers. His fingers massaged the nape of her neck as he tasted and nibbled at her.
Then she felt him start to pull away. His lips left hers, but technically, they never lost contact with her skin. He planted kisses along the line of her jaw, the hollow of her ear and down her throat. He crouched lower, nipping at her collarbone and placing a searing kiss between her breasts. He tasted each nipple, then continued down her soft belly until he was on his knees in front of her.
He placed a searing kiss at her hipbone, then the soft skin just above the cropped dark curls of her sex. Natalie gripped Colin’s shoulders for support as his fingers slid between her thighs. She gasped softly as he stroked the wet heat that ached for him.
With his mouth still trailing across her thigh, Colin gently parted her with his fingers. His tongue immediately sought out her sensitive core, wrenching a desperate cry from Natalie’s throat. He braced her hips with his hands as her knees threatened to give out beneath her.
She wasn’t sure how much of this she could take. Standing up added a level of tension she hadn’t expected. “Colin,” she gasped, amazed by how her cries were growing more desperate with every second that passed.
She was on the edge, and it was clear that he intended to push her over it. Gripping her hip with one hand, he used the other to dip a finger inside her. The combination was explosive and Natalie couldn’t hold back any longer. She threw her head back and cried out, her body thrashing against him with the power of her orgasm.
When it was over, Natalie slid to her knees in front of him. She lay her head on his shoulder, gasping and clinging to his biceps with both hands. She was so out of it, it took her a moment to realize Colin had picked her up. He helped her stand, then carried her to the bed only a few feet away.
“That,” she panted as reason came back to her, “was one hell of a kiss.”
“And that wasn’t even the winning kiss,” Colin said as he covered her body with his own.
“I can’t even imagine it, then. It seems odd that your prize would be more a reward for me than for you.”
He slipped inside her, making her overstimulated nerves spark with new sensation. “I assure you I enjoyed every second of it now, and I’ll enjoy every second of it when I’ve won.”
For that, Natalie had no response. She could only lift her hips to meet his forward advance. Clinging to him, she buried her face in his neck. His movements were slow, but forceful, a slow burn that would eventually consume everything it touched. She didn’t resist the fire; she gave in to it.
She was tired of fighting. She had spent her whole life trying to protect herself from the pain and disappointment of love. She’d fought her urges for companionship, suppressed her jealousy as each of her friends found a great love she was certain she would never have.
And yet, here she was. Despite all the fighting and worrying, she had simply been overpowered. Gretchen was right. Natalie was in love.
“Oh Natalie,” Colin groaned in her ear.
She loved that sound. She wanted to hear it again and again. Her name on his lips was better than a symphony orchestra.
Placing her hand against his cheek, she guided his mouth back to hers. That connection seemed to light a fire in him. Their lips still touching, he moved harder and faster than before, sweeping them both up in a massive wave of pleasure. Natalie didn’t fight the currents, she just held on to the man in her arms, knowing she was safe there.
She never wanted to let go. But could she dare to hold on?
Ten
“I can’t believe we’re almost done with the house,” Natalie said. “You’ve worked wonders on it.”
Colin smiled. “I’m pretty pleased with the results.”