Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(69)

“I take so much from you. Your free time. Weekends…You should be spending them with your own kids, doing whatever you want.”

“You haven’t taken anything from me. I give it, Nathan. I could tell you no. You realize that, right? When you ask me to watch Marley—I have a choice. I choose to be with her. You’re not taking anything from me when it comes to Marley. I love her.”

His breathing paused.

“I really do. You don’t see it?”

Nathan’s eyes closed briefly in bliss when my fingers pushed through the hair at the base of his neck.

“I see you with her, how you’ve always been with her.” He opened his eyes and looked at me then. “I didn’t know that’s what I was seeing. I should’ve though.”

“I want to be around her as much as I can. She’s impossible not to love.”

He watched me, saying nothing for seconds that felt more like minutes.

“Please,” I whispered. “Nathan…”

“I need to make sure I’m giving you something, Jenna. I can’t ever have you feel like I’m using you.”

“You do give me something. Do you have any idea how happy I am when I’m with you? I’ve dreamed of feeling this way my entire life.”

His lips slowly parted.

“Oliver and Olivia too…They love being around you. And the fact that you spend time with them and make them feel important means more than anything you could ever give me.”

Nathan stared deep into my eyes, pulling in a full breath before he responded. “Okay.”

My heart squeezed. “Okay…like, okay, okay? You won’t pay me anymore?”

“Not unless you tell me I need to.”

“I’d never do that.” I smiled up at him. My stomach was flipping around like crazy now. “Oh my God, finally.”

“Why did we say we should wait again?”

“Seriously. Worst idea ever.”

He chuckled, pressing the softest kiss to my forehead.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said, staring into his deep brown eyes. “Thank you for coming over and waiting for me.”

“You say that like I had a choice. I assure you, I didn’t.”

“Choice or no choice, that meant a lot, Nathan. I was so happy to see you when we pulled up.”

“Not as happy as I was to see you…trust me.”

I smiled as his arms wrapped me up. My chin rested on his chest. Even in heels, I felt so small in his embrace.

“So,” he said in this sexy, teasing way.

God, he was killing me.

“So.”

“No kids, huh?”

“We have my entire apartment to ourselves.” I leaned away and arched my brow.

“Mm. What to do…”

“Want a tour?”

“Of your bed? Absolutely.”

I grinned.

Nathan glanced around behind him. “Or the couch. I’d love a tour of the couch. I’m also dying to see the kitchen.” He turned his head and smirked. “Would you like to show me your counter space?”

Giggling, I stepped back and grabbed his hand. “Bed first.” I started backing down the hallway, pulling him along, until Nathan stopped, grabbed me by the waist, and spun me around. His touch left my body. “What are you doing?” I asked, peering behind me. There was a foot between us.

His gaze lowered and locked on. “Sorry. I just really want to stare at your ass right now. You have such a hot ass.”

My face heated.

“Could you…walk a little?”

I knew exactly what I looked like from behind in this dress. What girl doesn’t do the look around in the mirror before leaving the house?

Knowing Nathan was watching me so intently right now didn’t cause me to hesitate. I continued the walk down the hallway, nearly making it to my bedroom door before strong arms wrapped around me again. I gasped. Nathan pulled me against his chest and got us the rest of the way into the bedroom, his legs pushing mine to move.

“Good?” I asked, eyes closing when I felt his hot mouth on my shoulder.

“Do you really need me to answer that?” With his palm flat on my stomach, Nathan held me still while he ground his arousal against my hip. His other hand swept my hair over my shoulder, and he kissed his way to my tattoo. His mouth opened around it. “Fuck, this is sexy. Tell me about it.”

I bit my lip when his fingers worked the zipper of my dress down my back.

“I got it after my kids were born. I wanted something to symbolize this significant change in my life…I think I became the person I was always meant to be after I had them.”

My dress hit the floor. Nathan unclasped my bra and let that drop as well. Then he cupped my breasts, lifting their weight and playing with my nipples.

I groaned, reaching back, and clutched at his body, digging my fingers into his ass. My head hit his chest. I was panting. “Can you get undressed, please?”

“Must I do everything? I’m a little busy.”

I spun around, eager to get to work on his clothing removal when Nathan gave me a gentle push, sending me falling backward onto the bed. “Nathan!” I laughed, propping my weight on my elbows. “I was going to strip you.”