Nate Kate’s lips pressed against mine, soft and hungry. Her hard nipples brushed against my chest, driving me even crazier than I had been since the minute she’d said yes on that field. All day long, I’d been thinking about this moment, when we’d finally be alone—and naked. Okay, definitely not just thinking about the naked part. Fantasizing. Whether as Kate or Emma, no one had ever gotten my engine running the way this woman did. I used to think the term insatiable was reserved for those who lacked self-control, but as loathe as I was to admit it, I’d been wrong. Because when it came to Kate, I couldn’t get enough. This feverish need pumped through my blood every time we were together and I literally couldn’t wait to get my hands on her. Abruptly breaking the kiss, I used my grip on her hips to turn her around to face the wall, sliding my hands down her arms until I’d wrapped my fingers around hers. I lifted them up until I was satisfied she was safely braced against the wall. Then I fitted myself against her back and let my fingertips run down her sides. She shivered against me, dropping her head against my shoulder with her eyes already closed, her lower lip tucked between her teeth. Just seeing her like this made me groan out loud, my cock already painfully hard and begging my hips to move. I only just managed to hold back, focusing on letting one hand glide around her chest to circle a nipple with the pad of my thumb. Her breathing hitched, her back arching to press herself harder against me. It also had the result of pushing the top of her ass against my dick and I practically hissed, immediately letting my other hand snake down past her belly button. She moaned when I reached her mound, parting my fingers to stroke her, but without touching her clit. Not yet. She gasped, turning her head into my neck as I teased her, spreading that slippery wetness that was all her own but still avoiding that treasure trove of nerves. It felt like we’d always had to rush when we were together, one way or another, either because of desperation or time constraints, but as desperate as I was even now, I wasn’t rushing tonight. This woman was my wife now, and before the insanity of our lives crashed back in, I was going to learn everything there was to know about her. I’d already learned enough to know a few things that always made her squirm, but I wanted to discover every little part
that made her moan when I touched it. As my fingers continued their lazy exploration, Kate’s quiet moans filled the air, her body stiffening and relaxing d epending on what I was doing. Her head stayed against my shoulder, but by the time she started trembling slightly, I realized the shower might not be the best place to do this. I reached for the faucet without warning and shut off the water, my own body wound so tight that I was barely thinking anymore. It took Kate a second to register something had changed and she blinked rapidly before she looked up at me, her eyes slightly dazed and unfocused. “Did you forget to pay the water bill?” “We’re going to bed,” I said, reaching for her and carefully picking her up. That snapped her out of the haze. She yelped and grabbed onto me, both of us dripping wet, but I managed to make it out of the shower and to my bed without incident. I could’ve probably gone back for a towel, but instead, I lowered her gently onto the mattress and tugged at the covers, opening one side and motioning for her to move that way. She obliged without question, which naturally made me wonder just how far I’d be able to push that blind obedience, but this wasn’t the time for that. My wife was naked and wet—in all the ways—in my bed, her red hair just about black and clinging to her chest and shoulders, and her eyes heavy-lidded as she watched me. Unable to resist, I stood beside the bed and wrapped my fist around my aching shaft, groaning as I stroked once. Twice. But the pressure was already building so I let go and climbed onto the bed with her, spreading her legs with my hands to make space for me between them. Her eyes were still on mine as I got on my knees and scooted down, bringing myself face-to-soaked-pussy with her. She was so wet that her skin was glistening, her clit swollen, and her fingers curled into the sheets when I blew a cool breath over her core. A soft moan es caped her, so needy that I finally leaned forward and licked a circle around her clit. Then I positioned myself so I could slide a finger into her next. “Nate!” Kate cried at the contact, her hips bucking and one of her hands flying into my hair. “Oh, god. Nate.” I moaned and doubled my efforts, intent on making her come at least once after all that teasing before I’d finally bury myself in her. It didn’t take long before she screamed my name, thrashing underneath me with her thighs in an iron grip around my head.
Not even gonna lie, if this doesn’t end soon, I won’t be able to hold back either. Flexing my muscles, I licked her through it, then crawled up the length of her body once she’d collapsed back on the bed, and I kissed her de eply. She wound her fingers into my hair, angling her hips so that my tip slid through those hot, wet folds. An in voluntary shudder sped through me. “Kate, we need a condom.” “I’m on the pill,” she murmured. “I have been for years. I had some issues with—” She cut herself off, kissing me again before pulling back to look into my eyes. “Never mind. That’s not important right now. The point is that we’re covered, and we’re married, and I haven’t been with anyone else for a really long time. I got tested for a routine physical a while back and—” This time, I cut her off, pressing another kiss to those full, intoxicating lips as my hips pushed forward a little of their own accord. “I trust you, Kate. It was the same for me. Well, I’m not on the pill, obviously, but everything else.” She held my gaze for a beat before she nodded, stroking her nails across my scalp with a slight smile. “Alright, then. I think we’re good to go.” “I really wish you’d told me all this before,” I admitted as the wet heat of her made my spine tingle even though I wasn’t even a full inch in yet. “I’m really not going to last.” “Don’t,” she said simply, pulling my head back down to speak against my lips. “We’re married, remember? I think that means you’ll have a chance to make it up to me at some point. Hell, you already have.” With a low groan, I lowered my mouth to hers for a hard, sloppy kiss. Then I mentally took a de ep breath and thrust all the way in. Stars exploded behind my eyes at the sensation and I broke the kiss to mutter a whole bunch of expletives, stilling because it was too good to ke ep going. Kate watched me, but then she started rolling her hips while lifting her head to kiss me again. “Come for me, Nate. I want to feel it.” I tried fighting the urge to slam into her, to move, to fuck her hard and fast, but I lost the battle, my body taking over as soon as my control slipped even just a fraction of an inch. Surprisingly, Kate was soon moaning again too, matching every one of my thrusts with a need and intensity of her own, and before I even knew it, we were both going over the edge. Together. I swore I blacked out for a few minutes, but when I came to, Kate was lying on her side next to me, a blissed-out smile on her lips and her eyelids already fluttering shut. “Ten out of ten, husband. Let’s try again tomorrow.”
So surprised that I let out a breathless laugh, I shook my head and pulled her to me. Her breathing evened out only seconds later. Kate was asle ep before my hearing had even fully returned, her breathing slow and de ep and one of her hands resting gently on my chest. For a long time, I didn’t move. I didn’t want to risk waking her, but eventually, I realized we both needed water after all that. I eased out from under her inch by inch, like I was defusing a bomb. My heart just about stopped when she murmured something unintelligible, but then she settled again, clutching the pillow I slid into my place. I stood there for a second, just watching her. My wife. Asle ep in my bed. It was still so unreal that I half-expected to wake up on the couch downstairs during a ball game months ago, only to realize this had all been a dream. But then my phone buzzed on the dresser, as loud as a fire alarm in the quiet room, and I lunged for it before it could go off again. Will. Fuck. I rushed out into the hallway before answering, hastily grabbing a pair of sweats to throw on when I got downstairs. “If you woke her up, I’m blocking you.” “Good evening to you too,” he said. “Why did you answer the phone like you’re defusing a hostage situation? You just got married. You should be all happy and relaxed.” “I was until you called.” “I’m in the neighborhood.” I frowned. “Congratulations?” “I’m literally downstairs.” “Downstairs where?” “The lounge at the St. Regis.” I closed my eyes. “You did not.” “What? It’s a nice place.” “It’s members only, Will. You’re not a member. Unless you’ve moved in now too and forgot to tell me?” “Nah, but I’m with a member,” he said smugly. “You.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fuck. Now? Can’t you call Alex if you’re bored?” “Alex?” He scoffed. “What do you think I am, a monster? I’m not going to pull him down here while he’s got a sick wife at home. Jeez, bro. Have a heart.” He paused for a beat. “So, are you coming down or am I drinking alone and telling the bartender your entire life story?” I shoved my free hand into my hair, but I already knew there would be no getting out of this. “Give me five minutes.” “Make it three. This whiskey is expensive and I want you to suffer with the check.” I hung up before he could say anything else, doubling back for a shirt and shoes before I headed down. The lobby was quiet at this hour, the lighting soft enough that it kind of gave the impression that the building itself was trying not to disturb anyone.
Too bad my brother didn’t catch a hint from it. The lounge was tucked behind a discreet doorway that most people probably walked past without noticing, but that was the point of it. Members only, it was supposed to offer privacy and exclusivity, creating the illusion that whatever happened inside stayed there. When I walked in, Will was sprawled in one of the leather chairs like he owned the entire building. He spotted me immediately, lifting his glass in greeting. “Finally. Took you long enough.” “It’s my wedding night,” I said as I dropped into the seat across from him. “You’re lucky I came at all.” “Yeah, yeah. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.” His head cocked as he sw ept his gaze across my face, lingering on my mussed hair before he smirked. “It looks like you’ve already enjoyed your wedding night, so I don’t feel too bad about interrupting.” “It looks like I was about to go to sle ep.” He arched an eyebrow at me, then lifted his hands with his palms turned toward me. “Hey, man. If that’s how you want to play it, that’s fine by me. You don’t have to give me any details, but—” “You have thirty minutes.” “Wow. You’re so generous.” A server appeared and I ordered a whiskey. She left and Will leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Emma.” I groaned. “That’s what you’re doing here? Now?” “Yes, now.” He gave me an exasperated look. “Last time we talked, you were convinced this whole thing was a disaster waiting to happen. You were going to meet with her to set the record straight and I never heard anything after that. If there’s a scandal heading our way, I need to know, Nate.” “Don’t worry about it. The crisis has been averted.” “Just like that?” He shook his head. “Nope, you’re going to have to do better.” When my drink arrived, I stared into my glass for a long moment, watching the ice settle and trying to decide how much to tell him. “Things changed.” “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one you’re getting.” He snorted. “Bullshit. Something happened and I need to know what.” Will’s eyes narrowed when I didn’t respond. “Oh my God. Something definitely happened.” “It’s not a big deal.” “That’s how I know it’s a big deal.” I took a slow sip, buying time I didn’t actually need, looking at him after I’d swallowed. “If I tell you, you cannot r epeat it. Not to anyone. Ever.”
A grin instantly appeared on his lips. “Oh, this is going to be good.” “I’m serious.” “You’re always serious.” His grin widened. “Just tell me what’s going on already. I need to know if we have to loop Callum in from a PR point of view.” “You don’t,” I said dryly. “He doesn’t need to know because there isn’t a scandal. There will be no PR nightmare.” “There won’t?” “Nope.” “What about Emma?” he asked. “You’re just not with her anymore now that you’re married?” “No, I...” I cleared my throat, then lowered my voice and leaned across the table. “I am with her. I’m married to her. Emma, it turns out, is Kate.” There was a beat of silence. Then Will’s expression shifted into a mask of pure shock. “No.” I shook my head at him. “Don’t.” “She’s not.” “Oh, but she is.” His mouth fell open, and a second later, he started laughing. Not a polite chuckle or a quiet laugh. He literally doubled over, one hand clutching the table as the other grasped his drink like it might es cape. “You absolute—” He wheezed. “You idiot.” “I told you not to.” “You two were just pining for each other?” He made a vague, helpless gesture. “For months? Hell, for years, and you didn’t know?” “Yes.” “And all it took was one conversation?” “Well, yes, but also, no.” He laughed harder and I sighed. “I hate you.” “This is the best story I’ve ever heard.” “I will end you.” “You married Kate and you’ve been in love with Emma for years, but —” He broke off, shaking with laughter. “Jesse is going to lose his mind.” Fuck, the last thing I needed was for him to tell his twin, too. “You’re not telling Jesse.” “Oh, I am absolutely telling—” “You are not telling Jesse.” He grinned at me, but I didn’t return it. “I’m serious, Will. I’m swearing you to secrecy.” Eventually, the laughter faded into the occasional aftershock and he straightened in his chair. “Okay, okay. Fine. For now.” “For now,” I agreed. He studied me for a second. “Seriously, just for now? You’re not going to put a lifetime gag on me about this?” “It’s going to come out sooner or later. I know that, but right now, it’s just been a lot. I don’t want to put Kate through anything else and the whole thing with Emma is just so damn complicated. We don’t need that right now.”
A slightly more sober expression took hold of his features. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I didn’t think about it like that, but, I mean, are you happy?” “Yes.” Will smiled, but it wasn’t obnoxious this time. “Good, I’m glad.” “I’m also leaving.” I signaled for the bill before he could order anything else. When it came, I paid without looking at the total, glancing up at my brother when it was done. “You’re paying next time.” I stood, but I didn’t turn around right away. “If you tell anyone, I will deny everything and have you mentally evaluated.” “Noted.” “That includes Jesse, Will. I know he’s also my brother and your twin, but I’m serious, you can’t tell him about this.” He held up a hand. “Scout’s honor.” “You were never a scout.” He shrugged. “Don’t sweat such a minor detail.” “We’re at capacity,” I said. “Kate and me. We really do have enough on our plates right now.” Will’s grin turned a little more understanding. “Yeah, I got that part. Seriously. Stop worrying and go enjoy being married.” I nodded and left him there, still looking much too pleased with himself. By the time I got back upstairs, Kate hadn’t moved. I slipped back into bed beside her, and this time, when she curled into me, it felt a lot less fragile and temporary. It felt real. Permanent. Like we were finally starting to settle into an us. The world might never understand how we’d started, or even how we’d wound up agreeing to an arranged marriage without knowing the truth about each other, but right now, that didn’t matter. For now, this right here, was more than enough.