He looked directly into her eyes. “Whenever it’s required.”
She should feel scandalized. After all, this was her parents’ backyard. Instead, she felt nothing but feminine satisfaction that the attraction she felt for him wasn’t one-way. His breath tickled her skin, and she shivered.
“Cold?” he murmured.
She shook her head.
“Mmmmm…”
Alex skimmed her bare arm with his hand. It was an innocent gesture, but the tenderness of it was as intimate as a kiss. Glancing around, Natalie pulled him into the shadows under the deck. Sweet-smelling roses climbed the wooden beams that supported the structure and shielded them from the other guests’ view. Everyone was basking in the sun, and nobody paid attention to the shaded spot.
No wonder you couldn’t hold on to Marcus. Blood will out, and a man of his breeding can tell.
Natalie shut Louise out of her head and drew Alex closer. She could feel his strong heartbeat through his shirt, smell the man and a hint of subtle cologne. There was something about him that conjured up decadence and velvet and silk and sex and thrills and safety all at the same time in her mind. His arms circled around her, effectively caging her.
His head dipped, and his lips touched the hollow of her neck. He nosed the strand of white pearls around her throat out of the way, and his tongue darted out and licked her skin gently, then more firmly. She flexed her fingers against his shirt, grabbing a handful of the silky fabric. He let out a soft breath, as warm as melted chocolate.
She heard herself sigh. He responded by tightening his arms around her and tilting her face up for a kiss. She opened her mouth, inviting him inside, and felt him take control, tracing her upper lip, then her lower one, while his hands brought her pelvis closer to his. He was rock hard.
A slick heat began to gather between her legs. The sensation was pleasurable but also dissatisfying. She shifted, trying to quiet the building demand of her body, but it was no use.
She needed more.
His mouth was too leisurely to appease the greedy monster in her. He sipped her as if he had all the time in the world, as if he didn’t have a redwood digging into her belly.
She moaned and let go of his shirt. Her fingers tunneled into his hair. Rising on her toes, she pressed herself against him, and her tongue invaded his mouth for the unrestrained kiss she wanted.
He raised the hem of her dress, the air cool on her suddenly exposed skin. His hands massaged her upper thighs and grazed her bare butt. She hadn’t wanted lines and was wearing only a tiny thong under the dress. One hand traveled up her torso and lightly skimmed her breast. Her knees almost buckled; she tightened her arms around him.
“God, you’re sexy,” he rasped, his mouth hot on her neck.
Suddenly, steps pounded on the deck above them. Belle’s voice shouted, “Dad! Everyone! Dinner is served!”
Natalie jumped at the announcement and stared at Alex’s shadowed face.
He cursed softly. “This is the second time your family has interrupted us.”
His gaze lingered on her mouth, her breasts, her eyes. She smoothed her dress down and swallowed hard. The thin fabric showed the outline of her pebbled nipples. She was in no condition to join the others.
“You go first,” Natalie managed to say. Despite her effort, her hands trembled.
“Natalie—”
“Go on,” she said. “I’ll follow in a minute.”
He nodded, but there was a decisive glint in his eye. “There’s not going to be a third.”
Oh God. She shivered and watched as he retreated into the sunlight.
Chapter Seven
CHARLIE DROVE NATALIE HOME. Alex had been a perfect gentleman throughout the meal, though there was a simmering hostility between him and the Rodales. She had no idea what could’ve caused it. Sometimes Rodale International and DDE bid on the same projects, but surely that couldn’t be the reason.
The moment Alex had excused himself from the table after the meal was over, Charlie had dragged her out. He hadn’t even given her a chance to say good-bye to anyone except her family and Emily. Once they’d gotten into the car, he hadn’t said anything. The ride home passed in a cocoon of silence. He hadn’t even turned the radio on.
Now, sitting in the Porsche in front of her condo, Natalie felt uncomfortable. And somewhat disappointed that it wasn’t Alex taking her home. Maybe she could call him later. But then…she didn’t know his number. She should’ve insisted on staying until she could make her farewells properly…or something.
“What were you doing with Damon out there?” Charlie said suddenly.