Page 21 of Need to Know

“Yeah. Clutter and mess drive me insane. Remember the woman you saw me with in the photo on my office book case, that’s my bestie, Saskia Jones.”

“That’s it!” Nate blurted pointing a finger at the screen, “I thought I recognized her face…she’s in 19 Crimes, yeah? Man, I love that show!”

“She is. Sassy and I were a couple when we were at drama school and we shared a flat.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that!”

“We were together for a couple of years before I came out to her. She told me she’d already figured me out,” I chuckled. “I love her, but, my god; she’s a messy-cow to live with. Clothes everywhere, dishes in the sink, and don’t ask me what a pigsty she left the bathroom in. I had to pick up after her all the time!”

“My sister’s the same. It was always a fight to get into the bathroom first.”

“Right! I’d never known anyone with so many toiletries…how many face creams does a person need?”

“Uhmm—“ Nate glanced away and coughed into his hand. I recalled then that he had so many jars of pricy skincare that he’d monopolized the counter space in our trailer.

“Is Saskia living in the UK?” he asked.

“Nah. 19 Crimes got another season so she lives in Australia,” I informed conversationally. I rested my head back on the feather pillow and watched Nate’s mouth as he spoke. I wasn’t focusing on what he said; just his mouth. I revelled in the realization that, unless I was totally mistaken about my friend’s nature, I was the last man to kiss those gorgeous soft lips. His ice chip eyes sparkled and he looked less anxious than when I’d last seen him in the flesh. Nate was shirtless and his chest was a work of art, cut pectorals, taut brown penny nipples, a dusting of chest hair. I salivated. He also wore grey sweats that sat so low they exposed his v-cut and left nothing to the imagination. A lustful thrum ran through me at having his undivided attention. I considered what his stubble rasp would feel like against my mouth, my chest, and with him kissing down, over my abs. I was hardening as I watched his mouth move, my mind going back to memories of how it felt to have his hot bulk on top of me, grinding between my thighs while we devoured one another. I eased my hand lower and adjusted my junk.

“Hey, are you even listening?” Nate prompted.

“Oh, sorry, sorry!”

“You’ve got that look you get when you’re…distracted. What are you thinking about?”

Nate read me so well. “I suppose I am a little distracted,” I admitted giving him a direct look that could not be mistaken for anything other than flirtation.

“Tell me,” he demanded his tone low and growly. He bit on his plump lower lip and I understood the challenge. His gaze fixed on me and that bitten lip made my tummy flutter, sending a dart of lust through me. It was late and I supposed an orgasm would help me fall asleep.

I ran a hand through my hair, “I...um…don’t think you want to know,” I teased, all British and coquettish.

“Try me,” he demanded.

“I was, eh…thinking about Paris…the kiss.” Nate’s eyes flashed at the mention of Paris. He licked his lips, “Oh, yeah! I’ve thought about it too. It was a great kiss.”

We’d already breached the walls of the friend zone and now we were in uncharted territory. “The best,” I said in a breathy whisper. “Do you eh…”

“What?” Nate asked eagerly, his gaze still glued on me like I was the only other man in existence. Did he know what I was going to ask?

“Trust me?”

“Course I do.”

“You can…say no, but…I’m guessing we could both do with a little…stress relief. Wanna get off with me, here…now?” I asked in a slow, seductive tone using my poshest voice as I knew it really yanked his chain. We were both used to performing for the camera and this wasn’t an unusual request on the hook-up scene. It was something I’d do when I was on the apps, or even with a fuck buddy. Sharing a remote orgasm was no big deal these days, right?

“Oh!” Heat rose to make Nate’s cheeks flush an adorable rosy colour. He knew I was flirty by nature and I knew he hid his shyness well. Had I shocked him? Surely not!

“You remember how it felt to kiss me in Paris? How good it was to grind against me. You were so hard for me, babe,” I reminded and I noticed how Nate’s eyes blazed with lust. “I know you felt it too…the famous chemistry everyone says we have. We’re both single…so what’s the harm in having a little fun?” I wagged my brows flirtatiously and awaited his response. I was playing a dangerous game. I could take the rejection, but I knew from the way Nate licked his lips and the way his hand grazed languidly up and down his chest that he wouldn’t say no.

“Good points…well made!” Nate paused and watched me for a long moment as I eye fucked him in return. I ran my hand over my chest, tweaking a nipple, before self-consciously, he revealled, “But I haven’t…”

I stopped touching myself and sat up. “You haven’t wanked with anyone except Erik…in eleven years?” I asked incredulous.

“Um…no, of course not,” he sounded a little offended. “I took my marriage vows seriously. Erik and I agreed to remain monogamous,” he justified.

Oh. My. God. How could this hot-as-hell, thoughtful, kind, precious man have tied himself so completely to a lying, cheating piece of shit like Erik Thorne?

“Honestly, I’ve never met anyone like you before,” I stated.