Into the Fire - Leslie Kelly [48]
Glancing at Nate, she saw he was still engrossed in his conversation. She sat on the floor, leaned against the wall and opened the magazine. She scanned the table of contents until she found Nate's name, then turned to his article "
Ten Ways
to Make Up for Forgetting Her Birthday." Lacey chuckled as she read, noting Nate's witty writing voice.
Interested in reading more, she pulled out another magazine. This one had a feature Nate wrote about dealing with pesky kids. She chuckled when she read his suggestion that a clothes manufacturer start producing kid's coveralls made with Velcro with coordinating wallpaper, so people could stick the little beggars to the wall when they got too out of control.
He glanced over to see what she was doing. She held up the magazine and gave him a thumbs-up sign. He grinned and returned to his phone conversation.
The next magazine had another article by Nate. Once she read the first paragraph, Lacey wished she hadn't started it. It was titled "Lovemaking Secrets for the Everyday Stud," and was humorous, yes, but also deeply sensual and vivid. Throughout, several men discussed their tips on giving women pleasure. All Lacey could think about was that Nate had put these suggestions together, had blended them into one cohesive package. How much did he learn? How much did he contribute?
Lacey's breath came faster as she read the section on foreplay. When Nate commented that only a fool would rush through the rich, flavorful entrée to get to the quick dessert, she swallowed hard. The word pictures he drew mesmerized her. She continued to read, oblivious to everything except the seductive images his article evoked.
From his desk, Nate watched her. She hadn't noticed him finish his phone conversation. He studied her as she leaned against the wall, absorbed in the magazine. The late afternoon sunlight shone in through the window and caught the gold in her hair, making her heart-shaped face look like it was surrounded by a halo. Where some women were always conscious of their appearance, Lacey appeared completely at ease in her jeans and tank top. She wore no makeup, and her thick hair was coming loose from its braid. Her natural beauty still stunned him.
Nate saw a slow blush rise up her cheeks. Seeing her full lips part and her tongue dart out to moisten them, he took a deep breath. Judging by the rise and fall of her curvy breasts, she was doing some heavy breathing, too.
What the hell is she reading? Glancing at the cover of the magazine she held, he noted the date and remembered the issue. A smile curled across his lips as he watched Lacey Clark reading his views on lovemaking. He didn't doubt that was what she'd focused on. Then he started thinking about everything in the article. A lot of himself had gone into it, and he knew that had come across in the final piece.
His amusement faded as he watched her bite the corner of her lip and breathe deeper. She was fascinated by her reading, and Nate was fascinated by watching her. He could see the beat of her pulse in her throat, the way her hand tightened around the magazine. His gaze shifted to her body, and he saw her nipples tighten and grow hard against her dingy shirt.
Nate had never felt such a sudden rush of need. He swallowed hard, having a strong mental image of closing his mouth over her breast, sucking her taut nipple through the fabric of her top until she squirmed and begged him to remove the cotton obstacle.
She moved slightly, wiggling back a bit, as if her jeans were suddenly uncomfortable. Nate had to stifle a groan. Sitting a few feet away, watching her become physically aroused, was the sweetest torture he'd ever experienced.
When she finally finished reading, Lacey let out a ragged breath and closed the magazine, staring at the bulked-up male on its cover. But it was Nate's face she saw, his hard