Chapter Twenty-four

Oddly, she wasn't nervous.

Although she'd taken her time getting ready, and was only just now showing up at work at 11pm, as Lindy walked down the hallway towards the main offices, she was somehow calm and confident. Maybe it was the hand she held, which lazily swung hers back and forth as Nate accompanied her down the hallway. He turned to grin at her every now and then, as if to reassure her, but he looked far more nervous than she felt. As they'd walked into the building, being stopped every so often by the employees welcoming her back, Nate had been overly jumpy. As if he expected the security guards to come wrangle him at any moment.

Stopping before her office, Lindy unlocked the door. "I'll be back in a minute."

They'd decided she would summon Anton into her office, where she felt she had a better chance of defending herself. As Nate took a seat in her chair behind the desk, he gave her an encouraging look before she went off to look for Anton.

She heard laughter as she drew near to Anton's office. Standing just out of sight from the doorway, she could see Bryn sitting on Anton's desk, talking to him. They both looked far more animated and relaxed than they had the last time she'd seen them. Flirting, smiling, touching each other.

[They've had sex!] she thought, reminded of their pre-wedding agreement. [Good...maybe he'll be in a better mood when I talk to him. At least for a little while.]

She took one last deep breath and stepped into the doorway, knocking on the jamb. "Hey there. I'm back."

Both of them smiled and stood up to hug her hello, although it seemed to Lindy that there was something strained about Anton's greeting. [Almost as if he already knows.]

Sabryn could see that her friend was nervous. She was wondering how and when Lindy would tell them. "So how was getting over there?"

Watching Anton and trying to determine the best way to inform him of her news, she almost missed the question Bryn asked her. "The flights were a bit of a pain in the ass, but the islands are absolutely gorgeous. It's almost like going to a different country."

"It was in the not so distant past," Anton reminded her. He decided the best way to handle the situation was to pull everything out into the open. Best they get it over with sooner than later. "And how was the wedding?"

"How--How did you know?"

He didn't say a word, but slid open his top desk drawer. Pulling out a piece of paper from inside, he slid it across the desk. She recognized her own wedding announcements immediately. Picking it up, she was about to angrily accuse him of doing something stupid like breaking into her house...until she smelled her.

Damn that skanky vampire whore!

She sighed heavily, not willing to look either of them in the eye. "I *told* him someone had been in the house while we were gone."

Anton's eyebrow raised. "You couldn't tell?"

Lindy shook her head. "I smelled a lot of Fabreeze, but couldn't quite be sure who had sprayed it."

He nodded. He thought he already knew the answer to his next question, but had to hear her say it. "Why didn't you tell us, Lindy? Why the deception?"

"Because I didn't want you to try to talk me out of it," she said, her voice rising a bit in defense. "It's no secret that you don't approve, Anton, but this is my life and I'd appreciate it if you respect that."

"That was all you had to say to me, Lindy. You didn't have to lie."

"Bullshit!" She stared at him, open-mouthed. "You and I both know that if I had so much as mentioned the possibility of marrying Nate, you would've gone ballistic. God, you see red at the mere mention of his name." She crossed her arms, trying to calm down. "I was going to send you the announcement just as soon as we arrived, but obviously we forgot them at home. It wasn't meant to be a deception. It was a family event, that's all."

That hurt. "So I'm not family, Lindy?"

"Yes! I mean no! I mean...." She trailed off, sighing. "We both wanted you there, Anton. *Both* of us. But we didn't want to deal with your disapproval as well as everything else."

He gave a little laugh as he sat back down. "Somehow I can't quite imagine Nathaniel wanting me to be there."

"He did want you there," she said, feeling a little irritated on Nate's behalf. "You're the closest thing he has to a living relative, Anton."

"And he just remembered that recently?"

Lindy glanced over at Bryn, who had yet to say a word. She was merely leaning on the desk, looking back and forth between them. Focusing on Anton's question, she shook her head.

"No, he did not--"

"What the hell is going on here?"

Lindy turned to see Nate standing behind her, looking more than a little pissed off.

"Nate--"

"I'd like to know why you're giving my wife the third degree, Anton. If you're going to be pissed off at someone, direct it at me."

"Who said I'm pissed off?" Anton sat back, interlacing his fingers on the desk in front of him.

Nate snorted. "Me and 'pissed off' go hand in hand when it comes to you, Anton."

Anton frowned. "I can't say that I'm not angry and hurt about how this was handled, but you don't have to look at me like I'm a thermonuclear device about to go off."

Nate and Lindy shared a bewildered look. "Looks like Anton, smells like Anton," she muttered. "Sure isn't acting like the Anton I know."

Looking like she was trying to keep from grinning, Bryn sat back down on the desk again. After a moment her expression became a little more sober. "You both have to realize that it was just a little shocking to find out like this. I'm sure you would've felt the same if we had gotten married without telling you."

"I'm sorry, Bryn, but that's not the same," Nate said. "No one is protesting the fact that he wants to marry you--"

"Have you heard either one of us say anything about who Lindy married? No. We're upset because we weren't told until after the fact."

"Don't worry, Bryn," Nate snorted. "Anton's comments on that will be coming shortly."

"I resent that remark, Nathaniel."

Lindy shook her head. "You've got to admit, Anton, this isn't like you. I was expecting to have to defend my choices tooth and nail, and we're actually having a rational discussion about it. It just seems surreal."

Anton blinked. "I know you well enough, Lindy, that trying to argue with you once you've made up your mind is like beating a dead horse. What's done is done and I can't change it." His expression darkened slightly as he looked at Nate, but nowhere near the level of malevolence he usually displayed when thinking of the younger vampire. "But if I hear of you hurting her..."

Nate's hands flew up in the air in disgust. "Un-fucking-believable!" He shook his head, staring first at Lindy and then back at Anton. "I knew it. I knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut for long. You just had to get in your little jab, didn't you? You couldn't leave well enough alone--"

He cut off his tirade for a moment as Lindy elbowed him in the side. He stared at her, his expression dubious.

"No, I'm not going to be quiet damn it." He stepped further into the room, menacingly, making Bryn get off the desk and back up to avoid him. "I think I've put up with your bullshit long enough, Anton. You know, if you were just ragging on me, I think I could handle that--but you're implying that Lindy doesn't have the good sense God gave her, and when you insult my wife, you're going to deal with me, God-damn-it!"

Anton looked unperturbed at Nate's outburst. "I would be saying that to anyone who was involved with her, Nathaniel. And there's no need to shout."

"I'm not shouting!" Nate paused. "Okay, I'm shouting! I'm shouting! I'm shouting!"

Bryn snorted, snickering. "You are a strange ranger."

Nate stared at her, then at Anton, and then back again. And back to Anton again. "What the hell is going on here? Did more aliens land while we were gone?"

Bryn glared at him. "Go to hell, Nathaniel."

"Ah ha! See, that's more like it. That's what I'm used to hearing out of you two. Or at least out of him." Defeated, he glanced over his shoulder at Lindy. "Do you have any idea what's going on here?"

"No, but you're going to be sleeping on the couch if I hear you make another crack about aliens." She noticed Anton's slight smile of approval at her reaction, but he didn't make any further comments. Although he didn't seem to be getting mad at Nathaniel, Nate was becoming more and more agitated, almost seemingly wanting to provoke Anton into a battle.

But surprisingly, it was Anton who seemed intent on diffusing the situation. "The four of us fighting isn't going to resolve anything. Why don't you and Lindy go to her office, and we'll discuss what happened later on when we both can be calm?"

"Calm?" Nathaniel snorted.

Lindy took the out that Anton offered. "That's a good idea," she said grabbing Nate by the arm and tugging him towards the door.

Bryn watched them disappear, her arms defensively crossed for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she walked back to where Anton was sitting and unceremoniously plopped down on his lap. Before he could say much of anything, she grabbed his face and kissed him thoroughly.

"What was that for?" he asked, after she pulled away.

"Because I am amazed, and incredibly touched, and so very proud of you. I don't think I've ever seen you look sexier than you do right now."

Anton looked at her dubiously. "Sexier, my dear?"

"Um hum." She ran a finger down the line of buttons on his shirt. "You showed incredible self-restraint, although you could have been a bit more upset at his crack about aliens."

"I'll remember that, my dear." His arms went around her waist and he pulled her close, resting his head on her chest. "I had something of a revelation, my dear, thanks to you."

"Really? What was that?"

"I have been blaming Nathaniel for everything that happened. But like you said, I really don't know what happened that night. And because I still loved... her... I didn't blame her for her part in it. Oh, I said she was at fault, but I didn't feel that she was." He looked up at her. "Realizing that it's you I need to hang on to, and not her, put things in perspective, Bryn. She's as much to blame, at the very least, for my father's death, as Nathaniel is, most likely."

"Oh, see sugar, you're just getting sexier by the minute." His responding laughter was cut off as she kissed him again, her fingers curling around the collar of his shirt. She rocked her pelvis against his crotch, moaning against his mouth, thankful that she'd decided that morning to wear a skirt. "Mmm, if you get much sexier, we might just have to lock the door."

"I like that idea, my dear. How about this?" He pulled her tighter against his crotch. "Lindy's married now, and that officially makes Nathaniel her problem. I'm not going to be able to convince her it's a mistake, *if* it's a mistake. And since there is nothing I can do, I might as well let it go and let her worry about it." He kissed her the top of her cleavage.

"Oooh, you are on a roll tonight!" She pulled up the hem of her georgette skirt, yanked off her shoes and let them drop to the floor, the leather of his chair creaking below them as she got comfortable once more. "But you know what would be even sexier?" She reached for the zipper at top of her tight denim vest, pulling it down slowly, revealing even more of her cleavage along the way, until it was apparent she wasn't wearing a bra underneath. "It would be even sexier if you let *everything* go right now, and concentrate on making me squeal."

"Ahem."

The knock on the door and simultaneous clearing of Lindy's throat made them both jump. Turning nearly the same red as her skirt, Bryn discreetly zipped up her vest and slipped part of the way off of Anton's lap. She remained seated on one thigh, thinking wisely that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to leave his crotch visible to Lindy's view. Judging by the fingers tightening on her waist, he agreed with her.

Lindy took a deep breath. "I came back to apologize for Nate's behavior tonight. I'm not sure what's gotten into him, but I think it's better if I took him home."

Anton nodded, still holding Bryn to shield his crotch from Lindy's view. "Let's try discussing this again tomorrow."

Lindy nodded, and continued. "And I'm also sorry I didn't tell you before I left about the wedding."

"Apology accepted, Lindy." He paused before he added, "I know I haven't made any of this easy on you."

Agreeing with him, she backed out the door. "I'll leave you two to what you were doing then," she said with a little smirk. Reaching back to shut the door, she locked it, giving the lovers privacy.

Bryn giggled, straddling his lap once more. She didn't waste any time in unzipping her vest again, pulling down the waistband of her skirt as well.

"Look at this," she said, pointing at a darkened line traveling from her navel down to disappear under her panties. "Was that there before?"

He nodded. "I noticed that last night, but it's definitely new."

She traced her finger over it, shaking her head. "This is getting weird. I've got lines on me, my face looks tanner, and even my nipples are getting darker. It scares me to think of what my butt must look like."

"It's gorgeous, just like the rest of you." Anton ran his hands over her chest, lifting her breasts and squeezing. He leaned forward to kiss her. "If this is how you reward me, I'll have to do things that make you proud more often."

She laughed as she kissed his lips. "As if you don't get 'rewarded' every day."

"One can never get enough praise as far as I'm concerned."

"You know, there's only two more weeks left before I start on my second trimester. That's when I'm really going to start blowing up like a balloon. So you'd better enjoy this while you can. Pretty soon you won't even be able to get your arms around me." She puffed up her cheeks, holding her arms out to her sides to simulate her girth. "Stay-Puffed Marshmallow girl."

"Mmmm... means you'll be all the more edible." He leaned down and nipped at her neck. Clearing off his desk with a sweep of his arm, he leaned her backwards over it. "Remember the last time we made love on a desk? This time we won't have to worry about your boss walking in on us."

She grinned, reaching for him. "I do remember. There's a very good chance you got me pregnant on that desk, Anton." He arched an eyebrow at her and she nodded. "I can't be absolutely positive, but it was around that time. Guess I really was glad to see you."

She returned his goofy grin, pulling him down to kiss her again. She didn't bother to unbutton his shirt completely, but just enough to nibble on his neck. Her fingers swept through his hair, her mind recalling that last encounter on a desk vividly. She'd never been that sexually excited before in her life. He walked in the door of the gallery and it felt as if her entire existence was swept into a whirlwind of emotion. She'd been feeling it ever since.

Anton paused to look at his soon-to-be wife. Had anyone told him a year and a half ago that he would be more in love than he had ever been before, he would have been slightly disbelieving, but open minded to the possibility. Had he been told he would be a father, he would have laughed in their face. But now he was both, and he felt like he was living inside a dream. He bent down and kissed her, guiding her legs to wrap around his waist.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, holding still as he unfastened his slacks and pushed her panties to the side. Her breath was coming hard and fast already, her thighs quivering around him. Her toes curled as he sank into her, and she grinned up at him. She couldn't remember being quite so happy in her entire life. There were less than two weeks to the wedding, things were looking much better where Nathaniel was concerned, and everything seemed to be moving along as planned. As long as nothing too traumatic happened in the next twelve days, she would soon be Anton's wife. A giddy little shiver ran through her, and she pulled him tight against her, gently rolling her hips against him as he began to thrust inside her.

He leaned down to kiss her. Bryn looked like she was about to cum, and he hadn't really done anything yet. He ran his hands over her nipples, circling his fingers around them as he thrust into her. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, my dear?"

She bit her lip and shook her head, although she was starting to get an idea of what he meant. It wasn't anything she saw in the mirror. It was in the way he looked at her, and the way he made her feel. She rarely ever wore dresses or skirts before meeting him, preferring to hide herself in casual jeans and baggy clothes. But he made her feel more feminine, in a good way. Sexy, pretty, and alluring. She found herself wanting to be looked at by him, waiting for his eyes to feast upon her. And yet it wasn't just the clothes. It was the way he held her, the feeling of lying below him as they made love. It was what it felt like to be wanted...and being wanted by Anton was wonderful.

He simply had to be the single most beautiful man she'd ever laid eyes on. Handsome, charming, gentle. It constantly amazed her that she was the one he seemed destined to be with. [Somebody up there must like me.] She wanted to give him everything. Her love, her friendship, her soul. Even that much didn't seem like enough. If it took the rest of her life—and she'd be more than happy if it did—she wanted to make him feel like the most blessed man on the planet.

Anton caressed her breasts, moaning softly. It was incredible how she made him feel. Before when he had thought about possibly committing the rest of his existence to anyone, the thought scared him. He never had any of those fears with Bryn. Gently, he slipped a hand between their bodies, stroking her clit lightly.

She gasped, arching up against him, urging him with her heels to move faster and deeper. She slid her hands inside of his shirt, rubbing her fingers over his chest, kissing his neck and jaw. She could feel her legs start to shake harder as he stroked her, and pulled his head down to meet her lips. Just before slipping into orgasm, she whispered against his ear, "I love you so much, sugar. I'm so proud I'm going to be your wife."

"Not as proud as I'm going to be, to be your husband." He pulled back slightly to watch her cum. He hissed when he felt her clench around his cock. He gave a few more thrusts before cumming himself, sagging against her. He closed his eyes, just listening to her heartbeat. He hadn't felt this happy, this content in a long time.

She relaxed below him, her head resting on his desk, her arms wrapped around his neck. Even if they made love a million times, she knew each single meeting of their bodies would be unique, and this was no exception. Although it had a slight similarity to a time before, on the desk in the gallery, they were nothing alike in emotion or feeling. This time the desperation was replaced by romantic lingering, the newness and anxiety replaced by familiarity and comfort. They were learning each other more every day, memorizing in detail, and although it might never be as frantic and intense as it was that day nearly three months ago-- or even during their abstinence just a week ago--she'd never enjoy being with him any less.

Gently loosening her grip on his waist with her legs, she was about to suggest they get up when she noticed the dark shadow in the corner of the room near the ceiling.

She couldn't help the sudden high pitch in her voice. "Anton, is that security camera taping us?"

He twisted back around to follow her gaze. "Uh, yeah, it is, but you don't have to worry. Unlike most of the second floor, the VCR that one's hooked up to is in Lindy's office, and there's a similar hookup in her office to mine. Insurance insisted on all offices being taped, but neither Lindy nor I liked the thought of security being able to watch us when we're working alone. Rest of the second floor and all of the first are wired into the security office downstairs. So as long as we don't make love on the receptionist's desk, we're fine." He kissed her ear, petting her hair. "I'll get the tape from her tomorrow. And if I don't, it cycles through over 3 days, so in 72 hours this will be taped over." His voice dropped in pitch, becoming huskier. "Besides, my dear, don't you think it might be fun to have a tape of us making love? Something to watch the way we did those movies of your brother?"

She arched an eyebrow, grinning. "You know, I was going to suggest that we buy a video recorder, so we could record our wedding and the baby...but there's no rule saying we can't use it for more private videos too."

"Mmmm. I'm glad we're in agreement about that." He toyed with her hair. "So, what are your plans for tonight, my dear? Other than make me go cross-eyed with desire, which you've accomplished very well."

She stretched leisurely, arching her back, before reaching down to zip up her vest. She grinned at the little frown that creased his forehead.

"Well, I was hoping I could find a craft store that's still open. I'd like to get some new canvases, or at least the materials to make my own." She sat up, adjusting her underwear and putting her skirt back in place. "Do you want to come with me?"

"I'd love to, my dear. It would be fascinating to watch you create something from the beginning. Did you have something specific in mind?"

"Well, sort of. It was going to be a surprise...but if you want to watch me, that would be fine too. I might get a little self-conscious, but you might be able to help me make sure it looks right. Sometimes I'm not a very good judge of my own stuff."

"I've seen your work, Bryn, and you are so talented, I'm in awe of you." With a sigh, he stood up and pulled his pants back on. "I'm sure we'll find some place open this late."

Slipping off the desk, she smoothed down her clothes while he zipped up his slacks. Placing her hands on his chest, she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. "Thank you for tonight. I really am proud of you. And if there's anything I can do to make you as happy as you made me today, I'll try my hardest to do it. I promise."

He held her close and smiled tenderly. "All you have to do is keep loving me, Bryn." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "That's all I need to be happy."

She squeezed his waist. "Consider it done."

He rode home sullenly in the passenger's seat, silently staring out the window, like a unrepentant little boy. Arms crossed and brow creased, he cast glances at Lindy every once in a while...as if hoping for some sympathy. Unfortunately, she didn't feel much like giving it. Tired of being ignored, he muttered, "You act like this is my fault. He started it, weeks ago."

She cleared her throat, but didn't respond. Stopping at a traffic light, she finally looked at him. "You were trying to provoke a fight out of nothing, Nate. Even when it was obvious you weren't going to get one. Why couldn't you just let it go?"

"Me?" He looked at her, appalled. "Why couldn't *I* let it go? I'm not the one who practically had a spitting hissy fit when he found out we were dating. I'm not the one who had to be lied to about our wedding, for fear he'd ruin the whole thing. And I'm certainly not the one who's lying to you right now. Who knows what he's planning, but I guarantee you he's up to no good."

Lindy frowned, pulling into the driveway of their townhouse. "You know, I think I had this discussion about a week and a half ago. Almost those exact words. But I think it was Anton talking about you."

"Now that's not fair, Lindy!"

"Well, what the hell do you want Nate?" She shut off the engine of the car, turning in her seat to face him. "You tell me that you want to make peace with Anton, and when he tries to meet you half way, you deliberately try to provoke him. He wasn't yelling, wasn't screaming, wasn't accusing you of anything. And you try to get him angry."

"Let's go inside," he said, sounding irritated. Still annoyed herself, Lindy grabbed her purse and followed him, locking the car as well. Once they were inside the townhouse, Nate walked into the kitchen in search of something to eat. Leaning against the doorway, Lindy stared at him. Catching her reflection in the microwave door, Nate said, "Stop glowering at me. I'm not ignoring you. I'm thinking."

"No wonder it's taking so long."

"Hey!"

"Nate, just admit it. You were acting childish and it was uncalled for."

"Fine! If that's what you want to hear, fine, I'm childish." He gave up searching and turned around to face her. "Can you really blame me? How am I supposed to react when suddenly he's the calm one? Somebody has to be the antagonist! That's how our relationship works!"

"You know how sick that sounds, Nate? And is that the relationship you want with him?"

He couldn't meet her gaze. "No."

"Then you're going to have to let some things go too, Nate." She crossed over to him and took both his hands. "I love you so much, Nate, and I'd hate to see you waste an opportunity to make peace with him. He's offering Nate, he even offered to try again tomorrow night. Are you willing to try?"

He sighed. "Yes." He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. "I don't mean to be difficult. It was just something I never expected from him and it was a bit of a shock. More than a bit. And I had to wonder what was up. Doesn't it make you suspicious at all?"

"No, and I'll tell you why." She gently rocked him back and forth. "Bryn likes you, and like me, family's really important to her. I'll bet anything that she's been working on him, trying to convince him that you're not the same man you were a thousand years ago. And I'll bet he's been listening." He snorted and she turned his face to look at her. "This is scaring you, isn't it? The possibility that you and Anton can stop being enemies and start being friends, and maybe something more?"

He couldn't meet her gaze. Even with her holding his face towards her, he had to lower his gaze. He was ashamed to feel his eyes tearing up. "...yes it does. You have no idea how much. Because I know--"

When he wouldn't finish his sentence, she prompted him. "You know what?"

"I know it will never happen, Lind." He turned his face, wiping his wet cheek against his shoulder. "He hates me, and he always will."

Lindy ran her hands over his shoulders reassuringly. "Listen Nate. You told me that you kept returning to Natasha to punish yourself. You're doing the exact same thing here. Anton might be offering forgiveness, or at least neutrality towards you, but you are insisting that you still punish yourself. You don't feel you deserve forgiveness. Well, that's just bullshit, plain and simple. But you have to make the first step by forgiving yourself. And if you need someone's approval to do so, you have my full permission." She got up on tiptoe to kiss his forehead. "I love you so much, and it's going to kill me to watch you punish yourself. So if you can't forgive yourself for your own sake, consider it for mine?"

He sucked in a shuddering breath, wiping fiercely at his eyes, and nodded. Pulling her close once again, he held her tight to him and pressed his lips to her ear. "I love you, Lind. You know I'd do anything for you."

"I know Nate. And I love you too. That's why it hurts me so much to see you like this." She kissed his forehead again. "There is something you can do for me."

"Anything, Lind."

"You can come upstairs with me and let me make love to you."

He got a little smirk on his face. Scuffing his shoe on the floor, he shoved his hands in his pockets and feigned disappointment. "All right, if I have to."

Grabbing his hand, she started towing him towards the stairs. "Come on, smart ass."

"I'm sure I'll suffer through it somehow."

"Uh huh." Pulling him into the bedroom, she walked him over to the bed and pushed him down on his back. She didn't like the lingering sadness in his eyes, that she could still plainly see despite the growing desire. Intent on making it disappear, she crawled up astride his thighs and kissed him, planting her hands on his chest, pulling softly on his lips. "Still think you can handle it?"

"Mmm...maybe..."

"Maybe?" She rubbed her body against his. "Hmmm... maybe I should handle it instead then." She sat up, resting herself on his thighs. She was glad she was wearing slacks instead of a skirt. Lindy wanted Nate to be distracted and him reaching under her skirt would definitely distract her. Lindy pulled her blouse over her head and tossed it behind her. She watched Nate's eyes widen as she then pulled off her bra. She cupped her breasts, occasionally letting her nipples peek through her fingers.

He stared at her, his mouth open, before saying, "Maybe I can handle it, after all."

She laughed as his hands came up to cover hers, fingers interlacing, tangling, and eventually pushed her hands away altogether. She bit her lip as he lightly cupped her in his hands, barely touching her, as if holding on to a wild bird. He traced his fingers across the upper swells of her breasts, his palms rubbing so softly against her nipples that she couldn't help but moan. He lifted and squeezed her, his eyes fascinated with the sight of her, fingers teasing, watching the way her nipples grew tighter and darker the more he played. And when he finally rolled her nipples beneath his thumbs, it was her that started to lose control instead of him.

Gasping for breath, she shakily ran her hands over his chest, she unbuttoned his shirt, stroking his skin. She bent down to kiss the soft skin of his neck, running her tongue over his clavicles. Lightly stroking his skin, she bent down and traced her tongue around his left nipple. She was rewarded with a moan, and a hand clutching her hair, pressing her back down when she tried to sit back up. Taking Nate's not so subtle hint, she closed her mouth on his nipple and sucked lightly.

He moaned again, his hands sliding down to her ass, holding her tight against his crotch. She could feel him teasing the middle seam of her slacks, his fingers sliding up and down, making her squirm. Occasionally his touch traveled even lower, making her hips jerk against his. It seemed to be exactly the reaction he was hoping for.

"You feel so good, Lind. If I could stand it physically, I'd let you do this all day."

She sat up, smiling and tossing her hair back over her shoulder. "Don't think I haven't thought about it, Nate." She placed her hands on his chest and slid them down his stomach, scratching lightly. Instead of stopping, she let them trail lower, her fingers catching slightly on his waistband before moving to the fly of his slacks.

He lifted his hips against her touch, making her grin. She was deliberately slow, teasing, taking her time lowering the zipper. She could already smell his arousal, and it tempted her to growl deep in her throat. Unfastening the button at the top, she pulled his slacks down his hips, backing up slightly, and then yanking them the rest of the way off along with his shoes. He watched lazily as she pulled off his socks as well, nibbling her way up his legs until he was gasping with ticklish laughter. Hovering over him once more on her hands and knees, she kissed his mouth briefly, nuzzling her nose against his chest and stomach, before focusing her attention even lower.

She slid her fingers under the waistband of his briefs. She slid them down slowly, grinning as he squirmed. Pulling them off his ankles, this time she didn't nibble her way back. This time she went straight for his engorged cock.

Nate arched beneath her as she ran her tongue along the prominent vein on the underside of his cock. She still wasn't fully comfortable giving blowjobs, but she was learning fast. Not that Nate seemed to mind her inexperience. She nibbled at his balls, nipping at him lightly before moving to lap at the head of his cock.

He gasped, fisting his fingers in the comforter below him. As much as he enjoyed having her mouth on him, he knew her well enough to know she'd rather he was inside of her. And at the moment, that was exactly what he wanted as well. Still, he didn't mind letting her continue for a few seconds more.

"Lind..." When she didn't respond, he raised his voice a bit. "Lind, stop. That feels really good, gorgeous, but I'd much rather be inside you."

Lindy shivered. She gave him one last suck before letting him slide out of her lips. Backing off of the bed, she flashed him a devilish grin as she kicked off her flat heeled shoes and her hands went to her fly. The heartfelt moan he made as she unzipped her slacks made her quiver. She let the slacks fall to the ground once they were eased past he hips. She did the same thing for her panties as well. Now naked, she crawled back up the bed. Taking a gentle but firm grip on him, she sank down on his cock, letting her legs spread wide. "God, Nate, you feel so good."

Panting, he took hold of her hips. "Oh, Lind...I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to hear you say that."

Tightening his grip on her, he watched her brace herself on his chest. Once she was ready to move, he helped guide her with his hands, giving a short upwards thrust every time she sank back onto him. He sat up slightly, lapping at her nipples as she neared, teasing her with the tip of his tongue. Moaning softly, she arched her back and thrust her chest forward, giggling as he tried to catch her nipples in his mouth. Every so often he captured her briefly, giving a short sucking tug, before her movements separated them once more. She found herself leaning forward, trying to help him along.

She threw her head back and let out a small shriek when one of his hands slid from her waist to rest lightly between her legs. He didn't press against her, just held his fingers in a position where they would lightly brush her clit with each stroke. She sped up her thrusts, rotating her hips, almost purring from the sensations.

Unable to help himself, he slipped back to the bed and concentrated on lifting his hips into her thrusts. He could feel his orgasm approaching, tingling at the base of his spine. Adding more pressure with his fingers, he urged her closer to her peak. Hoping to make her come before he did. Knowing it might be a lost cause.

Lindy sat up straight, drawing him deeper inside of her. She moaned loudly as his cock stroked against that one sweet spot inside of her. The combination of him rubbing her both inside and out quickly became too much for her to bear. And when she felt him spurt inside of her, she gave a sharp cry, clenching down on him.

"Ohh, God, Lind!"

He arched wildly below her, damned near trying to climb inside of her, spilling his soul in those few quick jets. He stayed still, his body bowed against her almost painfully as he allowed himself to feel her clenching around him. As she sank down against his chest, he settled back to the comforter, boneless, gasping for air. He felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. It wasn't unusual...he felt the same every time he made love to his wife. It was simply breathtaking.

She snuggled against him, struggling for air also. Holding on to his arms, she ran her thumb over the tattoo, tracing the curve of the moon. It amazed her how Nathaniel was able to strip her of her defenses, break down all the walls she had built to protect herself. He could reduce her to basic animal lust with only a glance, and leave her trembling with only a brush of his hand. And it wasn't a power game with him, because she was surprised to learn she had the exact same effect on him.

He let out a funny little sound, similar to something you'd hear from a drowning victim. "I think you paralyzed me, Lind. Guess I'll just have to stay in this bed for the rest of my life."

She pushed up to look at him, grinning. "Are you sure you're paralyzed all over, because I could swear I still feel certain parts of you twitching."

"I may have a miraculous healing in one area or two." Reaching for the blankets, he yanked them up to cover them and yawned. "Maybe in an hour or so."

"Mmmm, enough time for a quick nap then." She settled back down on his chest. "Nate, about tomorrow, facing Anton again..."

He stiffened beneath her, muscles tensing. "Yeah?"

"I want you to know that no matter what happens, what goes on between you and Anton, I will love you. I'd love for the two of you to stop fighting, and for the two of you to act more like brothers. But if it doesn't work out, I'll still love you. I may not be happy with you if you pull the same shit that you did earlier, but I will love you. You know that, right?"

He let out a sigh, relaxing again. "Yeah, I know that." He kissed her forehead, pulling her tighter against him. "Thank you. I promise I won't pull any stunts. No matter how much I feel like kicking him."

She laughed softly. "Good."

"I love you, Lind."

"I love you, too, Nate."

End Chapter Twenty-four