Playing with Temptation

by Reese Ryan

  Once inside, he kissed her. Gripped those heart-stopping curves, hauling them against the hard planes of his body.

  Nate sizzled with heat everywhere his skin met Kendra’s. He yanked her blouse from the waistband of her skirt, desperate to touch her heated flesh. His hands glided down her back, over the firm curve of her soft behind. He hiked the tight navy skirt as high as he could, giving him better access to the soft, smooth flesh at the back of her thighs. He squeezed one leg, lifting it higher.

  “God, I want you.” He barely managed to get the words out as he planted kisses down her throat. “I haven’t stopped thinking of you since you left my bed.”

  Nate’s long fingers glided over the damp satin material shielding her sex. His need for her spiraled with each sensual murmur escaping her throat. He swallowed her soft moans as she arched her back and tugged his shirt from his pants.

  His gaze locked with hers as his chest reverberated from his erratic heartbeat. His breathing ragged, a rush of emotions flooded over him.

  Love, admiration and raw desire inflamed by the abject need he saw in her eyes.

  Beads of sweat trickled down Nate’s back as he stripped Kendra of her suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor. He trailed kisses down her neck, along her collarbones and across her shoulders. Nate inhaled her jasmine and gardenia scent. It was an expensive perfume he’d splurged on before he’d signed his first contract. She’d made it her signature scent. Still wore it after all these years.

  Would she still be wearing such a personal gift if she didn’t still love him the way he loved her?

  Nate dug his fingers into her soft ebony curls and sucked her lower lip between his before exploring her warm mouth—sweet and minty—with his eager tongue. Heat and electricity flowed through his spine, into his fingertips and toes.

  No one had ever come close to making him feel the way he did when he was with her. Like he could conquer the world, if only she were by his side.

  No one ever would.

  Kendra was enticing, but her real beauty lay in the depths beneath her surface. Confident in her abilities, she could go toe-to-toe with anyone. She could be gentle and kind or determined and fierce. And the woman just got sexier with each passing year.

  He wanted her body. Admired her mind. Most important, he needed her and Kai in his life.

  He loved her. Wanted her so much that the thought of losing her again made his chest ache.

  What if he confessed everything in his heart and still she rejected him?

  Sweat formed over his brow. His heart, pounding in his chest, was too raw to handle another rejection. His ego couldn’t sustain another blow like that.

  Kendra seemed to notice his distraction. She stepped just beyond his reach and kicked off her heels. Unfastening the button at her waist, she made a show of slowly tugging down the zipper of her skirt. She kicked aside the material pooled around her ankles.

  Standing there in a blue camisole and a silky pair of panties that provided limited coverage for her firm, round bottom, she was breathtaking.

  Nate pushed aside the dark thoughts that tormented him and focused on the moment. A moment he’d fantasized about since he’d last had Kendra in his bed. He licked his lips. His pulse raced as Kendra stripped off the camisole.

  He reached for his tie, but she tugged him closer by the narrow strip of fabric, loosened it and slid it from his neck. Kendra slipped his jacket from his shoulders, then painstakingly unbuttoned each button of his dress shirt, relieving him of it and the undershirt he wore beneath it.

  The corner of her mouth curled in a sexy smirk that hit him below the belt, tightening his length. He restrained the desire to rip off what little remained of her clothing and take her hard and deep. To remind her how perfectly their bodies fit together, and how good he could make her feel.

  She’d taken control, and he’d gladly let her have it...for now.

  Kendra pressed her warm mouth to his bare chest, laying gentle kisses on his heated flesh. He inhaled at the sensation of her cool tongue grazing his nipple, then swirling around it. She slid her hands down his back and gripped his ass.

  He groaned at the glorious sensation of his taut rod pressed between them. She unbuckled his belt, then unzipped his pants.

  Kendra tugged her lower lip between her teeth as she scanned the ridge beneath his underwear. She slipped her hand underneath the waistband and curled her warm fingers around his shaft. Pumping it, she elicited involuntary groans of pleasure. Her gaze locked with his as she worked him with her hand until he could barely remember his own damn name.

  Conversation was out of the question.

  The muscles of his legs and back tensed, pressure building as she brought him closer to release. Nate gently gripped her throat, pressing his open mouth to hers in an effort to wrest back control and slow his ascent to climax.

  Kendra released her grip on his painfully hard shaft. Digging her fingers into his back, she sighed softly. Her hands trailed down his back as she gave in to his fervent kisses. Impatient, she shoved his pants and underwear down his hips, freeing his rigid length.

  So much for a slow seduction.

  He’d planned to take his time. Convey his deepest feelings through each kiss and touch as he made love to her.

  His plan dissolved in the rush of adrenaline in his veins.

  She’d brought him so close to the edge. He ached for the intense relief he could only find being buried inside her slick walls, his name on her lips.

  Nate fumbled to retrieve a condom from his wallet before clumsily shedding his pants and briefs and kicking off his shoes. He sheathed himself, then stripped Kendra of the bra and panties that were the last barrier to the uninhibited glory of her captivating curves.

  He lifted her, his arms bracing her legs and her back pressed against the wall as he drove deep inside her wet heat.

  Nate’s gaze met hers as he lifted her slowly, then eased her back down until he was fully seated inside her, creating a rhythm. The exquisite sensation was intensified by the call-and-response of Kendra’s hushed moans and his soft curses as they accelerated toward bliss.

  Her arms around his neck, Kendra pulled his mouth to hers in frantic, hungry kisses that catapulted his spiral out of control.

  Muscles tense, he strained with the effort of maintaining his focus as he lifted her higher, then plunged deeper. His movements swifter, more powerful. The sound of her naked skin slapping against his filled the space.

  Kendra tensed, her nails scraping his back as she called out his name. Her slick walls spasmed, milking his throbbing flesh as he soared to his own release.

  Their hearts still racing, he pressed his damp forehead to hers and held her as they caught their breath.

  “That was incredible.” He kissed her, then reluctantly released her to the floor, his breathing still ragged. “Can I get you anything?”

  She pressed a kiss to his chest. “More of you.”

  “Can a brother have a sec to recharge?”

  Her mouth twisted in a sensuous smirk that tested his will. “Fine, but we’re leaving in time for your next show...round two or not.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He winked, swatting her bottom playfully before heading to the bathroom.

  When he returned, Kendra was seated on the bed, the sheet strategically positioned across her body. One foot dangled off the edge of the bed; the other was folded beneath her.

  Hair tousled, her cheeks and chest flushed, she was a vision of loveliness. One he wanted in his bed every night, not just in his dreams.

  “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

  She smiled sheepishly, straightening the leg beneath her. “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”

  Nate pulled Kendra to the edge of the bed and knelt between her knees. He trailed a finger down her chest. “Yo
u’re an amazing woman, Kendra. I’m lucky to have you in my corner.”

  “And I’m proud of you, Nate. Of the man you’ve become.”

  Her sincere expression filled him with warmth. It meant more to him than she could possibly know.

  He kissed her. Made love to her. Allowed himself to imagine the joy of never having to let her go again.

  * * *

  Kendra’s body hummed with energy and her cheeks were filled with heat. The friction of her taut nipples grazing the fabric of her clothing made it difficult to concentrate.

  She fanned herself with a brochure, hoping the producers didn’t shush her for making too much noise on the set.

  Could everyone else see the glow she felt after leaving Nate’s bed less than two hours ago?

  Kendra surveyed the crew on the set of the sports talk show. Preoccupied with running the program, they paid her little attention.

  Kendra squirmed in the director’s-style chair, crossing her legs tightly. Her foot bounced involuntarily.

  When she looked up, Nate caught her eye. A mischievous grin animated his handsome face before he returned his attention to the panel’s discussion about whether the all-star game should be played before or after the championship game.

  Desperate for a distraction, Kendra looked down at her phone. The ringer and alarms had to be silenced when they were on set. She’d missed several calls. She scanned them. It was her sister.

  A chill ran down her spine and her fingers suddenly felt cold. Maya wasn’t a serial caller. She left a message and waited for her to call back, especially when she knew they’d be on set.

  At the next commercial break, Kendra left the set to call her sister.

  Maya answered right away. “Kendra, I’m sorry to call you like this. Everything will be fine, but there’s been an accident.”

  She held her breath. “Who?”

  “It’s Kai, sweetie. He fractured his left arm.”

  A fleeting sensation of intense pain ran up Kendra’s left arm. She could only imagine how Kai must feel. “How did this happen?”

  “Liam took the kids to the playground.” Maya said after a brief pause. “Kai jumped off the jungle gym. We’re so sorry this happened. Liam insists on paying for the surgery.”

  “Surgery?” Kendra kneaded the back of her neck. A fresh wave of panic swept over her. “Can’t they just put on a cast?”

  “He fractured the bone between his elbow and wrist in two places. They have to put in pins.”

  The room seemed to tilt, and her knees nearly gave way. Kendra sank onto the sofa, her hands shaking. “When are they performing the surgery?”

  “They want to do it right away. Liam is trying to delay it until you and Nate arrive. I know he’s on air right now, but can you get here as soon as possible? I don’t know how much longer it’s safe to wait.”

  “We’ll be there as soon as we can. Hold them off as long as possible. I need to see him before he goes into surgery.” Kendra wiped her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized she was crying. “Kiss Kai and tell him Mommy and Daddy love him and we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  Chapter 19

  Kendra rushed off the elevator on the surgical floor with Nate hard on her heels.

  “My name is Kendra Williams. I’m looking for my son, Kai Johnston. He’s scheduled for surgery on a broken arm.”

  The woman tilted her head, her dark eyes narrowing. “I remember you. You were in here with him a few months ago. He knocked out his front teeth.”

  “Yes.” Heat filled Kendra’s cheeks. There was something accusatory about the woman’s tone. “Can you please tell me where my...our son is?”

  “Nate Johnston.” The nurse’s eyes lit up with recognition. “I saw you on the Donnie Jones Sports Hour earlier today.”

  “That’s right.” Nate’s tone was measured. “Could you please just tell us where we can find our son? We’re hoping to see him before he goes to surgery.”

  The woman seemed miffed at Nate’s rebuff. She pointed down the hall. “Check in at the next nurses’ station. They can help you there.”

  Before they made it to the nurses’ station, Liam approached them. His tall frame seemed shorter and there were deep furrows across his forehead.

  “Kendra, I’m so sorry. We tried to hold them off as long as we could, but the surgeon couldn’t wait any longer.” Liam’s British accent was more pronounced, his voice heavy with distress.

  Kendra’s heart fell. Kai had gone into surgery without her there to assure him everything would be okay. “Thank you for getting him here so quickly, and for doing what you could. We appreciate it.”

  She turned back to look at Nate, who was scowling at Liam as if he was considering pounding him into the floor.

  She placed a gentle hand on Nate’s arm, hoping he received her silent plea. “Nate, this is Maya’s fiancé, Liam Westbrook. Liam, this is Kai’s dad, Nate Johnston.”

  Nate didn’t extend his hand and Liam didn’t force the issue. He simply nodded and repeated his apology to Nate.

  “Why was he with you?” Nate folded his arms.

  “Kendra’s mum had a doctor’s appointment, Maya had a big meeting at work today and our nanny has come down with a bug of some sort. I took the day off to care for the children. We went to see an animated film, then they wanted to stop at the playground before we returned to our flat.”

  Nate grunted. “And exactly how did this happen?”

  “Kai climbed atop the climbing frame while the girls played on the slide. Ella came down the slide too fast and hit the ground. I was tending to her when Kai called out to me, ‘Uncle Liam, look what I can do.’ He was airborne before I could tell him not to jump. I only turned my head for a minute. It happened so fast. I’ve gone over it in my head again and again, wondering what I could have done differently.”

  “Don’t.” Kendra squeezed Liam’s arm. “Boys do crazy things. We ended up here just a few months ago when he fell down the stairs at my mom’s house. These things happen.”

  Liam didn’t look convinced.

  “And you won’t believe the crazy things this one and his brothers did when we were kids.” Kendra jerked a thumb over her shoulder in Nate’s direction, hoping to loosen up his sour face and genie stance. “He’s got quite a collection of scars and broken bones to prove it.”

  Liam hugged Kendra and sighed. “I still feel absolutely dreadful about it, but I appreciate your kindness. Please, allow me to take care of the medical bills. Kai was in my care at the time—I should be the one to handle it.”

  “We can take care of our own kid.” Nate’s words had a sharp edge. “So thanks, but no thanks. We’re good.”

  “Of course.” Liam nodded solemnly. “Didn’t mean to cause any offense.”

  “You didn’t.” Kendra narrowed her gaze at Nate before turning back to Liam and forcing a smile. “We appreciate the offer. Now, can you tell us what the doctor said?”

  Kendra slipped her arm through Nate’s. He softened his stance, allowing his hand to fall to his side as Liam explained that Kai had Monteggia fractures of the left radius and ulna. Pins would be inserted to hold the bones in place. However, the growth plates weren’t affected and he should recover fully after wearing a cast for several weeks.

  Nate seemed to breathe easier. He threaded his fingers through hers, and the rapid beat of her heart slowed. She nodded as Nate asked questions, glad to let him handle it.

  Once Liam briefed them, he led them to the small private waiting room where their families were gathered.

  “You’re a great uncle, Liam,” Kendra reassured him. “Thank you again for taking care of our son. It could’ve happened with any of us.”

  Kendra didn’t miss Nate’s subtle sneer when she referred to Liam as Kai’s uncle.

 
“Liam, would you tell everyone we’ll be there in just a minute? Nate and I need to ask the nurse a question.”

  Nate raised an eyebrow and frowned. He clearly suspected why she wanted to talk to him.

  * * *

  Nate trudged through the open waiting area and dropped into one of the chairs. He dragged a hand down his face. “What did I do now?”

  Kendra stood in front of him with an expression that scolded him like a child. She folded her arms, bringing attention to her chest. He dropped his gaze. Right now he needed to stay focused on their son, not reminisce about what they’d done earlier in the day.

  “Why are you being such an ass? Liam loves Kai. He’d do anything for him.”

  “I don’t need him to do anything for my son. Maybe he’s a big shot in merry old England—” Nate feigned a terrible British accent “—but I don’t need his charity.”

  “He didn’t mean anything by it. He feels guilty. He only wants to help. That doesn’t make him a bad guy.”

  “It makes him a condescending one.”

  “If you knew anything about Liam, you’d know he’s not like that at all.”

  “Well, I don’t, and I don’t appreciate him acting like I can’t take care of my own kid. No one asked for his help.”

  “He’s Kai’s uncle and your son adores him.”

  Hearing how much his son adored some other man felt like a punch square in the jaw. He pressed a stream of air through his nose and shook his head. “Maybe if I got to spend as much time with my own kid as he apparently does, Kai would feel that way about me instead of that guy.”

  Kendra’s eyes widened for a moment, then her expression softened, her eyes filled with what he was sure was pity. She released an audible breath, then sat beside him.

  She placed a warm hand over his. “I know it’s hard not seeing Kai as often as you’d like, but he loves you, Nate. You’ll always be his hero.”

  Nate grunted, his gaze still on the gray hospital floor tiles. “You don’t see the glow in his eyes when he talks about Liam the Great.”

  Kendra shook her head and laughed. “You’re being funny, but the truth is Liam is pretty great. He’s great for my sister. Great for the town of Pleasure Cove. And he’s great with the kids—our son included. We should be thankful Kai has a big family of people who love him.”