Proposal for Love

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  They headed to the door and when Nate had his hand on the door knob, he stopped and turned to Liberty. Before he could talk himself out of his next move, he covered her mouth with his and the softness of her lips had his senses reeling. He hadn’t planned to kiss her, and there hadn’t been any real motivation behind his invitation to Kendricks except for dinner. Yet, the last couple of hours with her had his body burning with desire.

  After a slight hesitation, Liberty opened for him, her tongue touching his tentatively before she returned his kiss with an eagerness that matched his. It was when she moaned against his mouth that Nate knew he was a goner.

  He buried his fingers into her thick hair as he increased the pressure. This woman…even after all the years of separation, kissing her still felt like home. Her luscious body moved against him and no doubt she felt his erection pressing against her. He knew he should probably let her up for air, but she felt so perfect in his arms and he wanted more, so much more.

  The initial shock of having Nate’s mouth covering hers was quickly replaced with a raging desire Liberty hadn’t felt in years. She never thought she would have the pleasure of tasting him again, feeling his body hugged up against hers.

  His kiss was insistent, powerful and her heart thumped wildly with every lap of his tongue. A whimper slipped from her when Nate tightened his hold around her waist. Though she wasn’t a dainty woman, she felt like one next to him. He was so big and tall, making her feel delicate, desired and safe with his tenderness. Kissing him seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do. Like old times.

  “God, I’ve missed you,” he mumbled against her mouth moments before he lifted his head, shocking her with his declaration. With both of them breathing hard, he touched his forehead to hers while they caught their breaths.

  “I’ve missed you too,” she said ignoring the questions rattling her brain. She missed him more than he would ever know.

  “I’m not going to apologize for kissing you,” he said, his voice rough with desire.

  “Me either.” Not only wasn’t Liberty going to apologize, she wanted a repeat, and then another, and yet another.

  “Come on. We’ll talk about our date this weekend while I walk you to your car.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “When you mentioned golf, I thought you meant miniature golf,” Liberty said to Nate. He grunted something indiscernible as he pulled a set of golf clubs from the trunk of his SUV. At first his plan was to take her to an actual golf course until he found out she didn’t know how to golf. That was how they ended up at the driving range.

  “Nate, I don’t think you’ll be able to teach me how to play golf,” Liberty said as she jogged to keep up with him. “I’m terrible at most sports. There’s no way I’ll be able to hit that little ball.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”

  Nate carried the golf clubs in one hand and surprised Liberty when his other hand reached for hers. So far their date was going great. They’d had a wonderful breakfast at a place not too far away and the whole morning felt like old times. Liberty didn’t want to read too much into Nate’s actions, but she couldn’t help it. A few weeks ago, all she had wanted was for him to forgive her. She never dreamed they would be sharing meals, holding hands, and kissing.

  God, his kisses.

  The kiss at Kendricks the day before had rocked her to the core, leaving her wanting more. But the kisses they’d shared today were off the charts. It had been so long since she’d been kissed, and she had forgotten how enjoyable they could be. Lips so soft but firm and in charge, even now it was as if she could still feel his mouth against hers.

  Nate squeezed her hand and she glanced at him. “Thanks for coming out here with me.”

  She returned his smile but stopped short of telling him that the way he had her feeling, she was ready to go anywhere with him.

  They walked across the crowded parking lot and onto grass. Considering the driving range was packed, they didn’t have to wait long for a teeing space. Nate set his clubs down and then went to purchase what seemed like a thousand golf balls for them to hit.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  Liberty glanced around at the other golfers, marveling at how far they hit the ball into the open field. There was no way she could do that.

  “No, actually, I’m not. I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

  “Baby, we all had to start somewhere. Just give it a try. Today I’m only going to teach you the basics about swinging a golf club.” He grabbed one from his golf bag. “There are numbers on the heads of each golf club that represent the club’s loft. The higher the number, the higher the loft.”

  Nate introduced her to the various clubs and their roles while he hit one ball after another. All of his shots were straight down the middle of the field, and Liberty had a better understanding of what he meant by the club’s loft. Some shots seemed to go up higher toward the sky, while others sliced through the air.

  “My main goal today is to work on your hand placement on the club, as well as teach you the proper way to swing.”

  When he stepped behind her to help get her grip right, Liberty soaked up the attention. The patience he showed had her falling for him all over again. This was what she missed. Not only a man’s attention, but Nate’s attention. Hanging out, laughing, and sharing some teachable moments even if it centered around golf.

  Liberty looked at the club she was holding. “This all sounds too complicated, Nate. Maybe you can teach me a different sport.”

  He shook his head. “Not until you learn how to play this sport. Once you pass the bar and start practicing law, you’re going to want to know how to golf.”

  Shock seized Liberty as she stood there surprised by this sweet, unpredictable man. “What makes you think I’m going to…”

  The tenderness in Nate’s expression squeezed her heart. Maybe there was a possibility she could get a second chance with him. A second chance at happiness. Why else would he care about her future, her career, or anything she did going forward?

  “Nate, when you say stuff like that, like you care… I—I don’t know what to say.” She blinked back tears, horrified at the overwhelming emotion gripping her.

  Nate’s brows dipped in confusion. He removed the golf club from her hand and returned it to the bag before pulling her into his arms. “What’d I say? I just assumed that with your new life, you’d get back on track with fulfilling your dream of becoming a lawyer.”

  “Man, Nate.” Her voice was filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. No way was she crying in front of him again. “You have no idea how much it means to me that you even remembered that I wanted to be a lawyer. And now you’re trying to prepare me for what might come with that career by teaching me…golf of all things.” She couldn’t help laughing. There were so many other things she needed to be doing and learning to prepare for her future career. Golf definitely wasn’t at the top of the list, but if learning the sport meant spending more time with him then she was all for it.

  “All right. Teach me everything you know.”

  *

  It was becoming even more evident that Isaac had really done a number on her. How could any man keep his woman from being the best she could be, and not encourage her to go after her dreams?

  A part of Nate wanted to know what happened in her marriage that kept her from taking the bar. Yet, there was a bigger part of him that didn’t want Isaac’s name mentioned in any of their conversations.

  “Why is golf such a big deal anyway when it comes to doing business?” Liberty asked once she pulled herself together.

  She was so damn sexy, and the denim shorts and the low-cut, body hugging tank top, took her allure rating to a whole different level. All morning he had found every excuse to touch her, hold her, and kiss on her. He didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to constrain himself from doing more with her.

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nbsp; “Business deals and some of the best connections are made on the golf course,” he finally responded.

  “Why do deals have to be made on the course, especially when it’s so darn hot out here?”

  She wiped sweat from her forehead with her forearm causing her tiny shirt to lift up. Seeing the bare skin of her midsection only increased Nate’s desire. It was hot out there, and looking at her was only making him hotter. From the moment she had opened her apartment door, he’d had a semi-erection. The woman still had an effect on him and right now he wanted to do way more than just kiss her.

  “I would imagine those same deals can be made over dinner.”

  “Maybe, but when you’re playing golf, you’re on the course for at least four or five hours. You’re outside with a small group of people in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s a big difference from sitting in a crowded restaurant with people at the next table close enough to hear your conversation.”

  Liberty nodded. “Okay, good point.”

  “Are you ready to give this a try?” Nate didn’t wait for an answer. He pulled out a three iron and handed it to her. Then he set another golf ball on the tee. Despite her hesitancy, he pulled her onto the grass tee-box and stood behind her.

  After a couple of shots, Nate knew bringing her to the driving range wasn’t a good idea. Not because she missed a few balls. No, that wasn’t it at all. It was her sweet ass rubbed up against the front of his body that caused his distress.

  He released her arms and stepped back. “Okay, try it by yourself.”

  “Nate,” she whined, but adjusted her grip on the golf club like he had shown her and swung.

  She missed the ball the first two times, but nicked it the third time. Her frustration showed with each attempt, but she didn’t complain.

  “Okay,” Nate said, placing another ball on the tee. “Remember, keep your eyes on the ball and make sure your left arm is straight when you bring the club back.”

  Nate moved behind her again and her fragrance was even more pronounce with the sun beaming down on them. Again, his body responded. Unable to help himself, he placed a quick kiss on her cheek and tried to get his head back into the lesson.

  “Get your feet shoulder width apart and then soften your knees,” he said as Liberty adjusted her grip on the golf club. Nate wrapped his arms around her and placed his hands over hers. “Damn you smell good.” He inhaled next to her ear before placing soft kisses along her neck.

  “Nate, I can’t concentrate when you do that.” Liberty squirmed against him as he continued kissing and nipping the length of her neck. “Nate,” she dragged out his name. “Behave.”

  “Alright, alright, alright. Bend a little at the hip.” When she did as told Nate cursed under his breath. She had to feel the effect she was having on him. “You keep moving like that, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  She moaned and tilted her head to the left when he nipped at her earlobe. “Maybe I don’t want you to be responsible.”

  That was all Nate needed to hear. “We’re out of here.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nate could barely get them into his house before they started stripping out of their clothes. First, their shirts were tossed, and then they toed off their shoes, rushing as if there was a fire at their backs. But when Nate had his hand on his belt buckle, he slowed, taking in the gorgeous woman he had spent the day with. Liberty stood before him in a white lace bra contrasting against her dark skin. He was sure that she had no idea what a sexy sight she made in the intimate apparel, her short-shorts, and her long, shapely legs. His gaze went lower to her bare feet adorned with hot pink nail polish on her toes.

  Every animal instinct came alive within Nate, and he growled under his breath. His erection pressed painfully against his zipper, and he knew without a doubt he had to have her.

  Liberty squealed when he lifted her off her feet. “Wrap your legs around me,” he said, his voice rough with desire. He headed for his bedroom. Tempted to take her right there on the stairs, he scrapped the idea. He couldn’t go all caveman with their first time.

  Nate carried her up to his room and set her down next to the bed. Within seconds they had stripped out of the rest of their clothes. His body was on fire as his gaze traveled over her, appreciating her womanly curves that were on full display. He planned to kiss, lick, or bite every inch of her luscious body.

  “You’re absolutely breathtaking.”

  “Thank you,” she said quietly, seeming a little unsure of herself at first, but then her gaze did its own exploration.

  Liberty boldly stepped to him. Her small hands inched up his body, starting at his flat abs. Nate tried to stand still while she studied him, slowly working her fingers up his torso, to his pecks where she pinched one of his nipples.

  He sucked in a breath at the tantalizing sting and the surprise move. Gone was the shy girl who used to share his bed in college. In her place was a gorgeous woman he couldn’t wait to get reacquainted with.

  “Your body is truly a work of art. More amazing than I imagined,” she said, her exploratory touch sending shock waves to every nerve in his body. When her hand went lower, gripping his package, Nate knew he wouldn’t be able to take this first time as slow as he had planned.

  He unintentionally held his breath as she massaged him. With each stroke of her hand, he grew longer, harder, until he couldn’t take any more. He covered her hand with his, halting the tantalizing assault.

  “Too much of that and this will be over before we begin.”

  She smiled wickedly and loosened her grip. Nate backed her to the bed, and they climbed on. He covered her with his body, careful not to put all his weight on her. But when he stared down at her, he was momentarily caught off guard. Her expression had turned serious.

  “Baby, if you’re not ready for this tell me now.”

  “I’m ready.” Liberty cupped his face. “It’s just that…I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much, and I need you.” She meant that in more ways than one. Being with him all day, experiencing the thoughtfulness he had showered on her, she had fallen for him completely. Liberty didn’t think he had been trying to seduce her with the impromptu kisses, and his loving touches, but that’s exactly what he had done. She hadn’t been this turned on since the last time they were together.

  Without another word, Nate’s mouth lowered to hers. The man could kiss. Everything within her came alive with each stroke of his tongue, and Liberty knew being with him again was going to be like nothing she had ever experienced.

  Her thoughts muddled when he moved from her mouth and littered kisses against her cheek and worked his way lower. He seared a slow path down the column of her neck, turning her on even more if that was possible.

  When his mouth made its way back up to her lips, heat spread from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. She shivered as his hand roamed intimately over her breasts. The lust-arousing way he caressed her flesh while his tongue tangled with hers had her squirming against him. Never in a million years did she imagine being with him again. The feel of his mouth and his hands on her body while sharing his bed was truly a fantasy come true.

  When his mouth replaced his fingers on one of her breasts, sucking, licking, teasing her relentlessly, Liberty practically crawled out of her skin. Arching her back to get even closer to him, she couldn’t take much more. She hadn’t been with a man in years, and she already felt the beginning of an orgasm.

  Panting, she grabbed hold of his shoulders, her heart beating triple time as his mouth continued its delicious torture.

  His hand slid down her side, rolled over the curve of her hip and then gripped her butt. The throb between her thighs grew more intense. With every kiss, each touch, and each lap of his tongue, Nate awakened the sexuality that had laid dormant inside of her for years. Her body was so starved for a man’s attention, tremors of arousal began. Her mind jumbled at the sensual havoc he was causing to every nerve in her body.

  “Nate,” she
gasped, unable to form another word as she wiggled beneath him. Right now she wanted to feel him inside of her more than she wanted to breathe.

  “I’m with you, baby.”

  She needed him to move faster. Her breaths came in short spurts. The prolonged anticipation of their bodies joining as one was almost too much for her to stand.

  As if sensing her distress, a slight grin touched his lips.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for me?” Not waiting for a response, he lowered his head. His wicked tongue swiped over one of her sensitive nipples, sending an electric current straight to her core.

  “Nate…” She slammed her eyes shut, and a moan of ecstasy slipped through her lips. Her nails dug into his upper arms as he suckled each breast, flooding her body with a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. She bucked against him, biting her lower lip to keep from crying out.

  But it was when his hand eased between her thighs, and one finger then another slipped into her throbbing sex that she knew she was a goner.

  Her hips moved on their own accord, and she bucked against his hand. His masterful fingers slid in and out, stroking, teasing her into a state of delirium. It was as if her body didn’t belong to her as the erotic sensations pushed her closer to her release.

  With one last stroke, an orgasm ripped through her, sending her into a tailspin. As she rode the wave of passion, it was as if all the drama that was once her life dissipated into thin air. She wanted to carry this feeling of content with her for the rest of her days.

  Still breathing hard, her gaze met Nate’s and her heart burst with love for the man she thought she would never be with again.

  *

  Nate kissed her tenderly but had no intention of letting her come down from her high. At least not until he was inside of her. Reaching into the top drawer of his nightstand, he grabbed a condom and quickly sheathed himself. Watching her explode like that had damn near done him in.