Chapter Twenty-Eight
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Natalie smiled down at the gorgeous man sleeping in her bed. She inhaled, releasing the breath on a quiet sigh. She could get used to waking up to Eugene’s strong arms wrapped around her, his warmth surrounding her. And that face? That incredible body? No woman could do better.
She’d fallen asleep last night waiting for him, and instead of waking her, he’d cuddled her. What hot, worked up, no-doubt-sexually-frustrated man did that?
Eugene, that’s who.
She’d woken this morning, let Grizelda out, fed her breakfast, and now the pup was busying herself with her toy in the kitchen. Natalie crawled under the covers, sliding her hand across Eugene’s chest, then lower, over his abs, and lower still, circling her fingers around a very impressive erection.
“You up?” she asked.
He blinked his eyes open, staring down at her. “Very up.”
She stroked him, slow and easy. “We didn’t finish what we started last night.”
He rolled over on top of her, framed her face in his hands, and kissed her, igniting the flame within her that had yet to extinguish since she’d met him. He rocked his hard cock against her sex and the reactions within her were instantaneous. She reached underneath her pillow and pulled out the condom packet she’d tucked in there.
“I’m ready now,” she said, handing him the packet.
It only took a moment for Eugene to slide the condom on. Watching him made her quiver. And when he dropped down on top of her she welcomed him inside, wrapping her legs around him to draw him closer.
His groan was enticing. The sensations of him moving within her were so intense she felt enveloped, heated, desperate for the release only he could give her.
And then he lifted, gazed down at her with a soul-searing look that inflamed her and sent her right over the edge. She grasped his arms and catapulted into orgasm. He went right with her, the two of them embroiled in the passion of release.
Spent and satiated, she slid her foot along his calf, languishing in the afterglow. Eugene rolled over, taking her with him, then splayed his hands over her hip while easing his lips across hers.
“Do you have to work today?” he asked.
She stretched, enjoying the feeling of their bodies aligned. “I don’t have anything pressing. What did you have in mind?”
He rocked against her. “Well, this—more of this, for sure. And then I thought we’d go out for something to eat. I’m kind of hungry.”
She lifted and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Food sounds fantastic. First, I need a shower.”
“But…”
She turned and leaned over to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Yes, and sex. Definitely more of that. But let’s get some food, okay?”
“Okay.”
They both took quick showers, then got dressed. They drove over to Eugene’s place so he could change into clean clothes, and they headed back out. It was still early so they decided on breakfast. Since Natalie knew all the places to eat, she chose a spot for them away from all the tourist locations. It was a small, quiet place with great food.
And it was busy, no doubt because of its reputation. After they were seated, their server brought them menus and they each ordered coffee.
“I don’t know about you,” she said, “but I’m starving.”
“Huh,” Eugene said while perusing the menu. “You must have worked up an appetite doing…something.”
Her lips curved. “Yes. Something.”
Their server brought their coffees, and she fixed hers how she liked it and took a sip, unable to resist the hum of satisfaction as the caffeine made its way through her system.
“Good, huh?” he asked, reaching for her hand to tease his fingers over her skin. She noticed he liked touching her. Judging from the way she reacted, her body liked it, too.
“It was exactly what I needed.” Their gazes locked and for some reason whenever he looked at her—especially when he looked at her so intensely—it was as if they were the only two people in the room.
“Have you decided on what you’d like to order?”
She blinked and looked up to see their server smiling down at them.
Eugene smiled back. “You know what, we might need another minute.”
They concentrated on their menus instead of each other so when their server returned, they could give her their orders.
Eugene took a sip of his coffee and set the cup down. “Before kids, what did you like to do on a day off?”
“Oh.” That was so long ago she’d have to think back. “I was a different person then. I’d go shopping, hit the yoga studio, go to lunch with my friends, get a mani/pedi, kind of just…relaxing and fun things.”
“And you don’t do that anymore?”
“Well, sure I do. When I can fit it in. Normally when the kids are with their dad I get caught up on bills, clean the house, grocery shop, that kind of thing.”
“Okay, then what would you like to be able to do?”
“Hmm.” It was a good question. “I don’t know. Let me think about it for a bit.”
“Sure.”
Their server arrived and set the plates down in front of them. Natalie’s stomach grumbled as she inhaled the smell of everything delicious.
She had an omelet along with turkey sausage, toast, and fruit. Eugene, on the other hand, had bacon, eggs, and pancakes, the latter of which he smothered with maple syrup.
“Are you having pancakes with your syrup?” she asked.
He sliced off a piece of pancake and held it out for her. “Taste.”
Unable to resist, she opened her mouth, and he slid the fork between her lips. The pancakes were soft and fluffy, the syrup sweet. After she swallowed, she said, “Maybe I should have ordered pancakes.”
“I’m happy to share.”
“I think I’ve got more than enough on my plate, but thanks.”
“Okay, but if there’s anything you want, just ask.”
She tucked a bite of omelet in her mouth, thinking that comment over while she chewed. He’d asked her what she wanted to do or what she used to like to do during her free time before kids. What she’d told him was true. She’d do all this stuff to pamper herself or work on her body. It had been fun and frivolous and relaxing, but then again, she’d had zero responsibilities. Now? She had a lot.
Which didn’t mean she couldn’t take advantage of her occasional free days, right?
What would she like to do?
She looked up at him. “It’s been ages since I’ve been to a baseball game.”
Eugene arched a brow. “You like baseball?”
She nodded. “I love baseball. And, FYI, football and basketball, too. And hockey.”
He gave an impressed nod. “You are sporty. And you were on the swimming and golf teams.”
“Yes. But I love all sports. I tried out for the high school basketball team but I was, frankly, terrible.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, we can’t be awesome at everything. I wanted to be a wide receiver on the high school football team. I played when I was little, but my apparently inept skill level didn’t translate to the higher grades.”
She offered up a sympathetic smile. “And there went your dream of playing for the NFL.”
He shrugged. “I had to pivot and learn a different skill set. Good thing I was awesome at video games.”
“Good thing. And now here you are, doing what you love.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Yeah. It’s a damn good life. And you’re doing what you love.”
“I am. Aren’t we lucky?”
He reached over and entwined his fingers with hers. “So lucky.”
She left to go to the restroom, checking her face and hair in the mirror after she washed her hands. She reapplied her lip gloss and went back out to their table.
“You’re free this weekend?” he asked after she took her seat.
“Yes.”
“Okay, then. How about we go watch a baseball game in Miami.”
Her eyes widened. “Miami? I…I can’t. I have Grizelda.”
“I already checked with Linc and Hazel and they’re happy to take Grizelda for the weekend. Now, would you like to go to Miami and see a game?”
Part of her was a bit irritated that he’d gone behind her back to make arrangements for her dog. Another part of her was excited at the chance to spend a fun weekend in Miami. And see a baseball game. These two sides of her were going to have to come to some sort of agreement and soon.
“Natalie.”
“Yes.”
“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. It’s just a suggestion.”
She sighed. “I do have responsibilities, Eugene. I can’t just drop and go like you can.”
“I realize that. But this weekend you can, right?”
She hated that he was so smugly right. “I suppose I can.”
He grinned. “Great. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
After the bill was paid, they headed back to her place, where Grizelda enthusiastically greeted her. “I’m going to take her for a walk,” she said.
“Okay. I’m going to go pack. I’ll be back to pick you up at say…” He looked at his phone. “At about one?”
She checked her phone. “That’s fine.”
“Okay.” He came over to her and drew her against him, giving her a long, deep kiss that made her lean into him, grasping the fabric of his shirt. When he pulled away, she wanted to bring him toward her again, but now wasn’t the time. Instead, she patted his chest and took a step back, creating the distance she needed.
She walked him to the door and opened it. “See you soon.”
He smiled at her. “Yeah. Really soon.”
She closed the door and looked down at Grizelda, her tail wagging madly.
“How about a nice long walk, little girl?”
Grizelda barked.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, let’s go.”