Page 34 of Afraid to Hope

Deep rumbling greeted her as she entered the kitchen. “Good morning.”

Natasha jumped, her hand covering her throat as her heart rocketed. Holy Lord.

Bane sat in her kitchen. Shirtless. Drinking from a mug. He glowed in the moonlight ribboning through the window. Perfection—dark messy hair, lean sculpted muscle, flat stomach. An array of tattoos covered his sculpted shoulders, chest, and torso.

Her response was breathless. Dammit. “What are you doing up?”

“I’d ask you the same, but I suspect I know the answer—it matches mine. It’s one in the morning.” He left his mug on the table and rose, walking toward her. He watched her as he took her hand gently, the heat in his eyes searing into hers, lighting her blood on fire. “My bed is cold. I want you. In fact, I’m burning for you.”

Bane pulled her hand up to his lips and turned it over, rubbed his thumb over her tattoo and his lips over her palm before kissing it softly and slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. He nipped at the sensitive flesh between her forefinger and thumb and then sucked.

It was hypnotic, observing him. His eyes darkened more as he watched her respond. She was entranced, fully under his spell, needing more oxygen to fight her pounding pulse, which was robbing her of her breath, making her soaking wet and dizzy with desire.

“Natasha,” he murmured, lowering her hand. His fingers drifted to her neck, below her jaw, pausing lightly on her wildly beating pulse. “Hmm,” he breathed out.

Continuing leisurely, he traced her collarbone, staring deeply into her eyes before moving between the swell of her breasts, taking in the taut nipples under her delicate spaghetti-strap tank, begging for his touch. He paused there as if considering his next course of action, his fingers splaying slightly apart, pressing more firmly over her racing heart, then moving to her shoulder and skimming the outside of her arm. Bane took her hand and placed her palm on his chest, holding it over his heart, which beat as furiously as hers.

“I sleep lightly. I heard screaming coming from somewhere inside the house,” he murmured. “It was you, and by the time I arrived at your door, you were moaning. My name.” His chuckle was laced with sexual heat, and if possible, his eyes glowed even more. “What were you doing in your bed? I know we’re the only two here.”

Natasha sucked in her breath, blinking her eyes. She gasped. Oh my god. The electricity crackled between them, wreaking havoc to her system. She inhaled deeply to try to master it and exhaled shakily as Bane guided both her hands to cup his straining erection.

The last of her defenses crumbled. Desire. All she knew was raging desire. For this man. Now. Her hands moved over his impressive length and girth.

“How could I sleep when you were asking for me?” Bane leaned in, grasping her neck and drawing her closer. His kiss was tender, soft, yet hungry. He whispered, “I want you, Nat. I want to strip you naked. Outside. In the moonlight.” Bane’s hand slid over the hot exposed skin of her back where her top had ridden up. “Take my time with you. Slake your need.” His hand slipped into her short, loose-fitting pajama bottoms and over her firm ass. “You feel so good,” he groaned, his hand sliding lower, kneading her skin. “I ache to taste you, my beauty.” His eyebrows rose in question.

Natasha’s gaze collided with his and she leaned inward, unable to utter a word.

Bane closed the distance between them. Their open lips were a breath apart. The knocker boomed against the front door, breaking the mood. “What the fuck?” Bane growled, stepping back, freeing his hand.

Natasha removed her hands, immediately missing the promise of more.

Warm breath tickled her neck and ear. An urgent whisper infiltrated her delicious dream state. “Natasha!”

Why did he continue teasing her?She tossed and turned, wanting to feel him again. Feel his large hands kneading her ass again.Just touch me. “I want, I wa—”

“Natasha! Wake up!”

She opened her eyes slowly to concerned, thickly fringed, mossy green eyes.Oh shit. I’m in bed. Not in the kitchen. It was so real, and here I am, totally turned on and he is in my bedroom. And…

“Nat,” he said harshly and snapped his fingers at her. “Are you awake?” You were mumbling in your sleep, wanting something.”

Shit.She was speechless. And mortified. Bane was bent over her, inches from her face, shirtless and, from what she viewed in the dim light of her room, breathtakingly sexy.Jesus.Even better than I dreamt.

Natasha’s puckered nipples and flushed cheeks registered with Bane, as did her eyes which were still hooded with desire. “It must have been one hell of a dream.” He held his breath as her eyes slid over him. tracing the intricate tattoo inking his sculpted shoulder and upper arm, snaking over his chest and continuing lower over his corded oblique, where it disappeared into the navy sweats hanging low on his lean hips. God, how Bane wished it was her fingers or lips trailing over him. She bit down on her lower lip, her gaze passing the waistband of his sweats and coming to a standstill where he tented the soft fabric.

“You can look more later, Nat. We have company.” He stood and placed his hands on his hips. “Get up, sweetheart.”

The loud pounding on the front door was as unrelenting as his desire for her. “Mr. Rua! Dr. Rua!” a man’s voice pleaded.

“Fuck.” His expression became guarded. “Come on,” he commanded gruffly, taking in her short pajama bottoms and silky top that left little to his imagination.

“Mr. Rua! Dr. Rua!”

“Coming!” Bane answered.

Natasha followed Bane quietly and hastily into his bedroom, where he became partially hidden by the wardrobe. The bedroom was neater than hers. His bed looked as if it had not been slept in. In fact, the entire room looked unoccupied. Someone passing by would think it was empty but ready for guests. Reappearing wearing a formfitting tee, Bane closed the wardrobe door and tossed something red toward her. “Put it on.”

Natasha caught it midair—a much-worn sweatshirt withHOOSIERSin white lettering across the front. “What the hell is Hoosiers?” she asked, hugging it to her chest.

---