Weeks.
Just when her orgasm began to spiral out of control, his willpower broke and her body became unwound with him, every nerve cell inside her zinging to life and exploding with a heated force so amazing she couldn’t believe her body remained intact.
Intact? More like turned inside out and back again.
From her biased, soaring view, this man lost in passion was a glorious thing.
A satisfied Matthew’s damp forehead dropping to rest against hers as he stared into her eyes was splendid. The way her body felt was beautiful. Everything felt so beautiful that Natalie wondered if orgasms were mind-altering.
Her mind had definitely been altered.
“If I’d known this was how it would be, we’d have never made it off the elevator.”
Looking a bit mind-altered himself, Matthew laughed. “You might be right.”
“Might be?” She squeezed her thighs, loving how his eyes darkened instantly in response. He kissed her forehead, and when his gaze met hers there was a contentment in his eyes that puffed up her chest.
She smiled at him with a confidence she didn’t understand, but that felt addictive. Yeah, they’d had amazing sex. This was the after part. Shouldn’t she feel awkward? Embarrassed by her daring?
She didn’t. She felt... She searched for a way to describe what she felt. More connected with him than with any person she’d ever known. How could she feel that way with someone she’d just met? Much freer than she’d ever been with Jonathan. She’d enjoyed their sex life, but, compared to what she had just experienced, sex with Jonathan had been boring. And not only because she’d just been pushed up against a wall still half-dressed and ravaged, rather than in bed with calm, intentional acts meant to please.
The way her body had responded was what had been different.
Matthew electrified every nerve ending, making her aware of every cell, every nuance of her body, of his body. She’d never had orgasms like those she’d just experienced. Maybe no woman had ever experienced orgasms like the ones Matthew had just given to her.
Whether it was how she’d admired his mind for years or how his sex appeal had toyed with her psyche from the moment she’d laid eyes on him, everything about this moment felt right. Perfect. For that, she hugged him.
His forehead still against hers, his breathing ragged, he searched her eyes. “What was that for?”
“A token of my appreciation.” Legs feeling a little shaky, she lowered them from his waist to tentatively support her weight. She felt so languid, she might collapse on the floor.
“I’m the one who needs to be expressing my gratitude, and my apologies for not hauling your delectable body up here the moment that first workshop finished.”
“No worries. I have every intention of giving you lots of opportunity to express your, um, gratitude.” Her tone was flirty and it felt good. “And to let you make up for wasting time.”
Had she ever flirted with a man before?
She’d always been focused on school, on her patients, her research, her career. Focusing on a man hadn’t ever been a priority. But she liked flirting with Matthew, liked the quick smile that transformed his handsome face.
Reaching for her skirt, she tugged the wrinkled material down her hips, then pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Aware that his gaze tracked her every move, she walked to the mini-fridge, took out a bottled water, twisted off the lid and took a drink.
“Thirsty?” She offered the bottle.
He took a long swig, then handed it back to her. “Not now.”
His tone implied it hadn’t been the water that had quenched his thirst.
Eyeing him, Natalie placed her lips over where his had been and took another drink, letting the water cool her throat.
“Thank you, Natalie.”
“For?”
“You know.” Winking at her, he went to the bathroom, she assumed to dispose of the used condom, then returned to the room with his pants restored.
That was when she got her first real look at his chest and abdomen. Earlier, she’d been distracted with need and sex, and had been up close to his body, but now... Oh, my.
Matthew without a shirt was a beautiful sight.
She’d touched that chest, kissed that chest, been pressed up against that chest, all hot and sweaty.
Feeling quite smug that she’d just had sex with the hottest man alive, she couldn’t help but smile. “Now what?”
He shrugged. “Not any more of that, unless we make a protection run, I’m sad to say.”
She eyed him curiously. She’d not really considered that they could have a repeat that night. Jonathan had never more than once... Oh, forget Jonathan. “Would you really be able to do that again?”
“Just say the word.”
Surely he was exaggerating, but his answer still stroked her ego. She knew she shouldn’t keep comparing what had just happened to her relationship with her ex, but he’d have rolled over and been asleep already.
Then again, she would have been, too.
Intrigued, and more than a little smug, she asked, “If I said now, you’d want to again tonight?”
He arched a brow. “You have to ask after what we just did? Of course I want to do that again.”
* * *
“One box isn’t enough. Buy two.”
Matthew grinned at the woman tugging at his arm and grabbed another box off the shelf. “Two boxes for three nights? You trying to kill me?”
“You’re the one who bragged you were able to repeat the deed anytime I said the word,” she reminded with a saucy flash of her eyes.
Wondering why he’d ever hesitated in allowing himself this three-day break from reality, Matthew laughed. “You saying the word? If so, I’m sure we can find a vacant corridor.”
Her eyes widened momentarily, but she quickly looked intrigued. So much for his prim and proper impression of her at the airport. Thank God he’d given himself permission to forget the real world and just play for three days. Three days to spend with this surprising woman.
Chuckling, he grabbed her hand. “Come on, Natalie. Let’s go pay for our two boxes.”
They’d opted to walk the beach to a neighboring hotel’s gift shop rather than risk one of their colleagues seeing them stock up at the conference hotel. Matthew had enjoyed the sea air and having Natalie’s hand clasped within his during the nighttime walk, but the fifteen minutes back to their hotel suddenly seemed like a long time.
“How did you get involved with the Libertine robot project?” she asked once they were back on the beach and headed toward their hotel.
“You want to talk shop?” He just wanted to get back to the hotel and get her naked. Completely this time. He had a lot of exploring to do and was looking forward to discovering every nook and cranny.
“The Libertine fascinates me,” she continued, her hand snug in his. “I’ve watched you perform surgery with it, you know.”
He shot a look at her, the moonlight casting just enough light across her face to illuminate her beautiful features. “No, I didn’t know.”
“I