No Holds Barred(2)

“Just because I fantasize about something doesn’t mean I would actually want to do it.” If she did, what would happen afterward? She already knew the answer to that one. It would put a definite strain on their friendship with Liam, and worse, possibly ruin her relationship with Nathan. Not a risk she was willing to take.

“Okay,” he said easily and kissed the tip of her nose. “Just wanted you to know I’d do it if it was something you wanted to try.”

When he stepped away, she felt cold all of a sudden. She rubbed her arms, unable to shake the feeling of dread curling inside her. Maybe to him it was that simple. Just another exploration of their sexuality together. But how could he be so casual about letting her be with another man? “Would you want me to do it?”

He stopped at the kitchen doorway and turned to meet her gaze squarely. “If you wanted it and were okay with it, sure. But you’re not, and that’s fine.” He shrugged again. “Look, you’re making too much out of this. Forget I said anything.”

She couldn’t. Because she knew he would do it. Would actually allow another man to kiss her, get her naked, stroke her all over. Have sex with her. The last part made her cringe.

Unwilling to let it go, she followed him into the bedroom and watched while he peeled his snug shirt over his head to expose the muscular planes of his torso. “You wouldn’t be jealous watching that? Watching another man touch me, and me touching him?” She didn’t understand that. He was so protective of her, it didn’t make sense.

Nathan sighed, tossing his shirt into the laundry hamper. “I’d only be jealous if you did it behind my back.”

She drew up short. “I wouldn’t cheat on you, ever.”

“I know. And that’s why I’d be okay with a three-way if I was part of it.”

If she was honest, she had to admit the idea of it aroused the hell out of her. Having Nathan there, touching her, holding her while another man pleasured her. But acting on it would be too much like cheating. She’d be so embarrassed. How would she live with herself afterward? And there was something else that terrified her even more. Her throat tightened, but if he could be this honest, he deserved the same in return.

“What if I liked it? I mean, really liked it?” She flung the question at him to see how he’d react.

But there was no anger, no recrimination in his expression. If anything, his eyes glinted with amusement. “For not wanting to do it, you seem curious enough about how it would work.”

“I’m just trying to understand what you’re thinking,” she said, striving for a reasonable tone. “And what would happen if I wanted it again? Would you be jealous then?”

“Why? Do you think you’d want it again?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Just answer me.”

He raised one dark brow. “As long as I’m there, no.”

To him the answer was that uncomplicated. That certain. Because he trusted her so much. God, she didn’t even trust herself enough to entertain the idea, and he was giving her the green light to do it. She wasn’t a prude. Their varied sex life was testament to that. They’d experimented with different things; he’d pushed her boundaries with light bondage and anal sex. She’d loved it all. Until now, though, Nathan had never hinted at wanting to add another person into the mix.

But what if this was important to him, and he was pretending it wasn’t, for her sake? It would eventually wear on their relationship. He might even lose interest enough that he would wind up looking elsewhere for what he needed. The thought made her heart pound in denial. She’d already watched a few friends go through divorce after an affair ruined their marriages.

She’d never shared a lover before, like he had with Liam. A small, secret part of her wondered if she was missing out. She swallowed. “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” He strode over to her and pulled her in close for another soft kiss. Soothing, reassuring. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Come to bed.” His seductive whisper brushed against her jaw. When she looked up into his eyes, they practically glowed with repressed hunger.

“I could never share you,” she couldn’t help blurting. It was important he understood that, because no matter what happened, she would never be okay with another woman entering the picture.

His lips quirked. “I know. But you never need to worry about that. You’re all I can handle anyway.”

She huffed out a breath at his attempt at humor, but tipped her head back when he settled his mouth against her neck. Her nerve endings tingled and the tension eased from her muscles. This was what she needed. To put the whole conversation out of her mind and enjoy the pleasure Nathan always brought her. His tongue stole out to leisurely lick the one spot guaranteed to make her shiver, and she didn’t disappoint him.