Chapter 2 :

The first rays of dawn filtered through the windows when Lena stirred. Her wrists were sore from the silk tie, her body aching in places she hadn''t known could ache. Nathan lay beside her, still asleep, his features softened in slumber.

 She needed to leave. Now.

 Carefully, she tried to slip from the bed, but a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a hard, warm body.

 "Going somewhere?" Nathan''s voice was sleep-roughened, but clear. The drug had worn off completely.

 "I need to go," Lena said, trying to keep her voice steady. "What happened... it shouldn''t have happened."

 Nathan turned her to face him. In the morning light, she could see the intelligence in his eyes, the sharpness that had been missing last night. "It happened," he said simply. "And it''s going to happen again."

 Before she could protest, his mouth was on hers. This kiss was different from last night''s—slower, more deliberate, but no less demanding. His hands roamed her body, rediscovering curves and hollows.

 "Wait," she gasped when he broke the kiss. "We need to talk about this."

 "Talking is overrated," he murmured against her neck, his teeth grazing her pulse point.

 He rolled her onto her stomach, his weight pressing her into the mattress. Lena tried to resist, but her body remembered last night''s pleasure. When he entered her from behind, she couldn''t suppress a moan.

 This time was different. The initial pain was gone, replaced by a fullness that bordered on discomfort but quickly transformed into pleasure. Nathan moved with purpose, each thrust hitting that same magical spot that had made her come undone last night.

 "See?" he whispered in her ear. "Your body wants this as much as I do."

 He was right, and that was the most shameful part. Her hips moved back to meet his, her body welcoming him deeper. The sounds of their coupling filled the room—skin slapping against skin, ragged breaths, low moans.

 Nathan pulled her up so she was on her knees, her back pressed against his chest. One hand cupped her breast, thumb circling her nipple. The other slid between her legs, finding her clit.

 "Come for me," he commanded.

 And she did. The orgasm ripped through her, so intense she saw stars. Nathan followed moments later, his release hot inside her.

 But he wasn''t done.

 He carried her to the bathroom, where steam already fogged the mirrors from the running shower. Under the spray of hot water, he washed her with surprising tenderness, his hands gentle as they moved over her sore body.

 Then he pressed her against the cool tile wall and entered her again. The water made everything slick, easy. This time, the pace was slower, more sensual. Nathan watched her face as he moved, studying her reactions.

 "You''re beautiful when you come," he said, his voice husky.

 Lena didn''t answer. She couldn''t. All she could do was feel—the water cascading over them, the hard tile at her back, the even harder man moving inside her. When her climax came this time, it was a slow, rolling wave that left her boneless.

 Nathan caught her as her legs gave out, holding her against him as he finished. This time, he pulled out at the last moment, his release painting her stomach in streaks of white that the water quickly washed away.

 He turned off the shower and wrapped her in a thick towel, then one for himself. In the bedroom, he found her dress—ruined beyond repair—and handed her one of his dress shirts instead.

 "Put this on," he said. "We''re leaving."

 "Leaving? Where?"

 "My place," he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You''re not going anywhere until I say you can."

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