Read The Guy Next Door for Free Online

it.”
    “Right.” His mouth tightened, his eyes narrowed. He looked at her breasts. “I could still—”
    “No, you can’t.” Natalie didn’t look away from his obvious regret. “Once you brought up fear, being restrained took on a whole new meaning.”
    His frustration wore on her until he finally reached beyond her to the headboard. She felt a tug on the restraint, it loosened and then she was free.
    Jett didn’t move away from her. Holding a wrist in each of his big hands, he lowered her arms. His thumbs moved over her skin as if to soothe, when that wasn’t necessary. He hadn’t hurt her.
    But she was insane with unfulfilled need. The skin of her wrists felt too sensitive beneath his thumbs. Hisscent, heightened by arousal, surrounded her. His thick erection filled her. And the heat of their bodies mingled together.
    No other man had ever made her feel this way.
    Even now, hurt by his accusation, angry at being manipulated, she trembled with wanting him.
    She’d accepted her response to him as a chemical phenomenon; whatever Jett had, it worked for her. In a thousand different ways.
    But this…this attempt to change things…
    Did she dare even consider it?
    No. If she tried it, he’d see her for a fraud. He’d know that her daring in bed was all an act. She wasn’t brave, or sensual or…free. She was a remote woman, socially inept, especially when it came to anything serious—like relationships.
    Other than the kids she taught, and her sister, she felt out of place with most people.
    Once again Jett seemed to read her thoughts. “Natalie.” He lifted her hands to his hard, sleek shoulders and, curving his hands around her head, held her as a lover would. “Stop looking like that. I’m not trying to drag you off to the gallows.”
    “What are you trying to do?”
    His long fingers kneaded her skull. “Just talk, honey, that’s all.”
    “About personal things.” And at an inappropriate time, not that she ever afforded him a better opportunity.
    “About you. ”
    “Why?” Men wanted sex. She gave him sex. God, sometimes she practically molested him. Why muddle things with conversation?
    “It’s a good start. A natural progression.”
    For what? Her brows furrowed. They’d talked before, of course, but not like this. Not about anything important.
    Certainly not about her fear of commitment.
    The fear remained a part of her, but now an aberrant optimism stirred inside her, filling her with warmth.
    Knowing how easy it’d be for her to fall hopelessly in love with Jett, Natalie had set up deliberate barriers to keep her from getting too attached. Not that the barriers had worked.
    She was already half in love with him.
    Which was unacceptable, of course; she didn’t want to be hurt again. Going away on spring break so she wouldn’t be tempted to try to deepen their association had been her only solution.
    But here they were, still in bed, still joined, still aroused. And Jett was full of insistence.
    Natalie asked warily, “Progress toward what, exactly?”
    His sexy smile melted her heart. “The thing is, I don’t want to say something that’ll maybe spook you.”
    Seeing the irony of that, Natalie shook her head. “If tying me to your bed didn’t do it, I think you’re safe enough.”
    The smile turned into a low growl. “You’re probably right.” He gathered her under him, his mouth to her temple, his strong arms around her. “Admit it, Natalie. You liked being tied to my bed, didn’t you?”
    “Maybe.” This game was new to her and she wasn’t certain how to play. “I’ll enjoy a payback, too.”
    He went still before pushing back to see her face. His eyes narrowed. “You want to tie me down?”
    She hadn’t really thought about it, but now she did, and it stirred her. An image of Jett held captive, his strong body stretched out, at her mercy—she’d be free to touch him, taste him.
    Ride him.
    Her breathing quickened. She felt a rush of dampness and knew he’d