The Night Off by Meghan O'Brien Page B

between their bodies and stroked Emily’s nipple, then cupped her breast. “I’m suggesting you come up here and sit on my face. To start.”
    That knocked the wind out of Emily. She couldn’t imagine anything more delightfully hedonistic. “I’ve never done that before, either.”
    “Even better.” Nat winked. “Think it’s something you might like?”
    “Silly question.” Emily moved to climb up Nat’s body, but stopped short. She had one thing she needed Nat to know before they’d moved beyond words. “Nat?”
    “Yes, my sweet girl?”
    “I like cuddling with you. A lot.”
    Nat’s eyes sparkled. “See? Told you there was nothing wrong with you.” She lifted her head and captured Emily’s mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Breaking away with a gasp, Nat gripped Emily’s hips and growled. “Now get up here and let me taste you again.”
    Forgetting her worries, Emily said, “Yes, mistress.”

Chapter Seven
    Nat opened her eyes and blinked at the sun-striped ceiling, disoriented for only an instant before she remembered where she was. The penthouse. She turned her head, breath quickening at the sight of blond hair fanned over the pillow beside her. She was in the penthouse, with Emily Parker.
    Still asleep, Emily somehow looked even more gorgeous than she had the night before. Nat knew the hours they’d spent pleasuring each other had everything to do with her changed perception. Emily was no longer merely an attractive client. She was her lover. They’d fucked long past the end of Emily’s appointment, stopping only when the need for sleep outweighed their desire to keep going. And now, after a few hours’ rest, Nat burned to make love to her again.
    But she didn’t reach for Emily. Even as her fingers tingled with the urge to stroke over smooth, creamy skin, she kept still, taking stock of her feelings.
    She wanted to see Emily again after this morning. She had no interest in denying that to herself; after more than ten years of selling her body and mostly avoiding relationships, she was ready to try something new. That’s why she’d spent the past five years perfecting her culinary skills in the hope of one day becoming a chef. She couldn’t see herself living this life much longer, now that she wasn’t a kid without options. A girlfriend had never seemed like a possibility before, but the thought of getting to know Emily better had her imagining all sorts of things she’d never dared dream for herself.
    Emily stirred. Then she slowly opened her eyes, immediately dissolving into a sheepish smile. “Good morning.”
    “Morning.” Nat gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. “How did you sleep?”
    “Like a woman fully satisfied.” Emily ran a hand through her tousled hair, then adjusted the comforter over her chest as though trying to preserve her modesty. “You?”
    “The same.” Nat grinned. “Sore?”
    Emily shifted, crinkling her nose even as amused discomfort flashed across her face. “Oh, yes.”
    “I’m not surprised.” Last night Emily had admitted that she hadn’t been touched in years. Their marathon session of energetic fucking would have taken its toll on anyone, let alone a born-again virgin. Hell, Nat was grateful she didn’t have another appointment this weekend. She needed time to recover, both physically and emotionally. “Worth it?”
    “You have no idea.”
    “I have some idea, I think.” Nat raised her arms above her head and stretched. “That was a lot of fun.”
    “To say the least.” Emily’s gaze tracked the movement of Nat’s arms, then flitted lower as the comforter slipped off Nat’s breasts. She swallowed. “Thank you for allowing me to spend the night. I know I didn’t exactly pay for that.”
    “It was for selfish reasons.” Nat caressed Emily’s cheek. “I wasn’t ready to let you go.”
    Emily searched Nat’s face, relaxing as palpable confidence swept over her. “And now?”
    “Still not ready.” Cupping Emily’s face, Nat