Chapter 314: Shared Intimacy
The moment Justin’s lips pressed against hers, Natalie felt a spark ignite inside her. His kiss was slow at first, gentle yet possessive, as if he was reassuring her that she wasn’t alone. His warm lips moved against hers with a tenderness, and she instinctively leaned into him, craving his touch.
His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, his fingers splayed against her soaked back. The wet fabric of her clothes clung to her body, but she hardly noticed—her entire focus was on him, on the way his lips claimed hers, deepening the kiss with a hunger that sent shivers down her spine.
A soft whimper escaped her lips as he tilted her head slightly, his fingers tracing along her jaw before sliding into her damp hair. He kissed her deeper this time, his tongue brushing against hers, coaxing her into surrender.
Her arms wound tighter around his neck, pressing her body flush against his, feeling the solid warmth of him despite the cold water droplets still trickling down her skin.
Justin felt her melt into him, her hesitance fading, replaced by a desperate need. He could taste the pain, the exhaustion, the longing in her kiss, and he wanted nothing more than to take it all away—to make her feel nothing but him. His hands roamed down her sides, exploring every curve of her delicate body.
Natalie let herself get lost in him. Every stroke of his lips against hers sent a pulse of heat through her, awakening something deep inside her that she had long ignored.
Justin broke the kiss for a moment, resting his forehead against hers, his breath heavy and uneven. "Still thinking about running away?" he murmured.
Natalie’s eyes fluttered open, meeting his dark, smoldering gaze. She shook her head slowly. "Not if you’re with me..." she whispered.
His lips curved into a smirk before he captured her lips once more, this time with an urgency that left no room for hesitation. He kissed her like she was his entire world, as if he could erase all her pain with just his touch.
His fingers moved to the hem of her soaked top, peeling it away from her skin with deliberate slowness. The fabric clung stubbornly, but he was patient, his touch reverent as he freed her from the weight of her drenched clothes. Natalie let him, her breath coming out in soft, uneven pants as he stripped her of the last barrier between them.
Her gaze never left his as he stepped back briefly, his own clothes joining hers in a forgotten pile on the floor. She observed his naked body boldly just like he did hers. The cold air kissed their damp skin, but neither of them shivered—not when heat radiated between them, drawing them closer.