"I'M COMING, I'M coming, okay!" Nora yelled irritably, making her way to the door. The persistent knocking had disturbed her sleep, and she'd initially thought that if she ignored it, whoever was there would leave. But the knocking only grew louder, so she finally stood up, grumbling about her roommates or possibly Temi coming to return her phone.

"Do you want to break down the doo—" The words died in her mouth as she opened the door to find Nate standing there, a bag in hand and looking somewhat sheepish.

Nora crossed her arms, refusing to say a word. He held up the bag. "I brought ice cream. And your phone."

She rolled her eyes. "No, thanks." She moved to slam the door in his face, but he blocked it with his foot.

"Can I come in? Please."

"Go away." She pushed the door, but he was stronger.

"Please, Nor." At the sound of him using her nickname, she felt her resolve weaken as butterflies erupted in her stomach. She sighed, struggling to keep her composure.

"Phone, please. And ice cream." She stretched her arm through the small crack in the door where his foot held it open, but instead, he took her hand in his. His touch was cold but still managed to make her heart race. Reluctantly, she let go of the door and stepped aside, allowing him in.

"Thank you," he said gratefully, handing her the bag with the ice cream and her phone. He looked at her earnestly, his expression softening. "I'm sorry, Nora."

Nora took a seat at her reading table, gesturing for Nate to sit on the bed. "For what exactly? If it's about Kiki, you owe me no apology." It hurt to say, but the truth was they weren't together, and he was free to be with whoever he wanted.

"For everything," he replied. "I'm sorry for not texting you, for not explaining the whole situation with Susan, and most importantly, about Kiki."

Nora swallowed a spoonful of ice cream, hoping to ease the knot in her throat. "Why didn't you text me?"

"I was busy with exams at first," he admitted, "and then when you stopped texting, I was... conflicted. I needed time to figure out my feelings. I know now that it was foolish; I shouldn't have gone AWOL. I'm sorry, Nora."

Time to figure out how he felt about her? Nora wasn't sure how to feel about that. He continued, "And about Susan... she's my ex."

"I know," she replied. "She told me."

"Yeah, and it was a bad breakup. It took me a long time to get over her. That's why I was hesitant to clarify things when she joked about being my girlfriend. But I assure you, there's nothing between us anymore."

"You still like her!" she exclaimed, realization dawning on her.

"No, Nora, I–"

"You do! Makes sense now why–"

"It's you I like!" he cut her off, his voice firm. The ice cream spoon slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. "And I'm sorry about Kiki; it shouldn't have happened."

"What shouldn't have happened?" Nora's heart sank, piecing together the clues. She had an idea, of course—Kiki was wearing his shirt—but a part of her hoped she was wrong.

"I shouldn't have taken her home..." he began, voice quiet.

"...and?"

"...made out with her..." The words struck her like a punch to the gut.

"...and?"

"...and tried to sleep with her. I just couldn't. You kept coming to mind, and I had to stop. I couldn't go through with it."

Relief washed over Nora. She was still upset that he'd taken Kiki home with the intent to be intimate, but she decided to focus on the positive. They could revisit the Kiki situation later.

"I forgive you. But just this once..." A boyish grin spread across his face as he stood, pulling her into a tight embrace and planting kisses all over her face. "...and not about Kiki."

"Fair enough," he replied, still covering her face and neck with kisses. "God, I missed you so much, Nora."

"I missed you too, Nathan." She playfully punched his arm, causing him to wince. "If you disappear on me again, I'll hunt you down."

"Yes, ma'am. Come here," he murmured in a deep, seductive tone, cupping her neck and pulling her into a kiss.

Nora's breath hitched as their lips met, his warmth and familiarity overwhelming her senses. She tugged at his jacket, eager for more, savoring the intensity of his kiss, filled with urgency and desire. His hands roamed her back, igniting a primal need within her. She wanted him, needed him right there. Her fingers found his belt, but he stopped her, gently holding her wrist and reluctantly pulling away.

"Not here. My place." He murmured breathlessly. In seconds, they were out the door, tension thick and palpable between them. The car ride to his place was quiet, each of them lost in anticipation. Words were unnecessary; she could feel the heat building, anticipation pooling within her at the thought of what awaited them.

• • •

They arrived at Nate's place what felt like an eternity later. In the living room, his two friends were absorbed in a video game. "Nora bear!" Dave called out. Did he ever listen?

"Piss off! Hi, Graig!" she greeted, though Graig was so engrossed in the game that he only mumbled a greeting in response.

Nate took her hand and led her to his room. Once inside, Nora found herself fidgeting nervously. How does one initiate something like this? Sensing her unease, he connected his phone to the speaker, and music began to play, filling the room with a low, sultry beat. Nate cupped her face gently, pulling her into a slow, sensual kiss that matched the rhythm of the song—soft yet demanding.

Nora's hands instinctively slid to the back of his neck, holding him closer as she deepened the kiss. In one smooth motion, he lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist as they continued their slow dance of lips and hands. He carried her to the bed, laying her down with care.

As the music played on, they moved together, in sync with each other and the beat, sharing kisses and caresses. By the time the third song began, Nora realized it was a playlist meant for just this moment. His hands roamed her body, exploring and tracing every curve, his fingers teasing, sending shivers through her.

His hands cupped her breasts, gently fondling them, while his thumb and forefinger teased her nipples. She moaned as he lavished attention on them, her fingers tangling in his hair, her hips arching towards him. "Nate..." She called out breathily as he switched his focus to the other nipple, giving it the same tantalizing treatment.

He kissed his way down her body until he reached her crotch, giving her a teasing kiss before flicking his tongue and bestowing her with his oral skills. Waves of pleasure washed over her as he expertly worked his magic with his tongue and fingers. His every move was patient yet passionate, building a crescendo that left her nearly breathless. His attentiveness and focus made her feel truly seen, igniting a fire that spread throughout her entire body.

Nora moaned, scratched, pleaded as he licked and sucked, she felt the excitement building inside her, higher, higher until a flick of his tongue sent her crashing over the edge into bliss. He didn't stop as she orgasmed, sucking every drop of juice that slipped out.

That. Was. Amazing!

The music was loud, drowning out the sound of their passion. Nate raised his head, and she cradled his face for a deep, lingering kiss, savoring her taste on his lips. She let her hands roam down his body, gently tracing the contours of his hard frame and continued south, stopping at the waistband of his boxers.

He sucked in a breath as she dipped her hand inside his boxers, until she was finally touching him. Nora had felt it pressed against her a few times, but not once had she come in direct contact with it to know how really big it was. It wasn't even an exaggeration.

He didn't make any move to stop her as she traced her hand along his length, exploring the sensation of him beneath her touch. Each response from him—a soft moan, a sharp intake of breath—heightened her own excitement, adding a new level of intimacy to the moment. She took her time, savoring every reaction, enjoying the power she held in her hands.

With a gentle, deliberate motion, she began to kiss her way down his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken beneath her lips. As she continued, her own pulse mirrored his, a shared rhythm that seemed to connect them even more deeply. When she finally wrapped her mouth around him, his breath caught, and the raw intensity in his voice as he whispered her name sent a thrill through her.

His fingers gripped her hair—not enough to hurt—as she took in all his length, almost choking as it touched the back of her throat. This went on, until he suddenly flipped her over and kissed her deeply, almost drawing blood from her lower lip. He bit gently on her neck, making his mark, "Nathan, please..." With a whispered plea, she surrendered to the moment, giving in to the overwhelming desire that consumed them both.

Nathan paused, searching her eyes for confirmation, his grip loosening just slightly as he waited. Nora's heart raced, a blend of anticipation and tenderness weaving between them in the dim light. She gave him a reassuring nod, her gaze steady and unyielding, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. The depth of her desire, building over time, left no room for hesitation. He grabbed a condom and rolled it on. As he positioned himself between her legs, she braced herself for what was to come, eager for the exquisite release that awaited them both.

Nora raised her head to meet his gaze, but it fell back into the pillow as he entered her, her walls flexed to accommodate his size. She took a steadying breath, adjusting to the sensation as Nathan held still, giving her time to acclimate. He gently brushed a thumb along her cheek, his eyes full of reassurance and patience. Her fingers tightened around his arms, grounding herself in the moment until the initial discomfort began to ease, replaced by a warmth that spread through her.

Slowly, he began to move, each motion bringing a blend of pleasure and connection, dissolving any tension that lingered. Her body responded naturally, matching his rhythm, her breathing falling in sync with his.

With each stroke, she felt her body responding, building towards an intense climax that left her screaming his name. Nate bent his head to kiss her, his kisses were passionate and consuming, igniting a fire within her as they explored new depths of ecstasy together. It was an experience unlike any other, one that left her breathless and craving more, getting better with each position.

'The Take' by Tory Lanez blared from the speakers adding to the passionate atmosphere. As the song pulsed through the room, the rhythm mirrored the fervor of their movements, each beat driving them closer to the edge. Nathan's hands roamed her body, mapping her curves and igniting every nerve ending. With each thrust, he drove deeper, hitting all the right spots, making her lose herself completely in the sensations.

"More, Nate," she urged, her voice barely a whisper but filled with longing.

He responded instantly, increasing his pace, every movement more forceful and urgent than the last. The heat between them was palpable, their bodies slick with sweat, and the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own private paradise. Each cry of pleasure echoed off the walls, mixing with the music as they neared the climax.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. They were two souls intertwined, exploring the depths of desire and connection, and it felt as if they were spiraling into an abyss of pleasure that would consume them both. Gripping the sheets tightly, she surrendered to the waves of pleasure, her body convulsing as she reached the peak of ecstasy.

"Nora, you're going to be the death of me," Nathan breathed, his voice laced with a hint of sincerity.

"And you're already the death of me," she shot back playfully, turning to straddle him, feeling him deep inside her as she settled into his lap. The thrill of their shared intimacy sparked a rush of exhilaration within her.

With a slow kiss, she began to ride him, finding a rhythm that matched the sultry beats of the song playing in the background. The smooth notes of "Make Love" by Chris Brown wrapped around them, urging her to quicken her pace. She felt the tension building between them, a delicious spiral of pleasure that drew her deeper into their connection.

"Nate... oh... yes... Nate... uhmm... Nate," she chanted, the words spilling from her lips like a mantra as the intensity of their movements escalated. Each low growl that escaped him pushed her closer to the edge, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't control.

"Look at me when you come," he urged, his voice rough with desire. His eyes locked onto hers, and in that moment, everything else faded away. The world outside ceased to exist; it was just the two of them, lost in each other.

With a final thrust, she felt the wave of ecstasy crash over her, her body convulsing in a blissful release as she called out his name. Their breaths mingled, the sounds of their passion filling the air, blending seamlessly with the music.

As they collapsed into each other's arms, spent and satisfied, a warm sense of contentment enveloped her. This felt right—so incredibly right. She turned her gaze towards Nathan, who was staring at the ceiling, catching his breath.

Rihanna's "Sex with me" began playing, a fitting soundtrack to their shared experience. "Damn right! Sex with you is amazing," he said, his tone teasing yet sincere.

Her heart swelled at the compliment, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest that she had never experienced before. "Thanks," she replied shyly, a smile tugging at her lips as she considered how to reciprocate his sentiment.

"Come here," he beckoned, gathering her in his arms. He leaned down, capturing her lips with a tender kiss that sent shivers down her spine. As they embraced, she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, a comforting rhythm that soothed her soul.

Nora snuggled into him, reveling in the quiet intimacy that surrounded them. His soft breathing filled her ears, lulling her into a sense of peace. As her eyelids grew heavy, she planted a gentle kiss on his chest, and he instinctively squeezed her shoulder in response.

In that moment, she knew she had found something special with Nathan. She drifted off to sleep, knowing that tomorrow held the promise of new beginnings, her heart secure in the knowledge that she was with the man who had captured her heart.

***

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