CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Soooo....” Tia said as she sat down at the breakfast table. “How was your date?”
Kerry placed two bowls of oatmeal on the table and studiously avoided Tia's prying eyes. “It was okay,” she mumbled.
Kerry hated lying to her sister, but she didn't want Tia to worry. If Tia knew that she had put herself up for auction at The Ring...
“Just okay?” Tia shot her a disbelieving look.
“Mmmm.”
“Come on, Kerry. You got home way after midnight last night,” Tia said, waving her spoon at her. “No way your date was just 'okay'. I know you. If it was just 'okay',” Tia made air quotes with her fingers. “You would have given some lame excuse and left as soon as dinner was over.” Tia leaned forward and winked. “Your date was hot. Am I right or am I right?”
“Tia!”
Her sister giggled and slapped the tabletop. “You're blushing! I knew it! Come on, spill. Tell me everything. Simone said he's a shifter and she knew him through a friend. She said he's a good guy, and it's been a while since you went on a date so she set you guys up.”
Kerry swallowed her oatmeal with difficulty and tried to hide her grimace. It was bad enough that she had to lie to Tia. But she was making Simone lie for her as well.
“Simone said she hoped you guys would hit it off. But I can see that you guys more than hit it off. You like him, don't you?” Tia went on.
Kerry choked on her coffee. “He's nice,” she managed.
“What's his name?” Tia asked eagerly.
“Nathan. Nathan Chase.”
Just uttering his name made Kerry's breath hitch. She remembered every detail of their night together. She could feel the heat creeping up her face when she recalled the scorching, explosive passion they shared. But Nathan had been more than just a great lover. He had taken care of her afterward, making sure she was well fed and clothed. The blouse and slacks that Suzie delivered were made of the softest material. There was even a set of matching silk underwear. The clothes were tasteful, understated and Kerry knew from their designer labels that they weren't cheap.
Nathan had driven her home and walked her to her door. He had given her a chaste peck on the cheek and waited at her doorstep until he was sure she had locked her door. Kerry had watched him drive away from her window, her heart and emotions in turmoil. With a flash of brake lights, Nathan Chase was gone. He was gone from her life for good.
Tia was already in bed but Simone was watching television in Kerry's room with the volume down when Kerry got home. Kerry wanted to tell Simone everything, but Simone discreetly put her finger on her lips and shook her head. “She's not really asleep,” Simone had whispered, glancing at Tia's bedroom door.
After Simone left in a cab, Kerry went to check on Tia. Tia gave a loud, exaggerated snore just as Kerry was tiptoeing out of her room. It was her way of telling Kerry that she was just pretending to be asleep and she wouldn't be letting Kerry off so easily. The interrogation would begin tomorrow.
Tia ate a few spoonfuls of her oatmeal in blissful silence. But the respite didn't last long.
“So, did you get some?”
Kerry groaned. Her sister wasn't giving up. Tia would continue interrogating her until she got some answers.
“Get some what?” Kerry deadpanned.
“You know, some action.” Tia waggled her brows. “I know you did. Don't think I didn't notice those new clothes you were wearing when you got home. He ripped your clothes off and had to rush out to get you some new ones, right? Ooooh...Kerry!” Tia squealed and fanned herself with her hands. “He's an animal!” Tia gave a mock growl.
Kerry shook her head and changed the topic quickly. “We're going to sign up for that new treatment. Today.”
Tia stopped giggling at once. Her expression changed as she stared at Kerry.
“I got the money,” Kerry said.
“How?” Tia demanded.
When Kerry didn't answer, Tia said tightly, “That drug costs ten thousand dollars a dose. The full treatment costs at least a hundred thousand dollars. Where did you get that kind of money, Kerry?”
“Never you mind.” It was the wrong answer. Tia surged to her feet, her eyes flashing with pain and anger.
“Tia...” Kerry swallowed. “I...”
The doorbell rang and Kerry almost toppled her chair as she leaped up.
She skidded to the door and yanked it open, grateful to escape her sister's accusing eyes. “Oh!”
She staggered back a step and had to grip the door for support. She could hardly breathe at the sight of him.
In fact, she never expected to see him again.
“Nathan,” she whispered.
Nathan smiled and she almost melted into a puddle right at his feet. Her heart was hammering crazily in her chest, and her eyes suddenly watered for no reason at all.
Stupid, irrational emotions. She had to get her riotous emotions under control before she lost it.
Her argument with Tia had made her feel raw, exposed and fragile. She felt so guilty for lying to Tia, but she wasn't ready to tell her sister the truth. She felt hopeful and optimistic about starting Tia's new treatment, yet at the same time she had to fight the terror gnawing at her heart. What if this treatment didn't work? And a part of her, a large part of her, was missing Nathan like crazy. She had just known him for one night, and yet, it felt like he had taken a big chunk of her heart with him.
“Hi.”
His smile seemed to light up her world, and as her shock faded, a dizzying, unbearable joy filled her heart. He was here.
Nathan was right here, standing in her doorway and smiling at her.