EVEN WITH MY ironic choice of Taio Cruz blasting through the apartment on repeat whilst I jumped on Mai’s bed to try and rouse her, it had taken nearly an hour for her to get up, making us both late for work. I managed to get through Thursday without any consequence. She, on the other hand, spent all day in sunglasses, complaining about how rough she was and swearing off Martini’s for life.
Come five o’clock, I didn’t fancy hitting the gym, so after I dropped Mai home I went for a run. Popping the buds of my iPod in, I started off down the pavement with the dance music as somewhat of an anthem to my current state of mind. En route back, I picked up dinner, then sprinted home, starving hungry.
The man with intimidating eyes that had sat in a parked car when I headed out was still there on my return, watching me creepily. In LA, I’d learnt to expect the crazy, no longer batting an eyelid at the strange sights I saw on a daily basis. But for reasons I couldn’t fathom, he bothered me.
I showered, ate, and was about to crash in my PJ’s and paint my nails a different shade when the intercom went.
“Open the door, Kara.” Mai announced her unexpected arrival with an air of irritation. I buzzed her in, unlatched the front door, and had settled on the sofa by the time she barged in.
“Men!” she cursed, slamming the door. She hung some clothes on the back of a dining chair and dropped an overnight bag by the table. She didn’t blink at the garish green beauty mask slapped on my face.
“What did he do this time?” I asked, lowering the volume of the TV.
“I can’t even waste my breath explaining.” Mai took some wine from the fridge, collected two glasses and made her way over. “I’ll go home tomorrow once he’s suffered a night alone. Jay can keep him company if he’s that desperate.”
“You’re staying?” I asked, nodding to her overnighter.
“That okay?”
I nodded. “Keep it tidy this time. I’ve only just cleared up the mess you made last night.”
“Okay, mom.” Mai unwound the fuchsia animal print scarf from her neck and pulled off a coordinating beanie, revealing hair scraped back in a bun. I had no idea why she was so wrapped up. It was early August and a pleasant temperature outside. With no make-up, she looked tired, drained, and still a little bit hungover, and her tiny frame was covered in worn jeans and a cream jumper.
“Why didn’t you use your key?”
“Wasn’t sure if you had company.” She filled both glasses, pushed one in front of me and took hers to the window seat.
“Nate has a family dinner tonight.” I picked up the bottle of nail varnish and started painting my toes.
“He coming over later?” she asked, kicking off her ballet flats and opening the window. She stole the TV remote and curled her legs beneath her, taking a large swig of wine.
“No.” I studied my foot, seeing how the aqua shade looked.
“Thank God. Couldn’t cope with you two going at it all night.” She changed channels until she found E! News.
I wanted to grin but couldn’t as the mask on my face dried out. “Thought you two were loved up after the weekend?” I mumbled.
“Same here.” She took a long drag on her cigarette as she lit up. “He had two nights off this week, and he’s gone out with friends tonight as payback for me going out last night.”
As well as I could, I lifted my brows in disbelief. Mai nodded and refilled her glass, eyes sweeping over my polish. “That new?”
“Hmm.”
“Cute.” She sighed, dropping her head back and closing her eyes. I felt sorry for Mai. For so long, she’d been my rock and supported me through tough times. Now, when my life was taking a turn for the better, hers was taking a nosedive. The only good thing was Mai had much more strength than I ever did and handled the downs far better than I ever could.
I switched legs and started on the other foot. “Want to talk?”
She snickered. “You can’t move your mouth.”
I pulled my lobe, miming I could listen. Mai laughed and shook her head. “Nothing to say. Mitch is a dick sometimes. A cute one, but still a big one.” Suddenly, she sprang forward. “Shit, look!”
Mai increased the volume as I glanced up at the TV. A brief shot of the starlet posing on the red carpet quickly switched to an image of her and Nate outside the party.
“They look good together,” I said mournfully, carefully slipping on my glasses. The glamorous couple posing on TV were far better suited.
“Ha! And you two don’t?” Mai sneered, flicking her cigarette out the window. We heard the end of the voiceover: “…And ladies, prepare to have your hearts broken, as the man himself tells us he’s off the market…”
Shit.
“This should be interesting,” Mai mused, rubbing her hands together gleefully. My heart pounded against my chest. I screwed the lid on the bottle and waited agitatedly through the adverts for the program to return.
Beginning with a montage of guests arriving on the carpet, I gaped in disbelief. The moving image of Nate, standing with a small, pressed smile for the photographers, appeared in full HD in my living room, accompanied by the female voiceover: “Our reporter was there to ask the gorgeous CEO the question we all wanted answering.”
Nate chatted eloquently with a female reporter about Acacia and gave some background on the project and design concept. He offered a vague reply when asked about his own beauty routine, quickly steering the conversation back to the new skincare range.
“God, his voice oozes sex.” Mai shifted to the edge of her seat, wanting to get closer so she wouldn’t miss anything. The volume was already loud enough Vicki next door could probably hear word for word. I nodded in agreement but didn’t take my eyes off the screen, dreading what was coming next.
“One last question,” the reporter asked with a flutter of her eyelashes, “can you address the rumours that there’s a special lady in your life right now?” It would’ve gone undetected by the innocent observer, but Nate’s usual controlled composure faltered. His head flicked down, skin slightly flushing as he laughed awkwardly, hands tucked into his pockets.
I waited with bated breath for his reply. Then it came. “Yes, there is.”
Fuck.
“Holy shit!” Mai squealed, leaping to her feet, almost sending her wine flying across the room.
Nate tried extricating himself away from the reporter, but she called after him. “Is she here tonight?”
Everything was so surreal as I balanced on the edge of the sofa, dreading his response. Nate laughed and diplomatically answered, “Tonight is about Acacia. Have a great evening.” Then he was gone, lost in a blur of flashbulbs.
“Kara!” Mai dropped beside me. “He’s just told millions of people he’s seeing you!”
“Thank God he didn’t mention me by name.” I was so stunned I had no regard for the mask cracking over my face as I spoke. Nate had been put on the spot, caught off-guard. I wondered if, in hindsight, the private man had regretted his admission.
“Not yet,” Mai noted, “but it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out.”
She was right. Nate must know the attention on him, on us, would increase thanks to that tiny tidbit of information.
“Definitely in it for the long haul, K.” Mai drained her glass and refilled it before going to the bathroom.
Nate wanted us to be a couple. Properly. Unless I changed, I was in danger of making my biggest fear—the demise of our relationship—a reality. I picked up my mobile and sent him a text: I’M THINKING ABOUT U
His reply, two minutes later: I NEVER STOP THINKING ABOUT U X
WHAT U BEEN THINKING ABOUT? I sent back, curling my legs beneath me.
U REALLY HAVE TO ASK?
SURE I CAN GUESS ;-) I followed up, touching my face as the mask cracked further with my smile.
“Do you have to do sexting while I’m here?” Mai whined, disgruntled as she settled down beside me again.
My phone vibrated: SURE U CAN…
I took a careful swig of wine when Mai handed me my untouched glass, wanting me to join in the drowning of her sorrows.
HOPE UR READY 4 TOMORROW came Nate’s quick follow-up.
A flush of anticipation rushed through me. I reasoned dinner with family might not be the most appropriate setting for Nate to have this flirty exchange of texts, and sent him a final one: ABSOLUTELY. ENJOY UR DINNER X
“There,” I said to Mai, setting my phone on the table, “no more sexting. You have my undivided attention. Just let me wash this crap off my face.”
“Thank you. I need some TLC.”
As I walked to my bedroom, my phone vibrated again. Mai dived for it. “I will now,” she read aloud from the locked screen. “What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I called back, mentally noting a change in my phone privacy settings was in order. The last of my face-mask cracked under the pressure of my enormous grin.
THE next morning, I’d just sent ten copies of a thirty-page regulatory report to the printer in my office, and was busy reading my electronic version when I heard the ping of an incoming email. I switched programs and was surprised to see Nate’s name in my inbox:
Thought you might like to see these. #12 is my personal favorite. Can’t wait to see you tonight. Nate x
I clicked on the attached link and was taken to a webpage full of photographs from the Acacia event. My breath caught when I found picture twelve. It was Nate and me.
He looked incredibly handsome, and I looked…actually not that bad. The picture itself was harmless, but the obvious level of familiarity between us shook me. Nate’s hand rested lightly on my hip, the other wrapped possessively around my shoulders. My whole body was nestled against him, one hand pressed intimately against his chest. Both of us wore contented smiles, whilst our eyes met in a mutual show of affection.
“Whatcha looking at?” Mai strolled into the office. This morning, she’d breezed out of her bedroom wearing a pretty floral dress and black pumps. It was casual dress day, but Mai never adhered to rules.
“These.” I angled the screen so she could see.
“Ooh, lemme see,” she said, rounding the desk for a closer inspection. “Am I in any?”
“Not sure. I’ll send you the link. I’ve only just received it.”
Mai swatted my hand away and took over the mouse control, so I pushed my chair out to give her more space. She flicked through the thumbnails and enlarged the one I’d been scrutinising. She blew out a breath and peered at me over her shoulder. “Now that is the look of love.”
“Rubbish,” I snorted, chancing another peek at the picture and feeling a warm satisfaction.
“Look at the way he’s smiling at you,” she cooed.
Nate’s smile, no matter how dazzling, how charming, was infinitely more beautiful when it reached his eyes. The way it did when he smiled at me. The way it had in the photo filling my computer screen. No other photos showed the glorious smile that made my heart leap each time I saw it. Mai twisted, perching on the edge of the desk, a smug grin on her face.
“Don’t you have work to do?” I rolled my chair back in and tugged some papers from beneath her bottom.
“No,” she said playfully, swinging her legs as she slid a drawer open and started rummaging inside.
“Make yourself useful then.” I stood, shoving the drawer shut, and collected the pages from the printer. “Michael wants everyone to have paper copies of this report.” I set them on the desk, indicating for her to sit in the chair opposite.
Keen to hang in my office, Mai sat without argument and caught the green highlighter pen I tossed her as I sat back down.
“He’s such a dinosaur. Paperless is the way forward.” Begrudgingly, she began marking off recipients names.
“He’s old school. Likes to have a physical copy in his hands.” I passed over the packet of Lifesavers she’d been searching for in my draw—a favourite afternoon pickup when we needed a sugar rush. Or when Mai needed to comfort eat. “Heard from Mitchell yet?”
“He called earlier to grovel,” she said, eyes down. “He’s picking me up from the bar later, I’ll go to work with him for a while. We can chat before he gets crazy busy.”
“I’m not coming for a drink tonight.”
Mai peered up, frowning. “Why?”
“I haven’t seen Nate since Wednesday, and we weren’t really together then. We have a date tonight.”
Mai’s displeasure vanished, her expression brightening. “From what I could see, you were very together. You should’ve sent him to the canapés if he was that hungry. They were delicious.”
I shot her a glare. “What did you see?”
“Nothing”—her mouth twisted wryly—“except a very hot couple having a steamy make-out session in the hallway.”
Unease settled over me like a blanket. I stared with wide-eyed panic at the photographic reminder of our night out. “Shit!”
“Don’t worry, no-one else saw. I took a wrong turn to the bathroom, that’s all.”
I appreciated Mai’s attempt to reassure me, but the reality was, he’d taken a huge risk that night. Thank God I’d retained some semblance of sense and stopped him before it got out of hand.
BY the time five came around, I’d had enough for the day and was ready to leave. Nate wasn’t able to finish for another hour, so after arranging for him to call me when he was on his way, I joined the girls at the bar.
We got the last table outside on the busy patio and were steadily working our way through two bottles of wine. My mobile was on the table next to my glass so I didn’t miss Nate’s call. It was a little after six so I was expecting it to ring anytime now.
“What’s with the dress, Kara?” Robyn asked. “You never wear them, especially on Fridays. Those unreal limbs are usually clad in denim.”
I fussed self-consciously with my cappuccino jersey wrap dress. “I’ve got a date.”
Her brown eyes widened. “With the sizzler?”
Jenna and Mai returned from the bathroom with perfect timing. “Oh my God!” Jenna gushed, hands flailing by her side. She took her seat next to Robyn. “You’ll never guess who just walked in, sending a million panties crashing to the floor?”
I remembered why these three got on so well, they all had such a way with words.
“Only your hot ass of a boss!” she screeched before either of us could hazard a guess.
Robyn sprung to attention. “Not Blake?”
My eyes swung to Mai as she took her seat. Her excitement confirmed Robyn’s guess as accurate. I pulled the drape of my dress across my chest, feeling my heart pounding wildly. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I agreed to meet him at the bar.
Nodding her confirmation, Jenna continued, “He’s looking so good tonight, ladies.”
Robyn grabbed her bag and hid behind it, trying discreetly to put on some lipstick. Jenna fussed with her already immaculate hair. I checked my phone. There were no missed calls or texts. Nate wasn’t coming in because he’d been unable to reach me.
This was intentional.
“Bet your guy doesn’t meet Nate Blake standards,” Robyn observed, puckering her lips to check her work.
“Hell, no,” Jenna interrupted, giving herself another once over. “Blake is in a league of his own.”
“Not gonna be a secret much longer,” Mai sang as she leant over, delighting in her full force meddling mode.
“It’s not funny,” I hissed. I scanned the area, hoping to head him off before he reached us.
“There he is!” Robyn squeaked. Three heads swung, almost in slow motion, in the direction of her gaze. Any lasting thoughts I had over whether I looked nice swiftly went when sultry blue eyes locked onto mine. My stomach lurched.
A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, spreading out lazily until his face lit with happiness.
“Holy hell, that smile,” Robyn cooed.
Once again, I was spellbound. Nate came towards me, oblivious of the stir he was causing as he edged through the crowd. Both hands were pushed into black trouser pockets, and a couple of buttons undone at the neck of a long-sleeved slate grey shirt. A shiver chased through my body, desire pooling in my belly, discreetly revealing my unquestionable magnetism to him.
Someone whispered, “He’s coming this way!” but I had no idea which excited female it was. I was too busy clinging to the tiny shred of control over my raging hormones before losing it entirely.
Like a hunter circling its prey before going in for the kill, Nate didn’t take his eyes off me as he rounded Mai’s chair and stopped in front of me. I vaguely heard shocked gasps when he bent down, his hand coming under my chin, and pressed tender lips to mine.
“Kara.” His quickened breath feathered over my parted lips.
“Nate,” I replied softly. He smiled against my mouth, then drew his head back to glance over my shoulder at the crowd behind me.
“I agree people shouldn’t know our business,” he said between kisses, “but it’s time they know we’re together.” A rush of heat swamped my body. This was a blatant show of possessiveness, and secretly, I was thrilled he’d done it.
“No fucking way!” Robyn spluttered. Only then did I become alert to three sets of stunned eyes burning into us.
Nate straightened and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Ladies,” he smiled, addressing my friends. I faced them, only to see all three—even Mai—gaping. All in shock. All unable to speak.
“This is Robyn and Jenna.” I pointed to the girls in turn and watched them evaporate into their seats as Nate reached across the table and shook each of their hands.
“Good to see you again, Mai,” he said when he reached my friend next to me, who had come down from cloud nine and was grinning widely.
“Nice work.” She gave him the thumbs up, congratulating him on his performance.
“I’m ready to leave,” I said, rising from my seat and gathering up my belongings.
“No rush.” Nate pressed my upper arm, gently easing me back into the chair. “I’ll order more wine.”
As he sauntered back inside to the bar, there was a collective rush of released breaths. “Kara!” Robyn squealed excitedly.
“What the fuck?” Jenna joined in. “He’s the hot date from last week?”
I tried to say something, opening and closing my mouth, but couldn’t form any words as my eyes darted between the two of them.
“Early days, girls.” Mai rescued me.
“How long have you known?” Jenna accused Mai with a pointy finger. “He knew you already.”
I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of questions and stood, needing space from the inquisition. “I’ll see if he needs a hand.” I made my way inside. I found Nate leaning against the bar finishing up a phone call.
He curled an arm around my waist and pulled me close. “It’s been too long, Kara.”
My hands started on his forearms, then leisurely moved to his biceps. He took my mouth in a soft, lush kiss then moved to my ear. I tilted my neck, letting him work down, not caring where we were or who was watching.
“Do you realise what you’ve done?” I asked, melting at the deliberately protracted caress. “PA’s are notorious gossips. Come Monday, everyone’s going to know about us.”
He continued as if I hadn’t spoken, placing open mouthed kisses in the hollow of my neck and shoulder. When he finally faced me, the mischievous glint in his eyes told me that had been the plan. Nate turned when the bartender approached and ordered more wine to be sent to our table. “I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks,” he said, turning back to me after he’d paid. “Let them be jealous because I’m the one you’re making love to, my bed you’re sleeping in.” He stroked a finger down my cheek and lifted my chin. “You’re my girl, Kara. I’m making damn sure the whole world knows it.”
I couldn’t wrap my head around him believing men would be jealous of him being with me. I knew standing here, locked in his embrace made me the envy of many women. One look around us at the attention he was garnering verified that. There were also three women sat outside who would swap places with me at the drop of a hat. “Think you have that the wrong way around.”
“I beg to differ.”
I raised a brow and smiled. “You know, I haven’t actually slept in your bed yet.”
With his own brow arched over gorgeous eyes, he took my hand and led me away from the bar. “Don’t count on doing it tonight. You need to know exactly how much I’ve missed you.”
The delicious promise rang in my ears. My body rippled in anticipation of the night ahead. I was dying to be with him again. As we approached the girls, it was plainly obvious we were the hot topic of conversation.
“I’ll get another chair,” I said, scanning the patio for an empty one.
“No need.” Before I knew it, Nate was in my vacated one and tugging me onto his lap. Need and recognition charged through me from this close proximity to him.
“Keep still,” he murmured, one hand securing me at the waist. His lips brushed my lobe, his hips flexing underneath me. “I’m desperate to make you come, and your wriggling ass is making me want to do it now.”
My eyes shot to his. My skin quickly grew too sensitive, my breasts full and heavy. Nate handed me my glass and settled back into the seat with his own. His lips glistened after he took a sip, and without thinking, I licked along his bottom lip. The mixture of red wine and Nate was potent. But the immense longing in his eyes held the most power over me. In that second, something shifted between us, something so significant I felt it leave him and take up residence inside of me.
Nate did, too. I saw it in the flicker of his eyes. He was giving me strength, astutely identifying what I lacked. He broke away from the exchange in our eyes first.
“Should my ears be burning?” he asked quietly, nodding to Robyn and Jenna, who were huddled together chatting. I wasn’t sure where Mai was, but knew she wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye.
“Probably,” I agreed, sipping my wine. “Mine are.”
Nate nuzzled against my ear, the warmth of his breath tickling my skin as he exhaled from a deep breath. I didn’t know if he was being polite in staying for a drink, or if it was all part of his grand plan to ensure everyone knew we were a couple.
There was no mistaking we were. Not by the way he was touching me. Forcing me onto his lap was also a sign for any woman wanting to try her luck that he was taken and to back off. I slotted my fingers into his hand resting next to me on the arm of the seat, appreciating he’d done that for me.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I asked with narrowed eyes when he refilled my glass.
“Kara.” He breathed my name with the quiet cadence that instantly aroused me. “I don’t have to ply you with alcohol to make you want me.”
The passion smouldering in his eyes captivated me and bound me to him. He knew me too well. Could expertly read my body. I wrapped an arm around his neck and teased the hair at his nape with my fingertips.
“These past couple of days have felt like forever. I’ve tasted you in my dreams, felt your hot skin next to mine. The crazy energy that shoots into my soul when you touch me…kiss me.” Nate rubbed a thumb along my parted lips. “You’re crawling all over me, and I don’t want to do a damn thing about it except experience you again.”
I licked my lips, my breaths coming faster and growing shallow. I turned into his touch, taking the tip of his thumb between my lips. I sucked, keeping my eyes firmly on his as I grazed my teeth over the soft pad. His eyes grew larger, then darkened to a smoky blue haze.
Oh…wow.
“Jeez, get a room,” Mai shouted on her return. My face burnt. “I’m leaving, Mitchell’s outside.” She made her way around the table, saying goodbye, then disappeared into the throng of people.
“Shall we go, too?” I asked Nate.
“Definitely. I need to get you out of here and out of this dress.” He rose quickly, handing me my bag from beneath the table. “Good to meet you both,” he spoke to the girls. They gushed goodbyes—to him, not me—and watched us with awe as we left.
Ross weaved the Mercedes through wide lanes of traffic, heading through Beverly Hills and onto Wilshire Blvd. We pulled into a circular driveway of a crescent-shaped high-rise. Nate seized my hand and led me inside. A doorman greeted him by name and nodded indifferently to me as he opened oversized glass entry doors. I wondered how many other women he’d witnessed pass through on the arm of Nathan Blake.
Inside, a spectacular chandelier, all twisted glass and light hung from the ceiling of a double-storey grand lobby that screamed elegance and splendour. As we waited for the lift, the sexual tension was palpable, almost crackling in the air. When the doors glided open, Nate guided me into the empty car with a hand at the small of my back and used a private key to access the twenty-fourth floor.
I don’t even think the doors had closed properly before he lunged at me.