“SHAVE OR NO shave?” Nate scrubbed a hand over his chin as he faced the mirror in the en-suite.
“No shave.” I washed the remnants of serum from my hands, grateful my hair hadn’t taken too much taming this morning. I dried them and turned towards him. “I like this.” My fingers drifted over the smattering of stubble on his cheek and ran along his jaw. Whilst I loved the clean shaven look Nate sported for work, I enjoyed the more rugged one equally as much. It suggested he was happy, relaxed and untroubled—something I wanted for him after the last couple of days.
“Okay, then.” He shrugged, then stripped out of his underwear, giving me a treat he knew I enjoyed. “I’ll grab a shower,” he called out, disappearing into the second bathroom. Most people got a shelf in the vanity cupboard; I’d been handed an entire bathroom. It was an over-the-top gesture, but one I was beginning to expect from Nate.
I finished up and went to dress. My stomach growled, twisting into knots of anxiety and nerves. I hadn’t managed breakfast, too on edge about meeting Nate’s parents, my apprehension increased when he told me his sister and her family were joining us, too.
I was sitting on the bench in the bedroom buckling up my heeled sandals when I sensed Nate approaching. “Do I look okay?” I called out, glancing up when I was done. My breath hitched as I ran my eyes over him. Yesterday, he’d willingly allowed me to pick something for him but refused to let me pay for it. He didn’t even try it on, but I knew the pale periwinkle shirt would emphasise the piercing blueness of his eyes.
It did, to a dramatically striking effect.
“You look breathtaking.” He helped me stand and turned me around. His hands splaying over my back before he zipped me up set my soul on fire and my pulse soaring.
I cleared my throat and faced him. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“This?” Shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans, he smiled shyly and rocked back on his heels. I gave him a wry smile—I’d never seen him look bad in anything. Wanting to have my fingers in his hair I moved closer and began styling the damp strands. I loved how his hair could be smooth and elegant one minute, then all sexy bedroom hair the next.
Today, it was definitely the latter.
“You’re getting that look again.” Nate’s rasp that could seduce me with just one whispered word ramped up my desire. “Begging me to take you to bed.” He took a step closer until our bodies met, his hands coming to my ribcage.
I shook my head and laughed softly. If I had a look, surely it was permanently there when we were together.
“And as much as I want to,” he purred, running both hands over my arse and squeezing, “we really don’t have time.” Challenging me with a raise of his brow, his lips curved against mine. “Unless you want to explain to my mom why we’re late?”
“No,” I stuttered. Sex-mussed and flushed wasn’t the ideal first impression to make.
Nate’s smile flashed. “Didn’t think so. So let’s go while I still have a shred of self-control left.”
ALMOST an hour later we arrived at his parents’ house. A sweeping gravel driveway led to a sprawling Spanish-style villa, painted pale yellow with wrought iron window guards. Nate parked the Bentley and faced me after he’d silenced the engine. I wasn’t sure if he was nervous, but knew I sure as hell was.
“Be yourself,” he assured me, “they’re gonna love you.” He grinned, then something caught his attention over my shoulder. “Showtime.”
Nate climbed out, giving me a stolen opportunity to check my appearance for the millionth time in the rearview mirror. Taking a deep breath, I smiled at him and took his hand as I stepped out.
“Mom,” he acknowledged the woman waiting for us on the doorstep, arms outstretched to welcome him.
“Nate.” His mother beamed as Nate stooped to her level, giving her a one-armed hug because the other wasn’t letting me go, and kissed her cheek.
“Kara, this is my mom, Sadie.” He tugged me closer. “Mom, this is Kara.”
“It’s so wonderful to finally meet you,” she gushed, extending her hand. Flawlessly made up, she wore an elegant lilac belted shift dress with sheer sleeves. A beautiful amethyst pendant sparkled around her neck and matching earrings dangled through the hair around her ears. Kind, hazel eyes smiled at me. With lowlights in shades not dissimilar to my own running through shoulder-length hair, she could easily pass for an age ten years younger than I’d calculated her to be, given the thirty-five year wedding anniversary she was about to celebrate.
“And you, Mrs. Blake.”
“Please, call me Sadie.” She stepped inside and called over her shoulder, “Everyone’s out back.”
Nate placed a hand at the small of my back and followed me through the arched doorway, framed with vibrant red hibiscus, and into the cool interior of the house. “See?” he whispered into my ear. “Nothing to fear.”
The smell of home cooking wafting throughout the house caused my mouth to water. Memories of Sunday lunches at home sprung to mind, making me homesick and missing my mother.
“Nat! Nat! Nat!” The excited calls of a child echoed through the tastefully decorated family room. A mass of blonde curls sped towards us as the child launched herself into Nate’s arms.
“Betsy!” He caught her in a big bear hug, tickling simultaneously until she was shrieking with laughter. In the blink of an eye, Betsy was joined by a boy, no more than two years old, equally as loud until he found his spot in Nate’s other arm. “Hey, Charlie bear!”
My heart swelled as I observed Nate’s ease around the children. They adored him, and the feeling was obviously mutual. He was grinning from ear to ear. Nate introduced me to two of his sister’s children, then jostled them until they were both in one arm so he had a free hand to take mine again.
Sadie led us through open French doors to a flagstone patio whilst the children chatted exuberantly to Nate. Shaded by a purple bougainvillaea strewn pergola, a long table to seat ten was set in a cream theme with a bouquet of wildflowers in the centre. Rolling lush lawns, edged by palms and ornamental grasses, were broken by a large in-ground pool sparkling in the sunlight.
Nate set the children down when two men and another small boy made their way over. The elder one, presumably Nate’s father, was tossing an American football from side to side whilst the other dragged the small boy, who was clinging shyly to his leg, with him.
“Good to see you again, son.” The man with salt-and-pepper hair, golden tan, and brilliant blue eyes greeted Nate with a hug and typically male back-slapping. He was tall and distinguished, dressed in beige trousers and a white shirt.
“Dad, this is Kara,” Nate said, stepping back to my side.
The older gentleman tossed the ball to Nate and turned his attention to me. He took my hand and lifted it to his mouth. “A pleasure,” he smiled, kissing my knuckles, “call me Thomas.”
The old-fashioned gesture made me giggle. After being introduced to his brother-in-law Simon and the small child Tommy, Nate took me over to a woman sat beneath a sun umbrella.
“Mel.” Nate kissed the top of her head.
“Little brother,” Mel replied, shooting him a wry smile.
“I want you to meet my girlfriend, Kara.” Nate snaked an arm around my waist. It didn’t escape my notice that Mel was the only one he introduced me to as his girlfriend, almost as if stressing the point to her. He brushed my hair aside and pressed his lips to my nape.
“Hi.” I offered her a friendly smile.
“Hey.” She eyed me curiously and waved a greeting, not standing up as she cradled a tiny bundle in her lap. With mousey hair and the same intelligent eyes as her mother, Mel was pretty, with a fantastic figure for someone who’d had four kids—the last only a couple months ago judging by the tiny infant suckling her breast.
Sadie poured us all a refreshing champagne cocktail as we joined Mel in the shade and watched the boys resume their game of football. It wasn’t long before Betsy attached herself to Nate, perching on his knee and getting him involved in brushing her doll’s hair, which he did without hesitation.
“So, you two haven’t been together all that long?” Mel asked with an accusatory lilt. Her attempt to set me on edge worked. I pretended I hadn’t heard and carried on watching the game.
“Long enough to know Kara isn’t mentally unstable.” Nate’s hand settled over mine. What on earth was that supposed to mean? Did he previously date nut cases?
I glanced at Mel. She fixed a courteous smile on her lips before turning her attention back to the baby. “You know Will has a new girlfriend?”
“Not sure she qualifies for that status. Unless you mean someone else’s girlfriend,” Nate deadpanned.
“Seriously?” Mel shot him a look of disgust, which he shrugged off. After a minute, she sagged back into her seat. “God, what is wrong with my brothers?”
“Hey! Don’t include me in your disparaging assumptions. Will’s the one fu—”
“Nate!” I nodded my head to Betsy, reminding him kids were present. He grinned and turned back to Mel.
“Will is the one who’s friendly with her, not me.” He lifted his drink to his mouth. “He’s big enough to handle himself.”
“I’m looking out for my brother, Nate. He needs to be careful.” Mel shot Nate a discerning look like there was an unspoken understanding between them. I remembered him saying Mel was overprotective and smiled as I bent to pick up the doll Betsy dropped onto the floor. Liam was eighteen when our mother died, a vulnerable age. I took it upon myself to watch over and guide him, so I understood where Mel was coming from.
She was pleasant enough, but after that exchange, I wondered if she was appraising me, sussing out if I was good enough for Nate. He laced his fingers with mine and smiled a reassurance. I didn’t want anything from Nate, only him, and if that’s all Mel was concerned about, I had nothing to fear.
LUNCH was filled with easy conversation and laughter. I loved seeing Nate interact with his family. To them, he was just a caring son, brother and doting uncle. I soon felt like one of the family, for which I was grateful, as it eased some of the disapproval I obviously had from Mel.
Sadie made a sumptuous meal of spicy roast chicken, homemade gravy and roasted vegetables. Having finally relaxed, my acceptance of a second helping was met with much gusto from Thomas.
“No need to make the joke again, Nathan,” Sadie scolded. I flushed and pursed my lips at his impish smile.
“I’ve always been partial to breast,” he’d admitted earlier when Thomas asked which cut of meat he wanted. “Now, it’s legs all the way.” His lewd comments even raised a smile from Mel, much to Sadie’s chagrin.
Nate doted on Betsy, sharing his lunch with her as she sat on his knee throughout the entire meal. He even pretended to feed her well-loved toy Dalmatian puppy when Betsy declared him hungry.
“Does your father have grandchildren, Kara?” Sadie asked, catching me watching Nate.
“No.” I shook my head and wiped the corners of my mouth with the napkin. “I’m the eldest, and my brother is only twenty-two. He won’t be getting them anytime soon.”
“But, you do want children, don’t you?” She sat forward, eyes darting between Nate and me.
“You’ll scare Kara off, mom,” Mel chipped in, “all this talk of kids.”
“It’s okay.” I smiled at Mel and turned to Sadie. “I’d love to have them, with the right person.”
Sadie gave me a warm, meaningful smile that gave me a strange buzz inside. Nate stroked my shoulder affectionately, his arm draped over the back of my chair. He leant closer so no one else would hear and whispered, “Home run, baby.”
THE grandfather clock chimed four in the family room we’d retired to after lunch. The traditionally decorated space was a dedication to the Blake family achievements. There were awards in glass display cabinets from school and business, framed degree and masters graduation certificates, all testament to how proud Thomas and Sadie were of their three high achieving children.
The men had taken the three older children outside to burn off some energy, leaving the ladies inside to talk. I was getting on well with Sadie, in a lot of ways she reminded me of my own mother. Nate had obviously given her the heads-up regarding my bereavement, and I appreciated that. It meant I didn’t have to be put in any awkward situations of having to explain. Suddenly, the shrieks of laughter from the garden were broken by a wail of tears.
“I’ll go,” Sadie said. She stood, Aimee asleep in her arms, and stepped into the garden.
Mel sat beside me on the large tan leather sofa. “So,” she began, sipping her water casually, “how are things between you and Nate?” Her tone was even, her expression impassive, giving no clue as to her mood or where she might be heading with her line of conversation.
“Fine.” I fussed with my dress, careful not to spill my peppermint tea as I balanced it in one hand.
“Just fine?” Getting up, Mel wandered to the doors to check on the children outside. “I’ve noticed how he’s been looking at you. I think Nate would answer very differently.”
My pulse began to race. “We’re good. I really care about him.” Actually, I might love him…
“Nate has lots going for him. He’s seen as a great catch by some women. Looks, wealth, incredible successes.” She glanced over her shoulder, arms crossed. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
I set my china teacup down in the saucer and crossed my legs, not liking her confrontational attitude towards me. For some reason, Mel disliked me, and the thought saddened me. Never having had a sister, I hoped when I met someone I’d be close to their family as well.
“Only by the shallow ones,” I said. “I can’t change any of those characteristics, but they’re not why he’s special to me. Yes, he’s gorgeous, yes he’s successful. I admire his ambition, but I’m not interested in his money. I have my own career and can take care of myself.”
Mel came closer, arms still folded as she stayed the other side of the coffee table. Her eyes were sharp and assessing, like she wasn’t sure whether to believe me. “My brother is a virtuous man. I don’t want to see him taken advantage of again.”
I smiled inwardly at her forthright manner—a trait that must run in the family—and thought how much it suited her profession as a straight-talking divorce lawyer. “I have morals, too. I can assure you my intentions are entirely honourable.”
Mel’s lips twitched with a smile, her eyes widening with interest. “I don’t expect anything from Nate except his honesty,” I continued as she lowered onto the seat beside me. “He knows that.”
“He’s been hurt before,” Mel said softly as she set her drink beside mine. “It wrecked him.” My thoughts wandered back to last night and all Nate had revealed about the stress his previous girlfriend caused, not only for him but also his family. “Call me an interfering big sister, but I need to ensure it won’t happen again.”
“You’re an interfering big sister.” Nate’s hands came around my shoulders with a reassuring squeeze as he spoke behind me. I wasn’t sure where he’d come from, or how much he’d overheard, but his stern caution to Mel said it had been enough.
“It’s fine, Nate.” I placed a hand over his but kept my eyes on Mel. “Be thankful you have people who care enough to speak their mind.”
Mel’s eyes softened as she nodded a small approval.
Nate kissed the top of my head as everyone started coming back inside. “We should go.”
WE gathered in the airy hallway to say goodbye. My eyes snagged on a collection of family photographs arranged on a Queen Anne table against the wall. They were mostly of Nate and his siblings and pictures of the grandchildren. One stood out from the others. Nate was probably late teens, with disorderly lengths of hair framing bright eyes, and a killer smile telling of boyish cockiness. God, I bet he was a real heartbreaker through college.
Nate’s arm came around my waist. I grinned when he offered me a recreation of that roguish charm when he realised where I was looking. My whole body shivered, attraction pulsing through me. He still had the ability to break a thousand hearts with a smile. I only hoped mine wasn’t the next casualty.
“Kara, you coming Betsy party?” a tiny voice asked. I felt a tug on my dress and looked down to see Tommy staring back up with the biggest, innocent brown eyes. Everyone stopped talking, stunned by the boy who hadn’t uttered a word the entire time we’d been here.
I crouched to his level and gently asked, “When is Betsy’s party?”
“‘Vember,” Betsy cut in. “I gonna be five.” She proudly held five fingers up and placed a protective arm around Tommy which he dutifully shrugged out of with a grimace.
“November,” I repeated uncertainly. I had no idea where Nate and I would be in a few months.
“Want come with me?” Tommy continued with a shy smile.
Nate crouched beside me. “That’s real kind of you, buddy. But, you’re not quite big enough to drive yet, so how about I bring Kara to you? She can meet you there.”
“You be like Ross?” Tommy asked, his head tipped curiously to one side.
“Yeah,” Nate laughed and ruffled Tommy’s hair, “like Ross.”
“Okay.” With a shrug, Tommy disappeared back behind Simon’s legs.
We both rose together and faced each other. Nate tipped my chin to meet his mouth. It was only a small kiss, but the fact he did it without consideration, knowing everyone was watching, caused the claim he had of my heart to strengthen.
“It really was lovely to meet you, Kara.” Sadie took both my hands and beamed.
“And you.” I squeezed her hands. “Thank you for lunch. I miss good old-fashioned home cooking.”
“Then you must come again, soon. That’s an order.”
I smiled. “See you in a few weeks.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Pulling me down into a full embrace, Sadie kissed either side of my face, giving her blessing.
NATE drove the car away from the house with an ease I admired. We waved goodbye to everyone stood on the doorstep, and as we pulled onto the road, I was satisfied I’d made a good impression on them. Well, most of them.
“So? What do you think?” Nate turned the volume down until John Legend sang quietly in the background.
“That lunch was delicious, and the lemon tart was to die for.” I flipped down the sun visor and checked my appearance in the mirror. My cheeks were flush from the couple of glasses of white I’d enjoyed with lunch.
“You looked like you enjoyed it.”
“You saying I ate too much?” I grinned, patting my belly, pretending to be offended.
Nate snorted a laugh. “Nothing worse than a woman who picks through her meals. You gotta love a woman with a healthy appetite.”
I rummaged in my tote for my sunglasses. The sun was still bright as it set in the western sky, leading us back to the city. “I get a ferocious appetite around my period. I’ve been known to devour obscene amounts of chocolate without pausing for breath,” I stated, slipping them on.
“Your period’s due?”
“Started this morning,” I replied, embarrassed enough not to look at him. After what we’d shared sexually, I had no idea how he could still make me feel like an inexperienced young girl.
“Didn’t time my trip very well, did I?” he ruminated, stroking his chin.
“You didn’t.” I finally faced him and saw he was smirking. “Remind me to give Riley my monthly cycle so she can add it to your schedule.”
“Think we can leave that one between us, baby.” Nate patted my knee, lips pursed wryly. I was lucky, I only suffered for a few days a month, but hadn’t had to consider anyone else in a while. Knowing Nate wouldn’t be agreeing to a few days apart, I figured he’d have to put up with it. If we were having a relationship, there’d be plenty more of these times to come.
“What do you think of my family?” he asked, settling our joined hands on the centre armrest.
“Mel thinks I’m a gold-digger.”
Nate snickered. “She doesn’t.”
“My entire outfit, including underwear, was bought by you. Maybe I am,” I joked.
“I know you’re not,” he stressed. “That’s why I happily bought them for you.”
I wondered how he could be so sure about me after his confession regarding women wanting to exploit him. Being a smart businessman usually meant having to be a good judge of character, able to run with situations based on gut instinct. The fact he’d let his guard slip in the past and been taken for a ride was clearly still an issue that bothered him. I squeezed his hand harder.
“Okay, she was a little off,” he conceded. “I’ll talk to her, she’ll come round. Sometimes she takes the role of vigilant sister a bit too far.”
“Because of your past?”
“Hmm,” he agreed vaguely, removing his hand from under mine and running it through his hair.
“And Will’s? Sounds like he’s behaving badly.”
“Mel thinks Will is heading down the same path I trod.” He glanced nervously across at me. “Don’t worry, Mel liked you.” Pushing my hair behind my shoulder, he gave my nape a small rub. He didn’t elaborate, so I didn’t push him anymore.
“Betsy has you wrapped around her little finger.” I thought back to the gorgeous little girl who hadn’t left my man’s side all afternoon.
“Guilty.” He grinned and held both hands up in surrender.
“You’re brilliant with them. They adore you.”
Nate smiled shyly. “Think I’ve got competition with Tommy. He’s painfully shy, yet you scored a date with him.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “What can I say?” I shrugged. “No man is immune to my charms.”
“I’m definitely not,” he murmured.
I settled into the seat for the ride home with a contented smile. As far as meeting the parents go, today was an overall success.
LATER that evening, Nate’s fingertips stroked indulgently up and down my spine as we cuddled in bed. I lay atop him, nuzzling into his neck, fingers tracing the contours of his wickedly sensual mouth. He snapped at my finger, making me jump.
“Hey,” I giggled, lifting my head. With a playful smile, he kissed the tip better before placing my hand over his heart. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I returned to the comfort of his neck.
“I need to give you something important,” Nate said, adjusting the pillow supporting his back.
“Oh?”
He eased me off him and stood, stretching as he disappeared towards the closet. I sighed inwardly at the magnificent sight, more so when he returned and I got a good full frontal view. I shifted across the bed to make room when Nate climbed back in and looked at what was clasped in his hand.
“It will give you access to everywhere—the garage, elevators, the doors.”
“R-really?” I stuttered, my voice quivering with a million emotions. Apprehension, excitement, elation…love?
Nate pressed it into my palm. “You shouldn’t feel like a visitor. Treat this place like it’s your home.” His eyes were full of certainty and truth. “Because it is, Kara.”
I spun the card that looked more like my security pass for work than a key between my fingers. “Is this because of what happened last Thursday?”
Nate shifted and tugged me on top of him again so my chest was pressed against his navel. I propped my elbows either side of his hips so I could raise up and look at him. “I was planning on giving it to you anyway,” he said. “The way I see it, Thursday’s incident justifies my actions.”
“Are you sure?” I blinked up, searching for any signs of trepidation. There were none. Only the look of a man who was fully committed and ready to take the next step.
He clasped his hands over mine, covering them so the card was pressed securely between them. “One hundred percent.”
He swept a strand of hair away from my eyes. That simple touch of adoration had me closing my eyes and taking a deep breath to swallow the surge of love I had for Nate in that moment of unguarded commitment.
“I can’t tell you now,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion, “but one day, you’ll know precisely what you mean to me. How special you are, and how you’ve enriched my life, simply by being you.”
I crawled up him and flung my arms around his shoulders, hugging him so fiercely it hurt. Even though everything was happening at break-neck speed between us, it all seemed to align and fall into place. Nate’s gesture seemed like the most natural thing in the world. “I don’t know what to say,” I whispered into his ear.
“Say you’ll leave your clothes in the closet, and bring some more belongings over so you don’t have to keep returning to your place every few days.” His hands worked in long, massaging strokes up and down my back.
“I don’t need more, you’ve already got me well supplied with lingerie and toiletries.” I pushed up on my hands, hovering over him, and traced his lobe with the tip of my tongue. He shuddered beneath me. I worked down his jaw to his chin with a smile.
“I thought women never had enough clothes?” Nate parted his legs so I slipped between them, then he hooked his ankles over my legs, trapping me against him.
“True,” I conceded lightly, working my way down the other side to his other ear, “but I’m not like most women.”
The shy smile and sparkle of adoration in his eyes ripped through me when I met his gaze. He moved closer, his hands coming from my spine up to clasp the back of my head, and murmured, “Never has a truer word been spoken.”