“IT’S NATE.”
The sultry tone of his voice over the intercom sent a charge of excitement rushing through me.
“I’ll be down in a second.” I replaced the handset and returned to the bedroom to finish up. He was ten minutes early, but I was pretty much ready. In keeping with the natural look of my make-up, I’d left my hair loose and wavy.
I sat on my bed and buckled up my black leather sandals. After accessorising with silver jewellery, I put on my wide-brimmed sunhat and headed through the lounge, collecting my tote and sunglasses off the kitchen counter. With shaking hands I locked up, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach as I carefully took the stairs. Breathe, Kara.
Nate was leaning against the wall outside with his back to the doors. Stone coloured long shorts displayed etched calves, and the hem of his white cotton shirt sat on the curve of his pert arse. Clearly it wasn’t only suits that made him look amazing. He wore the casual look equally as well. I opened the door and startled him into turning around.
“You’re early, Mr Blake,” I teased. He scanned me appreciatively up and down, his mouth parting slightly. My pulse quickened as his gaze lingered, his iridescent iris’ sparkling in the sunlight.
“And you, Miss Collins, are stunning.”
I sensed my cheeks flush at the compliment. I was only wearing white skinny jeans with a loose charcoal v-neck t-shirt.
“After you.” Nate indicated for me to lead the way down the path.
“Nice car,” I smirked, eyeing the gleaming convertible Bentley parked at the kerbside. Dark grey with a hint of smoky blue, it was the colour of a stormy sky. Sporty, sleek and exquisitely honed—much like its owner.
“Thank you.” He smiled graciously and opened my door, waiting whilst I slipped into the cream leather passenger seat. Nate rounded the car and climbed in beside me. I watched avidly as he smoothed his hands around the stitched leather steering wheel, imagining them running over me with the same admiration. His shirt allowed a glimpse of muscular, sun-kissed forearms and a quietly understated Bremont watch on his right wrist.
“British designs are visually stunning.” Nate glanced sideways, a smile teasing his lips. “I haven’t found an exception to that rule yet.”
“My father would love it,” I said, quickly buckling up my seat belt, hoping to hide my no doubt flushed cheeks.
“What does he drive?” he asked, starting the engine. Damn. Even his car purred sexily.
“A 1970s Aston Martin.”
“Ah, a man after my own heart.”
I slipped on my sunglasses as Nate did the same, hiding those glorious eyes behind a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators. They only served to accentuate the features I could still see. Cut jawline, covered once again with a light dusting of stubble, and unruly windblown hair from the drive over. He flashed a boyish smile, shifted the gearstick into drive and pulled into the road.
We drove through the city towards the coast and it was a good twenty minutes before I asked where we were going.
“I thought we could go to the beach.” He smiled uncertainly. “Sound good?”
“Sounds lovely.” The beach wasn’t too formal and perfect for such a sunny day.
We didn’t talk much more for a while. I watched, dazed as countless SUV’s and sports cars swarmed around us. The volume of traffic on the roads, even on a Sunday afternoon, never ceased to amaze me.
Eventually, we reached the Pacific Coast Highway and headed north. The car accelerated with a surge that pushed me back into the seat and had me holding onto my hat. Nate’s carefree laugh made me smile. The ocean stretched out to our left as far as I could see, glinting as the sun caught the rolling waves. I took a sly glimpse of Nate as he concentrated on driving. Young and relaxed, his thick hair blowing in the breeze, so different from the slick, polished image portrayed at work.
We pulled off the highway onto a side road, following its twists and turns past increasingly opulent mansions. Nate swung the car through solid wood opening gates, up a sweeping driveway and straight into the double garage nestling beneath three-storeys of million dollar modern beach house architecture. A mountain bike hung on a whitewashed wall, and a couple of surfboards on another, but otherwise it was empty.
Nate silenced the engine and removed his sunglasses. He appeared nervous, giving me a tight smile before climbing out. He moved gracefully around the front of the car and tried to open my door.
“Sorry.” I quickly unlocked it, blushing furiously as I stepped out, mentally chastising myself for my OCD safety issues.
Nate smiled but said nothing. I removed my sunglasses and tossed my hat back into the car whilst he took a brown paper grocery bag out the boot. Had he actually brought me to his home? To his bed? The idea was as unsettling as it was thrilling.
“Follow me,” Nate said, brushing past and heading through a door at the rear. I waited in a small hallway whilst he switched off the alarm then followed him upstairs.
The vast open layout I found myself in spanned the entire length and width of the house. It was pleasantly cool, a welcoming respite to the sun that had beat down on me during the journey. The distressed white oak floor and off-white painted walls gave the spacious room a clean, bright, airy feel. There was an abundance of natural light streaming in from a double-height window to my left, and skylights in the soaring vaulted ceiling over the dining area.
“Come on in.” He made his way to the contemporary galley kitchen and set the bag on top of a large island. A grand timber dining table faced the kitchen, and in the centre, a huge fishbowl filled with shells and pebbles.
“These photos are fantastic.” Twelve assorted sized black and white images of inanimate objects hung in coordinated frames on the wall behind the table. Arranged in no particular order, the randomness created a stunning visual effect.
“Thanks.” Nate offered a shy smile as he removed two wine glasses from one of the high gloss wall units.
I headed to the sunken lounge, leaving my belongings on the table. A large sofa faced a giant flat-screen television fixed above an open fireplace, with built-in shelves on either side stacked with books and a few family photographs.
The cool blues, whites and silver of three large canvases hanging behind the sofa picked up the furnishings and accents. Two oversized armchairs faced out towards floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
“Is this your home?” I called, not taking my eyes off the view. The immaculately manicured lawn lined either side by tall cypress trees that ensured total privacy, stretched to the cliff edge before disappearing into the dramatic backdrop of the ocean.
“I have a place in the city that suits my needs during the week. I like to escape here on weekends. It’s more me.”
I turned and found Nate watching me from the top of the few steps. “It’s breathtaking.”
He made his way down and slid the doors open the width of the room. My breath caught on a gust of salty sea air, whilst the sound of crashing surf joined the rush of breeze in my ears.
“Let me show you around.” Nate smiled proudly, his hand settling on my lower back and guiding me to another curved staircase. He glanced up, his wayward thoughts written across his face. “Go ahead.”
Despite my reluctance to head upstairs with him, I couldn’t stop myself from sashaying my hips as I climbed ahead of him.
“Behave,” he gently admonished with a smile when I let him pass me. I grinned at being proved right. He was checking out my arse.
“Guest bedrooms.” Nate pointed at two closed doors off a mezzanine hallway then opened a door directly in front of us and walked in. “That’s my closet…bathroom…and this,” he said as the room opened up, “is my bedroom.” An inviting huskiness now laced his voice. He propped against the wall, ankles and arms crossed, observing me keenly as I cautiously stepped further into the master suite.
The colour scheme extended throughout the house, making a seamless transition from space to space. Vintage framed surf magazine covers hung on the far wall, their muted tones of green, blue and white drawing the scenery from outside into the room. An armchair and matching ottoman sat parallel to the windows with a sky-blue blanket neatly folded over the back. It looked the ideal place for lazy daydreams.
I glanced across at his huge bed, draped in a slate grey cover and positioned on a stunning hand-woven rug to face the windows. The light grey button back headboard gave it a classic, masculine feel. I found myself blushing as I imagined Nate in it, and tried not to think of all the women who had joined him as I edged to the windows.
“What an incredible view to wake up to.” I flattened my palm on the warm, tinted glass.
“Absolutely.” The mesmerising tone of his voice captured my attention. His eyes glistened, watching me intently, his mouth hinting at a smile. I got the distinct impression we weren’t agreeing about the same thing. I stepped away from the window and pressed my palm to my cheek, feeling it heat again.
“Shall we?” he asked, shoving off the wall towards me.
“Shall we what?” I squeaked, panicking as my eyes darted to his bed without warning.
“Head back downstairs?” Nate nodded to the door, my panic amusing him. “What did you think I meant?”
“Nothing.” I hurried past and dashed downstairs to safety.
In the kitchen, Nate grabbed the bag and an ice bucket. “Let’s go outside.”
“Here,” I offered, collecting the wine glasses. I followed him through the lounge, down a set of wooden steps off the deck to the garden below. Nate hoisted open a retractable canopy, providing some welcome shade to the patio.
I made my way across the lawn to the edge and was rewarded with the most breathtaking vista. Stretching across the entire bay area, all the way round to rugged cliffs on the right, I could only gaze in awe at the view.
“What do you think?” Nate appeared by my side.
“It’s incredible.”
“Isn’t it?” He took the glasses out of my hands and strolled back to the patio.
As I followed, I noticed something in the far corner of the garden. “Is that a spa?”
“Yeah.” He paused, glancing back over his shoulder, a naughty glint in his eyes. “You wanna use it?” It was asked so innocently, but I was certain his thoughts were far from pure.
“I don’t have my bikini.”
He sat on the large outdoor sofa. “And that’s an issue…how?” A wolfish grin curled his lips.
My eyes narrowed. “This is supposed to be a casual non-date, Mr Blake.”
“Call it what you want, Kara,” he shrugged, “but it’s only the two of us here. I won’t tell if you don’t.” Grinning at my pursed lips as I joined him, he unpacked some crackers, a selection of antipasto, cheeses, and a platter of grapes and cantaloupe melon on the table.
“This looks delicious. Thank you.”
“It’s not dinner.” He cocked his head to one side. “Help yourself.” He stood and took a bottle of white from a drinks refrigerator beneath the decking. “Wine?”
“Please.” Nate poured me a glass of Pinot Grigio and a smaller one for himself. “I can get a taxi later if you want a drink,” I offered, realising he’d have to drive me home.
“I know my limits,” he murmured. “I’m taking you home tonight. You’re not running away from me again.”
It was a warning. One that irritated me until I conceded in a sense, I’d done precisely that. Hesitantly, I raised my glass to meet his.
“Cheers,” we said in unison as we touched glasses. The wine was delicious, crisp and refreshing. I accepted the cracker topped with a wedge of cheese Nate handed me with a shy smile. My stomach had settled, hunger pangs now replacing the nervous butterflies.
“Have you lived here long?” I took a bite and moaned as the cheese melted in my mouth.
“Almost a year. It was the first and only place I viewed. I bought it immediately.” As you do when you’re a millionaire. “The peace and privacy sold it for me.” He tipped his chin towards the ocean. “You can’t get to the beach unless you live here.”
I could see why he’d fallen in love; it really was stunning, and a great place to relax from the stresses of life.
“How about you,” he asked, “you get to the beach much?”
“Last weekend I went rollerblading along the track at Santa Monica with a friend.” My backside still hurt from the sprawling fall I had on the concrete as Mai and I fooled around. “She gets these crazy ideas sometimes.”
Nate laughed, popping an olive into his mouth. My eyes were drawn to his lips. His mouth was very enticing. I rubbed my stomach, hoping to settle the butterflies as I watched his cheekbones accentuating with each movement. I recalled the other night, and the yearning I had to feel his stubble brushing against my cheek again.
“Living in London, I never really got to the beach very often,” I said, reaching for my glass.
“I hear there’re some nice ones. I’ve only been to Newquay.”
“Surfing?” I asked, casting my mind back to the boards in the garage.
His smile was shy and unpretentious as he nodded and picked up the bottle to refill my glass. “I love England,” he stated. “I visit our office two or three times a year, inevitably returning with far too many pieces. I can’t resist. The art, history, music…women.” I took a large breath of air, unable to break away from his hypnotic gaze. “One in particular has definitely captured my attention…” his soft voice trailed off as he faced the ocean.
With my heart in my throat, desperate to escape my body, I coughed and gulped down half the wine in my glass. For the next hour, we shared stories about England, discovering what we enjoyed and missed. It highlighted how alike we were and how similar our tastes were.
“You have some stunning artwork.”
Nate lounged back into the cushions, tucking both hands behind his head. “You’re into art?”
“Some.” I shifted so he wasn’t talking to my back and tucked one leg under me. “I love stills and candid pictures, images that stimulate your imagination. It’s fascinating how two people can see the same image and interpret it in completely different ways.”
Nate flashed a broad smile. “Now I understand why my pictures captured your eye.”
I flushed. “I have to confess, my real passion lies in vintage fashion.”
“Fashion is an art form, Kara.”
“I suppose.” I shrugged, stroking the curve of my hoop earring. “I enjoy scouring the thrift stores and markets and unearthing hidden gems.”
“Indulging in pursuits that bring you pleasure is good for the soul.” He smiled a secret smile, one that had me wondering what he was thinking. “You’ve got a great sense of style. Classic, sophisticated and elegant,” he continued, straightening. Hearing that from him, the most sartorially blessed man I’d ever met, was a real compliment.
“You’ve got great legs though.” He grinned. “You should definitely get those out more.”
I rolled my eyes playfully, fighting a smile. After spending time with a man who succeeded in making me view my body as nothing to be proud of, I was unaccustomed to hearing it praised.
Nate reached for his glass, inadvertently brushing my bent knee with his arm. A tremor ran through me when he sipped his wine, never breaking eye contact as he lowered the glass and licked his lips, collecting the remaining drop with his tongue.
“What’s keeping you busy at the moment?” Nate brought the direction of the conversation back to safety, for which I was grateful as I found my skin heating with embarrassment and some other warmth that definitely wasn’t coming from the sun.
“I’ve recently finished the brand valuation for the Galaxy sponsorship, and I’m nearing completion on the amended business case financials for the Star Airlines work.”
His bright expression morphed into one of displeasure, as though I’d mentioned something I shouldn’t have, yet I had no idea what. “Have you always worked in Commerce?”
“No. I graduated, got a job with Morgan Sanders in London, and qualified with them.”
His brows shot up. “They’re one of the most prestigious accounting companies in the world.” Even though he seemed surprised, he sounded quite impressed. Feeling awkward, I shrugged in agreement.
Each year, only ten places were available for the highly respected graduate programme. I was ecstatic when I got one of them. So it was double the guilt when I handed in my notice two weeks after gaining my professional qualification.
“Why give up a promising career in the financial sector to come here?”
Crap. I walked into this one. “I just fancied a change.”
Nate studied me, intrigued. “Intelligence and beauty—that’s a lethal combination.” His eyes clouded, narrowing as they ran over me, his lips parting to allow for his deep inhalation of air.
The sultry perusal made me feel naked, like he’d scorched all my clothes off with the glow from his eyes. That warmth I’d previously experienced seemed like a chill compared to the heat now blazing throughout my body.
Abruptly, Nate stood. “Let’s go for a walk.”
WE kicked off our shoes and made our way down a narrow strip of sand weaving through a sloping scrub embankment to the beach below. It was quiet, with only a few people enjoying the late afternoon sun.
I glanced sideways, watching Nate take lazy strides along the wet sand, leaving footprints waiting to be washed away by the foam occasionally lapping at our feet. I was too wrapped up in the moment to care if my jeans got wet. He appeared happy and content, comfortable in his own skin. Something I hadn’t been for a long time.
Gentle slopes gave way to higher cliffs the further we went along the waters’ edge, until a point in the distance where the rocky terrain stretched out and met the ocean.
“There are some great hiking tracks up there.” Nate’s voice startled me from my daydream. He pointed ahead to the headland I’d been admiring. “The view from the top is unbelievable.”
“I can imagine. Do you go up there often?” I curled a strand of windswept hair behind my ear.
“Sometimes. It’s a great place to clear your head,” he said wistfully.
We stopped and sat, partly shaded by the massive boulder. I stretched my legs out and leant back on my hands. The beach was a place I always found soothing, somewhere to sit for hours daydreaming, letting time pass me by.
“You’re very quiet,” Nate said, mirroring my pose. His fingers grazed mine, but neither of us moved.
“I think I’m being seduced by the view.”
His lips curled, as though thinking of a private joke at my expense. “I had a feeling you’d like it here.”
I smiled wryly. “I’m sure I’m not the first you’ve brought here to impress.”
Hurt flashed across his face, and I instantly felt guilty. “It is wonderful, though,” I quickly added. “Thank you for showing me.”
He smiled softly. “Ever surfed before?” He nodded to a small group of people bobbing up and down on boards in the ocean, trying to catch a wave.
“No, I don’t like going too far from shore.”
He tilted his head as his lips turned downwards. “Can you swim?”
“Yes,” I nodded, shielding my eyes from the sun’s glare. “I’m just scared not knowing what’s swimming around me.”
Nate’s genuine laughter prompted a wry smile through my embarrassment. “Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back,” he reasoned. It was an apt statement, considering our circumstances.
“Would you let me take you out there?” He bumped shoulders with me. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I giggled at his playful nature. “We’ll see.”
“If Mel lets me take my little goddaughter out there, I must be trustworthy, right?” he grinned. “Though, come to think of it, that’s our secret. She’d probably kill me if she knew.”
It was difficult reconciling the ruthless businessman with a carefree young man, a doting uncle with a strong presence in his family’s life. It was another layer of normality I hadn’t anticipated.
“I can’t believe how quiet it is.” I lowered onto my forearms and tipped my head back, savouring the warmth from the setting sun.
“It’s a great place to escape from unwelcome attention or prying camera lenses.”
Nate quickly turned away when I caught him studying me intently. Tucking my chin into the nook of my shoulder, I watched him survey the ocean, blinking in the sunlight. “Do you get that a lot?”
“Occasionally. I like to keep my private life exactly that—private. Being photographed at events and so on is all part of the job. So far, I’ve managed to keep other stories out of the spotlight.” Nate moved into an upright position, folding his arms across his bent knees. His voice roughened. “The interest in my personal life pisses me off at times.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, his loose shirt rippling in the breeze.
“You’ve been labelled one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.” I sat, brushing sand off my hands. “What, or who you’re doing has to make for some interesting stories for the tabloids.”
Nate turned sharply, examining me with questioning eyes.
“Plus, I bet you take a great photo.” I smiled nervously back at him. Well, that’s one way of telling him how hot he is.
Nate scanned my face suspiciously, then nodded in the direction of his house. “We should head back.”
He stood, offering both hands to help me up. That familiar spark spurred through our fingers, scattering the same rush of heat up my arms and across my skin as the first time we touched. Nate hauled me up a little too heavy-handedly and I stumbled forward. My hands went out, fingers curling around solid biceps that flexed at my touch. I blinked up, taking a deep breath as I met his gaze.
Standing in his arms, close enough to see the fire blazing in his eyes, caused a riot of sensations to weave through every part of my being. He was just so…there.
“Kara,” Nate whispered, reaching for my face.
“Don’t.” I shook my head, pushing him away. I started off back to the house, needing the distance to clear my thoughts.
“You okay?” he asked softly when he caught me up.
“Give me a minute. I’ll be fine.” I smoothed both trembling hands over my neck, trying to ease the imaginary pressure. Even though I’d panicked, I longed for Nate’s touch on my skin. Gentle fingertips that could banish the last of my demons. There was no explanation for my body’s reaction to him. The more I tried fighting the attraction, the stronger it became.
The stroll back was in silence. The rolling swell of the ocean was therapeutic, lulling repetitively back and forth, easing my mind. By the time we reached the path I’d regained my composure.
Nate cautiously slipped his hand into mine to help me back up, and I accepted his silent reassurance without a fight. The rush I got from that tiny connection—our fingers entwining together—made me reluctant to let go as we crossed the lawn. He was taking control, luring me in, and my resolve was weakening.
“Look at this.” Nate turned me to face the ocean. Dusk settled across the sky as the sun melted into the water, the lights of a plane taking off from LAX twinkling in the distance. Streaks of orange and gold blurred into the blue haze of the ocean in the most spectacular sunset.
“Wow, it’s so pretty.” A shiver of excitement ran through me when I caught the darkness in Nate’s eyes. My hand gripped his harder as the effect of his command surged through me.
“Fuck, I can’t hold back any longer.” Nate tugged me closer, cradling my face as he angled his, and pressed soft lips to mine. They were warm, burning me, pushing heat through my body and setting me on fire for him. I let out a small moan when he grazed his teeth over my lower lip. “More,” he rasped, exerting a little more pressure. “Give me more.”
My hands went to his hips as I surrendered, unable to resist him any longer.
He tasted divine, his mouth sweet, his tongue hot and tender as it licked into mine. One hand came to my lower back, pressing me into his solid frame until there was nothing between us. His heart raged against my chest, the same frantic rhythm as my own.
This was what I unknowingly needed. What I’d been waiting for all afternoon.
He kissed confidently, skilfully, and took his time not to rush, knowing there would be plenty more chances to discover me again. Lost in him, I found the hem of his shirt and without thinking, slipped my hands beneath it. The tensing of his torso and the small shudder and groan that moved through him had me wanting to explore more. With fingertips either side of his spine, I slid my hands up, feeling the defined muscles of his back, picturing it in my mind.
Nate’s hand moved over the curve of my arse and gently squeezed, pushing me into him so I felt his erection.
“No!” I jerked away, lowering my eyes to the ground.
“What’s wrong?” he rasped, barely audible through rapid breaths.
“I can’t do this.” I covered my face, mortified by my actions. Nate peeled my hands away, forcing my eyes up to meet his. My heart was pounding furiously as I took some steadying gasps of air. “God, I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Nate anxiously ran a hand through his hair. “Doing what you’ve tried denying you wanted from the moment we met?”
This had to stop now before we both got carried away in the heat of the moment. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
The corners of those enticingly blue eyes creased as his smile reached them. “Have I asked you to?”
“No, but—” I felt stupid standing here in front of him, conscious of the mixed signals I was giving. Having my hands all over him and kissing him back so responsively—he must know I wanted him.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to. But if that’s all this was about,” he murmured, eyes gleaming mischievously, “we’d have tangled up my bedsheets hours ago.”
The way he stared at me with such conviction, along with his sureness of himself, and us, excited me.
“You can’t deny the attraction, Kara.” His fingertips grazed my cheek as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You want it, too. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”
Nate was right. I had come back for more. I was lost, struggling with my emotions. “Everything about you is so…overwhelming.” For the first time in almost a year, I’d found someone I was actually interested in. But Nate wanted nothing beyond sex. “You know this can’t work. We’re expecting completely different outcomes.”
His expression softened as he ran a thumb along my jaw. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
I frowned as I scanned his face, noting his own bewilderment. Why continue the pursuit if he didn’t think we’d work out?
“I don’t want to become a woman whose face you won’t even remember in a few weeks’ time.”
“You never could be,” he assured quietly. “You’re the only woman I’ve considered having more with in a long time. I know I came on strong at the beginning. It was a mistake, I realise that now.” His expression saddened his eyes. “But, uncomplicated is all I’ve known lately, all I’ve allowed myself to have. It’s difficult to change that overnight.”
I turned, wondering why Nate believed he was so unworthy of emotional intimacy, and faced the ocean. His hand crossed my back and settled on my hip, his head nuzzling mine. The breeze blew over me as I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. The salty sea air blended with the woody hues of shower gel from this complicated man beside me.
“Listen, I’m away on business the next few days. Use our time apart to really think about what you want.”
I’d do nothing but think about him. “I do like you, Nate.”
“That’s good to know,” he said playfully, tucking me into his side. “Hate to think you kissed men you didn’t like that way.”
I was grateful we had the long drive back to the city before having to say goodbye.
“Are you still okay with the top down?” Nate asked as he climbed into the car.
“I like it,” I told him, clipping up my seatbelt, noting he locked the doors.
“Say if you get cold. I’ll put the seat warmer on.”
“Heated seats?” I don’t know why I was surprised. The Bentley was top of the range; of course it had all the latest mod-cons.
“Second thoughts, don’t want you getting sick.” As we drove away from the house, a stream of warm air steadily emitted through the seat cushion around my neck.
“Hmm, this is nice,” I murmured, snuggling into the seat. “It makes me sleepy.”
“Be my guest.” Nate’s eyes glinted mischievously to match his smile. There was no way I’d be falling asleep. “There’s a built-in massager if you really want to relax.”
“Are you talking about yourself, Mr Blake?”
He laughed loudly as he concentrated on the road and shook his head. “No, though ask me nicely,” he purred, “I’ll be more than willing to oblige.”
I grinned. “You keep your obliging hands on the steering wheel, thank you.”
Nate reached over and squeezed my knee, sending a thrill up the inside of my leg. I clenched my thighs together, hoping to appease the throbbing. His fingers were long, and I was certain they would be exceptionally talented. I covered his hand with mine and switched them to the armrest between us because I couldn’t stand having it on me, imagining it creeping up my thigh and doing all sorts of naughty things to me.
Old Motown music played quietly in the background. When a particular song started, I burst into laughter. “Let’s Get it On?” I snorted. “Did you choose that on purpose?”
“No, it’s on shuffle.” Nate glanced sideways, grinning. “I swear.” Slipping his hand from beneath mine, he went to change the music.
“Leave it. It’s good.”
We settled into a comfortable silence. Occasionally, Nate removed his hand to drive, but always placed it straight back into mine. Once or twice I caught him peering across at me, a shy smile on his face. My heart soared every time.
It was dark when we arrived at my apartment. We walked up to the glass doors of my building hand in hand. I stopped on the step and faced him. “Thank you for keeping it casual today.”
“My pleasure.”
The force of his stare made me look away as my gaze dropped to our feet.
“Hey,” he said, cupping my face, forcing my eyes back up, “don’t over complicate this. Go with what’s in your heart.”
I laughed quietly. “My heart and head never listen to each other.”
The concern in Nate’s eyes abated as his thumbs gently stroked my cheeks. “So don’t think, just feel.”
Right now, I wanted to feel those lips on mine again. Tentatively, I placed my hands on his waist and let my eyes drift deliberately to his parted lips, willing them closer as I offered up my mouth.
He obliged with a kiss as tender as the first, only this time there was a reverence, a level of affection in it that blew my mind. “See me again,” he pleaded quietly against my ear, “let me take you to dinner.”
I hugged him harder, the only way to demonstrate how much I wanted him to. Nate breathed me in, then all too quickly released me from his embrace. I dug my keys from my bag and swiped the fob to unlock the doors.
“Goodnight.” I glanced sideways and saw his glorious face now marred with concern.
Nate pushed the door and held it open. “I’ll call you Wednesday.”
I locked my apartment door and slid to the floor, my mind racing with a million unasked and unanswered questions. Nate was great company, so much so, that for a while I forgot myself. Forgot my fears and inhibitions and allowed myself to live. I touched my lips, reminded of his gentleness, and drew my knees to my chest to calm the scattering butterflies in my belly.
His kisses were designed to tease, a hint of how good the sex would be. I longed to feel him all over my body, his sinful mouth exploring every piece of flesh. And I was desperate to do the same to him.
After showering, I sank into bed. Antique furniture filled the room, and the Baroque wrought iron king bed was my favourite piece. The dusky pinks and champagne tones gave the sense of calm and serenity I’d been hoping for when I chose the accessories for my haven.
My phone spun through my fingers for a good five minutes whilst I debated whether to text Nate. Finally, I caved: THANK U AGAIN. SAFE TRIP X
I lay there, listening to my own steady breaths until the buzz of my phone startled me: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS X
What were my instincts saying? I was undeniably drawn to Nate. His sexy smile reeling me in, daring me to discover what was hiding behind those smouldering eyes.
What happened with Stuart was the result of a weak man. He’d let his own insecurities and jealousy take over our relationship until it destroyed us. Destroyed me.
Nate was strong. Even if I hadn’t known him long enough to trust him, I knew enough to trust my intuition.
He was different.