by Soraya Lane
Faith forced herself to meet his gaze, watching his mouth open like he was about to protest before he clamped his jaw shut again. It only took a second, a moment for him to look her in the eye and then focus on her skin again, before the darkness in his face exploded around them.
“Who the hell did that to you?” Nate’s voice was so quiet, so menacing, that it was more terrifying than if he’d have yelled.
Before she could answer, he stepped into her space, so close to her that she could hardly breathe, his big body the only thing she could see as he towered over her.
Faith glanced down herself, saw how ugly the purple bruise looked against her skin. Nate was peering at her stomach, his eyebrows bunched together and his fists clenched at his sides.
“I asked you who did this, Faith? Was it that scumbag boyfriend?”
She watched Nate clench his fists into tight balls, and one glance up at him told her she’d managed to make him angrier than she’d ever seen him before. It was just Nate, though; she knew he’d never hurt her, that he’d always look after her. Faith gulped, wishing he didn’t look like he was about to hurt something.
“Yeah, it was,” she managed.
Nate stepped back, running a hand through his hair before folding his arms across his chest.
“I’ll kill him, Faith,” he murmured, words almost too quiet to hear. “I’ll make him wish he’d never laid a goddamn hand on you. No one hits you and gets away with it, you hear me? No one.”
She took a deep, shaky breath, wrapping her arms about herself, not sure what else to do. Maybe she shouldn’t have come here, shouldn’t have been honest with Nate about what had happened. Something told her that he maybe was capable of doing what he’d just threatened, and she didn’t need that on her conscience. Just like she didn’t need to be faced with violence right now after what she’d been through.
“I was just so sure Sam was wrong about him,” she said, instinctively touching where he’d hurt her. “I guess he was right, though, huh?”
Nate stepped forward and touched her hand, guiding her top down, before putting his palms on her shoulders and staring hard into her eyes. He was easily a head taller than her, but he’d angled his body so they were almost level, his decadent brown eyes so full of unexpected kindness that it almost made her cry. But she wasn’t ever going to shed another tear again, not where any man was concerned. She’d done the one thing she’d always sworn she’d never do, and that was fall for the same kind of man her mom had. But Faith sure as hell wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.
“I will make him pay for this, Faith,” Nate muttered. “Sam told me he was a jerk, but I figured he was just being overprotective. Seriously, I’m going to make him regret ever laying a hand on you, and that’s a promise.”
“No, you’re not Nate, but I like the fact you want to protect me. If I told Sam he’d just lose it, and the last thing I need is you or him ending up in jail trying to look after me.”
“There’s one thing I’m good at, Faith, and that’s keeping my word. He won’t ever hurt you again, you hear me?” His low chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “And don’t worry about me going to jail. I might be hotheaded, but I’m also careful.”
Faith let Nate tuck her against him when he tugged her forward, relaxing into the warmth of his body. His cologne smelled like citrus and she just shut her eyes and inhaled, knew that he would never turn her away now. Nate’s big arms held her tight, his torso hard against her chest. His embrace was firm yet soft, her frame snug against his in a hold that she knew would be so easy to never pull away from.
She knew what everyone said about him, that he was Mr. Love ’Em and Leave ’Em, but she didn’t care. Nate might have bedded half the women in Texas, but he’d always treated her with respect, and right now that respect went a long way. But there was something dangerous about him, something that made her think he just might try to kill her son of a bitch ex. And right now, as much as she was loath to admit it, the idea was kind of comforting. She might not want him to actually commit murder, but the fact that Nate was prepared to do anything to protect her was kind of comforting in a weird sort of way.
“Tell me what happened, Faith. Tell me everything,” Nate said when he finally let go of her and pulled away. “I want to know exactly what he did to you, every last detail.”
She sat down, this time on the same sofa. She’d shown him her bruise and that meant Nate expected answers.
“It’s been getting worse for a while, drinking, all the usual stuff. But this time he got so drunk and I couldn’t get out of his way when I realized what was about to happen. I just still can’t believe that after all the years of counting down to get out of Dad’s house I went and fell for the same kind of man.” She took a big breath and looked out at the horses that’d come closer to the house, needing the distraction as she was forced to relive what had happened. “He punched me hard in the stomach, and then pinned me by the arms. He just kept on yelling that he’d seen me with another guy, that I was a bitch, that he’d make sure no other man would ever want me. He’d never laid a hand on me before, and I wasn’t going to hang around for him to do it again.” She took a big breath, needing a moment to gather her thoughts. “Nate, you have to believe me that I never would have moved in with him if I’d thought he’d hurt me. I honestly thought we had a future together.”
Nate took her hand and squeezed it, but the softness of his touch wasn’t matched by the look on his face. His eyes were as dark as a thundercloud.
“Screw what your brother thinks,” Nate muttered. “If you want to stay here, you’re welcome for as long as you want. But you need to tell him what happened, because if you don’t, I will.” A smile played across his lips. “Or maybe I’ll tell him after I make that asshole pay for what he did,” Nate said in a low voice.
“I’m scared of what he’ll do if he finds out. Sam’s not like you; he could just freak out and do something stupid. You know how he is when it comes to me.”
Nate’s laugh was ice-cold. “Sugar, I’ll make sure Sam keeps his head. When I tell him that I’ve got it under control, he’ll trust me.”
“Really?” It meant a lot to her, having Nate in her corner. He had a reputation for being fiercely loyal to the few people close to him.
Nate put his boots up on the low table and smiled over at her. “You don’t have to be my housekeeper to stay, Faith. I made a promise to your brother years ago that I’d always look out for you, and that I’d, ah, well, never . . .” He laughed, shaking his head. “Let’s just say he made it very clear that his little sister was off-limits. To me, anyway.”
Faith shook her head. All those years of trying to make Nate notice her and he’d made a vow not to touch her? Typical. It sure as hell would have been nice to know that particular fact when she was seventeen. Instead she’d wondered what the hell was wrong with her that Nate King didn’t so much as look at her when she’d tried so damn hard to catch his eye.
“I appreciate the offer, but if I’m staying here I want to earn my keep.” It wasn’t like she wanted to work as a housekeeper, but she was short of cash and it was the only way she could pay her way.
“You’re sure about that?” The slight upturn of his lips told her that he found her offer amusing, and it annoyed her—she wasn’t afraid of hard work and she’d prove him wrong if that’s what he thought.
She turned to Nate, smiling straight back at him. “Oh, I’m sure. I fully intend making everyone in my life proud one day, I’ve got big dreams, and I want to know that I stood on my own two feet to get there.”
“There’s just one condition, then,” Nate said.
“What’s that?” she asked.
She could see exactly how he managed to bed so many women—that dimple alone was probably enough to get some girls stripping their clothes off. If she didn’t know him so well, she’d have thought he was making a move just with his stare alone, the way he was sitting too close, hard thigh brushing hers. Or may
be he just didn’t know how to turn the sex appeal off.
“If my brother Chase so much as looks at you, feel free to give him a bloody nose. You’d be doing me a favor.”
Heat flooded her body, warmed every inch of her. Because for a moment there, she’d wondered if he was going to suggest an entirely different type of condition.
“Aren’t both your brothers married?”
“I still don’t trust them. Not one damn bit.”
Chapter 2
Nate signaled for his secretary to enter his office. He slid her a considering look. She was an attractive woman, no doubt about it. For weeks he’d been ignoring the way she fluttered her lashes at him, but now he was starting to wonder if she’d be a good distraction. He needed one. Bad. He didn’t usually like to mix business with pleasure, but ever since he’d held Faith in his arms… He pushed the thought away. The more he told himself she was off-limits, the more he seemed to want her in his bed, and now that she was staying in his house he wasn’t convinced his willpower alone was going to keep him from doing something he’d regret. Or at least he’d regret it if her brother ever found out.
“Any word on the Landcorp acquisition?” The company Nate was now CEO for had been in his family for three generations. The Kings were the biggest landowners in Texas, and since Nate had become more involved he’d expanded their commercial holdings in New York and Las Vegas.
Right now he was negotiating a big deal on a new acquisition, and he wanted it closed and done.
His assistant shook her head. “There were no calls while you were out, except for Alison Roberts, who asked--”
“Tell her I’m away on business.” It didn’t seem to matter how clear he made it that he was only interested in sex, not a relationship—women like Alison just kept on trying to talk him into something more serious. “And get Wilson at Landcorp on the phone.”
“Yes, Mr. King.”
He grimaced at the title—it was bittersweet. His grandfather was Mr. King, and now Nate was sitting in his granddad’s office and taking over the role he’d held for almost forty years while he battled for his life. Nate was proud that he believed in his eldest grandson enough to let him take the reins, but if it had meant keeping his grandfather at his side, Nate would have happily stayed second in command for a whole lot longer. They were a close family, and the thought of it being just the three of them without their granddad was a tough pill to swallow.
Nate’s direct line lit up red signaling his assistant had the Landcorp associate on the phone, and he picked up immediately.
“Do we have a deal yet?” he demanded.
“We’re close but--”
Dammit. “Fifteen million, Wilson. It’s our final offer, take it or leave it. If you say no to me now I’m moving on to something else.”
There was silence at the other end and it made him smile. He loved this. The land was worth at least a few million more, but he had them over a barrel and they knew it. He loved the adrenaline rush of closing a deal, the feel of his heart thumping hard, blood rushing through his body.
“Done.” Wilson sounded a bit strangled but said, “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. King.”
Nate grinned, knowing that the man hated dealing with him. He’d personally seen the look on Wilson’s face when he’d been in New York. “Send the documents over. I’ll have them signed as soon as they arrive and the funds will be deposited immediately.”
He hung up and reached for his iPhone, still smiling as he dialed a number that he’d hardly ever had need to look up, one his grandfather had always kept on file just in case they ever had a serious problem that needed to be dealt with. Nate flicked through a few papers that he almost knew from memory as he listened to the phone ring, poring over the oil-drilling information as he waited.
“Nathaniel?”
Nate dropped the papers, his focus shifting. “I have a situation that I need you to handle. You have someone for the job?”
“We talking a hit? ’Cause that ain’t something I can organize quickly.”
Nate leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath as he thought about the bruising on Faith’s otherwise flawless golden skin. Tempting. It would be all too easy to just have that asshole taken out, permanently, but Nate needed to keep his head. And besides, he never went for the easy option. If he was going to do something physical about her ex, Nate would be doing it with his bare hands, because he wanted to look him in the eye before he beat the shit out of him, and make sure he never touched Faith or any other woman ever again.
“I just want someone to tail the guy,” he said, keeping his voice low. “See what he’s up to, find out where he goes, what he does, if he’s been in trouble with the law before. I want to handle the rest of it myself.” Nate gave him the details of Faith’s ex. He knew where he worked, which meant it wouldn’t be hard to find out more.
“I’ll be in touch.”
Nate dropped his phone on to his desk and crossed the room to pour himself a whiskey. He looked out at the view and downed it. Sometimes he got so caught up in what he was doing that he didn’t take time to appreciate what he had and the role he’d stepped into. And besides, he needed to take a few minutes at this time of the day. Once he was done it was time for his daily visit with his granddad, and then Nate was going to have to practice that little thing that he’d been lacking since puberty called self-control.
Faith poured herself another glass of wine and turned up the music. She had the house to herself while Nate was at work, and she wanted to have something nice cooked for dinner when he returned. She hadn’t expected him to say yes to her staying so willingly, and she wasn’t going to give him an excuse to go back on his word. When she’d offered to be his housekeeper, it hadn’t been an empty promise—she was going to work hard to prove that she deserved the job, not to mention the roof over her head. Her dream wasn’t to be cleaning and cooking for someone else, but she hadn’t finished school yet, so it wasn’t like she could be picky.
She walked into the massive pantry behind the kitchen, flicking the light and looking around. It was bigger than most kitchens, but that was the only impressive thing about it. There was hardly anything in there, except for a heap of empty containers and some canned goods. Faith walked back out to the main kitchen, poking her head inside the fridge. It wasn’t much better in there—a lot of alcohol, some basics, and very little else.
Given the fact that she didn’t have a car, she was kind of stuck. They were going to end up eating a couple of cans of baked beans if she didn’t figure out a way to come by some ingredients. She wondered if Nate would mind if she borrowed one of the cars to run to the store. There were several sets of keys on hooks beside the door in the kitchen, and she doubted he’d give a damn about her taking anything for a spin.
“I’m home!”
Faith grinned as Nate’s deep voice boomed down the hall. Saved by the rancher.
“When you said you urgently required a housekeeper, you weren’t kidding,” she said as she listened to his footfalls on the timber floor.
“Is the place that filthy?”
“No, it’s that empty,” she replied, her smile widening when she saw what he was carrying. “Pizza?”
He set the box on the counter. “Granddad was asleep when I went to the hospital to visit, so I decided to grab some dinner instead. You like pizza, right?”
“Is that even a real question?” Faith put down her wine and opened the fridge. “You want a beer?”
He nodded and sat down at the counter, opening the box and pulling out a slice of pepperoni. She glanced at him as he undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing tanned skin and a sprinkling of dark hair. She turned away. There was no doubting she’d always been attracted to Nate, but after what had happened she didn’t even want to think about being intimate with another man just yet.
“So when you said the place was empty . . . ?” Nate asked.
Faith returned with a beer and leaned forward to
take a slice. “I’m guessing you eat a lot of takeout, because there’s nothing in the fridge or pantry. How long has your housekeeper been gone?”
“She retired a couple of months ago. Mrs. T did all my cooking and cleaning for me, so I eat out a lot now. Or I order in. Either way, it doesn’t involve me in the kitchen.”
“Well, I wanted to cook something nice to say thank you, but when I couldn’t find enough ingredients for anything I was starting to contemplate taking a car and heading to the grocery store.” Faith took another bite of pizza as she watched Nate’s face, but he didn’t look surprised. “Am I right in thinking you wouldn’t have minded?” she asked when he didn’t say anything, guessing he couldn’t care less.
“Depends which one you’d taken,” he replied with a grin. “I’m kidding. They’re all insured, so help yourself. You want to head to the store tomorrow, take the Range Rover.”
Faith laughed. She was used to driving a beat-up truck—and still would be if it hadn’t just broken down on her—and tomorrow she’d be able to cruise around in a vehicle that probably cost more than the house she’d grown up in.
“Thanks for all this,” Faith said, reaching for her wine and toying with the stem of the glass. And it wasn’t just being able to stay that she was grateful for. Knowing that he was protecting her was comforting, and she liked how safe she felt at his house.
“It’s just pizza.”
His throaty laugh sent a chill down her spine and she couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“Look, I’ve known you since you were a little girl, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to help you or Sam,” Nate said. “I just don’t want to cause a rift, because we both know that your brother will flip when he finds you came to me instead of him. But I think of you as a sister, Faith. I always have.”
For years she’d tried to get Nate’s attention, and nothing had worked. When she’d been younger, it had upset her that a man with such a bad reputation where women were concerned wouldn’t so much as look at her, but she’d convinced herself that it was because he thought of her as a little girl instead of a young woman. Given their history, she doubted Sam would be that upset. Nate hadn’t stepped out of line once where she was concerned, no matter what she’d done to show him that she was all grown-up. She was the one who’d had a problem with the boundaries between them.
