by M. Clarke
“Me too,” I added. “So, Josh, what are you going to do while we’re away?”
Josh gripped his glass and took a gulp. “I’ll probably get some needed sleep.” He snorted. “I also have a weekend photo shoot for M. Knight men’s wear.”
“How about any social plans, a date, visiting family?” I asked, trying to get more information out of him. He was always terse with his answers, and to have him talk about himself was like pulling teeth.”
He waggled his eyebrows, and then lifted only one eyebrow like he did so well, cracking me up. “Don’t you want to know?”
“Yes, Josh. I want to know for Isla’s sake,” I wanted to say but didn’t. Instead, I changed the subject.
“Mom, I’ll be in New York for one week, and then Nate and I are going to visit his parents. I’ll be back by Christmas.”
Mom leaned forward, stopping her fork midway to the chicken. Her eyes widened and lit up. “You are? That’s wonderful. Does this mean...” She stopped when I kicked her feet under the table.
I knew where she was going next. If I didn’t stop her, she would ask if it meant Nate and I were getting married. To her, visiting the guy’s parents meant just that.
“I mean...sure. That’ll be great.” She finished.
After dinner we had key lime pie. This time, she made sure to bake his favorite dessert.
“This tastes so good,” Isla gushed, savoring little bites at a time.
“You’ve been keeping this heaven from me, Olivia,” Josh scolded playfully.
“That’s mine,” Nate said, sounding like a big kid claiming his prize.
“It isn’t any more,” Josh stated.
Isla stared at Josh’s tongue sliding on and off the piece he had poked with his fork. Her jaw dropped and lust poured out of her eyes.
I tapped Isla on her arm, breaking her away, and smiled when she turned to me. Busted. She dipped her head down and shook it. I understood why she couldn’t tell Josh she wanted to be more than friends, but maybe I had it all wrong. The chaos Nate and I went through had changed me. I was still young and learning how to make a successful relationship, but I didn’t think anything happened easily. We all had to fail in order to learn. It made us stronger and wiser to appreciate what we lost and then found again.
If I knew a little bit about Josh’s background, I could help Isla get closer to him. But Josh protected himself with a steel wall. What are you hiding, Josh? I wanted to remind him we were all good friends and that we’d keep his secrets safe, if he had any. Of course, I was assuming a lot of things, but the mystery around him made me curious. If only he knew the stories I played in my mind: he was adopted. His family was part of the mafia. He had a secret child. He was a porn star.
Nate reached for my hand under the table, bringing me back to reality, and squeezed it once to tell me he loved me. Then he traced an infinity sign on my palm, bringing back the memories of all the times he had done it. Sending blistering heat and love into my heart, he melted me into a puddle.
“Spend the night with me,” he whispered quickly into my ear so no one could hear.
I shrugged, giving him a hard time, avoiding eye contact. When Nate looked at me with hypnotic eyes, begging me, I could never resist. “I don’t know.”
A soft seductive growl filled my ears. I almost choked on what I hadn’t swallowed. I flinched when Nate’s hand trailed from my knee all the way up my thigh. Then his pinky started rubbing me. Dear God, I was going to get off at the dining table. Luckily Mom was in a heavy conversation with Josh and Isla. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I slapped his hand.
“I was just teasing,” I murmured, leaning closer to him.
He waggled his brows. “And so was I.”
“Anyone want some tea?” Mom broke our private flirtation.
“No, thank you,” everyone said at the same time.
Mom didn’t listen. I’d thought she was heading to the kitchen. Instead, she went to her bedroom and came out with a pen and a stack of five magazines in her arms, as if they were babies. Oh, no. I snickered.
“Before you go home...because I’m letting you take my daughter home with you.” She nudged him, emphasizing she was joking, placed the stack in front of him. “Could you please sign these before you leave? I promised my friends I would get an autograph from you. They wanted to be here and get it signed personally, but I put my foot down.” She beamed a huge smile, as if she was staring at a celebrity. Well, Nate was one after all.
“Sure.” Nate picked up the pen and started to sign when Mom stopped him.
“Wait. I forgot. I need you to personalize it. One is for me.” She showed him all her teeth with that wide smile. “Make the other ones to Charlene, Stacy, Belinda, and Carmen. Thank you.”
Nate bit his lip and moved his pen along. He had no idea, but watching his teeth grind into his lips and the full attention he gave my mom made him swoon worthy.
“There.” Nate looked up to see all four of us gawking at him. He shook his head with a shy smile and shrugged. “It’s just me.”
“To us you are,” Mom said. “But to the rest of the world, you are the sexiest man alive.” She said it like she’d just announced he was the king of the world. Yup, Mom was proud.
Chapter 22
Olivia
I walked into Nate’s apartment, thinking we would go straight to bed from the exhausting day we’d had, but instead he pinned me to the wall and slammed the door with his feet. He devoured me with his lips, and his hands explored everywhere they could touch. When he pulled back for air, his lips trailed to my neck with my hands still pinned against the wall.
“I wanted to do this all day,” He murmured by the side of my ear, sending erotic shivers down my spine. Oh how I loved his kisses, and how they drove me insane.
“There are things I wanted to do to you all day too,” I panted, barely getting the words out. My head pressed against the wall with my eyes closed, taking in the pleasure Nate was giving me.
“Like what?” His tongue dropped deeper into my shirt.
I moaned. My body quivered. Blistering heat and lust rushed through me. My sex throbbed in fire, begging to be released. Dropping my hands from his chest, running them over every curve, muscle, and tightness, I tugged at the hem of his navy blue sweater and yanked it over his head.
Nate’s eyes darkened and rounded, obviously enjoying my animalistic wild side. He reached for me, but I pushed his hands away. Biting my lip, I hooked a finger around his jean pocket loop and pulled him to the sofa. Just before I shoved him, I unbuttoned, unzipped, and pulled down his pants. Nate’s lips spread to a wide grin, and he settled comfortably.
“I want to watch you take off your clothes,” he demanded in a low voice.
Gluing my eyes to his, I crisscrossed my arms and slowly slipped them over my head. Then posing, model that I am, I unhooked my bra and tossed it on his face. Nate groaned, watching me touch my breasts seductively. Then, giving him my back, I wiggled my ass, letting my jeans fall off. When I turned to face him, he had already undressed.
“Come, here,” he growled, lightly stroking his cock, getting ready for me.
I understood why men got a rise from watching women play with themselves, because he turned me on more than ever. He looked so damn hot doing it, and I was losing control.
“Yes, sir,” I answered and straddled him while Nate’s hand cupped my breast.
Crushing my lips to his, our tongues twisted, tasted, and sucked, unable to get enough of each other. I gasped when his hand slid down to my ass. When he pushed with his fingers to part me, the air seeped in and I trembled, not from the cold, but from the enticing ecstasy I could no longer control. Anchoring my hands on the either side of his head on the back top of the sofa, I raised myself and allowed Nate to enter me.
I moaned deeply as his mouth sucked my breast and his hands, still cupping my ass, rocked us back and forth. The more I moved, the harder he thrust.
“Oh, God, Nate.” I barely g
ot the words out as gasps puffed out of my mouth. Gripping his shoulders, I slid up and down his cock, riding him, faster and faster, until my legs were too weak.
Nate growled, squeezing my ass harder. He nipped and sucked anywhere his mouth touched.
“Olie, you’ve got to slow down. I’m not going to last,” he breathed.
“I can’t, Nate. Oh, God.” I arched my back away from him, my hair cascading behind me, away from my face, and tried to move slower just as he asked. Then Nate lifted me off him.
“My turn.” His tone hissed hot and heavy. His words alone unglued me.
I surrendered, having his powerful body over mine, so strong, so damn sexy. My body quivered from his warmth. As he entered me again, he bored his eyes lovingly into mine.
“Olie, Olie, Olie,” he groaned hotly by the side of my neck, pumping harder and faster.
“Oh, Nate.” Panting, every nerve in my body electrified, feeling alive. My pulse skyrocketed, and every inch of me tingled in a heated mess.
A few pearl-dropped beads trickled down Nate’s forehead. I rubbed my thumb across it before they fell, and then I laced all my fingers through his hair before trailing them down his ripped biceps. I dug my fingernails into his back as we came together. Instead of pulling away, Nate held me still. Our bodies rose and fell together, synchronized by the beat of our hearts.
Nate kissed me, flopped over next to me, and held my hand as his lingering panting continued to slow. “That was fuckin’ amazing.”
“It always is,” I huffed out of breath.
Nate pulled me to him, our bodies touching again. “I agree with you.” He planted a kiss on my forehead.
I ran my hand on the smooth curve of his bicep. “I know this sounds strange, but I feel like I never left. Like everything that happened for the past years, didn’t.”
“It doesn’t sound strange. I feel the same way.” Nate brushed my hair back and then stroked my cheeks. “But there’s going to be a change.”
“What?” I asked softly, staring at his beautiful hazel eyes and those long eyelashes.
“I’m buying a house.”
“What? Really? Why? When?” I stammered with a bunch of questions. A sudden uneasiness came over me.
“It all started when you left,” he sighed. “I didn’t want to be here anymore. There were too many memories. And the fact that my income was flourishing was another factor. It feels too small, and it’s about time we move to better things anyway.”
“When do you move?”
“Assuming escrow closes on time, a week after the new year.”
“That’s right around the corner. Are you moving far?”
Nate trailed his hand from my hair to my shoulder, giving me warm chills. “Santa Monica. It’s not a new home, but it’s been remolded. It’s about a five-thousand-square-foot home with five bedrooms. The kitchen is huge with a large living area to entertain. It even has a swimming pool and a spacious backyard, which is hard to find these days. I’ll take you to see it.”
My eyes lit up. “Sure. When?”
“Before we fly to New York. Or if we don’t have time, we can afterward.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I frowned. “I’m going to miss this place.”
“Me too,” Nate said, glancing around. “It’s small but cozy.”
I bit my tongue, knowing I shouldn’t ask the question nagging me, but I did anyway, even knowing Kelly most likely spent the nights there. I inhaled a breath. “Did, Kelly stay here? I mean...I’m sure she came over. You know what, never mind. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business, and you had every right to bring who ever you wanted here.”
Nate parted his lips into a grin, flashing his pearly teeth. How he could have beautiful teeth too was so unfair. He didn’t answer me right away; instead, he killed me with the anticipation. Bad Nate! Then he finally answered.
“You are the only woman that ever stayed or spent the night. No, Kelly never spent the night here. She didn’t even set her foot inside our apartment.”
My eyes grew in disbelief, but when I saw the seriousness of his face, I knew he was telling me the truth. “She never...I mean...wow...” I couldn’t finish my words because he broke my heart. Not because he did anything to hurt me, but because even though I already knew, it showed how much he truly loved me. How much I meant to him even after I shattered his heart. And to think I almost lost him— that would have been devastating. I didn’t know it back then, but I had learned Nate was the one in a million type of man you don’t let go when you find him. I was back at the rooftop again. But this time, I ached with happiness.
Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn’t look at him. But Nate, being the wonderful and sensitive to my needs kind of man, wiped them just as they fell, and then he embraced me with all of him. I didn’t have to say a word. He understood my tears.
“Want to go to bed now?” he asked after I finally managed to meet his gaze.
I snuggled closer, wrapping my legs and arms around him like a blanket. “Let’s just lie here for a bit.”
His long relaxed breath brushed against my hair. How I have missed that sound, the feel. “Do you still have the Taser I bought you?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I want you to take that with you to New York. In fact, you should have it in your purse at all times. Is it working?”
“Yup, I almost used it on Troy.” I giggled but frowned thinking of that bastard. Matthew had asked him to write an apology letter to me, but frankly, I didn’t want any contact at all from him. I wanted him out of my life, never to be seen again.
Nate didn’t laugh like I thought he would. “Why?” He pulled away to see my face, concern lining his forehead with deep creases. “Did he hurt you? Don’t lie to me, Olie.”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “No. He never hurt me. He yelled at me but never laid a finger on me abusively.”
His frown deepened with anxiety. His eyes in rage. “I know Matthew told us he would take care of it, and professionally that’s how we’re supposed to handle this situation, but I swear Olie, if he even looks at you, I’m going to kill him. I don’t care about my job. I don’t give a fuck about my reputation. You’re everything to me.”
I knew Nate hated Troy as much as I did, and in the heat of the moment, he was lashing out in anger. Hopefully he didn’t really mean he would kill Troy. Just in case, I had to reason with him.
“Nate.” I placed my hand on his face. “Thank you for being there for me. But don’t do anything to jeopardize your future, because that’ll make Troy happy. I need you here with me, not inside a jail. Think about that. But I’m sure everything will be fine.” I hoped.
Nate growled softly. “I should have never let you go. Then this would’ve never happened. It would—”
I pressed my finger on his lips. “We can’t change the past. Don’t dwell on it. And none of this was your fault or mine. It just happened. Couples break up all the time, go out with other people, and then get back together or not. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters, right?”
Nate gave me his signature grin and pressed his body to mine. “Why, Olie, you’ve grown in the years we’ve been apart, wiser and more beautiful than I remember.”
I waved a hand and clicked my tongue, taking the compliment. “Well, I was young and naïve then. The years apart have made me stronger and smarter. And I’ll take the beautiful as well.”
Nate started to tickle me.
“Nate, stop.” I giggled, bracing myself against his wiggling fingers.
When he wouldn’t stop, I managed to get on top of him again. His eyes darted to my breasts lustfully.
“Let’s go to bed.” His eyes darkened, and I knew “go to bed” meant more than sleep. Before I could say a word, Nate lifted me. My legs anchored around his hips, supported by his hands gripping my ass. “Round two,” he whispered hotly in my ear.
Chapter 23
Nathan
Olie and Isla’s
apartment was just as small and cozy as mine, as expected from the location in Manhattan, except theirs had two bedrooms. With hardwood floors and simple furniture, it had a homey, warm feel with a light feminine touch. A few green plants were shelved in the back with books, and a colorful rug brought out the darkness of the sofas.
“Nice place.” I set our luggage off to the side.
Isla’s red hair bounced on her way to the kitchen, followed by Olie. “It’s comfortable,” Isla said. “The rent is too expensive for this size. We could probably get a bigger place in LA.”
“It depends.” I shoved my hands inside my pockets and gazed at a couple of paintings on the wall as I waited Olie for to bring me a bottle of water.
“Here you go.” Olie handed me the bottle with the cap twisted off.
“Thanks.” I gulped about half of it. After wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I handed it back to her.
“You really were thirsty,” she commented and placed it on the table. “So, that’s Isla’s room.” She pointed to her right, closest to the front door. “You don’t want to go in there.” She leaned closer. “Isla is messy.”
I nodded in understanding.
“And the other one is mine.”
Olie picked up a suitcase, but I stopped her. “I got it. What are boyfriends for if not to use them?” I winked.
“So we’re at boyfriend and girlfriend status. Sounds like I’m back in high school,” she teased.
“Hey.” Isla rushed out of the kitchen. “If you don’t have plans for dinner, Michelle and Darcy want to meet Nathan.” Her eyes widened. “I meant with Olie too.”
Olie rolled her eyes playfully. “You mean they want to have dinner with the sexiest man alive.” Then she looked at me, silently asking me for my permission.
I shrugged. “Why not? We have to eat.”
