“I was embarrassed, Nate. I never told you I was poor because it wasn’t something I wanted people to know. At Northwestern, I was surrounded by students who seemed rich compared to me. I didn’t want anyone looking down on me or treating me differently.”
Nate knew she hadn’t had much money by her clothes. She didn’t have many and most looked as if she’d had them awhile. But he hadn’t cared. He fell in love with her kindness and compassion for others, and how special she made him feel.
“How does Isaac fit into all of this?”
Liberty fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse, and swallowed hard before looking at him. “Isaac showed up in the parking lot of the restaurant while I was on the phone with Demi.”
“How convenient,” Nate grumbled and turned away, running his hand over his hair and down to the back of his neck.
“You have to understand. He caught me at a time when I was at a loss for what to do. He already knew some of my history and my family’s struggles from when we dated. He had often talked about us getting married and becoming a power couple like his parents. I’ll admit, back then I did fantasize about what it would be like not to worry about money.
“The night of the phone call, he drove me to my apartment. He told me there’s no reason my parents or I needed to struggle financially. That he could help with everything, including getting them into a house, getting my father a flexible job, taking care of hospital bills, and setting up a college fund for my sister. That’s when he came up with the idea that we get married.”
Nate narrowed his eyes. “You honestly believe that he just happened to come up with that idea on a fly? If you didn’t love him, I’m assuming this was a marriage of convenience and you had to sign something.”
She nodded. “I had to sign a contract.”
“When did he give you the document to sign?”
Liberty glanced down at her hands. “The next morning.”
Nate paced the length of the room, wanting to throw something at the wall, and too pissed to listen to any more. Before they had started dating exclusively, Liberty had told him that she broke things off with Isaac because he had a mean streak. Yet, she ended up marrying the guy anyway.
“You know what? I can’t do this. I thought I wanted to know, but—”
“I know hearing all of this is awful, but it’s not easy for me to tell you how gullible and insecure I was back then, Nate. So that we can move on and put this behind us, I want you to understand where my head was at then. I was twenty, my family was in trouble, and Isaac, who was wealthy, presented a way for me to help them. Unless you’ve lived in poverty for any period of time, you’ll never truly understand what that meant to someone like me.”
Nate reclaimed his seat on the sofa and reached for his mug. Right now, he needed something a hell of a lot stronger than coffee. Liberty reclaimed her seat, but kept some distance between them.
For the next hour, she talked more about her family instead of Isaac. She must have sensed that, though he was curious about her marriage to Isaac and what she had endured with him, he didn’t want to hear about it right now.
He hated that this all could have been cleared up had they known each other better, and discussed their families more. Had he known hers was in dire straits, he would have done everything in his power to help them.
Some of Nate’s anger for the way she had handled the situation then had subsided, and the longer they sat talking the more he was reminded of what had attracted him to her in the first place. She had a gentle spirit and a soft heart for people. He had recognized those qualities in college when she used to do volunteer work. He had often wondered how she fit it all in. Her class load hadn’t been easy and she had often sacrificed parties and weekend trips for studying.
“My mother often commented that my dad was her best friend,” Liberty said absently as she fiddled with her shirt sleeve. “I remember one instance when I was a sophomore in high school and my mother had spent a week in the hospital. The first night she was back home, I was helping her get ready for bed and she told me to make sure that when I get married, to marry someone who loved me more than they loved themselves.”
Liberty’s teary-eyed gaze met his.
“I know before you graduated we had talked about trying a long-distance relationship. Though I wanted to believe that you wouldn’t forget me once you left Chicago, I honestly didn’t know if you would come back for me once I graduated. I loved you so much, Nate, and I felt your love for me, but I forfeited love for financial security. In doing so, I made such a mess of my life thinking I was doing the right thing.”
Nate leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs and sighed. His grandmother often said, no use living with regret. Everything happens for a reason.
“Where are your parents now?” Nate asked.
“They passed away a few years ago. My mother died from a stroke and two days later, my dad died.”
“Aww, baby, I’m sorry.” Nate covered her hand and squeezed. That familiar zing he felt whenever they touched was just as strong as usual.
“Thank you. My parents were so close. It was as if their hearts were beating as one. I didn’t know how my father was going to survive without her.” She shrugged. “Turns out he didn’t.”
Nate continued holding Liberty’s hand. He would never ever complain about his own life again. He couldn’t imagine losing one of his parents, let alone both of them at the same time. And though his parents weren’t wealthy, they had given him and Nick the best of everything. Nate didn’t know what it was like to go without a meal or not live in a nice home.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Thanks for listening.”
“I wished you had told me what was going on at home while we were dating. I could’ve helped, Liberty. My family would’ve helped.”
“I didn’t know that, Nate. I’m not proud of my decisions, but I was young and did the best I could. The day I left home, my dad told me that people like us didn’t often get scholarships from places like Northwestern. That I had to grab hold of every opportunity and make something of myself. I was concerned about them, but he told me not to worry about home. They’d be okay. So when I left for Chicago, I tried to pretend I was someone else. I didn’t want to be that poor, black girl from the rough side of Columbus.”
Nate understood that more than she knew. It was the main reason he had gone by Moore instead of Jenkins-Moore in college. In Cincinnati, the Jenkins family seemed to be known by everyone. Given the chance to attend college out of state had been a godsend. He wanted to be his own person and not continue walking in the shadow of his uncles or cousins.
“Maybe one day I’ll tell you more about the last thirteen years. I haven’t talked to anyone about me and Isaac, except now my sister knows a little of what went on. As part of the contract I had with Isaac, I agreed to stay married a minimum of twenty years and I couldn’t say anything about what we agreed to that night. Not even to my parents. I basically sold my soul to the devil.”
“Wait,” Nate said confused. “It’s only been thirteen years. What did the agreement say about you leaving the marriage early?”
Liberty glanced away. “I walked away with what I went into the marriage with, which was nothing.”
Watching her fidget with a loose thread at the bottom of her shirt, he wondered what she wasn’t telling him.
“What happened? Why’d you break the contract?”
Liberty pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and rubbed her forehead nervously. “I—I couldn’t stay married to him any longer. I should’ve left years ago, but when he...” Her voice shook, but she maintained her composure.
“When he what?” Nate asked cautiously, a tight knot twisting his gut, fearing what she would say.
“He—he hit me. He broke my jaw one night when I refused to sleep with him.”
Nate’s fists clenched at his sides. The thought of any man hitting a woman, for any reason, dis
gusted him. But knowing Isaac had put his hands on her made Nate want to hunt him down and beat his ass.
Nate bolted off the sofa and went back to pacing, unable to sit while trying to get his emotions under control.
“After that I couldn’t stay,” she said.
“Of course, you couldn’t stay! You shouldn’t have married the ruthless bastard in the first place!”
Liberty stiffened, but remained in her seat.
Damn. He hadn’t intended to say that, but he couldn’t hold the thought in. “I’m sorry. I know it’s none of my—”
“You don’t have to apologize. You’re right. I shouldn’t have married a man like him and a man I didn’t love, but…” She shrugged, looking worn out.
Nate hadn’t liked Isaac the first time they’d met and right now, he hated the man’s guts. Liberty had had a promising future while in college. Had she accomplished any of the goals she’d set for herself? Had she gotten her law degree?
A quick glance at her sitting on the sofa, her head back and eyes closed told him those were questions for another day.
“Why don’t we table the rest of this conversation for now. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
She sat forward and smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m all right, but yeah, I think I’ve said enough. I’m sure this is not how you planned to spend a Saturday morning, and thank you for last night. I…” Her mouth clamped shut and she blushed at her words. “I mean…I didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
Nate chuckled and reached for her hand. “I know what you meant.”
He pulled her up from the sofa and into his arms. Needing to hold her if only for a moment. Her soft, curvy body molded against him and when she shivered, he held her tighter. If only he could have protected her from what she’d gone through.
They stood that way, in the middle of his family room, for the longest time, until Nate eventually released her. “I know that I keep apologizing for my behavior, but I really am sorry. The thought that you might’ve ended up at the bar last night because of my jacked-up attitude makes me sick. I honestly didn’t mean to hurt you yesterday.”
“Yes, you did.” She smiled when his mouth fell open in surprise. “But I understand. If I were in your shoes, I would’ve behaved the same way. I hurt you and for that, I’m truly sorry. Nate, walking away from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. If I could have a do over, I’d take it in a heartbeat, but I know life doesn’t work that way. At least not my life. I’m such a screw up. I—”
“Stop.” Nate moved closer. So close that if he lowered his head, his lips could easily touch hers and he shuddered at the thought. The way she was staring at his mouth, he wondered if she was thinking the same thing.
“I hate hearing you talk down on yourself.” He cupped her cheek and she leaned into his touch, staring into his eyes. “You were young. We were young. Maybe your life wasn’t perfect, but you survived. I really admire that you’re working to get your life back on track. I know it can’t be easy, but if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“You have no idea how much you saying that means to me.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back. “It’s…it’s been a long time since someone, outside of my sister, offered to help me in any way.”
He nodded and dropped his hand, taking a step back to stop himself from acting on the desire to see if her lips were as soft as he remembered.
“I’ll help you clean up the kitchen.” She hurried away from him and started clearing the breakfast bar. “Then I should be heading home.”
“Stop.” He took the plates from her and set them in the sink. “I can take care of this later. Besides, I brought you here. I’ll drop you off wherever you want to go.”
“Oh crap. I forgot I didn’t have my car.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s in the shop. It broke down on me yesterday after I left your office.”
Nate shook his head. “Talk about shitty days.”
“If only you knew,” she mumbled under her breath, but Nate heard her.
He had vowed never to forgive this woman for what she’d done to him, to them. But now he had an overwhelming desire to get to know Liberty Stewart.
Chapter Ten
A short while later, Nate backed his late model BMW out of the two-car attached garage with Liberty sitting in the passenger seat. Since she’d been asleep when arriving at his place, she took in the quiet neighborhood with the tree-lined streets.
"What area of town is this?" she asked, settling into the soft leather seat that wrapped cozily around her body.
"Wyoming, which reminds me…” he pulled the car over and lifted his sunglasses to the top of his head, “…where do you live?"
Liberty met his grin and smiled. “I guess that would help, huh?”
She gave him her address and watched as he plugged it into his GPS. Once they were on their way, Liberty sat back in the seat. The last couple of hours had been spent talking and had felt so normal despite the subject matter. Sharing some of her past with Nate had been hard and embarrassing, but so far Liberty hadn’t felt any judgment from him like she had expected.
She almost leaped out of her skin when Nate’s hand covered hers. The move was so unexpected, Liberty didn’t know what to think or say. A blast of desire consumed her and she had to suppress the moan clogging her throat. Did he have any idea what his touched did to her? Could he possibly know how often she had fantasized about what it would feel like to be with him again?
“Relax,” was all he said. He didn’t explain why he held her hand. He just kept his attention on the road as he brushed his thumb back and forth gently over the top of her hand. Such a simple gesture, but the sweet torture of each stroke made it hard to do as he said—relax.
Liberty exhaled a shuddery breath, trying not to read too much into his kindness. This was who he was. The man she remembered.
The last twenty-four hours had been an emotional roller coaster, but thanks to him, she had weathered the emotional storm. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt taken care of and was hesitant to admit that she could get used to the feeling.
They rode in silence and the smooth ride of the car, as well as the soft jazz flowing through the speakers lulled her into a relaxed state. Her eyes drifted closed. Why couldn’t she feel this way all the time? Calm. At peace. Maybe there was something to sharing secrets and getting stuff off your chest. It was as if a weight had been lifted. Granted she and Nate still didn’t know much about each other. At least he finally understood what happened and why she had married Isaac.
“Wake-up, sleeping beauty.”
Liberty slowly opened her eyes to find Nate’s gaze steady on her, and his large hand still holding hers. Not realizing she had dozed off, she blinked several times until the sleep fog dissipated.
She glanced out the window, surprised to see that they were sitting in front of her apartment building. The eight-unit structure that needed a paint job, new windows, and had a less than manicured lawn was a far cry from the area they’d just left. Though the complex was advertised as secure, a brick—that was often used—held open the door. Two older women, one fixing the clothes on a toddler and one smoking, sat on the front stoop while a few children ran around chasing each other and trampling the grass.
What did Nate think about her living here? If his snappy clothes, his gorgeous home and automobiles were any indication, he was accustomed to the finer things of life.
Nate squeezed her hand before releasing it, and then slipped his dark shades over his eyes. The man was already too sexy for his own good, and the sunglasses only emphasized that fact. “Ready to go in?” he asked.
“Oh…yeah.” Liberty undid her seatbelt while Nate climbed out of the car and strolled around to the passenger door. When he opened it, he extended his hand to help her out. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Still a gentleman. Liberty recognized a few ch
anges in him since college, but the way he treated her, like she was special, hadn’t changed at all. He was still a sweetheart.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said as they stood next to the car. “And I really appreciate you coming to my rescue last night.”
“Stop thanking me. I’m glad I was there. Just promise me one thing.”
Nate boldly slid his arm around her waist, and Liberty tried to remain calm and not hyperventilate at the excitement fluttering in her stomach. His fresh scent teased her while his hard body pressed against hers, sending her senses into overdrive. Hell, she was about ready to promise him anything he wanted.
“Think twice about going to bars alone.” He spoke quietly against her ear and his warm breath let loose a swarm of butterflies within her. “If you want to go out and drink, call me. I’ll go with you. If you would prefer not to go with me, then get your sister to tag along with you. Because the thought of you putting yourself in harm’s way bothers me.”
Liberty couldn’t see his eyes, but felt his intense gaze on her. All she could do was nod her agreement since she didn’t trust her voice. This whole getting up close and personal thing he had going on, while whispering in her ear and showing concern for her well-being, had her heart skipping at least three beats.
“As for you drinking—”
“I won’t. I’m never drinking alcohol again,” she promised, meaning every word.
His enticing lips, which she longed to kiss, twitched as if fighting a smile. “Baby, I’m not suggesting you give up drin—”
“You don’t have to. I’ve learned my lesson.” It had taken the whole morning to get the pounding headache down to a slight throb. “I won’t be getting drunk or putting myself in the predicament I was in last night. But thanks for being willing to go to the bar with me if needed.”
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