Enticed by you (Miraculous Love Book 1)

by Meghana Sarathy

  “Nate,” she mumbles in her sleep as I carry her and lay her on the bed and under the covers. “I really really love you.”

  I get into the bed beside her and spoon her from behind, pulling her warm body against my cold one. This time I admit my feelings without any fear or second thoughts. “I love you too, baby. A lot.” This is happiness.

  The heavy downpour of the night reduces to a light drizzle by the morning. The early morning sunrays slant through the glass of the window that’s overseeing the street. My hands lazily skim Sara’s naked back, landing on the mound of her ass. I’ve been awake for an hour now even as she sleeps peacefully beside me. She is content and happy. The smile on her face even as she sleeps is truly priceless. But I also understand that this is the last time I ever get to do this with her. This point is not up for a debate. I’m still not sure how to end it with her, but if I let her fall more for me, then life without me will become impossible for her. I have family to lean back on. They are my responsibility. Not matter how much it hurts, I have it in me to move on, but not Sara. I don’t know just how strong she is but I can’t test her strength in this matter. Slowly but effectively, I have to cut my ties with her.

  She stirs in her sleep and rolls to my side. I take my time in studying her. Pecking her lips one last time, I get off the bed and make my way to the bathroom.

  I step out dressed in a casual tee and sweatpants. She is wide awake, sitting on the bed with the covers covering her naked torso. She greets me with a smile first and then raises her brows in question. “It’s a little too early for me.” She yawns. “But you’ve always been a morning person. If it’s not too much to ask, can I please get a coffee? I would have made it myself but I couldn’t risk stepping out of this room.”

  “You coming here was a big fucking risk.” My voice has a hostile edge to it and I want it to hurt her. “You just can’t show up at my doorstep, Sara. I’m answerable to my wife.”

  “Relax.” She throws up her hands. “I knew what I was doing. I had heard from Diana that she and your wife were going for a girl’s night out. I had to coax her for your address but it didn’t make her suspicious. I admit that I wasn’t aware of Clay or Isla’s schedule, but I didn’t come here to fuck you, I thought we could go out and talk. My intentions were clean though I was also prepared for fucking.”

  She actually had it planned and I couldn’t see though it at all. Maybe, I did underestimate how far she was ready to go for me.

  Shoving my hands inside of my pockets, I glare at her. “Still. You should have kept me informed. I can’t risk losing everything for a night with you. It’s ludicrous.”

  I can, but I don’t want to. She is worth it, though.

  Tears glisten her eyes, but she blinks them away. “Fine. Sorry, my bad. I’ll leave, Nate.”

  She gets off the bed, leaving the covers behind. Her ass jiggles as she sashays around the room, searching for her shirt and skirt. The sight hardens my dick, so I just turn away from her. My eyes fall on her skirt. I pick up the crumpled skirt and pass it to her.

  She grabs it from my hand and stares at herself in the mirror. “You’ve actually left hickeys,” she mumbles in awe. “Nice.”

  I had actually noticed them in the morning. I was never this wild with Cecilia. I don’t think I can ever be also. She’s just not that type. But Sara enjoys every bit of it. I can mar every inch of Sara’s skin and she would love me all the more for it.

  “Sorry,” I offer but she just scoffs.

  Finally finding her shirt, she drops down to pick it up. “Shit, Nate. It’s still wet and also, the top two buttons have come out. I was a little too wild yesterday. I can’t go out wearing this. I need something else.”

  I let out a tired sigh. “Just help yourself from my closet for now. I’ll go to the laundry room and see if I can find anything from Elsie’s stuff. I don’t usually go to her room when she’s not around.”

  “So, both Elsie and Clay aren’t around?”

  “Really, now?” I ask, annoyed. “Do you think I would have done it with them under the same roof? I’m not that stupid and not so much of an asshole.”

  “Jesus, Nate.” She walks towards me and extends her hand to my shoulders, but I step back, avoiding any form of contact. “Please relax.” She takes back her hand. “We had fun and we made wonderful memories. The guilt will always be there but we’ll get past it. All it takes is time.”

  “Easier for you to say. You’re young and single. But for me it’s just too complicated,” I shout.

  “Now you’re being hypocritical. You were the one who even came up with the idea.” With her hands on her hips, she fumes in anger. “You were the one who approached me. Where was this guilt, then? I lived up to your words, Nate and now you have a problem with that? From what I remember of yesterday night, I wasn’t the one forcing you. You were a willing participant.”

  “I know that. But this wasn’t supposed to happen this way. We took it too far. I lost it completely. I fucked you on the same bed that I’ve been having sex with my wife on for years now. How fucked up is that? She didn’t deserve such a betrayal.”

  “And what do I deserve?” She lashes out. “After being fucked thoroughly just the previous night, I deserve your outburst the very next day? Thanks a lot.”

  She storms into the bathroom without even waiting for my reply and slams the door behind her.

  I’m not doing this right but I don’t think being nice and gentle will work on Sara.

  “No one’s in the house. You can pick something from my closet and come out. I’ll try to find something decent for you,” I tell softly and head upstairs.

  I give myself some time to cool down. I really can go with a drink now or even a smoke, but I’m can’t do either. This is a true test of my patience and control, but I’m losing my shit. I need to think clearly and take the right actions. Firstly, Sara has to leave before Isla or Cecilia show up. The coast should be clear. I can try reasoning it with her later, but mitigating the risk should be my first course of action.

  Picking one of Isla’s dresses from the basket that I believe would fit Sara, I walk down. I see Sara sitting on the kitchen island, drinking from a mug. She has donned my white button-down shirt that just comes up to her mid-thighs. She’ll be the death of me for sure. Every time I come with some ounce of control, she seizes it and turns the table on me. I stare hard at her barely concealed ass before taking few more steps down.

  “Who the hell are you?” Clay’s voice bounces across the walls, falling hard on my ears. Holy fuck. Now I’m really dead. I didn’t even realize he was home. He wasn’t there last night. He wouldn’t have heard anything. Did he come home early morning? I didn’t hear him at all or maybe I was too lost to pay close attention.

  I rush down the stairs and enter the kitchen to find Clay standing in front of Sara, unabashedly checking her out. She is completely red, swaying on her heels.

  I’m about to interrupt them when she finally speaks. “Hi, Clay. You must be Nathan’s son. I’m Sara Waters.” She gives him an easy smile, confidence back in her voice. I stay rooted to my place.

  “Ok, Sara Waters, how exactly do you know my dad?”

  “I work for him. We’re in the same team. Call your dad, he’ll verify.”

  He raises his brows, but moves towards her, giving her the benefit of doubt. But he’s my son and has my blood in his veins. We share the same genes and so I can very well see through his act. He’s just trying his luck with her and jumping on the chance.

  “Ok, he’ll be here soon, but until then, can you please explain what you’re doing this early in the morning here?”

  She wets her lips, but keeps her smile. “I came over yesterday night for a short visit since I was in the city. I’m actually from Boston. But it was raining heavily and I wasn’t getting any cabs, so he offered me to stay for the night. My dress was still wet, so I just opted for a change of clothes.”

  “I get it, but you actually picked my dad’s sh
irt over any of mom’s dress? Not sure if he would be pleased about that.”

  I expect her to cower in embarrassment, but resting her hips against the island, she gives him an impish smile. “Comfort actually and also, I didn’t think your mom’s size would match mine, so opted for a safer bet.”

  ‘That’s the exact question I had in mind, Sara. And you actually chose my white shirt? That was my fav amongst the lot,” I tell, finally making my appearance.

  “I’m not sorry.” She shrugs and continues to drink from her cup. With my presence, she visibly eases. Clay smiles her way, still eyeing her hungrily. Now this is what they call a truly fucked up, sticky situation. My son is lusting over my love. My blood boils and the muscles in my jaw tic, but I play it safe and keep my emotions under check.

  “Here,” I tell passing Isla’s dress to her. “You can change. This should fit.”

  She keeps the mug aside and frowns as she takes it from me. “I don’t think you’ll want this shirt back.”

  As I’m about to reply, Clay coughs into his fist, calling attention to himself. “Before you change, let me admit that, you indeed look very pretty in my dad’s shirt.”

  “Pretty?” She asks uncertainly. “Are you really going for the right word? Or are you censoring because your dad is right here?”

  Sara is not naïve. She’s far from being innocent and she’s clearly playing here. Is this her way of getting back at me? Fuck this.

  “I’m not scared of dad. Ok, I’ll admit, you look hot in it. Really hot.” He is impressed by her just like how I was smitten when I was first introduced to her. And I feel like strangling my own son now.

  “Thank you,” she smiles again. She walks closer to him, truly inspecting him this time around. “And you look a lot like your dad.” Her head snaps to mine before she again turns to him. “Almost a carbon copy.”

  “But he’s not me,” I quip. “Sara, if you can please go and change. I don’t want to stand and witness my teenage son flirting with my associate in my house.”

  He mumbles a silent apology as she pushes past me and closes the door on my face.

  “You didn’t have to be so rude. She had come here to meet you and moreover, she’s so young,” he exclaims.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” I seethe, and walk out of the house. I need a goddamn break.

  Chapter 25

  Nathan

  I didn’t believe it could get any worse than this but I was proven wrong the very minute I stepped out of the house to get some fresh air. I got a call from Serena asking me to meet up with her. She doesn’t call until it’s an important issue and she knows just how catty I’m with her. I didn’t even bother to protest or argue. She decided to meet me at park near my place and that’s where I’m headed now. I didn’t get a chance to face Sara again and honestly, I wasn’t even ready for it. I was still pissed at her, but more at myself. Sara’s still young, and very rebellious. Such petty actions are expected out of her. I should have handled it better. And now, I’ve lost that chance. I had knocked on her door, asking her to leave once she changes, but before I could offer to drop her to the hotel or airport, Clay turned up, snatching that chance from me. He told me to carry on with my usual routine and that he’ll happily help her out. I hated it and I didn’t want him anywhere near her, but I was helpless and going by Sara’s mood and my confused state, it was a better option, so I begrudgingly agreed.

  I jog faster and reach the park sooner than the scheduled time. Serena stands before the lake, clearly waiting for me. I walk up to her and she flashes me a victorious grin. Something is up. This is really fishy. Going by her stance and her smile, I know that I’m fucked.

  “What’s this about?” I ask.

  “Who is she?” She laughs mirthlessly and rephrases her question. “Who is the one you have truly and actually fallen for? The one who has stolen your heart for good?”

  My jugular throbs and I grit my teeth. I was afraid of this. “Get straight to the point.”

  “So you won’t even try denying it?” She smirks. “Much easier for me. I want to know her name, Nate. Come on now, don’t make me do all the hard work.”

  “None of your fucking business and I don’t owe you any answers. What the hell is this about? What do you want from me?”

  “I’m warning you of the worst possible consequences. Do you even realize what you’re doing, Nate? You’re not only cheating on my sister, but you’re doing it with someone much younger than you and someone from your own team. Now that’s truly daring.”

  Hearing her words, all the color drains from my face. I knew she had some idea, but I didn’t realize that she already knows so much.

  “How the fuck do you know all this?” I ask in despair.

  “Now that’s a valid question. Happy to answer. It was a big coincidence actually. I knew Cecilia wouldn’t be around yesterday night, so I came to talk to you in private. I was about to get down from my car, when I saw this young girl at your doorstep. It spiked my curiosity, so I lurked in the shadows. You guys started to speak and you pulled her inside, but soon after, you pushed her out. It confirmed my suspicion that something was up between you two, so despite the rain, I managed to get a snap of her.”

  “Fuck,” I cuss, burying my head in my hands.

  “What followed was absolutely shocking but spectacular. I expected her to leave, but she stayed behind and so did I. I was in the safety of my car though. A silent spectator. I saw everything but unfortunately I was too far to capture another snap of you kissing her and carrying her inside. Sad.”

  “What do you want?” I holler and the birds chirp, flying away.

  “Her identity. I wanted to know who she was, but my curiosity got the better of me and I did my own research. I had a hunch that she would be from your office and to verify the same, I sent her picture to Victor. He had already mentioned to me about your special treatment and protectiveness towards certain Sara from office. As soon as he saw the picture, he gave me the immediate confirmation.”

  I had always believed that Victor would still be in touch with his ex-girlfriend and I wasn’t wrong. That’s another reason I loathed him. He and Serene are very much alike when it comes to using people for their own selfish needs.

  “Now you know. Whatever. I don’t care. You can’t ruin my family, Serena. Cecilia will never believe you and if I have to leave Sara to keep my family intact, I will.” I’ve lost this battle, but my voice doesn’t give it away. It reeks of false confidence.

  “You’re just thinking of one possible consequence, Nate. What about your work life? Given the post that you are in, one rumor about your supposed affair with your associate within the same team and your reputation is in for a big toss. You might not even be able to keep your beloved job. Victor just has his doubts for now. I haven’t confirmed anything to him yet. I’m just giving you a heads up.”

  “What do you want me to do?” My shoulders slump in defeat.

  “You’re wise enough to make that choice, Nate. I don’t have to state it explicitly. As bad as a person that you think I am, let me tell you that I do care for my sister. She has done a lot for me and I’ll always be grateful for her. The least I can do in return is to ensure that her husband doesn’t ruin the family she has strived so hard to build. I know I’m a shitty sister to her, still lusting for her husband even after everything that has happened, but I will still not let a third person intrude and snatch you from her, ruining her life.”

  It’s an ultimatum alright, but an indirect one. She wouldn’t tell Cecilia a word, but she is using my work to blackmail me. Going by her confidence and the calm, condescending tone that she’s using, she is well aware that she has won and can play me this way.

  “You take your time, Nathan. Ultimately it’s your call. It’s about what’s more important to you.”

  She walks away, leaving me with a hard decision, but the choice is something I had made a long time ago without even realizing just how difficult executing it would be.
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br />   I walk along the cobblestone path that leads straight to my house. As I’m about to round the corner to my house, my name is called. I turn around to see Diana standing ash faced across the street. She was supposed to be on her way to the airport. I expect Sara to have also left my now. I was also worried that they might be in the same flight. But thankfully, Cecilia had called, informing she would take at least an hour to return. That was enough time for me to clear the mess in my room. But looking at Diana now, my plans will have to be changed again.

  I cross the road and come before her. “Hey, are you alright?”

  She looks up at me, but she looks so lost. It’s like she is seeing right through me. I’ve never seen Diana like this before.

  “Nate.” The first drop of tear rolls down her cheeks. “Something really bad has happened.”

  My first thought is of Cecilia’s. I had spoken to her just few minutes ago. Nothing could have happened to her. I can’t lose her.

  “What?” I say, grabbing her shoulders. “What happened? Tell me.”

  “I just got a call from his brother. He met with an accident and died on the spot. He’s gone.” She wails and her head falls on my shoulder. I hold onto her, stopping her form falling.

  I’m relieved that it’s not Cecilia, but still, I’ve no idea whom she’s talking about. Whoever ‘he’ is, he had to be someone very important to her.

  “Who?” I ask timidly.

  “David,” she tells in a strained breath. “My David.”

  It flashes to me now. David Richardson was her ex fiancée, someone she was truly in love with. I had worked with him for many years in my previous organization. He was also a good friend of mine. I used to catch up with at least once in two months.

  “It’s ok, Diana.” I tell, rubbing her shoulders as she cries silently into my shirt. “All you can hope now is that he’s in a better place.”