Salvation (58 page)

Nate cleared his throat, his voice deepening. “After spending the night with you, then fucking it all up, you were unbelievably strong enough to give me a second chance. I have immense respect for you, more so after learning of your past.” He shrugged and adjusted the pillow behind his back. “You made me work harder than I’ve ever had to before.”

“Was I a challenge?”

“Sort of.” Nate had the grace to look embarrassed by his admission. “I admit, I thrived on the chase, but I respected you for not just laying down and opening your legs. Immediately, I knew you saw past the face and hefty bank balance.”

“It’s never been about the money, Nate.” I twisted towards him. “And as for this face,” I said, palm pressed to his cheek, “I hate to burst your bubble, but you’re really not that attractive. I’ve definitely seen better.”

A lie and he knew it. His eyes flared, a wide smile quickly chasing across his face when he caught my playful grin. He pinned my arms above my head, throwing one leg over mine. “Why, Miss Collins, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you enjoy playing games with me.”

“Me?” I grinned. “Never.”

“I’m not sure you deserve the gift I have for you now.”

“Gift?” I wanted my fingers in his hair and flexed them in his grip. When he released me, he sprung off the bed so fast I didn’t get a chance to do it.

“Close your eyes and hold out both hands,” he ordered, walking away. A minute later, he reappeared, one hand tucked behind his back. His eyes sparkled impishly as he waited by the closet. “I said close them.” My heart beat a little faster as I complied, nervous but excited. I pushed up the bed, grinning from ear to ear.

The bed dipped beside me, then a small box dropped into my upturned palms. “Open them.”

A duck egg blue box tied with white ribbon in a perfect bow sat in my hands. I blinked from it up to Nate. “Something from Tiffany’s?”

“Take a look inside.”

A delicate chain threaded through a platinum starfish pendant studded with diamonds slipped from the pouch into my hand. Its simplicity was breathtaking. “It’s a starfish,” he pointed out.

“I can see that.” I giggled, meeting his bright eyes.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s gorgeous.” I caressed the charm with my thumb. “I’ll treasure this. Thank you.”

“Here,” he said, taking it from me. “Let me put it on.” I lifted my hair so he could reach around my neck. His breath next to my ear, and the small kiss that followed sent a shiver across my skin. “Happy Anniversary,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry?”

“One month ago, we shared what I hope was our last first dates in the wine bar. This is to mark that momentous occasion.”

Whoa.
I was astounded he’d remembered the date, and chosen to commemorate the milestone with such a romantic gesture. But I didn’t get why the starfish.

“Estrella de Mar—star of the sea.” Nate fingered the delicate pendant against my chest. “A mysterious creature of delicate beauty. A symbol of healing, regeneration, longevity, but above all, infinite love.”

I thought my chest might explode. I crawled into his lap and curled my arms around his neck. The clarity and devotion in his eyes brought a lump to my throat. Nate had a heart of pure gold. “I’m longing to give you the words you deserve to hear. It’s just…I—”

The breath he’d been holding released. “I’ve heard I love you many times,” he pointed out with quiet resignation. “They should’ve said I love your car, I love your condo. Words mean nothing if they’re not substantiated by actions. You show it. I
feel
it.”

The stubble on his jaw tickled my fingertips as I trailed them along the cut line and across his lips before I pressed mine to them. “You’re incredible, Nate. My heart is so full of you. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know, baby.” He shifted us both beneath the covers and switched off the light. Shrouded in darkness, only the faraway sounds of the surf and wind outside penetrated the gentle whispers of our combined breaths as we drifted into sleep.

“YOU CAN’T BE mad at me.” Mai pouted indignantly, eyes never leaving her mobile phone screen. “You should’ve told him, not leave me to deal with your shit.”

“I know.” I took my credit card back from the shop assistant who’d generously relieved me of one hundred and fifty dollars for a pair of baby pink lace knickers. An expensive purchase, but one Nate would enjoy when I wore them this weekend. “Sorry.”

“Nate had a right to know what he’d been up against,” she said, finishing her tweeting and tucking her phone back in the bag almost the same size as her. God knows what she had in it. “You wouldn’t like it if you were fighting ghosts from his past, would you?”

“I sort of feel like I am.” I smiled my thanks and took the bag from the cashier, waiting until we were walking away before continuing. “That’s why I overreacted so badly. Well, that and my own history with troublesome exes. The unwelcome return of Nate’s ex is bothering him. I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s not right.”

“He won’t tell you?” Mai steered me back into the jewellery store we’d visited earlier so I could collect my other impulsive purchase presently being engraved.

“He tried a couple of times. I told him it wasn’t necessary.” I left her trying on jewellery and went to collect Nate’s gift. When she returned to my side, I elaborated. “I’m trying not to make assumptions. If I want us to have a future, I have to learn to trust him.”

“And do you?”

Without a second thought, I nodded. “I trust him to deal with her, and trust his reasons for not wanting me involved. We cleared the air. Nate knows everything.”

Keeping her attention on the ring she’d slipped on, she raised her hand in the air and admired the coloured stones. “And for being a jealous girlfriend you got a diamond necklace?”

My right hand went to the pendant around my neck. Nate’s gesture of love still had me reeling. Mai turned, her teasing smile giving away her delight. “If you’re not buying anything, can we get some lunch?” I said, rubbing my stomach. “I’m starving.”

Mai picked her bag off the counter and linked her arm through mine. “He’s gonna go cray-cray for two weeks while you’re on vacation visiting your dad.”

I cringed. “When I said he knows
everything
…”

Never one to hide her displeasure, she made a tsking sound. I didn’t have to look to know I was in trouble. “You haven’t told him?”

“Not yet,” I mumbled, shaking my head. “I will. Tonight.”

“Learn your lesson, K. Tell him before he finds out another way.”

I arrived at Nate’s condo not long after 10 p.m., using the key he’d returned to me on the drive into work this morning to let myself in. I’d struggled to get into yoga, and even dinner and drinks with the girls couldn’t relax me. Psyching myself up to break it to Nate that I was going away was stressing me out.

I dropped my bags by the stairs, slipped off my heels and padded along the dimly lit hallway, knowing exactly where I’d find him. He was looking at the open door of his office, anticipating my arrival.

“Hello.” I paused, taking a minute to admire him. The businessman slipped away, his eyes growing lucid and welcoming, but shadowed with tiredness. His easy smile lifted my own exhaustion. Then it stopped, just short of making his cheeks dimple.

“You okay?” He spun his chair, inviting me to fill the empty space in his lap. I did, grateful to have his arms around me.

“I’m fine.”

He murmured with content, kissing my temple then my mouth. “Good night?”

“Hmm.” He smelt deliciously fresh and clean. I snuggled into him, my head resting on his shoulder, and summarised the events of my evening. “What have you been doing?”

“Working.” Nate hugged me closer, sighing into my hair.

I glanced at the computer screen, noting at least six file tabs open. “Have you stopped at all for a break today?”

“I’ve been to the gym.” He shrugged. “And ate dinner.”

I’d fully intended to tell him about my trip, but when I teased my fingers through his unruly hair and his eyes closed and didn’t open, I knew it wasn’t the right time. “C’mon,” I said, slipping off his lap, “you’re exhausted. Time for bed.”

There was no argument. He willingly followed, leaving his workspace in organised chaos, and let me lead him upstairs. We were both asleep within minutes of hitting the sheets.

IT was nearing 6 p.m. when we entered the condo Tuesday evening. Maria had gone, leaving us a delicious Spanish chicken stew warming in the oven. I’d planned on trying out the private gym in the complex with Nate, but after being cooped up all day in the office, wanted to get outside instead. After much coaxing, I’d managed to get Nate out for an early evening stroll to stretch our legs and grab some dessert for later.

“Who was trying to reach you at three a.m.?” Nate asked, steering me around the small crowd piling into the already crammed bus that had just stopped. Wilshire Blvd was bumper to bumper with people heading home, the steady flow of traffic often slower than our walking pace. We were in the minority. Nobody walked in LA.

“I didn’t hear my phone ring.” In the rush to leave for work this morning, I’d forgotten to pick it up from the bedside table and hadn’t checked it all day. I slid my hand into the back pocket of his jeans, lingering there a while before retrieving my phone. I’d tucked it there for safekeeping because I had no pockets in my tank or yoga pants.

“Don’t think it was a call,” he offered, noticing me checking the missed call log. “Why leave that on when you’re with me at night?”

“In case of emergency.”

“Baby,” he snickered, swinging an arm around my shoulder, “a magnitude ten could shake this city and it wouldn’t wake you.”

I bumped hips as we walked, laughing because he was right. There had been two minor tremors since I arrived here, neither of which I’d experienced. If it hadn’t been for Mai telling me, I’d still be none the wiser. I practically skipped a few steps when I saw my brother’s name and excitedly opened the message. “Liam’s coming to LA! Look.”

Nate took the phone I was thrusting in his face, and with a wide smile, read the text aloud. “Hey, Bambi…” I waved off the puzzled look he gave me and urged him to finish. “Get your ass ready to party. I’m coming to visit. Hope your Cali friends are hot, haven’t had a shag in weeks. Text you the deets later. See you on 8th Oct. Luv ya.”

I clapped my hands gleefully. I’d never gone this long without seeing Liam and missed him dreadfully. Having him here was going to be fun.

“Okay,” Nate said slowly, tucking the phone back in his pocket. “Explain Bambi.”

“Hello?” I motioned to my lower half. “Legs?”

“Ah,” he murmured darkly, “don’t remind me.” Nate wrapped me in a one-armed hug and kissed my forehead. In trainers, I was a few inches shorter, making it easy for him to do. “You even have a few freckles, too,” he teased, tapping the end of my nose with his finger.

“Shut up!” I warned with a smile, swatting his hand away. We resumed walking in the twilight hours, my favourite time. When the sky was darkening and lights were coming on, it gave a magic to the city I loved.

“His timing is perfect. I’ll have a couple of weeks after I get back to get everything sorted.” I came to an abrupt halt on the pavement, cringing. Preferring not to chance a look at Nate, I turned to the closest shop window display.

“Back from where, exactly?” I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my head, even though I knew they would be cool, absent of their usual devotion.

“England,” I confessed, timidly.

“England?”

I nodded, noticing I’d stopped outside an upmarket jeweller. The smartly dressed assistant in the red brick fronted store holding my attention removed a tray of glittering diamonds from the window, giving us both a knowing smile as he did. “It’s my first trip back. My father’s really looking forward to seeing me.”

Guilty, I walked away, leaving Nate to process my bombshell. After a minute he caught me up. “When do you leave?” he murmured calmly, though I knew he was less than impressed this was the first he’d heard about it.

I cringed again. “Next Friday.” I kept my gaze lowered, watching the concrete disappear under my feet as I walked.