“You ready?” His deep voice has goosebumps running over my skin.
I chastise quietly, hoping only he can hear, “This is not how friends ask each other if they want to leave.”
His grin widens as he stands and holds out a hand to help me from the couch. Removing the wineglass from my other hand in the process, he hands it to his sister.
Lori stands, too. “Nate, it’s still early. Why are you taking away our new friend?”
He keeps his eyes on me. “We have to fly out early tomorrow.”
Nate reluctantly releases me and steps back when Lori approaches to give me a tight hug. “It was so good to meet you, Olive. I hope we can get together for mani/pedis or something when you’re back in town.”
I try to keep the discomfort off my face because the offer is so sweet, but it’ll be a while before I can afford that. “Thank you, Lori. I loved tonight. It was wonderful meeting everyone.”
Pamela takes her turn, giving similar sentiments as Lori.
We say goodbye to Brian and Joseph. The kids are in the basement watching a movie with a few of the neighbor kids, so we don’t interrupt them. Nate guides me out of the house with our fingers intertwined. Once the door shuts behindus, I rest my temple on his bicep as we stroll to his vehicle, my heart fuller than it’s been in a very long time.
I foldthe last of the clothes I plan to take for the next leg of the tour and place them neatly in my suitcase. Sitting back on my feet, I look around my quiet apartment.
It was still early by the time we got back. Nate and I cuddled on the couch, watching a movie that neither of us paid attention to as we made out like teenagers. His disappointed frown when he finally had to leave me, since we both needed to pack and get ready to leave again tomorrow, caused more happiness to tug at my heart. I was glad I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. He gave me a goodbye kiss over and over, each varying in intensity. All of them made me want to beg him to stay the night again.
But I didn’t.
Besides him needing to go home and pack, I didn’t want to come across as needy.
This weekend has been amazing. Nate’s family was so welcoming and warm to me. They were exactly what I always imagined when I dreamed about what I wished my family was. The love they have for each other is so evident in their interactions. Lori said she thanks Nate’s business partner, Jack, every chance she gets for convincing Nate to start their company in Nashville so the three siblings could all be together again. It makes my heart so happy for Nate that he’s now able to be so close to his family after years of being away while he was in the military.
When I hear my phone vibrate from where it’s charging on my nightstand, I stand, stretching my aching lower back. My stomach flips when I see the text.
Nate: I have a problem…
Me: What is it??
Nate: Now that I know what it’s like to sleep next to you and wake up with you in my arms, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep alone ever again.
My heart skips a beat as a smile breaks across my face. This man. Who knew he would be such a romantic?
Me: I’ll be honest…I’m dreading going to bed for the same reason.
I glance at my rumpled, unmade bed and remember the feeling of his arms holding me tight. His deep kisses and mind-blowing sex. Sadness that he isn’t here zings through me.
Nate: One night. That’s all we have to get through.
I blow out a breath through pursed lips.
Me: One night.
Tossing my phone onto my bed, I decide I might as well start what will most likely be a restless night now. It’s only a little past nine, but I have to be up early for the flight.
Last week, I never thought I would be counting down the minutes until I could be with Nate again. But here we are.
Standing in the airport terminal,I take a long sip of the coffee I shouldn’t have spent the money on this morning, but I needed it. I was right about last night being restless. I barely got any sleep as I tossed and turned. My thoughts oscillated between the happy ones of Nate, the depressing ones of Benny, and the terrifying ones of Marcus’s boss, whoever he is.
I mentally shake off the lingering feelings that plagued me throughout the night. I need to get my head back into work mode.
As I take another drink of my coffee, a hand slides around my waist and pulls me gently into a solid chest. Nate’s familiar scent envelops me and instantly calms my frazzled nerves. His lips find my ear, his breath causing my hair to tickle my skin. Goosebumps slither down my back. “Goddamn, Olive. I missed you last night.”
My inhale is shaky as I turn my head to look at his handsome face. His brown hair is styled, but adorably tousled. His strong jaw is freshly shaven, and I pick up a hint of his aftershave. As his dark eyes take me in, they smolder.
