Willa smiled and bumped Lottie with her shoulder.“You’ll figure it out.”Just as she reached out for the door handle, it swung open to reveal Nate standing there, looking like he’d just run a mile or two.As his large chest heaved, he stared at Lottie, the blue of his eyes reminiscent of a clear summer day.
“There you are.I’ve been waiting for you,” he panted.
Despite his lack of breath, Nate looked particularly good today in his dark slacks, white button down and burgundy sweater vest.Lottie couldn’t help but notice he’d ditched the tie and jacket he usually wore, wondering if maybe he was taking her words about looking more approachable to heart.
Willa glanced at Lottie with confusion before addressing her boss.“Was I late or something?I don’t have a meeting on my calendar.”
Nate flicked his gaze to Willa.“Oh hi, Willa.”He rubbed a hand over his beard as he moved his eyes back to Lottie.“I was actually talking to Charlotte.”
Willa shot Lottie another look before stepping into the building.“Sounds about right.See you later, Lottie.”
Lottie waved off her friend before turning her attention back to Nate.“You wanted me, Mister Mayor?”
Nate’s eyes seemed to darken suddenly, clouds of want crowding out the bright blue sky from moments ago.“I do,” he confessed, his voice raspy.Clearing his throat, he stepped out under the portico and shut the door to the building behind him.“I wanted to ask you to come to my apartment later.”
She blinked rapidly as the words processed.“Your apartment?”Lottie’s head filled with images of the two of them getting more intimately reacquainted in his bed, on the couch, and on just about every other viable surface they could find.
“Yes, to go over the plan for the public forum.”His cheeks flushed slightly as he looked at her.“Beckett and Willa will be there to move the last of his things over to their new place if that makes you more comfortable with the idea.”
Lottie nodded.“Oh.”All of the dirty thoughts she’d been having vanished instantly, but sadly, her raging libido remained.Cursing herself for believing her friends that this was anything more than his needing help, Lottie smiled politely.“I mean, yes, I can come over later.Did you need me to bring anything?”
Nate shook his head as he stepped closer to her, his bare fingers brushing the tips of hers that rested in her glove.“Just yourself.”He tugged lightly on the end of the glove and slipped it off her hand before intertwining their fingers.“You’re all I need.”
Lottie felt the heat from his palm melt into hers.Not only did she no longer need the glove, but she didn’t need her coat of her base layers either.Nate’s touch warmed her instantly from the inside out, and as she reveled in the feel of it, Lottie also sent up a silent prayer that he wouldn’t toy with her heart again.
Nodding, she squeezed his hand, needing his strength while fearing it slightly at the same time.“I’m yours.”
Nate lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it before stepping toward the door.“See you tonight.”
Lottie nodded, too flustered by him to do more than that.After he disappeared back inside, she turned away and touched her hand to her cold cheek, her skin warming from the heat on her palm that remained after his touch.As she walked toward her car, Lottie thought over the last words she’d spoken to him.She was Nate’s, and no matter what he had done or would do in the future, she was certain she always would be.
Chapter Eleven
Nate
Nate glanced around his apartment frantically.Grabbing a gold throw pillow off the black leather sofa, he punched at it for a few minutes to fluff it up before putting it back down, a frown on his face.Why did his apartment look so impersonal to his eyes now?Before the light gray walls and dark furniture looked sleek and efficient, but after having sat in Lottie’s home for the first time and seeing how vibrant and colorful the place was, Nate couldn’t help but feel that his own looked cold and uninviting.More than anything, he wanted Lottie to feel comfortable there so that she would stay for as long as possible, and his décor suddenly seemed like it might do the opposite of that.
