“Hey, baby,” he whispers, wrapping his arm around my waist as he slides in behind me, his semi hard erection pressing into my ass. “I’ve missed you. I didn’t expect tonight to run so late. I—”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I said I’d be home and I wasn’t.” There’s genuine remorse in his tone as he pulls me against him and tightens his hold, breathing into my neck. “Forgive me, please?”
The sincerity in his voice hits me and for a moment, I lie still, letting myself breathe now that I’m wrapped in the protection of his arms.
But I should have known my peace couldn’t last.
Nathan’s erection grows while he gently caresses my stomach, snaking his hand under my silk camisole, his fingers dancing toward my breasts. I hiss back a sharp breath and he mistakes it for what it’s not.
“You know I love your stomach, babe.” He squeezes me beneath his palm. “But if you’re worried, I’m sure there’s something we could do. You don’t have to suck in.”
What? “That’s not—”
“I’m never going to stop loving you, no matter what.”
I squirm in his arms because…What the hell does that mean?
His hand drifts back down my body until he brushes the waistband of my shorts, and when his fingers glide beneath the elastic, my heart jolts violently, my insides knotting uncomfortably. This isn’t right.
“Nathan, stop.” I grab his hand to still him, wriggling out of his hold. “I’ve had an awful day and I’m not in the mood.”
“You’re never in the mood anymore. We haven’t had sex inweeks.”
“I—”
“Before you blame me, I know it’s my fault. Believe me, I do. I’ve been busy. But I promise, you’re still my number one, even if it doesn’t feel that way.”
A moment of guilt settles in my chest until I realize it shouldn’t. He can acknowledge his faults as much as he wants, but he completely ignored the fact that I’d had a bad day. “I need you home more, Nathan. I’ve had a lot going on and—”
“You’re right. I’ll try harder. I promise.”
“That—”
“Come here.” He pulls me into him and I involuntarily stiffen. “I promise. I’ll keep it PG,” he adds in reaction to my obvious rejection. “I just want to hug you. I love you.”
Tears prick my eyes, but I let him hold me, praying he doesn’t notice. And it’s in that moment, when I’m overcome with resignation, that panic takes over me.
He doesn’t feel like my Nathan anymore. Not since moving here.
But the scariest part is, I don’t think he’s the one that’s actually changed.
I don’t think I’m the same Blair.
With a constant fog clouding my brain, I go through the motions over the next week. But while internally, I’m a mess, I must play my part well, because Nathan’s none the wiser. And I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
I’ve even got a smile plastered on my face as I hang up from speaking to Zane’s dad, and for the briefest of seconds, I let myself believe that it’s real.
“They’re going to be okay,” I mumble to myself, sighing in relief. “They’re going to be okay.” I fall back onto our rock-hard couch, immediately jumping up again. “Why is this couch so damn uncomfortable?” My fists clench in frustration. “Why is itallso damn uncomfortable?” I throw my hands in the air as Nathan appears out of nowhere, offering me a sympathetic grin that makes bitterness fill my mouth.
“Come here.” He opens his arms wide but I shake my head.
“A hug won’t fix this.”
“The couch?” He raises a brow with a knowing smile.
“Nothing will fix thatstupidcouch. This isn’t about that.”
