Matt grins but says nothing, just pats my shoulder before he walks off, shaking his head.
***
Ria pulls open the door with a great, big smile just as I approach. I grin at her as she lunges forward and takes me in a bear hug. My cock twitches as I hug her, but I try to push past it as she pulls back, grabbing my hand.
“C’mon, let’s head outside.”
I nod and follow her, closing the door behind me before we move to our usual spot out by the pool. When we take our seats on the sun lounges, Marianna automatically walks overwith some drinks. She must have been preparing them when I arrived, otherwise she is a superwoman.
“Thanks, Marianna,” I say, and she smiles at me with a wink, then heads back inside.
“So, do you wanna study some more?” Ria asks.
“Actually, I tried to write you a note. I’m not sure how good it is, though.”
She sits up. “Oh my God, really?”
I nod, pulling the note out of my pocket and handing it to her.
Chapter Eight
ZARIA
The note from Nate feels surreal. I have no idea what it’s going to say or if it’s even going to be legible, but the fact that he’s trying is significant. Taking a deep breath and with slightly shaking fingers, I unfold it and look down with the biggest grin.
The writing is childlike but definitely legible.
“It’s not much, but it took me ages to get helping right. But I got it right…right?”
I jump up, race over, and fall onto Nate’s lap, embracing him tightly and snuggling my nose into his neck. I’m so honored and delighted he did this, so much so that I can’t even describe how I’m feeling. I guess if I tried to put it into words, the feeling would be undeniably proud. He even drew his usual dove on the notepaper for me. It’s one of the best letters I’ve ever received, and I’ve gotten a lot of fan mail over the years, but this isway above anything I can describe. The dove has been drawn exquisitely, and I adore the effort that has gone into it.
I pull back, looking into his eyes, and instantly feel that spark, the same intensity that’s always there. The pull toward him is immense as our eyes connect.
“Have you ever written a note to anyone before?”
He sighs. “I’ve never written anything to anyone before.” He chuckles. “You’re my first. Sorry if it’s really fucking messy, though.”
Shaking my head, I fight back the tears, feeling nothing but complete awe. I’m overwhelmed, and the emotion envelops me as I lean in, pressing my lips to his. Sparks shoot off all around me, and my lips tingle like popping candy as I kiss this man for the second time. My hands move to either side of his face, holding him to me as Nate runs his hands up the back of my shirt, holding me to him. Our tongues dance feverishly in a tango of passion and want.
I lean against him further in his lap and immediately feel his cock harden beneath me.
For a second, a split second, I want to take advantage of it. Then he shifts slightly, and it presses into me, which is enough to snap me back to reality. I pull back, gasping for air, breaking the kiss as I jump off his lap. My hand sweeps up to my mouth in shock that I have done this again.
“Shit, sorry. I got caught up in the moment. I was so proud of you that I lost myself. I’m so sorry.”
He exhales, swallowing hard, and frowns. “Is itsobad kissing me, Ria?”
My stomach sinks, and I hate that I’m hurting him, so I turn and pace next to the pool. “No. It’s just this…” I move my finger back and forth, “… us, it can’t happen. I don’t do rockers—”
“Because of Kade?” he interrupts. “I’m not like him, Ria. I don’t cheat, I never would. I’m not that guy.”
“Kade saidthat, too,” I reply with a scoff.
Nate exhales loudly. “Maybe I should go?”
Even though I really want him to stay, I take a deep breath and nod. It’s quite apparent that I’ve upset him, and he probably needs space, so I agree to let him leave.
“I’ll walk you out.”
