He didn’t sneak out to avoid me.
He was coming back.
God, I am such an idiot.
But am I though? Because if he’s telling the truth, it’s far harder to believe than the lie I’d told myself - that he snuck out of bed the other morning rather than waste another minute with a laughingstock like me.
‘Do you want a drink? Because I think I kind of need one.’ I pad across the wide varnished floorboards and into the kitchen, pausing briefly to throw another log onto the crackling fire.
My brain aches. I can’t think straight with these pheromones fizzing in the air between us.
‘Sure. I brought a bottle to replace the last one we drank.’ He motions to the counter where a bottle of Sancerre sits. Condensation drips from the chilled glass directly onto the worktop.
‘You hoping to see Mariah again? Because that’s who you’re going to get.’ I’m not lying. In fact, even though I haven’t been particularly honest with Nate, I haven’t lied to him. I’ve only ever been my authentic self. He didn’t get the polished version my mother groomed me into, because I never dreamt I’d see him again.
‘I kind of liked Mariah, but I preferred the girl I met afterwards.’ Nate reaches for the wine. I hand him a bottle-opener before grabbing two crystal glasses.
We move around each other in perfect symmetry, like we’ve done this routine a hundred times before.
Nate Jackson might be a movie star, but he’s so effortless to hang out with. It’s ridiculous.
‘Shall we sit?’ He motions to the couch. Anyone would think it was his house. I suppose, technically, it is.
‘Did you find somewhere to stay?’ It’s a stupid question, because clearly he did, but it’s all I’ve got right now.
I sit at the far end of the velvet cushions, purely because I can’t trust myself not to jump on him the next time I catch a whiff of his now familiar, intoxicating, leathery scent.
He drops into the middle, not right next to me, but not far enough away to keep him safe from my tingling ovaries.
‘I checked into the only hotel in the village. Technically, it’s a breach of contract, but I did go in disguise.’ He reaches into the top pocket of his leather jacket and produces my missing sunglasses. ‘Here, I borrowed these. Sorry.’
A laugh tumbles from my mouth. ‘I wondered where they went.’
‘I intended to return them with your coffee but, like I said, it didn’t work out that way.’ Torrid flecks of gold dance in his irises as he surveys my every minute movement.
‘So, congratulations on your new career,’ his smoky voice wisps into my ear.
‘I haven’t fully committed to it yet.’ If St. Jude’s reinstated me, would I go back?
Doubtful. Which basically means Ihavecommitted to it. I’m going to be a full-time artist. It’s what I’ve always wanted, so why does it seem so daunting?
A frown deepens on the crease of his brow. ‘Have you done any acting before?’
Oh. He’s referring to the side gig that I’ve done my best not to think about since my rushed acceptance.
‘Did Max change his mind? Send you over to check if I had any experience?’
‘No. Max needs you more than you’ll ever know.’ Nate pinches the bridge of his nose and exhales a breath that makes me think Max needing me is somehow his fault.
‘So, you came here to chat about my career plans?’ I don’t mean to be intrusive, but curiosity is killing me.
The air vibrates between us. A fire seems to be sucking every molecule of oxygen from the room. Not the log fire. The one that’s burning so hot between us that I want to rip off all his clothes and straddle him like I did the other night. The sex was transcendent. That’s why he’s here. It has to be.
‘I needed to see you.’ He accentuates the wordneeded.
‘You’re looking for a repeat of the other night?’ I’m not averse to it, I just need to get it straight in my head before I do something daft like fall in love with him. I’ve never had a fling before, but then again, I’ve never had a one-night stand until three days ago, either.
‘Yes.’ The twin flames of his eyes burn through my clothes.
