I tucked my arms around her, holding her tight this time. Never wanting to let go, because Becca Hendrix was the type of girl you held on to. You didn’t let a woman like her slip through your fingers. She was the type you fought for, and that’s why I made a promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to protect her.
CHAPTER 29
BECCA
It’s beentwo days since Nate asked me to be his girlfriend. Under normal circumstances, I should have been celebrating and replaying every look, text, and word spoken, and not glued to my laptop, digging through old stories, and trying to find a way to stop his ex-agent.
Thankfully, last night, we were able to take a break from all the chaos. And with his sister coming into town later, we needed a night together to do something normal.
“You know,” Nate said, tugging on his sneakers. “When you stayed at my place, I gave up my side of the bed. It would have been nice if you would have returned the favor.”
“I guess I’m not as nice as you,” I said, sipping my coffee. “And at least I didn’t steal your blanket.” I leaned against the kitchen counter; the mug in my hands was warm as the morning sunlight spilled through the windows.
Nate stood across from me, attempting and failing to tame his messy hair. “I’m still trying to figure out how such a small person like you can take up so much bed space.”
I narrowed my eyes over the rim of my mug. “Remind me never to invite you over again.”
Last night, Nate saw my condo for the first time. I wanted a quiet night in. I also wanted to prove to him that I could actually cook. We laughed while we ate my favorite chicken marsala recipe, played Rummikub to pass the time, and lay in bed talking for hours. No pressure. No drama. Just two people hanging out. With everything going on lately, we needed that more than anything.
He stretched his arms out and yawned. “I can’t remember the last time I slept on a queen-sized bed.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re starting to sound like a bed snob.”
He shrugged. “I’m a big boy. Your bed feels tiny compared to mine.”
I smiled despite myself. “Wow. You really know how to make a girl feel special.”
His laugh was full and warm as he gazed around my open-concept kitchen/living room. “Seriously, though. I’m glad I finally got to see your place. Although those books on your shelf are a little intimidating.”
I glanced at the white shelf, tucked away in the far end of the room.
“They are romance books. What’s so intimidating about them?”
“Well, first of all, those sex scenes are unbelievable, and you can tell they are written by a woman because men don’t talk like that.”
“Hush.” I shoved his arm playfully. “You’re being annoying.”
He crossed his arms. “And pretty sure if I ever grabbed you by the throat and told you to crawl to me, you would kick me in the balls.” His expression was smug.
I threw my head back and laughed. “That’s why they are called fiction.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Do women really like that stuff?”
I shrugged, feeling heat crawl up the back of my neck. “Obviously, some do.”
He rounded the kitchen island and drifted his hand lazily up and down my arm. “Maybe you can show me later what you really like in the bedroom.”
I stared at him. “Is Nate Sandler standing in my kitchen, asking me to give him pointers on how to please a woman? I never pegged you as someone who needed to be coached.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth. “I’m always eager to learn and discover something new.”
“You’re serious?” I asked, setting my coffee cup down with a little too much excitement.
He pulled me in by the waist. “Just trying to understand the appeal. If there’s something I can do to make you feel good, I’m on board for learning new tricks.”
Most men never would have admitted that, but Nate had confidence in spades. And I think he knew that he had nothing to worry about when it came to his bedroom skills.
“Trust me, the men in those books have nothing on you.”
