Chapter 7
KYLE
As a doctor, I should have been worried. My heart rate had never decreased from the moment I’d first run into Nattie on the beach, and it had only gone up since.
I could still feel the softness of her skin against mine. It had sparked images of us curled up together as rain tapped against the windows—her favorite movie playing, a blanket draped over us, her tucked safely in my arms.
I pressed my lips to her temple, and she snuggled closer.
Life was perfect.
“Doc?” Ava’s voice cut in. “Are you planning on finishing the race?”
The sound snapped me back to reality. I winced, dragging my eyes away from Nattie and back to the screen. My little blue car sat motionless, its hood crumpled.
I’d smashed into a concrete wall.
“Oops. I, uh, wasn’t…yeah, I’ll finish.” I cleared my throat, shifting my broken car from its wrecked position and driving it forward.
“What’s with you, bro?” Alex asked.
My face flushed as I crossed the finish line. “I…reached for the popcorn, was too busy eating. Sorry.”
When I glanced at Ava, she wore an expression on her face that told me she didn’t believe that story. I just hoped Nattie didn’t know I had been staring at her while I daydreamed about our perfect life.
Next to me, she set her controller down and stretched. She yawned as she shifted in her seat. “Well, I think I will head off to bed. All that racing made me really tired.”
My heart sank as she rose. I didn’t want her to go, but I couldn’t very well start an IV of caffeine to keep her awake.
“Aw, yeah, you’re probably exhausted.” I stood with her. “Let me walk you up.”
“That would be lovely. Thanks.” She smiled up at me, slicking a lock of hair behind her ear.
I awkwardly offered her my arm, all too aware of the fact that Ava and Alex’s eyes were on me. To my surprise, she accepted it like we’d done it a thousand times.
We skirted past my housemates and into the foyer. “So, I think Ava put you in a room with a view.”
“Oh, that was nice of her. And so kind of you to bring me here. Thank you.”
“Oh, yeah, of course. Like I said, I just…want to help.” I cleared my throat as we reached the top of the stairs.
I wanted to say so much more, but I didn’t want to scare her.
I wanted to tell her that I still felt that connection, that the moments we’d shared earlier when I’d helped her with the game or when she’d beat me afterward had been some of the most special moments I’d ever experienced.
In every other instance, any connection I’d felt had been one-sided, but this felt entirely different. Every time I thought I’d get told off or that she’d pull away, she didn’t.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I fully expected to wake up, probably in my dad’s house, and have all of this ripped away. Maybe I was having some sort of crazy delusion from the pain pills I’d been prescribed after my near-death experience.
We arrived at her door, and I pushed it open, my gaze falling to her to gauge her reaction as she stepped inside. My mind raced with ways to impress her.
Perhaps I could take a page from my father’s book: borrow his jet, fly her to Paris, and take her to dinner before a stroll along the Seine. That would win her over, right?
Alex had also proposed this date to win Ava over. It was like the go-to date for billionaires and their ladies. I couldn’t go wrong.
My heart went into overdrive as I followed her a few steps into the room. She twisted to face me. “Well, I will sleep far better here.”
“Yes,” I said, crossing my arms to stop myself from reaching for her. “And I’ll be sure Alex has all the security system measures in place. Cameras, alarms, the works.”
She offered me a soft smile, her features sweet in the dim bedroom lighting. “Thank you, Kyle. You have been…so helpful.”
Helpful. That wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, but it was a start. How in the world had my dad managed to woo so many women and then win the lovely Julia Stanton to his side?
It must be the money. Well, I’d work that to my advantage, too. Then I’d go from helpful to hot.
“Yeah, of course,” I said with a bob of my head. “If you need anything, I’m around the corner and down the hall. Don’t hesitate to wake me up anytime.”
Did that sound creepy? I wished I would have had time to run things past Ava before I talked to Nattie. She’d be able to tell if I was being stalker-like.
“I will do my best to let you sleep,” she answered.
Ouch. There was the brush-off I was used to. “Right,” I said, my disappointment showing in the rawness of my voice. “Well, I’ll just let you settle in.”
I had hoped when I’d walked her up that this would be one of those moments where we connected, and I kissed her. It didn’t matter that I’d just met her. I wanted my life to be one of those romantic comedies where through forced proximity, we fell in love in record time.
But this would probably turn out the same way as all my relationships: with a huge letdown and a broken heart that I couldn’t get over.
With a lick of my lips, I bobbed my head, my gaze stuck on the pattern of the area rug under me. I didn’t want her to see the disappointment shining in my eyes.
Before I could force myself to turn around and walk away, Nattie stepped closer to me. Her warm fingers pressed against my cheeks, then her lips brushed mine.
My heart stopped for a second, and I froze. My muscles tensed, completely shocked. Was I hallucinating?
No, after another second passed, I realized I was fully present in my body with my lips pressed against Nattie’s.
The intimate moment was far too short-lived. She pulled back, her cheeks a little flushed as she let her hands slip to my chest.
“Uhhh,” I murmured, completely speechless.
Her features turned from sweet to concerned. “Was I not supposed to do that?”
“No!” My eyes widened as I shook my head. “I mean, yes. Wait, ummm, I’m sorry, I am just…screwing this up big time.”
She winced as she started to step back.
“No, wait,” I said, grabbing hold of her. I dipped her backward and planted my lips against hers, wrapping my arms around her.
Girls liked romantic stuff like this, right?
We’d find out in a second. I straightened, pulling her up with me as we parted.
“Oh my,” she said, her eyelashes fluttering.
“I’m sorry,” I said instinctively.
“No.” She shook her head, her hand patting my chest. “No need for an apology. I’m pleased that you weren’t taken aback by my kiss.”
“No, not at all. I just…okay, this just never happens to me.” I heaved out a nervous chuckle. “Like ever. Like never ever.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, suppressing an amused smile that broke through on her features. “You’re lying.”
I put my hand on my heart, raising the other in the air. “I’m not. I swear. I strike out with all the ladies. But…I’m sort of glad, because I met you.” I poked her gently, a grin on my face.
I hoped the comment would be a sweet moment between us, but it seemed to ruin things. Of course. That was my luck.
After a fleeting smile, she let her gaze sink to the floor, worry seeming to flicker in her eyes. “Well, I should go to bed.”
“I hope you sleep well knowing you’re safe here,” I answered, wishing I could rewind this moment and say something less stupid.
“Thank you.” She twisted away from me, heading toward her bag.
That was my cue. I wanted to pull her back in my arms, to tell her everything would be okay. But I was afraid to scare her more.
I backed from the room. Why had I said what I did? After pulling her door closed, I collapsed against the wall with a sigh. “Because I met you,” I mimicked in a mocking voice. “Idiot.”
I peeled myself from the wall, shuffling down the hall. I wanted to disappear into my bedroom, pull the covers over my head, and hide. But I knew that Ava and Alex would come looking for me.
So, instead, I just headed downstairs to take my licks. I staggered into the living room, past my friends, and collapsed into the chair.
Ava arched an eyebrow at me. “Well?”
I slid my eyes closed, shaking my head as I rubbed my forehead. “We kissed.”
“Whoa,” Alex exclaimed, sitting a little straighter. “Already?”
“Yep,” I murmured.
“So, why the long face, Doc?” Ava asked.
I pressed my lips together, wrinkling my nose. “Well, she kissed me. Then, I kissed her. And I thought things were going really well. But then I said I’d struck out a lot before, but I was glad because I met her. And I think that ruined it. She just kind of looked upset after that.”
“Why would she be upset over that? It’s sweet,” Ava said.
“Unless she thinks you say that to all the ladies,” Alex added. “I mean, maybe she thinks you’re a little bit of a smooth operator.”
“Or a loser. She probably thinks I’m a loser. And after she meets Sierra, she will definitely think that. Sierra will never let my past sins stay in the past.” I leapt from my seat and paced the floor.
“Maybe she’s just a little nervous after whatever happened to her.” Ava lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug.
“Did you happen to get a picture of her?” Alex asked.
“When would I have done that? Like when I left her disappointed or before that?”
Alex shrugged. “Like when we left you alone forever. Maybe then? You know like, hey, let’s snap a selfie together…mark the occasion.”
I smacked a palm against my forehead. “Ugh, that’s so smooth. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“It’s fine,” Ava said with a shake of her head. “We’ll get one. I mean, she lives here now, so I’m sure one of us can snap one sometime.”
I tapped my fingertips together as I ambled back and forth. “Yeah, right. Try to get one tomorrow so we can get some information on her. I want to prove to you that she’s just this sweet girl who needs our help.”
Ava frowned. “Doc…I really think you should be careful. You’re smitten, and that’s awesome. This is one of the best parts of the relationship, but don’t forget you barely know her.”
I huffed out a breath, my nostrils flaring. “Yeah, and you think there’s something off about her.”
“Just…be careful until we know more.”
“Right, because no woman would ever actually like me unless there was something odd,” I murmured.
Ava shared a glance with Alex before she rose, scooping Gizmo into her arms. “Well, we’re heading to bed, too. I will make sure we get a picture tomorrow because I really want to be sure she’s the girl you deserve.”
I wanted to tell Ava that Nattie was the girl for me. I knew it was early, but the connection between us was just so strong. Hopefully, stronger than my stupidity.
Alex clapped me on the shoulder. “Get some sleep, bro. We’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks,” I said.
They left me behind, and I collapsed onto the armchair again, flicking my gaze outside at the dark ocean, illuminated by the crescent moon.
I let my head fall back against the cushion. I’d forgotten to tell Alex to turn on the security system. Pushing myself up from the chair, I meandered toward the panel near the front door.
My fingers hovered over the Arm button when I dropped my hand. I shouldn’t turn it on in case someone accidentally set it off. I’d have to talk to Alex about it another day.
We should be safe tonight without it.
I climbed the stairs and headed for my room. But there was no way I could sleep. After slipping between the sheets, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the entire night, about this mysterious new woman in life, and about how I’d probably ruined my chances with her.
Finally, I couldn’t lay there anymore. I kicked back the covers, and leapt out of the bed. I paced the floor, my bare feet connecting with the cool hardwood.
I bit my thumbnail as I tried to calm the anxious thoughts racing through my mind, but before I knew it, they drove me right out of my room and down to her door.
I stood outside it, my fist hovering in the air. Before I could stop myself, I knocked. I slid my eyes closed, regretting this choice already. Why was I like this?
No one answered. Was she asleep? Was she upset?
I should check. My fingers lingered on the doorknob.
No! I couldn’t open this door and walk into a woman’s bedroom uninvited. I took a step away before I immediately returned.
I wouldn’t go inside, I’d just open the door a crack to make sure she was okay. That was responsible, right?
I hesitated, guilt pooling in my stomach. What was wrong with me?
No, this was the right thing to do. She was in need of help.
And I was a doctor. Doctors checked on patients all the time, right?
With the dubious justification in the forefront of my mind, I twisted the knob and inched the door open. Inside, the room was dark.
“Nattie?” I whispered, sticking my head into the room.
My heart hammered hard as I stared at the bed. It hadn’t been slept in, and she was nowhere to be found.
I shifted my gaze, finding her bag still where I’d put it. But the sliding door leading to her balcony was slightly open, the sheer curtain blowing in the breeze. But she wasn’t outside enjoying the view. Where was Nattie?