Chapter 25
Olive
Isit curled up on the couch in Nate’s sister’s living room, wineglass in my hand, laughing at a story Pamela is telling me.
She’s told me stories about Nate all night.
I couldn’t help but laugh every time Nate’s cheeks would get the faintest hint of blush at some of the more embarrassing ones.
My heart skipped a beat watching Nate interact with his family.
He adores his sisters and seems to have genuine friendships with their partners.
And Nate with his nieces and nephews…I’ve never wanted to have children, but watching him with them gave me a momentary pause.
Not that Nate and I are going to have kids.
I shake those thoughts from my head with a laugh.
If nothing else, this evening has reminded me that happy and functional families are possible. I even opened up to his sisters about Benny, and they were just as kind and comforting as Nate has been.
I glance across the room at Nate. He’s standing on the far side of the room with Lori’s boyfriend and Pamela’s husband.
But his eyes are on me. His sexy smirk has my core clenching.
Noticing they’re suddenly very dry, I lick my lips.
And before I take another breath, Nate sets his beer down, says something to the men, and stalks across the living room.
He cages me in with one hand on the armrest and one hand on the back of the couch.
So much for just friends.
“You ready?” His deep voice has goosebumps running over my skin.
I chastise quietly, hoping only he can hear, “This is not how friends ask each other if they want to leave.”
His grin widens as he stands and holds out a hand to help me from the couch. Removing the wineglass from my other hand in the process, he hands it to his sister.
Lori stands, too. “Nate, it’s still early. Why are you taking away our new friend?”
He keeps his eyes on me. “We have to fly out early tomorrow.”
Nate reluctantly releases me and steps back when Lori approaches to give me a tight hug. “It was so good to meet you, Olive. I hope we can get together for mani/pedis or something when you’re back in town.”
I try to keep the discomfort off my face because the offer is so sweet, but it’ll be a while before I can afford that. “Thank you, Lori. I loved tonight. It was wonderful meeting everyone.”
Pamela takes her turn, giving similar sentiments as Lori.
We say goodbye to Brian and Joseph. The kids are in the basement watching a movie with a few of the neighbor kids, so we don’t interrupt them.
Nate guides me out of the house with our fingers intertwined.
Once the door shuts behind us, I rest my temple on his bicep as we stroll to his vehicle, my heart fuller than it’s been in a very long time.
I fold the last of the clothes I plan to take for the next leg of the tour and place them neatly in my suitcase. Sitting back on my feet, I look around my quiet apartment.
It was still early by the time we got back.
Nate and I cuddled on the couch, watching a movie that neither of us paid attention to as we made out like teenagers.
His disappointed frown when he finally had to leave me, since we both needed to pack and get ready to leave again tomorrow, caused more happiness to tug at my heart.
I was glad I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
He gave me a goodbye kiss over and over, each varying in intensity.
All of them made me want to beg him to stay the night again.
But I didn’t.
Besides him needing to go home and pack, I didn’t want to come across as needy.
This weekend has been amazing. Nate’s family was so welcoming and warm to me.
They were exactly what I always imagined when I dreamed about what I wished my family was.
The love they have for each other is so evident in their interactions.
Lori said she thanks Nate’s business partner, Jack, every chance she gets for convincing Nate to start their company in Nashville so the three siblings could all be together again.
It makes my heart so happy for Nate that he’s now able to be so close to his family after years of being away while he was in the military.
When I hear my phone vibrate from where it’s charging on my nightstand, I stand, stretching my aching lower back. My stomach flips when I see the text.
Nate: I have a problem…
Me: What is it??
Nate: Now that I know what it’s like to sleep next to you and wake up with you in my arms, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep alone ever again.
My heart skips a beat as a smile breaks across my face. This man. Who knew he would be such a romantic?
Me: I’ll be honest…I’m dreading going to bed for the same reason.
I glance at my rumpled, unmade bed and remember the feeling of his arms holding me tight. His deep kisses and mind-blowing sex. Sadness that he isn’t here zings through me.
Nate: One night. That’s all we have to get through.
I blow out a breath through pursed lips.
Me: One night.
Tossing my phone onto my bed, I decide I might as well start what will most likely be a restless night now. It’s only a little past nine, but I have to be up early for the flight.
Last week, I never thought I would be counting down the minutes until I could be with Nate again. But here we are.
Standing in the airport terminal, I take a long sip of the coffee I shouldn’t have spent the money on this morning, but I needed it.
I was right about last night being restless.
I barely got any sleep as I tossed and turned.
My thoughts oscillated between the happy ones of Nate, the depressing ones of Benny, and the terrifying ones of Marcus’s boss, whoever he is.
I mentally shake off the lingering feelings that plagued me throughout the night. I need to get my head back into work mode.
As I take another drink of my coffee, a hand slides around my waist and pulls me gently into a solid chest. Nate’s familiar scent envelops me and instantly calms my frazzled nerves.
His lips find my ear, his breath causing my hair to tickle my skin.
Goosebumps slither down my back. “Goddamn, Olive. I missed you last night.”
My inhale is shaky as I turn my head to look at his handsome face. His brown hair is styled, but adorably tousled. His strong jaw is freshly shaven, and I pick up a hint of his aftershave. As his dark eyes take me in, they smolder.
All I can manage is a whispered, “I missed you too.”
A smirk pulls up one side of his full lips. My mind wanders back to when they kissed their way across my body.
Our bubble bursts with Ian’s deep voice. “Okay, you two lovebirds. Break it up. We all have jobs to do for the next few hours.”
Nate’s jaw muscles tic with annoyance as I press my lips together to stifle a laugh. I step to the side and lose Nate’s touch, just as Jenny and her entourage round the corner. Cade walks a few feet behind them, looking as beat as I feel.
I get a quick wink from Nate as he and Ian fall in step with Jenny. Following behind the group with Cade, we all make our way to the plane. Everyone must feel the effects of our weekend off, because no one says a word as we walk across the tarmac.
Thankfully, the flight is uneventful and quick.
We’re touching down in just a few hours after boarding.
Nate gives me one last look filled with elation and promise as he deplanes with the group, leaving Cade, myself, and the rest of the flight crew to finish the post-flight duties before following them to the hotel.
As soon as they’re off the plane, Cade starts hurling questions my way about Nate and me and what has happened since he loaded me into Nate’s truck Saturday night.
I answer them as thoroughly as I can without going into too much detail.
I love Cade and generally share everything with him, but this all feels too new.
Too raw. I feel somewhat protective over it and want to keep some of it private until I feel more secure.
He eventually relents, and we finish work with him recounting his Sunday to me. Apparently, he might be back with his ex, and I’m glad that taking a deep dive into his relationship history takes the focus off me.
Right before we leave the plane, I grab a few bags of chips and shove them in my tote bag.
While technically, this is stealing, considering my money shortage at the moment, my morality will need to take a backseat to at least having a little something to eat.
Who knew my brother going to rehab again would be the accidental diet I wasn’t intending to be on.
I can already tell I’ve lost a few pounds from my curvy figure.
I would’ve lost even more if it hadn’t been for Cade and Nate buying me meals.
My mother would be so proud since my weight was always something she was quick to criticize while growing up.
For some, those insults would make them want to conform to gain their parent’s approval, but for me, it was always the exact opposite.
The more she told me to lose weight, the more I refused to and embraced my thicker frame.
And Nate seems to enjoy it very much, if this last weekend is any indication.
By the time we make it to the hotel and check in, it’s a little after noon.
“I think we should go lay by the pool. We need to enjoy the sun as much as we can.” Cade jams his finger into the elevator call button. “I would really prefer to go to the beach, but it’s too far. The pool will have to do.”
“Sitting outside in the sunshine sounds like perfection. I’m down.”
His grin is wide as we step into the elevator. “Meet you at the pool in fifteen?”
“Yep, that’ll work.”
Once I’m in my room, I quickly change into my swimsuit. It’s a tight-fitting one-piece that accentuates my waist and gives me fantastic cleavage. I stare at myself in the mirror and glance over at my phone.
I probably shouldn’t do this…
Swiping my phone off the table, I angle it to capture the perfect angle of my chest in the picture.
My cheeks flush when I pull up the text string, and I quickly send it before I can second-guess myself anymore.
Then I toss the phone on the bed as if it’s on fire and press my hands to my heated cheeks.
I’m not really sure if we’re at the point in our relationship where we send risqué photos, no matter how tame, to each other.
But it’s too late now. I’m digging through my suitcase, looking for my cover-up, when I hear the faint vibration.
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I pick up my phone.
Nate: Jesus fucking Christ, woman. I wasn’t fucking prepared for that delicious view.
A flush moves from my cheeks down through my body. Not knowing how to respond, I send the kissing face emoji.
Nate: I’m not kidding when I say I’m sporting half a boner right now looking at this picture. I cannot wait until tonight when I can get my mouth on those again.
I squeeze my thighs together as wetness gathers between them.
Me: I can’t wait either.
Nate: I think I’m going to pass out from lack of blood supply to my brain.
Me: Please don’t…that might delay you coming to see me tonight.
Me: I’m going to the pool. Counting down the minutes until I can see you.
I pull on my cover-up and shove my sunglasses into my hair, stepping into the hallway with a lightness in my heart. I might still be scared, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe everything might actually work out this time.
Twenty minutes later, Cade and I have drinks in our hands, despite me once again protesting about him paying. And him telling me to shut up until I finally gave in. We’re stretched out on loungers, watching a few groups of kids playing in the pool. My phone vibrates next to me.
Nate: All I can think about is you in that sexy ass swimsuit, all sweaty in the sun. I’m turning myself on.
A giggle slips from my lips. Cade looks at me over the top of his sunglasses. “Is that a certain bodyguard texting you?”
I bite my lip and nod.
Cade smiles and looks back out over the pool. “I’m happy for you, Oli. I have a good feeling about this one.”
“I do, too, Cade. I really do.”