14. Maria
The first rays of sunlight filter through the blinds, casting a warm glow on Nathan’s sleeping face. His breath is steady against my skin, his arm draped protectively over me. My heart feels full and happy after last night, and I already know that I’m falling hard for him.
I blink back the memories of my parents’ relationship breakdown when I was a teenager. I’ve protected my heart for so long, but Nathan has found a way to break through those defenses, making me crave the intimacy and love I’ve kept at bay. I shift to face him better, our eyes meeting as he stirs awake. We share a soft smile, and I snuggle closer to him, breathing in his scent.
This moment is so perfect; I never want it to end.
And why should it? What if we have to stay here in Montauk for the rest of our lives, hiding out and taking on new identities? Would that really be so bad?
At least we would be together.
Nathan kisses my forehead, and I nearly melt into a puddle. If the way he worshipped me last night was any indication, he’s feeling the same about me as I am about him.
“Hey,” he whispers, his voice heavy and sexy as hell.
I grin, about to respond, but there’s no chance. His burner phone rings, shattering the moment.
Nathan sits up in bed, frowning, and looks at the phone on the bedside table.
“Who is it?” I sit up as well.
“Only one person has this number.”
My heart rate picks up. That means it’s the head of the security team that’s managing the kidnapping threat.
The tension between us thickens as we both recognize the significance of the call.
“Hello?” Nathan answers the phone, his voice cautious. I strain to catch snippets of the conversation, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Everything okay?” I mouth silently, trying not to interrupt the call. He nods, pursing his lips as he continues to listen. A flood of relief washes over me, and I let out a shaky breath. For now, it seems like we’re safe.
As the conversation progresses, Nathan’s furrowed brow gradually eases, and I can tell that whatever news he’s receiving is positive. I can’t help but yearn for more time together, away from the chaos and danger that brought us to Montauk. But reality is calling, and I know we can’t hide here forever.
“Great work,” Nathan tells the head of the security team, relief evident in his voice. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
I swallow hard. Okay, this sounds really good.
“Thank you,” Nathan murmurs into the phone before hanging up. He turns to me, concern etched on his face. “They’ve arrested those responsible for the kidnapping plot. We’re safe now.”
“Really?” I ask, stunned.
“Really,” he confirms with a genuine smile.
The weight of our situation begins to lift, and in this moment, it’s just the two of us again. Nathan pulls me closer, his eyes locked on mine, and we share a tender embrace.
“Safe…” I whisper, my heart soaring at the thought that we can finally go back to our lives without constantly looking over our shoulders.
Except… is that what I really want? To return to the city and leave behind this week in Montauk?
Even though we were running and hiding, this week has been amazing. I would live it all over again if I could. Especially last night.
“Looks like it’s time for us to head back to Manhattan,” Nathan says.
“Yeah.” My chest tightens at the thought of leaving this haven we’ve shared. But I keep those thoughts to myself, knowing Nathan has responsibilities waiting for him back home.
“Yes,” he replies, checking the date on his phone. “I have a crucial meeting later today, and there’s a short window to close a deal.”
I know what meeting he’s talking about, of course. I just forgot all about it. Just like I forgot about everything else back home.
“Of course,” I say, understanding but still feeling a pang in my heart. I watch as he starts gathering our belongings, efficiency in every movement, making it clear that we’re pressed for time.
“Can you grab your things while I load the car? We need to be quick.” He looks at me apologetically, his eyes silently asking for understanding.
“Sure,” I nod, swallowing the disappointment threatening to overwhelm me. As I gather my clothes and toiletries, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss creeping in. Our time in Montauk has been a whirlwind of emotion and passion, something I never expected to find with Nathan. But life is calling, and we must answer.
We pack our bags in record time, the minutes slipping through our fingers like sand. As we make our way to the car, I steal one last glance at the beach house that had become our sanctuary, trying to etch its image into my memory.
“Ready?” Nathan asks, his voice gentle as he sees the wistfulness in my eyes.
“Ready,” I confirm, taking a deep breath and letting go of my longing to stay. Together, we step into the car and drive away, him behind the wheel.
“Montauk is so beautiful this time of year.” I wistfully stare out the car window, watching the town disappear behind us. The sun is rising quickly, casting a golden hue over everything it touches. “I wish we could stay longer.”
Nathan glances at me with a small smile before focusing back on the road. “You’ll be back.”
Me. I’ll be back. But not him? Does that mean that he’ll never return here with me?
“Yeah,” I choke out.
I’m not going to allow myself to imagine a future where Nathan and I return to Montauk, hand in hand, without any looming danger or pressing deadlines. It’s a fantasy, nothing more.
After all, he seems more than eager to get back to New York. Did what we shared last night really mean that little to him?
His phone rings again. “Sorry, I have to take this,” he says, answering his phone. “Nathan here.” His voice shifts into business mode, and there can no longer be any doubt that our intimate bubble has burst.
“Of course,” I reply, trying not to let the disappointment show in my voice.
It’s not like he can hear me anyway. He’s already pulled into whatever business conversation he’s having. I’m the past now. A forgotten thing, just like all the women before me probably are.
How could I have been so silly to believe him when he said he’s not a playboy? He probably gives that line to every woman!
I turn my gaze back to the passing scenery, lost in thought. Work is going to be tough now. Especially if Nathan acts like what we had in Montauk never happened.
If being coworkers becomes an issue, I could look for a job elsewhere. It’s not like I’m married to my current position.
“All right, I’ll see you soon,” Nathan says, ending his call. He immediately dials another number, diving headfirst into another work-related conversation. My heart sinks, but I keep my thoughts to myself, knowing that now isn’t the right time to bring it up.
Or maybe the right time will never come.
I don’t want to beg Nathan for a relationship. I would rather die than sink that low.
And if I mean nothing to him, then hell will freeze over before I let him know how much he’s hurting me. If nothing else, at least I have some pride.
The Manhattan skyline looms in the distance, a stark contrast to the peaceful beauty we’ve left behind. Nathan is on his third phone call since we left the cabin, and he shows no signs of slowing down. No doubt, he’s driving us straight to the office, and he’ll expect me to launch into work like nothing has happened.
I glance out the window, my heart aching as I try to hold on to the remnants of our time together. The city’s noise and chaos seem like an intrusion, threatening the fragile connection we’d built.
“Didn’t even last a day,” I whisper, feeling the sting of disappointment. Silly, really, to let my heart take flight after just one night.
“Sorry, what was that?” Nathan asks, having caught my mumble. I shake my head, forcing a smile.
“Nothing, just talking to myself,” I reply, turning my gaze back to the window. I watch as the buildings grow taller, their concrete walls closing in around me.
“Hey, I’m sorry about earlier,” Nathan says, ending his call and giving me a guilty look. “I know I’ve been a bit preoccupied, but you know how it is. Work never stops.”
I nod, trying to push back the tears threatening to spill over. “Yeah, I understand,” I say. “It’s just… I thought maybe we could talk about last night and where we stand. But it’s okay. You’re busy.”
“Maria, I do want to talk about it,” Nathan insists, his eyes searching mine for any signs of hurt or anger. “Just not right now. Once this meeting is over, I promise we’ll talk, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, swallowing hard and focusing on the rhythm of the tires rolling over the pavement. My mind churns with questions and doubts. Why did I let myself believe that anything would change?
We’re almost at the office, but I let my thoughts drift to Montauk. The cozy cottage, the warmth of Nathan’s arms, and the soft glow of sunrise painting our skin golden. For a moment, it had felt like we were truly meant to be together.
But reality has a habit of barging in, reminding me that some things are too good to last. The taste of disappointment lingers, bitter on my tongue.
I’ll get past this. Somehow. Someway.
I’m strong, and so I know I will.
But first I need to learn to protect my heart and accept that the biggest, most beautiful fantasies hardly ever become realities.