Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NATE
Suited and booted, I tuck my ring inside my drawer and swipe my phone, checking my messages. Mainly the guys. Nothing overly important. I have a couple of meetings next week and I really do need to get down to my club. Haven't been in a few weeks and I know it is in great hands, but I really should pop my head in.
Slipping my Hublot on, I squeeze my feet into my brogues before I am trotting down the stairs. Walking through the hallway as I tug the cuff of my shirt out of my suit jacket, I look for James, but she is nowhere to be seen.
I walk back towards the stairs, eyes chasing up the stairs.
“James!” I call out, not too harshly. I wait a moment or two, but silence greets me.
I pause for a second, hand tucked into my pocket, the other wrapped around the newel post.
“James?” My voice is a little louder and after a beat or two, I hear her bedroom door open before she is standing at the top of the stairs, hands on her hips.
I smile up at her.
“I'm off to work now.” She nods. “I'll be home at four, if you need anything—” she cuts in.
“I'll call.” She nods, and that's when a smile slips across her lips.
“Perfect.”
“Dinner will be served at six, don't be late Mr Spencer.”
“Wouldn't dream of it, wife,” and I don't miss the way she drags her bottom lip between her teeth and pink paints her cheeks. Damn, I think that's the prettiest she has looked. Hair all messy and off her face, freckles spread like constellations across her cheeks and nose, beautiful rose tint to her cheekbones and scarlet lips that pop against her pale skin; and don't even get me started on those sapphire gems for eyes that glisten.
She is stunning.
Always.
But now?
Fuck.
“I'll see you tonight.”
“I'll see you tonight, Mrs Spencer,” and I wink at her, my heart thumps and my cock throbs.
I turn quickly before I give myself away, scooping my keys from the side table and walk out of the door.
The drive to the office was steady, traffic began to build up just as I got to the upper east side, but I managed to dodge it. Turning into the underground parking lot, I pull into my space and cut the engine. I was excited to get out of the office for a few days and watch my best friend marry the love of his life. They deserved their happily ever after. My car beeps indicating I have locked it as I walk to the elevator that serves our office. Pressing the button, I scope over my shoulder and see that everyone is in. I smile. It feels like it has been forever since we have all been here when in reality, it's not been that long at all.
Stepping inside the elevator, I turn and get ready to embrace the next few hours. The doors slide shut as I ride to the first floor. My mind drifts to James and I still can't quite believe that she is mine. Nerves splintered through me at the thought of introducing her to the gang and their wives, but I have every faith they will all welcome her with open arms.
I hope.
The elevator pings as the doors open and my foot is over the threshold, and I smile as I look around our office.
Titus sitting at his desk, laughing, a smile creases at the side of his eyes. Keaton is leaning up against the doorframe of his office, arms crossed against his chest as he rolls his eyes at the shit that is spilling from his twin brother's mouth. Kaleb’s hands are up in some kind of defence mechanism, but he is laughing, dimples present.
“Unlike you to be late Nathaniel,” Keaton drags his eyes from his brother and shoots them to the clock on the wall.
“I don't make a habit of it now do I?” I crease my brows as I dump my backpack on my desk and move my legs over to the kitchenette, pouring myself a coffee. “Plus, “ I call out, not looking behind me. “I'm only taking a leaf out of your book.”
And I hear the rumble of Titus' deep laugh and twist my lips as I stir creamer into my coffee. Don't normally have creamer, but I fancied something a little sweeter today, plus it reminds me of James.
“Oh dear,” Kaleb's laugh vibrates around the room and I smirk, tapping my spoon on the side of my mug before tossing it into the sink and turning around to face the office.
“So, what's on today's agenda?” I ask, bringing my mug to my lips and taking a large mouthful and my tired and grouchy soul appreciated the coffee.
“Wind down time,” Kaleb gives me a nod before turning into his office.
Titus grumbles as he leans forward and begins typing on his computer.
“Yeah, wind down time for you... not for the rest of us.”
“Not my problem,” he shouts out before flipping us off.
“Alright for some aye,” I mumble to Titus as I sit down at my desk and unlock my computer, I look over my divider at my best friend, well, one of my best friends.
“I didn't even get a honeymoon,” he raises one brow.
“You were in London, you had a break.”
Titus scoffs a laugh. “Would hardly call it a break,” he rolls his eyes.
“What are you two bitching about?” Keaton floats across the office.
“Just about our lordship's honeymoon wind down .”
“Ah, yea, selfish bastard. Jetting off to the Maldives...” he scoffs.
“Did you get a honeymoon?” Titus asked Keaton and I sit back and just watch it all unfold.
“Nope, I was too busy taking down a ruthless crime lord that my friend failed to end back in London.”
“Hey,” Titus snipes, brows furrowed as he stares down his daughter's husband. His son-in-law. His best friend.
I chew the inside of my cheek knowing I have well and truly caused a shit stirring situation.
“Sorry, my bad,” Keaton holds his hand up, tongue in cheek.
“I think you both need a honeymoon...” I trail off.
They both turn to look at each other.
“Maldives?”
What the fuck was I doing.
I watch the boyish grin that spreads across Keaton's face, Titus giving him the look.
I love all my friends.
They're all my best friends.
But Keaton and Titus? I don't know... there is just something about those two and their bromance.
Bless them.
Keaton nods slowly towards Titus and he returns it before Keaton is marching back to his office with a spring in his step.
I hear Titus’ fingers hitting the keyboard a little faster and I peep my head up, lifting my chin.
“Watcha looking at?”
I'm not stupid.
I know what he is looking at.
I planted the seed.
“Holidays.”
“Yea?” I smirk.
“Yeah,” Titus nods, eyes narrowing on the screen before he picks his phone up and I watch as his thumbs dance across the screen.
I sit taller, twisting in my seat as I look at Keaton.
He is already on the phone. Pushing away from my desk, I walk slowly over to his office, leaning against the door. I give him a chin lift and he smiles at me.
“Tell James we will pay her triple if she comes with us.”
My ears prick and I find myself stiffening. He catches my body language and I let my shoulders drop and shrug it off as he glares at me.
“You're coming right?”
“Oh yes I am,” I smirk, pushing my glasses up my nose as I take a sweet mouthful of coffee.
“Yes baby,” Keaton mutters and his eyes finally drop from mine and I take myself next door to his brother, Kaleb.
“What time is your flight Monday?” I pick his brains and he is too lost in his computer.
“Errr,” he reluctantly drags his eyes away and looks at the calendar, “eleven a.m.”
“Do you need a lift? What airport?”
“JFK, and no thanks, Connie is getting her dad to drop us off.”
“Perfect,” my grin widens as I move back to Keaton's office.
“Eleven a.m., JFK...”
Keaton smirks.
“I'm gonna mention it to Killian...”
“He is going to be livid.” Keaton chuckles as he reaches for his wallet.
“Who? Killian?”
“No, Kaleb.”
I nod, glancing over at Titus and show him eleven fingers and mouth JFK.
“Let me find out where they're staying...” I turn my back on Keaton.
“How?”
I drop my head for a moment then look back at him.
“Don't you worry your pretty little head about it,” I wink. “I can get into all of your shit,” and he pales.
Strolling over to my desk, I get into Kaleb's emails and find that they're staying at Sirru Fen Fushi Lagoon Resort.
I text Titus and Keaton and they both look up, giving me a nod and then I text Killian with everything knowing full well he will not pass up a chance to not be where his daughter is.
“Titus,” my voice is low, and he looks over at me.
“Text Xavier.”
I watch as his mouth pops open.
“I've told Killian.”
“He is going to kill you,” he hisses as he looks over his shoulder at where Kaleb is sitting at his desk, completely unaware of what is unfolding right in front of him.
“Probably,” I nod as my phone vibrates in my hand and I smile at Killian's reply, he is getting Reese to book it now.
This has worked out better than I thought.
Kaleb is going to be livid.
But what a memory.
Honeymooning with his best friends.
Plus, we all get to take our wives for a honeymoon too.
“Are you going to do it Titus or...”
He grunts that he has done it and of course, Xavier responds straight away.
I fumble in my bag and reach for my headphones. Connecting them to my Bluetooth, I place them on and open up the stream for the camera that is connected to James' bedroom and smile when her phone rings; and here I was thinking I was going to miss it.
I watch as Arizona offers her triple pay, I watch as her eyes widen and lighten up with excitement. Not that she needs the money. She is getting a chunk from me, and if I have it my way, she'll be mine forever.
She'll never need the money again. Especially once I take down Secure Corp.
“I can't see it being a problem, but I will need to just check with...” and she pauses, she knows she can't say anything, and she places her hand on her head, “my roommate.”
Smooth recovery.
She ends the call, and I linger for just a moment more as she turns, her eyes catching the camera but she would never know it was there.
I smile, as if she can see me before I lock my phone.
Titus clicks his fingers in front of me to gain my attention. I push my headphones around my neck.
“Yeah?”
“You're coming right?”
“Yup,” I nod as I begin scrolling for flights.
“Perfect.”
I text Keaton, Titus, Killian and Xavier and tell them not to say a word. Keaton replies telling me to add Dexter to the message thread. I lean back in my chair, turning my attention to Keaton and he waves, and I roll my eyes. Dexter replies telling me that he and Sage are on board; baby too.
It's going to be carnage, but so much fun.
I hope.
We all sign off around the same time and Kaleb locks the office up then asks me if I have my office keys.
“Yeah...” I look around towards Titus and Keaton and furrow my brows in confusion. “Why?”
“Just so I know you can get in next week okay...” Kaleb pushes the button for the elevator.
“Kaleb,” I lick my lips before rolling them. “I am in this office before any of you ninety-nine percent of the time, it's not me you have to worry about.”
He nods and I'm not sure if he is just maybe a little apprehensive about the upcoming wedding that it's making his mind all over the place.
“We will be fine,” I place my hand on his shoulder and give it a squeeze. “I promise.”
And I know that, because next week we will be in the Maldives with him and Connie.
Pulling kerbside, I cut the engine of the car and sit for a moment and look at my home. The lights are on, a warm glow radiating from the windows and I can't wait to get back inside.
It's just past four in the afternoon, and I am grateful that my day is over. Grabbing my backpack, I step out of the car and climb the steps, unlocking the door and instantly feeling at ease.
I can hear soft chatter coming from the back of the house and my lips twitch.
Dumping my backpack down, I walk towards the kitchen with a soft smile on my face and see James on the phone, glass of wine on the countertop whilst she simmers some fresh pasta.
Waiting a moment before I make myself known, I study her. Hair down and tucked behind her ears. She is wearing yoga pants which are not leaving anything to the imagination when it comes to her figure and a cropped white ribbed vest.
She reaches for the stem of her wine glass, lifting it when she notices me, her eyes gliding over her shoulder.
“I've got to go,” she whispers, and cuts whoever it was off.
“You didn't have to cut them off for my sake.”
She spins fully, so she is facing me.
“It was Brooke. They're in the taxi and she has this thing about calling me to tell me the most random and pointless things...” she trails off and brings the thin rim of her wine glass to her lips. I watch as she takes a mouthful, I watch as her throat bobs as she swallows down the silk liquid and staring as her tongue darts across her bottom lip to make sure she doesn't waste a drop.
“How was work?” She asks, placing her glass down and reaching up into the cupboard to get a fresh one. I let my greedy eyes rake over her long legs and peachy ass as she does.
“Work was okay, a little tedious but...” I trail off as she holds the wine bottle up.
“Wine?”
“Please,” I nod as she pulls the cork out and begins to pour, the sound of the liquid glugging from the neck of the bottle filling the large room.
“So,” she starts as she turns and walks towards me as she hands me the glass which I take gladly.
“Arizona called me today.”
“I know, I heard Keaton tell her,” my lips twist as I take a mouthful of the cold, sweet white wine.
It was delicious.
Wasn’t normally a sweet kind of guy, but since James, my taste has changed it seems.
“So, what's all that about? Care to enlighten me?” I hear the playfulness in her tone, her eyes alight.
“Well...” I pause for a moment, stepping into the room and running my fingertips over the counter. “It was kind of my idea. Kaleb and Connie are going to the Maldives on their honeymoon,” my voice drops as I flick my eyes up to hers, “got me thinking that we haven't had a honeymoon.”
She blinks at me a few times.
“Neither has Titus and Amora... same with Keaton and Arizona, and Killian and Reese come to think of it…”
She nods.
“So, I planted the seed that maybe we should all go... you know, surprise them.”
A slither of a giggle passes her lips, and I am unsure if it is nerves or shock.
“But they want me to go to watch the kids, how is that going to work?”
“Sure...” I step a little closer to her, the pasta beginning to bubble, “but when they see that you're my wife... well, that will change.”
She shakes her head from side to side.
“I still work for Keaton and Ari,” she whispers, fingers curling around the edge of the work surface. “I am still Sebastian’s and Smith’s nanny.”
“You are... but you're also my wife. This is also a job is it not?” my eyes lower, her lips parting as I press myself against her.
Her breath catches at the back of her throat, and I smile, my fingers reaching for a strand of her fiery red hair as I twist it around my fingertip.
“Don't forget that, Little Ember,” I whisper against her lips just before the doorbell goes.
A soft chuckle leaves me as I step back and place my wine glass next to hers.
“I am going for a shower,” and before she can respond, I am walking away from her and leaving her friends at the door.