Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
JAMES
I startle awake, eyes heavy and I yawn, giving myself a minute to wake up. I blink at the ceiling, and it takes me a moment to realize where I am. I am on the sofa.
I turn my head and my brows pinch when I see Nate laying there, soundly asleep. I shift onto my side, and I just watch him. I've never watched anyone just sleep before. Always found it weird, but not with Nate.
His glasses are on the coffee table, arms crossed against his hard chest and I want to run my tongue up and down his abs, my lips dragging across his warm skin.
Nibbling on my bottom lip, I reluctantly push myself up onto my elbow. He’s not asleep much longer before his eyes flutter open and they land on me instantly.
The air shifts between us and he blinks a couple of times before he gives me a smile.
“Morning,” his voice is raspy, rough and he sounds sexy as hell.
“Morning,” I sit up and tug the covers around my neck and for some reason I feel self-conscious all of a sudden.
“Did you sleep okay?” he unfolds his arms, pushing himself up and moving to the edge of the chair.
“Yeah I slept really well,” I yawn again and rub the sleep from my eyes. “Did you?” I give him a cute smile, dimples pressing into my cheeks.
“Yeah, I did actually,” he cocks his head to the side.
Silence crackles between us and before the tension grows even more, I jump up from the sofa, covering my chest with my hands and I am suddenly more aware that my pyjamas are a lot more revealing.
I'm not sure why, but last night felt intimate. Maybe where we spent the night in the same room, sure it was only on the sofa and armchair, but we were still together.
Filling the coffee pot up, I turn it on and wait for it to boil and whilst I do I reach for two mugs and place them on the side.
I was expecting to see a mess here still but I knew deep down that Nate would have tidied, he wouldn't have been able to leave the room a mess, no matter how late it was. I have picked up his little habits and I am trying to be more understanding and respectful, especially when I am in his home.
The coffee machine beeps, and I make his coffee the way he likes it, and add creamer and a sugar to mine. I walk in, holding my elbows up by my ribs as I try and cover myself when in fact, I am probably drawing more attention to myself.
“Thank you,” he stands and takes the coffee from me, and my eyes drop to his low hanging sweatpants and I can't stop my eyes from lingering a little longer on an area that I shouldn't.
I have only fantasized about his cock.
But I can see the outline of how perfect it looks.
Lifting my eyes quickly and giving him a soft smile as I sit back on the sofa and cross my legs underneath myself then drag the cover back over my lap.
“What time do we have to be out the door today?” I ask as I bring my mug to my lips and blowing softly.
“Ceremony starts at three,” his eyes are on me the whole time, “out the door for twelve thirty-ish...”
I moan as the coffee touches my tongue.
I needed this a little more today.
“Okay,” I nod softly, and turn my gaze to my phone and see a couple of messages from Brooke.
My brow creases as I swoop it up and unlock it.
“What's wrong?” the worry wraps around his raspy voice.
I ignore him as I read her message, worrying the whole time it's Jeff but it's not. She is freaking out because the investor has cancelled her meeting next week.
“Yeah, fine,” my lips purse. “Brooke is panicking a little because the investor has cancelled without rescheduling...”
“Oh,” one of Nate's brows raise as he takes his own mouthful and his own groan passes his lips, “that is a good cup of coffee.”
“Right!?” my voice shoots up a little higher and I take another mouthful.
“Why did he cancel?” Nate asks and I kind of shrug.
“Didn't say, just couldn't make it,” I sigh, “I feel bad for her, I know she needs this, she was so excited...”
“I'm sure they will rebook; I can't see them not wanting to take a chance if they were so desperate to get their hands on it. These things happen, could be a family emergency or anything.”
I hadn't thought of that.
“That's true,” I agree and quickly type that out to Brooke, trying to reassure her the best I can.
Heidi isn't great in these situations, and I seem to be the crisis person who they reach out to.
I've had it all.
Sex problems—not that I am a pro—stuck condoms... yes, you read that right and everything in between. Through it all we have been there for each other. We've all been through some form of heartbreak and now we're all single, well, not me. I'm married. Married to someone who needed me as much as I needed him.
Still unsure why he wanted a wife, but then maybe it was for all of this.
I couldn't imagine doing this as the only single one in the group.
Would terrify me.
But then again, I'm not Nate.
They're his friends.
They wouldn't care and I am sure he wouldn't either.
“You looking forward to today?” he asks me, dragging me from my thoughts and I give him a small smile. Nerves bubble on the surface but I swallow them down.
“I think so,” I laugh, “I do love a wedding,” and I feel all giddy for just a moment. “Are you?”
“Yeah,” he sits back in the armchair, resting his elbows on his knees, hands dropping slightly, fingers still wrapped around his coffee cup. “I can't wait to see them get married, they really are a match made in heaven,” he sighs, lips pulling into a smile.
“Is he your favorite?” I find myself asking, tapping my ring finger against the mug, the soft sound of metal hitting and filling the room.
I watch as he puffs his cheeks out, his leg bobbing.
“Maybe,” he winks then runs his hand around the back of his head, “nah, honestly?” he pauses for a moment and his gaze locks with mine. “I think he is, I don't know, in school, Kaleb was the only one who really took the time to get to know me, he was kind to me and at first it was strange because I wasn't used to people being kind. I was always mistreated in some way...” he pauses for a moment, and I watch how he rubs his hand across his covered thigh. “I was always the different kid, the nerd... the loner.”
My chest aches, my heart weeping in my chest and suddenly I am seeing Nate as a young boy, just for a moment and when I blink, he is back to his older self.
“But Kaleb never done that, he stuck up for me, then introduced me to his twin Keaton. Keaton had it rough in school, but Kaleb tried his best looking after us both... and then Kaleb sought out Titus. Titus was the tallest out of us all and he kind of become the protector, it gave Kaleb some breathing space, gave him time to focus on school rather than worrying about me and Keaton,” he blinks at me and I am trying so hard to ignore the burning lump that is swelling in my throat, and the words I want to speak dissolve around it and all I can do is swallow them down.
“We never left each other’s side after that, we always looked out for each other and people soon stopped picking on me and Keaton,” he scoffs a laugh as if a memory is playing back in front of his eyes, his pretty hazel eyes flitting. “Keaton grew a backbone, he started acting out a bit more as he grew older and we got into some scraps, but, they were all part of growing up, all part of learning I suppose. We were always taught a lesson, our actions always had consequences and we're still learning now, even at the grand age of forty-seven. But that's the good thing about living, you make a mistake? Sure, it sucks but you can fix it. It can always be fixed, just some take a little longer.”
And I inhale heavily.
“That makes sense,” I take a mouthful of coffee.
“So, short answer, yes, Kaleb is my favorite,” he winks before leaning forward, “but don't tell the other two, they'll be very upset.”
I pretend to zip my lips then lock them with an invisible key.
“Secrets safe with me,” I wink back and we fall back into silence as we finish our coffee, enjoying the slow hour before we will have to get up and get ready for the wedding, and now I've had time to have a moment, excitement pricks at my skin, today was going to be an amazing day. I couldn't wait to see Connie walk down the aisle and get her happily ever after with Kaleb.
I don't know them well, but I agree with Nate.
They're perfect for each other, they seem to balance each other out in some strange way, they fitted together like a jigsaw.
The perfect fit.
And I couldn't wait to have that one day, with or without Nate.
Pulling my hair into a low messy bun, I curl a few loose strands that frame my face. I slip delicate gold hoops into my ears and slide a bracelet onto my wrist before finishing my look off with a gold heart pendant necklace.
I sit and do my make up, spending a bit longer as I smoke my eyes in soft golds and browns before adding a strip of lashes to each eye. Moving onto my skin, I apply a thin layer of foundation and blend it in before I focus on my concealer and let it sit for a few minutes, then dab it under my eyes and working it into them. My pimple is definitely not as red, and the head has gone thank God. Popping some concealer on a small brush and gently dabbing it onto the spot and warming it into my skin. I rummage through my make up bag to see what blusher to use and after what feels like forever, I settle on a light pink. I didn't want my apples too bright, but I wanted a dusting of color. I highlight my cheekbones, the tip of my nose and the bow of my lips before smudging it in with the tip of my ring finger. I smile at myself, and I look quite pretty. I was a girly girl. I loved my make up and skin care, but some days I wanted more, others I wanted less. Today was a full face but not heavy looking. Lastly, I rub a red lipstick into my full lips and get rid of any excess.
Spraying my hair with hairspray to keep it in place, I then add my powder to my creases around my nose, my chin and my under eye then set it in with my setting spray.
I drop my lipstick, powder and pad into my soft, quilted gold purse, then pop my phone in as well before zipping it up. The delicate chained gold shoulder strap compliments the bag perfectly. Pushing to my feet, I walk to the closet and grab my gold strapped sandals. Slipping them on, I try and bend down and struggle and I haven't even got the dress zipped up fully.
Puffing out my cheeks, I place my hand on my hips as I give myself a breather. I try again and fail miserably. Just as I am about to call out for Nate, he appears in the door looking as handsome as ever, dressed in a fitted black suit, white shirt and a black bowtie, it is taking everything in me not to go against all of this and wrap my arms around his neck before losing myself in him.
“Wow,” his eyes trail up and down my body, “I forgot just how good you wear that dress,” and my cheeks burn at his compliment just as his fingers fumble with the cufflink on his left sleeve.
“You look very handsome,” I nod, and he does.
Hair pushed away from his face and styled, hazel eyes glistening, cheek bones high but his jaw line sharp. The gold ring that sits snug on his finger makes me feel all giddy for just a moment.
“Would you mind...” I look down at my shoes then back to him.
“Of course not,” he smiles, stepping into the bedroom but just as he goes to bend, I turn my back to him and glance at him over my shoulder, his eyes catching mine and my lips tug into a smile.
“Can you do my zipper...” I breathe just as his fingertips dust across my bare skin at my lower back and my shaky breath catches at the back of my throat.
“Gladly,” and I hear him swallow, his thumb and finger gripping the zipper as he slowly pulls it up, the back of his fingers gliding against my skin as he does. “Done,” he whispers and his warm breath dances over the base of my neck and my skin pebbles. I turn slowly and meet his intense gaze. “Shoes?” his voice is low as his face drops.
“Please,” I stutter over my words before he leads me to the bed, and I sit. He kneels down, wrapping his fingers delicately around my ankle, lifting my foot to his shirt covered chest before he wraps the gold strap around then buckles. He places my foot down onto the carpet softly, carrying out the same movement on my other foot but before he places it down, he lowers himself and presses a butterfly kiss on my ankle, just above the strap of my sandal.
My stomach flips and I watch him as he stands then holds his hand out for me to take as I stand and he steadies me.
“Honestly, James...” his hazel eyes sweep over me again, “no one should look this good.”
I wave him off. “Stop that,” I laugh, and he wiggles his brows.
“I can't, I am besotted with you.” Oh, be still my heart .
I follow him, our fingers linked and as we pass the dressing table, I swipe my purse up and place the strap over my shoulder and let him lead me to the front door. Nerves nip at my skin, but that's soon replaced with excitement. He doesn't let me go until we're at the car, and only then does his fingers unlink with mine. Pulling on the car door, he guides me forward, placing his hand on my lower back as I climb into the seat. He leans across me and I inhale his musky scent, my heart racing in my chest as he buckles me in then closes the door. My fingers play with my wedding band, eyes cast down until I hear him next to me.
“You look truly breathtaking, wife. ”
“As do you, Mr Spencer,” and with that, he turns the car on and pulls off the drive and we ride silently as I Found - Amber Run croons through the speakers. Nate’s hand slips across to rest on my thigh and I ignore the way he burns my skin and just enjoy being in the moment with just him.