Chapter 25
Nathan
A fter two hours of punishing my body in the pool, my arms ache as I hoist myself out.
Water soaks the concrete ledge as I shut my eyes, waiting for the world to stop spinning.
I need water . Forcing my legs to move is like walking through Jell-O.
I’m trying to take my sexual frustration out in the pool.
It’s futile. I could go and find a one-night stand, but let’s be honest. Only one woman can scratch the itch I have.
I make my way to the outdoor kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the beverage cooler. It’s barely cold. My lies are catching up to me. I told my dad I couldn’t travel this weekend because I was getting this fridge replaced, turns out it actually does need to be replaced.
Halfway done with my water, I glance at my phone sitting on the granite countertop by the sink. I catch the tail end of a call notification but miss the actual call.
Snatching up my phone, I’m horrified to see I have thirteen missed calls from Spencer.
I don’t give myself enough time to thoroughly run through scenarios in my mind.
Is she hurt? Where’s Charlie? Did they get into an accident?
I dial her back as the sobering reality settles over my body, making my legs feel bionic. I’ll run to her if she needs me.
“Spencer?” I ask as soon as the ringing stops and the line connects. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”
“Your front gate,” she says, clipped. Her tone both does and doesn’t surprise me.
I thought she was calling with an emergency, so the annoyed edge in her voice makes me relax.
It’s nice to know she’s her normal self.
Obviously she’s fine. “Your security guard won’t let me through. Why haven’t you been answering?”
“I was swimming. I’m back by the pool. How do you know where I live?”
“I’m your assistant. Your home is the billing address for my corporate card.”
“Oh, well, I’m flattered you’re borderline stalking me.” I mean for it to be flirty, but I think I’ve pissed her off further.
“Real funny, Nathan. Are you going to let me in?”
“Right.” I don’t ask why she’s here. I don’t care, actually. I’m just happy I get to see her. “Hand your phone to the security guard.”
Wordlessly, she obeys. “This is Russell.”
“Russ, it’s Nathan. The woman in front of you is my personal assistant, Spencer. Put her on the approved list. Let her in anytime she wants moving forward.”
“There’s a kid with her, sir. Should I?—”
“Yes, both of them.”
“Roger that,” Russell says, then the call ends.
My head of security is not one to mince words. He ends conversations when he’s done retrieving information. The man wastes no time on pleasantries. He’d never survive in sales, but he’s one hell of a bodyguard.
I finish off my water, pondering why Spencer has chosen to grace me with her sassy presence this Saturday afternoon.
I don’t have to wonder for long. Before I know it, Spencer, dressed in blue jean shorts and an oversized T-shirt, is barreling through the patio doors, then charging toward me, a pink piece of paper crumpled in her fist. Waiting for her by the edge of the pool, I flex my midsection, hoping my bare abs have some effect on her.
Her stare is intimidating. She’s makeup-free today, which is a new angle. I’m used to seeing her all dolled up at the office, but this woman is naturally beautiful in every sense of the word.
“Where’s Charlie?” I ask once she’s in earshot.
“Waiting in the car. I take it you’re a strong swimmer?” Her scowl deepens if that’s possible.
“Yeah. Why?”
Without another word she shoves me hard, sending me flying backward, crashing right back into the pool.
I hold my breath as the water engulfs me with a massive splash.
I had no time to be graceful about anything.
I swim to the ladder, climb out of the pool, then pinch the sides of my swim trunks, trying to wring them out while they’re still on my body.
“That was uncalled for,” I say with a smirk.
“No, it was very, very called for. You’re having me evicted?” Spencer’s practically shrieking, waving the pink paper in her hand. “How could you do this? Talk about petty. I told you I’d fix your office. You didn’t have to boot me and Charlie out of our home.”
I shake out my hand, sending water droplets flying, then pluck the piece of paper from her grip. A cursory read tells me Dad wasted no time in delivering the evacuation notices. “It wasn’t personal?—”
“How is this not personal? You’re retaliating because of Spike and your Barbie Dreamhouse office.
Maybe you should hop down off your high horse and accept the fact that you started this.
I liked you. I really liked you. You strung me along, whispering all these sweet nothings, then threw me away like a candy wrapper.
Now you’re kicking me out of my home. Fuck it. Maybe I should just quit.”
“Hey now.” After closing the space between us, I grab her wrists and hold them gently by her side, so she can’t throw me into the pool again.
“The building is dangerous. It’s condemned.
That’s why we’re closing it. Everybody is getting evicted, not just you.
We pulled at a string and the entire tapestry came loose. It happens.”
She presses against her temples tightly, like she’s trying to keep her head intact. “What am I going to do now, Nathan? I could barely afford this place to begin with.”
“There are other apartments.”
“This one came furnished, and your company was subsidizing half our rent. Utilities were a flat fee. It’s only ten minutes away from Charlie’s school. I just started over. I don’t know how I’m going to do it again.” Her attitude lowers to a simmer, and I can see how overwhelmed she is.
“I’ll help.” I release her wrists once I’m certain she’s not going to surprise attack me again. “What do you need? I can cover your rent wherever you want to go.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “No handouts. I don’t like owing people when I’m not sure if I can ever repay them.”
“Gifts don’t have to be repaid, Spencer. Just tell me how much you need and it’s yours. I’ll take care of you guys.”
The sun is behind me, so she squints when she looks up at me. She planks her hand over her forehead to block the blaring rays, forgetting there’s sunglasses resting on the top of her head. “I’m not your puppy. You don’t take care of me.”
“Then why are you here?”
She lifts her shoulders and drops them. “Charlie and I were on our way to the community pool. I guess I needed to yell at somebody. Sorry. I should go. The AC is on, but it’s so damn hot today, I don’t want to leave her in the car too long.”
“Swim here.” I nod over my shoulder. “We can fire up the grill.”
“No, thanks. As much as Charlie would love this pool…” She spins around, taking in a three-sixty view of my property. “You really are a billionaire, aren’t you? This is a resort, not a pool.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” A diabolical plan suddenly forms in my mind.
I point to my left. “This was meant to be a pool house, but wires got crossed during construction. They built it with two rooms and a full kitchen. It’s about fifteen hundred square feet. Bigger than your apartment, right?”
She scrunches up her face. “Double the size.”
“Great, so it’s settled. It’s yours as long as you need it.”
“Move in with you?” Spencer issues a shrill cackle. “Have you lost your mind?”
I fold my arms over my chest and angle my body so the sun isn’t cooking the broad side of my back anymore. “Why is that so crazy?”
“Would Tom move in with Jerry? Would Peter Pan bunk with Captain Hook? Simba and Scar sure as hell aren’t sharing the Pride Lands.”
I smirk at her. “Clever. But just so you know, while you think you’re innocent, between you accosting me at my home and then trying to drown me, I think you’re more Captain Hook than Peter Pan.”
“I didn’t try to drown you,” she mumbles.
In the five seconds since I suggested it, I’ve grown very attached to the idea of Spencer living here, always in arm’s reach. An entire security detail between her and any other interested donut dudes. This is when I choose to be ruthless in getting what I want.
“Spencer, I really can’t afford for you to be distracted at work. Finding a new home, moving, the new commute—I can’t give you time off for all that.” I jut my thumb toward the guesthouse. “If you want to keep your job, you’ll move in. Plain and simple.”
“You can’t make me by threatening my job.”
I close the space between us and hover over her, puffing myself up like a bear. “Watch me.”
“What?” she squeaks, tilting her head back to peer up at my gasoline-fueled gaze.
“All the shit you get away with at work is because I let you. It’s entertaining, really. But make no mistake, when I want my way, I get it. So unless you want to find a new job along with a new apartment…” I flash her a wicked grin. “Let me show you your new place.”
“You are criminally insane.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.” I wink at her. I don’t give her any time to protest, because quite frankly, now I’m dead set on this whole plan. Had it come to me before, I would’ve taken a sledgehammer to Spencer’s apartment myself.
“I don’t know.” She sneaks a side glance at the guesthouse and I swear there’s a brief flash of relief.
“You’re welcome.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, my mistake, I thought you said, ‘Thank you, boss, for saving my ass.’”
Her glare returns. “I most certainly did not.”
I playfully pop my shoulders. “I’m going to go give Charlie the good news.”
Spencer crosses her arms. “As in you’re going to bribe my sister by showing her all your fancy shit, so it’s two against one?”
She’s spot-on. I am fully banking on Charlie chaining herself to a pool chair, demanding that she and Spencer stay. “And here you thought you were the cleverest in the room.” I tap her nose. “How’s that reality check feel?”
“I didn’t agree to anything. And I told you, Charlie and I have to go. We’re on our way to the pool.”
I point to her up and down, gesturing to her casual ensemble. “You have a swimsuit on underneath this?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Are you a strong swimmer?” I ask before scooping her up, one arm under her knees, the other arm supporting her shoulders.
She squeals and flails but it’s far too late.
I toss her with all my might, so she lands safely away from the concrete ledge of the infinity pool.
She drops in with far more grace than I did.
She resurfaces, wiping her face with one hand as she treads water. “I’m…going…to…kill you,” she growls out.
“Mk, pumpkin. Towels are over there.” I point to the neat stack of striped beach towels by the cabana. “There’s water and soda in the fridge. I think some pina colada mix too. Help yourself. I’ll be back.”
“Nathan, you’re a dead man,” she shouts as I walk away.
But with my back turned, I’m smiling ear to ear knowing damn well how this is going to go. It’s a win-win. Spencer can stop stressing so much about money and providing for Charlie. And as for me?
Well, now I’ll have someone to come home to.