Suddenly my phone chirps with a text. It’s from Natalie. At two a.m.?
Can’t sleep. So uncomfortable! Are you awake?
I smile and call her. I’ve missed her so much since she moved out of our house and into Luke’s house just up the street from me. I don’t get to see her as often as I used to.
“So, you are awake?” she asks dryly when she answers.
“Yes, can’t sleep. You?” I take another bite of cake.
“I’m so damn uncomfortable. This baby has something against letting me breathe these days. And she thinks my bladder is a trampoline.” I can hear the joy in her voice and I grin.
“I can’t wait to meet her, Nat.”
“Me either. Only a few weeks left, can you believe it?”
“No, it’s gone so fast. Are you excited for the shower next weekend?” I ask.
“I’m excited to see the family, but you know I hate it when you guys spend money on me, Jules. We don’t need anyone to give us gifts, you know that.”
I roll my eyes. I am never going to win this argument with her. She makes me crazy. “We love you, Luke and that precious baby girl. We want to spoil her. So shut up and be grateful.”
“Don’t be a bitch,” she responds, making me laugh. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. But I have a confession.” I have to tell her. She’s my best friend.
“What?”
“I’m at Nate’s apartment.”
“What?” she squeals.
I explain about his email this afternoon and dinner in his office and how I ended up here. There is just silence on the phone and I think I’ve lost her.
“Nat?”
“I’m here. Fuck, Jules, do you know what you’re doing?”
“I know that I like him, Nat. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but frankly I’m so tired of pretending that I’m not attracted to him. It’ll work out.” I bite my lip and push my cake away from me.
“I hope it works out the way you want it to, sweetie. Just be very careful. This could have disaster written all over it.”
“Trust me,” I respond sarcastically, “I’m aware.”
I hear Luke’s deep voice in the background and Natalie’s response. “I’m fine, my love, just can’t sleep. Jules, I’ll call you this weekend. Luke’s awake now.”
“Good, I do not want to hear you two go at it over the phone.” I roll my eyes again and exhale. “I love you, girl.”
“Love you too. Goodnight.”
I put my phone down and rest my head in my hands. I told her the truth, I am tired of pretending. I’m not a great actress. But I’m going to have to continue to act at work like there is nothing going on between us. Can I do that?
Do I have a choice?
“Julianne! Fuck, Julianne!”
Chapter Five
My heart slams into my throat as I twirl at the panicked shouts of Nate in his bedroom. I hear him lunge off the bed and his feet are hitting the ground hard as he runs into the great room. He comes to an abrupt stop when he sees me across the room on the stool, his eyes are raw, feral, and he’s panting, standing there in all his naked glory.
He plants his hands on his naked hips and takes a deep breath.
“I thought you left,” he murmurs.
Holy shit.
“I’m here, I just couldn’t sleep.” I cross to him and wrap my arms around his waist, linking my fingers at the small of his back and lean my cheek on his chest. “I didn’t think it was really that big a deal if I got up for a while.”
I feel his lips move against my hair, and I think I hear him whisper, “You have no idea, do you?” but when I lean back to gaze up into his gray eyes, his face is calm.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine. I raided the cheesecake and spoke to Natalie for a minute. The baby is trying to kill her.” My hands are running up and down his strong arms, soothing him.
“Trying to kill her?” he raises an eyebrow and I’m relieved to see the humor in his eyes.
“She’s forty-seven months pregnant. She can’t breathe or lay down and has to pee every three minutes. She texted me and asked if I was awake so I called her.” I lean in and kiss his sternum and he kisses the top of my head. This, being here with him, feels so good.
“Forty-seven?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
“She’s been pregnant forever,” I respond defensively. “I miss her,” I murmur and shrug, looking back up at him. “I don’t get to see her very often these days.”
“You’ll get to see her next weekend.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun. And as of this week I’m on call twenty-four-seven.” I grin up at him.
“Why?” He cocks his head to the side and hooks a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
“Because I get to be there when the baby is born. Someone’s got to keep Luke sane. Poor guy.” I bounce a little and clap my hands, grinning. “I can’t wait.”
“What if she needs an I.V.?” Nate asks.
“Jesus, you’re mean. I never would have pegged you for mean.”
He laughs, a belly laugh, and I can’t help but join him. “I’ll leave the room for that part, smart ass. So, this is my official warning, for work, I may have to leave at a moment’s notice if I get ‘the call’.”
“That’s not a problem, if I’m not available just let Jenny know and she’ll get me the message.”
“Okay, thanks.” I kiss his sternum again, circle my arms around his lean waist and hug him to me. “You’re a nice boss.”
“I’m so happy you think so,” he says dryly, making me smile.
“Are you cold?” I ask, nuzzling his chest with my nose.
“Not particularly, but my bed was cold when I woke up without you.” He’s combing his fingers through my hair. Yum.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you, and I was wide awake, so I got up. I won’t leave again, Nate.” I tip my head back and gaze up into those beautiful eyes. His messy hair is framing that to-die-for face and a light dark stubble covers his chin.
Fuck, he’s beautiful.
“Okay, thank you.” He leans down and frames my face in his large hands and sweeps his lips over mine, gently, caressingly. He nibbles the side of my lips before settling in and kissing me long and slow and deep, as if his life depends on it, as if he’ll never get to do it again. “Come back to bed, baby. Let me make love to you.”
He lifts me effortlessly in his arms and moves across the room to his bedroom, still kissing me tenderly. He lays me on the cool sheets and covers my body with his and makes slow, sweet love to me, getting lost in me, and taking me with him.
***
I smell coffee. And bacon. Is Natalie cooking? Did hell freeze over? I roll onto my side and stretch and open my eyes and frown.
This is not my room.
Then I remember. The email, dinner, coming to Nate’s apartment, the cheesecake, the sex… Oh, the sex.
I sit up and wince. I’m a little sore, but that’s to be expected. I haven’t had sex in almost a year, and Nate’s… well, Nate’s big. I smile to myself and climb out of bed, pulling on my discarded pajamas from the night before, and wander out into the great room.
Nate is at the stove with his back to me, and I pause a moment to take in the gorgeous. He’s wearing pajama pants that hang low on his hips and he’s shirtless, his hair is tied back off his face. His tattoos are such a distraction, and they give him a bad boy look that I so was not expecting. Who knew that under those conservative suits was a rough, tattooed, pierced fighter?
It’s fucking hot.
He’s moving about his sexy kitchen gracefully, with cool confidence. I can’t remember the last time someone cooked for me, aside from my mom when I was a kid, or Luke when he and Nat invited me over for dinner last month.
But those don’t count. They’re family.
Daughtry is singing about it not being over in Nate’s sound system, his voice is gritty, and sexy, and so appropriate to describe
the hot man in the kitchen.
I saunter into the room, wrap my arms around Nate’s waist and bury my nose in his back between his shoulder blades. God, he smells good. Body wash and sex and Nate. It’s a heady combination.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He turns in my arms, grabs my face in his hands, and kisses me in the only way Nate can.
“Good morning, hot stuff.” I grin up at him and run my fingers down his face.
“Coffee?” he asks.
“God, yes. Please.” He laughs and pours me a cup, adding just the right amount of creamer and sugar and my eyebrows climb into my hairline. “How did you know how I take my coffee?”
“I pay attention.” He shrugs, hands me the mug and turns back to the stove.
What else does he know?
“Can I help?” I ask and take a sip of coffee. Mmm… perfect. I could get used to this.
“It’s just about done. Egg-white omelet okay with you?” he asks.
“Perfect. You’ll work the bacon off in the gym when I kick your ass today.” I put my sassy smile on and lean against the counter, sipping my coffee.
“I look forward to it, baby,” he grins back at me and winks. We settle in at the breakfast bar and dig in.
“Mmm… good,” I mumble around the food in my mouth.
He grins down at me and digs into his own plate. We eat in companionable silence, then I hop up and clear our dirty dishes, and load them into the dishwasher. I turn around and Nate’s watching me, his chin resting in his palm.
“What?” I ask.
“I could have done that.”
“You cooked. I don’t mind.” I shrug and lean back against the sink.
“You look good in my kitchen.”
“It’s a sexy kitchen,” I murmur and grin.
“So I’ve recently been told by a very sexy woman.”
Oh, flirty Nate is fun!
“Really? Do I know her?”
“I think so. She has gorgeous long blonde hair, the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, and a killer body.” His eyes soften on mine and he continues. “And she is so smart, funny as hell, and a very loyal friend. Oh, and her work ethic is infuriatingly solid.”
Wow. What the hell do I say to that? I blink at him and open my mouth, then close it again. I cross my arms over my chest and look down.
“Look at me,” he whispers, and I raise my eyes to his. “Whether you believe it or not, Julianne, you are a very special woman, and I’m thankful that you’re here.”
“I think you’re special too,” I whisper and offer him a smile.
“Come on,” he climbs off his stool and holds a hand out for me to join him. “Let’s go to the gym before I strip us both naked and we spend the day in my bed.”
***
“Do you have a leather jacket?” Nate asks me as we ride down the elevator to the garage.
“No,” I respond.
“We’re going to have to get you one.” The elevator stops and we walk out. Why? I’m wearing my black yoga pants, a tight sports bra and fitted black tank, and because it’s spring and still cool in Seattle, a denim jacket. Nate is in long work out pants, a black sleeveless muscle shirt, and a black leather jacket. He has a folded black bandana wrapped around his head, keeping his hair out of his face. I spot his shiny black Mercedes and my little red Lexus.
“Do you want to take my car or yours?” I ask.
“Neither.” He responds and keeps walking. He stops next to a sleek, black motorcycle. It’s long and lean, with chrome tires and handlebars.
“This is yours?” I ask, my eyes wide.
“She is,” he offers me a wolfish grin. “You’ll need leather so we can ride her often.”
“It’s not summer yet,” I respond, backing up a bit.
“It’s not raining today. We’ll be fine.” He eyes me and sees my apprehension. “If you’d rather not, we can take my car.”
He looks so hopeful, how can I say no?
“No, it’s fine. I’ve never ridden on one before.”
“Well, I’m glad I’ll be your first, Miss Montgomery.” He swings a leg over the seat and settles in, pulling the bike upright and clicking back the kick-stand. He holds his hand out to me to help me on.
“What about my purse?” I ask.
“Oh, here,” he opens a satchel on the side and I slip my bag down in it, then climb on behind him. The seat is surprisingly comfortable. He passes me a black helmet and helps me secure it before fastening his own. “Hold on to me, around my waist. Lean in to the turns. Just sit back and enjoy the view, Julianne. I’ve got you.” He kisses me briefly, and my belly tightens.
Fuck, he’s hot. All these new sides of him that I’m learning are so damn fun and sexy. And so unexpected!
He revs the engine and backs us out of the parking space, and then we’re flying out of the garage and onto Sixth Avenue. I squeal and wrap my arms around him tightly, smiling wide. What an adrenaline rush! I feel the rumble of his laugh against my cheek as I hug up against him and watch the people on the sidewalk fly by. The wind is cool, but it feels so good against my cheeks.
Nate swerves into a parking lot not far from his apartment building, and I can’t help but be disappointed that the ride wasn’t longer. He parks and I climb off, smiling at him.
“How was that?” he asks, taking off his helmet.
“So fun!” I respond and remove my own helmet, hand it to him, then secure my pony tail. “I’m shopping for a leather jacket this week.”
He laughs and climbs off, retrieves my handbag out of the satchel for me, and leans down to kiss me.
“I’m glad you liked it. Come on, if memory serves, you think you can kick my ass.” He leads me toward a non-descript building. It looks pretty new, but there are no signs on it, and a passer-by would just assume it’s some kind of warehouse.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“My gym.” He opens the door for me and ushers me inside. Holy shit, this isn’t any gym I’m used to. It’s one huge room, with a loft above. There are treadmills and elipticals in the loft. Around the perimeter of the main room are punching bags suspended from the ceiling, mats for sit ups and push-ups, free weights, medicine balls and metal bars also suspended from the ceiling for pull ups.
On one side, there are large tractor-size tires, and men are flipping them over, then jumping through the hole and flipping them again.
Holy shit, this isn’t just working out, this is a sport.
In the center of this place is a ring. Two men are inside with protective head gear and white tape around their fists, sparring.
“Jesus, Nate, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“This is where I’ve always trained.”
“When you fought?” I ask. He grins mischievously down at me and winks.
“Yes, and I still work out here.”
“How often?”
“Five days a week, when possible.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into the room and I realize that I’m the only woman here.
“Well, look who’s here! Hey, son!” A large, well build older man walks over and pulls Nate into a boy-hug, slaps him on the back and steps back, smiling wide. His face is handsome, his nose has obviously been broken a few times. He has dark hair, and he’s solid muscle.
“Hey, dad, I’d like you to meet Julianne.”
Chapter Six
Dad? Did he just say dad?
I plaster a smile on my face and hold my hand out. “Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Call me Rich, everyone does.” He winks at me and I immediately see the family resemblance.
“Please, call me Jules. Everyone does, except your stubborn son.”
A look passes between Rich and Nate that I don’t understand, but Rich quickly recovers and grins at his son. “She’s got you pegged, son. What are you two going to do?”
“I’m going to kick his ass,” I reply before Nate can speak and both men look down at me, surprised, and then laugh again.
“I guess she
’s going to kick my ass, dad.”
“Good luck with that.” Rich winks at me and then wanders back to the ring to yell out orders to the fighters.
“You could have warned me that I’d be meeting your father,” I murmur as Nate takes my bag and jacket and hangs them on a coat tree near the door along with his own.
“Yeah, but then you wouldn’t have come.” He turns to me, his hands on his hips, prepared for a fight. And I’m suddenly in the mood to give him one.
Maybe it’s all the testosterone I’m surrounded by.
“I don’t do well with half-truths, Nate.”
“Look, I’m sorry. I wanted to be here with you today. It’ll be fun. My dad owns the place, he was my trainer and my manager when I fought, so of course this is where I work out.” He shrugs and looks around the gym.
I eye him for a moment, enjoying the view. “Where do you want to start?” I ask.
“You still want to work out?”
“Yes, we’re here. Let’s go.”
“Okay, let’s warm up with the jump ropes and see what you can do.” He grins and leads me over to a matt, handing me a jump rope.
Should I mention to him that my brother Will used to make me train with him for football season?
No.
Nate sets his watch timer for two minutes and I jump easily, using the form my brother taught me. Nate watches me, also jumping with ease. I’m hardly panting when the two minutes are up, and inside I’m smug. I keep a bored, bland look on my face.
“Next?” I ask.
“You’ve done this before,” he murmurs.
I shrug and drop the rope on the mat. “What’s next, ace?”
“Can you do a pull-up?” he asks, his eyebrow raised.
“I can do one or two,” I respond and smile. I have to call Will later and thank him profusely for being such a hard ass on me. Thanks to him, exercise comes easily to me, and my body is in excellent shape. I love to sweat.
Nate guides me over to the metal bars.
“Do you need a boost?” he asks.