Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Yeah, family who’s taking you away from your other family,” I mutter.
“You’re not taking me away from anyone,” Nate argues. “We’re going to figure this out. Even if it means we live in Rosemary and keep this house so we can visit.”
“That’s a waste of money.”
“What’s the point of me busting my ass to make a damn good living if I can’t use my earnings to ensure we’re close to family?” He glides his thumb down my cheek and then leans in and presses a tender kiss to my lips. “We’ll figure it all out, I promise,” he murmurs against my lips. “The important thing is that I found you and we’re together. Everything else can and will work out. I just need you to trust me.”
He kisses me again, this time his tongue sliding in to deepen the kiss, and warmth spreads throughout my body. For so long, I’ve felt alone. Even when I was with John, I felt like I was doing it all on my own, but when I’m with Nate, it’s like I actually have someone in my corner, a partner who thinks about me. Maybe, instead of assuming the worst, I need to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Okay,” I murmur against his mouth. “I’ll trust you.”
His entire body sags in relief. “Thank you. Now, let me show you around, and then I’ll give you time to freshen up before we head to dinner.”
Nate takes me on a tour of the house. Aside from the state-of-the-art kitchen and living room, he has three additional rooms that he uses as guest rooms and an office. He has an in-home gym, which completely makes sense because, my God, the guy is fit. He has an outdoor kitchen and grill and a pool and hot tub, which I tell him we will be going in sometime this weekend.
The tour ends in his room that, like the rest of the house, is clean and lived in. He has a family photo on his dresser and a beautiful piece of art hanging above his bed that’s the perfect mix of country chic, which seems to be his decorating style.
When I yawn, exhausted from…well, being pregnant—I mean, do I need any more reason than that? I’m literally growing a human—Nate chuckles.
“Why don’t I draw you a bath?” He points to his luxurious spa bathtub, complete with jets. “You can relax while I finish up some work.”
I was about to suggest he join me, but at the mention of him needing to work, I simply nod, not wanting to get in the way of his work. I’ve learned from my previous relationships that men don’t like clingy women, and the last thing I want is Nate feeling like I’m dragging him down or away from his responsibilities.
“Sounds good.” I force a smile and kiss his cheek. “Go do your COO things.”
chapter twenty
NATE
“I understand they want seven percent but—” Dustin starts to argue, but his words are cut off by the sound of his alarm going off. Since he’s late to everything, his assistant insists on him using alarms for everything. “Shit, we’re going to need to table this,” he says, standing. “I need to head home to get ready for dinner.”
I glance at my watch, shocked to learn that I’ve been working for quite a few hours and Paige hasn’t appeared.
“I need to get ready as well,” I say, standing.
“Paige is with you, right?” Dustin asks.
“Yeah, she was in the bath…” Like, three hours ago. “We’ll see you tonight.”
I click End on our video chat and head straight for my bedroom since the last time I saw her, she was in my bathtub, soaking in the tub.
But before I make it into the bathroom, I’m stopped in my tracks by the sight of her sleeping in my bed. She’s curled up and beneath the sheets with her face nestled into the pillow. It’s the first time I’ve had a woman in my home, in my bed, and I love that it’s her.
I pull my phone out to take a picture, wanting to capture her in this rare moment of peace. Between the stress of us and our future, carrying a baby, and working hard at Kingston, she’s getting pulled in different directions, and I worry it’s all too much. Decisions need to be made, but I wasn’t lying when I told her that she can trust me. She might not have had the best track record with men in her life until now, but that stops with me. I will always put her and our baby first.
After taking a couple of pictures, I pocket my phone and sit on the edge of the bed, leaning over Paige so I can kiss the corner of her mouth. She sighs in contentment, and my heart swells in my chest.