Salvation (10 page)

“
I like it,
”
I told him, clipping up my seatbelt, noting he locked the doors.

“
Say if you get cold. I
’
ll put the seat warmer on.
”

“
Heated seats?
”
I don
’
t know why I was surprised. The Bentley was top of the range; of course it had all the latest mod-cons.

“
Second thoughts, don
’
t want you getting sick.
”
As we drove away from the house, a stream of warm air steadily emitted through the seat cushion around my neck.

“
Hmm, this is nice,
”
I murmured, snuggling into the seat.
“
It makes me sleepy.
”

“
Be my guest.
”
Nate
’
s eyes glinted mischievously to match his smile. There was no way I
’
d be falling asleep.
“
There
’
s a built-in massager if you really want to relax.
”

“
Are you talking about yourself, Mr Blake?
”

He laughed loudly as he concentrated on the road and shook his head.
“
No, though ask me nicely,
”
he purred,
“
I
’
ll be more than willing to oblige.
”

I grinned.
“
You keep your obliging hands on the steering wheel, thank you.
”

Nate reached over and squeezed my knee, sending a thrill up the inside of my leg. I clenched my thighs together, hoping to appease the throbbing. His fingers were long, and I was certain they would be exceptionally talented. I covered his hand with mine and switched them to the armrest between us because I couldn
’
t stand having it on me, imagining it creeping up my thigh and doing all sorts of naughty things to me.

Old Motown music played quietly in the background. When a particular song started, I burst into laughter.
“
Let
’
s Get it On?
”
I snorted.
“
Did you choose that on purpose?
”

“
No, it
’
s on shuffle.
”
Nate glanced sideways, grinning.
“
I swear.
”
Slipping his hand from beneath mine, he went to change the music.

“
Leave it. It
’
s good.
”

We settled into a comfortable silence. Occasionally, Nate removed his hand to drive, but always placed it straight back into mine. Once or twice I caught him peering across at me, a shy smile on his face. My heart soared every time.

It was dark when we arrived at my apartment. We walked up to the glass doors of my building hand in hand. I stopped on the step and faced him.
“
Thank you for keeping it casual today.
”

“
My pleasure.
”

The force of his stare made me look away as my gaze dropped to our feet.

“Hey,” he said, cupping my face, forcing my eyes back up, “don’t over complicate this. Go with what’s in your heart.”

I laughed quietly. “My heart and head never listen to each other.”

The concern in Nate’s eyes abated as his thumbs gently stroked my cheeks. “So don’t think, just feel.”

Right now, I wanted to feel those lips on mine again. Tentatively, I placed my hands on his waist and let my eyes drift deliberately to his parted lips, willing them closer as I offered up my mouth.

He obliged with a kiss as tender as the first, only this time there was a reverence, a level of affection in it that blew my mind.
“
See me again,
”
he pleaded quietly against my ear,
“
let me take you to dinner.
”

I hugged him harder, the only way to demonstrate how much I wanted him to. Nate breathed me in, then all too quickly released me from his embrace. I dug my keys from my bag and swiped the fob to unlock the doors.

“
Goodnight.
”
I glanced sideways and saw his glorious face now marred with concern.

Nate pushed the door and held it open.
“
I
’
ll call you Wednesday.
”

I locked my apartment door and slid to the floor, my mind racing with a million unasked and unanswered questions. Nate was great company, so much so, that for a while I forgot myself. Forgot my fears and inhibitions and allowed myself to live. I touched my lips, reminded of his gentleness, and drew my knees to my chest to calm the scattering butterflies in my belly.

His kisses were designed to tease, a hint of how good the sex would be. I longed to feel him all over my body, his sinful mouth exploring every piece of flesh. And I was desperate to do the same to him.

After showering, I sank into bed. Antique furniture filled the room, and the Baroque wrought iron king bed was my favourite piece. The dusky pinks and champagne tones gave the sense of calm and serenity I
’
d been hoping for when I chose the accessories for my haven.

My phone spun through my fingers for a good five minutes whilst I debated whether to text Nate. Finally, I caved:
THANK U AGAIN. SAFE TRIP X

I lay there, listening to my own steady breaths until the buzz of my phone startled me:
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS X

What were my instincts saying? I was undeniably drawn to Nate. His sexy smile reeling me in, daring me to discover what was hiding behind those smouldering eyes.

What happened with Stuart was the result of a weak man. He
’
d let his own insecurities and jealousy take over our relationship until it destroyed us.
Destroyed me.

Nate was strong. Even if I hadn
’
t known him long enough to trust him, I knew enough to trust my intuition.

He was different.

BEING FROM ENGLAND, the unusual torrential rain greeting me the next morning didn
’
t bother me. In LA, however, everyone freaked out at the slightest downpour and forgot all knowledge of how to drive. Nearly an hour after leaving home, with nerves slightly frayed, I drove into the car park.

“
Typical.
”
I moaned at the sign kindly informing me the underground parking was full. I found a space as close to the building entrance as possible and switched off the engine.

Whilst I swapped my driving flats for mid-heels, I admired my place of work through the rain splattered windscreen. It was only a few years old, purpose built for RED, and served as head office for the NTB Group of businesses. The fifteen-storey rectangular structure was constructed from recycled glass and steel, and equipped with all the latest technology. It was impressive yet understated.

After dropping my bag in my office, I went to make my own coffee. Mai had taken the day off to study, but at yoga this evening, I knew she
’
d want the full run down
—
with details
.

I focused all my energy into work, using Mai
’
s absence to my advantage and actually making progress without her frequent interruptions. By 5 p.m., I’d broken down the revised expenditure for Star by division and projected revenue return by market segments, and commenced the brand valuation of a recently acquired modest supermarket chain in Portugal for an existing client. On top of that, I’d negotiated an earlier deadline to receive estimated costs for an international hotel chain’s rebranding, enabling me to produce a first draft budget before my holiday.

With my productive day, I hadn
’
t time to think about Nate. Now, as I left, it didn
’
t take long for him to creep back into my thoughts. I allowed myself that small indulgence as I drove to the gym in the driving rain that hadn
’
t eased all day.

Being away, no doubt in the company of far more attractive women vying for his attention, all willing to give him what he wanted, could make Nate realise I wasn
’
t worth the effort. I was making a lot of assumptions, but how could I trust someone who had temptation put in front of him everywhere he went? A man who had explicitly told me he didn
’
t do relationships?

“
THE wet look, it suit you, huh?
”
My yoga instructor, Marco, appeared from the gym office, a lusty grin on his tanned face as he scanned my drenched body. The short distance from my car to the entrance of the gym had been enough to get thoroughly soaked.

“
Not happening,
”
I teased back, shaking the rain from my clothes as I pushed open the changing room door, giving him a backwards glance.

“
Bella ragazza
—
one day you
’
ll gimme your heart,
”
he called after me, pulling black chin-length bangs back into a stubby ponytail. From Italian descent, Marco was blue eyed, leanly muscular, and his broken Roman nose and cleft chin made him ruggedly handsome.

I
’
d never been one for exercise, but I arrived here with a new outlook. I took up running as a way to familiarise myself with the city I
’
d chosen as home, with the added bonus of enjoying the Californian sunshine. Then I joined the gym and signed up for yoga, eager to get an all-round workout and sweat away my woes. Marco ran my induction and we hit it off immediately. I thought he was gay until he asked me on a date. Had the timing been better, I might
’
ve said yes. But it was too soon.

“
Don
’
t even ask about my day,
”
Mai grumbled as she arrived with Robyn. She dropped her bags on the wooden bench and collapsed in a heap beside them.
“
I
’
m so behind on my project.
”

“
Do you need some assistance?
”
I asked, hanging up the last of my damp clothes.
“
I can take a look at it if you like?
”

“
You
’
re the best, K,
”
Mai gushed, starting to undress.
“
I
’
ll bring it in tomorrow.
”

“
Tell me about the weekend.
”
I took her hot pink sweatshirt and hung it in an empty locker.

“
And there
’
s my cue to leave,
”
Robyn said, heading for the exit with our yoga mats.
“
Only so many times I can hear this. See you out there.
”

Mai
’
s mood lifted instantly.
“
Kara, it was the best. We spent all weekend in bed.
”

My nose wrinkled. She loved Mitchell, but lately his busy work schedule meant they hadn’t been getting much alone time which was causing arguments.
“
So your legs are hair free now?
”

Mai laughed.
“
Shaved, waxed and lasered. Don
’
t know how I
’
m gonna make it through class though. I can hardly move I
’
m so sore.
”

“
Ew! T.M.I!
”
I secured her locker and tossed her the key.

“
What about
your
weekend, Miss Collins,
”
she asked slyly, gathering her hair and twirling it into a bun as we approached the door,
“
how was that?
”

“
Good.
”
I held the door open, using my water bottle to wave her through with a grin.

“
How
’
s every person tonight?
”
Marco asked cheerfully in broken English as we joined Robyn and Jenna outside the private studio. Our resounding groans made us giggle.
“
That a good, huh?
”
Marco let us in and set his water down in front of the mirrored wall.

Poor Marco. Having to contend with four women carrying shitloads of emotional baggage between them must be a drag. I think he secretly enjoyed our hour sessions, though. What straight man wouldn
’
t?

Invigorated and relaxed once the class was over, I went to collect my belongings from the changing rooms.
“
I
’
m not eating tonight,
”
I said, gathering my bags. I
’
d shower when I got home as my clothes were still damp.

Mai whispered,
“
Where you sneaking off to?
”

“
Nowhere,
”
I slung my bags over my shoulder and tucked my mat under my arm,
“
just getting the groceries for tomorrow. Are you still coming over?
”