Chapter 162

KATE

Minutes later, we were all seated at the table, and the food was incredible, with the table full and beautiful.

Part of me was very happy to be with them and to have finally come clean to everyone about my relationship with Nathan, despite everything.

I was also happy that my father was with us. After losing my mother, I had never felt this sense of belonging to a family. And Nat's family was amazing.

My father seemed at ease, and that made all my concerns disappear.

"So, Mrs. Ryan managed to convince you to spend New Year's Eve in another country?" I asked.

He was sitting to my right.

"I really would, my dear, but I won't be able to."

"Then I'll go home and stay with you."

"It's not necessary. You should go and stay with your boyfriend. Enjoy yourself."

"I won't leave you alone."

"I won't be alone."

"How so?" I furrowed my brow in confusion.

"I guess this isn't the best time to tell you this, but... I'm getting to know someone."

"What?
Is my dad dating someone?
"For how long?"

"It's recent."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"As I said, it's recent. And... I was a little afraid of your reaction."

"Why? I couldn't be happier for you. After everything, I just want you to be happy, Dad."

He squeezed my hand on the table.
"Of course, I'll have to approve it after getting to know her better," I joked.

"Will you be spending the holiday here?" Mrs. Ryan interrupted us.

"Well, I don't..." I started to speak.

"Please, stay," she insisted.

I looked at my father, seeking his opinion.

"I'll be going home on Tuesday. We'll do whatever you want."

"We can come back in the morning," I suggested.

"Why go when you can sleep here? Nathan, help me convince her," Mrs. Ryan pleaded.

Nathan looked at me but didn't say anything.

"Kate, stay," Ellie encouraged. "Please."

"Will you stay?" I asked him, looking at my plate.

"If you stay. But I had other plans for us."

"Plans? You didn't tell me." I raised my head, looking into his eyes.

"I was still going to tell you."

"Then tell me."

"After."

"Then forget it." I turned my attention back to Mrs. Ryan. "We'll stay. Thank you very much, Mrs. Ryan."

"Great, call me Loren, dear."

Nathan sighed beside me.

"You enjoy making things difficult," he said, so only I could hear.

"I? You made plans without consulting me," I retorted.

"Are you doing all of this to annoy me? I think you're forgetting that your week is over," he said before taking a long sip of wine.

Yes, it had been a week since all of that happened.

"Bad news, Ryan. It will last as long as your silence continues," I said.

He smiled. What was he planning?

"We'll see."

After lunch, we gathered in the covered part of Mrs. Ryan's garden. The house was truly incredible. Nathan continued with a glass or cup in his hand, drinking. What was going on with him?

"Do you really need to drink so much to endure this situation?" I asked.

We were sitting on the same couch.

"Liquid courage, baby."

Our parents were engaged in conversation. Ellie's boyfriend had arrived not too long ago. And I had no idea where Stephan had gone off to.

"Will you tell me what your plans were for us?"

"After what you did, no."

"Are you trying to annoy me?"

"Maybe."

"I don't understand your game, Nathan."

"Lower your guard a bit, baby. Patience," he caressed my face.

"Patience is all I've been having with you."

His cell phone rang in the pocket of his pants. He answered.

*"Ben?"
"Yeah, we're waiting."
"See you soon." *

He put the phone back in his pocket.

"Ben and Mary are coming over."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think he really likes her?"

"I can't speak for him."

"I thought they were best friends. You should know something like that."

"Should I spill my best friend's secrets?"

"We could help them somehow."

"The best thing is to let them sort things out themselves and not meddle. Don't play matchmaker."

"You're a pain." I threw a cushion at him, making him smile, albeit slightly.


Ben and Mary arrived half an hour later. We went to the living room to welcome them. Mary looked beautiful in a red dress, with her hair loose and a huge smile.

That could only mean one thing: she had a lot of sex in the last few hours. Quite different from me and Nathan.

Bennett had his hair tied in a bun, and he had let his beard grow a bit. The man had style and elegance. They made a beautiful couple.

I greeted Ben, while Nathan greeted Mary. Then she hugged me with a smile.

"How are you?" Her gaze shifted to concern.

"I'm fine; don't worry. But you, on the other hand, seem much more than fine."

"Yes. And the reason is right here." She looked at Ben before giving me a wink.

"Let's go. My dad is here. I'll introduce you. You'll also meet Nathan's parents." I led her to the garden, intertwining my arm with hers.

"And how are you two doing?"

"Surviving."

"That doesn't sound good."

"Well, we haven't killed each other yet." I shrugged.

"If I say that we're going to travel with you, would that make you feel better?"

"What?"

"Bennett invited me."

"Wow! That's progress, isn't it?"

"I don't know. Maybe?"

"I bet it'll become official faster than you think."

"We're fine the way we are."

"You're in love. It's natural for things to get serious."

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that we'll have a lot of fun on this trip," she said enthusiastically.




I drank more wine than I should have. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and had dinner together. Mary made the atmosphere much more enjoyable with her contagious energy. Nathan also seemed more at ease with Bennett's presence, and he kept drinking, possibly to relax.

Knowing that Mary would be joining us on the trip made me more excited. She and Ben were exchanging eager looks in the early evening. I almost suggested that they find a room.

After they left, Nathan and I were alone in the living room. Ellie and the others had gone to bed.

"We should go to bed too. Do you need help finding your room after all that alcohol you've had?" I said.

I was sitting on one couch, and he was on another.

"Soon, you'll learn that my alcohol tolerance is quite high."

"Okay, I'll head upstairs then. Goodnight."

I took a few steps before I heard him coming up the stairs behind me. I turned into the hallway to the right at the top of it.

"Wrong side," he said, leaning against the wall in front of me, making me stop.

"Your mom showed me the guest room earlier, so I think not."

"Yeah, but my room is on the other side," he said, closing the gap between us.

"So, it's you who's on the wrong side."

"Do you really think you'd sleep in any room other than mine?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Yes."

"After such a long week..." His hands cupped my face. "No way, baby, I will need a lot of time with you."

"First, do you think after your behavior today, you'll get anything? You don't talk to me and keep everything to yourself. Second, you must be crazy if you think I'd sleep with you while our parents are here."

"Give me a minute, and I'll make you change your mind," he said, and his lips covered mine.

I could taste the wine on his tongue. His hands moved to my hips, and his body pressed against mine, pushing me against the wall. I pulled away before losing control.

"Stop, we're in the hallway."

"You didn't mind sucking me off in the fitting room of that store."

"You're such a jerk," I said, smiling.

He kissed me again, and his hand slid between our bodies, entering under my skirt and slipping beneath my panties.

I held back a moan as his fingers pressed against my clit. After so many days, this was enough to drive me crazy. But we were still in the hallway, and anyone could see us.

"Stop."

"Let's go to the room."

He pulled away, holding my hand and pulling me along.

"No." I didn't move.

"Am I going to have to put you over my shoulder?"

"Don't even try. I won't give in this time. You should use tonight to think. Goodnight." I turned, heading towards the end of the hallway, fearing he would follow through with his threat.

"Kate..." I stopped, turning half my body to look at him. "This will cost you later," he said with a wicked smile. "Goodnight, baby."

I took a deep breath after closing the door behind me. I went to bed and buried my face in the pillow, letting out a frustrated groan. Why did things with him have to be so difficult? It was impossible to reconcile anger and excitement.