Chapter 29
NATHAN
I rang the doorbell, and my cousin Elena answered the door. She must have been in her mid-twenties by now. It had been a few years since I'd seen her, but she hadn't changed much, with her dark hair and honey-colored eyes. She had always been very discreet, just like Aunt Louise. Elena was the younger of two children. Derick, my other cousin, was older than me.
"Nathan!" She hugged me. "God! How long has it been since we last saw each other?" she said with a big smile on her lips.
"Quite a while, I guess."
"Come in! My mom will be so happy to know you're here." I entered, following her. "Are Aunt Loren and Uncle Robert back in New York?"
"No, they're still sorting some things out in Paris."
"I heard Mom saying they were about to come back to New York."
"Yes, I think they'll be back in the next few weeks."
"Ah, great. Please have a seat. I'll let them know you're here." I nodded and stood while she walked down the hallway.
The house was a bit different from the last time I was there. It must have been about two years ago.
A young blonde woman appeared down the stairs, wearing a dark blue dress. She had beautiful legs.
She looked at me when she noticed my presence.
Elena returned from the hallway, accompanied by Aunt Louise and Jack.
"Nathan!" Aunt Louise approached, extending her arms. She hugged me excitedly. "How are you?"
"Great, and you?"
"I'm well and so happy to see you. It's been such a long time since you visited us."
"He must be really busy with work, Louise. No wonder I've been hearing about his business success." Jack said behind her before coming closer and hugging me.
"How are you, boy?"
"I'm fine, and you? How's everything?"
"Despite my age, retirement doesn't seem so bad after all. I just have to scold that boy sometimes, since I chose to leave everything in his hands."
"And where is he?"
"At work. Where else?"
"Derick is going to be upset that you came and he's not here. Too bad." Aunt Louise said with frustration before realizing the presence of the young woman behind them. "Mia, come here!" She gestured to the woman.
I ignored the terrible coincidence of her having the same name as my ex.
"Come and meet my nephew!"
She walked over to us.
"Nathan, Mia is Elena's friend; she's already like part of the family. Isn't that right, Mia?"
She nodded.
"It's a pleasure to meet more of the family."
I shook her hand, and she offered me her best smile. She spoke nearly perfect English, except for the strong French accent. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt.
Two weeks ago, I'd probably been thinking about seducing her and taking her to bed, but now all I wanted was to get back to that hotel room.
After we settled on the couch and Aunt Louise served us coffee, they bombarded me with questions. I couldn't help but notice Mia giving me glances all the time. What would Miss Collins think of that? The thought amused me.
You shouldn't care about what she thinks. Not at all. What's happening to me? Maybe I should try getting Mia's number. Come on. You know how to play this game; you're an expert at it.
I took a good look at her, discreetly, from head to toe, while Aunt Louise talked about a girl Derick had brought to dinner.
A while later, Elena went out to answer her phone, and Robert called Aunt Louise to accompany him to the kitchen. They were making it easy for me by leaving us alone. But before I could think or make a move, Mia stood up and sat next to me.
"So, you're on a business trip?" She asked.
I tried to come up with a suggestive response to her question, but my brain didn't cooperate. The image of Kate sleeping on that bed was the only thing that came to my mind.
"Yes."
Yes?
"Does that mean you must not have any free time?"
"Yes. I mean no."
Damn it. What the hell was happening to me?
"Yes or no?" She smiled.
"I don't have any free time. I'm sorry. Excuse me." I stood up, heading towards the kitchen, escaping. Shit! What was that? I simply couldn't flirt with her. I bolted away when an attractive woman was practically throwing herself at me. There was something seriously wrong with me. Damn it, Collins, you'll have to make up for that.
I walked into the kitchen, saying I was leaving soon. Aunt Louise insisted I stay for lunch, but I made up some urgent commitment, so she'd let me go. They escorted me to the living room. Mia was still sitting on the couch, talking to Elena. I noticed a bit of frustration on her face. After an almost dramatic farewell, I managed to leave. I couldn't lie to myself; there was only one woman on my mind right now.
In my car, the memory of Kate's lips around me was enough to get me aroused. I had no idea that allowing her to do that would make me feel so vulnerable. I'm completely screwed.
There's no way I should let her know the power she has over me, and now she knows, and she enjoys teasing me in every sense of the word. I couldn't forget how annoying she was, and that part of me hated her. But now, all I wanted was to get back to that damn hotel.
After a long trip, I was back, standing in front of her door. But she wasn't answering. Could she still be sleeping? I checked my watch. Impossible; it's already past one in the afternoon. I knocked again, but there was still no response. I dialed her number, but she didn't pick up.
Where the hell was she? She should be available in case I need her. Need to fuck, right? You really are a bastard, after all. She works for me; I need to know where she is.
I typed a message.
From Nathan: Where are you, Collins? Am I mistaken, or are you here just because I might need you at some point?
I sent it, and a minute later, she replied.
From Kate: Screw you, Mr. Ryan!
The message almost made me laugh. How could she be so cheeky? Well, I'll deal with her when she gets here. She's just trying to annoy me.
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