Chapter 77
KATE
I get up, gather my scattered clothes, and put on my jeans. I overslept. I have to go back home.
"What are you doing?" he asks drowsily.
"I have to go back home."
"Now?"
"Yeah."
"Are you kidding? It's late."
"You can go back to sleep."
"You won't."
"I will."
"Why?"
"My..."
"Your?"
"Nothing." He's going to tease me again.
"Your father?"
"Don't be stupid." He gets up, letting the sheet slide off, completely naked. Then he walks towards me, stopping in front of me with his messy hair. God! It's hard to concentrate.
"What would your father say if he knew what we did here?" he asks, crossing his arms over his broad, muscular chest.
"It's more about what he would do. He would probably use the shotgun that's on the shelf in his office."
"He has a gun... thanks for letting me know." We laugh. What a wonderful smile.
"I really have to go because he thinks I'm sleeping in my room right now, and I really don't want to have to explain to him that I was having sex with my boss."
"Stay." He pulls me by the waist, pressing my body against his. I hold onto his shoulders.
"That didn't sound like an order, for the first time."
"It's a request."
"Sorry. I wanted to." He stares at me, thoughtful, for a few seconds.
"What time does your father wake up?"
"No. Absolutely not. I have to go now." He grabs my butt and lifts me. "Nathan!" He heads towards the bed. "Stop!" Throwing me onto it, he kisses me in a way that's different from all the other times. Maybe I've completely lost it, but I allow myself to believe, just a little, that he's not lying, that he's truly in love. Because this feels so real. His kiss filled with care. He stops, leaving me breathless, and his eyes are locked on mine. "I have to go." He slides his thumb between my breasts. "Ryan..."
"Nathan. I prefer Nathan." He kisses the same spot.
"Don't do that. I need to leave."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Don't play dirty."
"Okay." He makes a disappointed face but gives up. I get up and pick up the clothes I dropped.
"We're going back today," he says, watching me as I get dressed.
"Huh?"
"To New York."
"I'm not going back with you."
"I thought we resolved this tonight."
"We had sex. That's what happened. Do I need to remind you?"
"And what about giving it a try?"
"In my way, you said. And because of that, and only because of that, I accept."
"Should I regret it?"
"Very much."
"You're not going back to Ryan?"
"I have to go now."
"And this conversation?"
"Later."
"Great. I'll come to your house later."
"Not a good idea."
"So?"
"Okay. Um... I guess around four."
"Will your father be gone?"
"Yeah."
"I like that."
"Idiot."
After lunch, my father, Mrs. Berkley, and I sat down and talked for a long time about various topics related to recent events in the neighborhood. I also spent the past few hours thinking about what I should do. Whether I should really go back to Nathan and Ryan. But the more I thought, the more complicated things seemed.
In the late afternoon, my father left to accompany Mrs. Berkley home before going to see his friends. Shortly after, someone knocked on the door. Can't he wait even a single minute?
"Don't you think..." I stop talking when I see that it's not Nathan. "Chris?"
"Kate." I can't believe it.
"God! It's been so long."
"Yeah." He hasn't changed much. Maybe a little taller and with a beard. But what is he doing here?
"Sorry, come in! I'm really surprised to see you."
"I heard you were in town, so I decided to pay a visit. I hope I'm not bothering."
"Of course not. You know, I haven't seen anyone from school yet. But how are you?"
"Good. Same as always. Just a lot of work. I ended up taking over the family business."
"I never imagined you would accept. Come, let's sit down." I lead him to the living room sofa.
"I know. I must have repeated that to you a million times." He sits down, and I do the same. "But what about you?"
"Oh... last year at university, almost finished. Started my internship about a month ago." It's more like hard work. Damn. Nathan must be arriving.
"Yeah. I think you're getting everything you wanted."
"Yeah..." Except for the part about sleeping with and falling in love with my boss. "So, what about your love life? I mean, getting married? Starting a family?" Why was I asking that? I guess part of me wanted to know if Chris had gotten married and to whom.
"The truth is, I haven't had much luck since I stopped dating you."
"That was a long time ago! I can't believe it."
"I tried, you know."
"Maybe it's not your time. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thanks."
"And Rachel?" I ask, remembering his younger sister. We were good friends when I was dating him. Even though she was younger, we always got along.
"She started at the local university this year."
"I miss her."
"I'll let her know, and maybe she'll come to see you. But what about you? What about relationships?"
"Well... I..." What am I going to say? The door makes a noise as it opens, and soon Nathan is standing there, staring at us.
"Ryan?" I stand up and go towards him. "Behave yourself," I whisper, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the sofa.
"Ryan, this is Christian, an old friend." Chris stands up, offering his hand.
"Chris, this is Nathan Ryan. My boss."
"And boyfriend." He adds, shaking the offered hand. I blink several times. Did he just say that? Chris gives me a confused look, making me feel embarrassed. I know what he must be thinking. But if I say it's a lie, I'll have to come up with an excuse for why Nathan is here.
"Well, I have to go. I have some things to take care of. It was nice seeing you again, Kate."
"Sure. I... it was great seeing you. Let me walk you to the door." Damn. I feel so embarrassed. I accompany him to the exit.
"Goodbye, Kate."
"Goodbye." I step closer to hug him. When he leaves, I close the door, feeling the urge to scream at Nathan. Son of a bitch.
"Who is he?" He asks from behind me.
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