Chapter 82

NATHAN



Minutes later, she gets up.

"Damn... it's almost eleven."

"Do you have any plans?"

"Yes."

"Yes?" I shrug. She's not going to tell me what? Or with whom?

"I thought you had kicked me out and hated me and thought I was a bitch."

"That's in the past, we made up."

"Idiot." She smiles. So beautiful.

"Come here." I pull her back to me, laying her head on my chest. "Why did you drink so much?" She looks at me and rolls her eyes. "It's a simple question."

"Ryan... I wasn't keeping track of how much I drank. I was happy to see my old friends and relieved that we sorted things out."

"It was hard to restrain myself; you were teasing me the whole time. Making jokes about me being difficult and bathing you." She laughs.

"Me?"

"You also said things I liked. Maybe they'll come in handy later."

"What things?"

"I'm not giving you that satisfaction."

"That's not fair. You can't take anything I said into account."

"Drunk people always tell the truth, Collins."

"Of course. Because it suits you now." She falls silent for a few seconds. "Are you going back today?"

"We are."

"I already told you no."

"I'm your boss. It's an order."

"We're not on a business trip."

"Don't argue. We'll be back by ten."

"Do you really think you can boss me around, don't you?"

"Why don't you just accept it and be done?"

"No."

"You won't let me have the pleasure of fucking you during the flight?"

"You pervert."

"I know you like it."

"You're also presumptuous."

"You have no idea the fantasies I have about fucking you in different situations and places." She looks at me and shifts on top of me.

"Please stop... I have an appointment."

"So if I continue, you'll stay?"

"I'm going fishing with my dad. It's been a long time since I've come to visit him."

"What?" I smile. Did she say "fishing"?

"Don't be a jerk."

"You're going fishing?"

"What's the problem? It's a way to spend time with him before heading back to New York."

"So you know how to handle a rod?"

"Is that so surprising? Wait... you... you pervert!" We laugh.

"Sometimes I forget that you were born here."

"You're such an idiot."

"I prefer, as you said... so hot."

"What?" She laughs. "I didn't say that."

"You don't remember, but I remember very well."

"I better go."

"Just one more hour."

"No."

"Thirty minutes?"

"Not a chance."


KATE

I finish getting dressed and head downstairs. My father is loading everything into the trunk.

"Ready to go?" I ask cheerfully.

"Yes, let's go!"

We get into the car, and he starts the engine.

"How was your gathering with the girls?"

"It was great. I had a lot of fun."

"That's good, dear." I hope he didn't suspect anything about the story of sleeping over at Rebecca's house. Maybe that's why Nathan was laughing at me. I'm an adult woman hiding things from my father like a teenager. Well, he didn't need to know who I slept with.

"Dad... about the trip back, I ran into a friend from work, and he offered me a ride to New York, to come back today."

"So, I don't have to drive you, then?"

"Yeah, that way, we also avoid you having to drive back alone."

"Alright. Whatever you think is best."

"Dad..."

"Yes?"

"I want to apologize again for not visiting you for such a long time. Most of the time, I feel really bad and completely selfish."

"Sweetheart, I understand how difficult it is. You don't need to apologize. I understand."

"I hope you forgive me. I promise I won't go so long without visiting anymore, and I hope you find time to visit me in New York too."

"Of course, my love. We'll make it happen."

My phone vibrates with a new message from Nathan.

From Nathan:
Looking forward to our flight.

God! How can he think about sex so much? It's not like I can judge him for that.

From Kate:
Is sex all you can think about? You're insatiable.

He replies quickly.

From Nathan:
When it comes to you, I'm insatiable. How's your fishing afternoon going?

From Kate:
We just left the house.

From Nathan:
Alright. I'll try to work while I'm away from you. Even though you're constantly on my mind.

From Kate:
God! You're so melancholic!

From Nathan:
I'll show you my melancholy later.

From Kate:
Okay. I'll let you work.


It's almost seven-thirty. Nathan said he would send someone to pick me up at nine-thirty to take me to the runway since I forbid him from coming. I'm finishing setting the dining table.

It's still so hard, even though he moved into this house. If I close my eyes, I can see the scenes of when she was preparing dinner, with her favorite Beatles song playing and a big smile on her face. I miss you so much, Mom. I'm sorry for not staying here to take care of him. I'm sorry. But I wouldn't be able to bear it. I hate imagining how much he still suffers.

"Everything looks wonderful, dear." My father appears on the other side of the table and approaches, kissing my forehead. I offer him a smile, but I'm about to burst into tears. "Is everything okay, my beautiful?"

"I miss her," I whisper, lowering my head. He embraces me.

"I miss her too. But I want you to know that I'm here if you need anything."

"Why her?" I cry softly against his chest as he strokes my hair.

"Please, don't dwell on that."

"I'm sorry... I wanted to be strong... for both of us."

"You are strong. You're beautiful and brilliant. I'm very proud of you, dear. I love you." I hug him tightly.

"I love you too."



My father helps me carry the suitcases downstairs. Minutes later, a tall, strong man dressed in a suit knocks on the door.

"Miss Collins?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Paul. Mr. Ryan sent me to pick you up."

"Alright."

"Where are your bags?"

"Don't worry, I'll take them."

"It's my job."

"Fine. They're over there. Come in."

My father scrutinizes the man as he enters and leaves with my suitcase.

"Promise me you'll be okay," I approach him, giving him a tight hug.

"Of course. You take care, too."

"I will. I'll be back soon."

"I hope so."

"I promise."

"Be careful."

"I can take care of myself. I had the best teacher."

"Yes, you do. Let me know when you arrive." He accompanies me to the door.

"I love you. See you soon!"

"I love you too, dear."

I leave, and the last image of him closing the door breaks me. I don't want to leave him alone here. I feel awful and selfish.

The car door is open, and the security guard is waiting next to it. I'm surprised to find him there. Damn, not now, when I'm on the verge of tears. I thought I would have some time to compose myself before seeing him.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concerned. I nod, lowering my head. "Hey..." He pulls me closer to him, and I let my head rest on his chest.

"What happened?" It's so strange for him to show concern and affection. It always feels like too much for both of us, for what we have. What do we have? "Kate..." I adjust myself on the seat, pulling away.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Please, talk to me." He caresses my face. "Is it about your father?"

"I don't want to talk about it." I still don't feel comfortable discussing it with him. It's too personal.

"Okay. I thought I'd find you excited about our flight." He studies me with a half-smile.

"Is everything about sex to you?"

"Not always." He still manages to make me smile despite everything.

"We're going back to New York, have you realized..."

"Yes. Do you really want to keep hiding this?"

"I haven't even figured out why I'm agreeing to continue with all of this."

"Because you like me?" He shrugs.

"Maybe it's just because I enjoy having sex with you." I tease.

"I always suspected you just wanted to use me." He feigns indignation.

"You know... now I'm wondering how you found my father's address?"

"I asked someone who works for me."

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy?"

"Perhaps." He shrugs, resting his hands on his thighs.

"Did you put cameras in my apartment too? Or something like that?"

"Maybe it's a good idea. I would love to see you undress, take a bath... touch yourself."

"Ryan!"

"What? Have you never masturbated thinking about me?"

"No!"

"Don't lie."

"I... enough of this topic." I won't give him the satisfaction.

"Admit it."

"You pervert."

"I get turned on just imagining you touching yourself and thinking about me."

"Nathan..." I look ahead, indicating Paul. He can surely hear what we're saying.

"I don't pay them to listen to my conversations."

"I hope you pay them enough to tolerate your temper."

"My temper?"

"Your arrogance."

"You must hate liking me since you think I'm such a big jerk."

"Yeah, it doesn't make sense that we can't choose who we like."

"Deal with it, baby," he says with a mischievous smile.

"I have to tell you something..." Maybe it's better not to mention that I plan on meeting John. It's not important, and he might get unnecessarily angry.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. Forget it."

"Collins?"

"It's nothing, really."

"I hate it when you do that. I hate not knowing what's going on in your head, and I hate that you don't trust me."

"Don't be dramatic."

"You're starting to irritate me, and you know where that leads."

"Have you always been so hot-headed?" I intentionally bite my lip, smiling.

"I won't hesitate, even if we're not alone." His gaze darkens.

"Don't hesitate," I provoke. I see him clench his jaw and swallow hard.

"Damn it," he says, looking at Paul. "I wonder if Paul would sue me for that, or if he would enjoy the show?" I laugh.