Page 20 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“You’re not stupid, Evie. It’s okay. Get to know her, and if there’s something she does, we’ll see what we can do. I just don’t want you thinking I’m hiding stuff from you.”

“But you didn’t tell me sooner,” I mumbled.

“We weren’t exactly preoccupied with talking earlier, Evelyn.” His charming smile was contagious, and I found myself grinning back at him at the memory of everything he’d done to me earlier. He pulled me back into his arms in bed, kissing my head. “Do I have to worry about being slapped while I sleep again?”

I grinned, placing a kiss on his chest. “Just don’t cheat on me in my dreams and you’ll be fine.”

Chapter 8

Evelyn

Before I knew it, the year was over, my birthday had passed, as well as the holidays, and Nathan had officially moved to New York.

Nathan and I were amazing together. Yeah, he had an apartment, but he basically lived in my condo, not by his choice—though I knew he didn’t mind—but more than anything because we couldn’t figure out how to be away from each other. With things at his gallery working out more than well, he was even helping me pay the rent, which was something I didn’t really like.

Although Nana had left me well off, I was getting desperate to start working or go back to school. But he didn’t want me to think he was taking advantage, so he helped as much as he could.

Strangely, after years of loneliness, my heart now felt full. I was with the man I loved, his parents adored me, and I had Carter. Not to forget the many, many friends that were still in Pennsylvania. Our lives were beginning to make sense, and maybe we should have taken things slower, but both Nathan and I were on the same page; we wanted to be together.

I laid next to him with his arm wrapped around my waist, savoring the small kisses he placed on my bare back. The smile playing on my lips wouldn’t disappear; it hadn’t for weeks since he’d arrived.

Nathan seemed deep in thought as well even though it was past midnight and he had to be at the gallery in a few hours. I turned around, laying on my back to look up at him. He smiled, placing a small kiss on my lips.

“Why can’t you sleep?” I asked, raising my hand to his cheek.

What I saw in his eyes was strange, and I couldn’t decipher it. All I knew was that it was different than he’d ever looked at me before. A mixture of longing and realization covered his features, and I didn’t know what to do or say.

In a practiced move, Nathan positioned himself on top of me, my legs parting instinctively to let him in. He pushed inside of me, and I gasped softly, my eyes closing at the sheer pleasure of having him inside me.

He didn’t move, though.

He didn’t do anything but look at me.

“What?” I whispered the question, trying to figure out exactly what was going on inside his head.

He nuzzled my neck, groaning softly as he began thrusting inside of me, slow…torturous…sweet. It was so sweet tears formed in my eyes.

Usually our sex was passionate, at times wild…always loving. But in that moment, it was so beautiful, so sweet, the emotions overwhelmed me. He made love to me like never before, as if was the last time, as if he was cherishing every single millisecond that passed by.

His name escaped my lips with a soft whisper, and he gazed down at me, a small smile on his lips, before he leaned down and kissed me once again, making sure that every part of our bodies connected throughout.

Once we finished, he stayed on top of me, peppering kisses on my jaw, my neck, my cheeks, everywhere.

“I love you more than you could ever imagine, Evie,” he finally whispered, linking our fingers together.

It was the perfect time to play that “I love you more” game, but somehow, by the look in his eyes, I didn’t know if I could counter his words. They were shining with devotion, and as he held me, I felt exactly that: loved.

Heart soaring, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, hoping he knew I loved him just as much.

***

The next morning, Nathan and I arrived at the gallery hand in hand. We got little to no sleep, but we were both happy and eager to start the day together. It felt like everything had changed.

The light to the gallery was already on, letting us know Jessica was already there. However, I realized I didn’t feel jealous or doubtful anymore, not after the way he held me the night before. My mind was at peace because I knew he was with me no matter what. But that didn’t mean I didn’t doubt her…

Nathan kissed my forehead before going to the office, where I was sure Jessica was already waiting for him. I liked the peaceful silence that surrounded the gallery before opening. It was comforting. I could admire the paintings and make up the stories in my head without distractions.

I walked around, analyzing each painting, from its colors to the details. My phone buzzed, the unknown number interrupting my exploration. I didn’t bother to answer and instead silenced it completely and focused on everything else in front of me.

---