CHAPTER 21
Evelyn
I woke up the next day still in Nathan's arms. I shifted, wincing slightly at the pain between my legs.
“It's still early,” I heard Nathan state, his voice deep, laced with sleep. “How are you feeling?”
A soft sigh left my lips when I felt his arms tighten around me, embracing me as if afraid I'd disappear. Strangely enough, even through the hell of the past few days, that morning I woke up feeling content…motivated. I didn't feel numb any longer.
My heart still ached at the thought of Nana no longer being there, but as I laid in Nathan's arms, listening to the steady beating of his heart, my own felt lighter. I knew what we'd shared was more than a one night stand and I couldn't think of another man I would have wanted to share such a special moment with. I was his more than words could describe.
“I'm feeling better,” I replied.
“Good.” He tilted my chin up and looked down at me with a smile so happy and pure that it made my heart flutter. There was no way he could be faking those feelings for me. “God, you're beautiful, Evelyn.”
I blushed, running my hands through his disheveled hair. “You already laid me, Nate, no need for sweet talk.”
He chuckled, leaning down and kissed me. “Not sweet talk,” Nathan spoke against my lips, his voice tender. Soothing. “It's only the truth.”
My heart thudded in my chest at the sparkling of his eyes; he looked so happy. “What's going to happen with Hannah?”
“Divorce,” he said without hesitation. He must have seen how shocked I was because his lips tilted up to an amused smile. “I'm not waiting anymore. I'm contacting a lawyer Monday morning.” Nathan moved a strand of hair away from my face, gently lingering on my cheek with a tender caress. “I don't want anything between us anymore, Evie. I want to be able to show you off, kiss you without hiding, and hold you out in public. I—You're the best thing that's happened to me in years. I don't want to hide it.”
My vision blurred with tears. He was being far too sweet and with my emotions all over the place, it was only a matter of time before I started crying again. Nathan didn't lose his smile.
“Your Nana told me a few weeks ago that life has a strange way of bringing people together.” I sniffled quietly, nodding against his chest at the realization Nana had said the same thing to him. “I'm going to miss her because she was like a second mother to me, Evelyn, but I can't help but think that this is what she meant. I don't want to waste any more time without you, Evelyn. I made mistakes, I know that, but I must have done something right to have you in my arms like this.”
“You're good with words, Nathan Maxwell,” I muttered, wiping away a tear.
“Each and every one of them is true, Evelyn Carson.”
We laid in bed for a while; whether it was minutes or hours, I didn't care. He held me as if I was the most precious person in the world for him, the person that was the sole reason for his happiness as if guarding me would guard his own heart.
“What's going to happen with the house?” I asked, dragging a finger down his chest.
“I'm not sure,” Nathan murmured, kissing the top of my head. “If she wants to keep it she can. I'm going to buy something else. Maybe near campus.”
“But it's your house.”
“That doesn't mean it's a home,” Nathan interrupted.
“What about your studio, it's—”
“It's just a studio, Evie. I can have that anywhere. What I need is a place where I can start fresh with you. No memories of your sister or what we've been through. Granted, it probably won't be big or luxurious, but I'll give you what I can.”
“I don't need luxury, Nathan.”
“I know,” he said with a small smile. “I know you don't. You deserve it, but you're too selfless to ask for it. That doesn't mean I won't treat you like my queen every day and night.”
“So this is long-term?” I asked.
I felt him tense until he shifted, pulling up and on top of him so I could straddle him. Nathan's brows were creased and his lips were pressed in a thin line; he was frustrated.
“Evelyn, I don't do short term. I've never fucked around with women just because. You are my long-term; hell, you are so long-term that I see ourselves chasing each other down with our wheelchairs.” I giggled, leaning down and kissing him. He chuckled, letting his lips go down to my neck, nipping softly. “You are perfect, Evie.”
“Keep talking like that and you may just earn a morning quickie,” I gasped, tilting my head back. His laugh warmed up my heart. I’d never heard such a free sound leave his lips.
“Mm, Evie, keep talking like that and I may just make you a bit sorer.” He raised his hips and I suppressed a moan, not losing the smile on my face. We kissed again, our mouths moving together without a care. I moaned into his mouth when his hand cupped a breast, pulling gently at the sensitive peak.