Page 38 of Bound By Words

“Hey,” he murmured, stepping forward, cupping my neck, and pulling me into his chest. “It’s alright. I’m not going to pry, but if you’re this upset about it, talking might help.”

Nathan’s chest was warm as I laid my head against his shoulder. I was sure I’d be covered in sawdust once we’d separated, but it felt good to have him hold me, one hand tangled into the mess of my hair and the other loosely wrapped around my waist.

Closing my eyes, I nodded, but I still didn’t have the words to explain the mess I’d gotten myself into by hesitating to report Trent.

Nathan didn’t say a word, just breathed deeply as his thumb stroked my waist, sending shockwaves of pleasure through my system. I practically melted into his embrace, enjoying the comfort he was trying to provide. He didn’t care what had happened. He was here for me because he thought I needed him. It made me ache in a way I hadn’t expected.

I wasn’t sure if it was because we’d slept—or not slept—together or if he was just that nice of a guy, but it felt good to have someone who cared that I was upset.

The quiet sound of the coffee percolating was the only noise in the kitchen, and I snuggled deeper into his embrace, enjoying the soft sigh he made when I grasped the material of his shirt on his lower back.

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” he whispered as his fingers burrowed under my hair, tilting my head back so he could look down at me. “But I hope you know you can tell me everything if you want to.”

My eyes searched his, and my heart beat faster at the sincerity in his expression. He’d told me back then that he wanted things from me that he shouldn’t. And right now, looking up into his soft brown eyes, I knew that there were things I needed from him desperately that I shouldn’t.

“Thank you,” I whispered, pushing up onto my tiptoes and kissing the corner of his mouth. His beard tickled my cheek, the sensation so different from what it’d been like to be this close to him last time.

“Anytime, sunshine,” he smiled softly, moving his hand around to cup my jaw. “I hope you know I mean that.”

The beep of the coffee maker startled me, and I took a step back before I could respond, aimlessly brushing my hands down my front as I retreated.

“Sorry.” He smiled as he gestured toward the sawdust he’d unintentionally transferred to my tunic during the hug. “Didn’t mean to cover you in that.”

I tried to shut down the memory of something he’d said in that hotel room about covering me in something else, but I could feel my face flame as he looked at me curiously before turning toward the coffee maker.

“I won’t even ask what has you blushing like that,” he chuckled as he grabbed two mugs from a cabinet and began to fill them.

“How do you like it?” he asked as he reached for the canister of sweetener packets on the counter. Again, my filthy brain conjured images of him behind me, his fist wrapped around my braid as he pounded into me, asking me if I liked it rough.

“Your coffee, Kelly. How do you like your coffee?” He shook his head again with a little chuckle as my cheeks flushed. I crossed the space between us, grabbing a single Stevia packet and emptying it into one of the mugs. Then I pulled a caramel creamer tub out of the basket on the counter, emptying it into the cup before I started opening drawers and looking for a spoon.

“I would have done that for you. All you had to do was ask.” He smirked as he leaned against the counter, bringing his mug to his lips for a sip. “You don’t have to do everything yourself. Let other people be nice to you.”

“You know I don’t like to ask for help,” I teased as I retreated to my spot by the sink.

“Oh, I’m well aware of that,” he laughed. “But you don’t always need to. Let someone in some time. You might be surprised how good it feels.”

“I know how good it feels to let someone inside,” I retorted, my eyes widening at the double entendre. By the way his nostrils flared and his hips shifted against the counter behind him, I knew he also remembered how good something felt inside.

“Can we talk about why you’re here now?” I begged as the heat in the air between us began to make me nervous.

“I already told you why I’m here,” he smiled, casually taking a sip of his coffee, the charged moment between us fading.

“Now, who’s being avoidant?” I challenged. “Evan said you weren’t supposed to start working until early in the summer.”

“Fine. Some shit happened in Boston, and I needed to get out of there to clear my head. I’ll admit my timing wasn’t ideal with the crappy weather forecast for the next few weeks, but I needed a break.”

I nodded, knowing it wasn’t fair to pry when I was being tight-lipped about my situation.

“That’s it? No more questions?” he teased before he tilted his mug up and drained the last of its contents. He stepped toward me, his smile widening as I swallowed hard, shifting over to attempt to get out of his way.

Nathan’s hand grasped the side of my hip, holding me in place as he gently set his mug down in the sink. “You don’t need to move on my account, sunshine. I’m happy to lean around you.”

“Geez,” I scoffed as I tried to hide my face behind my mug. “I forgot how much of a flirt you are.”

“Did you now?” he teased, using his finger to brush a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Because I didn’t forget a damn thing about you.”

My hands trembled against my mug as I continued to hide my face. I wasn’t prepared for this. Never once had I factored running into Nathan into my plans to hide for the next few weeks.

---