Page 45 of Claiming My Nemesis

“We should come back here sometime, just for fun,” I said, my gaze sweeping over the landscape. “No business, no stress—just us.”

Natalie leaned into me as we walked. “I’d love that. This place is incredible. It feels like we’re in a whole different world.”

I nodded in agreement. The thought of returning to Telluride with Natalie for a more leisurely trip appealed to me. But for now, there was business to finish in Dallas and a surprise to reveal.

As we settled into our seats, the jet’s engines humming softly, I turned to Natalie, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Ready for your surprise?”

She tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Of course, I’m ready. But you’ve got to give me a hint, at least.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “No hints. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Natalie laughed, leaning back in her seat as the plane began to taxi down the runway. “You’re impossible, Ethan Sterling. But I guess that’s why I love you… always full of surprises.”

Twenty-Four

Natalie

I stirred from my slumber, the faint clatter of pans and the aroma of sizzling bacon drifting into the room from the bustling kitchen. The morning light danced playfully on the walls, infused with the sounds of a lively breakfast preparation. It was peaceful here in Ethan’s Dallas home. For the first time in a long while, I felt at ease, like everything was exactly as it should be. I stretched out under the covers before the delicious smells lured me out of bed.

I took a moment to soak in the surroundings, letting the reality of my new life with Ethan sink in. This place had gone from an elegant house to our cozy haven, where peace settled in like a comfy blanket. As I looked around the room, a smile crept up—what used to be Ethan’s space had become ours, with photos capturing our memories in Cedar Cove and the plants I’d brought in, adding a touch of life to every corner.

Slipping on one of Ethan’s oversized shirts that I’d claimed as my own, I padded barefoot toward the kitchen, following the scent. The hallway was quiet, the thick carpet muffling myfootsteps. Moments like these, the calm before the day began, made me realize how much my life had changed. No more rushing off to work with a million things on my mind; I could just be here.

As I turned the corner, I found Ethan at the stove, flipping pancakes with a confidence that made me smile. He was dressed casually in jeans and a fitted T-shirt, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep. The way he moved around the kitchen, so at ease and in control, was mesmerizing. It was a side of him I was still getting used to—the domestic, loving Ethan who wanted to take care of me.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he said without turning around. The corners of his mouth curled up in a smirk. “I was beginning to think I’d have to come drag you out of bed.”

I leaned against the doorway, grinning. “You could have tried, but who would have cooked breakfast?”

He pivoted towards me, balancing a spatula in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other, extending it my way. "No doubt. But I thought you could use the extra shut-eye after yesterday... and hey, Millie's got the day off."

Taking the coffee, I walked over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “And what a day it was. But waking up to this?” I gestured to the spread of food on the kitchen island—pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. “You’re setting the bar pretty high, Mr. Sterling.”

He chuckled, pouring himself a cup of coffee as well. “Just wait until you see what I’ve got planned for today.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Are you finally going to tell me, or do I have to guess?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he teased, sipping his coffee. “But first, let’s eat. I don’t want you fainting from hunger before we even get started.”

We sat at the kitchen island, and as I dug into the breakfast Ethan had prepared, the lighthearted banter continued. The food was delicious, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly I’d adapted to this new life. Just a few weeks ago, I’d been in Cedar Cove, worried about the future and wondering what would become of my small-town life. Now, here I was, in a beautiful home in Dallas, sharing breakfast with the man I loved, with the world full of possibilities ahead of us.

As we ate, Ethan asked about the things I missed from Cedar Cove. “I know you’re a small-town girl at heart,” he said, his eyes searching mine for any signs of hesitation. “Is there anything you wish we could bring here to Dallas?”

I thought about it for a moment, sipping my coffee as I considered his question. “Honestly, I miss the sense of community. You know, everyone knowing everyone, that sort of thing. But I also love the energy of Dallas. It’s so vibrant, so full of life. It’s different, but I think I could get used to it.”

He smiled with a hint of relief in his eyes. “I’m glad to hear that. I want you to feel at home here, Natalie. I want this place to be ours, not just mine.”

I reached over and squeezed his hand, touched by his thoughtfulness. “It’s already starting to feel that way. Being here with you… it’s more than I could have ever hoped for.”

After breakfast, Ethan was quick to clear the dishes. I couldn’t help but notice the mischievous glint in his eyes every time he glanced at me, which only made me more curious about what he had up his sleeve.

“So,” I started, leaning against the counter with my arms crossed, “are you going to keep me in suspense all day, or are you going to tell me what this surprise is?”

He dried his hands on a towel and grinned. “I could tell you… but where’s the fun in that?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Maybe,” he teased, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around my waist. “But you love me anyway.”

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