Page 54 of Waiting on You

“We have to go,” I say. “I’ll be back on Tuesday, but if you need anything…”

“Enjoy your weekend.” Ana leans in and kisses my cheek. “And next time you want to have office sex, remember that your office shares a wall with mine. You got me all worked up with all that moaning, and then I had to convince my husband to get me off.” She pulls back and smirks. “Have fun, you two!”

It’s not until we’re in the elevator with the doors closed that Nate bursts out laughing. “I like her.”

It’slike Nate knew I was nervous to meet his family. On the flight over, instead of sitting in the chairs or on the couch, he brought me straight back to the private bedroom, where he spent the flight pulling the stress straight from my body in the form of two mind-blowing orgasms.

By the time we arrived, I was so high from the orgasms that I didn’t have a stressful bone in my body. The only thing I wanted to do was curl up in bed and cuddle with Nate.

But unfortunately, the nap will have to wait because we’re only stopping at his place long enough to freshen up before we head to Dallas Steakhouse to meet his family for dinner. His dad’s birthday barbecue will be taking place tomorrow with their entire family and friends as well as several close colleagues, but tonight is his dad’s actual birthday, and dinner will only be with immediate family—and me.

Like Ana, Kira, and me, Nate, his parents, and two brothers all live in the same gated community, each home on a big enough piece of land that allows them a bit of privacy. My home is only on a quarter acre, but Kira’s and Ana’s homes are on several acres.

Nate points out where his brothers and parents live, and then we pull up to his beautiful ranch-stylehome that reminds me of a modern cabin. The exterior is framed with dark wood and complemented with the most gorgeous stone. He pulls into one of the two garages and places his hand on mine—something I’ve come to learn means to stay put so he can open my door.

The first time he did it in London, I was confused. The second time, I figured he was just being a gentleman and it would eventually stop. But Nate insists on opening my door every single time I get in and out of the car, and maybe my expectations are low after dating John, but every time Nate does it, I swoon that much harder.

“This is home,” Nate says when he opens the door and gestures for me to go in first.

The inside is just as beautiful as the outside with its exposed wooden beams and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. It’s not cluttered, but it’s clearly lived in. I spot several framed photos on his shelves, and my heart clenches in my chest because, unlike me, Nate has a family.

I scan the various pictures that are filled with laughing and smiling faces, and I miss my mom that much more. It might’ve only been the three of us, growing up, but Mom made sure I had the best life, filled with love and laughter.

“How long have you lived here?” I ask, setting my purse down. “It’s beautiful.”

“Sold my condo a few years ago and built this place. I wanted to be near my family.”

“It’s a lot of home for a single guy.”

“Yeah.” He chuckles softly. “I was hoping, one day, to have a family of my own.”

Of course he was, and he was planning to move her in here, near his family, where they’d live close enough to walk over to each other’s houses, to have barbeques and pool parties.

“Hey,” he says, palming my cheek. “It’s just a house…a dwelling.”

“It’s bigger than my place and closer to your family.”

“I don’t give a shit about the size of the house,” he says, locking eyes with me. “And you’re my family too.”

“Yeah, family who’s taking you away from your other family,” I mutter.

“You’re not taking me away from anyone,” Nate argues. “We’re going to figure this out. Even if it means we live in Rosemary and keep this house so we can visit.”

“That’s a waste of money.”

“What’s the point of me busting my ass to make a damn good living if I can’t use my earnings to ensure we’re close to family?” He glides his thumb down my cheek and then leans in and presses a tender kiss to my lips. “We’ll figure it all out, I promise,” he murmurs against my lips. “The important thing is that I found you and we’re together. Everything else can and will work out. I just need you to trust me.”

He kisses me again, this time his tongue sliding in to deepen the kiss, and warmth spreads throughout my body. For so long, I’ve felt alone.Even when I was with John, I felt like I was doing it all on my own, but when I’m with Nate, it’s like I actually have someone in my corner, a partner who thinks about me. Maybe, instead of assuming the worst, I need to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Okay,” I murmur against his mouth. “I’ll trust you.”

His entire body sags in relief. “Thank you. Now, let me show you around, and then I’ll give you time to freshen up before we head to dinner.”

Nate takes me on a tour of the house. Aside from the state-of-the-art kitchen and living room, he has three additional rooms that he uses as guest rooms and an office. He has an in-home gym, which completely makes sense because, my God, the guy is fit. He has an outdoor kitchen and grill and a pool and hot tub, which I tell him we will be going in sometime this weekend.

The tour ends in his room that, like the rest of the house, is clean and lived in. He has a family photo on his dresser and a beautiful piece of art hanging above his bed that’s the perfect mix of country chic, which seems to be his decorating style.

When I yawn, exhausted from…well, being pregnant—I mean, do I need any more reason than that? I’m literally growing a human—Nate chuckles.

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