Page 35 of Nate

“Tell me about your mother’s husband.”

“Why?”

Nate shrugged. “I’m curious.”

“He’s a pig.”

“Yeah, I got that part. When did you meet him?”

“He’d been to the house several times for dinner when my father was alive. He worked at the same law firm and knew my father. Jarrett wasn’t an attorney. He became a paralegal because he couldn’t pass the bar. They played golf together. He even made a move on me then, but I let him know I wasn’t interested. It was like talking to a wall. When she married him, I was floored,but I tried to be happy for her. I went to dinner at her house and again, when he hugged me and slid his hands down my back, I stepped back from him before he could... put his hands where he shouldn’t. When I looked at him, he grinned. I just felt sick knowing what type of man my mother married. He is constantly trying to touch me. I told my mother, but she said he was just being friendly.” Markie shook her head. “She believes he can do no wrong, or she just doesn’t want to see it.”

“And you think I’m like him?”

“No, I don’t. I’m sorry, Nate. I saw you and judged you before giving you a chance. Jarrett is a good-looking man too, but I know now that you are nothing like him. He’s disgusting. He thinks every woman wants him. I know you’re not like that now. I cannot apologize enough. And the day…”

“The day, what?”

“The day we had sex, and you said I couldn’t admit I was attracted to you. I saw red because that sounded like something Jarrett would say. Then you said, ‘you tell yourself you don’t like me because you think I’m cocky, but you know I’m not. Deep down you know it but can’t admit it for some reason’, and you said I’m afraid of you.” Markie shook her head. “Nate, Jarrett said practically the same thing. He said he knew I was attracted to him, and I was fighting it for some reason.”

“I also said, I’m not the man you think I am and that’s what disgusts you. Not the fact that I’m confident, but that it attracts you and that’s what you don’t like.” Nate smirked, then shook his head. “I’m sorry too. I can come across a little cocky, I suppose. I understand where you’re coming from now. How about we start over and get to know each other?”

“I’d like that, Nate. I really would.”

****

When he grinned, Markie’s heart hit her stomach. He truly was a gorgeous man, and she wanted to know him so much better.

After dinner, he helped her clean up. She washed the dishes, and he dried them, then they sat on the sofa and watched a movie. She could smell his aftershave, and it was driving her insane. He smelled so good.

As they watched the movie, Markie kicked off her shoes and curled her feet under her. She took a deep breath, and placed her cheek on his shoulder, then smiled when he leaned his head against hers. He took her hand in his and they watched the rest of the movie.

She was so angry at herself for thinking so badly of him. He was a wonderful man, and she liked being with him. And the sex… she mentally groaned. It had been so damn hot.

“Have you ever been married?” he asked her.

“Almost.”

“Almost?”

“I was left at the altar.”

Nate sat up and looked at her. “Seriously?”

“Yes. I was so embarrassed and humiliated.”

“I’m sure you were. Did you find out why?”

“Oh, yeah. He ran off with my maid of honor. You know, you hear things like that happening, but I never thought it would happen to me. I should have known. The way she’d talk about him all the time and he’d hug her anytime we all met. Bitch.”

Nate laughed. “I agree with that and he’s a prick.”

“You nailed it. Since then, I’ve been too scared to get deeply involved with any man. I’ve been cheated on one too many times.” She looked at him. “Sydney told me you’d been married.”

“Yeah. Erin and I were married five years, but the longer it went on, the more we drifted apart. I was thirty-two when we got married, and she was twenty-eight. I loved her.” He shrugged. “But we both knew it was heading down a wrong path. We even tried counseling, but it didn’t help. We argued all the time. Over nothing. We hated that we couldn’t make it work. We’ve been divorced six years, and she’s married now to a great guy.”

“You didn’t have kids?”

“No. She was busy going to school to become a doctor, which she did. Her and Brian have a little boy. He just turned two.” Nate grinned. “He’s cute as hell.”

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