Page 39 of His To Unravel
Nathaniel takes me by the hand and leads me to the edge of the rooftop, where a small table is draped in crisp white linen and surrounded by candles. He pulls out a chair for me, his fingers grazing my forearm as I lower myself into the seat–a fleeting touch, but deliberate enough to make my skin hum.
Waiting at the center of the table is a petite white box tied with a ribbon, next to two flutes of sparkling wine. I blink, already curious.
He sits across from me, gaze steady. “Open it.”
I lift the lid—and freeze.
Tiramisu. From Rinaldi’s. The best Italian spot in town.
“You remembered,” I say, touched and a little stunned.
His expression is calm, but his voice is gentle. “You said you were craving something sweet last week.”
I think back—an offhand comment after class, when I’d complained about needing a sugar fix. He’d asked, casually, what I would pick if I could have anything right then. I’d laughed and rattled off an answer without thinking, but of course, Nathaniel took it to heart.
“Thank you.” The words catch slightly as they leave me. I hadn’t expected to feel this moved by something so small—but that’s what gets to me. The way he never forgets even the smallest details.
Nathaniel’s gaze softens. “You’re very welcome.” His thumb brushes briefly against my fingers—just once, but enough to make my pulse skip.
He settles across from me, his hand still resting near mine on the table, close enough that I feel the heat radiating off his skin.
“I missed you last night,” he says, his voice low, with a hint of vulnerability that surprises me.
I can’t help but smile, warmed by the sentiment. “It was just one night, Nate.”
“One night too many,” he says, his eyes softening as they hold mine. “How was it?”
The question brings an unexpected rush of guilt. My thoughts flicker to Landon—his confession, his determination, his hurtful words. But I push them away. I won’t let him ruin this night too.
I remind myself to stay in the present, on Nathaniel, who planned this entire evening just for me.
“It was good,” I reply, deliberately shifting my focus to the happier parts of the night. “Sophie and Carolyn were really fun, as always.”
He takes that in, a grin playing on his lips. “That sounds like them.”
I clear my throat, wanting to shift the spotlight. “And what about you? What did you do with your wild night of freedom?” I tease.
“I spent the night studying. Trying to get caught up,” he admits with a smirk, leaning back slightly as he folds his arms.
I beam, a surge of pride and admiration filling me. Since transferring into my classes, he’s been buried in coursework. But in true Nathaniel fashion, he’s unfazed. He’s already almost on top of everything, his intellect and determination so naturally woven into everything he does.
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m not sure how you manage it. It’s like you’ve done everything we’ve covered so far in your sleep.”
“That’s because I have a strong incentive to keep up,” he replies, his gaze unwavering. “I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for you.”
The sincerity in his tone sends warmth rushing to my cheeks. There’s something so certain in his words, that it leaves me feeling…cherished.
Fairy lights glow around us like an embrace, their warmth softening the edges of the evening as it settles deeper into intimacy.
The city sparkles in the distance, a shimmering backdrop to the low murmur of our conversation and lingering glances. Nathaniel’s hand finds mine across the table, his thumb brushing softly over my knuckles in a rhythm that feels as familiar as my own pulse.
His gaze holds a depth that seems to reach beneath the surface and settle into parts of me I usually keep hidden.
The way he looks at me makes it hard not to believe, even just for a moment, that I might actually be someone worthy of this kind of attention.
When he leans in, his kiss is soft at first, a gentle brush that hints at something deeper. But it quickly intensifies into a surge of passion that sends my heart galloping as he parts my lips and slips his tongue into my mouth.
His hands drift to my waist and he pulls me closer until the world around us fades, leaving only the sensation of his touch and the taste of him on my lips. Each kiss feels like a revelation, stirring a need that blooms fast and sharp.
