Page 28 of A Touch of Heaven

“I tell you, Brooke, I’m actually jealous, though, of you and Nate. Have you both finally admitted you’re together yet?”

I look at her, surprised. “We’re not together? We never have been.”

Harper starts laughing, a little drunk herself. She definitely gets freer with her opinions when she’s hit the vodka. “No, he just wishes you were.”

I shoot her an exasperated look. “No, he doesn’t. Why do you girls always say stuff like this? We’re just friends.” I say automatically whenever someone says this, yet here I am thinking he wants that after all.

The question is, do I want him to?

Maddie rolls her eyes. “Brooke, open your eyes, girl. That boy has been in love with you for years. No one calls their friend pet names like he does with you or drops everything to be with her. He looks at you like you’re the only girl in existence. That boy turned down his scholarship to play football in one of the best colleges in the country just to be near you. Why do you think none of his relationships last? They’re not you.”

“I’m getting another drink,” I say, standing up, my mind spinning a little from what Maddie said. My heart races as I realize everything she just said makes sense. I walk away from the group and over to the bar as my mind goes over and over everything that’s happened since we got here.

There’s no way Nate loves me, not like that, right?

I order another round for me and the girls, making mine a double, and scan the club. I look over at the dance floor when I spot something that makes me feel physically sick.

Chase is on the dance floor with a blonde skank grinding all over his crotch.

His goddess.

Chloe.

I can’t pull my eyes away from them. Where the hell did she come from? They move like they’re one, though clearly Chase has had one too many drinks. His hands are on her waist as she dances for him. I watch her thread her hands through his as she smiles disgustingly, pressing her ass into him.They look perfect together, a voice whispers in my head as I realize I never stood a chance against her.

“One day, he’ll get some taste. At least, I hope so because if that girl marries into my family, I'm going to gouge my eyes out.”

“What are you doing here, Nate?” I ask, tipping my head upward to look at him, knowing his voice anywhere.

“Me and the boys decided we wanted to go for drinks…” he gestures to Asher and Jax, who are at the other end of the bar, grinning at me and waving as I roll my eyes.

“I didn’t know you would be here. But then there’s not really much choice out here,” he chuckles, and I can’t help but smile back at him. He thinks I’m stupid. My guess is he used the Life360 app we both have. I roll my eyes playfully at him. I would be so mad if this was anyone else, but he does it because he cares. He knew I was upset and wanted to be around for me in case I needed him.

I wonder for a second if it would be so bad if Maddie was right…if he really stayed for me. I think it’s clear now he sees me as more than his friend, but would he give up his shot at a career in football for me?

Could he feel that serious about me?

Could I feel the same?

He holds his hand out to me, smiling. “How about we show everyone out there how we do it?”

“Sure,” I laugh. I give him my hand, forgetting the drinks and letting him lead me to the dance floor.

We weave through the crowd, and I turn in his arms as he pulls me close, wrapping his hands around my waist. We dance for a couple of minutes. My hips swaying against his. He’s an amazing dancer, considering how built he is from football; it surprises many people. I feel him brush the hair off my neck, and his breath is so close to my skin that it sends shivers up my spine.

“You look truly stunning, Brooke.” Before I know it, his lips are pressed against my neck in a kiss that makes my whole body sigh against him, and a part of me loves it. “You always look so beautiful, Tink,” he whispers into my ear so close I can feel his lips graze it. “You mesmerize me.” He turns me to face him, and his hands cup my jaw. “Don’t you know what you do to me?”

I take a breath as I stand in his arms, my lips slightly parted. Everything is fading to black around me. Before I know what’s happening, he pulls me closer, and his lips touch mine. I’m overwhelmed as his hand moves to my hair, the other sliding down my back to rest on the bare skin above my ass. His tongue caresses mine. The kiss is slow and sensual despite the surrounding chaos. I find my hands stroking up his arms before wrapping around his neck. I moan softly into the kiss as I respond to it, and I hear Nate groan back in response, intensifying the kiss between us.

My god, he’s an incredible kisser.

I can feel the need and want he has for me. Everything Maddie said from earlier, he’s showing me now. It’s true, and I realize I always knew it on some level. He pulls back eventually, and I gasp for breath, yet wishing he never stopped.

“I love you, Tink. I always have. You’re my one. I can’t hold my feelings back any longer. This is me putting my heart on the line for you.” I stand there in shock, barely able to contemplate his words.

“Nate. I…” I wonder how to finish this sentence.

Do I like him that way?

---