Page 36 of A Touch of Heaven

My mind is still reeling from everything last night, so I try to put it out of my brain. I need a break from it all. For Christ’s sake, I’m nineteen and having talks about murdering people. I laugh hysterically at myself as I shake those thoughts out of my mind.

Harper and Nate are on the sofa together, laughing, when Nate’s eyes meet mine. I can’t help but think of the kiss last night, and for a second, I want him to get up, wrap his arms around me again, and kiss me like that. I can’t wait for Chase any longer. He has to get his shit together, and I wonder what it could mean for me and Nate.

Nate smiles at me. “Hey, sleepyhead. Feeling better?” I laugh a little as I realize he thinks it’s from me having a hangover and not spending the night with Asher and Jax as they spun my world upside down, giving me unsteady feet. I know it’s a secret they have let me into and one I can never tell.

“Definitely. Where is everyone?” I ask, noticing the other guys are nowhere to be seen.

“Gone. They said they had to go work something out for a bit and will be back in a couple of days. So that leaves just us three for a while to have some fun. The three musketeers back together again.” He hugs Harper, grabbing her head under his shoulder as he messes with her hair.

Harper laughs before pushing him off and smoothing down her hair again, punching him in the arm as he plays wounded.

“Actually, two…I told Maddie I would come over tonight, and I’m already late, but I promise I’m all yours tomorrow!” She slips off the chair, grinning at me, and disappears out the front door.

Nate looks at me and stands up quickly. He strides over, pulls me into his arms, and kisses me like yesterday. I can’t help but sigh into the kiss, responding as I stand on my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his neck. I feel his hands reach down to my waist, lifting me off the ground slightly as he kisses me. It’s all-consuming like he wants to devour me, and I let him.

The kiss breaks, and I’m still in his arms off of the ground, and he’s grinning at me. That cheeky boyish grin, which I am discovering makes me blush. I can feel my cheeks heating. I’m breathless, and we’re both panting. Gasping for breath. He lowers me to the floor gently.

“I…I couldn’t help myself. I’ve wanted to do that all day.” He cups my face, laying a chaste kiss on my lips before pulling back.

“Hmm,” is all I can manage, a little overwhelmed.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” He says, taking my hand as he leads me to the sofa.

“It’s fine. Just a little…shocked,” I say honestly.

He pulls my legs onto him and tenderly lays his hands along them.

“I get that, Brooke… I just can’t hide my feelings from you anymore. You’re my one. I told you last night. I’ve tried with other girls, but no one can compare to you. I love you. It’s that simple.”

The knife that seems permanently embedded in my heart twists. Chase told me I couldn’t compare to Chloe, and here Nate is saying no one could compare to me.

I need to give this a chance.

I know it.

I don’t know how it will end, but I can’t wait around for a guy who will never want me when there’s a guy here telling me he loves me. And that guy is Nate. My best friend in the entire world. That must mean something.

How could I possibly turn him down?

“I don’t know how I feel, if I’m honest, Nate. This happened really quickly, but I want to give it a go. Explore if there could be something there between us.” I look into his eyes, and I can see true happiness shining back at me, and I can’t help but smile back and crave his lips back on mine. I pull my legs off his lap and lean forward until I’m straddling him, deciding to give this a full go, hoping he will chase his older brother from my mind.

“It might take lots and lots of making out to help me figure that out, though.” I grin wickedly at him. “I’m talking many, many hours of kissing me… Think you’re up to the challenge?”

He slips his hand under my ass, squeezing it a little as I squeal excitedly. His voice is low and heavy.

“Tink. I definitely think I can arrange that. In fact, I think we should start right now.” His other hand slides up my back and around my neck. He slams his lips against mine, and once again, the kiss consumes my very being. I feel his tongue run over my lips before slipping into my mouth, and my hips naturally start rolling over him, against him.

My hands find the hem of his shirt, and I pull it over his head, breaking the kiss for a moment. My fingers trace over every ridge and curve of his abs.

He pulls back, groaning. “Fuck Tink…that feels like heaven to have you touch me like that.” I freeze a little. Chase’s words from the other night come back to me, “Do you taste like heaven or sin, Princess?”

I block all thoughts about him from my mind as I look up at Nate. He deserves my full attention right now. This man is telling me he loves me. I lean in, kissing him again as I feel his hands trace over my sides. His hands wrap into my hair, pulling my head back, and I gasp in surprise before his lips move down to my jawline. Laying soft kisses along it before his head drops to my neck. His tongue and lips move along it as I feel him lay a love bite there.

I can’t help but moan, bucking my hips against him as he sucks on the soft flesh of my neck. I want more. I need it. My hands move down to his shorts, and he grabs me to stop me. He whispers in my ear, making my whole body shudder as his hot breath gives me goosebumps.

“All in good time, Tink…right now, I just want this from you. You’ll get everything from me once I know wholeheartedly you feel the same way.” He runs his tongue along my ear, and I shiver in pleasure as he leans back, his hand cupping my chin.

“Your first time will be with me. I guarantee it, Brooke. But not like this. I want you to know that you love me first, and until you say it back, well, all I want from you is your kisses, okay?”

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