Page 43 of A Touch of Heaven

“I want to be with you. I choose you.” I say, looking up at him. He stops, turning to me, his hands dropping to my waist and catching my lips in the softest kiss he’s given me so far. I try to push for more, needing it in this instance, but he doesn’t let me. Controlling the kiss as his hand moves to my hair. He pulls back, leaning his forehead against mine.

“No, you haven’t, Brooke. You’re settling for me. That’s the difference, something has upset you, I can tell and your answer is to say that.”

He sighs, kissing the tip of my nose, placing his arm back around me as we walk away from the bar in silence back toward the beach house. He’s right. I know he is, but I don’t want it to be like this.

As we approach the house, I speak for the first time in what seems like forever.

“I’m sorry, Nate. I don’t want it to be this way.”

We sit on the swing outside, and I look at him.

“I do love you. I don’t want you to think I’m settling.”

His hand cups my cheek softly. “I know, Brooke, but you don’t love me the way you love him. I get it. I was too slow to tell you, but I want you to give it time with us. I think you could love me that way if you really tried to. I told you before, I’ll wait an eternity for you if I have to. But I won’t be the second choice. You have to decide if you really want this.”

I feel his lips touch my cheek softly, realizing he’s kissing the tear rolling down my face. He lets go and walks into the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the dark.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

BROOKE

The next day, I wake up knowing I have to give it another shot with Nate. Once Nate left me in the cool night sky, I said goodbye to Chase and what could have been. I get up, still in my lace babydoll nightdress, and walk into Nate’s room, letting every thought of Chase go as soon I step in.

He’s snoring softly, and honestly, the way the sun catches his golden hair, I can’t help but smile at how he looks. I’m ready for this. I’m truly ready to give this a shot. I quietly tiptoe over to his bed, straddling over him but not settling down. Instead, I lean closer, holding my phone over him, pressing play on my music and blasting Bryce Savage, making him scream and jump up, smashing his head against mine.

“Oh, fuck, why did I think this was a good idea?” I cry out, nursing my bruised head. “Shit, Nate, no wonder you’re so good at football. Your head is made of solid stone.”

He reaches up to me, pulling my hand away from my head. “Tink…let me look… Babe, you have a bump…” He rubs his fingers over it, and I smile, the pain subsiding just from his touch.

Our eyes meet, and there’s a pause between us where we just look at each other. Taking in this moment. I made my choice, and he realizes it. His hands lie on and caress my thighs, giving me tingles.

“Fuck…what are you doing to me coming into my room looking like this… Do you have any idea how much I wanna ruin you right now?”

“Then do it,” I whisper.

He smirks, challenging me. “Then say the words Tink.”

I shake my head. “Not yet, not like that because you know it wouldn’t be real.”

He nods, smiling. “Well done, Angel, that’s what I needed from you. That honesty. Thank you.”

He flips me over with such ease, and suddenly, he’s lying on top of me, pulling one of my legs over his shoulder as he grinds his very clear erection against me, catching my lips with his as he groans into my mouth. His fingers trail up under my baby doll night dress, flicking his thumb over my nipple, and a needy moan escapes me. His kisses move to my neck as he breathlessly speaks.

“I can’t wait to worship this body, Tink. I swear I’m going to make you feel so good you forget everything else except the pleasure I’m giving you. I want every single moan, every whimper as I make you come repeatedly before I’m even inside of you.”

His lips descend over one of my nipples, pulling it between his lips, and god, it feels incredible in this moment. But then he pulls back, smirking at me.

“But not yet, Tink… not till I hear those words.”

He quickly climbs off me, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Fucking jackass.

What is it with this family working me up and leaving me hanging?

I grab the pillow underneath my head, throwing it at him and groaning.

“Fine, I deserve that.”

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