"No, he isn't married, but heisin a relationship," I clarify."Oh," she says."I don't understand. How did you let guard down like this,” Bekah remarks, her confusion evident even over the phone."I know, right, but Nathan is… complicated. Well, we have a history. We used to be close a long time ago. But then things changed." I explain."Changed as in getting married to Jason?" Bekah 's voice become gentle, coaxing me to share more.I hesitate, torn between the urge to pour out my heartache and confess everything to Bekah . But, revealing that Nathan is Goerge 's father is not something I’m ready to share right now."Yes, something like that," I carefully reply. Choosing my words wisely."And then, well, last night happened," I add."Last night?" Bekah 's curiosity is once again piqued."Do I even want to know?"I let out a nervous laugh. It's always so easy to unburden my mind with Bekah it’s one of her special talent."Probably not. Let's just say things became really unprofessional
The memories of that night are etched into my mind, no matter how much I try to deny it. It was the most memorable night I’ve had in over eighteen years. As I step into the dimly lit dining room, hoping to find my dinner waiting, I’m taken aback to see Nathan sitting there. The anger that has been simmering beneath the surface threatens to boil over. He doesn't look up as I enter, his gaze fixed on the table. Suppressing the tumultuous emotions, I take a deep breath and calmly make my way to the table. I can feel his eyes on me, his presence like a heavy weight in the room. Refusing to give in to his silent scrutiny, I sit down and pretend like he isn't there as I wait for Mrs. Brown to bring in the food. I can feel his gaze burning into me, his silence louder than words. My hands grip the edges of the table, my nails digging into the wood as I summon all my strength to keep my composure. For a moment, we remain like statues, the tension between us palpable. Finally, he breaks the s
"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to collect my thoughts," I tell her. She sighs and locks eyes with me. "Nathan , if you've been avoiding me out of guilty towards Mildred, you should have had the decency to tell me,” she says firmly. "Mildred? No, it's not about that." I respond. She studies me intently, searching for something unsaid. "Then, why?" "I needed time to think. To process everything that's happened between us." I explain. Natalia seems to consider my words, because she nods and says, "I see." "I don't regret what happened between us," I add, my gaze never leaving hers. "But I need you to know that I'm not the same Nathan I was before. You left me years ago, and I can’t forget how unforgettable that time was for me. I am not sure how we ended up here, but we can't go back to what we were all those years ago." Her response is a measured nod. "Nathan I understand. I didn't expect things to go back to the way we were before. We've both changed." A faint smile appears at
"It does.""Perfect," I mutter in response. Ending this sooner may be for the best, as I don’t want to get too emotionally invested in all of this.I type quick responses to some of my emails as I wait for Natalia to join me. It's almost time for us to leave and she is nowhere in sight.Did she change her mind?I question in my head. I'm about to head to her room when she steps out into the hallway. My breath catches at the sight of her. She's wearing a stunning red dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. I'm momentarily lost for words, my usual composure slipping for just a moment."Hi, Nathan . I'm sorry I'm late," she says breathlessly. Her voice sends a beautiful sensation all over my body. For the first few minutes I'm tongue-tied as I take in her alluring beauty."Hi, it's…it's fine." My voice comes out like a whisper. I can't help it as my eyes openly sweep her body."You look amazing," I manage to say, my voice laced with sincerity.Her cheeks blush faintly as our ey
"Good evening, gentlemen," I greet them as we approach the table. Both men promptly stand."If it isn't the famous artist. Good evening, Nathan . It's great to see you tonight," Lucas says." Likewise. Natalia , allow me to introduce Lucas and his son, Parker. this is Phebe," I make the introductions."Pleasure to meet you, Natalia ," Lucas says, extending his hand for a handshake."Nice meeting you, Mr. Lucas," Natalia says, shaking his hand turning to Parker, she politely adds, "Nice meeting you too, Mr. Parker," Natalia says politely."Oh, please, call me Parker," Parker says, grinning. I feel urge to wipe it off his face. Frowning, I notice he is holding her hand longer than I’d like."Let’s focus on dinner and why we’re all here, please," Lucas says, bringing relief. Parker finally releases Natalia 's hand, allowing me to pull out a chair for her. It unsettles me that she will be sitting across from Parker, but I find solace int the fact that she’s seated right beside me.We set
"Good evening, gentlemen," I greet them as we approach the table. Both men promptly stand."If it isn't the famous artist. Good evening, Nathan It's great to see you tonight," Lucas says." Likewise. Natalia , allow me to introduce Lucas and his son, Parker. this is Natalia ," I make the introductions."Pleasure to meet you, Natalia ," Lucas says, extending his hand for a handshake."Nice meeting you, Mr. Lucas," Natalia says, shaking his hand turning to Parker, she politely adds, "Nice meeting you too, Mr. Parker," Natalia says politely."Oh, please, call me Parker," Parker says, grinning. I feel urge to wipe it off his face. Frowning, I notice he is holding her hand longer than I’d like."Let’s focus on dinner and why we’re all here, please," Lucas says, bringing relief. Parker finally releases Natalia’s hand, allowing me to pull out a chair for her. It unsettles me that she will be sitting across from Parker, but I find solace int the fact that she’s seated right beside me.We sett
"Parker seems to be quite taken with you," I casually comment."Weren’t his intentions just to make polite conversation?" Natalia raises an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk."That was definitely more than just polite conversation. I’m just saying this based on my observations." I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant."Well, that's interesting, then," she chuckles. I frown wondering what is so intriguing about Parker flirting with her. The thought of her possibly being interested in him turns my mood sour.As we drive back to the beach house, the silence between us becomes tense. I can't shake the image of Parker's lingering attention on Natalia , and a knot of unease tightens in my stomach. Once we step out of the car and enter the beach house, I turn to face Natalia ."Natalia , can I ask you something?" The words tumble out before I can second-guess myself."Of course, Nathan ." She glances at me, her expression expectant.I pause for a moment, carefully choosing my words."You
"Nathan , things aren't always as what they seem. My marriage was a nightmare from the start. I despised Jason, but I had to obey him or else my father would have come after you," she says, her lips trembling slightly. I'm drawn to her, closing the gap without hesitation."I wish I could give you all the details, but it's not that simple. Please, trust me."She bites her lip, fear and uncertainty flickering in her eyes. The tension between us grows as I search for answers, but fear is all I see. Her marriage is over, her father is dead, so what has her so scared? Taking a deep breath, I imagine the horrors she must have faced."Fine, but please, when you are ready, I want to know everything," I relent, my voice softer now. I'm relieved when she nods."I want you so much, Nathan . You're the only man who affects me this way.""I want you, too, Natalia . In fact, I've failed every time I tried to resist. I can't deny what's between us, Natalia . It becomes harder to fight it each time."
“You’re here!” I say, heading toward it but stop when it’s Katy who appears.“You!” she hisses. “I knew something was off. He didn’t kill you!”Before I can answer, she’s on me like a rabid cat. She claws at me, slapping every part of me she can make contact with.Startled, I raise my hands protectively over my face, afraid to hit her back and severely hurt her. As it is, Nathan already hates me for any part I might have played in the death of his father.The woman may be older and weaker, but her strikes are impactful. She shoves against me, slapping her palms against my shoulders and chest, driving me toward the rear of the deck. It all happens so fast that I don’t realize I’m so close to the glass rail until it hits my lower back.“You have to calm down!” I plead.“Why did he have to want you? You look nothing like me! But Leo always liked them younger. Tell me, did you like how he fucked you?”“What? You think I slept with your husb—” Another whack, this time right across the chin
But he saved my life. He risked himself to keep me alive. And fuck it all, I love him! I can’t just sit back and let him die.A chair is pushed and the sound of footsteps come my way. Before they reach the doors, I bolt out the entrance and am already across the street when I hear, “Natalia !”But I don’t stop. Don’t look back. My mission now is to save Nathan Natalia Irun like the Devil is at my heels, not bothering to glance back over my shoulder, because even that simple action could cost me precious seconds.For blocks, I maintain that speed, my lungs burning and the stitch on my side threatening to bring me down.When I’m far enough that I feel anyone following would have lost sight of me, I tuck myself into an alley and wait. After several minutes, I tug my cell phone out and dial Nathan , but it goes straight to voicemail.“Pick up, dammit!” I dial again, but like before, it goes to his mail.“Nathan . You have to leave your house. A man named Steven Kroos is coming. He’s bri
“The hell it is. Do you have any idea the worry you put me through? No calls or texts the last couple of—” His eyes bulge from his skull as he takes in the blood on my shirt. “You’re hurt.” “No, Dad. It’s not my blood. I’m not hurt.” He digs his fingertips into the corners of his eyes as if he’s trying to keep from crying. “I thought I would lose my mind when I found out exactly who you were with. His name isn’t Nathan Manguire . It’s Nathan Carlos .” I rear back in shock that he knows. “What?” “My gut was right, Em. He’s a fucking criminal. The worst kind.” “How do you know that?” From the study, the handsome man who visited the gallery to meet with Dad steps out. Steven Kroos . His icy-blue stare roves over me, and he smiles. “I’m glad to see you’re home safe. Especially after being in the Robertson den.” “Mr. Kroos is the one who tracked down information on Carlos . Nathan is their new godfather.” His eyes narrow on me. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Looking betwee
He tilts his head, his eyes raking over my face, searching. “What makes you think that?” “It was in the way he looked at me,” I say. “It’s the same wayyoulook at me. I know you said he loved your stepmother, but I swear it’s true.” “I saidsheloved him. I never said he loved her back.” He glances out the windshield, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “Is that why you killed him? You didn’t appreciate his attentions?” “He came to the house when my father wasn’t there. I’m not even sure how he got in. But he followed me from room to room and begged me to give him a chance. I asked him to leave, told him that he was scaring me. He decided to grab me and try to kiss me. “I got out of his hold and ran to the desk drawer my father keeps his Glock in and threatened him. He still refused to leave. The moment he took a step toward me, I shot. It was meant to scare him, nothing more. I could never kill anyone. The bullet grazed his arm, but he was alive.” “You didn’t follow him out?
“You cut yourself,” I say. “It wouldn’t have been believable otherwise.” “Why did you do it, Nathan ? Why did you spare my life?” He pulls over several blocks from my house. We sit there in silence for what seems like forever, the only sound the pitter-patter of scattered rain against the windshield. “Why did you save me?” I repeat the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Your mother wants me dead, but you saved me.” Without turning to me, he replies, “Iwanted you dead.” His response is another blow to my already battered heart. But he deserves the truth. “I didn’t kill your father, Nathan . It wasn’t me.” Now he does turn to me and I almost wish he hadn’t. The shadows I’ve wondered about from the start have emerged and they’re darker and more terrifying than I could have imagined. They’re blackened with Nathan ’s fury, hate, grief, and confusion. They tear at my chest, splaying it open. Raw pain fills me at the sight of those beautiful golden eyes looking so tortured, spa
My gaze flicks from her to the elevator and to the rooftop access door, wondering if I could somehow reach either of them. And if I did, are they unlocked? As if from out of thin air, Nathan produces a piece of rope. When he tries to take one of my wrists, I make to get up again, but I’m slammed into the damned chair again. It doesn’t matter how much I fight, he easily pulls my hands behind me and ties them. “You wanted her, there she is,” he says to her, and I notice with at least a bit of satisfaction that he’s panting. I guess I wasn’t that easy to subdue. Nathan ’s stepmother comes toward me, her hips swaying. She sips her wine as she studies me. “You killed my husband.” I don’t bother to respond to her comment. She doesn’t care what I have to say. If she did, she would have asked me if I did it. And if so, why. All she cares about is revenge. The who, what, and why of it doesn’t matter to her. Turning to Nathan , I realize he’s not once asked me either. They’re the same. Part
“Mmm. Is it that or that you have Natalia Kane in your bed?”I stiffen, feeling my heart leap into my throat. She knows my name?“Who I have in my bed is none of your concern,” Nathan says.“It is when that whore killed your father! That’s right,” she adds, “I know it was her.”My heart isn’t just in my throat anymore. It seems to have stopped. Suddenly, my blood pressure drops and every pore in my body releases sweat.“John ” I hear Nathan murmur just as I pull away.There’s walking, the sound of heels clacking against the wood floors. “John was loyal to Gustavo and Leo . Of course he would be loyal to me as well.”“Then he’s useless to me,” he says.“You’ve known it was her for days and have done nothing about it!” she shouts.“It is at my discretion to decide what and when I will do something, Katy .”“The godfather only has power so long as the men respect him. How do you think they will react when they find out that instead of killing her, you’ve been fucking her?”My mind racin
Or maybe I’ll just fuck you until we both die.” Her eyes fly open, and for a moment, there are no walls between us. The pain, betrayal, and lust are bared fully. “Then fuck me,” she finally says. “And maybe we’ll die together.” My mouth is on hers then. I slide my fingers from her cunt and we both work savagely at getting rid of my clothes. All the while, we kiss with a passion that only the dying know. The instant I’m naked, I’m inside her, thrusting, burying my dick all the way to the balls, pulling back out, and slamming home again. Natalia is wrapped around me, arms and legs holding me tightly against her as she lifts her hips up, meeting each of my thrusts. We fuck like we’re drowning and these are our last gasping breaths. Deep and desperate. She fits me like a fucking glove, her pussy tight around my dick, her body molding to mine perfectly. The way she tastes, smells, feels… It all fits me like no one else ever has, and for the briefest of moments, I almost wish I’d neve
I flip it open and freeze, focused intensely on the drawing of a pair of eyes.Myeyes. Only, they’re not the way I’m accustomed to seeing them. They have the same shape, same dark spots on the irises. There’s a deep crease between them. But in the drawing, they’re slightly upturned and crinkled at the edges, and there’s a slight gleam to them, as if I’m smiling.Because I was.Several times, she called my name, grinning so widely when I looked at her that I couldn’t help but smile. She captured those moments.Does light penetrate shadows, or do the shadows drown out the light?I asked that question not long ago. The answer is both. She’s managed to light up my eyes while I’ve filled hers with darkness.Blowing out a breath full of exhaustion, I set the sketch aside. Tired, I shut my lids and must drift off instantly, because a bolt of lightning that rumbles even through the sound barriers I’ve erected around the loft wakes me. Instantly, I glance at the door.Though she has access to w