“She won't be on her own,” Sam said.
Rylla wondered who was coming. Matthew maybe?
“Who’s coming?” Naomi asked.
“Me.”
They all turned as Nate walked into her kitchen.
“Sam, I don’t think this is the time for matchmaking.” Naomi shot her husband a reprimanding look.
“I'm not trying to, this is just about being practical. They know each other, Rylla won't be alone, and I can take you home so you can get some rest.”
“I can stay here with Rylla, I'm not that tired, and I can sleep here,” Naomi said.
“No,” Sam said bluntly. “I'm taking you home to go to bed, that’s not up for debate. I know you won't sleep if you're worried about Rylla, if Nate stays here then you won't have to worry.”
“Rylla is going to send him away the second we drive off down the street,” Naomi protested.
“I won't,” she assured her friend. She didn't want Nate to stay, she’d rather be alone than have him here in her home, but Sam was right. Naomi would lie awake all night worrying if she didn't let Nate stay. And so as not to have just lied to her best friend she’d let Nate stay for an hour or so and then send him on his way.
“You promise?” Naomi asked.
“Yes.”I hope, she added to herself.
“Okay.” Her friend sighed. “But you'll call if you need me, right?”
“Of course.”
Naomi moved to stand, but Sam preempted her by scooping her into his arms. Naomi slipped her arm around his shoulders and relaxed into him. They looked so at ease with one another. Rylla missed that so much, that comfortableness around another person. She had loved it when Josh had swung her up into his arms and carried her around like she weighed nothing at all.
Her eyes misted but she faked a smile. “I’ll call you in the morning,” she told Naomi.
“Try to sleep,” Naomi told her.
“I will.”
Uncomfortable alone with Nate, Rylla stood and made herself a cup of tea. She didn't want him here in her home. Although she supposed itwasa distraction. His presence had pushed thoughts of her sister to the back of her mind, which made her feel guilty all over again. She should not be thinking about men, even men she had no intention of ever dating, when her sister was suffering.
“It’s not necessary for you to stay. I don’t know why Naomi is making such a fuss, I am fine to be on my own but thank you for your concern,” she said formally. She might not be thrilled about being alone with her thoughts, but it was still preferable to spending the evening with Nate Oakland.
“You just found out your sister has been abducted by a serial killer. You shouldn’t be on your own right now. No one should. You're stuck with me.” Nate’s brown eyes were calm and he appeared unfazed by her orders to leave.
Why did he have to be so delectably hot?
If she wasn't physically attracted to him then rebuffing him would be so much easier. Whatever. It didn't matter. He obviously wasn't interested in her. He’d said no when she asked him out.
She turned to the counter, keeping her back firmly to Nate, and fiddled with the canisters. “Thank you for the offer, and I appreciate you being here to ease Naomi and Sam’s concerns, but I'm not your concern, so you can leave.”
“I'm not here for Naomi and Sam.”
Large hands covered her shoulders, spun her around, and then he kissed her.
Stunned, for a moment she just stood there before leaning into him and kissing him back. Before she even realized it, her hands were running up his stomach and winding around his neck. For one moment she didn't think of anything other than that she was kissing Nate, that his hands were around her waist, pulling her up against his hard, lean body.
Too soon he pulled away. His breathing was ragged, his eyes swirling with a mess of emotions. “I shouldn’t have done that. I'm sorry.”
“I'm not,” she said softly.