And...they sound likeI love you.
CHAPTER FIVE
Amabella
Blinking, I stare at the screen in front of me. Dad’s reading voice buzzes through the office and I stretch my neck from side to side.Focus. But it’s hard when I keep getting bombarded with images of yesterday. It was one of the most perfect nights in my life. Me and Nate all alone in that whiteout, his hands wrapped so safely around me, his mouth so hot I can still feel it stinging my lips.
I never knew a man could kiss a girl like that. Didn’t know that’s what kisses could feel like.
The usual gentleness was gone and it was hungrier, more ravenous and it lit up my body like I had a thousand little lights inside of me and they all blinked for him. It was electrical. Charmed and beautiful and it continued when he came into my room last night. I flush when remembering how his lips had moved down my throat, sinking dangerously close to my cleavage.
Lifting my hand, I stroke my throat, my eyes shuddering when the temperature seems to rise and I drag a couple of deep breaths, rubbing my forehead when it’s all getting a little too much for me. I stare at the words before me but they all seem to be dancing, forming strange shapes and I’m wondering if maybe I’m about to come down with a fever.
“Aren’t you industrious? You two have been locked up in the office all day,” a marvelously charming voice sounds and Nate steps inside. My heart begins to pound and I pant, wanting to drop everything and just be with him. Smiling, he chuckles when dad immediately gets out of his chair, acting like Nate is Santa Clause and drags him over to the bookshelf. Nate listens to dad with interest, because he always gives people so much attention and care but he keeps glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
He wants something.
I think he wants to be alone with me, sneak away with me a little for some romantic whispers and flaming kisses.
I can’t sneak off, though. Dad’s got me in an iron grip. He’s on this crazy deadline and I’m already behind on editing. I’m stuck. When Nate turns around and walks out again, he gives me a glance full of meaning, urging me to get up and follow but I helplessly shake my head and something darkens in his eyes.
The metallic color turns shiny, almost like tourmaline and I shiver.
Throwing him a soft smile, I wait for him to smile back but he doesn’t and I feel a dip in my heart.
Oh well, I’ll make it up to him by making his favorite food.
But when it’s time for dinner, Nate doesn’t come down and I stare at Bryce who shrugs.
“He said he wasn’t hungry.”
My lips pinch. Since when is Nate not hungry? He has a tremendous appetite for his scholarly work, for sophistication, for food, for me but suddenly I feel like a dessert he decided isn’t tasty enough. “I’m gonna go get him,” I breathe and Bryce scowls.
“Dad, tell Amabella to stop persecuting Nate.”
“Stop persecuting Nate,” dad says in a firm voice and I flush. Slumping in my chair, I mostly just toss the food around without eating. I feel like I could jump out of my own skin right now, just to get to Nate and the hair on my nape stands.
What if he thinks I’m too inexperienced and is losing interest?
That can’t happen. I won’t allow it and once dad and Bryce are gone, I prepare a tray for Nate and carry it up to his room. With a pounding heart, I knock, feeling like I’ll throw a temper tantrum if he turns me down.
“Enter,” he rasps melancholically and I flood with relief, stumbling into his room and he looks up. He’s sitting by the fire, warming his hands and his elegant face is the thing of legends in the flames. He raises his brows but I don’t get the welcome I usually get and my hands tremble.
“I brought you dinner.” I put it down on a round table and turn to him, planting my hands on my hips because I’m a little bit upset with him. “Why didn’t you join us tonight? I made your favorite.”
His head moves in a slow, indifferent shake and he’s not watching me, he’s watching the fire. “Didn’t think you wanted to eat with me.”
“Why would you think that?” I frown and he leans back in the wooden chair and he’s so different from how he usually is that my skin crawls from impatience. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Nate slithers and a muscle ticks in his jaw. “You haven’t given me any time of day, even though I wanted you. Even though I let you know I wanted you to follow.”
“I was buried in work...”
“Excuses,” Nate snaps and my eyes prickle with tears and I wrap my arms around me.
“It’s not an excuse,” I whisper. “It’s the plain truth.”
Nate’s fists clench. “You must understand that I can’t handle it when you pull away. Not even an inch. “ He exhales as if frustrated. “Next time at least give me a little warning if you plan on being so coldhearted.”