The living room’s too dark to entertain any company so I hurry to turn on the lights in the window and some of the candles. Filling with a sense of coziness and comfort, I let out a content sigh. I can only imagine how beautiful this place must look all lit up, to anyone walking outside. Dad turns on some smooth music, keeping the volume low and the men decline tea and all three decide to go for something stronger.
“Nate, how about a game?” Bryce asks, nodding at the pool table and when Nate nods, he groans, “Fuck, I recognize that look on your face. You’re gonna slaughter me aren’t you?”
Nate chuckles and I hide a smile because I kinda like the sound of Bryce beingslaughtered. He always used to cheat when we were kids and I sip on my coke while dad does some slow-motion dance moves in the corner. Okay...wow, I’m definitely not the only one being affected by Nate’s presence.
Even Bryce who supposedly has been knowing Nate for a long time is infatuated, looking at Nate as if he’s his guru and as soon as Nate says something, Bryce treats it like a prophecy. Guess, Nate just has that star quality that everyone hope will brush off on them. Leaning over the pool table, Nate turns his face my way and his eyes seem mischievous,
“Do you play, Amabella?” His mouth moves in a lopsided smile when I shake my head. “Do you want me to teach you?”
I’d let him teach me anything. And being close to Nate? Yes, pretty please...
“Hey.” Bryce snaps with his fingers at Nate and the connection between Nate and I breaks. “Focus.”
Nate’s eyes flash to Bryce’s and I catch a hint of annoyance as if he didn’t appreciate the interruption. He smiles but suddenly the smile turns sharper than usual and he jerks the stick, causing all balls to fall into their pockets and its game over. Looking like a drenched rat, Bryce groans and curses to himself while Nate chuckles. Walking over to one of my favorite chairs, he sits down but shivers like he just felt a draft. When he notices I caught the shiver, he gives a smile.
“Mind lighting the fire for me, Bryce?” he asks but I blurt.
“I’ll do it!” I fly over to the fireplace, wanting to be of service to him and I’m so excited to be the one fulfilling a need of his that my fingers tremble with the matches. I blow on the fire, smiling to myself when it flames. Turning around, I gasp at the sight of Nate sitting in the corner with his hands on the armrest and his long legs spread apart. Half of his handsome face lingers in the shadows but I still catch the flicker in his eyes when they land on me.
Rising, I smooth my clothes and I barely dare to look straight at him anymore.
“If you think this is bad, then you wouldn’t survive a winter here,” dad says and he’s finally stopped dancing.
“That rough are they?” Nate says with a grin and I nod.
“Freezing. And they said there’s going to be snow already next week.”
“You a cold guy?” dad asks and Nate does a short but polite nod, explaining that he has poor circulation. I frown because that doesn’t make any sense for a young and fit man like him but I’m not going to probe. I sip on my coke, listening while Nate converses with dad and Bryce and his voice is almost hypnotic. It fills the room like a cradlesong, a serenade sung for those who need to hear it the most and my lids flutter.
“Can barely keep my eyes open anymore,” dad yawns. “You sure know the art of a good conversation, Nate.” Dad rises. “Good night...” He leaves the room and Bryce is soon to follow until there’s only just me and Nate.
“I’ll help you clean up,” Nate says. I vaguely protest but he doesn’t want to hear it and we end up in the kitchen together. He’s the only one who offered to give a hand and my heart clenches when he rolls up his sleeves. We fill the sink with dish soap and hot water and Nate comes to stand beside me, washing while I dry.
“Are you sure you don’t want to let me wash?” I ask but he shakes his head.
“It would be too rough on your skin.”
I nearly faint when he says that and he’s so dreamy with his dark hair and metallic eyes that I struggle to not let out a needy sigh. And he smells good, like incense and expensive fabric softener. I want to lean into him and inhale him and I catch myself just staring with an open mouth when he hands me a plate. I’ve never wanted anything more than for Nate to touch me and kiss me. Never before have I wanted to offer myself up to a man more.
Flushing, I dry the plate because I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m not even sure if it’s normal to react this strongly but I yearn so badly for him. Long to be with him. And I’m more than pleased that he’ll be staying for a while.
“I like the way you look at me,” Nate rasps in a low voice and I blush like crazy. No wonder he commented considering I’ve been ogling him and I quickly avert my gaze but a muscle clenches in his jaw. “Don’t,” he says, his tone now tense. “Don’t look away.”
Trembling, I turn to him and he’s watching me with a fixated spark in his eyes.
“That’s better. Don’t deny me your beautiful face.”
I won’t. I won’t deny himanything.
Ever.
CHAPTER THREE
Amabella
I practically jump out of bed the next morning and I haven’t felt this way, well....never. I’m so giddy that I struggle to put my clothes on and this outfit is a lot better than the one I wore yesterday, more suitable for a male’s gaze. Spraying myself with my favorite fragrance, I pinch my cheeks to make sure I look fresh as a daisy and my heart pounds like I’ve run for miles when I hurry downstairs.
This is how people must’ve felt in the past when they had audiences before the king.