To me that’s what Nate is in this house. A king.
He’s so noble somehow with his confident posture and those eyes that don’t seem to miss a thing of what’s going on. I’ve never seen eyes that attentive before. Trying to contain some of my enthusiasm to stop coming across as overly eager, I turn for the kitchen but bump into Nate and Bryce.
A flash of disappointment flares in me because I was hoping to have breakfast prepared before Nate woke up. I wanted to cater to him, make him feel welcomed and wanted but I brush the disappointment off because he’s more than good looking in his dark clothes.
“Good morning, Amabella,” he says in that syrup and molasses voice of his and I flush when his gaze quickly roams down my breasts and hips before going to my face again. He thinks I’mattractive. And it feels like such a huge accomplishment, bigger than finishing high school, bigger than knowing how to play the saxophone, bigger than knowing how to cook a feast.
“Morning,” I breathe, biting my lip. “Have you already eaten? I could whip up some muffins real quick, or some eggs and bacon if you’d prefer...”
“Get out of the way,” Bryce drawls, looking like such a snob in his black turtleneck. He just doesn’t pull off turtlenecks the same way Nate does. “We don’t have time for you.” He screws his face up. “And why the hell are you prancing around here, smelling like a damn fruit bowl?”
Guess I put too much fragrance on. I flood with embarrassment when an amused smile lingers around Nate’s mouth and I grit between my teeth, so low I hope Nate won’t hear. “Shut up, Bryce!”
“What d’you say, you little tart?” Bryce snarls, taking a hostile step toward me but Nate chuckles, his head tossed back and his teeth shiny and white.
“Gentle Bryce,” he soothes, before winking at me. “Maybe our little Amabella woke up on the wrong side today.”
I inhale because I’m nottheirAmabella. I’m his and his alone.
“Amabella, are you bothering the men?” dad yells from inside his office and my dignity shrinks. Bothering? That makes me sound like I’m a pesky wasp or something. “Leave them alone and get in here. We got work to do.”
“So do we.” Bryce brushes past me. “Nate, you coming...”
Nate lingers for a while and I’m confused. Yesterday in the kitchen it felt like we had a realmoment. Like we were on our way to become athingbut now it’s like he’s holding me at an arm’s length and it makes me want to stomp my foot and cry out in agony. I don’t want to be held at an arm’s length. I want to be in his arms, held and cherished andloved.
Is that really too much to ask?
Maybe I’m the one being greedy...
My heart flutters from heated emotions and I murmur, “You sure you don’t need anything?”
Nate’s gaze roams down my body, slow and voracious and I flood with warmth, my temperature rising so violently that I gasp. “When I need something,” he rasps and there’s a flash of something savage in his eyes. “I just take it...”
I go weak in the knees, struggling to not reach out and touch him when he brushes past me. I think he does want me, but I can’t know for sure. What I do know is that I want him with all of my heart.
****
Nate’s been with us for a week and I’m madly frustrated. He hasn’t touched me, or kissed me or had any deep conversations with me because my brother takes up most of his time! They’re always in that room that used to be a children’s chamber but that they’ve turned into an office and they sit with their heads bent over books and papers, murmuring in low voices like they’re spilling secrets and it makes me jealous.
IwantNate.
And so does dad, because he’ll take any chance he gets to exchange a couple of words with Nate, sometimes harassing him about botany for hours until I want to scream. My feminine hormones rage in my body, making me feel restless and yesterday I pretended to stumble down the staircase just so Nate would touch me. His hand clasped around my elbow, steadying me and he gave me a gentlemanly nod before walking away.
It left me so unsatisfied, I almost threw myself around his neck and planted that kiss on his mouth myself. Pinching my lips, I try to keep a good mood as I walk into their “office” with a tray in my hands.
“Thought you might need some refreshments,” I breathe, standing in the middle of the room and Nate’s the only one looking up. His eyes warm at the sight of me, the corners of his mouth curving and he purrs,
“Thank you, Amabella.”
“Take it back into the kitchen,” Bryce mutters, flicking a paper back on the desk. “We’re heading out.”
Putting the tray down, I ask, “Why? It’s freezing.”
The snow has fallen. Winter came so much sooner than expected and it worries me because I know the chill bothers Nate.
“That’s the point.” Bryce rolls his eyes. “We’re playing hockey.”
They walk out into the hallway, putting on their jackets and gloves and scarves before grabbing their sticks and I plead. “Take me with you. Please, let me come with.”