Being there for the last two weeks had given me the opportunity to get to know my new stepdad, who happened to be a nice man. Once Nate arrived, I loved watching him interacting with Roy… as well as with my mother. They had already spoken on the phone a few times, because she and Jade were responsible for helping him coordinate ambushing me. And now, you’d think the two were long-lost friends.
For the record, he’d charmed the panties off her. It was embarrassing how she hung on his words, giggled like a schoolgirl, and put him on a pedestal.
The wedding ceremony was short and sweet during a lovely sunset on the beach. Nate and I acted as witnesses. We then all had a Thanksgiving dinner, Costa Rican style, before my mom and Roy left for their honeymoon in Bali. I thought that was hilarious since the two of them had been frolicking from beach to beach since the day they had met.
Once alone, Nate and I enjoyed our resort, explored the town, hit the casino, and had lots of sex. It needed to be said: suit-wearing Nate was hot as hell. Bathing suit–clad Nate, however, was even hotter. Most girls would be annoyed with endless stares and flirtations their guy received, as if I weren’t there beside him or holding his hand. But he had eyes only for me and made it pretty damn obvious wherever we went. With a filthy look or an intimidating posture, he also had no issue letting any man know he’d fuck them up if they even dared to look my way. That proved true when some poor sap sparked up a harmless conversation while Nate made a bathroom trip.
It all turned me on, and I made that known the moment we got back to our room.
I always had it bad for him and his sexual abilities, but things were so different now. Gone was that constant little voice that had berated me for developing feelings. Gone was the insecurity that he and I would end at any moment. In their place came a new level of desire that I never knew possible. It all had to do with being in love.
But now it was departure day and leaving this paradise would be bittersweet. “I’m going to miss this place.”
“We’ll come back.”
“Soon?” He offered a bemused smile with a nod. “Good.” Although I looked forward to regular life with Nate, this slice of heaven was a nice start to our relationship. I liked our little tropical bubble. I liked it being just him and me. Unfortunately, we needed to get back to reality. I’d have to go back to writing, figuring out what my next step would be with my books. It had me thinking, and out of the blue I said, “Hey, I think I want to meet with Clare.”
He looked down at me. “Oh yeah? What changed your mind?”
“You were right in saying it’s often based on word of mouth, a lucky break, who you know. Why cut my nose off?”
“All true. You’re very talented, Jersey. Using a connection doesn’t lessen that.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you for having my back. I guess my pride got in the way.”
His green eyes narrowed in challenge. “That, and you had already decided you were dumping my ass.”
“Yeah, that too.”
He kissed my nose and then smacked my ass. “I’m glad you came to your senses… on both points.”
Kissing his chest with a sigh, I admitted, “Me too.”
“Speaking of career moves, and since our vacation is technically over now, I can tell you about my decision.” His eyes bounced between mine before he shrugged. “I made some changes.”
My brows lifted inquiringly. “What kind of changes?”
“First off, I’m leaving divorce law.”
The casualness in his delivery caused me to sit up in haste. “What? Why?” I asked with a rise in my vocal pitch.
“I’m just not into it anymore.”
“So what, will you go back into business law again?”
“No. I promoted Andrew to partner. He and his staff have that part of my firm covered. I decided to start a pro bono division. I always wanted to. I’ll be providing legal counsel to people who can’t afford to end marriages filled with abuse or toxicity.”
I couldn’t have been more shocked if he admitted wanting to become a circus clown. Apparently, I didn’t do a good job schooling my expression, because he hesitantly asked, “Bad idea?” Seeming unsure of himself, he searched my face expectantly.
“Are you kidding me?” I cupped his face in my hands and stared directly into his eyes. “Nate, I love that!” The returning smile I got held an adorable shyness, and I couldn’t resist placing a soft kiss on his lips.
This man continued to amaze me. He was more than a hotshot lawyer with model looks. Beneath the arrogance, the cockiness, and even the pricky-ness was a man with a good heart… one that was now mine.
“Except for my staff and clients, I haven’t told anyone yet. I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“Well, I’m very proud of you, Nate.”
It was his turn to kiss me, and as his tongue languidly stroked along mine, emotions overcame me. When he pulled away and noticed my eyes glistening, he asked, “Why the tears, Jersey?”
“I think it’s because you’ve made me really happy.” In fact, I was blissfully happy. I felt like a bottomless pit of joy. But the frown that creased his handsome face contrasted that. Afraid to ask, I needed to know. “What’s wrong?”
“Made you happy?” His lips quirked up in that smug way while a mischievous glint in his eyes sent my pulse racing. “Jersey… we’re just getting started.”
I was a thirty-three-year-old man who never had a date on Valentine’s Day. Sure, I had fucked on Valentine’s Day, if that counted, but I’d never had a real date with romance and everything.
In all my years, I also had never experienced the kind of love that I had for Amy. My one prior relationship paled in comparison, and it had nothing to do with my ex ultimately breaking my heart. Even when I thought we were blissfully happy, it didn’t compare to what I felt now.
Obsessed was the word Brad used to describe me, whereas my mom labeled us adorable. I couldn’t negate either of their assessments. Amy and I were one of those couples. The kind that spent every waking moment together, finished each other’s sentences, kissed like no one was watching. And even though we were inseparable, I still couldn’t get enough of her.
After checking the time on my watch, I went in search of my date and found her fastening her earrings in front of the bathroom mirror. Seeing her in a red-lace dress gave the illusion she was naked beneath it stopped me in my tracks.
“Holy shit,” I said out loud. She wore her hair down, brushing over her shoulders. Except for it being shorter, it was back to her natural sable color and straight style.
With a demure smile and a seductive spin, she asked, “I take it you like?”
“I love.” Stalking right for her, I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind and began nibbling on her neck.
An appreciative hum rumbled beneath my forearms. “Can you zip me up, please?” But when I lowered the zipper toward her ass, she scolded, “Wrong way, Nate.”
I met her gaze in the mirror with a cocky smirk. “Oh, sorry. My bad.” Before lifting it up, though, I took the opportunity to kiss the smooth skin revealed between the gaping dress fabric. Knowing she was braless, and a quick glance down revealed a thong situation happening, my cock predictably swelled. As I pushed it against her ass and she moaned, I pressed my luck by saying, “We have time for a quickie.”