Chapter 85
Nathan reached across the console, taking my hands in his. “Because she knows how I feel about you,” he said simply, his eyes locked on mine
He stared at my lips, and my heart began to race, but this time, it wasn’t fear that he was playing me. It was excitement.
Nathan leaned in slightly, his intent clear in the intensity of his gaze. My breath hitched, and for a split second, I thought about closing the distance. But before he could press his lips to mine, I spoke, “Nathan,” I said softly, my voice steady but firm, “you’re not supposed to be kissing me when we’re on a breek.”
He froze mid–motion, his eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and understanding With a deep, audible sigh, he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. “You’re right,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair, his voice heavy with resignation. “But once everything is over–once this is all behind us—you’ll be mine, Ralna. And I won’t let you go again.”
The determination in his voice made my chest tighten, but I couldn’t let myself
myself get carried aw
away. I had to stay grounded.
I thought about my plan to get to know Nathan better before malding any serious commitments. I had to ensure that whatever happened next wasn’t just about emotions running high, but about building something lasting and real. I couldn’t afford to rush into anything, not with everything going on.
Nathan drove me home, and as he pulled up in front of the house, he glanced at me with a serious look. “The court date is drawing near. No more distractions from now on we need to get to work.”
1 nodded, appreciating how focused and driven he was, “You’re right,” I said quietly. It wasn’t the time for distractions, especially with everything else hanging over us.
I got out of the car, and as I stepped into the house, my mind immediately replayed the kiss–the way my heart had raced, not from fear, but from excitement. It had been unexpected, but it was a feeling I couldn’t ignore.
I walked through the living room, still lost in my thoughts, when I turned around and noticed my family sitting in the room. They all looked at me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. My hand flew to my chest in surprise. “You scared me!” I exclaimed, heart still racing
Faith was the first to stand up, a mischievous senile playing on her face. She walked over to me with a teasing look in her eyes. “Oh, I know that look,” she said, almost gleeful. “Someone just had a loss–or something close to it. Spill!”
m
I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm, even as my cheeks flushed. I sat down, knowing I couldn’t escape their curiosity now. I told them everything -how Nathan had handled Vivian, how he’d kissed me, how he had confessed how he felt about me.
They all listened intently, occasionally laughing at the tension breaking out between me and Vivian, and teasing me when I admitted how Nathan had made me feel
The next morning at work, my mood was lighter, though I still couldn’t entirely shake the tension from the night before. I threw myself into my tasks, determined to make the day productive.
That resolve faltered slightly when my inbox pinged with an email from Alex. The subject line alone was enough to make me groan: “Read this about your boy toy. I was right.”
I stared at the email for a moment before clicking away. I wasn’t going to let Alex dictate how viewed Nathan, to make me outrightly paint him black. If there was something I needed to know, I’d find it out myself on my own terms.
Shaking off the irritation, I returned to my work, refusing to let Alex’s anties derail my focus
The hours passed, and I was just beginning to feel settled again when my assistant, Greg, poked his head into my office.
“Ms. Graham,” he said, his tone cautious, “there’s a man here to see you.
I frowned, immediately suspicious. “Did he say his name?”
“No, but he’s waiting in the lobby,”
A knot tightened in my stomach. I had a sinking feeling I already knew who it was. Rising from my desk, I followed Greg toward the reception area, my heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Sure enough, Alex stood there, exuding his usual air of entitlement as he scanned the space.
I stopped in my tracks, my blood boiling. This was harassment now–plain and simple. Without a word to Alex, I pulled my phone from my pocket and daled Nathan’s number.
“Hey,” he answered almost immediately, his voice steady and reassuring
“I need your help,” I said, my tone clipped. “I want to file a restraining order.”
Nathan didn’t ask any unnecessary questions. “Done,” he said firmly.
