When we stepped out of the restroom, my stomach clenched at the sight before me. There they were–Nathan and Alex–locked in a teme standoff. Their postures screamed confrontation, their expressions dark with anger. Nathan’s fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw so tight it looked like it might snap. Alex, on the other hand, wore a smirk that only added fuel to the fire, as if he enjoyed provoking Nathan.
he was ready to throw the first pinch, and I couldn’t deny that a part of me thought Alex deserved it. Still, this
My heart leapt into my throat. Nathan looked like he wa wasn’t the place or time for a showdown.
without thinking, 1 hurried toward them, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. I placed myself between them, my back to Alex as I faced Nathan, His shoulders were rigid, his breathing uneven, his fists trembling slightly.
“Hey,” I said softly, capping his face in my hands and forcing his furious gaze to meet mine.
to meet mine. His skin wa distant. “Alex isn’t worth it. Let it go.”
I WILL WATH Against my palms, but his expression was cold and
Nathan’s shoulders relaxed slightly at my touch, and his sharp breaths began to slow. His eyes softened, and he let out a shaky exhale. His hands || his palm brushing my cheek as he minored my gesture.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and steady, though the concem in his tone betrayed his anger.
I nodded, giving him a small, reassuring smile. “I’m fine,” I said, hoping he could see
But, of course, Alex couldn’t leave it alone.
the truth in my eyes.
lifted to my face,
“your hands off my wife,” Alex growled from behind me, his voice low and possessive.
I shot my eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to temper the frustration rising inside me. Turning slightly, I shot Alexa glare over my shoulder. “just leave, Alex,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice steady but firm.
Nathan wasn’t having it. He smiled, but it wasn’t the warm, kind smile I was used to. This one was dangerous, filled with a defiance that sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t directed at me–it was alimed squarely at Alex
“Make me,” Nathan said coldly, his tone daring Alex to try something.
Before Alex could move, I spun around fully, putting my back to Nathan this time. “No!” I shouted, holding my hand up toward Alex like a barrier. My voice was sharp, commanding “Leave, Alex Now.”
“If you’d processed the papers when you should have,” I continued, my voice trembling with barely contained anger, “we wouldn’t be here.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed, his smirk vanishing as his expression darkened. “And what do you think people will say,” he asked, his voice dripping with condescension, when they see you parading around with Nathan while you’re still a married woman?
Abitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I couldn’t believe the hypocrisy dripping from his words. “The same thing they said,” I shot back, when they saw Eliza clinging to your side.”
, my voice i
riley,
Alex’s mouth opened as if to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance. I grabbed Nathan’s an, my fingers tightening around his forearm as I pulled him away. Let’s go,” muttered, not sparing Alex another glance.
Outside, the crisp night aired little to cool the tension radiating off Nathan. His jaw was tight, his shoulders stiff, and as he murdered a sharp, “Fuck it,“under his breath, I could feel the frustration rolling off him in waves.
Before I could say anything, he moved. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm but gentle, and then his lips crashed into mine. The kiss was hard and urgent, his emotions pouring into it. For a moment, I froze, caught off guard by the intensity of it
But then, something in me melted. The warmth of his touch, the desperation in the way he kissed me it all consumed me. Slowly, I responded, leaning into him as my hands clutched the lapels of his suit. The would around us blurred, leaving only the heat and raw connection betweenus
It wasn’t until my lungs screamed for alt that I pushed him back gently, breakding the kiss. “Nathan,” I whispered, trying to steady my breath and regain my composure.
“I’m sorry,” he said quiddy, his voice laced with regret as he searched my eyes. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I hate that you’re still a married woman. It’s killing
His words in
thit me hard, a mix of guilt and understanding twisting in my chest. I shook my head, touched by his honesty despite the overwhelming situation. “It’s line,” I assured him, though my heart was still racing from the kiss, “But are you okay now? You looked really angry back there.”
Nathan’s lips quirked into a small smile, his hand still resting lightly on my cheek. Before I could react, he stole another quick peck on my lips, this one softer but no less impactful. “With a klas Ile that he said, his voice teasing but sincere. “Who wouldn’t calm down?*
Histone shifted slightly as he added, “But seriously, Alex is an asshole.”
“Agreed,” Implied without hesitation “I can’t wait to be free of him.”
As the words left my mouth, an all–too–familiar sensation crawled up my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, a telltale sign that Alex was still nearby, watching. My stomach churned, the weight of his gare pressing against me even though I couldn’t see him
Isquared my shoulders, forcing myself to stand tall. I wouldn’t give Alex the satisfaction of seeing how much he unsettled me.
1/2
+25 Bonus
Tuming back to Nathan, forced a smile. “Let’s go back inside,” I said, my voice steadier than 1 felt. “Before they declare us missing.”
Nathan slipped an arm around my waist, the gesture as comforting as it was protective. “Lead the way,” he said, his voice warm and gimunding. He paused, his thumb brushing against my cheek before he pulled out a small tube of lipstick, gently applying it to my lips where his kiss had smudged it.
“Perfect,” he said with a soft grin, brushing his thumb lightly against my cheek before stepping back he added softly “You’re amazing, you know that?”
I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me, shaking my head as I looked away, heat rushing to my cheeks. “you’re just saying that because I agreed to match
your suit,“leased.
He chucked, his hand still finnly at my side as he guided me back toward the venue. “Maybe,” he said, his voice light.
My cheeks flushed, but I couldn’t help smiling as we rejoined his colleagues. They were already watching us with knowing smiles, their teasing glances making me
blash deeper.
Nathan excused himself when one of the organizers called him over. Before leaving, he kissed my cheek and whispered, “Miss me,” in a tone that made my heart
dpp
Left on my own, I shifted awkwardly, scanning the room for something to focus on Alex was nowhere to be seen, which was a reller. Maybe he’d finally left.
I was pulled from my thoughts by a voice beside me. “Hi, you must be Raina.”
Turning, I saw a woman with a sharp smile and a poised demeanor. “I’m Vivian,” she said, extending a hand. “One of Nathan’s colleagues.”
I hesitated before shading her hand, unsure of her intentions. “Nice to meet you,” I said politely, keeping my tone neutral.
“So,” she said, leaning slightly closer. “What’s going on between you two?”
Her bluntness caught me off guard. I frowned slightly, stepping back to create some distance. “I don’t know you well enough to discuss my relationship,” I said, offering a polite smile before turning to walk away.
But Vivian wasn’t done. “You might
want to sanitize Nathan’s car,” “she called after me, bertone laced with mock innocence.
I stopped, my stomach twisting uneasily. Slowly, I nimed to face her.
“Excuse me?” I said, my voice sharp.
Vivian smiled, an expression that didn’t reach her eyes. “You know, from all my juices that drenched it, after all the fun we had last night. Just a suggestion.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart began to race, not with anger but with something much worse –|
Vivian walked away, leaving me standing there, frozen. My mind raced as her insinuation replayed in my head. Nathan had mentioned meeting her before, but had there been more to it?
I touched my lips, still tingling from his kiss, and felt a surge of nausea rise in my throat. My chest tightened as doubt crept in, drowning out the warmth I’d felt Beadler
I needed air.
I found myself at the drink station, ordering something strong and hoping it would dull the ache in my chest. The liquid burned as t downed it in one gulp, but it didn’t help.
Nathan’s voice came from behind me, his hand brushing lightly against my waist. The touch that had once felt comforting now burned. He could have been rubbing another woman’s body with it last night.
1stepped away from him slightly, refusing to meet his gaze as the words tumbled out of my mouth “Who’s Vivian?”
Nathan sighed.
