Page 32 of Rescuing Nathaniel

“Anyway, as I was trying to say,” Ava continued, “since I don’t think it’s possible to embarrass myself any more than I already have in front of these guys, I don’t think it will hurt to say that I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of a little unwrapping in the future.”

Surprise widened Nathaniel’s warm chocolate brown eyes, but then they narrowed almost imperceptibly, and she couldn’t quite figure out where his mind was going. The question he’d asked implied that he did want to get undressed with her at some point in the future. At least, she thought it did, and it seemed like the guys thought it did, too.

Only now it felt like she’d said the wrong thing somehow.

There was something about Nathaniel she was missing, something that made him doubt himself even though from where she was standing, or being carried as the case may be, she could not figure out what it was.

Did he like her or didn't he?

It was okay if he didn't, he didn't owe her anything.

If anything, it wasshewho owedhim.

Owed him everything.

Was that the problem? Did he think she only wanted undressing fun with him because he’d saved her life? Like it was some sort of payment for services rendered? The idea definitely offended her even though she had to remind herself that Nathaniel didn't really know her either, and she had been the one to blurt out something stupid.

When Nathaniel didn't say anything more, and an awkward silence grew between them and their little group, Ava pushed gently at his shoulders, indicating he should set her down.

“I think I’m up to walking for a while. It would be good for my legs to move around a bit after being stationary for two weeks,” she said softly.

It was almost a disappointment when Nathaniel immediately put her on her feet. Even more so when he took a step away and Ace stepped up beside her to take his place. Of course, she trusted these men to protect her and make sure she got home in one piece, but only Nathaniel made her feel safe.

Somehow, her stupid mouth had gone and gotten her in trouble again only she couldn’t figure out what it was exactly that had been the wrong words to say.

Oh well, it didn't really matter in the scheme of things. When she got home, she had a whole lot of feelings and emotions to unpack and then try to reassemble them into something that would allow her to move forward from her ordeal. Most likely, this attraction she felt toward Nathaniel would fade quickly when they were no longer in danger, it was probably nothing more than her crushing on the man who had saved her.

So why did it feel like so much more?

* * *

March 3rd

2:47 P.M.

He was an idiot.

Nathaniel knew he’d messed up with Ava earlier.

It was just she’d caught him off-guard with her comments. Getting used to being around someone who seemed to be missing part of their filter took some time. Her comment about him unwrapping her had come as a complete shock.

What on earth would a woman like her see in a guy like him?

It had to be because he’d been the one to save her. That was his first thought, but when he’d tried to give her an out and allow her to backtrack she hadn't really taken him up on the offer.

In fact, she’d done the opposite.

She’d doubled down on her assertion.

And that had left him warring inside himself.

A big part of him preened under her attention. She was sweet, funny, and brave, so far out of his league they were living in different universes. Which meant he had to be realistic.

Ava was scared and in pain, she’d been through a horrific ordeal that she hadn't been given a chance to process yet. What she was doing was shoving down her feelings about being abducted and focusing on something else.

On him.

But once she was home, the magic would wear off and she would realize the truth, that he absolutely was not good enough for her and never would be.

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