Page 39 of Deadline for Love

He already had it. Right now, alone, I couldn’t help but feel and see him. His beautiful scent enveloped me. His hot breath brushing my cheek left a warm, tingling sensation on my skin. My heart was pounding, and I needed to get closer to him, but I definitely didn’t want to give in now.

I glared at him wickedly, which made him crack a smile.

“Amidst our little spat, I can’t help but be enchanted by your eyes.”

Now, I had to roll my eyes and look away, but Nathan raised his hand and stopped me from turning my face by holding my chin.

“Okay, I won’t do it again, but first…” He placed a sweet kiss in the exact spot Fernando had. “I feel a little better now.”

Then he pulled me towards him so that our bodies were touching so he could open the door and allow me to get into the car. When he closed the door, I had a moment to myself. I grasped my flushed cheeks and tried to somehow control my racing heart and the tingling in my stomach.

Chapter 14

After a short while, Nia returned to the car with my bag. She wasn’t upset about the situation but seemed rather cheerful, which surprised me a little. Then, a hearty pizza aroma filled the car, and I knew why she was in a good mood. Enzo couldn’t resist, and food always made Nia happy.

Nathan drove off as soon as she buckled her seatbelt, and it didn’t take long for us to arrive at the highest building in our town. He pulled into an underground garage and parked in his reserved parking space.

Nia and I were amazed at the ambiance and followed Nathan to the elevators. He tapped at one of the top floors, and soon we arrived. The complex was modern, and incredibly secure. Then, doors opened to a corridor, and you had to enter a password again when we reached the penthouse. The view was to the city’s east side, a forest, yet the view was stunning.

We stood in a large living room, and everything was completely open, so you could see a large kitchen in the next room. Everything was neat and clean. Nia nodded with approval and then said out loud, “Definitely an industrial designer.”

Nathan laughed. “I’m still a small fish in the eyes of others.”

As he spoke, Nia merely looked at me, shaking her head. “Didn’t he see our apartments? Or is he just messing with us?”

I put my hand under my chin and thought for a long time. “I think he’s seen my apartment.”

Nathan responded again, “It's nothing crazy. I didn't want it to be over the top. I mean, I don't want for anything, but it's not like I have a bunch of ostentatious rooms that never get used.”

Nia and I stared at each other. “Rich people problems,” we mumbled simultaneously and then laughed.

Nathan stopped talking, went quiet, and looked at the floor.

“Hey, I was just kidding. We know you weren’t bragging. We’re here for work. And besides, there’s nothing wrong with having money and being able to afford to live luxuriously. Who doesn’t want to have a view like this?” Nia took off her shoes, walked over to him, and patted his shoulder before entering the living room and placing the pizza boxes on the table.

“Come on, guys, it’s going to get cold.” As she called us over, she flopped down on the sofa.

Nathan looked at me. “After you,” he said, gesturing to the living room with his hand. I took off my shoes and smiled at him. “It looks modern and simple. It suits you.”

When I said that, I deliberately tried to bring back his memory of his comment when he was in my apartment for the first time. And it worked because he flashed a dimpled grin and chuckled, “Then I hope it suits you too.”

I walked past him and sat next to Nia on the sofa, Nathan made himself comfortable beside me, and we started to eat.

During the meal I told them I had received a new letter and explained what it contained. Nia started swearing again, but we couldn’t do anything other than speculate.

Once we’d finished, Nathan got up and brought us drinks, while I took the box with the evidence. I could see Nathan getting nervous.

“There are the letters in there, too. The police couldn’t do much with them,” he said quietly, lowering himself onto the sofa.

I opened the lid nervously and found newspaper reports, letters, and crime scene photos. Nia moved closer and peered at the items with wide eyes.

In the realm of dreams, where beauty is found,

lies a maiden with locks like sunlight crowned.

Admired from afar, yet beyond his reach,

His heart aches with desire yet cannot breach.

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