Page 63 of Deadline for Love

I flinched at his statement. “Nathan wouldn’t do that.”

“How can you be so sure? And why didn’t you tell me? You could have stayed with us; we could have looked after you,” Fernando interjected. “I just want to understand how you could marry a man I don’t know.”

He felt betrayed, which I understood, but I didn’t want to endanger anyone, so I didn’t think my decision was terrible, even if it hurt Fernando.

“Nathan is my husband, and I’m happy, Fernando. Trust me, he’s a good man.”

He let out a long sigh and then finally nodded. “Okay, Bella. I trust you to know what you’re doing. But if he hurts you—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Then I won’t come to you if I have to cry,” I finished the sentence, but he shook his head.

“No, then you should come to me and I’ll hurt him then.” He kissed my forehead again and then rose to his feet. “I hope you heard what I said.”

I nodded but realized that the last words weren’t directed at me but Nathan, standing behind us. I couldn’t tell how long he had been there.

They stared at each other until Fernando averted his eyes and looked at me again. “Take care, Bella. I still have a few things to do. But don’t forget what I said to you.”

I nodded and watched him with sadness, but my view was promptly blocked when Nathan took a seat next to me. He kissed me on the spot where Fernando had previously touched me and then grabbed my hand.

“Say it again.’’

Confused, I stared at him and tried to remember my words. “That I won’t go to Fernando if I have to cry?”

He shook his head. “Before that.”

Nathan’s hair was slicked back so I could see his flawless face perfectly; his eyes shone joyfully, and his full lips were slightly curled into a smile. I knew exactly what he wanted to hear, so I had to swallow hard briefly. His closeness had once again mixed up all my feelings. All my tension faded into an impatient gnawing in my heart. And after finally finding my voice again, I replied, “That you’re my husband, and I’m happy.”

His smile widened, and he kissed my hand. A heavy, sparkling tension built inside me as he whispered, “I love hearing you say it, my beautiful wife.”

Chapter 23

A calming energy radiated from him that simply permeated me. But our conversation this morning was still fresh in my mind. I just swallowed my questions and worries because I didn’t have the right to interfere too much in his life. Even though he claimed to be a part of my life, there was a wall between us as far as his personal life was concerned. However, he clearly communicated his wish to be with me. I just didn’t know precisely what was between us.

After dinner, we went our separate ways, both needing to return to work, but before he left, he leaned over and kissed my lips gently, leaving me breathless and robbing me of all my senses. My whole body started to heat, and my pulse throbbed in my veins. The care he took of me was unmatched, and it did things to me I'd never experienced before.

The entire way, I had simply turned off my thoughts for the first time.

Once I arrived at work, I decided I needed to focus so when I left for the day, I could turn off my brain to anything work related. I couldn’t go on as I was. I wasn’t a detective, I wasn’ta fortune teller, and I certainly wasn’t a person who could see through other people’s thoughts. I shouldn’t let myself be led by assumptions. I was Bella Carter, a simple journalist who wanted to report the truth. Nothing more.

I used that thought to make a promise to take care of myself. I had people who cared about me, and I needed to be ok for them too.

It was also in that moment that I realized how important Nathan was to me and how much I wanted to be with him.

I worked until shortly after five pm and was among the first to leave the office. Then I headed to the apartment, where I was surprised to find Nathan already there.

“Bella, you’re home?”

My heart skipped a beat; the longing I felt right now was indescribable. “Yes, I wanted to finish early today. Looks like you had the same idea.”

He put the knife down on the chopping board and took a step to the side so he could see me better. And he did, his eyes moving first down and then back up to my face, his gaze filled with just as much yearning.

“I finished work early,” he said in a slightly hoarse voice. “I wanted to see you.”

My heart was pounding, and the fact that Nathan felt the same as me was music to my ears.

All my feelings spiraled out of control, and when Nathan put everything away and slowly walked towards me, my heart exploded with every step. He stopped before me, and I looked up at him while he looked down at me. I wanted him.

My lips didn’t say anything, but my eyes begged him to kiss me.

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