Page 79 of A Lot Like Forever
“Please don’t tell me you’ve slept with her,” Faith muttered as he reached for her hand to lead her up the stairs.
“No I haven’t.”
“But you’ve thought about it?” she asked, wishing she hadn’t. “I mean, I know you like blondes.”
Nate chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Honey, I like all women, but I certainly don’t have a thing for blondes over . . .”--he paused and touched a lock of her hair-- “incredibly stunning brunettes.”
She forced her mouth to shut.
“But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about sleeping with her. I met her before you turned up that day.”
“Hey, at least you’re honest.” But if she was truthful, all it made her want to do was punch the blonde’s perfect little white teeth from her painted pink-lipped mouth.
“You want honest?” He chuckled. “Every beautiful woman I meet, I wonder how good she’d look naked. But you’ve ruined me, darlin’. Nothing compares.”
She burst out laughing. “Come off it, Nate.” There was flattery, and then there was just . . . she had no idea what that even was.
“Good morning, Mr. King,” the blonde said, gesturing for them to enter. “We’ll be wheels up as soon as you’re settled.”
“Thank you,” Nate replied, nodding and keeping hold of Faith’s hand, barely acknowledging the attendant. “I’d like to make sure we have chilled water, the bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc I sent over earlier, and a selection of food. Once you have all that sorted I’d prefer not to be interrupted except in case of an emergency.”
She looked taken aback but nodded politely. Faith forced herself to smile as she passed—it wasn’t like she was the only woman on the planet attracted to Nate King.
“New Zealand wine?”
“Only the best, darlin’.”
“You need to stop calling me that.”
He stopped, let go of her hand, and crossed his arms. “You used to like it, if I remember correctly.”
Faith blushed. When he’d used that sexy drawl in bed and called her all kinds of pet names she’d loved it. Now it just reminded her of what she couldn’t have.
“So where are we going?” Faith asked.
“New York,” he said simply, as if he’d just announced they were heading down to a local café for lunch.
“New York?” she spluttered.
Nate shrugged and sat back in his seat, gesturing for her to take the one opposite him. She sunk into the soft leather, putting her purse on the seat and wondering how the hell anyone could afford luxuries like a private jet. With the exception of maybe movie stars.
“Why are we going to New York?” she asked, more composed this time.
Nate’s stare was warm, his gaze fixed on hers, unwavering, as he looked into her eyes. Nothing about the way he held himself gave away his thoughts or his emotions. He had his legs spread wide, arms resting on his knees as he leaned forward.
“Because I’ve never met anyone as passionate about art as you and you deserve to see the best galleries in the country. Or at least one of the best.”
Faith swallowed. Hard. Like she’d been stranded in the desert for days she was so dry. “Why? Why are you doing this for me?”
Her question hung between them, Nate’s eyes still fixed on hers. She thought he was going to look away, that he was going to blink and avoid what she’d asked, but he proved that nothing scared him when he finally answered her.
“Because I love you.” Her eyes had been leveled on Nate’s lips, as she thought how soft and kissable they looked as he sat not saying anything, but she quickly raised her gaze when he said words she’d never,everexpected to come out of his mouth.
“Nate . . . ,” she cautioned, not sure what else to say.
“I love you, Faith, and this is me proving it to you.”
Nate sat back, unfazed by what he’d just told her, so damn comfortable in his own skin that it drove her wild.
