I was sitting in the living room; book in my lap, when Nate stuck his head around the door about an hour later. His hair was still damp from his shower and I had an overwhelming urge to push my fingers through it. 'Are you ready to go?' He sent me a wide smile that was infectious and I smiled back as I closed my book and dropped it to the table in front of me. I stooped down to pick up my bag and moved over to the door where he stood.
He didn't move he just grinned down at me. 'What?' I asked, wondering what he was up to.
'Nothing, it's just that there is a certain fee you need to pay to pass.' His smile turned cheeky and a bit naughty and it was an expression that looked really good on him.
I placed my hands on my hips and looked up at him through my lashes. 'Oh really and what exactly is this fee?'
He pretended to think about it for a second then smiled down at me, 'a kiss.'
'Really? And does it have to be from someone specific or can I get Milly to pay.'
'I don't accept dog kisses.' He moved forward and slipped his hands through my arms and linked them at my back.
Automatically I moved mine up his arms and to his shoulders. 'Well, that's good to know.' I rose up onto my tiptoes and softly pressed my lips to his. I felt the tingling sensation almost instantly and let out a soft moan. At the sound Nate made a growl noise of his own and pulled me in closer and deepened our kiss.
I wanted him; I wanted him so much more than I had wanted anything. I placed my hands at the nape of his neck and slowly stroked the damp hair there. Reluctantly he lifted his head from mine but rested his forehead against my shoulder.
'If we don't go now then the dogs are going to get a floor show.' I stared up at him then slowly moved my hands from his neck, over his shoulders and down his chest. Did he really want me the way I wanted him? I knew what he looked like almost completely naked but only on a screen and I ached to see it up close and personal but the fear that I wouldn't be enough, that I didn't look good enough, sent a bolt of dread through me. I pushed it to one side as best as I could. Nate took a deep breath then lifted his head from my shoulder and took a step back.
He smiled at me then turned and walked to the front door giving me an excellent view of his backside. Smiling, I grabbed my scarf, trying to steady my hands from the charge of attraction that was still coursing through my body, and wound it around my neck then taking a breath to steady myself some more, I lifted my coat from the hook and slipped it on buttoning it to the top.
Nate opened the front door and waited for me to walk through it. When I did I smiled at the sight before me. There was something about that car that had me literally stopping in my tracks just to look at it. I felt Nate bump into the back of me and steady us both by placing his hands on my shoulder.
'What's wrong?' The worry in his voice made me smile. I felt like he had asked me that a lot over the past couple of days and I liked that he worried about me.
'Nothing. It's just... I love that car.' I giggled.
Nate pulled me back so I leaned my back against his chest and wrapped an arm across me from one shoulder to the other. 'She is pretty special.' After a moment he moved his arm and nudged me forward. 'Come on.'
He slipped his hand into mine and led me round to the passenger side. He popped the handle out and opened the door for me. 'Wait, you leave your car unlocked?'
He chuckled then pulled his key fob out of his pocket. 'It's a smart key. It only has to be near the car to unlock it.'
'That's pretty fancy.' He laughed and gestured for me to get in. It may seem weird, but I had dreamed about this car and I wanted to savour every moment.
I took a breath then slid into its plush leather seats. I was happy that he had gone with the red trimmed interior and I looked around me taking it all in. Nate closed the passenger side door and I pulled the seatbelt down and clicked it into place. It seemed warm despite how cold it was and I didn't know if it was the car or the man that was about to drive it. I looked around me, there seemed to be a hundred buttons on the dash and I had no idea what any of them did but I would happily spend hours finding out. It was all so clean and streamlined and attractive. Nate made his way around to the driver's side then slid into the seat next to me.
He pushed the start button and the car sprang to life. She sounded deep and rich and unbelievably sexy and some very naughty thoughts sprang to mind of what I could do to Nate in this car.
He glanced over to me and smiled then he shifted the car into reverse and manoeuvred out of the drive and headed up towards the village. I knew the drive would be smooth but you expect there to be a little jolting about with a car that sat low to the ground. It seemed that the F-type was as perfect as I had expected.
Nate and I sat in comfortable silence but it didn't stop me from glancing over at him. Three days ago I was looking at pictures of him in a magazine and now I was sitting next to him in the car of my dreams. Now I knew what it was like to kiss him, to have his arms around me and that excited, and scared, me in equal measures.
The drive to the closest town was too short for my liking and before long Nate was pulling up in front of a large building with a huge 'Selfridges' sign hanging above the door. He looked over at me and smiled. I grinned back at him. 'Thanks for the ride.'
'You're welcome.' He didn't move or say anything else, just looked at me then he seemed to shake himself out of it. 'What time do you want picking up?'
'Oh, umm, I'm not sure.'
He chuckled. 'Why don't you call me when you're ready?'
I shook my head. 'You don't have to do that.'
'I want to. Give me your phone.'
I laughed as he repeated my words from yesterday and held his hand out. I reached into my bag and handed him my phone. I watched his long fingers tap away then hand it back. I looked down at the screen and giggled. He had put his number under the name 'Stud Muffin.'
I shook my head at him as he grinned in reply then dropped my phone back into my bag. 'I will see you later.'
I went to reach for the door handle but felt Nate's hand on my shoulder. I turned and he leaned towards me, my body seemed to be on auto pilot when I was with him and I felt myself lean forward. He kissed me slowly and with a familiarity that had my stomach in knots. When our kiss broke he smiled at me and I couldn't keep my own smile off my face if I tried. I climbed out of the car without saying a word and closed the door. After a moment Nate pulled the car away from the curb and disappeared down the road. I turned then took a deep breath.
I pushed through the glass doors and was greeted by a wall of heat. I unbuttoned my long navy blue coat and then unwound my scarf from around my neck and took in the sight before me. Two days before Christmas was a ridiculous time to come shopping and I wouldn’t usually venture anywhere near a shop at this time of year - I was a ‘planner’ and I usually had all my shopping done at least three weeks before and all online so I avoided any sort of crowd. I can't remember exactly where my fear of crowds had come from but I do remember one time when I was little and I had wandered away from my mum and gotten lost and there were so many people. There were other times and panic attacks but I had managed it quite well over the past few years.
The store looked festive with hanging decorations and tinsel strung everywhere but there seemed to be millions of people rushing here and there, however needs must, so I took a deep breath and strode forward into the madness.
I wanted to pick up something extra for Maggie. She had been so nice to let me spend Christmas with her that I wanted to show my appreciation. I had already gotten her a lovely Yardley gift set but thought of a nice brightly coloured silk scarf would be a lovely accompaniment. Thinking it best to start there I walked around trying to find a sign for the ladies wear department. Spotting an escalator I headed over and sure enough ladies wear was upstairs.
I wandered around looking at all the sparkly dresses which only came out this time of year, and hummed along to the festive music being pumped into the store. I spotted a counter donned w
ith scarves and made my way over. There were so many to choose from, in all sorts of colours and styles but a pretty black, with hot pink and gold flowers on, stood out. I had the lady behind the counter, box and wrap it up, and when she had finished I handed her my card.
I now needed to get Nate something. His original gift sat in my room wrapped in shiny silver paper but I wanted to get something meaningful and funny and perfect. I made my way through ladies wear and a naughty thought of getting some lingerie flittered through my mind but I quickly dismissed it, I didn't need any new underwear and the ones I had packed were pretty enough if anything did happen. I bit my bottom lip at the thought of it then smiled and continued on my hunt for gifts. Finding the escalator again I headed back downstairs and towards the gadget section.
There were so many different things on display and I took it all in, watching a man and his son playing with a remote control helicopter and then a lady who was looking flustered and upset that the store didn't have the tablet that her daughter simply had to have. It baffled me how people left the big important present so late to buy; Christmas was at the same time every year so it wasn't as though you couldn't plan ahead.
Turning away and trying to focus on my own shopping I spotted something sitting on a shelf that made me smile. There was a poster of the latest 'Danger' movie and underneath were shelves of merchandise. The top shelf was full of stress characters and scowling back at me was a little Dax, it was perfect and I hoped that Nate would find it funny that I picked something to de-stress him in the shape of the character he played. I still needed something else and continued wandering around hoping that inspiration would hit me. I found a really good book on running trails around London then spotted a sign that offered an engraving service. I chose a whiskey tumbler and handed it over for it to be engraved. The girl behind the counter said it would take about fifteen minutes and so I headed over to the food court to find some coffee and maybe a pastry as shopping always made me hungry.
Twenty minutes later I had picked up Nate's glass and sent him a quick text to let him know I was ready. As I waited I thought I should probably give my sister a quick ring and see how she was getting on with her in-laws.
'April, hi your timing is perfect. I have just managed to get the kids down for their nap. How is your holiday going?'
'It's going great. Just thought I would check in and make sure you got the gifts I sent.'
I heard Abby moving about then stop and I guessed she was having her first sit down of the day. 'We did, you didn't need to send so many though.'
I smiled, 'you know I love spoiling those kids.'
'I do, but you shouldn't.' I could hear the smile in her voice and knew that she wasn't mad about it. 'Anyway tell me what you have been up to, I need single people details.'
I couldn't tell her about Nate. Not the fact that he was Nate Hamilton but the fact that I could feel myself falling for him and to tell her would only make it more real and when Christmas was over having to explain why it didn't work out would only make it harder. 'Not much really. I went to the pub yesterday for lunch.'
'Any cute guys?' My sister was always trying to set me up with people and the one time I caved and agreed I ended up on a date with a guy who was lovely but spent the night talking about his ex-girlfriend.
'Oh loads of cute guys I just couldn't decide which to pick,' I teased. 'Anyway I have just been taking it easy, you know, reading and walking along the beach, it's nice.'
'Well despite your lack of enthusiasm for men I'm glad you're having a good time.'
I saw Nate's car pull up along the curb and smiled as he held a hand up in greeting. I lifted my own in response. 'Sorry Abby, I have to go, Ella's brother has arrived to pick me up.'
'Oh wait? Is he single?'
I laughed and ignored her. 'Bye Abby, I will call you tomorrow.'
'April, do not hang up, tell me about the brother!' I hit the end call with a laugh and made a note to text an apology.
Nate had gotten out of the car and walked around to the back to open the boot for me. It was then that I noticed that some of the people on the pavement had stopped and were whispering. I looked around me and then back to Nate. For a short time I had forgotten who he was and the reality was starting to hit; he was a movie star and people were going to recognise him, and then they were going to wonder who I was. That thought didn't sit well.
When I reached his side he dropped a quick kiss to my cheek and waited while I placed my shopping into the back then closing it he moved over to the passenger side and held the door open for me. I ignored the people on the street and hoped that none of them had been quick enough to get a picture as I climbed in. Nate closed the door and headed round to get into the driver's side. He looked a little worried and I realised that I had gone from happy to see him one second then sombre faced the next.
'You okay?' I could feel him looking at me so I shook the anxious feeling from me and sent him a smile.
'Yeah, just shopping stress,' I lied. He nodded and smiled in return then turned his attention away and started the car and pulled out into the traffic.
Chapter Seventeen
Nate
April seemed quiet on the drive back to the house but the closer we got the more she seemed to relax. I parked the car on the driveway and switched off the engine then looked over at her. I still couldn't get over how attracted I was to her and how much time I wanted to spend with her, to get to know her, and hear her opinions on things. 'Do you have any other plans for today?'
She turned to me and smiled. 'No, nothing set in stone. Why?'
I shrugged. 'I thought we could have some lunch then take the dogs along the beach. If you wanted to?'
Her smile broadened and I reached over and stroked her cheek. 'I'd like that.'
I smiled back at her then reached over and took her hand threading my fingers through hers. I lifted our hands then placed a kiss to the back of hers. I didn't know if Mum was back and from April's body language I didn't think she was ready for anyone to know so pulling her into my lap was probably not a good idea no matter how much I wanted to do it. I lowered our hands, slipped mine from hers then opened my door and climbed out of my seat. I walked around the car then opened the door for her.
She smiled up at me and I wondered how many other guys she had given that smile too, the thought stirred something in me that I pushed back down. I didn't need to know about her past, I only cared about her future. I closed the door and then went around the back to retrieve her shopping then carried it into the house.
'I'll take them upstairs.' April held her hand out to me and I passed her the bags then watched as she climbed the stairs. I got a great view and threw a quick thank you to Levi Strauss. Turning away I walked through the living room then into the kitchen. I had noticed that Ella's car wasn't in the drive and it seemed that Mum was also still out which meant April and I had the house to ourselves.
When April stepped into the kitchen I was already halfway through making us something to eat. She walked over to me and hoisted herself up onto the counter next to me. 'What are you making?'
I chopped an apple into wedges then handed her one. 'Just sandwiches and some fruit, is that okay?'
She took the apple and I watched as she took a bite then nodded. 'Sounds good.' I moved over to the kettle and poured boiling water into the mug I had waiting then handed it to her. She smiled when she took it but didn't take a sip.
I looked at her. 'What?'
'Nothing.' She kept watching me and then after a moment, 'you made me coffee.'
I grinned at her then set about finishing making us sandwiches. 'You love coffee. It's one of the many things I have learnt about you.'
'And what else have you learnt about me?' I was glad that her mood seemed to have lifted again and I was also thankful for our solitude.
I put down the knife I had just cut our sandwiches with and moved so I stood between her knees. I took her mug from her and placed it by her hip then ran my hand
s up her thighs and to her waist. We were about eye level so I leaned forward and just before our lips touched I whispered. 'You love to read.' I kissed her fleetingly then lifted my head. 'You are smart.' Kiss. 'You're funny.' Kiss. 'And.' Kiss. 'You.' Kiss. 'Are' Kiss. 'An amazing.' Kiss. 'Person.' This time I deepened the kiss and felt her wrap her arms around my neck.
After a couple of minutes she pulled back and grinned at me. 'Well now that we have thoroughly established that you have been paying attention, I'm hungry.'
I chuckled and stepped from between her legs and moved to grab a large plate. I piled on the sandwiches and sliced apple and a handful of grapes then once April had jumped off the counter and picked up her mug I took her hand and lead her into the living room pulling her down onto the sofa next to me. She scooted into the corner and sat with her legs crossed and her back against the arm. I lifted the plate towards her and she selected a sandwich and took a huge bite. I placed the plate on the table and chose a sandwich of my own.
I wanted to know if the weather forecast had changed or if we were still likely to get snow later today so I switched on the TV and waited for the news to finish. April finished her sandwich and took another then stretched her legs out and rested her feet in my lap. I looked over at her but her attention was on the screen. I smiled at the familiarity of it and wondered if we would stay like this when we got back to town and had been together for a while. I was looking forward to taking her out and introducing her to my friends who I knew would like her as much as I did; she was such an easy person to be with and I hadn't been this excited about a relationship in a very long time.
The weather man reported that, yes, we would be seeing snow later tonight and quite a lot of it. I switched the TV off and leaned back into the sofa and looked over at April. She was smiling back at me and then she swung her legs off my lap and stood. I followed and thought she was going to head into the kitchen but she didn't move. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she turned to me.
An Unexpected Christmas Page 11