The Strength of the Pack (Suncoast Society #30)(15)

“That must have been difficult for you as a kid,” Eva said.

He smiled. “No, because we were stationed in England then. Actually, because I was an American, and ‘different,’ there were a few girls who were attracted to me because they automatically thought I was a bad boy. Their parents loved that I was a doting big brother and brought Cherise everywhere with me when she was a kid. Once they realized she was my sister and not my daughter.”

“Sort of like the American girls loving your British accent?” Eva teased.

“Guilty. Hey, I was a teenage boy but I wasn’t the garden-variety stupid.”





The more Eva talked with Nate, the more relaxed she felt. Yes, he understood parental responsibilities, one of Eva’s sticking points about any potential relationship.

She respected him even more for that.

There would be no problems with him understanding that family—especially Laurel—would always come first.

By the time the evening ended it was after ten o’clock and the restaurant was nearly empty.

With cell numbers exchanged and the checks paid, June and Scrye bid them good-night and left while Nate walked her to her car.

She wondered if he’d ask her to follow him home, or suggest going home with her, but he pleasantly surprised her.

Although, she knew it shouldn’t have been a surprise.

“Thank you for tonight,” he said, kissing her hand. “This was really nice. I had fun.”

“Me, too. Thank you again for buying me dinner. I wasn’t expecting that.”

The smile he gave her as she looked up into his eyes started something simmering deep inside her. Not even sexually. Just…different.

Alive.

Like he could see inside her in ways the average person couldn’t, and she felt safe letting him in.

“Well, I named the restaurant,” he said. “And I can afford it. Not that I’m trying to flaunt anything…Jesus, sorry. I did so well through dinner, and now I’m a bloody idiot.”

She smiled. “You’re not an idiot. I get what you meant.”

“Good, because Cherise says sometimes I swallow my foot all the way to my bollocks.”

“That’s quite a feat.”

“Yeah, nothing like a little sister to point out every flaw.” But his tone was filled with love as he said it.

“Kids are good about doing that. They can bring out the best and worst in us sometimes.”

“That they can.”

They stood there for another moment. She didn’t want to pull her hand from his, and he was making no move to release it.

She took a chance. “Would you mind another hug?”

“Not at all.”

As his arms encircled her, she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. He was a couple of inches taller than Leo, and built different, slimmer, but still feeling sturdy to her. Leo was solid, like a lion. Nate was liquid power, like a cheetah.

It didn’t feel uncomfortable in the least. In fact, it felt a little too comfortable, like she could easily slip into a routine with him without thinking about it too hard.

That wasn’t something she could let herself do. She needed to be mindful of herself and the limitations of other people and not just fall into his arms and let him carry her the way she had done to Leo.

Finally, she let go of him and he immediately released her, as if he’d been waiting for the cue from her on when to end their hug. Looking up into his eyes was a different experience. She’d spent so long with Leo’s blue gaze the center of her world, and now Jesse was part of her life.

Nate’s brown eyes looked even darker in the shadows, but still thoughtful, as if processing everything.

“Can we do this again soon?” she asked.

“Absolutely. You let me know when. Feel free to text me anytime. If I’m with a client, I can’t respond right away, so don’t think I’m snubbing you.”

“Ditto. I can’t always respond when I’m at work.”

They stared at each other for a moment.

“Will you be at the club this Friday?” she asked.

“I can be.”

“Can we meet there and just…talk?”

“Sure. It doesn’t even have to be there. We can go to a restaurant or something, if you’d prefer.”

“I’d like to meet there, I think. Then we can talk without worrying about what people hear.”

“Ah. Now I’m tracking.” He opened her car door for her. “Then what time would you like to meet?”

“Eight. If that’s okay?”

“Eight’s fine. Would you like me to bring my kit and give you a treatment?”

“I wasn’t trying to get a freebie.”

“I know. But if it helps you, I’m happy to do it.”

“Okay. Thank you, yes.”

He waited to walk away until she had her seat belt fastened and got her car started. As she drove away, she glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted his tall form heading for his car.

I wish this night didn’t have to end.

Her phone beeped at her with an incoming text. At the next light, she looked and found a text from Tilly.

WELL???

June must have texted or called her.

In car. Will text when I get home. Went well.