The Billionaire's Best Friend(48)

Who else could she call? His brother might know something, but she didn’t have his number. Her heart squeezed at the image of Nate in a hospital bed, or worse. He’s fine. He didn’t answer because he’s busy. Once he checked his messages he’d call her.

From the other room, she heard the news anchor launch back into the story, telling viewers they’d just learned that the suspect himself had been injured during a high-speed chase while attempting to flee.

“I can’t wait.” Without bothering to turn off anything, Lauren grabbed her car keys.

Exactly how she got from her house to his place, she’d never know. The drive was a blur of fear and anxiety. Somehow she managed to pull into the empty driveway near his parents’ house ten minutes later. From the outside, his parents’ house looked empty, and she saw no sign of life in the apartment over the three-car garage either.

Please be home. Please be home. The words repeated over and over as she ran across the driveway and up the stairs. When she banged on the door, a dog inside barked.

When the door opened a few heartbeats later, Lauren paused long enough to realize it was Nate standing there. Then she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Lauren what—”

As the gut wrenching fear she’d felt mingled with sudden relief and love, she could do nothing but kiss him, cutting off whatever he’d been about to say.

Nate’s arms circled around her, and she slanted her mouth over his then tugged on his bottom lip until he opened for her. For the moment, nothing mattered but kissing him. Proving to herself that he was safe. Focused on the man and his mouth, she didn’t notice when he moved his hands up to her shoulders until he pulled her back.

“You can greet me like that anytime, sweetheart. But I think I missed something.”

Lauren opened her eyes. Nate stood before her wearing a white undershirt and jeans. A heavy five o’clock shadow covered his face, as did a smile. Heat rushed to every inch of her body at the sight of him and the memories of what they’d done as teenagers in this apartment merged.

Explain yourself. She sent the brief command to her mouth. She couldn’t blame him for being confused. One day she was telling him she needed time and the next she was attacking him at his front door.

“I saw on the news an FBI agent from Boston was killed.” She ran her hands across his shoulders and down his upper arms. “I tried calling, but you didn’t answer.” She traced his tattoo with her index finger. She needed the physical contact to reassure herself he was unharmed. “Then I tried your parents.”

He cupped her cheek with his hand and trailed a thumb over her jaw. “I needed a shower when I got home. I spent the afternoon searching a house that wasn’t fit for animals to live in, never mind a person.”

Lauren tipped her face toward his hand. His gentle caress both calmed and aroused her at the same time. “When they didn’t answer either, I came here. I needed to know you were okay. That I hadn’t lost you again.”

Nate bent his head toward her, his intent obvious on his face.

“I can’t lose you again,” Lauren said, sounding breathless.

He wrapped both arms around her, crushing her against his chest. “You won’t. Promise.”

Lauren got no opportunity to respond before he locked his mouth on hers again. Years of bottled up passion and emotion exploded between them. As his tongue explored and tasted, Nate’s hands slipped under her shirt. When he slid his hand under her bra to cup her breast, her legs wobbled and she leaned into his hand.

Her own hands grabbed at his undershirt pulling it out of his jeans so she could feel the skin underneath. When she trailed her fingers up his spine, he groaned then picked her up. Instantly she wrapped her legs around his waist causing his erection to press intimately against her.

Lauren pulled back for air and met Nate’s heated gaze.

“God, I’ve missed you, Lauren.” Nate’s words came out on a ragged breath.

The same words sat on her lips, as did I love you. Rather than say them, however, Lauren leaned in to show him. And although she didn’t think it possible, their kiss became more intense. As they kissed and touched, their passion escalated toward the stars. Unwrapping her legs, she slid down him when they entered his bedroom then grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Nate didn’t hesitate and followed suit. His undershirt hit the bedroom floor as he kicked the door closed with his bare foot. Then as one they landed on his bed, tugging off the rest of each other’s clothes.

“I love you.” The words slipped out of her mouth just as he entered her. She didn’t have time to register what that meant as her brain turned off and her body took over.