The Billionaire's Best Friend(69)
Lauren walked into her kitchen and heard the lead character from one of Nate’s favorite action movies giving the villain an ultimatum in the living room, but otherwise the house remained silent. Not even Maggie and JoJo came into the kitchen.
“Hello.” Silence answered as she dropped her purse and crossed into the living room. In the doorway she paused, taking in the sight before her. Nate was stretched out on the couch, an arm behind his head, looking more delectable than he had any right to. Maggie slept down by his feet, while JoJo had managed to sandwich herself between Nate and the couch cushions. If she came home to a sight like this every day for the next fifty years, she’d be a very happy woman, no matter where they lived.
Leaning down she nudged his shoulder. “Nate.” When he didn’t respond, she nudged him again and spoke a little louder.
Nate blinked a couple of times. Then his hazel-blue eyes locked on hers. “You’re home.” He pulled himself up and swung his legs off the couch. “What—”
“I need—” she said at the same time.
“Don’t say you need me to leave.” Nate got out before she finished her sentence. “That’s not happening.”
“Nate, I—”
“Don’t say it. Hear me out first.” He stood and put a hand on each of her shoulders as if to hold her in place. “If you don’t want to move, that’s fine. I won’t try for HRT. You’re a hell of a lot more important to me than that. Than anything, in fact. I screwed up once before with you, and I’m not doing it again. If you need me to prove it to you then I will. Just tell me how.”
Tears prickled the back of her eyes. He might not use the most flowery words, but what he said went straight to her heart. “Can I talk now?” she asked with a sniffle.
Nate gave her a stiff nod, his mouth set in a frown.
“Thursday night I overreacted. Your news blindsided me. It brought back memories of when you left after high school. All the emotions I felt then shot through me Thursday night. It was like living a nightmare all over again.”
Guilt clouded his expression, but he maintained eye contact.
“Now that the shock has worn off, I realize it doesn’t matter where we are. And you were right, I have wanted to try living somewhere else, but I have never had any reason to move.”She placed her hands on either side of his face.”I’m looking forward to moving.”
She expected a radiant smile from him. All she got was a slight curve of the lips.
“Are you sure? If I do this, I could be away for long periods of time. There is constant training, and other agents tell me it can be hard on relationships.”
He’d turned on the movie to pass the time until Lauren came home. He’d prepared a speech, but as it turned out it wasn’t necessary. She’d reached the same conclusion he wanted on her own. Even so, he needed her to fully understand what she was agreeing to. No job was worth risking losing her all over again. All she had to do was say the word and his ass would stay in Boston.
“Please. I can take anything the FBI throws at me.” She tossed him a saucy grin, making the dimple in her cheek appear.
He tightened his grip on her shoulders. “I’m serious. Divorce rates are high among HRT agents.”
Her grin disappeared. “I’m serious, too. Whatever comes up, we will deal with it. That’s what married couples do.”
This time he let himself smile. “Make me one promise. If you can’t handle it, talk to me. Don’t bottle it up until you explode and all hell breaks loose.”
“Who? Moi?” She tickled him right below his rib cage.
He trapped her hand under his. “Yeah, you. I want to hear you say it.”
“I promise. There will be no hell breaking loose.”
The knot of anxiety and dread in his gut melted as joy radiated through him. “Can we swing a wedding before I leave?” Waiting any longer than necessary would be akin to torture.
“How does Fourth of July weekend sound? Callie’s already rescheduling things.”
No words could do justice to how he felt about this woman who was not only his love, but also his best friend. So rather than even try, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the bedroom. They made it into the hall before he wrapped his arms around her and dragged her against him. Before he could lower his mouth to hers, Lauren took control. Reaching up, she took possession of his mouth, her breasts crushing against his chest. Fire shot through him at the first pass of her tongue against his. Any thoughts evaporated as his body’s desires took over. Driven by the need to see all of her, touch all of her, he reached up and untied the knot behind her neck that held up the top of her sundress. Then he took a step back, and with a slight tug he pulled the dress down. When it hit her ankles, she stepped aside and reached for the button on his shorts.