Date: 2013-08-12 07:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Contemporary; Adult; New Adult; Chick Lit; Erotic Romance; Contemporary Romance; Military Fiction; Erotica; Romance
Description: **A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...** *Revenge is a dish best served with him on top.* Eight years ago, former Army sergeant Nathan Schultz let the love of his life disappear without a fight. After watching everyone around him find happiness while he slipped further away, he’s finally ready to fight for Chelsea Callaghan—and he’s not afraid to play dirty. Chelsea has always followed her conservative family’s rules—with one heartbreaking exception. When she receives an invitation to an old high school friend’s wedding, she knows who’s to blame. Though she goes solely to

Two Wrongs, One Right

Katee Robert

Trinkets and Tales LLC

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Katee Robert. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact katee@kateerobert.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

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Also by Katee Robert

Wicked Villains

Book 1: Desperate Measures

Book 2: Learn My Lesson

Book 3: A Worthy Opponent

Book 4: The Beast

Book 5: The Sea Witch

Book 6: Queen Takes Rose

A Touch of Taboo

Book 1: Your Dad Will Do

Book 2: Gifting Me To His Best Friend

The Island of Ys

Book 1: His Forbidden Desire

Book 2: Her Rival’s Touch

Book 3: His Tormented Heart

Book 4: Her Vengeful Embrace

The Thalanian Dynasty Series (MMF)

Book 1: Theirs for the Night

Book 2: Forever Theirs

Book 3: Theirs Ever After

Book 4: Their Second Chance

The Kings Series

Book 1: The Last King

Book 2: The Fearless King

The Hidden Sins Series

Book 1: The Devil’s Daughter

Book 2: The Hunting Grounds

Book 3: The Surviving Girls

The Make Me Series

Book 1: Make Me Want

Book 2: Make Me Crave

Book 3: Make Me Yours

Book 4: Make Me Need

The O’Malley Series

Book 1: The Marriage Contract

Book 2: The Wedding Pact

Book 3: An Indecent Proposal

Book 4: Forbidden Promises

Book 5: Undercover Attraction

Book 6: The Bastard’s Bargain

The Hot in Hollywood Series

Book 1: Ties that Bind

Book 2: Animal Attraction

The Foolproof Love Series

Book 1: A Foolproof Love

Book 2: Fool Me Once

Book 3: A Fool for You

Out of Uniform Series

Book 1: In Bed with Mr. Wrong

Book 1.5: His to Keep

Book 2: Falling for His Best Friend

Book 3: His Lover to Protect

Book 3.5: His to Take

Serve Series

Book 1: Mistaken by Fate

Book 2: Betting on Fate

Book 3: Protecting Fate

Come Undone Series

Book 1: Wrong Bed, Right Guy

Book 2: Chasing Mrs. Right

Book 3: Two Wrongs, One Right

Book 3.5: Seducing Mr. Right

Other Books

Seducing the Bridesmaid

Meeting His Match

Prom Queen

The Siren’s Curse

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

About the Author

1

“I can’t do this.” Chelsea Callaghan slid lower in the front seat of her car and clutched her phone to her ear. “Why on earth did I let you convince me I could do this?”

Danielle laughed, just like she had when Chelsea first showed her the wedding invitation. “Because you were invited—and because you desperately need closure with your ex so you can move on with your life.”

If only it were that simple. Nothing had ever been simple where he was concerned.“What if he wasn’t the one to send it?”

“Oh, come on. This isn’t a giant conspiracy—this is one asshole trying to screw with you. Put him in his place and be done with it.”

Chelsea opened her mouth to tell Danielle the truth, the real reason she had driven all the way from Seattle to confront the ghost from her past, but she couldn’t. There had been too many years of silence to break it now.

“Come on, Chels. You’ve gone back and forth more than a dozen times. If you didn’t want to go, you wouldn’t be sitting in that parking lot, trying to talk yourself out of the whole thing. You’d be here, cramping my style.”

How well her best friend knew her. She’d been in danger of talking herself out of this mistake completely when she’d picked up the phone, hoping Danielle would support her change of mind. “This is a mistake. I just know it.”

“Maybe. You won’t know until you go inside. Shit, Chels, the hotel room is already paid for tonight. Worst-case scenario, you lock yourself in, order room service, and catch up on your soaps. Just get out of the car.”

Chelsea peeked through the front windshield, her gaze coasting over the sprawling grounds and large hotel situated directly in front of her. It wasn’t particularly terrifying on its own, but she knew all too well what the occupants held in store for her. The building might be large, but even an entire city was too small when it came to him.

Just sitting there, she could almost feel the familiar pull in her chest that had drawn her to him in the first place. It might have been her imagination, but the twinge existed all the same. She rubbed the back of her hand over her chest and mentally vowed not to let fantasy get in the way of reality.

She could not trust this man.

Chelsea stuck her key back into the ignition. “I’m coming home.”

“You can’t.” “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I have a guest staying over tonight and I fully plan on instigating the naked rule. Sorry.”

She didn’t sound the least bit sorry. No, Danielle sounded positively gleeful, though Chelsea was hard- pressed to decide if it was regarding the so-called naked rule or her current situation. “There’s no such thing as the naked rule.”

“Actually, there is—it’s in place for when sexy-ass men like Sergei are around.”

Chelsea shuddered. “Don’t you ever get tired of trying to make your dad angry?”

Danielle’s father was a four-star general.To say her best friend had problems with authority was a serious understatement. It was part of why they got along so well. Chelsea admired Danielle’s complete and utter disregard for her father’s—and anyone else’s—wishes. Being around Danielle made her feel a little bit freer and less like herself.

“Actually, I don’t ever get tired of it. Now for the last time, get your ass out of the car and into that hotel. You’re there for a reason and you’re never going to forgive yourself if you don’t follow through on it.As for me, I’m going to go have sex on the kitchen counter.” The line went dead before Chelsea could respond.

She dropped her phone into her purse with a sigh. Right now, Danielle having sex on surfaces Chelsea ate off of was the least of her problems.

Her eyes settled on the hotel entrance. “I can do this.”

Sheer bravado got her out of the car, though she couldn’t stop herself from clutching her purse to her chest as if it were a Prada-shaped shield. Her heels clicked over the concrete, which made her wish she’d worn flats. The last thing she needed at the moment was her very own soundtrack, each click in sync with the beat of her increasing heart rate.

When no one appeared to accost her—though there was really only one person she was worried about—she walked through the front doors. Distantly, Chelsea acknowledged the beauty of the place, with its rustic décor. Exposed beams and dark wood dominated the lobby. She wasn’t certain how long the building had been around, but the entire room smelled of fresh-cut wood. It was a nice place to hold a wedding, and the oversize fireplace sent her creativity flowing and made her fingers itch for her camera, but the location wasn’t something she would have chosen for herself.

The irony of the thought made her laugh.

“You’re here.” The voice licked up her spine, raising goose bumps along her skin.

She whirled around, forgetting to keep calm, and nearly toppled when she overbalanced on her too- high heels. He caught her. He always had, until the end. Slowly, so slowly she thought she might be dreaming because this couldn’t possibly be happening, she looked up from where her hands rested on his chest.

A small, petty part of her had hoped the years would have worn on him. Perhaps he’d have grown out his hair into a greasy mess, or grown a horrible mustache, or something else like so many of their graduating class.

Of course she wouldn’t be so lucky.

Nathan Schultz looked even better now than he had the last time she’d seen him. He’d filled out, the muscles under her hands markedly larger than they had been at eighteen. Surely his shoulders hadn’t been quite so broad? She definitely would have remembered if they had been. Her heart stuttered at how good he felt, her body instinctively melting against him just like it had countless times before.

Realizing she was practically rubbing against him like a kitten in the presence of catnip, Chelsea snatched her hands off his chest. “What are you doing here?”

He raised a single eyebrow, a skill she’d never been able to master no matter how she tried. Not that she would ever admit to trying—not eight years ago and not now. “It’s my brother’s wedding,” he said. “In what reality would I not be here?”

When he put it that way, her question did sound silly. Chelsea took a step back, the new distance between them forcing him to drop his hands from her upper arms. She told herself she didn’t still feel the imprint of his fingers on her skin, but memories threatened. Of his hands on her body, his lips on her neck, his voice curling around her as he told her how much he loved her. It was everything she could do to keep the answering shiver contained.

Focus on the reason you’re here.

Chelsea clutched her purse closer, comforted by the documents inside. “You know what I mean. Why are you in the lobby?”

“Maybe I’m waiting for you.”

A thrill went through her, though she couldn’t say for sure if it was from fear or something more… delicious.

She shook the thought right out of her head. It shouldn’t be like this. After what he’d done, she shouldn’t feel a single thing when she looked at his square jaw that had always caught the light so perfectly. Maybe she hadn’t outgrown those types of thoughts like she’d hoped, but she knew better than to be drawn in by them.

That she was anyway answered the question she’d been asking herself the entire drive to the lodge.

She really couldn’t do this.

The front door was only a few short steps away. It would be child’s play to smile and make some excuse about forgetting her phone in the car. Two steps—three—and she’d be in the parking lot and free, able to avoid the conflicting roil of emotions the sight of him created inside her. She could take the easy way out, send him what she’d come to deliver via mail—

“Nathan?”

Chelsea froze as a petite blonde approached, a smile on her face. She was beautiful in the fresh-faced girl-next-door way—the type of woman men labeled “the marrying kind.” A surge of white-hot jealousy hit Chelsea as the stranger stopped next to Nathan and nudged him with her shoulder. “Introduce me to your friend?”

Nathan smiled, and it was the only warning Chelsea received before he said, “Elle, I’d like you to meet Chelsea. My wife.”

My wife. Nathan couldn’t deny the surge of satisfaction he got from saying those two little words. Chelsea actually took a step back, though he didn’t know why he was surprised. She’d run from him once, and there was little to stop her from running again.

Except this time, he was more than willing to play dirty to keep her here.

He couldn’t believe she’d come. Inviting her to the wedding had been a long shot, but here she was, in the same room as him for the first time in eight years, with her chin held high and her hair a mass of red waves that she’d never quite been able to tame. It was something she’d hated in high school, an imperfection in her family of blondes and brunettes, but Nathan had always seen it as a physical representation of the fire inside her—a fire she hadn’t let anyone but him see.

She’d grown into herself, though, her face sharpened and her hair darkened to a slightly less fiery auburn that she probably preferred. Her body was still curvy in the pinup sort of way. The type of body he’d always desired over the stick-thin one so many women strove for. Then again, Nathan couldn’t picture himself not wanting Chelsea, no matter how she’d physically changed since he saw her last.

Conflicting emotions twisted through him. Desire. Anger. Guilt. Faced with the possibility of touching her, talking to her, he couldn’t avoid the truth that stood between them.

He’d fucked up. Really fucked up. And she’d left before he could fix it.

If there were any way to go back and do things differently he would, but it was too late to change the way things had fallen out. All that was left was to work through their issues and see if they had a chance at a future.

Next to him, Elle grabbed his arm. “Excuse me, I must have misheard you. I could have sworn you said wife.”

“Actually—”

“That’s because I did.”

Chelsea made a choked sound when he interrupted her. She obviously hadn’t wanted that little piece of information to come out. Well, screw that. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was his and had been since they’d snuck off to The Hitching Post and he’d put a twenty-five-cent ring on her finger.

“I see.” Elle’s blue eyes were a touch too wide. “I, uh…” She cleared her throat and held out a hand. “Hi. I’m marrying Nathan’s older brother, so I guess that makes us related.”

Though it couldn’t be clearer that Chelsea wanted to run for the nearest exit, her inability to make a scene was too ingrained. It was one constant he’d always hated, but now he was betting the future on it.

Guilt rose, more potent this time. All through high school, Chelsea had been intent on saving face—on the appearance of things. It went along with being a Callaghan, but she took it to a truly neurotic level. Her older sister was the one who did everything right, from choosing the right career to marrying the right kind of man. Instead of doing what a normal kid would do and rebelling until she found her own way, Chelsea had practically killed herself trying to make her family happy.

Until him. Nathan knew full well he didn’t fit into the life they had planned for their daughter, but he’d fallen for her anyway. And she’d fallen, too. It was only once he and Chelsea realized they had to be together that she’d finally stood up to her family. It had been a glory to see, even if tears had streamed down her face and she’d gone hoarse from screaming.

She’d done it for him—for them—and it hadn’t meant a thing in the end.

Chelsea took Elle’s hand and even managed a smile. “Congratulations. Gabe is a wonderful person.” “Yes, he is.” Elle smiled as well, though she still looked a little wide around the eyes. “Have you checked in yet? I swear my wedding planner—who also happens to be my best friend—has this weekend scheduled down to the last minute, but I’d really like to get to know you better if we can find some downtime.”

She shot Nathan a glare. “Nathan hasn’t told us nearly enough about you.”

Because it was his burden to bear. And because it physically hurt to think about her, let alone talk about her. Their past was an open wound that had never quite closed. Lately it had felt like it was festering, the pain inside him only getting worse. It had finally gotten to the point where he had to do something about it.

Chelsea shifted and glanced at Nathan. “I’m not sure…”

She was going to run. The intent on her face couldn’t have been clearer if she’d said it aloud. He wanted to yell at her, spilling out all the words he’d kept locked inside over the years, and then pin her against the nearest wall and remind her just how perfect they were for each other. Forcing her to face the attraction that sparked between them was the only way he’d ever been able to break through her barriers, and he had absolutely no problem going there with her.

In fact, that was part of his plan.

Nathan took a step closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll get her settled in.”

She held herself straight and stiff against him, but her uneasy smile never wavered. “I’m sure there will be time to talk over the course of the weekend.”

Elle’s gaze jumped between them. “Of course. I’ll catch up with you later.”

As soon as Elle was out of sight, Chelsea pushed him away, her amber eyes sparking with anger. “What are you doing? Why would you tell her that?”

Okay, so he hadn’t exactly planned on blurting it out to Elle, but Chelsea had always done a number on his self-control. Only, this time, he wasn’t letting her get away without a fight. “It’s the truth. You, Chelsea Callaghan, are my wife.”

“Stop it,” she hissed, looking around as if her family was going to appear out of the woodwork. “Please stop saying it.”

“It’s too late to deny it. Hell, it’s even too late to leave. What Elle knows, Gabe knows, and don’t think for a second he won’t track you down to ask questions.” Her hand flew to her chest, her eyes narrowing.

“He wouldn’t dare.”

“You know my brother. Take a second to think about that.” It wasn’t the truth. Gabe and Nathan were adults, and they respected each other’s boundaries—mostly. If Nathan told his big brother to back off, Gabe would do it. Chelsea didn’t know that, but it suited his plans for the weekend to let her believe nothing had changed in the last eight years.

She frowned. “I’ve moved on. He’d never find me. You didn’t.”

Now probably wasn’t the best time to remind her that he had, in fact, mailed her an invitation to the wedding, nor to admit he’d found her less than four weeks after he got back from basic training. There was a decent amount of pride involved in the decision to stay away. He may have fucked up, but she left him.

He forced himself to shrug, to hide the tension radiating through every line of his body. This bluff had to pay off or she’d leave and it all would be for nothing. “Where do you think he’d start looking?”

Recognition sparked. “No.” She stepped forward and clutched his arm. “He can’t go to my parents. Please, Nathan. You have to stop him.”

The trap was set. All he needed to do was spring it. “I will.” Nathan laid his hand over hers. “If you stay for the wedding.”

“What?” Chelsea’s jaw dropped and she stepped back, releasing his arm as if he’d caught fire. “You’re… blackmailing me?”

“If you want to put it that way.” He’d do a lot worse if it meant a chance to get his wife back. It seemed like everyone around him was falling in love and getting their happily-ever-after, all while he sat around and pined for Chelsea. He wanted her back in his life, and he was going to do his damnedest to create the opportunity.

“I do want to put it that way.” She took another step back. “I can’t believe you’d do this.”

“Don’t play the victim, Chelsea. It doesn’t look good on you.” The sheer audacity she had to look hurt after everything that had happened set Nathan’s teeth on edge. He might not be an innocent, but she wasn’t, either.

“You’re crazy. We haven’t seen each other in eight years and you want me to spend the weekend with you? That doesn’t make any kind of sense.”

He stepped forward, backing her against the wall, though he didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. Being this close after so long was heaven and hell all mixed into one. He wanted to kiss her until they both forgot all their anger and hurt and the bullshit keeping them apart.

Not yet.

Nathan leaned down, noting the way she shook even as her eyes dropped to his lips. His mouth brushed her jaw, the touch so brief it might have been his imagination if not for the way her breath caught.

“A weekend isn’t all that long.” He dropped one hand to her hip, the thin cotton of her dress not much of a barrier between their skin. One good rip and it wouldn’t even be that. “And we have a lot to catch up on.”

She inhaled so sharply, her breasts pressed against his chest. A little noise escaped her lips, one that didn’t sound the least bit like a protest. She snapped her mouth shut, but it was too late. He knew she was as affected as he was.

Good.

He released her and took a large step back.“I took the liberty of canceling your reservation. My room is two twenty-four. I expect to see you there.”

He turned and walked away before his tenuous grip on his control broke and he dragged her into the nearest empty room to see just how badly she really wanted him to kiss her.

2

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.

What in the hell had just happened? It was like Chelsea had stumbled onto a runaway train, and now it was all she could do to hang on for dear life.

She slumped against the side of her car, the bright, sunny day mocking her with its cheerfulness. Beautiful as it was, Chelsea wanted to put this place into her rearview mirror and pretend she hadn’t just been seriously contemplating kissing—doing significantly more than kissing—Nathan. When his lips had brushed her skin, an honest-to-God moan had come out of her mouth. Even now, it felt as if her body had been connected to a live wire. Key areas pulsed with each beat of her heart, centering at her breasts and the vee between her legs. She clenched her thighs together and mentally cursed herself because it made things so much worse.

There wasn’t a word in existence to describe how bad this was.

Clearly she’d expected Nathan to roll over and play dead when she showed up and handed him divorce papers. And why not? The fresh-faced boy he’d been in high school never would have dreamed of blackmailing her. Never would have backed her against a wall and made threats that set her body on fire.

But then, she’d never dreamed that boy would desert her the way he had eight years ago. After high school, with him by her side, she’d finally scrounged up the courage to stand up to her family, to run from them when they tried to come between her and Nathan. She’d thought things would get better, and they had for a little while.

At least until his mother passed away.

Suddenly she’d been caught in the middle of a tailspin she had no idea how to get out of, Nathan’s grief dragging them both down. When he’d come to her and told her he wanted to get married right away, she’d jumped at the opportunity to bring him back to the world of the living.

Instead, he enlisted in the Army without even telling her. She’d pleaded—begged him not to go. It had been the most humiliating experience of her life, and she’d have been glad of it if only he’d stayed.

He hadn’t.

Pain spiked through her, and even after so many years of living with it, she could barely bear it. She was more than free to climb into her car, start it up, and drive away, of course. And she was on the verge of doing just that until she thought about Gabe knocking on her parents’ door, demanding to know why he hadn’t been informed that his little brother was married to their daughter.

Considering she’d managed to keep the marriage a secret, even after she was forced to go crawling back to her family, they wouldn’t have any answers for him. No, all they’d have would be questions for Chelsea. Nathan could be bluffing, but she’d known Gabe when she was in high school, and back then he’d have been willing to burn the world to the ground for his little brother.

She couldn’t risk him doing the same in this situation. Not with her father running for a Senate seat.

Damn it.

Everyone in the family was under a microscope with the campaign going full steam ahead, and a scandal was the last thing they needed. Especially a scandal like this. With Dad heading a conservative platform, if anyone found out she’d been secretly married for the last eight years, they would draw all the wrong conclusions. Under the very best case scenario, they’d assume he couldn’t control his own family, which would lead to arguments that obviously he’d be unable to handle the responsibilities that went along with being a member of the Senate. Worst case, they’d think he lied about it.

Either option could ruin her father’s chance at being elected.

Which brought her back to why she was here in the first place. She needed a divorce, and she needed it immediately. If she could take care of this on her own, maybe she’d manage enough damage control not to disappoint her family. Again.

Chelsea’s entire body shook as she pushed herself off her car, her frustration growing. How dare Nathan reappear like this and blackmail her? Not only was this entire mess his fault, she was Chelsea Callaghan, daughter of future senator John Callaghan, granddaughter of socialite Rose Callaghan—she wasn’t the kind of woman a man could blackmail. Not if she had any say in the matter.

Which, apparently, she didn’t.

The realization only fueled her anger. There was no way she was going to accomplish her goal if Nathan was hell-bent on seducing his way back into her heart. She had to make him see reason. Show him just how incompatible they’d become.

And that meant staying the weekend.

Unable to stomach another round of her best friend’s questionable advice, she sent Danielle a quick text.

Plans changed. I desperately need a bag packed for the weekend. Can you tear yourself away long enough for a scenic drive down here?

She shoved her phone back into her purse. God help her, she would make Nathan pay for forcing her into this. He wanted a wife? Chelsea would give him a wife, and she’d make him choke on it. Heat shot through her at the thought of exactly what that would entail, but she fought it down. She could play the blackmail game, too. By the time she was done with him, he’d be begging her for a divorce.

She hauled her overnight bag out of the trunk, a grim smile pulling at the edges of her lips. Anger was good. Anger would ensure she didn’t do something foolish like lose her head over Nathan again. Just because he looked at her with those soulful brown eyes didn’t mean she was affected.The warmth surging through her was the remnant of frustration and anger, not a nearly overwhelming tide of desire.

She waited for the elevator doors to open, praying it didn’t contain anyone. Chelsea might be able to smile her way through political brunches and any number of social functions, but she was too flustered to deal with any of that right now.

Not to mention she had the horrible feeling she was going to need all her wits about her if she had any shot at beating Nathan at his own game.

Thankfully, the elevator was empty. She stepped inside, pushed the button for the second floor, and fidgeted with her bag while she waited. As the elevator doors opened, her body turned to lead. She stumbled forward, following the signs until she came to a stop outside the room marked 224, and stared at the dark wood door.

Was she really going to do this? Grandiose plans of revenge aside, nothing good could come of spending a weekend with Nathan. She might have been the one to leave, but that didn’t mean she didn’t care. In fact, it meant she’d cared too much.

No. They’d kept up this charade for far too long already. It was best to do whatever it took to get the papers signed and put that chapter of her life behind her—which was something she needed and needed now.

She raised her hand to knock, but the door opened and Nathan leaned against the frame. If she didn’t know any better, she would have suspected he’d chosen this position solely because he knew how fantastic he looked framed by the shadows in the room behind him. It brought everything into stark relief—the width of his shoulders; how well his shirt fit, accenting his chest and arms without clinging; the casual messiness of his hair, as if he’d just been running his hands through it.

He looked good enough to eat.

He smiled, the look just this side of gloating.“Were you planning on standing out here all evening?”

“And miss out on the dubious pleasure of your company? Of course not.”

Good Lord, where had that response come from? She slid past Nathan, careful not to touch him. With the memory of what happened in the lobby riding so close to the surface, she didn’t trust herself to get within touching distance. She dropped her bag on the bed and turned to him with a smile she hoped looked more confident than terrified. “I have a counterproposal.”

“I’m all ears.” He didn’t look the least bit worried, arrogance practically seeping from him. Nathan thought he had her cornered and at his mercy.

She was about to prove him wrong. She slid the divorce papers from her purse and held them out to him. “I will stay for the weekend, but you’ll sign these at the end of it.”

The anger in his eyes was both terrible and beautiful. He was suddenly closer, though she couldn’t say for certain when he’d moved. “Divorce papers.”

The documents in her hand—along with her bravado—drooped, and she had to swallow past her suddenly dry throat. “Those are my terms. Will you accept?”

He twined his fingers through her hair, drawing her closer even though her mind screamed at her to step back. Instead she stared, helpless, at the contrast between her dark red strands and his tanned skin. She remembered what it felt like to have those hands on her body, pulling her closer with a desperation matched only by her need to be as intertwined with him as much as she could. “Chelsea…”

Would he kiss her now? She desperately wanted him to. Oh God, this wasn’t going according to plan. Nothing about today was going according to plan. Maybe she should have just turned off her alarm clock, gone back to bed, and slept the day away.

Of course, thoughts of bed turned to thoughts of her in bed with Nathan. How it would feel to be covered by his body again, to have his mouth dragging over her skin, his hands holding her in place?

He moved closer, kissably close.Against her better judgment, she closed her eyes and lifted her face. His teeth grazed her neck, sending her blood sizzling. The divorce papers fluttered to the floor as she fisted her hands in the front of his shirt, as much holding herself as keeping him from moving away.

The power he’d held over her—and apparently still held—threatened to drown her in want. She needed him on a level that had nothing to do with reason or reality.

One of his hands framed her jaw, his thumb tracing her bottom lip. Nathan’s rumbling chuckle made her entire body perk up. “If you actually want a divorce by the end of the weekend, I’ll sign the damn papers.” He shifted back, the scruff on his jaw trailing along her cheek. “But I doubt you will.”

His words jarred her out of the lust overriding her common sense, leaving her cold and standing in a pile of loose papers in the wake. All because he’d touched her.

Chelsea took a deep breath, but it was a mistake because all she could smell was his distinctive scent. She wasn’t going to be able to stand up for herself if she was swooning in his arms. With effort, she smiled. “You can doubt all you want. It’s going to happen.”

It took entirely more effort than it should have to step back—and not trample the divorce papers in the process—which made her wonder if she was already in trouble. Oh, who was she kidding? She’d been in trouble the moment she’d walked into this hotel.

Nathan’s grin was downright wolfish. “Oh, I don’t know about that. You’ve been here less than an hour and you’re already practically begging me to kiss you.” His gaze dropped to her mouth, and it was everything she could do not to lick her lips. “It’s okay, baby. You don’t have to beg. I’m more than willing to kiss every single fucking inch of you.”

Having been on the receiving end of his patience when it came to the bedroom, she didn’t doubt it. Her traitor of a memory was all too willing to offer up all the times they’d snuck away to explore each other’s bodies in the bed of his truck, with only the stars as witnesses.

She shook her head. It didn’t matter how things used to be. They were different now. She had her life. Nathan has his. And ne’er the two should meet.

His grin faded away, replaced by a terrifyingly sincere look. “I’m going to make things right between us. I promise.”

I promise. Words she’d heard before, and exactly the ones she needed to hear now. She gathered her tattered composure around her like a shield.“Promises don’t mean anything. You, of everyone, should know that.”

“Chelsea—”

“Stop.” How arrogant did he have to be to believe he could wave a magic wand over their past and she would immediately fall into line? “You broke my trust, Nathan. Shattered it. There’s no coming back from that.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Give this a chance. Please.”

“No.” She turned away, making a show of examining the room and pretending like she couldn’t still feel him at her back, taking up too much space. Well, he could just keep standing there, because she had no intention of going along with whatever mad scheme he’d apparently dreamed up. “What kind of options are available for dinner? I haven’t eaten since this morning.” Because she’d been so nervous about seeing him she hadn’t been able to stomach the thought of food.

“Let’s go for a drive.”

And be closeted into a car with him for God only knew how long? Absolutely not. She turned around to tell him exactly that, but he was already at the door, holding it open for her as if he were a gentleman.

A gentleman wouldn’t have put her in this position to begin with.

She smoothed down her dress and kept her chin high as she sidled past him and into the hallway. Her relief was short-lived. The door clicked shut behind him and then he was leading her down to the elevator. There didn’t feel like enough space in the enclosed box but, thankfully, Nathan didn’t press her or talk to her or so much as look at her during the short ride to the first floor.

She clutched her purse, telling herself she could handle this—even though now she wasn’t so sure. She’d faced down plenty of intimidating people over the years, but none of them came close to unsettling her as much as he did. Worse, she was reacting to him, her body responding to the presence of the only man she’d ever been intimate with. But who could blame her? He was gorgeous and magnetic and…

He’d hurt her worse than anyone else she’d ever known.

She wasn’t doing herself a single favor obsessing about this.

“This way.” His hand cupping her elbow whipped her out of her spiraling, the touch taking away her ability to think.

He led her through the parking lot, stopping in front of a truck. At the sight of it, her head started feeling funny, dizziness overtaking her until she had to press her hand to the hood to make sure she didn’t fall. “Is this a joke?”

“A joke?” The question sounded innocent enough, but when she turned to look at him, his eyes conveyed entirely too much knowledge. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Stop calling me that. And you know exactly what’s wrong.” She waved frantically at the truck. It was nearly an exact replica of the ancient one he’d driven her around in during high school—a ’72 Chevy. The only difference was his old truck had been on the verge of falling apart, from the missing back bumper to the rust holes in the floorboards. This one was as shiny and well taken care of as a brand new vehicle.

He shrugged, his indifference a lie because of the pointed way he watched her. “What can I say? I had a lot of good memories in that truck so I restored it. I didn’t want to let it go.”

Didn’t want to let her go.

The words lay between them, one more elephant to add to the herd taking up the majority of the parking lot. She felt as if she’d choke on the things unsaid between them. Chelsea walked toward the tailgate, trailing her hand over the brilliant red paint. There were so many memories centered on this thing, from the countless hours of country driving they’d done to the wicked way they’d spent their time in the bed with the tailgate down. She jerked her hand back, as if that would stem the flow of images reminding her how his naked skin had glowed in the moonlight.

She looked back to find him holding the passenger door open for her. Just like he always had. She held her breath as she climbed into the truck. If his goal was to take them both on a trip down memory lane, he was doing a brilliant job of it.

But she wanted no part of whatever plan he had in the works.The past needed to stay behind her. Digging it up did neither of them any favors, and she had a divorce to finalize.

3

Nathan should really say something to break the loaded silence between them, but he was still too pissed to trust himself to speak without saying something unforgivable.

Goddamn divorce papers.

He didn’t know what he’d expected, but things were worse than he’d imagined. He’d broken her trust in some way, but damn if he knew how. Yeah, he’d screwed up back then, but this was something else altogether. And the way she’d said it. Shattered. Like there was no hope of repairing it.

No. He couldn’t believe that. If he did, he had no business following through with his plan. A love like theirs didn’t just disappear. Beyond that, she wasn’t the type of woman to kiss a man she hated—or was even indifferent to. A lot might change over the years, but he couldn’t imagine that would.

And she’d almost kissed him in the hotel room earlier.

He cursed himself for letting that opportunity go, but knowing what he did now, he was glad he’d stepped back. His initial plan to use sex to break down her barriers had to be adjusted. If she didn’t trust him, she wasn’t going to come running back into his arms just because he drove her out of her mind with passion. He’d have to approach it from a different angle, one that pushed her, but not enough to run the risk of ruining any chance he had of regaining her trust. Considering how she’d already responded, he didn’t see that being a problem.

Though, after eight years without Chelsea in his life, he didn’t want to take anything for granted.

“Tell me about your job.”

She made a sound that wasn’t quite a laugh. “Why bother with small talk? It’s not going to matter in a few days anyway.”

He refused to agree with that. A few days could make all the difference in the world. He took a deep breath and beat the anger back. “My weekend, my terms.”

“I’m sorry. Did someone name you King of the Mountain and I neglected to notice?”

Her obvious reluctance to share any information about herself grated on him. She didn’t want small talk? Fine. He’d go straight for broke. “Come here.”

“Excuse me?”

“The center of the bench seat. You’re familiar with it.” He patted the spot next to him. “Come on, baby.”

“Stop calling me that.”

He patted the seat again. “Come over here and make me.”

“You have the maturity of a twelve-year-old.”

“Nah. I’m a solid seventeen. You remember seventeen, don’t you?” All those stolen moments they’d shared. Later, after she was gone, he’d tried to chalk his feelings up to Chelsea being the forbidden fruit he could never really have, but that assumption cheapened what they’d shared. The truth was he’d loved her with an intensity he’d never felt before or since.

She pressed her lips together. “I try to forget.”

That hurt. Then again, why wouldn’t she try to forget their time together? If her words back in the hotel room were anything to go by, she didn’t think they had anything left to save.

He was damn well going to prove her wrong. “Here’s the deal—get over here or answer my questions.”

She stared out the windshield. “We can make small talk without resorting to more blackmail. Tell me about Gabe and Elle.”

He didn’t want to talk about his brother and Elle, but he’d take whatever he could get. “They’re good for each other, though they didn’t get off to the easiest of starts.”

“How so?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to talk about something else, but then he changed his mind. Would she be jealous knowing the truth? “It’s a funny story, actually. Elle was trying to seduce me, but she made a tactical error and ended up in Gabe’s bed instead. It’s more or less history from there.”

Chelsea tensed. “That’s…something.”

She was jealous. Nathan wanted to crow in delight. Jealous was directly connected to caring, and damn if he wasn’t going to capitalize on that. “It’s certainly a unique ‘how we met’ story.”

When she didn’t respond, he decided to let the silence stretch—let her stew—for the rest of the trip. This was only the first step. There would be time for more conversations later.

He drove into Portland, finding the way from memory. He didn’t drive down here often, but the Portland City Grill was one of his favorite places to eat when he was in the area, and it was the perfect place to begin his seduction.

As he parked, Chelsea peered out through the windshield. “Is this where the wedding party is having dinner?”

“Just us.”

She froze. “What?”

His little wife sounded damn near terrified at the thought of being alone with him for longer than strictly necessary. He reached over and squeezed her knee, leaving his hand there. “Just you and me tonight.”

“Nathan, I—”

“Let’s go.” He held the door open for her and then slipped his arm around her shoulders. This time she didn’t jump for a full ten seconds, as if she only then remembered she was supposed to not want his touch. He led the way into the restaurant, though he didn’t give her as much room as was technically polite.

The hostess took his name and gave him a million- watt smile. “Mr. Schultz. We have your table ready.” She didn’t so much as look at Chelsea once as she led them back to the private room he’d reserved. He kept his hand on the small of Chelsea’s back, guiding her even though she didn’t need it. It was a testament to his control that he managed to keep the contact so brief, when all he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and never let her go.

The hostess waited until they were seated and turned yet another smile his way. “Your server will be with you shortly. Let me know if there’s anything you need in the meantime.” She shut the sliding doors, keeping strong eye contact the entire time. Subtle.

Chelsea gave a distinctly unfeminine snort. “Classy.”

There was that jealous streak again. He liked it. “Not interested.”

“Don’t miss an opportunity on my account.” The smile she gave him was faker than the French manicure on her nails.“I’m sure there’s a storage closet or handicap stall or somewhere equally private for you to peel her out of that Spandex skirt.”

He moved seats so he sat kitty-corner to her instead of across the table. Then he leaned forward. “Want to know a secret?”

“By all means.”

He waited until she was within touching distance to say,“The only person I have any intention of peeling out of her clothes tonight is you.”

Her eyes went wide, and she straightened so fast he was a little worried she’d get whiplash. “That’s not funny.”

“Neither is you thinking I’d actually consider another woman when you’re in the room.” Or at any other time. It was Chelsea for him. It always had been. No one else would do.

“If it’d make you rest easier, I can wait in the car.” Christ, she wasn’t going to let this go, was she? The anger he’d never quite gotten a handle on shot back to the surface. “Do you know what I want to do to you before the weekend is out? Hell, what I want to do to you right now?”

She went pale, and then red. “Stop it.”

He kept his voice low because the server could appear at any time but made sure she heard every single word. “I want to go down on my knees in front of you—I’m dying to see what’s under that dress— and then I want to drag your panties down your legs, slowly, prolonging it, teasing you the way you like it.”

“Nathan, please.” She pressed a hand to her chest, which only served to draw attention to the fact her breathing had increased. As if he needed more indication than the flush of desire spreading over her skin.

“I want to spread your legs, looping your knees over the arms of your chair, leaving you wide open. Then I want to just look at you.” His cock was so hard it was damn near painful. He could picture exactly what he’d described. They’d never done anything exactly like this before, but he knew Chelsea’s body nearly as well as his own. He knew her desires, knew she liked it when he took charge, though they’d been so inexperienced when they first made love, they hadn’t explored it in any detail.

Eight years of fantasies had given him plenty of material and ideas for expanding their experiences. Now he just had to wait until she begged him for it.

He waited a few seconds to see if she’d protest again, but she watched him with wide amber eyes filled with apprehension and need. Nathan slipped his hand under hers and played over her knuckles with his thumb. The touch was on the far side of innocent, but she made a faint sound that was an awful lot like a moan.

“After I look my fill, making you wait for me, I want to touch you like this, starting at each ankle and working my way slowly up your legs. You’d be shaking by then, needing me the same way I need you right now. Ready to die if I don’t touch you where you’re so fucking wet for me.”

The door slid open and Chelsea pulled her hand out of his. Nathan wanted to curse at the server for making an appearance, but then he looked at Chelsea again. She was frazzled, her hand shaking as she reached for her water. He ordered for both of them, needing the fucking server gone. From the look of relief on her face, she thought this was the end of it.

She was so goddamn wrong.

4

Chelsea couldn’t seem to catch her breath. The image Nathan had painted was so incredibly vivid it was everything she could do not to beg him to put it into reality. He knew her secret spots and desires better than anyone else in the world. Which wasn’t to say she’d given anyone else a chance to learn them, no matter how much she’d wanted to scrub him from her system in the years after she’d moved to Seattle.

She was so busy trying to calm herself down, she couldn’t dredge up any anger over his high-handed way of ordering for her. It was doubtful she could eat even if she wanted to at this point. All she could focus on was him, sitting there, looking so enticing while she tried to keep herself from unraveling in his presence.

The low light of the private room was good to him—as if he needed any help being more attractive—playing off his strong jaw and shading his brown hair darker than normal. He looked mysterious and carnal, and her hands hitched for her camera.

It wasn’t fair.

She nearly laughed at the childlike thought. Of course it wasn’t fair. Life rarely was. The problem was that it felt like Nathan held all the cards, while she was left scrambling for something to hang onto. Throwing in the divorce counteroffer had been a start, and he’d brushed it aside as if it barely made him stumble.

She needed something larger to shake him up.

The server had barely closed the doors behind him when Nathan turned back to her. “Where were we?”

She couldn’t take much more of this, or she was in very real danger of orgasming on the spot. So she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Are you planning on talking all night, or are you going to follow through?” It was a bluff, and not even a smooth one. But even with the changes she’d seen, this was still Nathan. And the Nathan she’d known would never do something as insane as what he’d been describing to her.

His eyes darkened and for a moment she thought she might have actually gained some ground. Then he went and ruined it. “Take off your panties.”

Oh no. If she obeyed, she might as well stop fighting for the rest of the weekend. She wasn’t ready to do that. It would be entirely too easy to slip back into their old way of doing things, to let the past blur over the present until she saw everything through her teenage rose-tinted glasses.

Chelsea propped her chin on her hands and gave him an innocent look. “You first.”

“That’s not how this works.”

Because he thought he could keep control. Not likely. She would be the one in control. At this point, she’d do damn near anything to wrestle it out of his hands. Two could play the dirty-talking game. “Why not? Don’t you like the idea of my mouth on you?”

“Jesus.” He looked absolutely floored.“Chelsea—”

“I remember, you know. I remember how much you liked it when I met your gaze while I was going down on you.” She tried not to squirm as she relived exactly how much she’d liked it as well. “Do you think I could make you come before the server gets back?” As if called by her words, the server swept into the room, this time bearing a tray with two glasses and a bottle of wine. Nathan barely let him get to the table before he said, “Box our food. We’re taking it to go.”

A thrill went through her at his rough tone, the barely veiled need as clear as if he’d thrown her over his shoulder and carried her from the room.The server frowned, but then gave a hasty nod. “Yes, sir. I’ll be back shortly.”

Nathan turned on her as the door shut once more. “That was mean.”

“You haven’t seen mean yet.” God, what was she saying? She felt like she was playing chicken with a train or waving a pair of red panties in front of a charging bull. There was only one way this could end for her—badly.

His grin was just this side of savage. “If you start down this path, there’s no turning back.”

As if she could, even if she tried.

This was her chance to back off. To take the safe route, hold out for the rest of the weekend, and go back to her life, divorce papers in hand. All she had to do was tell him no.

Instead, Chelsea gave him a feral grin of her own. “Who said anything about wanting to turn back?” If he thought he could call her bluff, he had another think coming. She was willing to see this out to the end, for better or worse.

The phrase nearly made her lose her nerve, but she pushed her worry away. This was a different situation, a new her. Strange how she didn’t feel all that new sitting at a dinner table with Nathan, fighting to keep her hands off him.

Apparently some things never changed.

“You make this choice, I’ll give you tonight.” His grin widened, sending an answering surge of desire through her. “But the rest of the weekend is mine.”

Ignoring the infinite ways this could go wrong, she patted his hand. “If you’re afraid, it’s completely understandable. I’m willing to let you off the hook.”

“It’s not me who’s in over my head right now.” His gaze raked over her, leaving trails of goose bumps in its wake.

The server came back with their boxes and bill, which Nathan paid in cash.Then he stood and held out his hand. “Shall we?”

“Of course.” She took his hand, feeling as if she were making a bargain with the devil. Wasn’t that exactly what this weekend was, though? They both wanted something out of it, and they both were more than willing to play dirty to accomplish their goals. Now it was a matter of seeing who came out on top.

It had to be her. If… No, she couldn’t afford to think like that. There was no “if” or “maybe” or room for doubt. Not now that she’d made her decision. So she allowed him to lead her back down to his truck, reveling in the fact he was practically dragging her along and his steps were not steady by any means.

She had him right where she wanted him.

Nathan couldn’t seem to form a coherent thought beyond getting to the truck. If he hadn’t gotten them out of that restaurant, he’d be bending her over the table right now. Or she’d be on her knees in front of him…

Christ.

He bit back a groan and picked up his pace. Idiot that he was, he honestly hadn’t expected Chelsea to turn things around on him. He’d fully planned on continuing to tease her through dinner until she was damn near out of her mind with need for him to touch her. All she had to do was ask and he’d have done whatever she wanted. But then she’d gone and thrown a wrench into the gears, and now he could barely think past the need to see if she’d follow through on her threat—or let him follow through on his.

“In a hurry, baby?”

He was going to put a stop to her smugness. Right fucking now. Thank God they’d reached his truck, because he had no problem tossing the boxes of food onto the hood, spinning her around, and pressing her against the door. Their rough breathing was the only sound in the dim parking garage, and she leaned back, revealing the line of her throat, which drew his helpless gaze down to where her breasts pressed against his chest.

Control. He needed control.

The thought flew out the window when she arched against him. “Kiss me.”

He was supposed to be seducing her senses, and then taking her back to the hotel to do the same to her body—to be proving she could trust him, even if it was only in the bedroom for now. Instead, he ground against her, lowering his mouth to take hers.

It felt like he’d been wandering for years and finally made it home.

She moaned as her arms slid around his neck and her leg came up to loop around his waist, drawing him closer. As if he was in danger of backing away—not now that he’d gotten his first taste of her.

She gasped as he kissed his way down her neck, nibbling on the spot he remembered she liked.“Would you like to know a secret?” she whispered.

Doubtful. “Sure.”

“I’m not wearing panties.”

Whatever last scrap of good intention he had dissipated. He shoved up her dress, nearly groaning when he found that she was telling the truth.This entire time, she was walking around without a single barrier between her and his mouth, his hands, his cock. No longer. He slid his hands under her ass and lifted her so he could grind against just the right spot. Chelsea moved with him, desperate, needy sounds coming out of her mouth.

Just as he was trying to figure out where he wanted to taste her next, her entire body went taut and she sobbed out a harsh breath. Nathan froze. Did she just… No way. He had to be wrong. But then he leaned back so he could see her face. “Did you just come?”

She blinked at him, looking shaken.“No. Of course not. That’s ridiculous.”

Before she had a chance to protest, he shifted and touched her between her legs, his fingers coming away drenched. “You just came.”

She pushed at his shoulders, and he let her shove him away. Chelsea adjusted her dress, but the prim and proper look was ruined by the flushed skin and hazy gleam in her eyes. “I think it’s time to head back.”

Yeah. Definitely. Because he had a whole lot more to think about than he’d anticipated. That said, he wasn’t about to let her completely off the hook. He stepped forward to cup the back of her neck and dragged her closer. “Make no mistake—this is only the beginning.”

The look in her eyes couldn’t have been clearer than if she’d said the words aloud. Oh shit.

5

Chelsea couldn’t decide if she wanted to cry or rip off her clothes and crawl into Nathan’s lap. Perhaps she should do both, just to give him a jolt. She’d been so optimistic as they left the restaurant, and then she’d gone and practically told him she’d been a nun since moving to Seattle.

Someone who was having sex regularly didn’t have spontaneous orgasms in the first fifteen seconds of making out with a man. At least she was relatively certain they didn’t. It wasn’t like she’d know.

It wouldn’t have been so bad, but he’d smirked the whole way back to the highway. And why shouldn’t he be feeling superior? He’d called her bluff and had gotten a very significant clue as to what she’d been doing—or hadn’t been doing—over the last eight years. He probably thought he had her right where he wanted her.

Didn’t he, though?

She was reeling from the orgasm, her body still sparking with the memory of his hard length pressed against her, his mouth on her neck, his rough hands holding her to him.

Chelsea wanted to scream her frustration to the heavens. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It didn’t matter how he made her body feel—she couldn’t trust him. He’d more than proven that when he tricked her into marrying him, then left her drowning when he walked away. She looked at him, humming under his breath as he drove. He was oh so pleased with himself. She couldn’t let it stand. She wouldn’t.

Steeling herself for what she was about to do, she slid closer to him and wedged herself under the arm he’d stretched out across the bench seat. “Nathan?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s my turn.” She cupped him through his jeans, nearly groaning at how hard he still was.

A muscle jumped in his jaw and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. “That’s not necessary.”

And let him get the last word? Absolutely not. She stroked him, biting her lip at how familiar his cock felt in her hand. “I think it is.” She carefully unbuttoned his well-worn jeans and dragged down the zipper. His cock practically sprang free, demanding her attention even if he refused to say how much he wanted it.

That was fine. He thought he could keep the upper hand by not giving voice to how much he wanted her mouth on him? He was wrong. She knew exactly how desperately he wanted her, because she felt exactly the same. As if she would die if she didn’t keep this going. She slid down the seat and took him into her mouth, sucking him down until he bumped the back of her throat and a string of curses filled the cab. At that first taste, she forgot all about her plan to torture him, forgot her reasons for being there, forgot everything but how much she loved this—how much she’d always loved this with him.

The truck veering to one side nearly threw her under the wheel, but Nathan’s hand on her shoulder kept her steady. As soon as the vehicle stopped moving, she went back to what she was doing, swirling her tongue around the crown of his cock.

“Fuck, baby.”

He was close. She was sure of it. A little bit longer and she’d be the one wearing the self-satisfied grin while his body shook from his release. She took him deep once more, leisurely pulling back.The temptation to leave him on the edge was there, but she couldn’t do it—not with Nathan’s hands tangled in her hair and his hips moving in counter rhythm to her mouth. He swore again, his grip tightening, and that was all the warning she got before he came. Chelsea kept going, working him until the last shudder left his body.

Worst of all, she wanted more.With a shaky exhale, she moved to the other side of the seat and reached for her seat belt.

“Not so fast.” He looped an arm around her waist and dragged her back to him. Nathan tucked her in against his side and, this time, she couldn’t work up much effort to hold herself stiff. “How about we just enjoy the afterglow?”

That felt a whole lot like surrender, which was something she couldn’t afford. “I’m perfectly fine over here.” She slid out from beneath his arm and reclaimed her seat. Distance was what she needed, though she suddenly wasn’t so sure there was enough distance in the world to make her stop wanting Nathan.

She needed to stop that line of thought right in its tracks. She reached for something to say that didn’t involve what she’d just done. Or their past. Or any other hot subject. “Is Gabe happy?” Yes, that was a better subject—a safer one. “I never would have pictured him with a woman who’d sneak into bed with you.”

The thought of him with another woman sent her stomach roiling. She didn’t have a right to the feeling. Not anymore. He might be her husband, but it was in name only. Logic had nothing to do with the feeling winding its way through her, though. She wanted to punch Elle in her pretty face and scream that Nathan was hers.

Except he wasn’t.

“Eventually we’re going to have to talk about us. You can’t hide from it forever.”

She didn’t need forever. She just needed a weekend. “Is he happy?”

Nathan sighed. “Gabe’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. They’re one of those couples who are so achingly perfect for each other they almost make you sick.” Just like he and Chelsea had been.

“Good. He deserves to be happy after everything that happened.”

One of the things she’d mourned for most after she left was the knowledge that, aside from his brother, Nathan would be well and truly alone. Their father abandoned them, but he’d been terrible enough before he left that his leaving was a blessing. Or so it’d seemed until their mother passed away. Both boys blamed themselves, as if they could have done something to stop it.

Even thinking about the aftermath had Chelsea’s throat closing. She’d been there through it all, from her limited interactions with Gabe showing him stepping into a parental role, through Nathan trying to be strong for his brother. To no longer be a burden.

She’d also been there the single time Nathan had broken down and cried, great sobs that terrified her, as if his grief were too large for his body. She’d held him and whispered meaningless words until the worst of it had passed, but things had never been quite the same between them. There was a new distance there, as if he were embarrassed that he’d been weak in front of her. Less than two weeks later he’d married her, secretly joined the Army, and shipped out.

She pushed away the memory, but the hurt that rose from it wasn’t going anywhere so easily. It didn’t matter that she’d begged him to stay, had told him how much she needed him there and how scared she was of how her family would react when they found out about the wedding.

He’d flown out the next day. The ring on her finger was cold comfort when he’d barely spared enough time to say good-bye, his face blank as he shut her out. Past is past. She’d moved on—mostly. After this weekend, she’d finally be able to put Nathan firmly behind her.

Nathan kept ahold of the steering wheel, wishing he’d kept himself under as much control. But shit, what was he supposed to do when she’d palmed him through his jeans? It was impossible to say no when the very thing he’d wanted more than anything was literally crawling into his lap. And, damn it, Chelsea knew it. The entire night had been one giant tennis match, both of them trying to trip the other one up.

He still wasn’t sure who’d come out on top.

The absurdity of making small talk after she’d just had her mouth around his cock wasn’t lost on him, but he couldn’t force her to talk about their past. Not yet. It would be discussed before the end of the weekend, because he wanted some goddamn answers— especially if she expected him to sign those papers. He opened his mouth to say as much but, once again, she beat him to the punch.

“I heard you started your own gallery.”

Nathan sat back, deciding he was content to let this play out for now. Tonight might not be going like he’d planned, but he already had quite a few answers. He knew she hadn’t been with anyone recently—no way would she come from the little they’d done if she had. It didn’t mean she hadn’t been with anyone since him, but he sure as fuck wasn’t going to dwell on the thought of his wife with another man. Not until he knew the truth one way or another.

The second—and more important—thing he knew was that Chelsea wanted him. He’d suspected, judging from her responses earlier this afternoon, but now he knew for sure. The fact that she’d heard about his gallery was just one more piece of evidence that she hadn’t completely let go. It would have been remarkably easy to ignore his very existence, especially when she’d gone and moved to Seattle.“Yeah, I opened it a few years ago.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s in a decent-sized location in downtown Spokane. There’s plenty of room for my sculptures, as well as wall space for paintings or whatever other mediums I pick up.”

Truth be told, it was almost identical to the gallery they’d said they always wanted. The one they were supposed to buy together.

God, he hadn’t thought about that in years—not since he’d actually walked through the place and decided to purchase it with his newly inherited fortune. The insanely large chunk of money they received upon his father’s death was the only positive thing he had ever done for Nathan and Gabe.

There was no point in taking that particular trip down memory lane—any trip down memory lane.

His and Chelsea’s past was dead and gone, just like a lot of things in life, and he’d gotten very good at not sifting through the memories of his time with her. It was the only way he’d managed to stay sane all these years.

He watched the lights flick across her face as they drove.“I’m not the only one with a gallery, though. Tell me about yours.”

Her sigh was almost silent. “It’s not much. A little spot in the Fremont District where I can sell my photos and whatever else catches my eye.”

She might be humble about it, but he happened to know that her gallery had been shortlisted as one of the most prominent up-and-comings in the area. “That’s great.”

“It’s making a living doing something I love. I can’t complain.”

And she obviously didn’t want to keep talking about it, though a thousand questions bubbled up. He wasn’t sure how she’d ended up circumventing her family—her father, in particular—in order to pursue her dream of being a professional photographer, but he was damn proud. “How’s your grandmother?”

Chelsea’s posture straightened, as if the old woman would appear to smack her in the back of the head for slouching. “Nana is fine. Better than fine. She’s celebrating her seventy-fifth birthday next week.”

“That should be an interesting party.” He could handle Chelsea’s parents, but Rose Callaghan was blunt to the point of being rude and too old to change her ways according to the family. The night Chelsea had stood up to her parents with Nathan at her back, Rose had taken one look at him and passed judgment. He still wasn’t sure what that verdict ended up being.

He turned onto the road leading to the hotel, trying to decide how he wanted the rest of the night to proceed. He’d barely shut off the car when she slid from the cab and slammed the door. Nathan shook his head. Just like clockwork. She got a little uncomfortable and decided she needed space. Fine. He could give her a little space—just enough that she dropped her guard—and they’d begin again bright and early tomorrow morning.

She stayed a few steps ahead of him and wouldn’t look at him while they were in the elevator. It would have amused him if he wasn’t fighting not to haul her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot why she was running in the first place. He opened the room door and held it for her. “Chelsea.”

For a second, he thought she’d pretend she didn’t hear, but she turned around in the doorway to the bathroom. He waited until she met his eyes. “I understand that you don’t trust me,” he said, “but I have every intention of regaining that trust—at least in the bedroom.”

“Nathan, really. I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep.” And hide. Well, he wasn’t going to let her hide for long.

He smiled. “That’s fine. Get your rest. Because you’re going to wake up to my tongue on you, and the first word out of your mouth is going to be my name as you come.”

6

Nathan woke early after getting so little sleep it shouldn’t even count. Even if his general insomnia hadn’t been an issue, no way could he relax knowing Chelsea slept just a few feet away in the other queen bed, wearing little more than a giant T-shirt. It didn’t help that he could smell her perfume. Every time he tossed and turned—which he did through most of the night—he got a face-full of Chelsea.

Now, having given up on sleep entirely, all he could think about was the promise he’d delivered before he went to bed. The thought of his mouth on her heated his blood, but he couldn’t bring himself to wake her up this early.

By the time seven rolled around, he decided enough was enough and went in search of the gym. Forty-five minutes of heavy weight lifting didn’t do a damn thing for his concentration. He stepped onto the treadmill and cranked up the speed, half wishing he could outrun the thoughts whirling through his head. It was a trick his best friend, Ian, swore by, though it wasn’t doing anything for Nathan this morning.

He’d never stopped to consider that seducing Chelsea was a double-edged sword. It was impossible to keep his distance when she touched him or he had her taste in his mouth. One little kiss, and all he could think about was reclaiming every inch of her body. His desire threatened to derail his carefully thought-out plan, which was something he couldn’t afford with so much on the line.

Nathan wiped the sweat from his forehead and went in search of the breakfast buffet everyone had raved about. Thankfully, though he was the best man, he’d been on the edges of the actual wedding planning itself. Elle and her best friend, Roxanne, had swept through the process, ironing out everything down to the smallest details. His brother had been forced to voice opinions on the bigger issues, and Nathan had been forced to hear Gabe bitch about it. Not too bad of a gig as far as he was concerned.

He stopped at the entrance to the buffet room and caught sight of both Gabe and Ian. They must have been lying in wait for him because he barely took a step into the room when both jumped to their feet and started toward him.

If he tried to avoid the upcoming conversation, they’d just follow him to his room. Neither man was the type to sit idly by when the people he cared about were fucking things up. And Nathan had the sneaking suspicion they’d both agree that he’d done—and was still doing—just that.

Knowing a clean escape was a lost cause, Nathan headed for the buffet. If he was going to have this conversation, he was going to do it while he stuffed his face. After filling his plate, he sat at the table where they’d taken up their positions.

It figured the only thing capable of calling a true ceasefire between these two men was Nathan’s issues. They might not have been at each other’s throats since they all went shooting months ago, but he never thought he’d see Gabe and Ian working in tandem. He really should have known better.

Nathan toasted them with his orange juice. “What’s up?”

Gabe glared, though even the forbidding expression didn’t do a damn thing to dampen the happiness practically shooting from him. If ever there was a man counting down until the moment he said, “I do,” it was his brother. “You know damn well what’s up.”

“A wife, man?” Ian shook his head, though his glare barely accomplished as much as Gabe’s. Both men were as happy as he’d ever seen them. Even concern for him wouldn’t be enough to take that away completely. Ian pointed at him, stopping just short of shaking a finger in his face. “How could we not know about this? And why was my sister the first one to find out?”

“A better question is why this wife of yours is here.”

“Yeah, because this has ‘terrible idea’ written all over it.”

While they went on, feeding off each other, Nathan finished half his plate. As he started in on his pancakes, they finally seemed to realize he wasn’t saying a damn thing and fell silent. It was only then that Nathan sighed. “I see you two have talked to Elle.”

“We shouldn’t have had to hear it from my fiancée. You should have been the one to say something.”

And what, exactly, would he have said? That he had a secret wife? Hell, until the weekend was over, he wouldn’t know if they even had a future, though he’d be damned if he gave her a divorce without a fight. “It’s really none of either of your business.”

“My wedding makes it my business.”

“And I’m your best friend. Also my business.” “It’s not a big deal.” It was a big deal, but he could barely face the reality on his own, let alone say it out loud. Being around her brought back memories he hadn’t thought of in years, things he’d pushed to the back of his mind and forced himself to forget through sheer self-preservation.

Ian and Gabe exchanged a look as if deciding who was going to field this one. It was Ian who rubbed a hand over his face and spoke. “Is this about that conversation we had a few months ago? Because when I said you should make things right, I didn’t mean for you to go out and do something crazy.”

God, the last thing he needed right now was their pity. Which was exactly where this was headed. They’d both been worried about him for a long time—and rightfully so, if he was being honest. To have him show up at Gabe’s wedding with a secret bride in tow… Yeah, he’d be worried, too. But he also couldn’t let them believe he’d run off and married her because of a heart-to-heart with Ian. “We were married before that.”

“How long?”

Nathan held up his hand. “I said it’s not a big deal, and it’s not.”

Gabe leaned over the table, looking like he wanted to throttle him. “How long have you been married?”

Shit. “Eight years.”

“What?”

Nathan ignored Ian, trying to silently tell his brother everything he couldn’t say out loud. Chelsea had always been the only one for him. Gabe might have suspected they were more than friends back when they were in high school, but he hadn’t known the truth until now.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“How could I? You were dealing with enough. We both were.” The Army had seemed like his only option back then, the only way he could get out of town long enough to breathe and work through the pain of their mother dying. More than that, though, he’d needed to step up. Marrying Chelsea was one thing, but supporting them both was entirely another. There hadn’t been time in the midst of all that for a conversation about the woman he was in love with.

Which, now that he thought about it, might’ve been half the problem.

“That’s a bullshit excuse, and you know it.” “Gabe! There you are.”

They looked over to Roxanne waving madly for Gabe to join her. He looked back at Nathan. “You will tell me how the hell this happened, but it’ll have to wait for now.”

Thank God. “We can talk after you’re back from your honeymoon.”

“Okay. Fine. Just make sure she doesn’t cause a scene and piss off Elle.” Gabe stopped and shook his head. “Who am I kidding? That’s Chelsea Callaghan you have up in your room. She’s about as likely to cause a scene as the devil himself is to show up at my wedding and challenge Ian here to a fiddling war.”

Ian snorted. “I’ll have you know, I can play a mean fiddle. Theoretically.”

“I wouldn’t bet your soul on it.” Gabe turned back to Nathan. “Let me know if you need anything or… want to talk or something.”

Ian nodded, silently offering the same, even though this entire discussion obviously made both of them uncomfortable. Then he got up and followed Gabe to where Roxanne was now tapping her foot.

There was a reason he’d never shared this particular secret with either of them, aside from a very vague conversation he’d had with Ian a few months ago when his best friend was going through a rough patch with Roxanne. What kind of loser was Nathan that he’d never chased down the woman—the wife— who left him, either to try to reconcile or to serve divorce papers?

He knew the answer to that.As long as he chose to let her go, he didn’t have to deal with the eventuality of their divorce. Once he tracked her down and confronted her, it was over. Yeah, he’d hoped to one day have another chance with her, but he hadn’t been able to face how that encounter would go. She was the one who had left, so while she never filed for divorce, she obviously hadn’t wanted to stay married.

Now that divorce was back on the table, there was no more “what if” or “maybe she’d come back.” Not unless he convinced her to drop the divorce by the end of the weekend. They’d been perfect for each other back then, but so much was different now. He was different, and so was she. Gone was the socially awkward girl he’d initially fallen in love with.

The confident, mind-blowingly sexy woman she was now? So much hotter.

Thinking about how she’d challenged him last night made him crave her even more. He glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was definitely late enough now to wake her up the way he’d promised. He grinned as he contemplated it, his need for her washing away any worries he had about the end of the weekend and dealing with Gabe. She couldn’t deny him any more than he could deny her, and he was going to prove it.

And if he couldn’t, he’d give her the fucking divorce she thought she wanted.

Chelsea was vaguely aware of the sheet being eased off her. She stretched, not quite ready to leave sleep behind, and froze when a warm hand pressed against her inner thigh.

Nathan.

She started to close her legs, but the gentle hand quickly became unforgiving. He squeezed her leg.“We talked about this last night, baby.”

He had talked, but she hadn’t been in any sort of agreement about it. Pushing Nathan only worked if she maintained the upper hand, and in this moment she wasn’t anywhere near the upper hand.

But then his grip shifted, calluses dragging over her sensitive skin, making her think of exactly what he’d described last night. Would he spread her legs and simply look at her? Her nipples hardened at the thought. She remembered the way Nathan used to watch her, as if she were the most desirable thing he’d ever laid eyes on. As if he’d die if he didn’t get to touch her.

As if he’d never love another person the way he loved her.

The past threatened to come crashing down around her, but his touch held it at bay. She tried to shake off the last wisps of sleep fogging her thought process and rein in the lust that had been simmering ever since she first stumbled into his arms in the lobby yesterday. “I never agreed to this.”

“Do you want me to stop? Just say the word and you’re free.”

Even though his hands stayed firm, his thumbs traced faint circles on her skin. Heat pooled between her thighs as she pushed against his uncompromising grip and finally opened her eyes. She felt so small and helpless when he held her like this, the dark heat in his gaze melting places inside her that she had forgotten existed. It was different from the way it’d always been before—harsher, less starry-eyed…hotter. A small, traitorous part of her—a part that grew larger by the minute—loved this new harder side of Nathan’s personality and loved being overpowered by him. That part of her wanted more, so much more. Chelsea could no more lie to him right now than she could lie to herself.

“Baby?”

The fight left her body. “Don’t stop.”

Nathan grinned, then flipped her over and slapped her ass, hard enough to take her breath away. Then he kissed the small of her back, the contrast between the pain and pleasure making her jump.“I won’t. I’m going to make you feel so damn good, you’ll never want me to stop.”

He urged her up until her ass was in the air, her knees spread and her shoulders pinned to the bed with his hand on the back of her neck. It wasn’t a comfortable position, but Chelsea stopping caring as soon as his hand slipped between her thighs. “Do you like it when I play rough with you?”

There was no answer she could give that wouldn’t bare it all to him. She didn’t know what it said about her that she was already on the verge of coming just because he’d manhandled her a bit, but she was.

God help her, she was.

Nathan slipped a finger into her, and then two, teasing. “Not going to answer?” He circled her clit, building the pressure inside her until she rocked against him as much as she was able.

Right when she was on the verge of oblivion, Nathan took his hand away. “I asked you a question.”

Chelsea’s breath sobbed out as his fingers penetrated her again. It wasn’t enough to push her over the edge, though it was more than enough to keep her riding that nearly painful high. “Please.”

Instead of heeding her plea, he smoothed his hand over her ass, soothing the sting she could still feel, even through the pleasure. “Do you know how I spent my night? Tossing and turning and rock hard, thinking about you with your mouth around my cock.”

Was there a question in there? Chelsea couldn’t think beyond the strength of his hand at her neck, holding her in place, and the wandering path his other hand took, down the back of her thigh and up the inside to stroke her again. So different, yet so good. She could barely breathe through her want. “Nathan, please.”

“Tell me something. If I’d shoved you down on the bench seat last night and lifted that little tease of a dress, would you have spread your legs for me and let me fuck you on the side of the road?”

She totally would have.

He circled her clit again, the pressure too light to push her over the edge. “Or maybe you would have liked it better if I pulled you into my lap and let you ride my cock.” He pushed two fingers into her. Once, and then again. “I think I’d have preferred that. Then I could’ve pulled down your dress and sucked on your nipples. Would you have liked that?”

“Yes.” If he didn’t let her come, she was going to scream. “Please, Nathan. God, please, please, please.”

He let go of her neck, but she didn’t try to sit up. She was too concerned with the mattress dipping as he shifted behind her and spread her legs farther apart. “What do you want? I’ll give it to you.Anything, baby.” “Your mouth,” she said, her words coming out in a desperate burst. “I want your mouth on me. Make me come, Nathan. Please.”

7

His first lick nearly took Chelsea to the moon. She grabbed her pillow and pressed it to her face to muffle the sounds coming out of her as he stroked her with his tongue, seeming to savor every taste. His hands dug into her thighs, lifting her and spreading her farther, until her knees barely touched the bed and it was his strength alone that kept her in place. He flicked her clit, drawing another sob. She tried to move, to roll her hips, to do anything, but he easily held her in place.

Between each slow drag of his tongue, he spoke, his words nearly lost in the haze of rising desire tearing her apart. “I’ve missed this. Missed the taste of you. Missed the way you shake when you’re about to come.” He shifted, his mouth centering on the little bud of nerves, right where she needed him. “Come on, baby. Come for me. Only for me.”

She screamed into the pillow as her entire body seemed to break apart. Her orgasm rolled through her again and again, drawn out by what he was still doing to her, until she could do nothing but cling to the sheets and shake. With one final lick, he drew back and rolled her over.

The first things her eyes landed on was the tattoo covering his left pec. She didn’t get a chance to see what it was exactly, but its mere presence sent a bolt of heat through her. Later, she’d have to get a closer look. Nathan pulled off her nightshirt and kissed up her body, taking his precious time over her breasts. His hands shook nearly as much as her body did, and the thought that he was as desperate for her as she was for him touched her in a way she didn’t expect.

And then he was in her arms and kissing her and there was no more thinking. She went for his gym shorts, needing them off, needing him inside her, and he was right there with her, shoving them down his legs. His cock slid over her as he ground against her, spreading her wetness and making little stars spark behind her eyes.

This was it. She was finally going to have sex with Nathan again. How badly she wanted this surprised her.

Chelsea reached between them to adjust his angle, pressing him to her entrance—

Someone pounded on their hotel door. For half a second she considered ignoring it. One hard thrust and he’d be inside her, whoever it was on the other side of the door be damned. From the look on his face, he was seriously thinking about doing just that.

Then a familiar voice accompanied the pounding. “I know you’re in there, Chelsea. And I swear to God, I will kick this guy’s ass for thinking he can mess with you like this. You hear that, dude? I’m about to make a scene!”

Nathan closed his eyes. “Do I even want to know who is outside the door right now?”

“That would be my best friend.” It was a shock of cold water to her senses. What had she been about to do? Silly question. She’d been about to have sex. She’d begged him for an orgasm.

Just like she’d begged him not to leave her eight years ago.

He sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

By the time they were dressed and opened the door, hotel security was threatening to carry Danielle off. Chelsea couldn’t quite make herself move out of the doorway, though she blamed her reluctance on her knees still shaking. Collapsing in the middle of the hallway as a result of an earth-shattering orgasm wasn’t going to lend much to her credibility.

Nathan stepped in, smiling at the two men as if he hadn’t just been in an exceedingly compromising position with her. “Sorry about the confusion, gentlemen. This is…”

“Danielle,” Chelsea supplied, because her best friend was standing there, staring at Nathan with her mouth hanging open.

“Right. Danielle.” He glanced at the suitcases by her feet. “Why don’t you take the luggage and your friend into the room and find out exactly what she needed so loudly? I’ll be back after I sort this out.”

She and Danielle grabbed the suitcases and towed them into the room. It was only when the door shut that Danielle shook herself. “That is who brought you here?”

“That’s Nathan.”

She shook her head, sending her long dark hair flying. “I think we need to rewind and start from the beginning. Because when you described your ex, I had pictured a big slobbering brute—or at least a lovesick schoolboy who turned into the brute. That man is built like a brick house.”

“I don’t even know what to say to you right now.” “And I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation. You should be naked and climbing him like a tree. If that isn’t the best way to get him out of your system, I don’t know what is.” Danielle eyed the rumpled bed. “Or maybe that’s exactly what you’ve been doing.”

“It’s not like that.”

Her best friend frowned. “Well, hell, if it’s not like that can I have a shot? Because he is downright delicious.”

Danielle with her husband? Over my dead body. “No.”

“That’s what I thought. Besides, he’s your ex and I’m pretty sure that violates some sort of girl code or something.” Her dark eyes lit up. “You’re lucky, you know.”

Chelsea didn’t want to know, but she couldn’t help asking, “Why’s that?”

“I packed you the Danielle Special.” She nudged the suitcase at her feet and grinned. “So tell me about these other groomsmen. Are they all as yummy as yours? Because I might be able to clear my schedule. You know, just in case you need moral support.”

If her best friend stayed—moral support or not— she’d be meddling the entire weekend. “That’s not necessary.”

“It has nothing to do with necessary and everything to do with fun.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But I can take a hint. I’ll go back to my naked weekend, and you go back to waving your freak flag around.”

“It’s not like that,” she said again. Maybe if she said it enough times, she’d actually start to believe it.

“Why not? You want the kick in the ass you need to put him in your rearview mirror, and he obviously wants you naked and in his bed. Seems simple enough to me.”

Deceptively simple advice. Words bubbled up, the need to tell someone the truth nearly overwhelming the need to keep silent. Her marital status was too big of a conversational bomb to be dropped like this, though. Danielle would freak out and demand answers Chelsea wasn’t ready to provide. She and Nathan had far too much baggage to summarize. Especially not when she was supposed to be counting down to the moment when he’d sign the papers and be gone from her life permanently.

For the first time since she’d decided on this course, she actually had a twinge inside her. A twinge that felt an awful lot like regret.

Danielle watched her, a sympathetic look in her eyes. “What do you have to lose?”

Everything. “I don’t know.”

“Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here.”

She would, too. It didn’t matter what was at stake—her friend wouldn’t hesitate to yank her out of this situation. She took a deep breath. “I have things totally under control.”

“Oh good. I’d hoped you would say that. And I’m hoping that means he’s under you.” She winked.

Chelsea laughed. “Perhaps later.”

“That’s my girl.” A knock sounded on the door, this one far more polite than Danielle’s had been. “And that’s my cue to leave. Have fun, rock his world, and I’ll see you on Sunday night—unless you need a rescue wingman.” Nathan opened the door and she sailed out of the room. “I’ll keep my phone on me,” she said over her shoulder. “You know, just in case.”

Nathan watched her walk down the hall. “Your friend just pinched my ass.”

“She’s terrible with personal boundaries.”

“So I noticed.”

Her phone chose that moment to trill, and Chelsea practically dove for it. If Danielle forgot something, she needed to take care of it before the woman came back to the room and said—or pinched—something else. “Hello?”

“Chelsea.”

The bottom of her stomach dropped out. She sat on the edge of the bed because she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her. “Hi, Dad.”

“I can’t talk long, but I wanted to confirm that you’ll be coming into Spokane early next week for your grandmother’s party. Your mother wanted me to convey that she’s made you several beauty appointments she expects you to keep so you’ll look suitable for the family interview. I’ve had my assistant e-mail you the expected questions so you can study up.”

Of course he’d think she needed to study. She was the weak link, the one most likely to embarrass him. Especially when compared to her perfect sister who could do no wrong. She glanced at Nathan, her gaze drawn to him despite her better judgment. He stood against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, a forbidding look on his face. Chelsea closed her eyes and strove for calm. If her father only knew exactly what her past could do to his future, he’d never forgive her. She cleared her throat. “Of course.”

“I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you how important it is to present the correct image. At this point, anything could tip the balance against us.” Anything like a secret marriage he didn’t know about. “And on that note, for God’s sake, take down those nudes in your gallery. They’re vulgar.”

A protest rose—and stuck in her throat. It didn’t matter to her father that her photographs sold for obscene amounts of money. All he cared about was that they reflected badly on him. “I’ll take care of it.”

“See that you do. And don’t forget to read the e-mail.” A voice sounded in the background. “There’s some business that needs taken care of. I’ll see you in a few days.”

There always was. She tried to put some smile into her voice. “Sure. I’ll see you next week.”

She set her phone to the side, her hand shaking. If her father knew what she was doing this weekend— whom she was doing it with—he’d have all the confirmation he needed that she was his greatest disappointment. It was bad enough that she hadn’t followed his plan for her life—pre-law, law school, and eventually a career as a politician or a politician’s wife—but she’d married a boy her family would never approve of behind his back.

Worse, she’d let that marriage last eight years. Nathan moved, drawing her attention back to him.

He smiled, though the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re apparently going on a brewery tour by canoe in half an hour, so that should be interesting. I believe it was Elle’s friend, Roxanne, who suggested that one.”

The last thing she wanted right now was to be around other people. She needed time to think—to center herself. “Please don’t make me go.”

He hesitated, seeming to debate something with himself. “It might get your mind off things.”

Off the conversation she’d just had, he meant. Chelsea forced a laugh. “I guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“You’ve always had a choice.You made a different one eight years ago when you stood up to them.”

He thought he could throw that in her face? “And look how well that worked out.”

He flinched and she instantly regretted her words, but it was too late to take them back now. A few more days. She could last a few more days. Once this was over, she’d never have to see that hurt look on his face again.

8

After she snapped at him, Nathan chose not to push her until after they were in the canoes. From the short answers, he guessed she’d been on the phone with her father, on the receiving end of yet another detailed set of instructions. The fact she sat there and took it broke his damn heart. He’d had to fight himself not to reach across and take the phone away.

It wasn’t his place. She’d made that abundantly clear when she verbally slapped him down. At this point, he wasn’t sure it’d ever be his place again.

He dug his paddle into the water, watching the way her back moved under her white shirt as she did the same. Her roommate had packed the most unpractical clothing imaginable: an evening gown, a winter coat, and what looked to be half of Chelsea’s closet. Obviously she hadn’t spent much time out of the city if that’s what she thought was needed for a resort surrounded by trees. After some searching, Chelsea had come up with the plain white tank top and a pale blue skirt that hit just above her knees. Very light and flirty.

Despite the tension between them, he wanted to tear it off with his teeth.

The guide captaining the canoe at the front of their small fleet droned on with so-called fun facts about the Columbia Gorge and the brewery they’d visit, but Nathan couldn’t care less. The only thing he cared about was the woman sitting in front of him, her spine painfully straight.

He wasn’t sure how to broach this silence between them. He hated seeing her visibly deflate after that phone call, but the look she’d sent him when he’d helped her into the canoe warned him away from trying to comfort her. If she wouldn’t accept so much as a hug from him when she was hurting, getting her to open up was going to be more challenging than he expected. Maybe he should just stick to the sex—blow each other’s minds, get some closure, and walk away.

Even as he considered that option, he discarded it. Sex had only been the first part of the plan—a plan he’d already adjusted so many times, he barely recognized it anymore. It had seemed so simple when he thought the only obstacle was breaking through her defenses so she’d sit up and give them a real chance. How the hell was he supposed to go about rebuilding the trust between them? Sex would only take them so far, even if it was possible to gain trust that way.

He needed a better gauge on where her head was at right now, so he tried what they used to do best.Talk. “What sort of subject matter have you been working with?”

She glanced back at him. “Vulgar nudes, apparently.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out where that term had come from. He was ashamed to admit he hadn’t followed her work as closely as he’d followed news of her gallery. Probably because he’d been half afraid of what he might see. Art was the true window to the soul, after all.

He’d never have guessed she’d move from doing landscapes to nude portraits, though. It brought home just how much he didn’t know about the person she’d grown into. “Tell me about them.”

“I’m not really in the mood to chat right now.”

She sounded so damn tired, he wanted to pull her into his lap and hold her. “Come on. Humor me.”

“Oh good grief. Fine. They’re black-and-white close-ups. In most of them you can’t even tell what part of the body you’re looking at. To me, it’s more about the angles and slopes and textures the shadows on the skin create.”

Her shoulders relaxed as she talked, but he didn’t think she noticed. Chelsea had always been passionate about art. “That doesn’t sound vulgar.”

“They’re beautiful.” She seemed to shake herself. “But that’s beside the point. Some people find them offensive.”

“Those people don’t know what they’re missing.”

A small smile passed over her lips. “I agree, but it’s not up to me.” Just like that, the sadness was back, pulling her shoulders down as if the weight of the world had resettled on them.

God, what he wouldn’t give to take that burden away. On impulse, he said,“Tell me what it would take.”

“What what would take?”

“What it would take to make things right between us. So that you can trust me again.” Maybe if she could give him a definitive thing to accomplish, he’d know where to begin.

Her shoulders slumped farther. “There’s nothing you can do to fix this, Nathan. I already told you that.” “There has to be.” He hated feeling like this, at a loss despite his plan being in place.

“There isn’t some mystical answer. You can’t just snap your fingers and make everything be the same way it was between us.”

He got that—both parts of it. Hell, he hadn’t really expected anything else, though he’d had to ask. “Who said I want it to be the same way it was between us? I kind of like the dynamic we have now.”

“You enjoy blackmailing me? Lovely.”

He chose to ignore that. “You know what else I enjoy? The way you take what I give and throw it right back at me. You never would have done that before.”

“I was a seventeen-year-old girl when we met. Of course I didn’t have the self confidence to do… anything…back then.”

“I like it.” He leaned forward. “You want to know what I’ve been thinking about since we got in this canoe?”

She looked over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes. “Probably not.”

“I’ve been thinking about ripping that skirt off you and finishing what we started this morning.”

She flushed, but then visibly pulled herself back together. “Is my skirt bothering you, Nathan?”

There it was. That spark of defiance. He barely kept the smile off his face as she glanced over to where the rest of the group had disappeared around a bend in the river, then twisted to face him fully, giving him an eyeful of her legs. His mouth watered as she lifted the hem of her skirt a few inches, until it reached the tops of her thighs.

“Mmm,” she said with a smile. “Are you distracted? Because I’d hate to be the cause of that.”

“Liar.” All she’d have to do was spread her legs and he’d be able to see what color panties she was wearing. Finding out the answer to that question suddenly seemed vital. He gripped the canoe paddle so tightly, it was a wonder it didn’t break in half. “Spread your legs for me, baby.”

She tapped her lips, making a show of considering. “Like this?” Her knees inched apart, and he forgot how to breathe. So much for him remaining in control, but this woman was a force to be reckoned with now, and he wanted to see more.

He also wanted her so badly he was tempted to drag her to the bottom of the canoe and fuck her right there in front of God, nature, and all their friends, should any of them venture back around the bend to watch.

Her knees finally hit the inner edges of the canoe, baring everything to him. He swallowed hard.“Orange looks good on you.”

“Do you really think so?” The only warning he got was her hand snaking up her leg, and then she slipped her fingers beneath the triangle of orange silk. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the hint of movements. She was playing with herself right in front of him and he couldn’t goddamn see.

“Take them off.”

She arched her back, her hardened nipples clearly visible through her shirt. “No.”The word came out like a moan, all breathy and low.

If he didn’t touch her right now, he might actually die.

He set the paddle aside and went to his knees in front of her. She was beautiful and wild and free in this moment, a far cry from the woman who’d started this canoe trip. He ran his hands up her thighs, stopping just short of her panties. As much as he wanted to touch her, he loved seeing her touch herself. For him.

Nathan cursed and pulled her panties to the side to watch her fingers circling her clit. “Does that feel good, baby?”

“Yes.”

He squeezed her thighs, thumbs sliding higher. “Are you close? I fucking bet you are. Keep touching yourself. I want you to come—right here, right now.”

She went tense, as if just now realizing she was no longer the one in control. He wanted to shove her hand to the side and drive her out of her mind, but his ultimate goal wouldn’t let him. “Can I touch you?”

“You’re asking for permission?”

If she didn’t say yes, he’d jump into the damn river, but he refused to push this. He nodded once.

She took a shaky breath and closed her eyes. “Touch me.”

Chelsea wouldn’t give control of her body over to just anyone, but he was less worried about his plan moving in the right direction than he was dealing with the overwhelming need to make her come. Nathan brushed her hand aside and pushed two fingers into her. “Rub your clit.”

Her breath came out in a sob as she obeyed, shifting forward, trying to push him deeper. When her movements became jerky, he twisted his hand and pressed his fingers against that spot inside her. Chelsea gave a sharp cry, her entire body going tight around him.

He would never get tired of making his woman come like that.

“Is everything okay?”

He looked over to find the guide paddling in their direction, a concerned look on his face. Shit. He went to yank her skirt back into place, but she was already moving, trying to do the same and spin back around to face the front, making the canoe wobble dangerously. He tried to correct their balance, but it was too late.

The canoe flipped, sending them both tumbling into the water. Being submerged in the cold river shocked his breath from his lungs and threatened to freeze his muscles in place. Nathan surfaced, his head still ringing, and turned in a full circle to make sure she was okay. Before he had a chance to panic, Chelsea came up, gasping. She splashed him in the face. “What is wrong with you?”

“With me? This is as much your fault as it is mine.” “I wasn’t the one rocking the boat.”

A canoe cut between them, the guide glaring at them both. “Hang onto the sides until I can get you closer to shore.”

As they were dragged toward the bank, he had a few seconds to actually think about what just happened. About how easily he’d been able to coax her out of her sadness and into a woman confident enough to tease him mercilessly. She might be pissed at him now that they were sopping wet and half frozen, but he wouldn’t do a damn thing differently.

The guide pulled to a stop. “Can you swim the rest of the way? I’m going to try to flip the canoe back and tow it to shore.”

Nathan nodded. It was less than twenty feet away.

He heard Chelsea confirm that she could as well.

The guide pointed. “Get moving.”

Feeling like a kid who’d been put in time-out, Nathan followed instructions. He was all too aware of Gabe’s and Ian’s eyes on him as he passed their boats. Apparently everyone had come back for them.

Elle leaned forward, making her own canoe rock unsteadily.“Are you okay? I heard a splash and looked back and you were in the water.”

“Just got a little too excited and rocked the boat,” he said. “We’re fine.”

Behind him, Ian snorted. “Oh yeah. Fine. Most definitely.”

And of course Roxanne had to have her say. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

“That didn’t sound like nothing.”

Nathan kept going, ignoring their lighthearted bickering. He reached the dock in a few short strokes and pulled himself out of the water. Then he turned around to watch Chelsea make her way over. She looked like a cat who’d been thrown into the bathtub, her hair stringy around her face and her makeup running like crazy.

She still looked beautiful despite all of that. He reached out a hand. “Come on.”

“I’m okay.” She thrashed her way onto the dock like a fish out of water and hauled herself to her feet, breathing hard. The fact she wouldn’t accept even that much help from him after what they’d just done stung, but this wasn’t the time or place to call her on it.

It was only then that Nathan noticed how transparent her clothes were. Apparently she’d gone with a white bra because he could very distinctly make out her nipples beneath her tank top. Thank God her skirt was made of a slightly thicker material, or she’d be worse than naked. As it was, she was showing way too much of her body. He yanked off his shirt. “Put this on.”

She sidestepped him. “Nathan, it’s really okay.”

All too aware of the men docking their canoes, he thrust it at her again. “Now.”

“I’m already wet and disgusting, and I’m sure I look like a drowned rat.” She touched her hair gingerly. “I don’t want to put on your wet shirt, too.”

The guide apparently had given up the half- sunken canoe for a lost cause because he’d just reached the dock. His eyes went wide at the sight of Chelsea, her curves bared to anyone who wanted to look. Nathan was pretty sure he heard the other man mutter, “Damn.”

It was Gabe who came to the rescue. After helping Elle out of their canoe, he took off his dry shirt, leaving only a ribbed tank top in its place, which bared his tattoo sleeve.“Here, Chelsea.You’re not quite decent.”

She glanced down at her chest and yelped.“Oh my God.” She wrapped her arms around her chest, which didn’t do a whole lot. But she let Gabe drape his shirt over her, which effectively covered her. She clutched the shirt together in the front and turned pleading eyes on Nathan. “Can we go back to the hotel? Please?”

He nodded. There was no point in trying to go to the brewery with the rest of the party now that they were soaked. “Yeah.”

The guide stepped in, all smiles in Chelsea’s direction.“Let me just call the hotel. I’m sure they’ll be more than willing to send a car or something out here.”

She gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you.” “It’s my pleasure.”

Nathan just bet it was. He trailed behind the group, trying to convince himself that he couldn’t assault the guide the hotel had set them up with.

That car couldn’t get there soon enough.

9

It took a solid fifteen minutes of standing under a stream of scalding water before the chill disappeared from Chelsea’s bones. Even then, she didn’t want to leave the sanctuary the shower offered. As soon as she did, she’d have to face Nathan and what she’d done. What was it about him that pushed her buttons so easily? When he’d turned their conversation to her skirt, she should have shut it down immediately.

Instead, she’d pulled up said skirt and given him a show.

She wasn’t some sex kitten who got turned on by a man watching her touch herself, so what was wrong with her?

She knew the answer before she’d fully asked the question. It wasn’t just any man who brought out this side of her—it was Nathan.

And, God help her, she loved every second of it.

It had taken years before she finally felt as if she’d moved on. Years to recover from the way her body yearned for him, making the ache in her heart a thousand times more impossible to forget. And now? Now things were so different. Their encounters this weekend were worlds away from their time together eight years ago. He was rougher, harsher…and she’d come harder than she thought possible.

Nathan would never allow her to live it down if he discovered he was the only man she’d ever been with, but what about him? The question she couldn’t bear to ask hovered at the edges of her mind, demanding an answer that she was convinced would destroy her. Exactly how many women had he practiced on to become as skilled as he was now?

With a sigh that felt a lot like a sob, she shut off the water. She didn’t have a right to that answer, but the knowledge hurt all the same. That privilege was supposed to be hers. When he’d said his vows, it was supposed to be forever. He wasn’t supposed to join the Army, leaving her to deal with her family alone, and then spend the next eight years with God only knew how many women.

He was supposed to realize what he’d done, chase me down, and tell me how much he loved me and couldn’t live without me.

Another sob threatened, but she pressed her hand over her mouth. There it was. The thought she’d never allowed herself to indulge in. The one thing she’d wanted more than anything. It didn’t matter. Not anymore. He hadn’t come for her, not once in eight years. And when he finally did, it was to summon her to his brother’s wedding as if she were a wayward child who’d run off.

Not at all the fairy tale she’d secretly dreamed of all those years.

She straightened, wrapping the last scraps of anger around her like a shield. It didn’t matter what changes Nathan brought about in her. He was part of her past and, once he signed the divorce papers, he’d stay in her past. It was the only way to save her father’s campaign and—more importantly—her heart.

Dinner was in a few short hours. She’d have to face all those people who’d been in the canoes earlier. The very same people who’d seen her practically naked.

At least they hadn’t seen what she’d been doing before the canoe tipped.

Needing more time before she faced Nathan again, she dried her hair and put on her makeup. The polished woman in the mirror was the daughter of the next senator of Washington State, a professional powerhouse, someone incapable of being ruffled. This was the woman Chelsea would be—not the sex- charged creature who did outlandish things in order to push her almost–ex husband over the edge.

She stopped short in the doorway to the room, the past disappearing in favor of the present. Please, God, tell her she was seeing things. “What are you doing?” Nathan nodded to Danielle’s care package.

“Satisfying my curiosity.”

“Don’t you dare!”

He held up his hand, a pair of panties hooked on his finger. “Vibrating panties? I think I like Danielle.” Thank God he hadn’t gotten to the anal plug yet.

Chelsea wasn’t sure what Danielle thought was going to happen this weekend, but she’d obviously hit up an adult super store on the way to the Oregon border. “Put it down.” Instead of listening to her, Nathan upended the bag onto the bed. Chelsea shifted from foot to foot, fighting not to throw herself over the pile to keep him from seeing what Danielle had packed. It wouldn’t do a bit of good, and it’d make her look like an idiot. Desperate for some semblance of calm, she noted Nathan sitting on the bed, a massive pile of condoms strewn around him. How many times did Danielle think they were going to have sex in a few short days? “She went slightly overboard with the condoms.”

“Guess so.” He held up a pair of fuzzy leopard- print handcuffs. “Her taste is somewhat questionable, too. And a pink anal plug? Seriously?”

No longer caring if it made her look like an idiot, Chelsea hurried across the bedroom and knocked the items out of his hands. The sight of them made her wonder what it’d be like if he used them on her. The thought wasn’t an entirely unpleasant one, despite her reality check in the bathroom. “Put that stuff away.”

When she went for his hands again, Nathan grabbed her wrist in a punishing grip. “I think that’s enough.”

“Let go.” She yanked against his hold, getting nowhere. The more she pulled, the more heat pulsed through her. Damn her body for betraying her when all she wanted to do was wipe that smug look off his face. “If you didn’t try so hard to push my buttons, I wouldn’t be losing my mind like this.”

Something on his face changed, making warning bells go off in her head, but he didn’t give her a chance to backtrack before he released her wrist. “You’re right. You should be losing your mind in other ways.”

Not if she wanted to keep her sanity intact.“I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?” he asked. “Take off your towel.”

In response, she clutched it tighter to her chest. “No.”

“Take off the towel, or I’ll take it off for you.”

Why did he have to keep pushing her? If Nathan would just stop being…himself…it’d be so much easier for her to remain unaffected. But no, he sat there with a glint in his eye that she’d already come to crave in such a short time. He looked at her as if everything hinged on her response, as if she was the key to everything. He wouldn’t force her into making this particular decision.

He’d wait for her to make the choice on her own.

Chelsea unwound the towel and dropped it on the floor. “This is what you wanted to see, isn’t it? Well, here I am.”

The expression on Nathan’s face was worth compromising her original plan. He might be getting to her, but she was getting to him just as badly. Her body practically hummed in anticipation.

“Come here.”

And give him what he wanted? No way. She took a step back, but he was too quick. He snagged her wrist and yanked her forward, stopping her momentum with his body. He positioned her between his knees, pinning her wrists behind her back with one hand. She took a deep breath and went still, vowing to herself that she wouldn’t betray her body’s reaction to him.

“Do you want me to let you go?”

What did he think to accomplish by constantly asking for permission? Was he trying to humiliate her even more than he already had? As she looked into his unreadable brown eyes, the truth dawned on her. That wasn’t it. It wasn’t it at all.

He was trying to prove that she could trust him. Her heart beat faster. “No.”

“No, what?”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t want you to let me go.”

“Good.” His grin made things tighten low in her stomach. “You know, you have the most amazing breasts. They’re full and fit my hand like they were made to be there.” “They weren’t.”

He continued, obviously intent on ignoring her comments. “And your ass… Christ, baby. Your ass just begs to be spanked.”

Heat flushed her body as she remembered how he’d smacked her that morning. It had hurt, but it’d also spiked her pleasure. To be bent over his knee, completely helpless as he spanked her and stroked her and spanked her again? She didn’t have a response to that, not one that wouldn’t give her away.

He traced his finger in the air down her body. Though he didn’t actually touch her with that hand, her skin sparked as if he had. Down and down again, until he reached the apex of her thighs. “And that pussy. Yes, I said pussy. You never shaved when we were together.”

Her clit throbbed as if he’d touched her there. “I wax.”

“The same principle applies. Your bare little pussy makes me want to spend hours tasting every inch of that smooth flesh.”

Desire almost sent her to her knees. She wanted him to do exactly that. To lick and nip and kiss her until she came against his mouth. She was terrified of the things she’d do in order to get his tongue on her one more time. Chelsea’s breath shuddered out.

He nodded as if she’d answered a question. “I thought so. Turn around.”

When she hesitated, he used his hold on her wrists to spin her around. His rough hands stroked up her arms and back down again, drawing a small whimper from her. She closed her eyes, wondering what he’d do next—if he’d slip a hand between her legs or perhaps bend her over her bed and take her until she begged for mercy.

What she didn’t expect was for him to step back and let go. She spun around, a little unsteady on her feet, but he was halfway to the bathroom. “What are you doing?”

“I need a shower.”

“What?” He was going to walk away right now?

His eyes were almost crazed as he backed away from her. He fisted his hands, knuckles white as if he was fighting against the need to reach for her. He wanted her, wanted her as desperately as she wanted him. So why wasn’t he pushing for more?

“Please.”

“Make no mistake, Chelsea. This will happen, but it’s not going to happen like this.”

She wanted to scream. To beg. To do whatever it took to understand what his end game was and to reach it. “What do you want from me?”

Nathan stopped in the bathroom doorway and looked back. “Everything.”

Nathan didn’t masturbate in the shower. It would’ve felt wrong to leave her hanging while he was getting his release, no matter how frustrated he was—though he wasn’t about to tell her that.

He’d almost thrown the damn plan out the window and taken her back in the room. It had been everything he could do to back away from her and shut the door between them. But, even if he’d been forced to change his plan repeatedly, he sure as hell wasn’t changing this. When they had sex again—and it was a goddamn sure thing at this point—it wasn’t going to be in the middle of some one-upmanship. It would be fucking real.

But that didn’t mean he was going to play nice before then. She thought she was pissed now? She was about to get a whole lot more pissed.

He got dressed, ran his hands through his hair, and walked back into the bedroom.

She sat on the bed, staring blankly at the television. It broke his heart a little bit to see her looking so beaten down, but he knew exactly how to bring her around. “Up.”

After giving him a baleful glare, she climbed to her feet. When he made a circling motion with his finger, she obeyed, once again turning her back to him. Now, safe from her gaze, he could let himself look his fill.

To have Chelsea Callaghan at his mercy was a fantasy Nathan had held as long as he’d had fantasies. In high school everything had been too new, too in the moment to delve deeper into some of his darker desires. He wouldn’t trade those sweet moments for anything in the world, but this was a different need he desperately wanted filled.

He traced a single finger down her spine, causing her to shiver. “If you’ll allow it, tonight you’ll be handcuffed.”

“Nathan, this isn’t—”

“And then I’ll do everything to you I described earlier. You remember how well that paid off this morning, don’t you?”

She froze, and a small sound slipped out of her mouth. He could barely wait for tonight, to have her spread out before him, helpless while he filled his seemingly insatiable need to touch every inch of her skin. He sat on the bed and towed her back to sit next to him. “Just sit, baby.”

Chelsea crossed her arms over her chest and glared. “Yes, sir.”

He liked it when she called him sir. He liked it a lot. He yanked her suitcase over and, ignoring her protest, rifled through it until he found a dress that would work. “We are having dinner with my brother and a few other people tonight. I want you to wear this.”

It was a pale green dress that, from what he could tell, would gather beneath her breasts and fall loosely around her body otherwise. Chelsea frowned. “Why are you choosing my clothes?”

“That’s not all I’m choosing.” Nathan picked through the pile of stuff on his bed until he found what he wanted. “You’ll also be wearing these.”

“I never pegged you for a man to dig through my panty drawer.”

“Only because there was never a pair of these in your drawer before.” Nathan slid off the bed and went to his knees in front of her. “Leg.”

With a pained sigh, she slipped her feet through the appropriate holes and stood as he pulled the panties into place. They were ridiculous things, bright pink and reading “Horny Honey.” Sewn into the front was a tiny vibrator. One to which he now held the control.

Nathan rose and circled behind her. He pressed against her back and nipped her neck, making her jump. “All evening I’ll be controlling these—controlling you. Be very, very good and I’ll let you come.” He paused, doing his damnedest not to hold his breath. “Unless you want me to take them off.”

“What?”

She still didn’t get it. It would be all too easy to rush ahead with this shit, and she’d be happy to let him. But then she’d turn around and tell herself that he’d steamrolled her. That she hadn’t really had a choice. Fuck that. He needed her with him, every step of the way. “I’m only going to play this game if you want to play it with me. Say the word and they come off.”

He felt as if he might pull a muscle from the tension radiating through his body while he waited for her to work through it. He was asking for her trust—just a
little of it—and her answer carried more importance than her letting him spend the night driving her crazy with lust. As much as she might not want to admit it, they were making progress. This hadn’t gone like Nathan expected, but he found himself enjoying the new give and take between them.

Finally, Chelsea propped her hands on her hips. “Let me make sure I understand. I say the word, and you take off my panties?”

He froze. Holy shit. “That’s one way to interpret it.”

She turned to face him. “Do your worst.”

He cupped her breasts, loving the way they filled his hands. She hadn’t been stick-thin before, but her curves had definitely filled out in the intervening years. “You haven’t begun to see my worst, baby.”

He moved back to his bed and grabbed the remote to thumb on the dial. Instantly, Chelsea’s body went tense. After a considering look, he decided she was more uncomfortable than turned on. Nathan adjusted the vibrator, doing his damnedest to resist the need to taste her again. This night would play out according to plan, and the plan did not include him losing his control like he had this morning. If he did that now, they weren’t going to make dinner.

Or breakfast tomorrow.

Or maybe even the ceremony itself.

He slipped his fingers into her panties and spread her wetness around, until her clit was thoroughly covered. Then he adjusted the vibrator one last time and was rewarded with Chelsea’s gasp.

“I do believe that’s the right spot.” He held up her dress, giving her one last chance to change her mind, though he doubted she would.

Chelsea moved to her suitcase and bent at the waist, leaving her ass at eye-level, and Nathan nearly groaned aloud. Christ, the woman was temptation personified. As she leisurely dug through the pile of clothing, it dawned on him. She was toying with him.“I think you get off knowing you drive me crazy.”

“You’re the one staring at my ass. Are you thinking of putting the anal plug into play?”

Christ. His cock hardened to the point it was a wonder he could put together two thoughts. Fuck this making her wait for an orgasm. He was going to play with her now. “Come here.”

She huffed out a breath. “Again?”

“Keep up the attitude and there will be no coming at all tonight.”

She laughed as she stood and fastened a beige bra into place. “I can’t make any promises.”

Obviously she thought she had things well in hand. Nathan grinned and motioned her closer. “Considering the things I’m planning on doing to you, you had goddamn well better be on your best behavior.” He pulled her into his lap and ran his hands over the front of her body. For all her bravado, she melted against him at the first touch.

He kissed her shoulder and then neck. “Now just try to relax.”

10

When Chelsea finally got home, she was going to put Danielle through the ringer. Vibrating panties? What was the woman thinking? But, oh, it felt so good to be on Nathan’s lap with his arms around her and his mouth on her skin. Knowing he had total control over her pleasure only inexplicably added to it.

“Spread your legs.”

She obeyed and was rewarded when the vibrator pressed against her clit increased its pace. Chelsea let her head fall back against his shoulder, her hips moving on their own.

“Do you like that, baby? I think you do. I think you fucking love it.”

She didn’t even consider keeping silent, though that may have been the smarter way to go about this. What more did she have to lose? She’d already given him permission. There wasn’t much more she could do to make it worse at this point. “Yes.”

He nipped her shoulder, nearly hard enough to hurt. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

“Thought so.” Nathan chuckled against her skin. “Would you like to know what being good will get you?” His free hand dipped into her bra and pinched her nipple. At the same time, the vibrator hit a rumbling rhythm, making her moan. He slid her bra straps off her shoulders and pulled the cups down to reveal her breasts. “You’re going to ride me tonight, without the panties in the way.”

“Yes.” She moved against him, his words turning her on as much as the pressure building between her legs.

“You’re going to take my cock, aren’t you, baby? I’m going to bend you over that desk with the mirror, and I’m going to meet your eyes while I drive into you. And when you come, you’re going to know that I’m the only one who makes you feel like this.”

How could he possibly know that?

Before she could think too hard on it, he twisted his fist into her hair, pulling her head back and baring her neck. “Are you going to be a good girl?”

“Yes. Oh my God, yes.” In this moment, she’d do anything he asked if he’d only let her orgasm, if he gave her exactly what he was describing. “Please.”

He pulled her closer, his hands on her ass positioning her exactly where she needed to be to maximize her pleasure.

“Oh, God.”

“That’s right, baby. Come for me.”

Chelsea dug her nails into Nathan’s shoulders, surrendering everything. Pleasure spiked through her body, and he held her through it, keeping her anchored and safe as she rode out the aftershocks. As he clicked off the vibrator, the last of the strength left her body and she slumped against him. “Thank you.” Chelsea spoke the words without having any intention of doing so.

Nathan held her close and kissed her temple.“You are so very, very welcome.”

Then he simply held her. Though part of her wanted to get up, Chelsea couldn’t make herself move. Being here with him, like this, felt too right. Even with everything still unresolved between them.

If she was being truthful, she missed the feeling of Nathan’s arms around her. Even when the arms had been smaller than they were now, they’d always protected her. How many times had she cried against his chest, frustrated to the point of tears by her father’s veiled, and always unfavorable, comparisons between Chelsea and her sister? By her family’s assumption that she’d put aside her dreams of being a photographer and pursue a more “responsible” law degree? By their insistence she marry an up-and-coming politician rather than a boy she loved? When he held her, she’s always been able to believe anything was possible, that it was them against the world.

It was different now. Neither of them had been strong enough to weather the storm before, but maybe it was time to admit he wasn’t the same boy she’d known. It was easy to say the sexual encounters were the only thing that changed, but it wasn’t the truth. He was stronger now, more… She wasn’t sure which word to use. It was as if she’d seen a hint of the man he could have been eight years ago, and he’d actually grown into said man in the intervening time.

If she wasn’t careful, she’d start to crave the way he made her feel. It would be all too easy to fall into the trap he presented—into the centered, strong, dominant man he’d become. To forget that some things couldn’t be repaired, no matter how much she might want them to be.

If she wanted to maintain her sanity, she needed to keep the past firmly entrenched in her mind, a constant reminder of his disentangling her from his body and walking away, even as she begged him not to go.

Here in his arms, sanity didn’t seem all that important.

Nathan shifted as if he were going to let her up, but Chelsea spoke, needing to prolong this moment of fragile peace. “What are you working on now?”

He went tense, but then relaxed back into her, running his fingers through her hair. “It’s a bitch of a project. I think I might have overreached myself this time.”

“I doubt that.” She’d kept up on his career ever since one of the galleries she frequented in Seattle had purchased one of his pieces four years ago. Imagine her surprise when she meandered in there and recognized his work, even though it was a different medium than the clay and wood he’d used previously.

Chelsea actually preferred the scrap metal. There was something so masculine and raw about it, and the way he welded the pieces together to create a cohesive whole took her breath away.

“I’ve been on this Greek mythology kick.” He laughed softly. “It’s all very dramatic and over-the-top, and the stories just get in my head and won’t let go, you know?”

“I do.” That was how she felt oftentimes, needing to see the scene through her camera lens and capture it forever. Her photography told a story, even if not everyone who viewed the pictures understood.

“Yeah, you of all people would.This most recent is Psyche and Cupid. You know the story?”

“Yes.” Cupid was pricked with one of his own arrows and fell in love with Psyche. She never saw his face, but she loved him all the same… Except she gave in to her curiosity and need to see him, which cursed them to be apart. They eventually found their happy ending, but there was plenty of suffering along the way. “Which scene are you using?”

“The candle, of course. There’s something so poignant about it, because you know exactly what’s coming. He’s going to open his eyes, realize she really sees him, and then it’s over.”

“It’s not over, though. They get their happily-ever- after.”

“Do they?”

Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure they were speaking about the same thing. Chelsea kept her head down, afraid of what she’d see in his face. “I think she was just scared—terrified, even—and so she did something foolish. There was no telling the type of man she’d married because he wouldn’t be honest with her, and she was so young, barely more than a child.”

“He wanted to come back to her the moment he left, you know. Hell, he never wanted to leave her in the first place. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it.”

Chelsea didn’t remember that part from the myth but a slow sense of wonder overtook her. Maybe they really were talking about the same thing? Nathan didn’t give her the opportunity to question him, because he lifted her from his lap and set her on the bed. “We should get moving or we’re going to be late.”

“Okay.”

She moved to take off the ridiculous panties, but he shook his head. “Leave them.”

“But…” “Leave them.”

Against all reason, heat flooded her body. She’d just had one of the best orgasms of her life. She shouldn’t be so easily swayed. And yet none of her hard-and- fast rules seemed to apply to Nathan. He infuriated her and made her want to comfort him at the same time. One moment she was sure their past kept them from having any sort of future—not that she wanted a future with him—and the next she caught herself hoping he wouldn’t let her get away again.

Chelsea shook her head. She’d learned long ago that such foolish hopes and dreams only brought more pain.

She dressed quickly and made a trip to the bathroom to refresh her makeup and hair before they headed downstairs. All the while she couldn’t help wondering if perhaps she should have just taken her chances with her family, thrown herself at their mercy yet again, instead of coming here and risking a broken heart.

The fact she considered her family the lesser of the two evils said something she wasn’t quite ready to think about.

Nathan kept his hand on the small of Chelsea’s back as they entered the restaurant. He spotted their group immediately—it was difficult to miss half the restaurant tables blocked off for wedding guests—and almost turned back. The last thing he wanted to deal with was his brother’s pointed looks and the rest of them chatting merrily. Not when he was still fighting the need to drag Chelsea back to the hotel room and see if she’d really follow through on all her sexy little comments.

If their dinner in Portland was any indication, she’d be game.

Shit. He had to stop thinking about this or he’d be spending the whole dinner with the cock stand from hell. It was made worse by the way Chelsea’s nails traced lazy patterns on his inner arm. She knew exactly what she was doing to him, the little tease. He patted his pocket, satisfied the remote was still there. She might as well enjoy the feeling because he fully intended to drive her as crazy as she made him feel.

Elle beamed as he guided Chelsea to the two remaining empty seats. “You made it.”

Which, of course, made everyone stop talking and take notice. Nathan didn’t miss the way Ian’s gaze zeroed in on his hand touching Chelsea. His best friend looked up and met Nathan’s eyes. “Yeah, we thought you’d get distracted and miss dinner entirely.” There was a question there—not one he was willing to answer yet.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He made a show of looking around. “Where are your parents?”

Ian winced. “Dad dragged Mom off for some dinner or something. I don’t know a damn thing about it.”

“Right.” Roxanne laughed and leaned into him. “God forbid your parents do something romantic. It might even make your mother a little more tolerable tomorrow.”

“Roxanne.” Elle covered her mouth, but her blue eyes danced. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“And you should know me well enough to know that I’m always going to be the one saying the inappropriate thing.”

Gabe held up a hand, silencing them all. Nathan didn’t mind the silence, but he wasn’t too much a fan of all their attention once again pointed at him. Or, rather, at Chelsea. Gabe draped his arm over the back of Elle’s chair. “So how have things been with you, Chelsea? How’s the family?”

She went stiff next to Nathan, but her smile came easily—at least to anyone who wasn’t looking at her shoulders. “They’re the same as always. Dad is up for Senate, so everyone’s busy preparing for the coming election year.”

“And your grandmother?”While Gabe hadn’t met her personally, he’d heard about her from both Nathan and Chelsea.

“Plotting and scheming, just as you’d expect. She’s taken up poker, much to everyone’s embarrassment.” Chelsea’s smile became a little more real as she talked about her grandmother.“I think Nana’s finally decided she’s old enough that it doesn’t matter what she does as far as the public image goes. And she’s quite good at Texas Hold ’Em.”

Nathan snorted.“I wouldn’t doubt it for a second.” “She does have a rather good poker face, doesn’t she?” Chelsea turned that smile on him and, just for a second, he could almost believe they were both here of their own free will.

That they actually had a future together.

He watched her out of the corner of his eye while she answered Elle’s questions, enjoying the ease in which Chelsea dealt with what could very easily be a painfully awkward situation. She had a lot more strength than she seemed to realize. Not only was she in the middle of a situation where she knew practically no one but him and was handling it beautifully, she was handling him in a lot of ways. She hadn’t sat back and let him railroad her at any point during the weekend— she fought back.

He loved it.

After they ordered, talk turned to the wedding, effectively taking the heat off Nathan and Chelsea— at least for now. Roxanne sipped her drink and went into great detail on how things would play out. “I don’t know if you guys have had a chance to check out the outdoor stuff we have set up, but it’s brilliant. The amphitheater is all very romantic and Roman.”

Nathan leaned close to speak in Chelsea’s ear. “Would you like to see it tonight?”

She spoke just as softly as he did. “You were going to give me a choice in the matter?”

In response he slipped his hand into his pocket and flipped on her panties. Chelsea glared, though the effect kind of fell apart when she bit her lip. Nathan turned it up a notch, igniting a hazy look in her amber eyes. “You’ve always had a choice. You know that as well as I do.”

“You’re not playing fair.”

“All’s fair in love and war. You should know that by now.” He turned the panties down to the lowest level—just enough to keep her on edge. “I think I’d like to see that amphitheater.”

11

Chelsea was enjoying herself. While they finished up their meal, Roxanne entertained them all with a story about a nightmare of a sweet sixteen party.Apparently the girl had attempted to contract exotic dancers secretly, wound up hiring prostitutes instead, and the cops had shut down the whole thing before anyone got to eat the thousand-dollar cake.

All through the story, Nathan kept up the steady, pulsating vibrations in her panties. It was never enough to make her truly uncomfortable, but she actually ached for him. Though he’d allowed her to orgasm earlier, she’d been so turned on by their power play it had barely taken the edge off. She wanted him— needed him.

As the waitress cleared their plates, Elle looked at Gabe. “We should probably mingle a little bit.”

“Babe, there’s only one person I want to mingle with right now.” He smiled. “Let’s get out of here.”

She blushed. “Okay.” The love on her face made Chelsea’s chest twinge. She wanted to have a man look at her the way Gabe looked at Elle.

She’d had it once before, longed for it still, but she’d always believed her trust was too hard to rebuild to get it back. Her heart gave another painful thud.

Nathan pressed a hand to her knee. “That’s our cue.” He raised his voice a little so the rest of the table could hear him. “We’re getting out of here. See you all tomorrow.”

“Please don’t be late for the rehearsal. That’s the only thing tomorrow that we need you for.” Elle let Gabe pull her to her feet.“Do something fun tomorrow while they’re setting up the tents in the amphitheater.” “Not too much fun,” Roxanne warned, shaking a finger. Chelsea might have laughed, but she didn’t think the other woman was joking. Roxanne reminded her of Danielle, but her carefree manner didn’t translate over to her work ethic. This woman was a force to be reckoned with.

“We’ll try to keep out of trouble.” Nathan pulled out Chelsea’s chair, looking every inch a gentleman. If they only knew he had control of the vibrator in her panties.

“Because that’s worked out so far.” Ian snorted. “You should probably stay away from the river.”

Only years of practice kept her from blushing at the memory of how terrible she’d acted when they were canoeing. Nathan had always been able to draw out the parts of her that no one else could touch, for better or worse. It was one of the reasons she’d loved him so much—one of the reasons she’d married him.

She followed him from the restaurant but stopped when he started off in the wrong direction. “Nathan?” With her damned panties buzzing between her thighs, all she wanted in this moment was to replace them with him.

Apparently he had other ideas. “I want to show you something.”

Chelsea let him take her hand and followed him from the building. They circled around back and stopped where the walkway ended. “Lose your heels.” She slipped them off and bent to pick them up, her breath hissing out when the panties slid more firmly against her clit. She debated telling him to take them off himself but finally decided against it. Doing so would only admit how much he was getting to her.

Had already gotten to her.

He reclaimed her hand and they padded across the lawn. In the darkness, it was difficult to see, but he never faltered. It reminded her painfully of all the times they’d snuck out to the woods east of her family’s property. He’d never faltered then, either. “This is where they’ll hold the wedding on Sunday.”

As her eyes adjusted, she could make out the large tiers descending to where the ceremony would take place. The sheer beauty of it, even at night, rocked her—lots of open space beneath the stars, with a framework of trees around the edge. Roxanne had been right—this was amazing. “It’s gorgeous.”

Nathan led her down the center and, if he noticed that he was, in essence, leading her to the altar, he didn’t say a single thing about it. For that, Chelsea was grateful. It allowed her the freedom of ignoring it, too. Once they reached the bottom tier, he sat down and pulled her to the grass with him. When he lay on his back, she followed suit, and he propped his arm under her head so he could tuck her against him.

In the silence, she could almost pretend they’d gone back to a simpler time, when all they had to worry about was her curfew or if her parents would check on her after she went to bed. A time with long drives through winding country roads, not caring if they got lost because they were so caught up in their conversation. A time full of firsts—her first time making love, her first overnight trip with a boyfriend, the first time she allowed herself to consider a future her family didn’t approve of.

She reached up and traced the Big Dipper. And then she kept going, her finger moving from star to star, over the constellation no one knew about but the two of them.

Though Nathan’s body stayed relaxed, some tension leaked into his voice. “I didn’t think you’d remember.”

“I couldn’t possibly forget Tiberius, protector of all broken things and lover of beautiful women.”

He chuckled and pulled her closer.“If I remember correctly, he was a great lover of beautiful women.”

“That was always your addition.” She smiled against his shirt, easily falling back into their old game. “I’d always maintained that he loved them from afar, never wanting to sully himself with separating fantasy from reality.”

Here, in this safe place, she finally allowed herself to ask the question that had been hanging over her head for the last eight years. “Why did you never go through with it, Nathan?”

He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. He sighed. “You already know the answer to that.”

The problem was that she didn’t. After he got on the plane, Chelsea had left without a word or note or anything. The only logical response to that was to file for divorce. Unless he couldn’t find her? But no, that didn’t make any sense either. Obviously Nathan knew where she was, or he wouldn’t have been able to send her the wedding invitation. “How long have you known I was in Seattle?”

“I found you four weeks after I got back from basic.”

Her breath stalled in her throat.All this time, she’d thought herself invisible, but he’d known where she was. “I don’t understand. If you knew where I was…”

“You really want to know?” For all his quiet words, his intensity wasn’t dampened.“I never filed for divorce because I never stopped loving you.”

Chelsea froze. No, he couldn’t possibly be telling the truth.Yes, he’d said he wanted to make things right, but it made sense that it was guilt driving him. There was no way Nathan could still hold feelings for her, let alone feelings like that.

If he did, why hadn’t he chased her down the moment he got back from basic training? Why had he left in the first place?

When she didn’t respond, he laughed softly. “I’m sure you’re going to use this against me, but I haven’t been with anyone but you since we were married. I took my vows seriously. Still do.”

She pushed herself up on her elbow, only able to make out the shadow of his face in the darkness. Surely he wasn’t serious. “Nathan—”

“Now would not be a good time to call me a liar.” He smoothed back her hair. “I dated, yes. I thought I could purge you from my system if I found someone else…” He shook his head. “I didn’t. I couldn’t.”

She should just stay silent. To do anything else opened herself up and left her vulnerable to however he might react. Even knowing that, Chelsea couldn’t leave this confession one-sided. He deserved better than that.

“I…” It was so very difficult to say aloud. “There was one man, a few years after I moved to Seattle. We dated for a little while and eventually got to that point.”

She dropped her head back to his chest. “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go there with anyone but you.”

He was so still, he might have been holding his breath. “If that’s the case, if trying with someone else felt as much a betrayal to you as it did to me, then why did you leave?”

Here was the thing she so desperately didn’t want to talk about. But if they were trampling over forbidden topics, they could hardly leave out the last remaining elephant standing between them. Chelsea took a deep breath. “You left me.”

“It was only a few weeks, baby. I know I couldn’t call you, but I was thinking of you every day. And then I got back and you were gone, and I didn’t know to where.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.” She closed her eyes, even the shadows around them too bright for this confession. “After your mother died, you disappeared on me, leaving little more than a ghost in your place. I thought when you wanted to get married right away, it meant you were finally going to let me in. Let me help.”

“Chelsea, my entire life had just fallen apart.”

“I know, and I understand as much as a person can who didn’t go through it herself, but…” She opened her eyes, a single tear slipping free. “You wouldn’t even talk about her. Even when you were beside me, it was like there was no one there. You meant everything to me, and you were just gone.”

“Baby—”

“I would’ve waited for you, but…” And this was the part she hated remembering, the feelings coursing over her nearly as bad as they’d been back then.

Nathan ran his hands through his hair and blew out a breath. “I was eighteen and out of my element. How the hell was I supposed to provide for a wife when I couldn’t get a damn job? The Army was the only option, between the pay and benefits.”

The realization made her sick to her stomach. She sat up, her breath coming too fast. “That’s why you rushed it, wasn’t it? So I could get your Army benefits? Is that why you married me? Oh my God, this is so much worse than I thought.”

He sat up, too. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. I married you because I love you and I couldn’t imagine living my life without you. Yeah, the Army played into the timing and the decision to elope, but it had nothing to do with wanting you as my wife.”

His intensity rocked her to her core. All her doubts wavered in the face of his words. How could she doubt that he loved her when he said things like that? She took a shuddering breath. “You made that decision without even talking to me. Why, Nathan? I was supposed to be the woman—the partner—you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. Shouldn’t I have had a say?” She took a shuddering breath, determined to get this all out. “I was so terrified my parents were going to find out what we’d done and force me to come back home. It was just a matter of time with their connections. I needed you there, but you were so damn determined to leave Spokane and all its memories behind that you were willing to leave me.”

She risked a look at him, though the tormented expression on his face didn’t make her feel any better. Hurting him wasn’t the goal. She needed him to understand. “I pleaded with you not to go. I literally got down on my knees and begged you not to leave. But you didn’t take me into consideration then any more than you did when you made the decision to enlist. You just…left.”

Nathan reached for her. “Christ, baby.”

She held up a hand and kept talking. The worst of the story was over, after all. “My parents were relentless. I was afraid if they kept digging, they’d find out we were married and that would make everything so much worse, so I went home. I didn’t know what else to do. I was only there a week when Nana offered me the opportunity to pursue my art, and I jumped at a chance to get out of town—to get away from my parents. Away from…”

“Away from me.” His voice held none of the anger she expected, only a terrible sadness.“I knew you were upset about my leaving but… Fuck, Chelsea. I had no idea how bad it was.”

There wasn’t much to say in response. “Now you do.”

“I am so sorry. I had no idea what you were feeling back then. Hell, I didn’t know what I was feeling. All I knew was that with your family knocking down our door and my mother gone, I had to find a way to support us. A real man does that for his family, even though my father never did. And, yeah, I joined the Army because of the paycheck, but I won’t lie and say the deployment wasn’t part of the attraction. I had to get out of town. I needed the space to get past all my shit.”

“After you walked away—after the way you walked away—I didn’t know if you were coming back. I…I couldn’t deal with the fear that you were gone for good.”

Though Nana didn’t know they’d eloped, the older woman had said as much when Chelsea confessed how upset she was about his enlisting. Her grandmother had sat her down in their library and told her that she had to focus on herself and pursue her dream. If it was meant to be with Nathan, it would work out.

How many nights had she lain awake, wishing it had?

Chelsea let him wrap his arms around her and pressed her nose into his shirt, seeking his warmth. She’d felt as if she’d just watched her chance at happily-ever-after walk away without looking back again. Could she really afford to turn away a chance to take something from this life for herself? Now, in this moment, she could admit to herself that she’d always hoped Nana was right—that Nathan would come for her. Except he hadn’t.

Until now.

“I wish I could take back leaving you and do things differently. I know saying sorry doesn’t do a damn thing but—”

She lifted her head and kissed him, needing to distract them both from these deep waters they’d wandered into. She didn’t know how to deal with any of the things they’d talked about, so she took away the need to talk at all.

Nathan recognized her kiss for the ploy it was, but he let himself get caught up in the desire that seemed to be a constant companion when he was around Chelsea. He didn’t know what to think of the truths that had come out that night. All this time, he’d operated under the assumption that she’d been mad about him enlisting, or had given in to family pressure and left, or both. But neither was the truth.

The truth was he’d been the one to ruin things— possibly irreparably—between them.

He’d thought he was making the right choice back then, the choice a man would make. Looking back, he could admit that part of the attraction the armed forced offered was the chance to get the hell out of dodge. He loved Chelsea to distraction, but even that hadn’t been enough to battle against the overwhelming grief threatening to permanently pull him under when his mother died. The night he’d left was still imprinted in his mind, though for different reasons than Chelsea’s. She’d clung to him, sobbing, and demanded, begged, bargained with him not to go. And, God forgive him, but all he’d been able to think about was leaving town for long enough to draw a full breath.

He slipped his tongue along the seam of her mouth, coaxing her to open for him. She tried to take control, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, her tongue stroking along his, but he refused to let her change the pace.

He had a lot to make up for, and if this was the only place she’d let him start, he’d take it.

Nathan slid his hands under her dress and toyed with the edges of her panties. “Why don’t we get rid of these things?”

“Please.” She laughed and lifted her hips so he could get them off. “I thought you were going to drive me out of my mind during dinner with that slow, steady buzz. All it would have taken was a little more, and I would have come right there in front of your brother and friends.”

Nathan tossed her panties away and pushed her dress up, exposing her to the night air. He spread her thighs, his thumbs stroking along the dip at the top of them.“I had no intention of pushing you over the edge at dinner.”

“No?”

“No.” He settled down on the grass and kissed first one thigh and then the other. “Your orgasms are for me, and me alone.”

He dragged his mouth over her, threatening to lose himself in the first taste. He gave himself over to the feel of Chelsea, her soft cries blending in with the night sounds around them. Her hands dug into his hair, urging him on. “More. Please, more, Nathan.”

He sucked her clit, circling his tongue over the sensitive bud. Her back left the grass and she slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her cry as she came. He didn’t give her time to recover, moving up her body to pull down the top of her dress so he could reach her nipples.

“Nathan, I need you.” She pulled him up and kissed him, her desperation seemingly a match for his. Chelsea undid his pants and shoved them down enough to free his cock. “I need you now.”

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a condom. As he rolled it on, he said, “Then take me, baby.”

He let her roll him, and he held her dress up so it didn’t get in the way as she plunged onto him. They both hissed out a breath and went perfectly still. This was it—the thing he’d been fighting for, fantasizing about, desperate to recreate.

It was so different than he’d expected. He hadn’t anticipated the way they’d gotten here, though. She’d fought for control every step of the way, then yielded unexpectedly every time, giving herself over to him as if she knew he’d cut off his own arm before he hurt her again. Maybe she did know, at least subconsciously.

Maybe it was the moment, or maybe it was the fact they couldn’t clearly see each other’s faces, but she whispered, “I missed this. I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, baby.” Nathan pulled her to his chest and kissed her gently, trying to keep in all the pent-up emotions he couldn’t risk saying again. He’d told her he loved her once already—he refused to chase her around saying it again and again.

She moved over him, slowly, as if savoring every touch. Her hands slid under his shirt, which put them together as closely as two people could possibly be. He responded in kind, keeping one hand on her neck and the other at the small of her back. All too soon, his control wavered. “Baby—”

“I know.” She peppered kisses over his face and neck. “I’m close, too.”

He gritted his teeth and held on until her strokes became as choppy as her breathing. He released her neck to grab her hips, urging her on when she couldn’t do it herself. The crescent moon gave him the barest glimpse of her body, her head thrown back, her spine arched, her hands gripping his arms as she came. Then and only then did he give in to the need to drive into her as deeply as he could, to lay his claim, even if no one else would ever know about it.

For tonight, in this moment, she was his.

He came in a rush, every muscle clenching as Chelsea collapsed on his chest. Gathering her against him, he stroked a hand down her back and let himself float in the sheer bliss of being able to touch her freely without a fight. Nathan wished he could be sure it wasn’t the last time he’d be able to hold her like this.

He needed to do whatever it took to make sure it wasn’t.

12

After rearranging their clothes, Chelsea followed Nathan back up to their room. The door had barely closed behind them when his face became an unreadable mask. “Strip.”

A tremor went through her at his tone. And then she saw how he was looking at her—as if he was a man who’d wandered for years, only to set eyes on home. And why wouldn’t he after what they’d just shared under the stars? She felt the same way. “Nathan—”

“Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “We’ve talked about our quota of heavy things tonight. Let’s just enjoy each other.”

If only it were so easy. She felt like their earlier conversation had opened up a spot inside her she thought long dead and gone. It left her vulnerable in a way she’d never thought to be again. Especially not with half-signed divorce papers on the table.

But he was right. They could spend the rest of the night talking themselves in circles and end up fighting again, or they could take this fragile peace between them and enjoy relearning each other’s bodies. When she put it that way, there really was no choice at all. She nodded, accepting whatever terms Nathan set on the night.

“Why don’t you go shower off while I get a few things situated.”

Chelsea wasn’t sure how she felt about things, especially when she thought about what she’d teased him with earlier, but she wanted to get the itchy feeling of grass off her skin. She hurried into the bathroom and took what might have been the fastest shower of her life, not bothering to wash her hair, settling instead on scrubbing her skin and rinsing off.

He was waiting for her when she entered the room. She glanced around, trying to figure what he had planned, but nothing seemed to have been moved. With him looking at her like that—as if this was a life or death situation—she wasn’t sure what to do until he held out a hand.

It felt like she was agreeing to something when she crossed the room and took it. He stood there, just holding her hand and looking at her, his dark eyes full of the same emotions she had twisting inside her— lust, hurt, and…love? Before she could think too much about that, he nodded at the bed.“Bend over and place your forearms on the bed.”

The position would leave her ass in the air and completely vulnerable to whatever he had planned. There was a part of her—the part that had spent countless days being tutored on how a lady acted— that balked at doing something so wanton. The rest of her? The rest of her was so turned on she was having a hard time putting two thoughts together.

She obeyed, letting go of his hand and taking the exact position he’d demanded. She could hear him picking through the pile of things Danielle had packed, but there was no telling what he would choose. Dear God, was her earlier taunting going to come back to haunt her?

“Close your eyes.”

As soon as she did, he slipped something over her head. It was more a sleep mask than blindfold, but it cut out all ability to see, leaving her even more vulnerable than she’d been before. Chelsea shivered, straining her ears to try and figure out where he was leading with this.

He smoothed her hair down and then over her shoulder, leaving her back bare. “Is this okay?”

Okay? Nothing about this night had been just okay. It was amazing and terrifying and she felt as if she was about to leap headfirst off a cliff. But that didn’t change the reality—she felt safe with him. “I trust you.”

He exhaled harshly and wrapped his arms around her body, holding her so close she felt a shudder go through him. “I’ll never break that trust again. I swear it on my life.”

While she was at a loss as to how to respond, his warmth disappeared and she felt metal close around her wrists, leaving her truly blind and helpless. Half a second later, his palm came down on her ass, hard enough to make her breath catch in her throat. Before she could flinch, he did it again, alternating from cheek to cheek until pain radiated through her, so dark and potent she sobbed. Right when it became too much, when she thought she would scream because she simply couldn’t take it anymore, Nathan stopped.

“That was because you seriously considered the other man.” He smoothed his hands over her smarting skin, the gentle touch so at odds with the spanking. “And this… This is because I love you.”

He used his mouth to soothe her, turning the hurtful burning into something else altogether. Spreading her legs a little farther, he kissed down until he reached the aching spot between her thighs. “You’re awfully wet for what was supposed to be a punishment.” He licked her, then groaned. “I think you like being spanked.”

She rolled her hips, trying to guide his mouth to where she needed him, but Nathan’s hands clamped down on her thighs, holding her in place. “Hold still or I’ll stop.”

Stop this excruciating assault on her body? Never.

She forced herself to stay still as he teased her, his tongue rolling over her clit as if he were savoring her taste. “Please.”

“Not yet.” He pushed two fingers into her, and then slid them out and over her clit before repeating the motion. It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough. Chelsea whimpered and dug her fingers into the sheets, but she didn’t move.

And then he was gone, leaving her blind and vulnerable as he did God knew what. She bit her lip, trying to stem her need to question him. He would make this good for her—for both of them.

As if in reward for her patience, Nathan stroked her back. “There are so many things I want to do to you, it would take years to accomplish them all.”

The sheer tide of want almost sent her over the edge. It was more than her needing him to make her orgasm again, so much more. She wanted those years— wanted their verbal sparring, the feeling of safety he created whenever he was around her, the sex that was so hot she thought she might never get over it. “I want that. So badly.”

Nathan’s hand stilled on her body. “You do?”

The future between them shouldn’t exist, not with her gallery in Seattle and his in Spokane, not with her family between them, not with their mutual trust issues and a million other reasons why they shouldn’t be together. But here, in this moment, she didn’t care. All she knew was she missed him more than she missed the dry, hot summers of her hometown, more than her nana’s homemade lamb stew. More than anything.

The future was something to worry about tomorrow.

He pulled her up, her back to his chest, her hands trapped between them, and cupped her breasts.“You’d give us another chance?”

“Nathan—” She gasped when he rolled her nipples between his fingers. “You said no more talking.”

“I did, didn’t I?” He reached down and cupped her, the possessiveness of the gesture making her heart leap. “Then we won’t talk anymore. But tonight, you’re mine, totally and completely.”

It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway. “I’m yours.”

He maneuvered her back down onto the bed and spread her legs. In this position, she couldn’t have moved if she wanted to. He could do anything he wanted to her and she’d have to take it.

She wanted to take it.

Chelsea moaned when she heard him rip open a condom wrapper, then again when his fingers dug into her thighs, just this side of painful. Half a breath later his cock pressed against her entrance. She thought he would slam into her, but he worked deeper in small strokes until he was sheathed to the hilt. Only then did he withdraw completely. “Tell me again.”

Chelsea tried to arch, to take him in again, but he easily held her in place. Desperate, needing him inside her, she nodded against the bed. “Yours. I’m yours, Nathan.”

He slammed into her once, twice, three times, and then she was coming, her cries filling the room. But he didn’t stop. He kept driving into her as he slipped a hand down her stomach to press against her clit, ruthlessly shoving her into another orgasm.

Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, that she might actually die from too much pleasure, he shuddered, his fingers gripping her hips with bruising force.

She loved every second of it.

Tonight, there were no complications. Tonight, she was Nathan’s, mind, body and soul.

13

Chelsea woke up feeling as if she were living in a dream. Her entire body ached from the things she and Nathan had done last night, which would have tempted her to stay in bed for as long as possible if not for the whirling of her thoughts.

Nathan had told her he wanted a future.

She had told him she trusted him and that she wanted one, too.

Unable to lie still, she tried to slip out of bed, but he muttered something in his sleep and wrapped his arm more fully around her body. The temptation to melt back into his warmth was nearly overwhelming, but she wanted a few moments to herself in order to think. “Nathan, I have to get up. I’ll be right back.”

Once she was free, she paced once around the room, her gaze landing on her cell phone. With a glance at the bed, she picked it up and thumbed it on. There was a text from Danielle.

I hope you’re having trouble walking from all the sex you’re having. Call me with an update when you can!

Chelsea shook her head and opened her e-mail. What she saw there chased all amusement away. Interview questions, the subject line read. Taking a deep breath, she opened the e-mail. Even knowing it was coming, she still felt like the floor was dropping out from beneath her feet as she went over the questions. Tell us about your gallery. What kind of art do you sell there? Is there any special man in your life? Plans to be married or have a family?

Had she really forgotten her reason for coming down here this weekend? Her gaze landed on Nathan. With the sheet wrapped around his waist he looked like temptation personified. But it was more than that, and she knew it. Her words from last night echoed in her head. I trust you.

She needed some air.

She threw on the first articles of clothing she came across—panties, a bra, a pair of shorts, and a T-shirt Danielle must have gotten too much amusement over packing because it was pink and read, I like Big Booty Bitches. Normally she would spend a little more time to find a suitable shirt, but Chelsea couldn’t risk Nathan waking up and questioning where she was headed. She grabbed a pair of flats she didn’t recognize from her closet—another item from Danielle’s shopping spree, apparently—and her phone, and then slipped out the door.

She headed down the back way so as to avoid running into anyone she knew. Even with the early hour, people were milling about, tending the grounds and carrying what looked like decorations for the wedding. She glanced at her shirt. Maybe she should have taken the time to change.

As if summoned by her very fear, a familiar blonde came into view. Elle perked up when she caught sight of Chelsea. “Hey.”

“Morning.” She didn’t know what to say to this pretty woman who’d wanted her husband so badly she had attempted to slip into bed with him. She wanted to hate Elle for that fact alone, but she couldn’t. Damn it. “You’re up early.”

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “I needed a little time to clear my head. This place is good for that.Why are you out here alone?”

Without Nathan. Chelsea forced herself to smile. “For a similar reason. I have…a lot of things on my mind.”

“I see.” Elle lifted her chin, blue eyes searching. “Nathan is very important to Gabe—to both of us.”

So this was the true reason she’d been approached. Even though it had been phrased carefully, there was no mistaking the other woman’s meaning—she wanted to know Chelsea’s intentions. As much as she didn’t want to discuss her wavering plans with Elle, she could understand why they’d be protective of Nathan. After all, he and Chelsea had a terrible knack for hurting each other. “It wasn’t—isn’t—my intention to hurt him.”

“That’s the funny thing about intentions—they rarely mean anything in the long run.” She twisted her hands in her flowing skirt. “I’m not going to harp at you about it, but maybe think about that a little bit before you go through with whatever it was that brought you here in the first place.” With a little smile, she walked away, leaving Chelsea staring after her, more conflicted than she’d been to begin with.

She didn’t want to hurt Nathan, but she also wasn’t sure that their being together was the best option for either of them. God, how had this gotten so mixed up? She’d come here with a very clear goal in mind, and now everything was all topsy-turvy.

The air hit her face, borderline chilly because of the early hour. She looked around and chose a direction at random, needing the space to think now more than ever. The brochure she’d gone over half a thousand times since she’d received the invitation to the wedding said there were several miles’ worth of hiking trails surrounding the hotel.

Perhaps a hike was just the thing she needed to clear her mind.

Nodding to herself, she followed the signs to the trails and chose one at random. She’d just walk for a while and then find a place to stop and call Danielle. Her best friend would know just what to say to make her feel better—or significantly worse. It was hard to tell in this situation.

As she walked, she tried to picture what Danielle would say. Stop thinking so much and just go with it. She sighed.That wasn’t helpful. Frowning, Chelsea dug deeper. Yes, she’d had sex with Nathan but, despite planning to keep control, she’d lost her head entirely. The things he’d said to her, did to her, how he’d touched her in a way she’d never thought possible.

He’d said he still loved her.

Danielle’s voice rose, as if she were standing next to Chelsea. What’s so wrong with that?

“I’ll tell you what’s wrong with that,” she told the trees lining the hiking trail.“He left me eight years ago, and he brought me here to blackmail me. And then he agreed to sign the divorce papers.”

Maybe so, or maybe you’re too chicken-shit to admit the truth—he really does still love you. And maybe the only reason he agreed to sign the papers was to get you to stay.

“What am I supposed to do?” She threw up her hands. “Look at me. I’m walking through the woods, talking to myself as if I’m insane.”

She pulled out her phone and wanted to scream when she saw the complete lack of reception. Of course there would be no service when she needed it the most. Without her best friend to talk to, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Nathan wanted more than this weekend, but was she able to give that to him?

Do you trust him?

“Yes.” The truth rocked her to the core. It wasn’t what they’d had before, but maybe that was a good thing. He was older now. More responsible.Apparently hell-bent on proving that he’d never betray her trust again. She’d fought with him this weekend, yes, but in the end, she’d given herself over to him time and time again. It wasn’t a step she’d take if she didn’t trust him, at least a little.

So where did that leave them?

They’d spent the last eight years creating lives that didn’t involve each other. If they tried this again and it didn’t work out, she ran the risk of backsliding to those horrible months when she’d first moved to Seattle. She’d lost more weight than was healthy, and she’d slipped into a lethargic depression. It was only meeting Danielle and having the other woman steamroll her into getting back out into the world that had saved her from years’ worth of sadness. Before she met Danielle, she was half a wine bottle away from buying her first cat.

Had she ever quite moved on, though?

Chelsea knew the truth before she even finished the thought. No. She hadn’t moved past her relationship with Nathan. If she’d truly left him behind as she kept claiming, she wouldn’t have shown up here in the first place.

Except she had.

She shook her phone, lifting it above her head as she turned in a circle. “Come on, come on.” The only response she got was a flatline where there should be bars. “If I survive this weekend, I’m canceling my phone subscription and getting a different company instead.”

Pain shot through her foot in response. Chelsea took another step, the heel of her flats scraping along skin already worn through. Ouch. Foolish of her to take off walking in shoes she hadn’t broken in yet.

Chelsea looked around. How far had she gone while she was running from her own thoughts? It couldn’t have been that far, could it? She licked her lips, suddenly aware of how thirsty she was. Ready or not, she didn’t have much of an option about heading back to the hotel. If she kept going, she would rip her heels up even worse than she already had.

The very last thing she needed was for Nathan to end up rescuing her. Pushing herself to her feet, she took a careful step, biting back a whimper. Nathan will always come for me. But would he really?

He hadn’t eight years ago, but he was here now, and he’d offered her a chance—a real chance—last night. Was she going to cling to the hurt from the past and run the risk of sacrificing a potential future? Could she ever truly get past the betrayal of him leaving her like he had?

When she compared the fear of pain with the possibility of a future with Nathan, which one was the safer choice? But maybe that wasn’t the best way of thinking about things. She’d taken what she thought was the safer route when she’d run from him before.

Perhaps now was the time to try the less-safe path.

When Nathan had woken alone, he hadn’t been too worried. Chelsea wouldn’t have taken off without her stuff—not to mention it’d be hard to do so without her car keys, which were still lying on the desk across the room. Once he was satisfied she hadn’t pulled a runner, he got dressed and headed downstairs for some food.

From the way Ian jumped up from his table, it was obvious he’d been waiting. Again. Apparently their conversation before hadn’t been enough to set his best friend’s mind at ease. Nathan filled his plate and took the seat opposite Ian. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

“It’s the only way I can get some time alone with you. Between all the activities and your wife taking up all your time, we’ve barely had a chance to talk.”

“You mean, aside from ambushing me with Gabe yesterday?”

Ian shrugged, completely unrepentant. “He’s worried about you. I’m worried about you. We finally found some common ground—like you wanted us to.”

“Not exactly what I had in mind.” But Nathan laughed. He had to, since he’d been badgering both Ian and Gabe to find some way to get past their instant dislike of each other. He just hadn’t figured they’d do it by ganging up on him.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” Ian made a show of looking around. “Where exactly is your blushing bride? When we had that conversation about you making things right, I hadn’t realized you were talking about your wife. How the hell did that even happen, anyway?”

It felt good to finally give it voice after so many years of silence. And he’d have to have a conversation with his big brother before long, too.“We dated in high school, though we kept it secret because her family wouldn’t have approved.” Still wouldn’t approve if her being so desperate for a divorce was any indication. “Gabe never knew it went beyond being friends. He was working so much, he only saw her here and there.”

“Secret high school relationship sounds so Romeo and Juliet.” Ian grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth.

“So what went wrong?”

Nathan took a deep breath. This part never got easier and, after last night, a different shade had been applied to the whole debacle, leaving everything to cruise so much closer to the surface. “We had a future we both wanted, and I decided the best way to provide for her was to take a stint in the Army. Things had started to go wrong before then and she felt like I betrayed her by enlisting without talking about it first, so while I was in basic, her family made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. When I got back, she was gone.”

Ian shook his head. “Why wait this long to get ahold of her?”

“I always knew where she was. But…” He took another bite and chewed slowly, still grappling with the differences between reality and his perception of what had happened all those years ago. “I thought she didn’t want to be found.”

“I guess. So what’s the plan? Because I know you have one—you wouldn’t have invited her here without it.”

Nathan finished off his plate. “I win her back.” “Simple and to the point.” Ian toasted him with his orange juice. “I wish you the best of luck. Is there anything I can do to help?”

He smiled. Ian would do whatever he asked, no matter what it was, and Nathan would do the same for him. The bond between them had been born in the Army, but it had lasted after they both moved back to civilian life—though Nathan had done so years before his friend. “Nah, not right now. But if that changes, I’ll let you know.”

“Cool.” Ian glanced at his phone. “I’ve got to get going. Roxanne has me hauling around stuff for the wedding. It’s pretty crazy how they’ve managed to transform the amphitheater.”

The scene from last night flashed through his mind, of Chelsea rising above him as she rode his cock, the stars a beautiful backsplash around her. “I’m sure it’ll be great.” But not as great as it had been with her. Nothing could compare to that.

“I’ll talk to you later, yeah?”

“Yeah.” He waited for Ian to leave the room before he rose and headed for the opposite doors. Maybe a walk was just what he needed to clear his head, since his talk with Chelsea left him with more questions than answers.

Yes, she had said she missed him and had even gone so far as to say she trusted him, but he wasn’t an idiot. She’d said the latter while in a compromising position. Just because she’d agreed didn’t mean it would fix everything between them.

He felt like the entire world had shifted without telling him, and he wasn’t sure which way was up anymore. He’d spent the last eight years blaming Chelsea for not having the courage to stand up for them, eight years sure that her family was the main reason behind her leaving him, when the blame lay solely on his shoulders.

God, how was he ever going to make that up to her? He’d told her he loved her, that he’d never betray her trust again, and he meant it, but would she believe him?

Nathan picked his way around the hotel. Their time in the amphitheater had more than proven there was a chance of making things right. They’d finally cleared the air, finally talked about their shared past and the mistakes they’d made.

There wasn’t a better time to strive for a shared future than right now, and he’d crawl over broken glass to make sure it happened.

A flicker of pink caught his eye. Nathan looked up and froze as Chelsea stumbled out of the trees near the sign leading to the hiking trails. Her hair might have started the morning pulled back, but now half of it hung around her face, and she carried a pair of shoes in her hands.

Was she barefoot?

“Chelsea, stop walking.” God only knew what was on the ground between the trails and the hotel. They kept the place spotless, but that wouldn’t stop some asshole from leaving broken glass around.

She looked up and, even from this distance, he could see tear tracks down her face. Even crying, she managed to look noble. Most women at least had the decency to get blotchy or sniff a little bit. Not Chelsea. “Nathan?”

“I’m coming to get you. Just stop walking.” He crossed the distance between them at a run and scooped her into his arms. Though he half expected her to fight him, she went limp and laid her head against his shoulder. Something swelled in his chest, something so potent he knew he was screwed in the worst way possible. Because he wouldn’t take back telling her he loved her, and he couldn’t break his word to give her a divorce if she really wanted one.

He only had a day left to convince her she didn’t want one. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”

14

Chelsea should have made Nathan set her down, but she couldn’t work up the effort. Though she couldn’t have been more than a mile away from the hotel, walking back barefooted, picking her way through pine needles and gravel, had taken its toll. For that reason alone, she would have let him carry her up to their room, but she couldn’t deny how safe having his arms around her made her feel.

If that didn’t answer most of the questions she had about their relationship, she didn’t know what would.

He set her gently on the bed and took a step back. “You look like you’ve been rolling around in the dirt.”

“I wanted some time to think.”

Nathan raised his eyebrow. “So you took off wearing that shirt and no shoes?”

“I have shoes.” She held them up.“They’re just not appropriate hiking footwear.”When he just stared, she dropped them on the ground, feeling like a fool. “It’s irrelevant now.”

“Maybe. Don’t move.”

Since every time she moved, more muscles protested, Chelsea had no intention of going anywhere. How her back hurt as a result of a few blisters was beyond her, but she wasn’t in the mood to be forgiving. If she’d put a little thought in before fleeing the hotel, she wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. She glared at her phone where it sat next to her on the bed. Instead of making an ill-thought-out attempt at hiking, she should have gone to her car to call Danielle. She already knew she had cell service there.

The sound of water running made her glance at the bathroom. “What are you doing?”

Instead of answering, he asked his own question. “Did you figure out anything during your pretty sad attempt at hiking?”

So many things, all of them terrifying in their own way.“It appears all the answers to the universe weren’t hiding beneath a rock out there.”

He stepped into sight, and oh what a sight it was. Nathan might present a gorgeous picture in slacks and a dress shirt, but he was meant to wear jeans and a T-shirt. He looked so comfortable, so tousled, that she wanted to run her fingers through his hair. He pointed at her. “Up.”

“That’s really not—”

He pulled her to her feet and stripped off her shirt in one efficient move. “I said up.” After unhooking her bra and tossing it aside, he unbuttoned her shorts and pulled both them and her panties down. Chelsea steadied herself on his shoulder as she stepped out of her clothing, so she didn’t miss the way he went still when he saw her feet. “Jesus.”

“It’s nothing. Just a few blisters.”

“Don’t try that martyr shit with me.” He stood and scooped her into his arms again.

“Nathan, put me down.” She was more than capable of walking the three feet to the bathroom, which was obviously where he intended her to be. But he ignored her, since he apparently didn’t like what she had to say. Instead, he carefully set her into the hot water. She hissed out a breath when her toes dipped below the surface, but the quick pain passed to a dull throbbing.

He sat on the edge of the tub near her feet. “We’re going to have to get you cleaned up so your cuts don’t get infected.”

She opened her mouth to inform him that she could, in fact, take care of herself, but stopped. Hadn’t she decided to give this opportunity with Nathan a try? That meant not digging in her heels over every little thing. It’d make him feel better to help her and, quite frankly, it’d make her feel better to let him take care of her. “Okay.”

“Okay?” His eyebrow went up. “Did you hit your head while you were wandering through the woods?”

“As surprising as it might be, no.”

Nathan soaked a washcloth in the water and then motioned. “Foot.”

“You’re going to get your jeans wet.”

When he stared, she sighed and lifted her foot and sat it on the edge of the tub. He muttered something under his breath and ran the washcloth over her skin, careful to avoid the painful areas.

“You’re going to have to tell me eventually,” he said.

She shifted under the water, wishing there was a layer of bubbles to shield her from his gaze. Here, with him running his thumbs up the sole of her foot, it was hard to remember why she’d fought so hard against this in the first place.

Oh yes, because her father was up for Senate and she was terrified of being the reason he failed.

She was tired of letting fear run her life. Besides, if they were actually married, that couldn’t hurt her father’s campaign. All they had to do was keep things somewhat quiet until after the election had passed, and everything would be fine.

“Nathan…” She licked her lips. “I was telling the truth last night. I’ve missed you.”

His dark eyes didn’t leave her face, giving her nowhere to go and no illusion of hiding everything she felt. “I was telling the truth last night, too. I still love you.”

How many times had they exchanged those words? Countless, until they were just as natural as breathing. It shouldn’t be so difficult to let them free now, but Chelsea couldn’t quite make herself say them aloud. I never stopped loving you, either. Not a single day, no matter how hard I tried. “I want to try again.”

He went still. “Actually try? Not punish me for various things while I force your hand?”

“Yes.” She made herself meet his gaze. “I think we should set the divorce papers aside and take things slowly. I don’t… I don’t know how long it will take to get back what we had or if we ever will, but I’m willing to try if you are.”

“Are you sure?” He still hadn’t moved, and his face gave nothing away. “Really sure?”

“Yes.” It was barely more than a whisper. She slid down until the water lapped against her chin and closed her eyes. It was the only way she had to veil herself at this point. Why did he insist on having this conversation while she was naked and he was dressed? It put her at even more of a disadvantage than she’d been at before.

If he rejected her now, it was nothing more than she deserved.

“Baby, look at me.”

Wishing she wasn’t in such a vulnerable position, she opened her eyes. There wasn’t cruel amusement on Nathan’s face as she’d feared. No, he grinned the same way he had during their first Christmas together when she’d gotten him a pottery wheel. He’d swept her into his arms and spun her about the room, both of them laughing like fools. It might not have been the medium he’d eventually gone with, but it was part of his journey.

She was part of his journey.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, Chelsea allowed herself to hope that her part in Nathan’s life wasn’t over yet.

Nathan could barely credit the words coming out of Chelsea’s mouth. She hadn’t exactly professed undying love, but she wanted to shelve the divorce papers and give them a chance. That was a million times better than anything he’d dared hope.

Though every part of him wanted to mark her as his, he resisted the urge. There was no telling how far she’d walked, but her feet were torn up and her eyelids drooped now that they’d moved past this emotional land mine. What she needed was to rest a bit. He set her foot back into the water and picked up her other one. “The rehearsal is in a few hours, but we can relax before that.”

She eyed him.“Are you going to let me walk to the bedroom?”

He didn’t want to. Nathan wanted to hold her close and never let her go, but he recognized a losing battle when he saw it. Arguing over something stupid wasn’t worth it right now. “I’ll consider it.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

Once her foot was clean, he pulled the drain from the bottom of the tub and grabbed a towel. She let him wrap it around her and help her out of the tub.

“Don’t bother getting dressed.” When she shot him a look over her shoulder, he held up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m giving you a massage.”

“A massage?”

“Yep.” He motioned at the bed and, with one final look at him, she laid facedown on the comforter. Since there wasn’t a whole lot he could do about her feet, he wanted to give her something else to take care of her and to make her feel good.

He also wanted a chance to just talk.

Nathan pressed his thumbs into the muscles lining her spine, working his way slowly up to her neck. “You’re carrying a lot of tension here.”

“I’m carrying a lot of tension everywhere.”

Though he wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer, he had to ask. “Is it all because of me?”

The bedspread muffled Chelsea’s laugh. “Hardly. Deciding to come this weekend has just been the cherry on top. Dad running for Senate has turned the spotlight on the entire family. Carrie, of course, is perfect, but as usual, I leave a lot to be desired.”

He worked a particularly large knot, trying to decide how to answer that. He’d never met her sister, but from what Chelsea said, the woman never made a misstep. It was impossible to say if that was actually true or if it was just her perspective. “I don’t see how. You’re a successful artist and business owner. Most people would kill to be living their dream like you are.” And he was so damn proud of her for doing it. It would have been easier if she submitted to her parents’ plan for her rather than fighting them to pursue what she wanted.

“You might think so, but apparently Dad and his publicists don’t. They find my work shocking and vulgar.” She moaned as he moved back down her spine. “That feels so good.”

A comfortable silence fell, broken only by Chelsea’s occasional moan or whimper. He fully intended to keep this up until there wasn’t a line of tension in her body. It was the least he could do.

After a while she spoke, obviously hesitant. “Will you tell me about your tattoos?”

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Even now, so many years later, he didn’t talk about the meaning of his tattoos. Not even with Gabe. Chelsea must have sensed his reluctance, because she hitched a breath. “Never mind. You don’t have to.”

He couldn’t not, especially when this fragile trust lay between them. As he stroked a hand through her hair, he realized he wanted to tell her. This was something he’d never shared with anyone else, and she’d understand. “No, I want to tell you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” He slid off her and propped himself up on his elbow. This position allowed him to trail his fingers over her back, while still being able to see her face. “They’re for your mom, aren’t they?” She traced the birds just below his collarbone.

“They were her favorite birds. Gabe has his own way of paying tribute, but…this is mine.”

“They’re beautiful.” She traced farther down to the one covering his chest, over the rose that cupped the anatomically correct heart. There was a hard, jagged line through the middle of it. She didn’t ask, apparently willing to wait him out.

He gathered her to his chest. “That one’s you, baby.”

Roses had always been her favorite flower, though he’d kept this one in black and gray instead of leaning toward the yellow she preferred.The broken heart was his—had always been his. It wasn’t beyond repair, but she’d definitely left her mark when she’d disappeared.

“I don’t know what to say.”

With her head tucked against his chest, he couldn’t read her expression. Nathan wasn’t sure he wanted to. “Losing you might’ve broken my heart, but that changes nothing. It’s always been yours—always will be.”

In response she kissed him, her lips gentle against his. When Chelsea moved back, her eyes were shining with unshed tears. “I am so very sorry that I hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, too. If I’d handled things differently, you wouldn’t have left in the first place.” He tucked her back against his chest and rested his chin on her head. Right now, in this moment, he simply held her and enjoyed the way she fit so perfectly against him. He stroked a hand over her hair and closed his eyes, letting the sound of her breathing wash over him.

It seemed like only moments passed when Chelsea shook him awake. “Your phone is ringing.”

Nathan glanced at the clock beside the bed and cursed. “That will be Gabe.” Or, worse, Roxanne. The woman had already proven herself to be a pain in the ass during the early planning stages. Now that the wedding itself was upon them, she was damn near unbearable. He accepted the phone she passed over and answered. “Yeah?”

“Roxanne says if you aren’t down here within ten minutes, she’s coming up there and dragging your ass out of the room, no matter how naked you might be.” Ian laughed, obviously enjoying this far more than necessary. “I wouldn’t call her bluff.”

“I have no intention of doing so.” Chelsea was already off the bed and digging through her suitcase by the time he stood up. “We’ll be down in ten.”

“Smart man. You know, Roxanne found a pair of vibrating panties in the amphitheater this morning. She was pretty pissed that someone was out there, desecrating the place where the ceremony is going to happen. You don’t know anything about that, do you?”

“Nope.”

He laughed again. “I didn’t think so. See you in a few.”

Nathan dropped his phone on the bed and got dressed. It was only as he was putting on his shoes that he frowned at her. “You can’t wear heels.” The backs of them would tear up her feet even worse than they were right now.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Wear sandals instead.” At least that way she wouldn’t be suffering with every step she took.

Chelsea shook her head. “Look at my feet. I can’t walk around with open sores, Nathan. It looks disgusting.”

“You can’t be serious. You’re not going to be in pain just because you’re worried about how something looks.” When she opened her mouth, he lifted a hand and cut her off. “Wear the damn sandals. No one is going to think less of you. Hell, they probably won’t even notice.”

When she still hesitated, Nathan sighed. He thought it a lost cause—these kinds of things always were when it came to Chelsea—but she dropped the shoes.

“If you insist.”

Barely able to believe she actually was willing to listen to reason, he nodded. “I do.”

With another sigh, she grabbed a pair of sandals and stepped into them. “Are you happy now?”

Nathan grinned and kissed her, reveling in his ability to do so. “Very.”

15

Since Chelsea wasn’t actually part of the wedding party, she was herded over to the first row of chairs in the amphitheater to watch the rehearsal. A blond woman around her mother’s age sat next to her, but she didn’t seem all that interested in striking up a conversation, so Chelsea sat back and crossed her legs.

Gabe stood at the altar next to the pastor, looking as relaxed and comfortable as he always did. In the time she’d known him, nothing seemed to ruffle the man. He caught her watching him and gave a half smile before turning his attention back to the aisle.

The first couple walked down, Ian and one of Elle’s cousins. They parted ways and then it was Nathan and Roxanne’s turn. When he took his place next to Gabe, he turned his gaze directly on Chelsea.

For just a moment she wondered what it would have been like to have a real wedding, and to actually walk down the aisle and into his arms. Would he look at her just this way? Would he smile or look shocked or something else entirely? She’d never had the chance to find out.

To wish for something so small, despite the fact that she was actually married to the man, felt strange. All this time she’d been operating under the truth that she and Nathan were never meant to be. They’d gone their separate ways and moved on with their respective lives.

She rubbed her finger, almost certain she could still feel the weight of the ring he’d given her. It wasn’t anything spectacular—a cheap plastic trinket from a vending machine, of all things—but it had been the ring he slipped on her finger the day they said, “I do.” Chelsea still had it, tucked away in her jewelry box at home. She’d never been able to throw it out, no matter how many times she’d been tempted over the years.

She pulled herself back to the present as Elle reached the altar. The pastor went over how things would go tomorrow, waving his hands as he glossed over the exchanging of rings and vows.

And then it was finished.

Gabe swept Elle into his arms, bending her back for a kiss that had the woman next to Chelsea muttering under her breath. When she glanced over, she finally recognized the similarities between her and the bride. This must be Elle’s mother.

Nathan stopped in front of her. “We’re heading to dinner.” He held out a hand. “Come on.”

Drawn to him on a bone-deep level she couldn’t explain, much the same way she’d always been, she slipped her hand into his and let him pull her to her feet. What would a future with Nathan look like? Would he come home to her every night? Would they have children together?

With the divorce set aside, she had the freedom to figure it out. Chelsea found herself smiling up at him. “Dinner would be delightful.”

He maintained his grip on her hand while they made their way across the lawn. True to Roxanne’s word, it had been entirely transformed in preparation for tomorrow. There were several rows of white chairs on each of the amphitheater’s tiers, and the back lawn was now set up with tables and fainting chairs. The reception area was covered with white-tented canopies. Tomorrow there would also be tables with the cake and food set up.

Chelsea turned and looked back down the aisle to the spot where she and Nathan had made love last night. In this moment, she could admit that was where everything changed. Out on the grass, staring at the stars, she’d finally allowed herself to believe they could have something real together.

She dearly hoped this wouldn’t blow up in her face.

It was both strange and wonderful sitting next to Chelsea through dinner, her hand resting lightly on his knee as they chatting about absolutely nothing. Across the table from them, Gabe could barely keep his eyes off Elle or a stupid grin off his face. Nathan didn’t blame him. It made him wish he’d had a real wedding with Chelsea—one that didn’t involve The Hitching Post.

Thinking about it, he turned and offered her a smile. She practically shone tonight, her auburn hair wrapped up in a fancy style she’d managed to pull off with only bobby pins. Her green dress perfectly complemented her pale complexion, as always.

Simply put, she was stunning.

He raised her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Thank you.”

“What exactly are you thanking me for?” “Being here. Giving us a chance. All of it.”

Chelsea lifted her eyebrows. “I had thought this was all part of your devious plan. You certainly started out the weekend on that particular foot.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

She laughed. “Only time will tell.”

It was too late, though Nathan wasn’t about to tell her that. She’d offered him an in, and he had no intention of letting her go now that he had her back in his arms. He squeezed her hand. “Yeah, it will.”

Dinner passed quickly and, as dessert was being served, Roxanne stood up, bringing the conversations around her to a close. She waited until silence reigned before speaking. “It’s about that time.” She raised her glass of wine and nodded at Elle and Gabe. “I’ve been friends with Elle for years now, and I’ve never seen her happier than she is with this man by her side. He brings out the best in her, and together they broaden each other’s horizons. Here’s to you, Elle and Gabe, to your present, and to a long and happy future.”

As soon as the quiet murmur of agreement passed, Roxanne motioned for Nathan to take his feet. All too aware of Chelsea at his side, he raised his beer to his brother and future sister-in-law. “I’m not the best when it comes to these things. As Roxanne said, I’ve never seen my brother happier than he’s been since he met Elle. A connection like they have”—like he and Chelsea had—“often only comes along once in a lifetime, so when you have that kind of opportunity, you need to leap toward it without looking back. I wish you all the happiness in the world.” He drained half his beer with the rest of them, and then reclaimed his seat. Beneath the table, Chelsea laced her fingers through his and squeezed. Something inside Nathan’s chest slipped into place, something that had scraped against him for so long, he’d stopped being aware of it. Just like that, he felt whole for the first time since he got off that plane to find Chelsea gone, with no trace of her left in his life. He’d let her go because he’d thought that was what she wanted.

Nathan would never make that mistake again.

The dinner started to wind down and, even though he knew it might be rude, he nodded at his brother. “We’re going to head up.”

Gabe barely took the time to tear his gaze away from Elle. “Sure. See you guys tomorrow.”

Roxanne pointed at her wrist. “Don’t be late.” “I’ll make sure he’s on time.” Chelsea slipped her hand into the crook of his arm as they left the table and headed upstairs. The door had barely closed behind them when Nathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her, a gentle, leisurely exploration of her mouth.

They had all night, after all.

He laced his fingers through her hair. “No power games tonight. Just you and me.”

“Yes.” She nodded and reclaimed his mouth, her arms going around his neck.

He pulled her dress over her head and tossed it aside as she did the same with his shirt. Though he was tempted to shuck off her panties and bra, having her naked again would be too much temptation. He fully intended on taking his time and driving her out of her mind, on showing her exactly how much she mattered to him. He lifted her and set her gently on the bed.

Then he ran his hands up her legs to cup her hips, feathering his thumbs over her hipbones and ribs, bypassing her breasts to give her collarbone and jaw the same treatment. The urgency that had colored their time together during the beginning of the weekend took a backseat to his need to simply touch her. Chelsea was his, and she’d admitted as much.

He always took care of what was his.

She watched him through hooded eyes as he worked his way back down her body, once again skipping over her breasts and panties. When he reached her ankles, she shuddered out a breath. “Are you going to tease me all night?”

“Baby, I haven’t even gotten started.” He nudged her legs open and started on the same path his hands had taken with his mouth. The panties she’d chosen tonight were bright blue, and they drew his eye in a way that had to be designed. Nathan nibbled up her thighs and paused over the tantalizing triangle covering her.

She shivered. “Nathan.”

“Not yet.” But soon. He wouldn’t be able to resist for much longer, but thankfully he didn’t have to. As he kissed over her ribs and up to her neck, she ran her fingers through his hair. “You always did like it here.”

“I still do.” She arched off the bed as he sucked carefully on the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder.

Before he could get too carried away, Nathan moved back to pull the lace off her breasts. He sucked on first one nipple, and then the other, laving it with his tongue until she shook beneath him. But Chelsea still didn’t plead or demand what he knew they both wanted. This was the first time they’d come together completely as equals, without any games involved. As fun as those games had been, this…this meant infinitely more.

Nathan settled between her legs and pressed his mouth to the thin shield of fabric. He teased her, licking up one edge of her panties and down the other, until he was so hard, he was surprised he wasn’t lightheaded. She wasn’t doing much better, her hips rocking against his mouth as she tried to position him just so. Finally, Nathan had enough of the teasing and he sat back, pulling her panties off and tossing them to the side. When he made as if to move back into place, Chelsea shook her head. “I can’t wait any longer.”

She grabbed a condom from the dresser and pushed him into a sitting position then climbed into his lap. “I want you like this, with your hands on me, while I ride you until we both come.”

He sure as hell wasn’t going to argue with that. Nathan took the condom from her and rolled it on. “Do it.” He kissed her as she sank onto his cock, her wet warmth wrapping around him until he nearly lost control. As she circled her hips, he grasped the back of her neck with one hand and used the other to guide her movement, ensuring her clit rubbed with each stroke. She clung to him, sliding her tongue along his with such desperation he knew she had to be close.

“Come for me, baby.”

One stroke, two, and on the third her entire body spasmed, the most beautiful cry he’d ever heard coming out of her mouth. “Nathan.”

As he followed her into oblivion, he whispered, “I love you, too.”

16

The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear. While Chelsea was still sleeping, Nathan took a stroll around the hotel, cementing his plan in his head—one that would finally make up for the mistakes he made eight years ago. He needed a few moments of silence before the chaos of the day started. He inhaled, letting the sweet scent of pine roll off him. It wasn’t quite the same as being home, but it was close. Gabe and Elle had chosen a good place to get married.

Circling around the grounds, Nathan fished out his phone and made a quick call. After getting things set in motion, he grabbed two plates from the breakfast buffet and headed back upstairs. They had a few hours before they had to worry about being at the wedding, and he fully intended to enjoy it.

Chelsea was sitting in bed when he came back through the door, and she broke into a grin at the sight of him. “Breakfast.”

Her expression was so open and happy, it made all the ups and downs of the weekend worthwhile. This was why he’d taken such extreme measures. So that the woman he loved would look at him like that.“Only the best for you.” He took the spot next to her and passed over a plate.

She took a bite. “Thank you.” They ate in silence until she pushed the plate away. “So what are we going to do to occupy ourselves until the wedding this afternoon?”

“I was thinking we’d go for a drive.” Her eyebrows rose. “A drive.”

“Well, I would have suggested a hike, but that’s out of the question with your crappy hiking skills.”

“Can we please never speak of that again?”

“I make no promises.”

She sighed heavily, but a smile of her own toyed at the edges of her lips. “You’re insufferable.”

“You wouldn’t have me any other way.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe an inch or two taller.” Her eyes twinkled. “That is, if we’re creating a dream list.”

“I’m hurt.” He pulled her into his lap. “You’d better have some way of making that up to me.”

“Ha!” She wiggled free and stood. “There’s no time for me to kiss your pride better. You said we’re going for a drive.”

He laughed as she pulled on a pair of shorts and a flowing tank top. There was no erasing their past, but as far as Nathan was concerned, this new thing building between them was so much better. Provided they could work through their issues, their relationship would be a thousand times stronger than it’d been before.

Nathan pushed to his feet and took her hand. “Let’s go.” Sheer happiness had a stupid grin on his face as they walked down to the lobby and out to his truck. As they pulled out of the parking lot, he looked at Chelsea. “Pick a direction.”

“Are we going on an adventure?” “A short one, but yes.”

“Good.” She slid over to the middle seat and slipped under his arm. It felt so goddamn right having her here, like this. “Let’s go left.”

As they wound along the Columbia River, they talked of inconsequential things. Chelsea told him about the new line of photographs she had in the works—a series with couples holding each other—and how excited she was to be taking her portraits one level deeper. In turn, he told her about the steps he wanted to take with his gallery—he’d been looking into opening a new location, probably in Seattle.

It was so easy talking to her. He could have driven for hours, content with the feeling of her under his arm and her laughter filling the cab of the truck. But life waited for no man—especially when Roxanne was in charge—and all too soon it was time to head back.

They kept holding hands all the way through the lobby and up the elevator. Once they slipped into the hotel room he swung her into his arms and kissed her. “Thank you, baby.”

Chelsea slid her arms around his neck.“For what?” “For trusting me enough to give this a shot.” He kissed her again. “Now get your ass in the shower so we’re not late.”

She saluted him, then winked. “Sir, yes, sir.”

While she showered, he busied himself laying out his tux. Thirty minutes later, Chelsea stepped out of the bathroom and he forgot how to breathe. She wore a slate gray dress in the old pin-up style, fitted over her body but covering her from her knees to the square neckline.A red belt and matching shoes completed the ensemble.

“Damn.”

She smiled, almost hesitant. “Should I take that as a sign of approval?”

“You most definitely should.” He kissed her, careful of her newly applied lipstick. “You look good.”

“Thank you.”

Nathan took a quick shower and got dressed. The look on her face when he walked out of the bathroom made him happy Roxanne had been in charge of picking out the tuxes. Chelsea’s amber eyes were wide. “Oh wow.”

He chuckled. “That’s answer enough. Come on.” He led the way down to the amphitheater, wondering if he’d ever stop marveling at the fact she was at his side. He didn’t think so.

And thanks to his phone call earlier, he was about to show her exactly how serious he was about a future with her.

17

After getting Chelsea settled in her seat, Nathan went about his duties as best man. Gabe had a vaguely shell-shocked look on his face, but his grin was firmly in place. And why not? His brother was having all his dreams come true today.

All too soon it was time to line up. Nathan stopped short when Elle appeared in the doorway with her father. She was a vision in white, looking every inch a princess, from her long gown to the veil pinned into her hair. Even the tattoo covering her upper arm— flowers bordered by ink spots—added to the perfect picture. Her face broke into a grin when she saw him. “What do you think?”

“You’re perfect.” He kissed her cheek and hugged her.

“It’s funny how things work out, don’t you think?” A blush stole across her cheeks.

Nathan squeezed her shoulders. “I am so happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

Roxanne swept over. “Don’t you dare start crying and ruin your makeup. There’s plenty of time for that later.” She clapped her hands.“Everyone, get in place.” She looped her arm through Nathan’s. “And you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.” She lowered her voice. “I always wondered what your deal was. Guess now we all know.”

“Things were complicated.”

“No, really? And here I thought you having a secret wife no one knew anything about had a totally simple and sane explanation.” She shook her head. “Look, I know we aren’t best friends or anything, but if you need someone—someone else—to talk to, I’m here. I mean, you aren’t exactly a talker, but I figured I’d offer.”

“I appreciate that.” But it should be completely unnecessary now that Chelsea had agreed to try again. There was no reason to talk anything out with anyone because everything he’d never dared hoped for was on the verge of coming true.

“I’m sure you do.”

And then the music rose and it was time. Ian and his cousin walked down the aisle first, and then Nathan and Roxanne followed. Through the sea of faces on either side of the aisle, he had no problem picking out Chelsea’s. She had an unreadable look on her face that melted into a smile when she met his eyes.

That happiness was for him and him alone.

Once he was standing next to his brother, he allowed himself to drink in the sight of her. Nathan was suddenly sure that no matter how often he saw her, how much time they spent together, he’d never get enough of just being in her presence. Chelsea had a light inside her that called to him in a way that was unlike anyone else he’d ever met.

He passed over the ring when it was time, a tight feeling in his chest. Envy. God, he wanted this with Chelsea. To stand in front of their family and friends and be able to profess his love for her and his intention to be her husband forever and always.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of applause and walking back down the aisle. Then it was time to move on to the reception, Roxanne herding everyone like a goddamn border collie in charge of a bunch of sheep. Before he knew it, he and Chelsea were seated with the wedding party and their plus- ones, surrounded by people who were all chatting merrily away. He watched Gabe guide Elle around the dance floor for their first dance, his brother saying something that made her laugh.

The song ended with Gabe dipping Elle over his arm and laying a kiss on her. Then he pulled her to her feet and spun her around.

Another song teased over the speakers, the first lines rising as if surfacing through the years. Nathan looked at Chelsea. “Do you remember—”

“—driving around in your truck and singing this at the top of my lungs?” She smiled and stood. “Dance with me?”

“You don’t even have to ask.”

They swung onto the dance floor. Nathan spun her, trying to gauge how much she remembered the steps. She swirled under his arm and laughed. “I’d forgotten how much fun this was.”

Now that they weren’t trying to one-up each other, fun as that was, things between them seemed to slide back into place. The longer he spent around her, the more memories rose from the self-preserving fog he’d wrapped around them. It was the most natural thing in the world to pull her closer and kiss her.

The music changed as he brought her back to her feet. They transitioned smoothly from the quick beat to the slower one, Nathan pulling her close and Chelsea lacing her arms around his neck. She smiled up at him. “I’m glad you decided to blackmail me into this weekend.”

He brushed a stray wave of hair from her face. “I would have done damn near anything to get another chance with you.”

“The only thing I’m sorry about is that it took so long.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

“You have no idea how much I agree with that.”

They swayed a bit longer, a comfortable silence wrapping itself around them. Nathan glanced over to where his brother and Elle held each other on the opposite side of the dance floor. From the way they looked at each other, they might as well have been alone in the room. It wasn’t hard to picture Chelsea in a white dress in his arms. It wouldn’t be the same as Elle’s, though. It would be something old-world and probably worth more than his new commission would sell for. She’d look like a queen, and she’d be his for all the world to see. “I want that.”

“You want what?”

Nathan waved his hand in his brother’s direction and then toward the amphitheater. “Them. This. All of it.”

“This?” She looked around. “The wedding?” “Yeah. And what comes after.” He caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Thank God. He’d been wondering if the man would actually show. Nathan smiled at Chelsea, hoping his surprise would chase away the last of her doubts so they could have the kind of future they deserved. “I did something.”

She frowned. “What do you mean? Did what?”

“I wanted to show you how serious I am about this, and to make up for the fact that I wasn’t there for you eight years ago.”

A murmur started at the edge of the dance floor and she glanced over. “Oh my God, is that my dad?” Chelsea looked back at him, all color gone from her face. “What did you do?”

“I’m fixing things.” He took her hand, trying not to notice how cold it was in his, and led her over to where Gerald Callaghan stood with his arms crossed over his chest. The man looked as smooth and put- together as he did on television, his steel gray hair not showing any signs of receding or thinning, his laugh lines only seeming to make him more approachable in his commercials.

He didn’t look approachable now.

His brown eyes flicked to Chelsea. “So this is where you’ve spent your weekend?”

“I can explain.”

Noticing the stares they were attracting, Nathan motioned to the door Gerald had just walked through. “Why don’t we take this into the hallway?”

“Yes, let’s.” Gerald turned on his heel and stalked back the way he’d come, leaving them to trail after him. As they followed him, Nathan prepared himself.

This wouldn’t be easy, and he didn’t think the man would take it well, but he’d thrown Chelsea to the wolves when he left her for the Army, and he needed to show her that he’d never abandon her again. He’d be there for her now like he should have been there for her then.

Once they were far enough away from the reception, Gerald stopped and turned to face them. “What was so important that you brought me down here?”

“I wanted to give you the respect of explaining things in person. Eight years ago, I married your daughter.” Chelsea gasped, but he refused to take his gaze from her dad’s face. “We’ve decided to give our marriage another shot.”

Gerald looked from one of them to the other, finally settling on Nathan.“You’ve been married to my daughter this entire time.”

“Yes, sir.” And he’d keep on being married to her if he had anything to say about it. Nathan braced himself as he watched the thoughts pass over the other man’s face. It didn’t matter what Gerald’s reaction was. He’d weather it for Chelsea’s sake. He wouldn’t leave her side again.

“I see.” The older man rubbed a hand over his face, seeming to have aged ten years in ten seconds. Not quite the reaction Nathan had been expecting, but he’d work with whatever he got.

“Dad, I can explain.”

Nathan finally glanced at her and did a double take when he saw how pale she was. She appeared to be on the verge of passing out. What the hell?

“That won’t be necessary.” He sighed.“You should have told me when it happened, Chelsea. We would have helped you take care of it.”

As in, they would have pushed her to divorce him right then and there. Nathan squeezed her hand.“With all due respect, we didn’t need it taken care of then or now. We’re going to work through our problems and make things right.”

Her father seemed to consider this for a long moment. “If that’s your decision, then there’s only one course of events—you’ll have to have a public wedding. That’s the only chance we have at covering up the fact that Chelsea has been married all along. Everyone will be so delighted at the event, most won’t think to dig deeper.”

Wait. A wedding? Nathan stared, his mind frantically trying to catch up. That might’ve been his end goal in, oh, a year or two, but he’d prepared for a fight, an argument, pretty much anything except Gerald turning around and saying they would have to have a wedding now. “What?”

“Dad, no.” Chelsea jerked her hand out of his.

Gerald didn’t seem the least bit concerned that he’d just thrown them for a loop. He nodded to himself. “Yes, it’s the only way. I’m sorry, Chelsea, but you’ve made your bed. Now you have to lie in it.” He stepped forward and awkwardly clasped her on the shoulder. “It will be fine. I’ll have my assistant get in contact with you so we can schedule the date.”

“Dad, please.”

But he was already turning and walking away. “Don’t forget your appointments next week. That interview is vital, now more than ever.”

Well, shit. That hadn’t gone like he’d expected. Nathan turned to Chelsea, intending to apologize, but she paced a quick circle, as if she wanted to run away but wasn’t sure which direction to take. “What were you thinking?” she demanded. “Are you trying to push me away?”

“No. No.” He could understand her being thrown off by her father’s reaction—hell, he was, too.“Chelsea, I’m not leaving you. More than anything, I need you to know that.”

She laughed harshly. “Oh, you won’t be able to. If we go through with this wedding, we won’t be able to get divorced for at least two years—probably closer to five—or my father runs the risk of being accused of a publicity stunt.”

“This wasn’t my intention. I had no idea he’d react like that.”As much as he wanted to stay married to her and give this thing between them a shot, he wasn’t all that fond of being shepherded into a public wedding so her dad wouldn’t lose points with the voters.

“And how, exactly, did you think he was going to react? Did you even think at all?” She wrapped her arms around herself, her shoulders bowing as if the weight of the world had come to rest there. “This was a mistake.”

“What? I understand that you’re upset. Hell, I’m not doing too peachy myself, but we can work through this.” He searched for the right answer, anything to get that look off her face. He could fix this. He had to. “We’ll drive back to Spokane and talk with your dad again. We’ll tell him he can’t make this decision for us.” “God, will you listen to yourself? I thought maybe you’d grown up in the last eight years, but obviously I was wrong.”

He actually took a step back before he caught himself. “What are you saying?”

“This. All of this.” She released the death grip she had on her arm to wave it around. “You made another huge decision without even talking to me. Again. You contacted my father behind my back and orchestrated this confrontation without giving me so much as a hint it was coming.” She laughed again, the sad sound making his heart break. “Do you know how humiliating that was for me? To have to stand there while you paraded our personal relationship in front of my father to be judged? I asked you for time. To take things slow while we figured things out. Does that mean anything to you?”

“Chelsea—”

“No, of course it doesn’t. Because you are just barreling forward with your plan, no matter the consequences, just like you did the last time. Well, I’m done being the casualty in your quest to prove you’re the biggest, baddest alpha male in existence.”

A slow and steady anger roiled through him. She’d taken what was supposed to be a gesture of love and turned it into something he’d never intended. Worse, she was so fucking dismissive of what he’d been trying to accomplish. “I did this for you.”

“Of course you did. Just like you joined the Army for me.” She backed away from him. “Some things never change. I was a fool for thinking they could.” “Don’t you dare run away from me. Not again. We can talk this through.”

“No, we can’t. Because you still don’t understand what you did wrong. And…” Her breath hitched. “I’m sorry, but I’m not strong enough to weather the storm until you do.”

Right then and there he realized he was fighting a losing battle. She’d never trust him. She didn’t even want to try. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Stay, Chelsea. This weekend was great. Even you have to admit that.”

“It was great. But this—” She motioned to where her father had stood a few minutes ago. “I can’t do this again. I won’t. It’s not worth it.”

Meaning he wasn’t worth it. Soul-searing pain lanced through him, but Nathan refused to show it. He refused to give her anything. “Whoever said love conquers all hasn’t met the Callaghan family.”

She flinched. “Love is great in theory, but what’s love without trust?”

She was really going to do it. She was going to throw away what they’d fought so hard for over the last few days. “Leave me now, and this is it. I’ll sign the damn papers and we’ll be done with this. I’m not going to chase you down again.”

Just like he’d seen her do countless times, Chelsea gathered herself and faced him, her shoulders back and nothing showing on her face. “You didn’t before. Why would that change now? Good-bye, Nathan.”

Chelsea turned on her heel and strode away. He made himself stand there and watch her leave him, made himself face the tangled mess of despair rising with each step she took. Christ, he’d been trying to show her how serious he was about regaining her trust, how he’d never force her to take a stand against her family—or anyone else—without him by her side. Maybe it hadn’t gone as planned, but what was wrong with sitting down and having a goddamn conversation? How were they ever supposed to work through this shit if she kept walking away?

When she disappeared through the door—had he really expected her to change her mind and turn around?—he headed for the bar. She wanted to run? Fine. He sure as hell wasn’t going to chase her down again.

It was over between them, once and for all.

18

Chelsea held herself together until she got her things into the car. The pressure in her chest was so intense she thought she might die from it.After all this, nothing had changed. She’d actually allowed herself to hope they had a chance to make things work between them.

Then he’d gone and thrown everything away.

Why did it have to be his way or the highway? She didn’t feel like asking to take things slow should have been a deal breaker, not when rebuilding the trust between them was at stake. But to go and pull a stunt like bringing her father into it? If that was his idea of building trust, he still didn’t get it.

He probably never would.

Beyond that, she’d wanted the freedom to break the news to her family on her terms and timeline. They were already married—it wasn’t like that was going to change unless he signed the divorce papers—so why did he have to make a spectacle of their relationship? Wasn’t her word that she wanted to give them another chance enough for him?

Though she could barely see through the tears clouding her vision, she flew out of the parking lot and onto the road. There was no way she could make it all the way back to Seattle in her current condition, but she couldn’t stay where she was. It was entirely too likely that someone would come looking for her.

Who was she fooling? Her father was long gone, and Nathan wasn’t coming after her, nor would his family. He’d made it painfully clear that if she walked away, this was it for them. They were finished.

And she’d still walked away.

When she’d made it far enough, Chelsea pulled into a gas station and slammed the car into park. Desperate, she dug through her purse until she came up with her phone.

It barely rang twice before Danielle picked up. “Did you clear out those cobwebs this weekend? Was it good? Please tell me you used something from my care package with Mr. Panty Melter.”

A sob twisted free of her chest. “Danielle.”

Instantly, all joking was gone from her best friend’s voice. “Oh my God, what happened? Are you okay?” Was she okay? Chelsea felt like she’d never be okay again. How was she supposed to keep moving through life knowing that there would never be another chance with Nathan? At least before, she’d had the comfort knowing that someday, in another life, they might have worked out. Now they’d had their second shot and it had gone all to hell. She cupped the phone to her face as if it were her lifeline. “No.”

“Where are you, sweetie? I can have Daddy send a chopper and get you home within two hours.”

The absurdity of Danielle calling in her father’s military connections to save the day nearly made Chelsea laugh. “I don’t think he’d appreciate you pulling those strings to get me home faster.”

“Who cares? Even a four-star general needs a little shaking up from time to time. It’s good for him.” “Thank you, but no.” She was finally able to draw a full breath. Perhaps a few more and she’d actually stop crying. “I’ll be able to make it home okay.”

“Are you sure? Because I have no problem riding to the rescue. It’s a pretty drive, and you know how I like to break pesky little rules like speed limits.”

“I’ve already interrupted your plans for our kitchen counter this weekend enough.”

“Yeah, well, what’s some hot sex when your bestie is in trouble? You need me and I’m there. No guy is going to get in the way of that.”

Chelsea’s heart ached. Here, at least, was one person who would always be there for her. Yes, Danielle thought Chelsea’s family walked all over her, but she’d never do anything about it that would ruin their friendship. “Thank you.”

“You sure you’re okay to drive?”

No, but if she stayed there, all Chelsea would do was obsess over every single thing that had happened between her and Nathan over the last few days. Even now, even knowing better, her body burned for his touch, the memory of his hands on her skin making her shiver. Her very being cried out for him.

She cleared her throat. “I’m fine to drive. I should be home in a little bit.”

“You have three and a half hours. If you’re not home before dark, I start calling in the cavalry.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Do that. I’m going to go pick up some red wine and ice cream. We’ll watch The Notebook when you get home and cry over the fact that men like Noah are pure fiction.”

They weren’t, though. Nathan might not have written her a letter every day for a year, but he’d kept true to his vows for eight years. Noah didn’t have a single thing on that. “That sounds great.”

“Ice cream, wine, and ugly crying—the cure for any breakup. And then, if and when you’re ready, we’ll talk about it and cry some more.”

Danielle didn’t know the truth—she couldn’t unless Chelsea told her. The weight of all the secrets threatened to crush her, but if she started this conversation here on the side of the road, she’d never make it back to their apartment. Chelsea forced a smile, though it wobbled around the edges. She’d tell her friend everything when she got home.“What could I have possibly done in a past life to deserve a friend like you?”

“You probably sacrificed a few virgins and bathed in their blood. I love you. Drive safe.” Danielle hung up, leaving her once again alone with her thoughts.

It was so much easier to shove everything from her mind when she had Danielle’s personality distracting her. Chelsea wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. She could get through the next few hours without breaking down completely. When she was home, it would be a different story, but at least she would have Danielle to commiserate with.

Strange how that didn’t make her feel all that much better.

Nathan had lost count of how many drinks he’d consumed before he left the reception. It didn’t matter. Nothing he did could touch the toxic mix of anger and despair choking him.

All his planning, all his carefully constructed time spent with Chelsea, was for nothing. She’d reacted the exact same way she had eight years ago when things got rough—she’d walked away. If she’d stayed and actually talked things out instead of going with her knee-jerk reaction, they might have been able to come up with a happy compromise. Okay, probably not a happy one, but they should have been able to figure out something.

That was what people in relationships did. They talked.

Hell, talking was one of the few things Nathan and Chelsea had never had a problem doing before, but somewhere along the way he’d missed something. It must have started after his mother died, though he hadn’t realized the problem back then. If he hadn’t been drowning in the grief of her passing and been so desperate to get out of town, they might have never gotten to this point.

She might have never left in the first place.

He wished he could claim the same ignorance this time around.

Nathan finished off the drink he’d brought to his hotel room and set the glass on the dresser with exaggerated care—the same dresser he’d bent Chelsea over last night. He looked around the hotel room, wishing he hadn’t taken her on practically every available surface. The memories were too new and, combined with the far past, threatened to overwhelm him.

What the fuck was he supposed to do?

He wanted to trash the place—to rip apart every single thing that reminded him of her—but it wouldn’t do any good. Everything reminded him of her. Which meant he had to get out of here, go home, do anything but sit here and think about the woman who’d torn his heart out all over again.

As if he’d be able to do anything but think about her. Even now, on the happiest day of his brother’s life, Nathan couldn’t get the picture of those tears in her eyes out of his head. She’d looked so hurt and betrayed, all because he’d wanted to finally make things right.

He was afraid that sight would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Fuck it. He’d get a cab to Portland and come get his truck in the morning.

Not bothering to fold his clothes, he tossed everything he could get his hands on into his suitcase. He moved faster, almost frantically, as if getting this done in a shorter amount of time would do a damn thing about the chasm opening up inside him.

He stopped in front of the nightstand, his gaze trapped by the neat stack of documents sitting there. The divorce papers. Nathan sat on the bed, his legs no longer able to hold him. He reached for them. Just to take a look, because apparently he wanted to cause himself even more pain before the day was out.

There, next to each neat little sticky note arrow, was an elegant signature. Chelsea Callaghan-Schultz. It made him want to throw up.

He carefully set the papers on the bed beside him and dropped his head into his hands. “What the fuck am I going to do?”

19

Chelsea ignored the ringing of her phone and burrowed her head deeper into her pillows. Whoever was calling wasn’t giving up, though. After a few seconds of blessed silence, it started up again. She sighed and rolled over, opening her eyes to the faded light of the late afternoon.

Yesterday had been full of wine and Danielle and ugly crying while she tried to remind herself this was what she wanted. She vaguely remembered sobbing her eyes out and confessing everything to her best friend somewhere around one in the morning, but Chelsea hoped that was at least a slight exaggeration. Her phone trilled again. It was more than apparent that whoever was on the other end had no intention of giving up. She shot upright. What if it was Nathan?

Surely that was impossible? He’d been more than clear that he had every intention of washing his hands of her. What could have changed in the last twenty- four hours to have him calling her?

Needing to know more than she needed her next breath, Chelsea scrambled for the phone and answered without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?”

“What on earth are you doing that it took so long to answer?”

Fighting back a groan, she collapsed onto her bed. “Hello, Nana.” Of course it wasn’t Nathan calling. He’d said if she walked away, he was never chasing her down again, and Chelsea had never known him to bluff. He was a man of his word, and he’d all but given his word that he was finished with her.

Her heart ached at the very thought. “Is there a man there?”

“What? No. Of course not.” Though she couldn’t help but remember what it was like sleeping next to Nathan. When he put his arms around her, she’d been at peace, but that peace—and her sanity—were both gone. “How are you?”

Her grandmother tsked. “You’re going to end up bitter and alone like your old nana if you’re not careful.”

Against all reason, Chelsea smiled.“You’re neither bitter nor alone.”

“Not for lack of trying. Have you been privy to the latest scheme your father is putting me through? He wants to use my seventy-fifth gala as a booster for his political campaign. Some things should be sacred, I tell you.”

“Nana, you and I both know you have every intention of being right there in the middle of things during the campaign. Frankly, I’m surprised you didn’t think of it first.”

Her grandmother laughed. “If I had something to do with it, I’d never dream of admitting such a thing.” “I’d expect as much.” Nana liked her family to occupy their correct roles, and she had no issue shoving them into place when they weren’t moving fast enough for her tastes.

“But back to the issue at hand—how are you, darling? I haven’t heard from you in days.”

Guilt rose, threatening to choke her. Nana was the only person in her family who knew how broken up she’d been when Nathan enlisted in the Army. How could she possibly go about sharing the truth of where she’d been all weekend? Nana might understand…but what if she didn’t?

Apparently she’d been silent too long, because her grandmother made a concerned noise. “Are you ill? Did something happen?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I was at a wedding over the weekend. I must have forgotten to tell you.”

“A wedding? How delightful. Who was it who got married?”

Why hadn’t she lied? Chelsea shook her head. She’d never been able to lie to her grandmother. Nana could smell an untruth a mile off. “I’m sure you don’t know them.”

“Try me.” Some of the steel she was so known for leaked into her tone. There would be no avoiding this conversation now.

Chelsea briefly considered pretending the call dropped, but her grandmother would just call back and then she’d have to explain that.“I’m sure you don’t remember a Gabe Schultz who I knew in high school, but he just got married.” Picturing him dancing with Elle in her gorgeous white dress had a foreign emotion roiling through Chelsea. She shoved her hair out of her eyes and frowned. Surely that wasn’t jealousy? Why should she be jealous? She didn’t need a big white wedding in order to know the truth.

The truth.

The truth was that she loved Nathan and always had. It took everything she had to keep from crying yet again. In reality, nothing had changed in her day-to- day life. She would go back to taking photographs and working in her gallery, just as she had for the last four years, and then she’d come home alone. Just as she always had. The thought shouldn’t fill her with such emptiness. Hadn’t she been perfectly content before? She was living her dream, after all.

Chelsea put a hand over her mouth, hoping Nana couldn’t hear her mewl of despair. She may have been content before, but this weekend had changed everything. In just a few days, Nathan had brought back all the memories she’d fought so hard to escape and given her a whole spectrum of new ones.

He’d gone and ruined her.

Oblivious to Chelsea’s spiraling, Nana said, “Schultz… He’s the boy who opened the nightclub a few years ago, isn’t he? His brother owns that wonderful gallery downtown.”

She nearly dropped her phone. “You’ve been checking up on them?”

“Of course I kept track of them over the years. You were deeply in love with the younger brother— enough to contradict your parents’ plan for you. He’d done well for himself. He created a sculpture depicting Medusa last year that was simply intoxicating.”

Her grandmother had always had a soft spot for the arts. It was why she stood up for Chelsea eight years ago and offered her a chance to pursue her photography. But supporting the arts and spending time in Nathan’s gallery were two different things. “You’ve seen Nathan?”

“If you’d been home in the last few years, you would know that I have several of his pieces in the house, though I can’t say I’ve talked to the boy personally.”

“Nana…” What could she say? The artist her grandmother so admired was Chelsea’s husband—and had been for eight years? Or that she wasn’t sure she wanted a divorce now, despite the high-handed way he’d gone about things? Chelsea cleared her throat.

“I’ll have to visit it someday.”

“Yes, granddaughter, you most definitely should.” As simple as that, the subject was closed and her grandmother moved on. “With the party next week, I expect you’ll be coming into town by Wednesday.”

It only gave Chelsea another day or two to come to terms with what had happened before she was forced to drive through their old stomping grounds. If she was very careful, she might be able to avoid any places that could accidentally remind her of everything she’d lost.

Sweat poured off Nathan as he maneuvered the welding torch around the feathers. This part was the most difficult, because if he put on too much heat, it would destroy the individual textures and leave a giant melted mess in its place.With his current mood, he was half tempted to say fuck it and just do that.

But that would mean admitting his entire world had shattered. Again.

He should have seen it coming. That was the one thing he kept circling back to. But how could he? She’d gone from considering giving them a chance to never wanting to see him again in the space of a few sentences. How was he supposed to fight for her when she wouldn’t meet him halfway?

Short answer—he wasn’t. She didn’t want him to. Securing the last row of feathers in place, he shut down the torch and shoved off his mask. The statue wasn’t quite finished, but it was already the best work he’d done to date. Cupid lay on his back, head turned away from where Psyche crouched, but even in sleep his wings rose up around her. Protecting her.

Just like he’d wanted to do for Chelsea.

He opened the windows of his shop wider and started putting away his tools. Guess he’d been channeling some unresolved issues when he started on this piece. Things might have worked out fine in the end for Psyche and Cupid, but he didn’t see the same for Chelsea and him.

A sound made him look toward the door. Gabe leaned against the frame, a beer in each hand. “You look like you could use one of these.”

“Thanks.” Nathan walked over and accepted it. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought I’d drop by and make sure you weren’t wasting away.” He sent a pointed look at the empty fifth of whiskey on the counter and the mostly complete statue. “Obviously you’ve put your energy into something useful.”

Nathan decided not to mention the fifth that had been full the day he got back from the wedding.“Work waits for no man.” Though he had half a mind to melt the statue down completely because it was a constant reminder of Chelsea. Nathan still wasn’t sure if he was completing it because of good work ethic or through sheer spite, but it didn’t matter in the long run. This piece spoke to him, and he wouldn’t be able to rest until it was out of his system.

“You figure out what you’re going to do about Chelsea?” Gabe shook his head. “I still can’t believe she’s your wife.”

Wife. No matter how many times he heard that word in reference to Chelsea, he’d never had a chance to get used to it. Now he never would. Nathan took a long pull off his bottle. “I signed the divorce papers.”

“You what?”

“She wanted a divorce. That was the reason she stayed the full weekend. So I’m going to keep my word and give her one.”

“Christ.” His brother rubbed his hand over his face. “You know, I had wondered if she was the reason you never settled down with anyone over the years.”

He’d never wanted anyone else. “Now you have your answer.”

“I knew you two were spending a lot of time together, though I never guessed you were dating, let alone married.”

“Is there a point to this? Or are you trying to torture me by talking about the past?”

Gabe gave him a dark look he probably deserved. “Shut up and listen. My point is that you two used to look at each other and seem to forget anyone else was in the room. I thought it was puppy love, but you did the same damn thing last weekend.”

“Did you miss the part where she only showed up to get a divorce?”

“No. I also didn’t miss the part where she stayed. No one can fake the way she looked at you, Nathan. Do you still love her?”

As if that were ever a question. “I’ve always loved her.”

Gabe took a step back and held the door open. “Then get off your ass and go get her.”

“I don’t think she wants me anymore.” He could admit now that he’d royally fucked up. It had never occurred to him that she wouldn’t be thrilled to have him stand up to her dad for her—or the similarities she’d draw to the last time he’d made a big decision without consulting her. She hadn’t been sure he could regain her trust after the first time. Doing it twice? The first cut might be the deepest, but the second betrayal hurt more. He’d be lucky if she didn’t call the cops on him if he showed up on her doorstep.

“Life is too short. If you love Chelsea, then fight for her. Because this weekend was the happiest I’ve ever seen you since Mom died. You can’t let that go without a fight.”

“I have been fighting for her.” There was only so much he could do, short of kidnapping. He’d already blackmailed her, for fuck’s sake.

He was so damn tired. Nathan flat out didn’t know if he had any fight left in him. Or if he should even work up the energy to try.

“Bullshit. You’ve been moping around for the last eight years, only half living.That’s not fighting, Nathan. That’s existing. This weekend was a step in the right direction, but three days doesn’t magically cancel out the past between you two. Don’t just sit on your ass and let her walk out of your life for good. Pride isn’t going to keep you warm at night.”

Nathan finished his beer and set the empty bottle on the counter. He’d already played dirty and it had blown up in his face. Did he really have it in him to go through something like that again? He closed his eyes. Who was he kidding? He might have signed the damn papers, but he didn’t want a divorce any more now than he had eight years ago.

All he wanted was Chelsea.

He glanced back at the door leading into the shop, to the statue. He knew just the person who’d be interested in buying it. Chelsea wouldn’t be happy about it, but Gabe was right. He couldn’t sit back and let this moment pass, not until he was sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that he and Chelsea were done.

She might have walked away from him, but they were far from over.

20

“Explain to me again why I’m here?”

Chelsea handed over a dress while her best friend changed. “Because I don’t want to be alone right now.” It didn’t matter how busy she was—she couldn’t escape the memories circling her mind. It might have been easier if they were all sexually based, but her mind would never be so forgiving. The scene that kept appearing, over and over again, was his hand in hers as they lay on the grass and stared at the stars. In that moment, she’d been close to Nathan in a way she’d never felt before, even when they were teenagers.

When had it all gotten so complicated and ugly? “When you ran like a bat out of hell after marrying him.” Danielle shook her head.

Chelsea sighed. She needed to be more careful about speaking her thoughts aloud, especially now that she was back in her family home for the weekend. “I still can’t believe you’ve been married this entire time and you didn’t say a damn thing. What’s up with that?”

“No one knew.”

“Sure, I get that. I mean, your family is even crazier than mine—and bigger. But, dude, he was your husband. That’s pretty cold to just up and walk away without saying a damn thing.”

“You don’t understand.”

Danielle pulled her dress over her head. It was navy and a bit too severe for her tan skin and dark hair, but she somehow managed to make the best of it. “Actually, I do. He was a dick when he enlisted without telling you. I’m betting that felt a whole lot like he was choosing the Army over you. It’s a sentiment I’m familiar with.”

She would be, considering her problematic relationship with her father. “I know.”

“That being said, I want you to listen for a second. I may love you enough to call in Daddy’s resources if you’re ever in trouble, but you have this nasty habit of playing the martyr. The only person who can look out for your best interest is you. Not Nathan and not your family. I know it’s a lot to wrap your head around, but think of it this way—do you love this guy? Do you want to do that whole two-point-five kids and whatever else it is married people do—get a dog or something?”

Longing hit her so hard she almost doubled over.

There was no guarantee he wouldn’t mess up again, but to have Nathan’s child… Chelsea pressed her hand against her stomach, an irrational part of her wishing she were already pregnant, so she could have a piece of him with her always. Even as the thought crossed her mind, she marveled at it. Would she really be willing to let things end with Nathan even as she considered how desperately she wanted children with him?

And she’d left him, walked away when all he’d been trying to do was prove himself. What kind of person was she that she’d basically spit in his face when he’d gone through such extreme lengths to make up for hurting her? He hadn’t done a single thing wrong at Gabe’s wedding—not really. He couldn’t have anticipated her reaction. She doubted anyone would have reacted as negatively as she had.

Oh my God.

The truth hit her hard. She’d reacted so poorly because she was still holding him accountable for the sins of an eighteen-year-old boy who, while struggling to cope with the death of his mother, made a mistake while trying to do right by the girl he loved.

Chelsea pressed a hand to her chest, feeling sick. She’d made as many unforgivable mistakes as he had, and he’d still fought for another chance with her. Because he loved her as desperately as she loved him. The difference between them was that he was willing to fight for their relationship, while she’d fled because of something that happened eight years ago.

No more. No more running away. Trust might not be repaired quickly, but she had to be willing to go all in to try in the first place. “I love him.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Life’s too short, Chels. So I guess you need to sit down and figure out how badly you want this guy.” Danielle winked. “Not to mention, he’s a sexy beast, and if he was down for using the stuff I packed in that care package, I say you’d better put a ring on it—again—before he gets away.”

Her hopes, high only a moment ago, drooped.“You didn’t see his face.” Even now, she could still picture the devastation in his eyes before he’d shut down all emotion. “I think he’s really finished with me this time. After everything I’ve done to him, I deserve it.”

“There you go, being the martyr again.” Danielle shook her head. “C’mon, Chels. The guy blackmailed you into a weekend of filthy, mind-blowing sex and told you he’s always loved you. You think he’s done, just like that?” Danielle made a shooing motion. “Get your ass in gear and hunt your man down.”

The words resonated with Chelsea, all the way down to her soul. Nathan was her man. She missed him so much. It hadn’t even been a week since she’d seen him last, and she felt as if she were without a limb. Chelsea had actually caught herself reaching across her empty bed, as if he would have magically appeared next to her in the intervening times.

Go get him? “I think I’m going to do just that.” “You are woman, hear you roar.” Danielle grinned.

“Wear the bronze number you’re going with tonight. He won’t know what hit him.”

Chelsea allowed herself to hope her best friend was right. She wanted Nathan’s arms around her and the future with him that had taunted her ever since she left the hotel. It would be a future in which she were truly happy instead of just merely content. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

She changed quickly, taking the time to reapply her makeup before heading to her car. Danielle would be just fine without her for a little while, and she fully intended on being back before Nana’s party tonight.

There was just one stop she had to make first.

As she’d suspected, she found her dad in his office, pouring over a stack of papers. She knocked on the doorframe. “Dad?”

He didn’t glance up. “I notice you didn’t add your husband to the guest list tonight. Is there a reason for that?”

It was now or never. If she didn’t stand up to her father in this, she might as well lie back and let him steamroll over her for the rest of her life. “There’s not going to be a wedding.”

He finally looked at her. “Excuse me?”

“You can’t just step in and decide to rearrange my life to suit your campaign. If Nathan and I decide to stay married, it will be on our terms.”

A frown flickered over his face, as if he couldn’t quite put her words into context.“That’s unacceptable.

Divorcing him now could harm my chances at Senate.” “You aren’t listening.” She caught herself raising her voice and made an effort to keep control. “I love you—both you and Mom—but if you can’t just stand back and let me live my life and be happy, then you don’t have a place in it.”

“You’re serious.” He sounded almost as if he were musing to himself. Dad ran his hand over his face. “I… Perhaps we could arrange a dinner with your mother to talk about this?”

It was better than him shooting her down out of turn. “I’d like that.” It might not turn out the way she wanted, but the least she could do was try.

“I’ll e-mail you the dates and we’ll get something set up.”

Some things never changed—never would. “Okay.” Chelsea turned and walked away on shaking knees, not quite able to believe she’d just done that.

It was a step in the right direction. Now it was time to take the next step.

Since she wasn’t certain where Nathan lived, Chelsea decided her best chance of finding him was to go to his gallery. It was the one place she’d gone out of her way to avoid so much as talking about, let alone walking past, since she moved out of Spokane.

Her hands shook a little as she pulled into a parking spot on the street. Chelsea shut off the engine and stared blindly out the windshield. This shouldn’t feel so difficult. All she had to do was get out of her car and walk the twenty feet it would take to go through the door of Nathan’s gallery. What was the worst that could happen?

He could refuse to see her or he could throw her out.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to picture exactly how that would go. His face would transform with rage at seeing her. Or maybe he wouldn’t show her the tiniest bit of emotion. That would be far worse.

Chelsea smacked the steering wheel. There was no use in riling herself up. Either he would welcome her or he wouldn’t, but there was no telling which way it would go unless she got out of her car and went in. She wanted Nathan with a need bordering on desperation, and she would be damned before she let her marriage go without a fight.

She headed into the gallery, moving quickly before she could rethink her complete lack of plan. Three steps through the door, Chelsea nearly tripped over her own feet. Skidding to a stop, she pressed a hand to her mouth.

Perfect. The layout was perfect. She walked to the nearest wall and touched it. Even having never been here before, she knew this place intimately. She and Nathan had spent countless hours talking about the gallery they would one day own together, hammering out the specifics of the open floor plan for his statues with lots of wall space for her photographs and paintings.

He’d gone and created their dream.

Her chest tightened. What a fool she’d been to walk away and miss all these years with him. If she hadn’t run, she would be here with him, bringing their dream into reality. Maybe they’d have a darling little house on the edge of town. Maybe they’d have even started a family. Longing hit her once again, tears burning the backs of her eyes. She refused to lose any more years with him if there was any chance of making it right. With her chin raised, Chelsea marched back toward where the office would be.

A woman met her in the doorway, a smile on her face. “Is there something I can help you with? We’ve just put up a few new pieces from a local artist the owner chose to sponsor.”

Of course he did. Nathan might be making extremely good money from the sculptures he created, but he would never be content with that. No, he would want to spread the opportunity around to as many people as he could find who had the talent but not the means to push their reputation to the next level. It made her love him all the more. “Is the owner here, by chance?”

The brunette’s smile never wavered, but some reserve crept into her eyes. “I’m sorry. He’s out for the day. Would you like to leave a message?”

“No, thank you.”The conversation she and Nathan needed to have couldn’t be done in a note. Who knew if he’d even receive it if she left one? She considered asking this woman for contact information, but Chelsea didn’t think she’d provide anything helpful. It wasn’t as if she could directly ask for his home address, after all.

“He’s often here during business hours, so I’d call tomorrow after nine.”

“Thank you. I may try that.” It might only be a twenty-four-hour delay, but defeat still threatened to bow Chelsea’s shoulders. She’d been so ready to see Nathan, to finally hash this thing out between them. She tried to keep her spine straight and her shoulders back as she walked out the front door, but it was an effort. It’s only a day. I’ve waited this long—one more day will not break me.

If only she believed her inner voice.

21

The party was a brilliant success, even by Nana’s exacting standards. It was a shame Chelsea couldn’t appreciate it. She sipped her wine and concentrated on keeping a smile on her face. “It’s really all right.”

“Chels, I may be pretty, but I’m sure as hell not stupid.” Danielle took a shot she’d scrounged up from God knew where and passed a second over. “Take this and turn that frown upside down.”

“I’m not frowning.” If she were, Nana would appear and smack some sense into her.

“No, but that smile is fake as all get-out.” Danielle pushed the shot a little closer. “It’s going to be okay. Your dude’s assistant said he’d be in tomorrow, so you’ll just head in there tomorrow morning and say exactly what you planned on saying today.”

“What if it’s a mistake? What if his not being there was fate telling me to move on with my life?”

“Do you really believe that?”

Perhaps the universe simply didn’t want her and Nathan to be together.Too many things had happened, too many coincidences, to completely write off. Maybe she should just take the hint, pick up the broken pieces of her life, and do her best to move on. Anything was better than beating her emotions bloody for something that might not be meant to be.

But she had to try.

Chelsea took the shot and nearly choked as liquid fire scorched her throat. “No, I don’t believe that.”

“Then stop second-guessing yourself.” Danielle raised her glass. “To distract you, I have some juicy gossip to share.”

The last thing she wanted right now was to be caught up in whatever her best friend had going on, but Chelsea leaned forward anyway. She needed a distraction or she was never going to get through this night. “Gossip?”

“Well, can it be termed gossip if it hasn’t happened yet?” Danielle laughed. “I have big plans for the mail guy who works on the top floor of my building.” The little law office she worked in shared a building with Harper Industries, one of the more prominent businesses in the Seattle area.

Chelsea blinked. “The mail guy.”

“If you’d seen this sex-on-a-stick man, you wouldn’t be judging me right now. He’s got arms like he’s related to Thor or something.” She held her hands out. “This big.”

“This being the same mail guy you had coffee with this week?”

Danielle looked away. “Maybe.”

“And you are choosing to seduce him instead of date him because…?”

“I’d be doing the man a disservice if I didn’t seduce him at the first available opportunity. As for the dating, we’ll see. He’s nothing like my father, so it might actually be worth pursuing.”

Which was the highest compliment her friend could give. Because of her father, Danielle tended to have issues with powerful men. A mail guy was right up her alley. “Let me know how that works out.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” Danielle perked up. “Here comes your grandmother, looking devious as always.” Chelsea started to disagree, but Nana had a strange look on her face, as if she knew a secret no one else did. Her grandmother stopped in front of them. “I’m about to unveil my birthday present to myself. I think you’ll want to see this.”

It might have been phrased as a suggestion, but Chelsea knew a command when she heard one. “Of course, Nana.” She grabbed Danielle’s arm and towed her along with them.

Her best friend, of course, couldn’t keep silent. “You got yourself a present? Isn’t that kind of frowned upon?”

“Frowned upon?” Nana made a sound that might be termed a snort by someone unwise. “Child, when you get to be my age, you have to take your pleasures where you can find them.”

Danielle laughed. “Those are words to live by if I ever heard them.”

Chelsea started to cut in and turn the conversation to safer subjects, but then the double doors to the ballroom opened and her words died in her throat. The statue that rolled through the opening was nearly too big to fit through the double doors, but that wasn’t what caught and held her attention.

No, that was reserved entirely for Nathan.

Surely this couldn’t be happening? What was he doing here? “Nana?”

“He called me yesterday with an offer I couldn’t refuse. Cupid and Psyche. It’s apt, don’t you think?”

It was by far the best of his work she’d seen. The wings alone were so intricate and detailed, she had no doubt she could run her hands over them and feel every individual feather. Considering it was created from scrap metal, Psyche and Cupid should have looked mechanical—unemotional—but there was something so human about them, she took an involuntary step forward. She wanted to stop Psyche, to take away her candle perched at a precarious angle, and let them continue their blissful lives without experiencing the pain of betrayal.

Her grandmother patted her shoulder.“Sometimes true love needs a little shove to get moving in the right direction.”

Her gaze fell on Nathan. He stood there, as tall and proud as he should be, and he stared straight at her.

This was the chance she’d been so desperate for. If she looked down and moved away, he’d let her go, but who knew if he’d be there when she tried to find him again? By shunning him now, she would further damage the fragile thing between them beyond repair.

She refused to let it happen. “Danielle, please hold my drink.”

Her best friend took the wineglass, an enormous grin on her face. “Go get him, Chels.”

She managed to keep a measured pace for the first few steps, carefully avoiding the small groups of people who had gathered to appreciate the statue. But with every foot she got closer to Nathan, the urgency to have his arms around her grew, until she picked up her dress and ran. She wanted to throw herself into his arms but forced herself to stop a few feet in front of him. “You’re here.”

“I’m here. I have something I need to say to you.” He glanced around, taking in their audience. “Do you want to take this somewhere more private?”

“Here is fine.What did you want to say?” She didn’t care who was nearby or what they thought of this. This was too important a conversation to wait even the thirty seconds it would take to get into the hallway.

There was so much she needed to say as well. It had taken both of them to get to this point, and she wasn’t blameless by any means.

“I get it. I understand how I screwed up.” He brought his hand from behind his back, a familiar set of papers in them. “I signed it. I didn’t want to, but this is your choice. I want you, always and forever, and if that means I have to divorce you to start all over again, I’ll do whatever it takes. Just tell me what you want— even if that means you want me out of your life.”

He’d divorce her…for a chance to be with her. The logic was twisted at best, but it made her heart beat faster. He was giving her a choice. A real choice. Unable to contain herself anymore, she threw herself into his arms. “You. I want you. I love you so much, Nathan. I’m so sorry I walked away. I want us. I choose us.”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Nathan went tense at the familiar voice, but she’d already made her decision, and there wasn’t a single thing in this world that could change her mind. Chelsea turned to look at her parents, her father composed and her mother, clutching her pearls and looking as if she might pass out. “Mom, Dad, this is Nathan Schultz. My husband.”

Nana swept over, a small smile on her face. “Frankly, my dear, it’s about time you pulled your head out of your derriere about this man. He’s quite brilliant.”

Chelsea’s breath whooshed out. “Excuse me?”

“Darling, don’t look at me like that.” Nana smiled.

“I’ve always known the truth. How do you think your father never managed to find out?” She looked every inch a queen with her perfectly styled gray hair and stately slate-gray dress. “Now let’s get a closer look at this masterpiece. I do believe you’ve outdone yourself this time, Nathan.”

He smiled, though he didn’t release his grip on Chelsea’s waist. “Only the best for you, Mrs. Callaghan.”

“Good boy.” She patted his cheek. “Now get on with you, children. I believe you have important things to discuss.”

Mom cast a glance around at all the people watching with avid interest. “Rose—”

“Oh hush, Margaret—and get that look off your face. You’re a person, not a codfish. Can’t you see that these two are desperately in love? Happiness isn’t so common in this world that you can afford to pass up a chance at it. Don’t you agree?”

Her father glanced at Chelsea, and she found herself holding her breath. She hadn’t been lying before—it truly didn’t matter whether her father gave her permission or not. She had every intention of building a life with Nathan.

She’d already missed out on too much time with him.

But then Dad nodded.“We’ll talk about this during our dinner. Bring Nathan along.” And we’ll figure out how to spin it for the press was left unspoken.

“Yes, of course.” Chelsea moved toward the doors, keeping Nathan’s hand in hers.

They barely made it into the hallway before he swept her into his arms and kissed her with a desperation she felt all too keenly. Chelsea gripped his shirt, holding him as closely as she could manage. “I’m so sorry.”

Nathan kissed her again.“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

“I shouldn’t have walked away.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Nathan took a deep breath and stepped back. She started to protest, but then he went down on one knee. Her breath stalled in her lungs as he pulled out an achingly familiar little black box. He smiled at her.“Since you choose us, Chelsea Callaghan, will you do me the honor of being my wife—again?”

“Yes. Oh, Nathan, yes.”

He opened the box and she gasped. The ring was exquisite, three white gold bands woven together to frame three gigantic diamonds. Nathan slipped it on her finger, and it fit as if she’d been wearing it for years. “The diamonds are for our past, present, and future.”

He stood and hauled her into his arms. She half expected him to pin her to the wall right then and there, but he framed her face with his hands and kissed her until her knees buckled. She was still clinging to him when he leaned back.

He gave her a sexy grin. “Our future starts now.”

Nathan’s grip on Chelsea’s hand was nearly painful, but she couldn’t fault him for it. They were in unexplored territory right now in a very real way. She smiled. “Are you nervous?”

“I’ve been in a state of anxiety since you showed me the pregnancy test.” He squeezed her hand again, this time much gentler. “But I’m so happy I can’t see straight.”

“Me, too.” She’d hardly believed it when she’d missed a period, but it shouldn’t have been so surprising. They hadn’t used protection once since Gabe and Elle’s wedding.

“You know, you’re really going to have to give me a big white wedding now.”

She laughed. “Yes, I know.” She was actually looking forward to it, to claiming Nathan in a very public way as hers forever.

Epilogue

A knock sounded and they both looked up as the doctor came into the room. He gave them a giant smile. “It’s great to see you again. Are you ready to hear your baby’s heartbeat?”

Nathan’s smile practically lit up the room. “We definitely are.”

“Wonderful.” He squirted what looked like clear jelly onto a spot near her hipbone and used an electronic device to smear it around. At twelve weeks, her stomach had just started to round and no one was more delighted with the physical changes than Nathan. Chelsea could have done without the morning sickness, but he was there every step of the way, feeding her crackers and Popsicles—the only things she could successfully keep down. Just yesterday he’d helped her with her frantic search of his house to discover the source of the smell that turned her stomach. Nana’s stew, of all things.

A whomping sound filled the room, evolving into a steady swish-swish-swish. The doctor looked up. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”

“Oh my God.” She looked at Nathan, still not quite able to believe this was real—that she was finally building a life with the man she loved more than anything. And she was going to have his baby.

He kissed her knuckles, his dark eyes shining. “That’s our baby.”

“If it’s a girl, I want to name her Sarah.” His mother’s name.

“I’d like that. A lot.” A wicked look appeared on his face. “If it’s a boy, we should name him something stately—like your father’s name.”

“Gerald? Absolutely not.”

He laughed. “Fair enough. We have plenty of time to figure out names.”

The doctor wiped off her stomach and smiled again. “Everything looks really good. I’ll give you two a moment, and then we can talk about what you should expect from the next appointment.”

“Thanks.” Nathan waited until the door closed behind him to turn back to her. “I’m serious about the wedding, though. I want to share that with you before we bring our baby into the world. If you want to.”

She was already nodding before he finished speaking. “Yes. I want that, too.” Chelsea made a face. “Though can we keep it small—just family and friends? I’d like to avoid Dad’s publicists getting ahold of it. I want this to be for us—not for anyone else.”

“I’m good with that.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She pressed his hand to her stomach. “We’re going to be a family. Our own family.”

“Baby, we already are.”

About the Author

Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.

Website: www.kateerobert.com

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Table of Contents

- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Also by Katee Robert
- Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Epilogue
- About the Author