Salvation (63 page)

One woman stopped briefly to chat as she passed to collect a towel from the cabana, asking if I was Will’s guest. Her shock upon hearing I was with Nate tickled and pleased me. It backed up Nate’s admission there had been no one serious in a while who had earned an invitation here.

With my appointment in ten minutes, I stood. Sadie and Mel were strolling towards me. “Kara.” Sadie’s arms spread open as she approached. “Nate told us we’d find you out here.”

“Lovely to see you both again.” I returned her warm embrace.

“Mom,” Mel said as she finished draping towels over two beds, “you take the lounger next to Kara. I can’t lay beside her with a body like this.” She wore large, dark sunglasses, but I could tell she was giving me the once over.
Here we go again.

“That sarong is pretty.” My compliment was a cautious one. We hadn’t spoken since the lunch date, and I wasn’t sure where we stood.

Then with a genuine smile, she kissed both my cheeks. “Thanks. I won’t be taking it off for sure.”

“Are you kidding me?” I scoffed as the three of us moved back to the loungers. “If I look anything like you post-babies, I’ll be delighted. You have a fantastic figure.”

“You should see her dress for this evening,” Sadie gushed, clasping Mel’s hand. “She looks wonderful.”

Dressed in a pale blue cover-up and large floppy sunhat to shield her ageless skin from the sun, Sadie looked terrific herself.

“Shit!” Mel exclaimed as she flopped onto a bed. “I forgot my hat and I’ve just gotten comfy.”

“Here.” I tossed her the straw hat off my head. “Use this. I’m about to visit the spa.”

“Excuse me, I must say hello to Angela and David.” Sadie gave a hesitant wave to one of the couples.

“You didn’t invite their daughter did you?” Mel sat and peered over her sunglasses.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Melanie.” Flustered and awkward, Sadie gave me a tight smile and hurried away. The air around us had thickened with tension.

When Sadie was at a safe distance, Mel muttered, “If I see that bitch a day before I die it’ll be too soon.” She picked up the drinks menu and studied it. “It’s a shame you’re heading off. Hoped we could bond over a cocktail or three.”

“I would’ve liked that.” And I meant it. Her opinion of me had clearly shifted and it genuinely made me happy. “Let’s do it tonight.”

“Sounds perfect. In the meantime,” she said, tipping her face up to the sun, “I’m gonna kick back and make the most of my kid-free time.”

With a wave, I left her soaking up the sun and headed to the spa for a spot of pampering.

ALMOST five hours later I floated into the suite. My plan for a basic massage was thwarted when I arrived at the spa and discovered Nate had booked me an array of treatments. For starters, I was scrubbed head-to-toe with sea-salt, then massaged into a state of bliss with a cashmere lotion mixed with real twenty-four carat gold leaf, leaving my skin with a satiny sheen and silky softness. I was served lunch and champagne, then had deluxe manicures and pedicures, before being whisked away to another room where my hair was washed and styled in cascading waves, channelling Old-Hollywood glamour.

I entered the bedroom just as Nate’s shirt cleared his head and landed on the chaise. “I’ve just spent the entire afternoon in heaven,” I announced, approaching him. He turned, hands sliding into his trouser pockets. Placing my palms on his bare chest I swept my lips over his. “Looks like I might still be there.”

“You certainly look like heaven,” he murmured.

“My skin feels like it, too.”

“Can I check?” He tugged the sash of my robe until it fell open. Laughing, I batted his roaming hands away. “Your laugh sounds like heaven.” He cupped my throat and ran his nose under my jawline. “And you smell like it. That only leaves one more sense to check out.”

I offered my mouth for him to taste. Instead, Nate angled my face away and sucked on my neck, moving until he found the sensitive spot below my ear that made me shiver. “I already know how good you taste…how good this tastes,” he muttered, fingers pushing between my legs.

I squeezed my thighs together. If he succeeded in getting into my panties, I wouldn’t be able to say no.

“Shower with me,” he asked, dragging his teeth along my jaw.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for a kiss. This perfection,” I pointed to myself as I stepped back and retied my robe, “has taken hours of effort and a
lot
of your money. There’s no chance you’re mussing me up.”

He stood there, his semi-erect cock straining against his fly and watched me with narrowed, amused eyes as I flopped onto the bed. That look was in his eyes, where I just knew he wanted to devour me. If it hadn’t been for the doorbell ringing, the entire afternoon would have been a waste of time. “Expecting company?”

“Room service.” Nate went to answer the door. A few minutes later, he returned carrying an ice bucket and two flutes.

“Nothing can surpass the French for true Champagne.” Draping a white napkin over his forearm with flair, he showed me the bottle—Moët and Chandon Dom Pérignon 2003 Rosé Champagne. “Can I pour you a glass, Mademoiselle?”

Laughing, I pushed off the bed. “Have a shower—
a cold one
—then we’ll drink it together.” I set about removing his clothing and ushered him into the bathroom.

Being able to watch Nate dress behind me as I added the finishing touches to my makeup in the dressing room mirror was a treat. When he eased his legs into black tuxedo trousers without underwear, I smirked. “You’re going commando tonight?”

“Hell, yeah.” His grin was cocky as he pulled on his white shirt. “Adds a bit of spice to these black tie events. I’ve always done it.”

My core contracted at the idea of spending all night with him, knowing that beneath the suave exterior of his Tom Ford tuxedo was a deliciously naughty man. I went into the closet to retrieve my gift. “I bought you a present.”

He looked up as he finished fastening his watch strap. “You did?”

Nodding, I offered him the black box. “Hope you like them.”

Nate took it and sauntered to the bed, sitting down before he opened the lid. My heart raced as I waited with bated breath. He fingered the contents, then after inspecting more closely, lifted his head. His expression was my most favourite of all. The look of love.

Completely disarming me with his smile, eyes spoke to me the way only his ever could. He didn’t have to say it. I knew.

“Help me put them on?” he asked, walking towards me.

“Sure.” With a relieved smile, I took out a platinum cufflink, engraved with our entwined initials, and fixed them one at a time to his French cuffs.

“I’m such a lucky bastard,” Nate said, clasping my face and kissing my forehead.

“You are.” I took a minute to appreciate him, then asked, “Can you help me into my dress?”

“That just sounds so wrong.”

I fetched the gown and handed it over. His breath hitched as I stripped off, eyes devouring me as he crouched by my feet. Using his shoulders for balance, I stepped into it and turned so he could fasten me up. His lips pressed softly up my spine as he fastened the bodice, trapping his kisses against my skin.

We both stared in silence at our reflection in the full-length mirror. When I caught his gaze, there was a dark, salacious glint in his eyes. I swallowed and asked, “What do you think?”

Nate shook his head, hands resting on my hips. “I have no words.”

“Is that good?”

“You’ve stolen my breath away,” he murmured, clasping my hands and entwining our fingers. “Absolutely enchanting.”

I felt exactly the same. Nate hadn’t got his jacket on, and his hair was a disorderly wet mess from his shower, yet he still looked utterly gorgeous. “Tell me what you see,” he urged.

“In you?”

He laughed softly. “No, in you. Do you see what I do when you look at yourself?”

I studied the person staring back at me quietly. I did look pretty, but that had more to do with the exquisite couture dress I wore and the hours of attention I’d received at the spa.

“Well?” Nate asked.

“I see a shy woman, still a little self-conscious, all too mindful of her misgivings, but hiding it well with a pretty dress.”

His mouth thinned, his head shaking, saddened and disappointed as he turned me to face him. “Know what I see?”

I shrugged.

With the tips of his fingers brushing my cheekbones, he implored me to believe his next words. “A truly remarkable woman, whose inner strength and beauty has no bounds. A woman finally free from the constraints of her past, who knows who she is and is ready to embrace that person. Someone who lights up my world brighter than the stars in the night sky, offering me the chance of a future I never thought I could have.”

The words he spoke radiated bright like a light from those captivating eyes. I let out a soft sigh of sheer happiness. Raising my knuckles to his lips, he kissed them before planting a sweet kiss on the underside of my right wrist. “And someone who’s wrist is a little too bare.”

“Pardon?” I followed him with tear-filled eyes as he removed something from the in-room safe.

“You’re not the only one who came bearing gifts.” A long red jewellery box was between slender fingers when he returned.

“Nate, you’ve given me more than enough already.”

He popped the lid and waited. When I saw the contents, my hands flew to my mouth, stifling my gasp. “This is far too much.”

“Nothing will ever be
enough
for you, Kara.” Nate carefully slipped the delicate bracelet out and draped it around my shaking arm. Pink and white pavé diamonds glittered on my wrist.

I sucked in a breath to steady my speeding heart, and tried to halt the sob bubbling inside. It was no use. Staring at the bracelet—at Nate—in outright shock, a tear I desperately didn’t want to fall tracked over my cheek.

“See this, right here,” Nate said softly, brushing the lone drop away, “is
exactly
why I adore you. When you let down that guard and let all your raw emotion out without apology. Things matter to you. I just want to wrap you up, nurture you, cherish you forever.”

“I don’t want to cry.” Disappointed, I swiped at my tears. “My makeup is ruined.”

“At least I’m ruining it for the right reason. Mai will be pleased.” He removed his white pocket square and started dabbing at my eyes.

“What’s she got to do with it?” I sniffed.

“I was issued a stern warning. Smudge your lipstick, not your mascara.”

I snickered. “One of her insightful gems.”

“If I did,” he went on, “said she’d bust my kneecaps, total my car, and force Riley to poison my coffee. She’s fierce. I was pretty intimidated.”

I sniggered. Inside that tiny frame of hers lived a massive heart. For the first time, I actually considered Mai as a best friend—a sister I never had. “And you took a threat, from that tiny thing?”

Nate shrugged with a smile. “I indulged her, allowed her to think she’d bothered me. There’s a difference.”

“Thank you. I love it.” And to show how much, I hauled him close and pressed my lips to his. The kiss quickly deepened. I relished the devotion in his touch, the profound love that made my stomach flutter. I was completely lost to him. A life without him didn’t bear thinking about.

He was the last man I would ever fall for again.

I drank in the finished product, rooted to the spot. The bespoke tuxedo formed Nate’s lean frame immaculately, accentuating his trim physique. Nothing, however, could detract from the savage beauty of the man wearing it. With the cut lines of his closely shaved jawline, lightly tanned skin glowed with an inner peace, and his eyes shone the brightest blue. Flawlessly well-groomed, his hair had been smoothed back, much like the night of the Acacia party. I literally thought I might have to pick my jaw up off the floor.

“You look so…” I tried regaining some sense. Finally, I managed a feeble, “Handsome.”

Nate’s lips curved as he straightened his sleeves, pulling so the cufflinks were exposed.

“But something’s missing.” I hitched up my dress and removed my lacy panties. His mind quickly caught up. This was going to drive him wild, possibly over the edge.

“There.” I arranged them neatly in his pocket so their identity was concealed and gave it a pat. “Perfectly co-ordinated.”

“Jesus, Kara!” His growl rumbled through my alert body, the hand grabbing my bottom sending spurs of heat over my already flush skin. “Knowing this fantastic ass is bare and I’m wearing the offending garment like an accessory is too much. Fuck,” he rasped, lowering his head, “I can smell you on me.”

I ran a hand over his chest, down to his groin, cupping and fondling his cock. “And to think there’s nothing beneath this?” I bit my lip, glancing up. “You really know how to tease me.”

“That makes two of us.” Our bodies pressed together, my hands trapped between us. Fiery lust was replaced with a tender intimacy. “How do you grow more beautiful every time I look at you?”

My gaze lowered to his shoulder. His adoration and genuine heart still confounded me. A man who could have any woman he wanted had chosen me. I was who he’d fallen in love with.

“Now, if your hand stays where it is, we won’t make it to this party.” His voice had that gruff rasp that got me hot and feeling wanton and sexy, because there wasn’t the uncertainty over exactly how good his promises of fantastic sex were anymore. I knew. And, I knew what made him even crazier for me was when I came out of my shell and unleashed the seductive temptress inside. All I could think was fuck the party, let me drag you back in there and do all sorts of naughty things to you.

“Those thoughts making you blush,” Nate murmured, clasping my hand and heading to the door, “keep having them. Every time I glance at you, I’ll enjoy knowing you’re thinking of me and how hard you’re gonna make me come.”

Flushed with embarrassment yet full of feminine empowerment, I followed him into the hallway.

The lounge bar was full of family and friends, all resplendent in their finery. Nate never let me out of his sight, proudly introducing me to the other guests as his girlfriend. One hand was constantly on me, either around my waist, gently caressing my shoulder or firmly linked in my own. His touch calmed me in what would otherwise have been a nerve-wracking experience.