I started laughing as I read the texts. Nate cocked an eyebrow, so I handed the phone over. Scanning the texts, his smile grew before he handed it back.
“What are you going to say?” he asked, leaning back on the counter behind him.
I paused, looking at my phone, and then at Nate. Fingers flying, I sent a text, then held my phone out once more.
Nate moved back to his spot between my legs and glanced down.
Me:No storming the castle. Following earlier directions and plan on jumping his bones. Love you.
“I approve,” Nate said, sliding the phone onto the island. Immediately it began to vibrate.
“I need to turn on do not disturb,” I murmured.
“Let her message,” he growled. “The dinner has about twenty more minutes, and I have plans.”
I marveled at the feelings of completeness that washed over me. “I thought you wanted to wait. Care to share?”
“Waiting doesn’t take everything off the table, my beautiful Elle,” Nate murmured, his lips following my throat down and kissing the crook of my neck. “I plan on getting to know you a bit at a time.”
Letting my head drop back, I felt arousal wash over. “Sounds good.”
My phone vibrated again, and I glanced down, only to look up to Nate with a panicked feeling in my chest. “Oh shit,” I whispered.
12
Broken Pipes
Nate
My gut clenched as I took in Elle’s expression. What had been a gorgeous face that was relaxed and more than a bit turned on was now drawn, and she had an adorable crease between her brows. “What?”
She glanced from her phone to me. “It’s Ivy. There’s a pipe leaking from my apartment down to the new yoga studio below.”
“Oh no. Did your apartment flood?”
“No, it looks like they caught it quickly.” She scrolled on her phone as new texts came in, then continued. “Kristine noticed it in the studio and got Ivy, who brought in a plumber. But they’re closing the studio for a few days, and Ivy asked if I can go stay with Ava while they work on my place.” She looked down at her phone, thumbs flying as her brows drew together.
I moved to the stove, turning down the heat to low. We might need some extra time. “So you think you’ll stay with Ava?”
Elle bit her lower lip as she read what looked like another text. “Well, she has a one bedroom. I think I could sleep on her couch. Or, hell, worst case I could share her bed. We did when we were kids.”
“Or you could just stay here.” The words were out before I even realized it.
Elle’s head shot up, her eyes locked on mine, as my heart kicked into a new gear.
“What?”
Was I committing to this? Yes. Yes I was. Why the hell not?
I held my hands up. “I’m not trying to rush you. Remember our earlier conversation. I’m just saying I have three bedrooms in this place and only use one. It seems silly for you to be without a space of your own for several days when you could easily stay with me. Seriously, it’s no hardship.”
The corner of her mouth kicked up. “No hardship, hmm? What if you aren’t able to keep that wholelet’s take things slowlife motto with me living here?” She raised her eyebrows at me from across the counter. “Will that be a hardship for you?”
Hell with this. I turned off the burner because I couldn’t be trusted not to ruin the whole damn dish right then. And Elle being sassy and confident made me want to devour her, though I beat that back. She watched as I moved back to her, then gently took her phone and laid it on the counter.
“I have a proposition, Ms. Robinson.”
She arched one eyebrow. “Yes, Mr. Roberts?”
