Page 75 of Birthright


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I wish you had, too.

I hit send too quickly and then wonder if I should have said that at all. Yes, I had wanted him to stay. First date or not, I was ready to give myself to him, and I was disappointed when he stopped.

“Don’t play games,” I whisper to myself. “Tell him how you feel.”

Nate beats me to the punch.

Nate O: I’m very, very tempted to drive back over there right now, but I’m not going to let myself do that. Can I see you again tomorrow?

I glance at the clock, and it’s after midnight.

Tomorrow or later today?

Nate O: Later today, technically. After you’ve gotten some sleep. Breakfast, maybe? I definitely owe you a meal.

I bite down on my lip, staring at the screen as I try to decide how to respond. I go with simple and direct.

I’d like that.

Nate O: I’m glad to hear it. I’ll come by around 10, if that’s all right.

I immediately set an alarm so I’ll have time to get up and shower, then answer.

That sounds great! I’ll see you then.

Nate O: Glorious! Until then, sleep well, Cherry.

Gnight Nate

I finish cleaning up, convinced I’ll never be able to fall asleep. Apparently, the night had taken enough of an emotional toll on me to counter my nervous excitement about seeing him again so soon, and I drop right off. I sleep soundly and dreamlessly until the alarm goes off.

True to his word, Nate knocks on my door precisely at ten o’clock, paper bags in hand.

“Good morning,” he says quietly. He grins at me, and I smile back.

“Good morning to you, too!”

I step back and let him in. Nate immediately places the bags on the kitchen table and turns to me. I’m not sure what I should do now. I want to kiss him, but that seems too forward, and I was already so over the top last night. Should I hug him? I can’t decide and end up just standing there as Nate looks at me for a long moment, then makes his own decision.

He takes a step forward, reaches out, and grabs the back of my head. He pulls me toward him, kissing me hard.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all morning,” he says breathlessly.

I smile, feeling my face heat up as I look away. Nate moves his hand to my chin and turns me to face him.

“Are you being shy now?” he asks. “You weren’t shy last night.”

“No, I wasn’t. I, um, I’m sorry about being so forward. I shouldn’t have…” I don’t know what else to say.

“Whoa, Cherry! You don’t have anything to apologize for. It was rather unexpected, but believe me, I wanted it. I would have stayed, but…”

It’s his turn to run out of words. I wish he would finish the sentence, but he just looks into my eyes instead. I feel my face heat up even more as Nate runs this thumb over my cheekbone. He leans in and gently presses his lips to mine once more before releasing me and turning toward the bags. He tears open the tops and pulls out two silver trays with dome covers.

“I hope you like pancakes,” he says. “I made them myself.”

His face is covered with a sly grin as he pushes one of the containers in front of me and removes the lid. Inside is a stack of heart shaped pancakes, still steaming.

“What is all this?” I ask, glancing up at him. Though I’m impressed that he’s managed to keep everything warm on his trip over here, I have no idea how to take this gesture.

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