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Kate showered andwashed her hair, rushing through her routine because every minute that passed gave Nick more time to think about how he’d woken up alone—and more time to decide she wasn’t worth any more effort.
She swallowed over the lump in her throat and pushed down the case of nerves developing inside her. Faith was right. Nick had gone all out to show her what she meant to him.
And Kate had thrown it back in his face. Often. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. She dried her hair quickly, but before she had a chance to put on a light coating of makeup, her doorbell rang.
No doubt Faith decided she’d better make sure Kate didn’t chicken out on her plans. “You could have just trusted me,” Kate said at the same time she swung open her door.
“Not until you give me a reason,” Nick stated.
“You!”
“Who else were you expecting?” he asked with an angry look on his handsome face. “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation for why I woke up alone?” His voice rose, and he didn’t bother to contain his fury... or his hurt.
“Come in,” she said, reaching for his hand. She didn’t want her neighbors overhearing her personal drama.
He let her pull him into her inside and shut the door behind him. He’d come right from a shower, his hair still damp, razor stubble giving him a rougher than usual appearance.
But the pain in his eyes was unmistakable, and guilt rode her hard. “Of course, I owe you an explanation and I was getting ready to come over.”
His gaze ran from her bare feet and legs to the short robe she’d hastily tied on. Appreciation flared in his dark eyes before he pulled his attention off her body and wariness settled back in his gaze. “I’m listening.”
Her mouth grew dry. Thinking about admitting her feelings was different than actually doing it. He hadn’t said the words yet but he’d certainly shown her with his actions. Now it was her turn.
She still held his hand and tugged him toward the couch. He sat down, and she eased down beside him, curling one leg beneath her.
“When I woke up, I was disoriented. The only thing that registered was how warm and happy I was. How peaceful and I thought, wow, I could get used to waking up feeling like this.”
His expression softened, and she continued.
“Then I opened my eyes and saw you there. Asleep. And I panicked.” She glanced down, embarrassed by her actions. “I panicked. Then I ran.”
***
Nick watched Kateclosely. She seemed fragile and tense, every word drawn from the deepest places inside her. Which meant he was finally getting the truth.
“I realized I was in your bed, and I had all these intense emotions that maybe you didn’t really want. You’d asked for a chance, not for everything I was feeling. So I did what I thought most men would want after a one-night stand.” She didn’t meet his gaze. “I left.”
“One-night stand, my ass,” he muttered, squeezing her hand. “As soon as I realized you were gone, I thought about how I should have laid my feelings out for you before I took you to bed.”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure words would have done it,” she admitted. “I don’t think I was ready to hear them and I’m not sure I’d have let myself believe you.”
“Why not?” he asked, more gently than she thought she deserved.
“Because I thought you liked the idea of a challenge. I mean, you haven’t been serious with anyone outside of Faith. You went through women like they were interchangeable. And I’d been hurt by someone who’d used me. I couldn’t imagine you wanted me as deeply as I wanted you.”
Her open vulnerability struck him hard. He’d never wanted her to doubt his intentions, but he realized now the problem was more about her than him.
“I can’t change my past, but do you want to know why I didn’t stick with any of those women?” he asked, tipping her chin up so he could look into her green eyes.
She moistened her lips, and it was all he could do to stifle a groan. “Why?”
“Because they weren’t you.” He touched his forehead to hers. “It’s not about Faith. It’s never been about Faith. It’s been about me finding the right person who just… fit.” He shifted and sat up, looking her head-on. “Yesterday, you said Faith wasitfor me. And she was.”
At his words, Kate visibly stiffened, but he wouldn’t let her run emotionally or otherwise.
“Faith was it for me—inhigh school. And when she broke up with me, she bruised my ego. I guess she hurt my heart, but I was a guy and didn’t want to give it much thought. I wasn’t about to believe a woman could hurt me, but she did. Then she left and went to college, and like you, I went to school here. I worked for my dad and learned the business. I dated but didn’t get serious about anyone. Just like you said.”
He moved in close, pulling her against his chest. To his relief, she went easily, no longer fighting him and obviously listening.
