70 Friends …
L
Nathan’s kiss took mepletely unawares ,
But it’s okay- friends kiss all the time .
Especially ones that haven’t seen each other for four
years .
It was soft at first , almost as if he was hesitating , as though he needed to test the waters , to make sure he hadn’t crossed a line .
But then , the next instant , the kiss deepened .
The kiss was filled with regret , pain , longing and desire that I didn’t know where it came from .
But I stood still , allowing him .
His hand gently rested on the small of my back , pulling me closer .
I melted into him , instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt to anchor myself .
The umbre had been long forgotten and the rain pelted on us but Nathan didn’t seem to notice .
My heart pounded in my chest as he pulled me even closer – the kisses were bing feverish , almost too passionate , this was not a friend’s kiss .
I moved against him , protesting with my body since my mouth was pressed on his .
After a second of wriggling and trying to leave his arms , he pulled back slightly and rested his forehead on mine , both of us breathing heavily .
His eyes searched mine – it was dark and filled with emotion as if he was asking questions without words .
My lips still tingled from the kiss .
“ I’m sorry ” he whispered as his thumb brushed against my cheek , though there was no regret in his voice .
“ I couldn’t … I couldn’t help it .
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”
I nodded ; I didn’t want to talk about what happened .
“ Can we go to my house ? The bus stop is two blocks away …
“ I brought a car , ” he said quietly , nodding to the ck Sedan parked at the side of the road as he picked up the discarded umbre on the road .
“ C’mon , let’s go .
”
My apartment was small but warm .
It was love at first sight from the first day I walked into it .
It waspact but cozy and big enough for me but I loved the way the rooms connected making it easier to cover the entire house in a few minutes .
My hands trembled slightly as I unlocked the door .
I pushed it open and stepped inside , flipping on the lights as I motioned to Nathan to follow suit .
His presence filled up my tiny space
and 1
could tell he was conscious of his wet , dripping clothes …
But that didn’t matter now , at least to me .
I couldn’t believe he was standing here , in my apartment , after all these years .
He looked different ; the boyish face I was used to had been reced with a sharp line on his jaw and a day – old stubble .
His blond hair was wet with some of its strands clinging to his forehead .
His clear blue eyes were inspecting the room with an unreadable expression .
There was a time when I would tell myself that I wanted my husband to be as handsome as
70 Friends .
.
Nathan … that dream was still valid .
I closed the door behind me and both of us stood there for a moment , dripping wet , unsure of what to say next .
“ You abandoned me , Nathan ,” I finally broke the silence , fighting the tears at the back of my throat .
I had wanted to hold it in , to act like seeing him again didn’t affect me , but I couldn’t hold
back .
Tears welled up in my eyes , my throat tightening with emotion .
“ You just … left me .
No letters , no calls , you won’t even text me back , nothing .
You just … disappeared .
”
His face softened as he took a step towards me again , cupping my cheek .
“ L , I didn’t abandon you .
I swear , I didn’t.
I was in prison for four years .
I was locked up in the smelly dungeons of the White Moon Pack and was not allowed visitors .
”
My eyes widened with shock as I wiped my eyes roughly with the back of my hand .
“ Prison ? ” I repeated .
“ What are you talking about ? Why would anyone imprison you ? What did you do ? ”
“ Not anyone , L … the Lycan Leader , your ex – mate was so desperate to find you and your sister saw me with you on the night you left Blue Ridge .
When I refused to give him your address in the human world , he got pissed and threw me into prison .
”
“ Ramsey did that ? ” I shook my head in disbelief .
“ C- Can he even do that ? And for what reason ? He rejected me .
He told me he never wanted us to be together .
”
“ Beats my imagination , Nathan shrugged .
“ It appears he doesn’t know what he wants and he can’t keep using someone’s feelings for second guessing .
That’s one of the reasons I refused to
tell him .
”
“ Nathan ! ” tears gathered in my eyes as I walked up to him , spreading my arms out for a hug .
“ I had no idea and then you could have just told him the damn thing … four years … that was a lot of
time .
“ I was prepared to die in the prison , ” he shrugged , burying his face in my hair .
“ I’m just d you’re fine and he didn’t find you .
I’m sorry ” he pulled away , cupping my face again .
“ I had no way to contact you .
There was simply no means , Ramsey made sure of that .
I spent every day thinking about you , wishing I could tell you what happened , but I couldn’t .
”
“ It’s not your fault ,” I nudged him yfully .
“ I thought you were dead or worse .
I wanted toe back … but …
“ I’m d you didn’t ,” he sighed , pulling me closer again for another hug .
“ I missed you , L .
You’ve changed a lot ! ” he chuckled , his eyes running the length of my body .
“ You’ve be more woman .
I left you as a 19 – year – old girl but … ” he trailed off , his eyes gazing at me with pure .
worship .
“ You’re beautiful .
”
I blushed , moving away from his arms .
Without another word , I walked into the bathroom and grabbed a towel from the rack .
I came back and handed it to him , avoiding his eyes .
“ Here , dry off .
You’ll get sick if you stay in those wet clothes .
”
“ I’m a wolf , L ! ” he chuckled but still took the towel from me and started wiping the rain from
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70 Friends
his face and hair .
He was still the Nathan I knew but there was something harder about him now , something that hinted at the years he had spent locked away from the world .
I could see the exhaustion in his eyes and a certain dangerous glint .
“ When did he let you go ? ”
“ A few days ago ! ” Nathan said quietly .
“ Let’s not talk about him , L … the only reason why I’m not hanging on a pyre somewhere dead for killing the Lycan Leader is because of the good people in my life who still love me .
I hate him so much , L .
I hate Ramsey Kincaid for taking away everything from me .
”
“ He didn’t take me away from you , ” I said quietly .
“ And you do not hate Ramsey Kincaid more than I do .
I feel that all of my problems started from the day , I met him .
I don’t know , Nathan but I wish , I never came home that day .
I wish I didn’t cross paths with him .
”
“ L … ” he tried to reach for me but I took a step backwards .
“ You can stay here , I announced .
“ I have a spare bed , I’ll set it up for you in the living room .
It’s not much , but … It’s better than staying in the cold .
”
I moved past him to my bedroom .
When I came back , I was holding an old , faded pyjama set .
“ These were my Nanny’s .
They might be a bit short , but they’re clean .
I thrust the pyjamas into
his hands .
“ Bathroom’s through that way ,” I pointed to the direction of my bathroom at the end of the hallway .
“ You look like you could use a hot shower .
“ L , I can’t … ”
“ What ? ” I stopped and turned to look at him .
“ I don’t want to impose .
I have enough money to stay in a hotel .
I already looked up a few .
I just wanted to see you before …
“ You can and you will , I cut him off , already steering him toward the bathroom .
“ You’re staying here Nathan .
You’ll need rest and hotels don’t provide that sort of rest , trust me .
”
“ Still ,” he set the pyjamas down on the couch as he grabbed my hands , making me look up at him .
“ I’m worried about myself .
This is not back then when we were children .
You’re a woman now and … ” he trailed off .
“ I am a man , I have desires … I don’t trust myself to … ”
“ Don’t worry , the door to my bedroom has a lock .
Besides , Nanny would be angry that I let you go to the hotel .
How is she doing by the way ? We spoke earlier today and she didn’t mention
you .
”
“ What ? ” he shook his head stuttering .
“ I haven’t seen her … ”
“ Don’t lie , Nathan Tanner ! ” I red at him .
“ Her scent is all over you .
Come , let’s get you cleaned
up .
I steered him again toward the bathroom .
When we arrived , I opened the door , motioning him to go in .
The bathroom was small but spotless , with a collection of fruity – smelling products lining
70 Friends
Nathan turned on the water , letting steam fill the room as he began to undress .
“ How did you even call , Nanny ? I took my old sim out .
No one with that old number can reach
out to me .
”
“ I had both of your numbers memorized ,” he said woodenly , ncing over his bare shoulders at
me .
I leaned against the doorframe , watching him .
“ What ? ”
He cleared his throat awkwardly .
“ I need to change and bath , now ! ”
I scoffed , crossing my arms .
“ What are you trying to hide that … ” I trailed off abruptly as the realization dawned on me .
boy I’d know , thenky teenager who used to follow me
The everywhere , had been reced by a man , with rippling biceps and toned stomach .
This was why he was worried in the first ce .
* Right .
Of course .
I’ll just … ” I gestured vaguely down the hall before practically fleeing , pulling the door shut behind me with more force than necessary .
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