Salvation by Stephanie John Page A

could walk away from something that wasn’t what either of us was looking for. I wanted him, more than I’d wanted any man in a long time, irrespective of what he could or couldn’t give me. A small smile curled my lips as victory swirled low in my belly. He wanted me just as badly.
    “So long as it’s casual,” I found myself agreeing. If Nate could hear the slight fluctuation in my voice, he’d have his answer as to how badly he affected me.
    “This is my private number,” he confirmed. “Add it to your contacts.”
    “Okay.” We both stayed silent for what seemed like forever, and it was strangely comforting. Eventually, I said, “See you tomorrow.”
    Staring in bewilderment at my phone after I’d hung up, Mai’s words returned to haunt me. Maybe Nate wasn’t used to being rejected. Perhaps this was all simply a game to him?
    Deciding a slightly merry, alcohol laced disposition wasn’t the right time to dissect the inner workings of his puzzling actions, I swapped my phone for my keys and let myself into my building.
    It didn’t even cross my mind to question how he’d obtained my number. Or how he’d know where to find me tomorrow.

“ IT ’ S NATE. ”
    The sultry tone of his voice over the intercom sent a charge of excitement rushing through me.
    “ I ’ ll be down in a second. ” I replaced the handset and returned to the bedroom to finish up. He was ten minutes early, but I was pretty much ready. In keeping with the natural look of my make-up, I ’ d left my hair loose and wavy.
    I sat on my bed and buckled up my black leather sandals. After accessorising with silver jewellery, I put on my wide-brimmed sunhat and headed through the lounge, collecting my tote and sunglasses off the kitchen counter. With shaking hands I locked up, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach as I carefully took the stairs. Breathe, Kara.
    Nate was leaning against the wall outside with his back to the doors. Stone coloured long shorts displayed etched calves, and the hem of his white cotton shirt sat on the curve of his pert arse. Clearly it wasn ’ t only suits that made him look amazing. He wore the casual look equally as well. I opened the door and startled him into turning around.
    “ You ’ re early, Mr Blake, ” I teased. He scanned me appreciatively up and down, his mouth parting slightly. My pulse quickened as his gaze lingered, his iridescent iris ’ sparkling in the sunlight.
    “ And you, Miss Collins, are stunning. ”
    I sensed my cheeks flush at the compliment. I was only wearing white skinny jeans with a loose charcoal v-neck t-shirt.
    “ After you. ” Nate indicated for me to lead the way down the path.
    “ Nice car, ” I smirked, eyeing the gleaming convertible Bentley parked at the kerbside. Dark grey with a hint of smoky blue, it was the colour of a stormy sky. Sporty, sleek and exquisitely honed — much like its owner.
    “ Thank you. ” He smiled graciously and opened my door, waiting whilst I slipped into the cream leather passenger seat. Nate rounded the car and climbed in beside me. I watched avidly as he smoothed his hands around the stitched leather steering wheel, imagining them running over me with the same admiration. His shirt allowed a glimpse of muscular, sun-kissed forearms and a quietly understated Bremont watch on his right wrist.
    “ British designs are visually stunning. ” Nate glanced sideways, a smile teasing his lips. “ I haven’t found an exception to that rule yet. ”
    “ My father would love it, ” I said, quickly buckling up my seat belt, hoping to hide my no doubt flushed cheeks.
    “ What does he drive? ” he asked, starting the engine. Damn. Even his car purred sexily.
    “ A 1970s Aston Martin. ”
    “ Ah, a man after my own heart. ”
    I slipped on my sunglasses as Nate did the same, hiding those glorious eyes behind a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators. They only served to accentuate the features I could still see. Cut jawline, covered once again with