Page 18

Chapter eighteen

Mandy

I t’s been months of late-night study breaks that turn into make-out sessions I pretend not to crave.

He hasn’t pushed for more, but he doesn’t have to. Nate’s always there, waiting in the wings, like temptation with a six-pack and patience.

And I’ve been holding the line. Mostly.

Because no matter how badly I want to give in, my sister’s voice is always in my head, reminding me he’s off-limits, reminding me what happens when you blur lines you can’t take back.

And he’s still a hockey player. And we all know about hockey players.

There’s a knock at my door.

“Who is it?”

"Pack a bag, Little Fields. You’ve just been drafted for a bye-week getaway."

I open the door, eyebrows already raised. Nate’s standing there in jeans, a plain black tee that hugs him like sin, and that cocky smile that should come with a warning label.

"Drafted? Is that what we’re calling kidnapping now?"

He doesn’t flinch. Just leans on the doorframe like he has all the time in the world. "Swimsuit, something for dinner out, the rest causal, and an appetite. You've got ten minutes."

"That’s all I get? No itinerary? No consent form?"

"Nope. You said you like surprises. And I like bossing you around. Win-win."

I fold my arms. "I have work, bar prep…"

He steps closer, voice softer. "You’ve been busting your ass. Let me take care of you this weekend. One night. Just say yes."

God help me, I want to.

“Okay. I could use it.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m buckled into the passenger seat of his Camaro, my overnight bag in the back, and my stomach full of butterflies that have nothing to do with travel.

The airport is surprisingly quiet, considering it’s a Saturday. Nate parks, tosses me a devilish smile, and grabs my hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

"Still not telling me where we’re going?" I ask as we head toward security.

"Nope. But you’re gonna love it."

TSA is its usual brand of awkward, made better by the fact that Nate gets flagged for a protein bar and proceeds to make a whole production about it.

"Don’t confiscate it," he says to the agent. "She gets hangry. I fear for my life."

"You fear for your life?" I repeat as we collect our bags. "You have a hundred pounds on me."

"Women who are hungry are like vicious bears. Very, very scary."

I shake my head, but I’m grinning as we head to the gate. I try guessing destinations while we wait, and he shoots down every theory with increasingly ridiculous lies.

"We’re going to Antarctica. I heard penguins love lawyers."

"Nice try. But obviously, we are on a plane to Missouri."

"Admit it. You’re intrigued."

"Fine. Mildly. Maybe."

Onboard, he pulls out a snack I didn’t know I needed, the exact protein bar I grab when I’m stressed.

"You’re unsettlingly observant," I say, taking it.

He smirks. "It’s cute how you think this is a new development."

By the time we land, I’m relaxed in a way I haven’t felt in weeks. The air is warmer, the sun softer, and the landscape greener than home.

After about two hours or so in the rental car, I see a sign that says Lake of the Ozarks.

We drive along a winding road lined with trees bursting in color until we pull into an elegant but cozy cabin nestled at the edge of a lake.

It’s like something out of a storybook: warm wood, big windows, and a wraparound porch.

I blink. "Nate, this place is gorgeous."

He shrugs, like it’s no big deal. "Figured you deserved something nice."

"You planning to kill me here?"

"Only with pleasure."

My mouth drops open, and he just walks away, laughing.

"Have you been here before?"

"Yeah, when I was young. I have cousins that live a few hours from here."

We get our keys and he shows me inside, drops our bags, then turns with that same mischievous glint. "Come on. There’s one more thing."

I follow him around back, and that’s when I see it…a sleek black motorcycle parked beside the porch.

"Tell me that’s not for show."

He tosses me a helmet. "You ever been on one?"

"No. And that sounds like a terrible idea."

"You trust me, don’t you?"

I hesitate, then tighten my grip on the helmet. "God help me."

Nate chuckles. "Put on a jacket, strap on the helmet, and let’s go for a ride, Little Fields. I promise you won’t regret it."

***

The ride is pure adrenaline, with my arms wrapped tight around him, and the rumble of the bike beneath us. We cut through winding roads like we have no destination but each other.

I laugh out loud at one curve, feeling more alive than I have in months.

He pulls off at a scenic overlook, shuts the engine down, and we take off our helmets. We just sit there, breathing it in. Trees stretch out in every direction, and the lake glistens below us.

"Okay," I say. "That was… reckless. And amazing."

He turns to me, smile softer now. "Told you I’d take care of you."

I don’t know if it’s the air, the ride, or him, but something in me unlocks.

"I needed this," I whisper. "More than I knew."

He leans in and kisses me. Slow. Sure. Like he’s claiming something he’s already earned.

When he pulls back, his voice is low.

"You’re safe with me. Always."

And in that moment, I believe him.

***

We get back to the cabin and take turns showering. I pull on a soft sundress and swipe on a little mascara, nerves fluttering in my chest as I meet him by the door.

He’s wearing a crisp button-down and jeans, hair neatly tousled, sleeves rolled. Effortlessly sexy.

"You clean up well," I say.

He grins. "You haven’t seen anything yet."

The restaurant is tucked beside the lake, glowing with candlelight and low music. Everything feels slowed down, like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

We order wine and appetizers. I offer him a bite of mine and he leans forward, catching my finger with his lips as he takes it.

A tiny gasp escapes me.

He just smirks. "What? Thought you liked surprises."

"That one had a delayed effect."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Our server is cheerful and discreet, bringing us a pair of entrées that smell incredible. Mine is a creamy pasta dish, and his a perfectly grilled steak. We take our time, laughing over shared bites, the food rich and comforting.

As the meal goes on, the playful air softens into something quieter.

"How are you really doing, Mandy?" he asks, voice low.

I twirl my wineglass, then sigh. "Honestly? Overwhelmed. Grateful. Tired. All of it. Sometimes I feel like I’m sprinting and still falling behind."

"You don’t have to be perfect. Not with me. I don’t want perfect, I want you. Real, messy, brilliant you."

Tears sting behind my eyes, and I look down at my plate, then back at him. "That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me."

He leans closer, his thumb brushing mine across the table.

The comment sends a warmth through me so intense I nearly forget where I am, and a sweet ache blooms low in my belly.

My heart thuds wildly and I'm caught in a heady daydream of us, of this thing between us turning into everything…

until the server reappears with a dessert tray.

"For the sweetest part of the evening," he says with a wink.

We both lean forward, and Nate points at the richest-looking option, a molten chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean gelato and berries. "That one," he says. "No way we're not ending the night with something sinful."

We share it from one plate, passing the spoon back and forth, fingers brushing, laughter bubbling up between bites.

"I might have to marry this cake," I murmur.

"Better make it quick before I propose first," he deadpans.

Hold on…what? Did he just say that?

***

We leave the restaurant walking close together, arms brushing. The night is cool, but I feel lit up from the inside, like I’ve just lived inside a dream.

The drive home is low key, singing to the radio and talking about nothing. When we arrive back at the cabin, we sit outside by the fire pit, wine glasses refilled, wrapped in a shared blanket. The stars are scattered above us, the lake a still mirror of light.

"Can I ask you something?" I say.

He nods. "Anything."

"Why me? Out of all the girls you’ve known…"

He doesn’t let me finish. "Because you see me. You challenge me. You make me want more. I’ve been with women before, yeah. Some were nice. Some were fun. None of them made me feel like I was actually becoming a better man. You do."

My heart stutters. "I never thought I’d fall for a hockey player. Especially one who used to date my sister."

"Yeah. About that, I didn’t expect it either.

But here we are. And I don’t want this to be temporary.

I don’t want just sex, Mandy. I want everything with you.

And for the record, I never slept with your sister.

We were young, went out senior year of high school, but it never went that far.

If that weirds you out, I get it. But I need to know, how do you feel about it? About us?"

I take a breath, searching his eyes. "I never thought I’d like you this much," I admit. "Not with everything going on, not with my sister in the picture. But I do. And yeah, maybe Allison would freak out, but that’s her problem. You’re the one I want, Nate. This means something to me. You do."

His jaw clenches slightly, as if holding something back.

"I’ve never had something I was scared to lose until now."

My throat tightens. "I’m ready. For all of it."

He doesn’t move right away. He just watches me, like I’m the only thing that matters in the world.

And tonight, I think I might believe I am.

We carry our wine glasses to the kitchen, setting them in the sink. Nate steps in front of me, lifts me effortlessly by the hips, and settles me on the counter. He moves between my legs until we’re almost eye to eye, his palms braced on either side of my thighs.

"You drive me crazy, you know that?" he murmurs.

I lean in. "You’re not so easy to ignore yourself."