Chapter 67

The bed is empty when I wake. I run a hand over the cool cotton sheets and, noting the absence of warmth on Nate’s side of the bed, swallow down the deep ball of sadness that wells in my throat. After last night, I thought … The dull ache between my thighs reminds me that it wasn’t a dream. It was all real. The things he said. The way he kissed me. Made love to me. Because what we did last night was not fucking.

I brush a tear from my eye and take a deep breath, ready to throw back the covers and climb out of bed, but the door opens before I can. Nate walks in carrying a tray and wearing nothing but those damn gray sweatpants, and I push myself up into a sitting position and switch on the bedside lamp. As he draws nearer, the smell of fresh pancakes fills my nostrils, making my mouth water.

Nathan sits on the bed beside me and places the breakfast tray, filled with pancakes, fresh fruit, and coffee, over my lap. A smile spreads across my face. “You made me breakfast in bed?”

He takes half a strawberry from the plate, pops it into his mouth, and winks at me. “I figured you needed some nourishment after I made you come half a dozen times.”

I arch one eyebrow. “Actually, it was only five.”

His lips twitch in a smirk. “Then I’ll be sure to up my game for tonight.”

I pick up a slice of banana and take a bite, eyeing the delicious stack of pancakes and hoping he’s going to share them with me because they’re almost as big as my head.

“That’s not all I brought you,” he adds, making me look up at his handsome face again. He reaches into the pocket of his sweatpants and pulls out a small black ring box.

Swallowing the banana, I glance between him and the box, my pulse spiking. I suck in a stuttered breath when he flips it open. Tears swim in my eyes. “M-my ring. How did you …”

“The jeweler informed me that you sold it back to him.”

Oh god. “I only sold it to—”

He pushes a strand of hair back from my forehead, and it’s only then that I notice he’s wearing his wedding ring again. Ever since the day he served me those divorce papers, I’ve kept my wedding band in my purse. “I know what you used the money for, Mel, and it’s okay.”

A wave of guilt rolls over me. “I’m sorry, Nathan. For everything. I—”

“I know.” He dusts the knuckles of his free hand over my cheek. “And I know that you had nothing to do with what happened in Chicago.”

Relief floods me, warming me from the inside. I stare at the beautiful diamond, hardly believing it’s real. I loved that ring from the moment I saw it, but now it means so much more. “You got it back? For me? But we …” I can’t finish the thought.

“I never would’ve given it to anybody else, if that’s what you’re thinking. But I hated the thought that another person might buy it, and I guess I secretly hoped I’d be able to give it back to you one day.” He slips the ring from the box and takes my left hand in his. “Mel, will you be my wife again?”

“I never stopped. Not for a single second.”

The smile he gives me has a kaleidoscope of butterflies taking flight in the pit of my stomach. It lights up his entire face, making his eyes crinkle in the corners as he slips the ring onto my finger. “Perfecto como tu.”

A giggle bubbles out of my mouth. “I love how you slip into speaking Spanish when you get all romantic.”

He shakes his head, but his smile remains in place. “Eat your pancakes.”

I lick my lips. “What if I’d rather eat something else?”

He narrows his dark eyes but spears a giant piece of pancake with the fork. “You need food. Now open.”

I open my mouth, allowing him to feed me. The delicious, buttery pancakes flood my taste buds, followed by the sweet syrup, and I let out an appreciative moan. “These are so good. You should try some.”

He leans forward and licks the residual syrup from my lips. “Mmhmm, delicious.”

I roll my eyes. “You think you’re so smooth, Mr. James.”

“I’m smoother than fucking silk, Mrs. James. It’s how I landed you, right?” He trails kisses over my jawline.

“Actually, I think you landed me with your huge …” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.

He arches an eyebrow at me. “Bank balance?”

I swat him on the arm and fake a horrified gasp. “I was going to say your huge—”

“Penthouse?” he offers.

I narrow my eyes. “No. Your giant-ass ego.”

Laughing, he takes the tray off the bed and places it on the floor. Then he crawls over me, pulling me down the bed until I’m lying beneath him and pinning my hands above my head. “I don’t think that’s what you were going to say at all, corazón.”

“So what do you think I was going to say?” I breathe out the words, spreading my thighs wider to accommodate him.

He rocks his hips, rubbing his hardening length against the part of me that’s already aching to feel him. “How about I show you?”