Chapter 4 Getting ready

MICHELLE's pov

I gave him a blank stare, crossing my arms tighter to show I was serious.

He smirked, "I left some of my stuff here. Came to get it."

"Have you spoken with Nate recently?"

His brows raised slightly "Nate? He's not here?"

I shook my head, "No, been here since yesterday. Alone,"

"I see," his gaze drifting briefly to my feet before traveling back up to meet my eyes

"Have you tried calling him?" Tristan asked, his expression shifting to a more serious one.

I let out a sigh, "His line is not going through,"

"You have a little bit of something right here," he said gesturing to the corner of his mouth.

Confused, my brows furrowed, and I raised my hands, trying to feel swipe and the side of my mouth.

"Looks like you were drooling earlier," he said, taking a step backward.

My heart pounded, Had I been drooling? Over his damn photo? My mind scrambled for something to say. Think, Michelle.

"I wasn't drooling. I was just... distracted. Don't flatter yourself."

"Flatter me? Who said it had anything to do with me?" his expression changed into a mix of concern and confusion.

I realized that my response was so silly, and now I was certain Tristan was able to see right through me.

"Right. It wasn't, could have been anything else but not you,"

Tristan smirked, tilting his head "I must be missing something, Mrs. Williams, what could've gotten you so mesmerized?"

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I didn't realize you were a part-time detective." I shot back. "Maybe you are missing something. But I'll leave that for you to figure out."

He chuckled, walking over to the side table, near the sofa opposite where I stood. "Careful, Mrs. Williams," he said, picking up a brown envelope and a silver wristwatch I hadn't noticed before. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to keep me guessing," he said softly.

"Maybe I am, guess you'll never know," I said keeping my tone light.

Tristan's eyes lingered on me for a moment, longer than necessary before his lips curled into a soft smile. "Fair enough. But for the record, I wouldn't mind being the reason you got distracted."

My breath hitched, I wanted to respond but I couldn't think of anything to say at that moment, my eyes drifted to what he was holding in his hands.

"Is that the stuff you came over to get?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah, just this envelope and my watch. "His brow furrowed slightly like he didn't quite believe my sudden shift in focus.

"I didn't realize it was a wristwatch."

His expression tightened, "It's an eight-thousand-dollar wristwatch if that helps," he said with a hint of smugness in his tone.

"Whatever," I muttered.

He chuckled, "It was good to see you again Mrs. Williams," he said moving toward the door and then pausing.

"Same here, Mr. Whatever-Your-Last-Name-Is," I said.

He smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "I guess I'll keep that a mystery," he said before walking out.

I spent the rest of the day settling in and adjusting to my new environment, all while waiting-of course-for Nathaniel's name to pop up on my screen.

I thought about exploring the house, but it felt wrong. I wanted to do that with Nate, that was something he should do with me. After all, it was his house, not mine.

I already told Samantha about everything, and as expected, she told me to be patient, so I took her advice.

Still, I had to relax, I couldn't be too mad, after all our marriage was built on mutual benefits. Nate got a supportive partner in me, and I got the time to pursue my career without worrying about money. But I still loved him, right?

"Darling," Nathaniel's voice made me jolt. I turned to see him standing just behind me, holding a bouquet of roses in one hand and a small black box wrapped with a white ribbon in the other. His eyes were filled with remorse.

I sighed in defeat, taking a sip of my wine to clear my head while I looked at the city view.

I turned back to the window, finishing the last sip of wine in my glass.

"Nathaniel," I said firmly.

I heard his steps getting closer, "don't touch me, Nate,"

"I know you're upset, you have every right to be, but just let me explain," he said, his voice gentle.

"There's no need for you to explain Nate," I said finally turning to face him "I know you're a very busy man and I understand, I just thought you were going to be at least present on our first night."

He sighed wanting to continue but I cut him off before he could say anything, "I felt stupid Nate, how could you do that to me?"

"I'm sorry, Michelle. You didn't deserve that. I'm so, so sorry, baby," he said softly, his tone d laced with regret.

His eyes were filled with regret, and despite the hurt I felt, a part of me wanted to forgive him.

I took a deep breath, allowing myself to feel the warmth of his apology, even though the pain still lingered.

"It's okay, listen, I know this whole marriage was kind of quick, but do not make me regret it," I said, my tone slightly sharper now

Reluctantly, I walked to where he stood and took the roses from his hands.

"You don't wanna know what's in here?" he asked, with a faint smile on his face as he held up the small box in his other hand.

"I don't know, maybe not" I replied, trying to hide the smile that threatened to appear on my lips.

Nathaniel's gaze drifted to me, his eyes lingering on my nightdress, then trailing upward, stopping briefly at my chest, before meeting my eyes with a playful flirty stare.

"You know," he started softly, "I've never seen you in this before," his expression was mixed with amusement and curiosity.

"Maybe because you were never my husband," I replied smoothly, with a teasing smile playing on my lips.

His lips curled into a teasing smile. "What a good day to be your husband," he said, stepping closer, his hands already sliding to my waist.

The look on his face took me back to our college days, when he'd always try to look sexy while talking to a girl for the first time, hoping to win them over with one smile. He was still the same, only now he'd perfected it, and it was mesmerizing.

"You mean night," I corrected

"Mhmm," he mumbled as he slid the tip of his nose up my neck

"Lucky you," I said, raising my hands to rest gently on his chest.

"Lucky me," he murmured, his warm breath mingling with mine, his nose softly brushing against mine until they pressed together, sharp and aligned.

We locked eyes for a moment, taking it all in. This was the closest we'd ever been, face to face, in private, and the tension between us was palpable. I had imagined this moment would feel a bit awkward, but now, standing here, it wasn't bad at all. Every cell in my body screamed for him to kiss me.

It felt like his eyes were searching for my consent, his gaze shifting between my eyes and lips. I couldn't help but smile faintly at how stinking cute Nathaniel looked.

His pupils dilated, his long, sleek lashes accentuating the fiery green of his eyes. I gave a slight nod, signaling him to go ahead. Before I knew it, our lips connected.

The kiss was soft and moist, and it was freaking addictive. We slowly departed, our breaths still mingling in the little space between us.

"I got you this," he said quietly, slowly opening the box, revealing a diamond necklace nestled inside.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes "Nate, you didn't have to," I said, even though deep down, I knew I was lying.

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "You deserve even more," he whispered.

I smiled faintly, brushing my fingers over the necklace.

"I want to take you out for dinner tomorrow," he said calmly.

My eyes widened in surprise, "really?"

"Of course, Michelle," he replied

"What about your business?" I asked, closing the box quietly and placing it on the bed.

"I don't care, I want to spend time with my wife," he said, brushing my back with his hand.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and I smiled warmly. "Okay."

Honestly, an hour ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd give Nathaniel a chance to explain, let alone allow him to touch me like this. But somehow, everything felt... different. I couldn't stand shutting him out. I couldn't ignore how his green eyes seemed to pierce through me, how his touch made my knees weak despite my best efforts to hide it.

And his kiss? It left me wanting more. It all seemed so easy for me to get caught up with this side of him that was damn irresistible.

"Have you had something to eat?" Nathaniel asked, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Yeah, Maggie's been taking good care of me," I said, with a light chuckle.

"Now I'm here to pick off where she left off," he said before giving me a soft but yet brief kiss on my lips.

"You should take a shower," I murmured against his mouth.

"I know," he smirked, whispering, "you just smell so good,"

I laughed softly, pushing him away playfully. "Seriously, Nate, you need to shower and get some rest."

He gave me a teasing smile before backing away. "Alright, but don't go anywhere."

I smiled as I watched him disappear from my sight.

I turned back to the bed, setting the bouquet of roses down gently and then I heard a buzz coming from the other side of the table, knowing it was Nathaniel's phone, I ignored it at first knowing it was Nathaniel's phone.

But that voice in my head betrayed me. My hands moved before I could stop them, reaching for the phone and unlocking it.

I froze.

A message from H-Nathaniel, can we talk? We didn't get to see each other again today.