Chapter 3

Four years ago: Tate

Carrito is fuming. She doesn’t like me. No that’s the understatement of the year, she actually hates me but unfortunately, I can’t pluck out her eyes and feed it to her since she’s Bridget’s only daughter and Nigel’s only sister. I sometimes wonder how they are siblings when they act nothing alike but then again, Nigel is adopted so that explains it. However, she’s Bridget’s copy. Both are bitches.

“Oh, miss, Tatum is just helping me out here”, Nana replies sweetly. It’s a farce, she also hates the whiny bitch.

“Well, I don’t see how she’s helping. What if she poisons the food!”

Wonderful!

“But miss-“. Nana actually looks affronted so I cut her off unless she might actually deck the little shite across the head.

“It’s okay Nana, Carrito is just being paranoid… or is she”, I add the last part with a wicked glance in Carrito’s direction. She pales and stills then just as rapidly reddens

“Did you just threaten to poison the food??”

“No I didn’t, sweet girl”. I step down from the stool and make my way towards the door, towards Carrito

“Or did I?”, I ask in a low tone while passing her. I hear Nana’s muffled laughter but I don’t look back to see Carrito’s expression. I was just kidding, I’m not a murderer but Carrito deserves every bitchiness she gets.

I’m walking across the hallway when I see some chefs trailing the butler with trays of exquisite dishes. Bridget must have gone out of her way to welcome her son. She does this all the time, hire chefs that prepare the dishes that’d be served during Nigel’s arrival. I feel insulted on Nana’s behalf that she doesn’t trust her enough to cook a nice enough meal for an event like this. This hired food is probably too synthetic, nothing like Nana’s sweet homemade recipes. Bridget doesn’t know that though. She doesn’t even know her son enough or she won’t serve him meals like this.

I finally make it to the entrance of the dining area where I see Bridget, Carrito, and an older man I don’t know having brunch at the table. The moment my eyes land on Nigel’s handsome form, I forget to breathe for a few seconds. God I missed him

He’s sitting on the right side of Bridget who is at the head of the table. The older man is on the other side and seems to be in deep conversation with Bridget. I’m pretty sure Nigel is part of that conversation but he’s doing so well with acting like he’s paying attention when I know for a fact he wants to get out of there.

He’s beautiful. A black button down shirt tucked into dark blue jeans and his perfect hair framing that face I always dream of. He’s perfect.

I have a strong urge to see him even though I know I could wait till they’re done so I can meet him.

I could whisper his name from where I am and hope he hears me . Who am I kidding? The dining hall is huge, there’s absolutely no way he’d hear me and even if he did, all other heads would turn as well. Talking myself out of the crazy ideas I currently have, i begin to turn and leave but then he raises his head and his eyes meet mine. It’s a gentle caress and also a dominant perusal of my body with his blue piercing eyes. I stand still. Not because I plan to but because I really can’t move. He has me pinned down with those eyes.

We’ve probably been eye fucking for too long because Carrito raises her head and stares at Nigel for a while, wondering what has his attention. She follows the direction of his eyes and almost sees me but I dock a little slowly but quick enough that she doesn’t see me.

I stay still in that position for a few more minutes, trying to calm my raging heart before poking my head to peek in again. Just as I begin to lower my head, I see Nigel’s black shirt. He’s standing right in front of me.

Looking up at him, I begin to call his name but he takes my hand and begins to lead me away. Through corners so we won’t be caught going to his room. At least I assume that’s where we’re going . Sure enough, we make it to his door where he opens it and shuffles me in then quickly closes the door and makes to lock it. He’s back is still turned to me and I’m breathing very hard while waiting for him to face me. He finally turns after what felt like a long time then makes smooth strides towards me. The moment he’s close enough, my hand begins to go around his neck as he lifts me up to straddle him. We’re kissing now. It’s not gentle, it’s anything but.

It’s hot and dominant and bruising and packed with emotions. He doesn’t stop. Instead he lays me on the bed and continues to kiss me slowly while on top of me. I eat it all up. I savor the taste of him because I don’t know how long he’d be staying. I enjoy his presence because his absence hurts way too much. When he finally breaks away, we’re both sober. He rests his forehead on mine for a few seconds.

“I missed you Tate”, he says gently and then, I break into quiet sobs. He kisses all the tears away

“I missed you Nigel”, I manage to choke. “God knows, it’s been way too long. I missed you so much”

He smiles down at me then he tucks my hair behind my ears with his big hands. I laugh because I missed that too. The feel of his hands.

“You look beautiful”

I smile “I always do”