Chapter 3

"Annette." He started as he touched my face.

"Nathan, please. I don't want to do this right now." I whispered softly.

He leaned in closer to me and gently glided his lips over mine.

"Nathan stop! I can't do this." I pushed past him and went into the room.

I gathered my clothes and went downstairs to the guest room. When I was done, I went to the kitchen, where Nathan was already eating.

He gestured for me to sit down, and I did. Then I began eating the plate of waffles that was in front of me.

We ate in complete silence; neither of us made an attempt to speak.

After I was finished eating, I took up my plate and was about to carry it to the sink when Nathan stopped me.

"Annette, I am-

Suddenly, his phone rang, cutting him off from what he was about to say.

"You should get that." I said as I placed the plate in the sink and washed it.

When I was done, I realized Nathan had already left the room.

This is going to be a long day.

Soon enough, it was evening, and I was getting dressed for the party. I wore a peach-colored, sleeveless linen dress that reached mid-thigh and wedge heels. I tied my black hair into a loose ponytail and applied light makeup for a natural look.

I stared at myself in the mirror when I was done. Once I was satisfied with my look I grabbed my purse and went to meet Nathan.

He was on the phone talking to someone, so I patiently waited for him to be done.

Sensing my presence, Nathan ended the call and turned around.

"You look beautiful." He smiled when he saw me.

"Thanks."

An awkward silence fell over us.

"We should get going then." He suggested.

If things were awkward before, then they are much worse now. Nathan took a lot of glances at me as he drove.

"Annette, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You know I love you so much, and you mean the world to me. I would never want to hurt you, and I know I did. I love you so much, baby. You're the perfect woman, and I haven't been treating you well in the past few weeks." He held my hand and kissed it gently.

"So, would you please forgive me, baby?" He asked as he looked at me.

I bit my lip and contemplated what I was going to do. Should I forgive him?

"My behavior was awful, and I want to make it up to you. I promise. And don't bite your lips like that, or I won't be able to control myself." He teased, and I smacked his shoulder as I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, I will forgive you, but on one condition."

"What is it? Anything for you."

"I get to change the sheets in our bedroom."

"Ugh, Annette, I'm too manly to have a light pink-themed bedroom."

"Oh, please, you'll love it." I grinned, and he groaned.

"But seriously, babe. I am sorry. I was just frustrated with work, and that came out to you. I love you, and I never want to break your heart." He kissed my hand again, and I found myself blushing.

"Apologies accepted, Nathan. As long as you promise to tell me what's going on from now on. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Now focus on the road before you get us killed." I said, and he chuckled.

It's good to have the old Nathan back. I knew that we could work things out, as we always do.

We arrived at the party a bit later. Nathan's parents greeted us as we entered the yard, broad grins on their faces.

"It's so nice to see you here, sweetie." Nathan's mom, Candace, said as she hugged me.

"You look lovely, Candace." I complimented her, and she laughed.

"Oh, stop it, sweetie. You know I try my best." She giggled and I chuckled.

We went into the backyard, where I met some of Nathan's family and friends.

I was eating when Nathan's cousin, Alexander, sat next to me. His black hair was damp, and he wore a semi-buttoned shirt.

He was a private detective, and from what I heard, he was pretty good at what he did.

"Look, it's my favorite cousin." He grinned, and I playfully rolled my eyes.

"Ha, you just told Tasha that."

"I was joking." He winked.

"So how have you been?" He asked, his green eyes stared at me.

"I've been alright. What about you?"

"Oh, just the usual. Say, weren't you with Nate at the Garland last week? I was there with some friends, and I saw him."

"You mean the hotel?" I asked, and he nodded.

"No, I wasn't there." I furrowed my brows.

"Did you see him with someone?" I asked.

"No, that's why I thought he was with you. He was going into a room when I saw him."

"Oh." I didn't even know what to say.

"He probably stopped by to freshen up." He suggested, and I nodded.

"Yeah, he's a workaholic these days." I fake-laughed.

"Well, I'm going to grab a drink, Annie. Do you want anything?" He asked as he got up.

"No, I'm okay. Thanks."

He was at a hotel, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't there alone. Just when I thought I could put everything behind us,

When I turned around, I saw Nathan laughing with some guys as they played a game of cards.

I was annoyed and upset about this whole thing. Who could he have been with? I want to trust Nathan, but his recent actions are making me think otherwise.

The evening went by in a blur to me. I was mostly wrapped up in my own thoughts, and before I knew it, we were home.

I was undressing when I felt Nathan's hand around my waist.

"You know what I'm in the mood for?" He whispered seductively.

"I don't think I'm in the mood Nathan."

"Oh come on baby what's wrong?" He kissed my neck.

"It's nothing. I'm just tired, that's all."

"Please baby. I want you so fucking badly." He groaned as he squeezed my breast.

A moan slipped past my lips as he sucked softly on my neck.

"Nathan, were you at the Garland last week?" I asked, and he stopped kissing me.

"Yeah, I had to meet with a client. It's an elderly woman; she didn't want to come all the way to the office." He responded.

"Oh."

"I hope you're not jealous of old ladies, Annette." His breath fanned against my neck.

"Hey! I'm not." I pouted, and he laughed.

"How did you know I was there?"

"Alexander said he saw you. He thought I was there with you."

"Oh, I didn't even know he was there."

"Now where were we? Oh yes, I was about to have my way with you."

Nathan spun me around, his eyes full of lust as he kissed my lips.

I wanted to believe what he said, but deep down, I knew something was wrong.

And if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to find out.