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“How do you live like this, Nathan?” I asked softly as he flicked on the television to watch the late-night news.
Nathan sighed. “I do what I have to, to keep my businesses running.”
“Maybe you need more staff?” I was hinting for me to go to work with him. Anything to get me out of this house. Nathan turned off the television and rolled over, putting an end to the conversation.
***
AS I SAT BY NATHAN’S pool on the third day in a row, I’d taken all I could. I’d swam, read, and watched way too much daytime television. I was bored and needed to get out of the house before I went crazy. It wasn’t like a holiday, because with holidays you had restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and human interaction. This was house arrest. Even with Nathan home, at least I had someone to argue with, but with his long hours I’d barely seen him.
“Rose, are you out there?” I heard Nathan call. I looked at my watch, it was only five-thirty. He was home?
“Yes, I’m out here. Where else would I be?” I called out, my tone dry.
Nathan walked over to me, his big frame blocking the last of the afternoon sun. I looked up at him and a tingle ran through my body at the sight of him. He looked fantastic in a suit. Nathan’s body was perfection. I’d never seen anyone fill a suit so perfectly. He looked powerful, intimidating and so, so manly. I couldn’t stop myself staring at him from behind my dark sunglasses.
“How was your day?” Nathan asked as he sat down on the side of my deck chair. His leg pressed lightly against mine and I was surprised when I could feel more than my skin warm at his touch. I really had been alone for too long.
“Terribly boring. How was yours?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Nathan frowned. “Tiring. I wish I could sit around a pool all day and do nothing.”
“We’ll swap then. I’ll go to work and you can stay home.”
“I don’t think so.” He looked down at my slightly burnt decolletage. “I hope you’re not getting to much sun out here.”
I sighed. I hated it when he treated me like a child. “I’m not. I do know how to look after myself.”
“Well, come inside anyway. I want to show you something.”
Curious, driven by days of boredom, I stood up and followed Nathan upstairs and into his bedroom. Sitting on the bed was a large white box with a black ribbon wrapped around it.
“What is this?” I asked suspiciously.
“It’s for you,” Nathan smiled. “Open it.”
I carefully slid the ribbon off the box and opened the lid, not quite sure what to expect. Laying inside on delicate pink tissue paper was a beautiful cream-coloured silk dress. I gingerly lifted it out and held it up against my body. It was divine. It came to just above my ankles and it had thin shoulder straps on each side. There was delicate embroidery around the bodice and it dipped low in the back. It was easily the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. I could see the label hanging out and even I knew it was from a very expensive store.
“Nathan, this is stunning. What’s it for?” I held the dress up against my body and admired myself in the full-length mirror inside the wardrobe.
“There’s a party I have to attend tonight. You’re going to be my date.”
I hated that it was an order, not an invitation. “You mean I get to leave this house?” I asked, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.
“Yes Rose. And remember, as far as anyone is concerned, you and I are dating. You have to treat me as though you’re actually fond of me.”
“I’m sure it will be a struggle, but don’t worry, Nathan. I’m not going to embarrass you.”
We both went and showered, still separately, and then met back up in Nathan’s bedroom. When I emerged from the bathroom, hair and makeup done to perfection, Nathan was standing out on the balcony. He turned when he heard the door open and I felt my pulse quicken. He looked so handsome. A dark grey suit encased his large frame, his face freshly shaved. He looked so powerful and intimidating. It was a shame he was so horrible, because he really was the most attractive man I have ever seen. There were feelings running throughout my body that I’d never experienced before, that I didn’t know what to do with. But I knew it was going to take more than a good-looking man to capture my heart. I would never fall for someone so heartless.
The dress Nathan had chosen for me fit me like a glove, showing off every single curve of my body. It was like nothing I’d ever owned. While I was nervous and out of my depth, I had never felt so womanly. My hair was swept up high, leaving my neck exposed and the high heels I was wearing made my legs look long and shapely. I had never felt so sexy. I don’t think I had ever felt sexy before. I could feel a blush rise to my cheeks as Nathan watched me approach him.
“Rose, you look very beautiful,” Nathan said, walking inside to stand beside me. I could feel him breathe in my perfumy scent.
“Thank you.” I felt surprising shy. I hadn’t been expecting Nathan to compliment me.
Nathan led me outside to the SUV with Sam and Neil sitting in the front. It took us into the heart of the city and stopped in front of a well-known, very expensive hotel.
“Is this going to be a big party?” I asked, feeling my nerves flutter in my stomach.
