Free Big Love in a Small Town (Contemporary Romance) by Kate Goldman Page B

for the moment. Is this okay?”
     
    Tessa nodded her head. She was still pretty shaken up by the whole experience. A private, gated home seemed like a good idea.
     
    “Plus, I think we have a lot that still needs to be talked about, and unlike the last time, I’m not going to let you storm out of my life without me even realizing what happened,” he added.
     
    “I definitely need to explain all of that,” Tessa said sheepishly.
     
    Nate gave her hand a squeeze after he had parked in the garage. It was getting dark, and Tessa couldn’t really make out what Nate’s house looked like – just that it was big and angular with a white stucco finish. Definitely a house you would never see in Clearhill.
     
    “Don’t you have to work tonight?” she asked.
     
    Nate looked at the time. “I need to leave in a few minutes, but I shouldn’t be all night. Will you wait for me here until I get back? It’s more comfortable than a hotel room, and it will give us a chance to sort everything out. Please stay,” he said and touched her hand. How could she not? Wasn’t this why she was here?
     
    “Okay. I won’t make the same mistake. I’ll stay,” she promised.
     
    Nate got out of the car and walked around and opened Tessa’s door. He took her hand in his as they walked together to the door.
     
    “Welcome to my home, Tessa,” he said as he opened the door and allowed her to step inside first. The lights automatically came on, soft and soothing, in the kitchen where they’d entered. Everything was sleek and modern, but relaxing. Glossy granite countertops, slick white cabinets and ultra-technical appliances surrounded by lots of large glass windows made up the kitchen.
     
    “Do you cook a lot in here?” she asked as she looked around.
     
    “Some. Not much – it’s just me here,” he admitted as he tossed his keys and jacket on the table.
     
    “Everything is so...pristine,” Tessa said when the word finally came to her. The house was huge and the complete opposite of her cramped, cozy apartment.
     
    “I can’t really take the credit for that – I have a cleaning service. Do you want something to drink?” he asked.
     
    “Water would be nice.”
     
    Nate took two bottles of water from the fridge, handed one to Tessa and motioned for her to follow him. “Let me show you around before I have to leave,” he said as he stepped into the living room.
     
    A marble fireplace and built-ins flanked one wall of the spacious room that housed two large leather sofas and a sheepskin rug that looked so soft Tessa thought she could curl up and take a nap on it.
     
    Nate took her around the house before finishing up the tour back in the living room.
     
    “You have a nice home, Nate. Thanks for inviting me here,” Tessa said with her hands clasped in front of her.
     
    “Well, I sort of just brought you here without even telling you this was where we were going, so thank you for trusting me. I’m glad you’re here in my home, and that you’re staying.”
     
    Tessa smiled. There was so much to say, but it would have to wait until he returned. She took the two steps to cover the space between them, and put her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “Me, too. I know you have to go, but I’m already counting the minutes until you get back.”
     
    Nate wrapped her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “I am, too.”
     
    She looked up and he softly kissed her lips. The kiss was short and sweet, but it awakened a fire that had been simmering within her for months. She’d forgotten how intense their physical connection was.
     
    “Hurry back,” she whispered, moving from his embrace.
     
    Nate looked at her longingly, but knowing that she was right, he did need to go, said goodbye and hurried to leave before he changed his mind.
     

***
     
    Tessa’s eyes looked over the top of the book she was reading when she heard Nate unlocking the door. Curled up in a chair wearing Nate’s sweatshirt and a