<b>Chapter </b><b>297 </b>


    I nodded. “Jared once said my eyes are like a siren’s–like they could steal someone’s soul. What do you think?” I teased.


    Nathan gave me a lovestruck smile. “Yeah, you’re gorgeous even when you’re serious, but when you smile, damn, it’s next level.”


    I knew exactly what he meant–my eyes have always had that charm, bright and sparkling. “Has anyone ever told you you’re pretty easy on the eyes, too?” I said, giving him a once- over. “And howe you’re not wearing your sses?”


    Nathan chuckled. “I find them kind of a hassle. Unless I’m buried in paperwork, I’d rather go without them.”


    “You know, you actually look kinda cool with sses. It’s hot,” I said, remembering the first time I saw him at our ss reunion. He was just standing there, the light hitting him just right.


    Nathanughed. “Cool? You thought I was too cool to talk to?”


    I shook my head. “Nah, but that whole cool–outside, warm–inside thing you’ve got going on? It’s really attractive.”


    “Oh? So, do you like how I look in sses?” Nathan suddenly switched gears.


    I just grinned, not giving a straight answer, and said, “You look good no matter what.”


    Nathan looked at me like he’d just been given a prize, his gaze growing bolder and full of delight.


    “I’m gonna go shower in my <b>room</b>. There’s a bathroom right here if you want to freshen up,”


    1


    I said, cutting through the flirty vibe.


    “Okay.” Nathan nodded.


    I set down my coffee cup and <b>headed </b>into my bedroom. With a guy in the house, my wasn’t still anymore.


    heart


    I tossed my hair back, <b>wondering </b>if tonight was gonna be the night, if I should make the first


    move, or wait for him to take the lead, or if Nathan even had the guts to make a move.


    08:43 Fri, 22 Aug


    I was having a full–on war in my head, just finding myself not as carefree as Jared–he’d cross the line without even blinking.


    Maybe I was not killing it in my career like he was, but when it came to enjoying life, I was


    determined to be better than him.


    After my shower, I went through my usual body care routine–it’s be part of my daily


    ritual now. Just like Yvonne always said, she loved how I always smelled so nice.


    Seriously, every woman loved that. When a woman got the means and the resources, she’d


    always keep herself polished and smelling fresh.


    I pulled out a V–neck camisole nightgown. It might as well be wearing nothing at all. I never


    expected Nathan to be here, so I always just wear whatever feltfortable at home. Now I


    was hesitating to wear this or not.


    I didn’te prepared this time–aside from three work dresses, this nightgown was all I’d


    got. No way I was putting on a business outfit to sleep.


    Breaking my own rules had always been such a mental block. But I had to wear it–if I


    didn’t, it was like I was wasting my new life.


    Just as I was debating what to wear, I heard a knock at the door. Nathan was outside, just a


    towel around his waist, looking all kinds of nervous and shy. “Uh, sorry, I forgot to buy


    myself pajamas.”


    I opened the door, wearing nothing but that thin white camisole nightgown. My skin was


    soft and smooth. I was radiating with confidence, and Nathan’s eyes were glued to me. He just stood there, staring, like he’d forgotten how to breathe.


    1 felt a little self–conscious under his gaze, so I ced my hand over my chest and said softly, “It’s fine, the towel’s good–you can use it as pajamas.”


    Maybe it was the way I tried to cover up, but it somehow made the whole scene even more tantalizing, hard to describe. My fingers looked long, and the rose–gold ring on my middle finger made my hand seem more charming.


    Nathan’s breathing suddenly grew ragged, his voice low and husky. “Victoria, can I kiss


    you?”