She froze. Turned her head. And gazed at Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle.
Wow. Just . . . wow.
He pulled his own weight next to Wolfe in the “holy hotness, Batman” category. No tats, piercings, or staggering height, but Nate didn’t need it. Those moss green eyes shimmered with heat and intensity, and the strong line of his jaw and cheekbones screamed command. Broad shoulders were clad in a hand-stitched black silk button-down. She’d picked it out personally. The fabric shimmered under the light and showed off his lean, muscled chest. The sleeves were rolled up and golden brown skin sprinkled with light hair confirmed his golfer’s tan. His spectacular ass was cupped in dark-washed Banana Republic jeans, with a large silver belt buckle. He was completely . . . solid. Energy swirled and tightened around them in a familiar sensual challenge that had been there since day one. She just hadn’t been ready to see or accept it.
She still wasn’t.
His eyes widened in pure surprise at seeing her there. So this wasn’t planned. Oh, no, this was some sort of crazy God universe thing who liked to laugh and torture her. What were the odds? And how the hell did he know Wolfe? She tried to squeak out something, but it took a few times before words took hold. She didn’t need to worry. He said the exact thing she would’ve bet he’d come up with no matter what the situation was.
“Hey.”
The worst part was the softening of her heart at the familiar greeting. “Hey.”
Wolfe looked back and forth between them. “You know each other?”
“Yes,” they both said together.
Nate explained further. “Kennedy is my matchmaker.”
“No way. You’re hooked up with Kinnections? Dude, you never told me.”
“Small world,” Nate murmured. His gaze roved over her, hot and hungry and . . . knowing. He knew she loved when he nibbled and bit the crease where her neck met shoulder. Knew the exact pressure to use on her nipples to bring them to a point of pain/pleasure. Knew how to curl his fingers just right when he slipped inside her to bring her quickly to orgasm.
Knew way too much.
“How do you two know each other?” she asked.
“Nate saved my ass showing me how to golf. I’m courting a big client for Purity, and the only way to get close is on the course. Of course, I sucked, and he took pity on me. He’s got this scientific thing with figuring out a swing.”
“Yes, he’s quite the teacher.”
Nate remained silent.
The air between them grew heavy and thick with unspoken words and arousal. Wolfe seemed to catch something weird going on, because he kept shifting his glance as if trying to figure out what it was. “Nate’s been a wonderful client. I’m excited about his new match.”
Nate crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Yeah, Mary does seem perfect. Too bad I’m still stuck on that last woman I was with. Don’t you think I need some time to get my head straight? Or convince her to take a chance on us?”
She shook her head hard. “You need to look at the big picture. Mary is more suited to you; this other one will break your heart.”
He took a step in. “How do you know?”
“Because she’s a mess.”
“Maybe I like messes.”
“Maybe you don’t know what’s good for you because she fogged your head with sex.”
Wolfe whistled. “Way to go, Nate.”
Nate continued, staring Kennedy down with everything he had. “Maybe she should give me more credit to know what I want and see the situation clearly. Maybe she’s so terrified of taking a chance on a real relationship because she’s never had one before.”
“Maybe she’s the only one seeing things clearly and trying to protect you.”
“Maybe she’s full of shit.” He took another step in. His eyes gleamed with a fierce light that shot sparks of fury and frustration. “Maybe she just doesn’t want to know the truth.”
“What truth?” she asked.
“That I love her.”
She gasped. Her heart stopped. Then took off at heart attack pace. The room spun and the glass almost slipped from her numb fingers.
“Uh, dude, when I told you to admit your feelings, I meant to the woman herself. Not your matchmaker.”
They locked gazes and ignored Wolfe. “Don’t say that,” she whispered. “It’s not true.”
“You don’t get to tell me what I feel. You can throw a bunch of women at me, hide away, pretend this is something it’s not, but I’m done with the lies. I love her, and it’s not going away. Go ahead and make me date Mary, or Sue, or any other woman you toss in, but it won’t change the outcome. I love her.”
Her body shook with mini convulsions. He had said he loved her. He thought he loved her. But how could he? How could he know all her secrets and still think she was a good match for him? Men loved her body, her face, her persona. They loved the way she looked on their arm, and her power career, and that she didn’t need a man to make her happy. They didn’t look into her damaged soul and love the hidden parts. How could they when she didn’t even love them herself?
Coldness seeped into her skin and bones. She couldn’t do this anymore. He’d already become way too important, and she was slipping under his spell. She had to cut him loose.
“You’ll get over it.”
The words dropped like stones between them. He jerked back as if slapped, and her heart crumbled into tiny pieces that she feared would never be able to be sutured back together.
“Is she that much of a coward?”
“She’s that much of a realist,” she said brokenly. “You need to go out with Mary.”
Wolfe cleared his throat. “Okay, this is way over my head. Why don’t I leave you two alone?”
Nate clenched his jaw. Disappointment, and a deeper emotion she didn’t want to name, emanated from his defeated stance. “No, Wolfe, that’s okay. We’re done here.”
He turned and paused in the doorway. “I’ll text Mary and take her to dinner this weekend. Thanks for the advice, Ken. You truly are an excellent matchmaker.”
Her knees trembled as she watched them walk out the door. She stumbled to the bench to grab on to her composure, trying to settle her nauseous stomach. What had she done?
The right thing. The only thing. Right?
Feeling faint, she placed her head between her knees and dragged in long breaths. She heard her name being called from a distance, but she didn’t look up, just concentrated on getting oxygen in her lungs. When she raised her head, Kate knelt in front of her.