Faking It to Making It

“I did?”

“It’s not?”

“I work a lot. I don’t have much time to read.”

“Ha! And to think that tipped the odds in your favour. Imagine if you’d gone for Valley of the Dolls. Or Spot Goes to the Park. Twilight. Ooh, now that would have brought you a whole other type of woman calling.”

Nate’s warm, strong, insistent arm around her waist tightened, his fingers sinking into the flesh at her waist in warning. As warnings went, it only made her want to ramp things up.

Until he looked deep into her eyes and said, “I don’t want another type of woman.”

Saskia’s breath left her lungs in a whoosh. “Do you always know the exact right thing to say?”

“Famously.” He grinned, and his charm beamed across the beach till it outshone the sun. “You’d better get used to it.”

He planted a kiss on her mouth, sealing the deal.

As heat blossomed inside her Saskia had a funny feeling she’d never get used to Nate. His kindness and his ambition. His loyalty and resolve. His easy smile and deep convictions. His hot touch and the love that blazed in his eyes.

When Gabe noticed they were behind him he made space and smiled at them in a way Saskia was only just beginning to understand. She looked at Nate to find he was watching her.

Love you, he mouthed.

She snuck in a kiss in response, and it occurred to her she’d found her love formula after all. It was as beautifully simple as all the best formulas: Find someone you love who loves you right back.

Then, as Mae married Clint on that windy sunny beach, Saskia lifted her face to the dappled sun and breathed deep of the sea air, her heart filled with such light, such happiness, she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to either.

Though she was going to have a damn fine time trying.

EPILOGUE

Nate         caught the toast as it popped out of Saskia’s ancient second-hand     toaster. He knew what to give her for Christmas. Or maybe he’d just bring his     own top-of-the-range one over. He spent most nights at hers, after all. Her     espresso machine was a thing of the gods.

But it was more than that. Something about the hot little     fireplace and the riot of colour, and the over-soft bed it was simply too     difficult to get out of in the morning—especially when it was filled with warm,     sleepy Saskia. It was a combination far more him than a fake rhino head on the     bathroom wall and stuffy leather.

He lathered the hot bread in chocolate spread, popped a corner     and threw it over his shoulder, unsurprised when it didn’t hit the floor. The     thump of Ernest’s tail was as good as asking for more.

“Enough,” he said, attempting Saskia’s stern but loving tone.     Ernest just looked at him as if he was kidding. He threw the dog another corner     and took off before the canine had the chance to point those big glistening eyes     his way.

Saskia looked up from her computer and smiled. Nate’s heart     squeezed in his chest. It happened every time he laid eyes on her, and yet he     found he couldn’t get used to it. Hoped he never would.

He pressed a kiss to her waiting mouth. Her willing heat was no     surprise. “I’m off.”

“Gabe and Paige are coming for dinner.”

“Am I invited?”

She rolled her eyes. “You kidding? You practically live here. I     should start charging rent. Or maybe you can just bring your toaster over as a     down payment. Mine’s on its last legs.”

It was a done deal. He perched on the edge of her desk. “Should     I consider this the start of negotiations?”

“Sure,” she said, her mouth kicking up at one corner. “If that     floats your boat.”

He pulled her out of her chair and into his arms. “You float my boat, Saskia Bloom.”

When she’d caught her breath, she said, “Lucky, because you     float mine.” Her sultry eyes darkened as she leant in for another kiss. Soft,     sweet, and soon rocketing into something scorching.

Nate pulled away with a groan. “I have to go. Promised Gabe I’d     tag-team. New investment prospect has him in a lather.”

Not trusting himself, or her, he pressed her back into her     chair. Her feet were tucked instantly up under her, and she snuck a pencil     between her teeth. So damn cute, he thought. And sexy and smart and sweet and stubborn. All     must-have traits on his new list for the woman in his life.