Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (10 page)

Nathan joined Connie on the sofa and reached for her hand. "I missed you too."

"When you're ready for marriage and children let me know. Until then I won't mention it again."

"Are you sure you can live with the way things are between us?" Nathan asked. "Connie, I don't want you to put your life on hold waiting around on me. If you ever decide you want to move on – well I won't stand in your way. I want you to be happy. Whether it's with me or someone else."

"I don't want to be with anyone else." Connie leaned in close and kissed Nathan on the lips. "I'll wait for you, just don't make me wait too long."

"I'll try not to," Nathan said.

Connie laid her head on his shoulder. "So what did you do while we were apart? Besides missing me."

"Well I worked on Friday," Nathan said.

"I didn't see you in the cafeteria at lunch," Connie said.

"Katie dropped by my office with lunch," Nathan told her.

"Oh."

"I worked late as usual," Nathan said. "Yesterday I took a walk through the park with Katie, then we had lunch at the Beach Café." He felt Connie stiffen against him. "What's wrong?"

"You spend a lot of time with her."

"Does that bother you?"

"Yes," Connie admitted. "How does her husband feel about you two spending so much time together?"

"Not again," Nathan mumbled, standing.

"What does that mean?" Connie wanted to know.

"I've lost girlfriends because they were jealous of my relationship with Katie and because they had a hard time believing Katie and I are just friends," Nathan said. He glared at Connie. "I'll tell you what I told them. Katie is my friend. That's all, nothing more. I am going to keep spending time with her. If you have a problem with that you know where the door is."

Connie glared back. "So you're saying your precious Katie will always come first?" She jumped to her feet, her eyes flashing. "What about your heart, Nathan? Does she come first in your heart too?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Nathan said shortly.

"You didn't answer the question," Connie snapped. "I think the reason you didn't answer is because it's true. I think deep down you're in love with her. You just don't want to admit it."

"I am not in love with her," Nathan said.

"I don't believe you." Connie bent down and picked her purse up off the floor. "I love you, Nathan, but I won't be second in your life."

Nathan snatched Connie's arm as she started to walk past him. "I'm sorry. Please don't leave mad."

"I'm not mad anymore." Connie raised her head and Nathan saw tears in her eyes. "I'm upset."

Nathan swallowed past the lump in his throat. "Katie is just a friend. There's no need to be jealous. Please don't throw what we have away."

"I don't want to," Connie said hoarsely.

"Then don't." Nathan framed her face between his hands. "Don't go looking for trouble where there isn't any."

"I'll try not to."

"Are we okay now?" Nathan asked.

Connie wrapped her arms around him. "We will be after you kiss me."

Nathan lowered his head and kissed her.

Chapter 8

Breakfast the next morning was difficult for Kate to set through. Every time she glanced down the table at Edward images of what took place in his bedroom the night before popped into her head and left her feeling unclean. Her appetite nonexistent she put her fork down and pushed her plate away. Picking up her coffee cup, she took a drink of the hot liquid.

"I'm meeting a client for dinner tonight," Edward said, folding the newspaper. "I won't be home until late."

"I don't care," Kate said quietly. "I'm not going to be here."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Where are you going?"

"Don't worry about it, Edward." Kate moved her chair back. "I'll be on my best behavior." She got to her feet.

"Sit back down, Katelyn," Edward said angrily. "I didn't say you could leave the table."

With a heavy sigh Kate sat back down. "I am tired, Edward. Can you belittle me later? I'd like to go to my room."

"You're not going anywhere. You're going to answer my question." Edward rose from his chair and walked the length of the table. He stopped beside Kate's chair and glared down at her. "Where are you going tonight?"

"To see my father," Kate answered. "Are you done interrogating me yet? May I go?"

"No." Edward smirked. "Because of your back talking you're going to sit there for an hour." He leaned down and placed his hands on the arms of her chair. Kate shrank back, her eyes growing wide. "I'm going to have William keep an eye on you. If you leave that chair before the hour is up he's going to call me and let me know. And do you know what will happen if you leave that chair?"

"W-what?"

"I'll lock you in the closet," Edward said in her ear.

Kate's blood ran cold. Once, early in their marriage, she had disobeyed Edward. As punishment he locked her in a closet for two hours. It had been dark and hot in the cramped space. She remembered beating on the door with her fists begging Edward to let her out. By the time he did she had been drenched with sweat and hoarse from crying out. It was one of the most horrifying experiences she had ever gone through. "I – I won't l-leave t-t-this chair."

"Good girl." Edward dropped a kiss on her cheek and then straightened up. "You may go see your father, but I want you home by nine." He started to leave the dining room.

"Edward," Kate said cautiously.

"What?" he said, turning to look at her.

"Did you ever – ever love me?" Kate stared at the table and held her breath.

"No," Edward said. "I'm only with you because it's what father wanted. One hour, Katelyn. William will be watching." He strolled from the room.

Kate sat there feeling like her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She was bound to a man who had never loved her. The worse part was she was stuck with him for the rest of her life.

"Are you done eating, dear?" Clara asked, entering the dining room. "If you're not-" She stopped talking when she saw the devastated look on Kate's face. "What happened?"

"He never loved me," Kate said hoarsely. "He only married me because his father wanted him to."

"I'm sorry, dear," Clara said. "You deserve better than this. You deserve a man who will love and cherish you."

"I'll never have that," Kate said with tears in her eyes. "I'm trapped in a loveless marriage with a monster. I'm living in hell and there's no way out."

"Why don't you go upstairs and lie down?" Clara suggested. "You look tired."

"Leave her be, Clara," William said from the doorway.

Clara placed her fists on her hips. "Don't you tell me what to do, William. I don't take-"

"I can't leave this chair," Kate said. "I have to sit here for an hour as punishment for talking back to Edward."

Clara pulled out a chair. "Then I will sit with you."

"Thank you, Clara, but it's not necessary," Kate said. "I'm sure you have a busy day ahead of you."

"Can I get you anything?" Clara asked. "Is there anything you would like me to do?"

"Check on Gaby," Kate said. "She'll be waking soon."

"I'll go right now." Clara scurried from the room leaving Kate with William.

"You don't have to watch me, William. I won't go anywhere."

"I've been given strict orders to keep an eye on you." William took a seat in Edward's chair. "You wouldn't be sitting there if you would just learn to keep your mouth shut."

"Go away, William," Kate snapped.

William checked his watch. "I will in forty-five minutes."

Hating him almost as much as she did Edward, Kate turned her head and ignored him.

Mr. Miller wasn't home when Kate arrived at the mansion that evening. As the butler let her inside he informed her Mr. Miller was due home any minute.

"Thank you, Richard." Kate smiled at the elderly man. He had been with the Miller's since Kate was a baby and was like family to her. "I'll wait in the living room."

"Would you like me to bring you something to drink or eat?" Richard winked at her. "Perhaps a plate of those macaroon cookies you were always so fond of."

"Thank you, but no," Kate said. "Maybe next time."

"Very well," Richard said. He smiled down at a sleeping Gaby. "May I take her to the kitchen with me? I know everyone would like to see her."

"Of course." Kate handed over the infant seat and then went to the living room. She found Nathan sitting on the sofa flipping through the channels on the TV. "Hi."

Nathan glanced up and smiled. "Hey, Katie."

Kate settled on the sofa beside him. "What brings you by?"

"I promised your father I would drop off some books on blood pressure and how to maintain it. Where's Gaby?"

"Richard has her."

Nathan shut off the TV and put the remote control on the coffee table. "What brings you by?"

"This is my home," Kate said. "I didn't know I needed a reason to stop by."

"You don't," Nathan said. "I was just being nosy." He reached out and tucked a strand of Kate's hair behind her ear.

His touch was tender. After the day she had Kate needed a little tenderness. Without thinking she moved closer and wrapped her arms around him. Laying her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, slipping his arms around her waist.

"I am now," Kate said. "It's been a rough day."

"Do you want to talk about it?" said.

I can't,
Kate thought.
I want to. I want to tell you everything so badly.
"No. I just need a hug."

"Well I'm glad you chose me for that hug," Nathan muttered.

"Me too." Kate rubbed her cheek against Nathan's shirt. The scent of his cologne filled her nostrils while his even breathing lulled her into a peaceful state. Edward and all her troubles were momentarily forgotten as Nathan held her close. Nothing else mattered but him and the hunger for affection that was like a constant ache in her heart. Nathan drew back and Kate gazed at him. She brought a hand up and caressed his cheek. "Thank you for making me feel better. Instead of prescribing pills you should try giving out hugs."

Nathan grinned. "I don't think my patient's would want me hugging them."