London Bound (2 page)

“I’m sure there are no shortage of beautiful women you could enjoy a drink with, who would be more than happy to do so,” she murmured.

“Are you saying you aren’t happy to?”

“”I think
you
can find a better target for your attention,” she said, gaze focused on the hands she now clasped in her lap. “Better than the lady upstairs you couldn’t give the time of day to until now.”

Well, ouch
. Nathan frowned, thinking back over the last couple days, over the instances he’d seen Meg. Obviously, this morning when she’d locked herself out. Granted, he hadn’t stuck around and chatted with her, but he’d just rolled out of bed and had been anxious as fuck to get back into it. Before that... They’d passed in the hallway or on the stairs a handful of times, but she’d always been quick to skirt past him to get out the door or back up to her flat. Or he’d been on his mobile or in a hurry himself or so wrapped up in the drama of his family that he couldn’t be bothered to get to know the woman who would likely be gone in a matter of days.

Her knuckles were white with how tightly she gripped her hands together, and her body was tense, though she made no move to put any distance between them. Her warm, soft body pressed his from hip to shoulder, fitting against him perfectly.

Nathan bent his head until his mouth was next to her ear then, careful to keep his voice calm and level, said, “I’m right where I want to be, but you didn’t answer my question, Meg. ” Satisfied with her sharp intake of breath, he let his lips brush against the soft, delicate lobe.

“W-what question?”

“You’re not happy sharing a drink with me?”

She snorted. “Sharing a drink isn’t the problem.”

“So, what
is
the problem?” When she didn’t answer, he tilted her head up with a finger beneath her chin. “Meg? What’s the problem?”

“It would only be a drink,” she said in a rush, and even in the dim lighting of the pub, he could see her cheeks flush. “I can’t offer anything more than that.”

“And you think I’m angling for more?”

“Handsome young man in a pub on the weekend...” Her shoulders lifted in jerky shrug. “I can’t even begin to offer what you must be looking for.”

“You’re making an awful lot of assumptions about me. Drink in a pub doesn’t have to be anything more than a drink in the pub.” He leaned back and grabbed his pint. Sipping, he waited for her speak.

After a moment, she turned slightly on the seat to face him. His palm slid across her upper back as she moved, and wanting to give her a bit of space, he pulled his hand away and let it rest on his thigh. He continued to wait as she took several deep breaths and seemed to be preparing herself for battle. Finally, she lifted her eyes and met his gaze.

“I’m married. I
was
married,” she clarified when he glanced down at her bare ring finger. “I was with him...Scott...for over twenty years, and...” she inhaled again, shakily, “he died. And I don’t know the first thing about drinking with other men in a pub half a world away from home.”

Nathan’s chest hurt as he watched and listened to Meg. If anything, hearing this made him even happier that he’d sent the twat bothering her on his way.

“How long?” he asked, reaching over and taking one of her hands.

She shook her head. “Sorry?”

“How long has it been? Since you lost him?”

“Oh. Um, six years. Don’t worry, Nathan,” she said with a smile. “You’re not about to have a weeping widow on your hands or anything. I’ve had my time to grieve and move on. Despite what some people in my life think.”

“Hmmm.” He swallowed a mouthful of ale.

“I
have
moved on,” she said firmly. “I’ve accepted Scott is gone. Just because I’m not out dating or sleeping around doesn’t mean I’m still hanging on to his memory. Maybe I just don’t want to get involved with someone. Maybe even when I got past the grief, I needed to focus on making things okay for our kids. Maybe I just... Oh, God, why am I talking?” She put her free hand to her forehead. “I’m just going to shut up now.”

“No need,” Nathan assured.

“Like you want to be hearing any of this.”

“Do you see me running away?” He squeezed her hand. “Tell me about him, about Scott. Or about your kids. Or why you’re in England, all by yourself. I have all night.”

He could feel her stare as he looked at the bar and signaled to Georgia to bring them another round. When the bartender nodded, he turned back to Meg, who was shaking her head. He was struck by just how beautiful she was—pale skin, big brown eyes, dark hair falling around her shoulders. He knew from seeing her before that her body... Well, he’d looked his fair share more than once, and ached to feel it against him again. But, he could control himself and do without that, because something about her—something beyond simply her physical appeal—intrigued him, pulled at him.

“Why?” she whispered.

“I changed my mind.”

“About what?”

“When I said sometimes a drink was just a drink, the implication was that I was happy with just sharing a drink, yeah?” She nodded slowly. “Well, I’d like a bit more than that.”

Her face scrunched up as her frown deepened. He continued before she could speak.

“I’d like to share more than just a drink. Some conversation, perhaps. I’d like to get to know you, Meg.”

Her hand twitched within his grasp, as if she were trying to decide whether to yank it away or not. “I’m sure the last thing you want is sit here all evening and listen to me talking about my fairly boring life,” she protested with a weak laugh.

“I’d also like you to get to know me, too,” he said, leaning closer to her. “I’m a big boy, and I know what I want. If I didn’t want to hear about you and your family, I wouldn’t have asked. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be. What I do want is to enjoy a few drinks and conversation with a beautiful woman.”

She stared a moment then nodded. “Okay.”

“Unless you don’t want to talk.” He lifted a brow. “I suppose that’s the first question to answer. What do
you
want tonight, Meg?”

W
hat do
you
want tonight, Meg?

Wasn’t that the million-dollar question? Meg’s cheeks heated—something that was becoming too familiar a sensation around this man. She hadn’t been lying when she said she didn’t know how to do this. Something as simple as sitting in a pub, having a drink and talking with a man was completely foreign to her. She and Scott had been together for so long. He’d been her first...well, her first and only everything.

It was horrifying how often the last couple years she’d been encouraged to date. From her children—granted, most of it came from Emily, but Aaron would nod along dutifully—from her friends and coworkers, from her best friend who happened to be Scott’s sister, for crying out loud. At first, when they’d say something, she’d reply that she wasn’t ready. And she hadn’t been. Scott truly had been everything, and he was gone. Eventually, though, the pain of grieving eased, and she’d find herself wondering about being with someone else. The idea of that terrified her, to the point she could hardly breathe. She’d been with Scott over half her life. She didn’t even know how to date, to be completely honest. So, when the subject would come up now, Meg would just smile and not respond either way.

Nathan continued to hold her gaze, even when the pretty bartender—who was clearly more his type than a forty-year-old widow—set fresh drinks in front of them and took away their empties.

Part of Meg wanted to blow him off, because, really, what did he have to gain hanging out with her when she was fairly certain any woman in this bar would kill to be in her place? But another part wanted him to stay. Not just because he was a sexy guy who frankly appealed to her in many,
many
ways. No, it was because he was the first person who hadn’t looked at her with complete and utter pity when she’d mentioned losing Scott. Who didn’t look like he wanted to be anywhere but with the poor, sad lady whose husband had died.

Sympathy had shone in Nathan’s eyes, but then he’d asked about Scott and her kids, and seemed to genuinely want to know about them and about her. Most guys—most people—changed the subject as quickly as possible, to something nicer and less awkward. Nathan surprised her, not for the first time that night. Clearly, she’d misjudged him from their previous encounters.

“Drinks and conversation,” she said, her throat tight, her voice thick and hoarse. “I can do that. I...I’d like that.”

A huge grin lit up his face and snatched what little breath she had. Her stomach did a little flip. Shit, he was gorgeous.

“Brilliant.”

“But,” she held up a finger, “I’m not doing all the talking. If I’m sharing, you’re sharing. Only fair.”

He threw back his head and laughed, causing the little stomach flips to become full-on, constant tumbles.

“I’m serious,” she said.

“Of course you are. All right, I’ll make you a deal—answer one of my questions, and I’ll answer one of yours.” He wet his lips—was he doing this stuff just to get to her and make her squirm?—then quirked a brow. “Anything you want to know.”

“Deal.” She sipped her wine and waited. Nervous and wondering what he’d ask first.

“How many kids?”

“Two.”

“Boys? Girls?”

“Hey,” she protested. “It’s my turn!”

“What? You answered with only one word!”

“It was a complete answer to the question asked.” She gave a shrug and fought the smile that threatened. “The deal was a question for a question.”

“Very literal and sticking to the rules. Good to know. All right.” He nodded. “Ask your question.”

“Hmmm.” She tapped her index finger against her pursed lips, pondering what to ask first. “Okay, what do you do for a living?”

“Run my family’s business. Ah, ah!” He held up his hand when she started to speak. “My turn.”

Meg burst out laughing. Nathan grinned, laid a hand just above her knee, and squeezed gently.

“Tell me about your kids.”

“That’s not even a question,” she pointed out, still laughing even as her heart quickened in response to the heavy, warm weight on her leg.

Nathan brought his glass to his mouth and took a long drink. Her gaze was drawn to his throat working as he swallowed. She inhaled deeply as the urge to lean forward and press her lips to the hollow of his collarbones took hold.

“Are you going to answer?” he asked with another grin—damn him for being so attractive. It really wasn’t fair.

“Hard to answer when a question wasn’t asked,” she said, narrowing her eyes and mock glaring. But, desperate to think of something other than just how much she wanted to give in to the stupid impulses she was having, she continued, “Fine. I have a son and a daughter.”

She let the mom in her take over and reached for her coat, which rested on the bench beside her, and pulled out her cell phone from the pocket. A few taps on the screen, and she tilted the picture toward Nathan.

“Good-looking pair.”

“Emily is seventeen and graduating next spring. Aaron is nearly twenty, and in college...for now, I guess.” At Nathan’s questioning look, Meg rolled her eyes slightly. “He’s always wanted to be a doctor, for as long as I can remember. When he graduated, he enrolled at the local community college to stay close to home. The plan was for him to transfer to the university, but he’s been talking about taking time off school and working more. It’s because of me. I know that. He doesn’t want to leave me alone. He believes it’s his job to take care of me and seems to think I’d be lost without him. And I would be, in a way.” She chuckled. “But not the way he thinks. I’d just miss my baby, you know? But I’d be fine. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but he’s worried about his mum. Can’t blame him for that. Shows you raised a good man.”

His hand flexed on her leg again, and she blinked back sudden, stupid tears.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “He’ll be fine, Meg. He just needs to know you’re okay. Trust me, a boy loses his dad, he tends to see himself as the man of the house and needs to make sure everyone is taken care of.”

She frowned at the quiet, sad words that contrasted his warm smile. “Do you know that from experience?”

“Is that your question?”

“Yes, Nathan,” she said, exasperated. “That’s my question.”

“My dad died when I was thirteen, so yeah, I know a bit about it. And I definitely thought it was my responsibility to take care of the family. Fair warning? It’s not going to go away. Aaron will probably carry that for a long time,
but
it sounds like you’re not putting that on it him. You’re not expecting him to take care of it all, and that means something. Means a hell of a lot. Just keep at him to follow his dreams and all that, and he’ll be fine.” He winked before drinking more of his ale.

“Do you have a big family?” When he just smiled at her, she sighed dramatically. “I know, I know.
Your
turn.”

“Why are you here, in London, alone?” he asked.

All desire to laugh fled, and her breath caught in her throat a moment. She grabbed her wine to delay speaking—mentally searching for an answer that didn’t make her seem any more pathetic than he probably already thought her.

“I’ve always wanted to come here,” she said slowly. “Um, the kids thought sending me on vacation would be a good birthday gift. Though, I’m guessing six weeks without Mom nagging them in person was a big motivator.”

There. That hadn’t been so difficult. Her nervous laughter and small sense of accomplishment faded when he shook his head.

“That only answers part of the question, love,” he murmured, his fingers tapping rhythmically on Meg’s knee.

The endearment sparked something inside her, something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. He had no reason to call her that, now—no need to pretend, no pushy guy to run off. She told herself not to read anything into it. Nathan was likely one of those guys who called every girl he was around “love”. Thinking it was more would be a foolish move on her part, and she knew that—despite the warmth curling in her belly, the desire making itself known no matter how badly she wanted to deny it.