“Julianne, buying groceries is part of her job. It’s fine. Besides, if you’re going to live here with me, you need to get used to it.”

I look up at him again and search his face. He smiles and kisses me lightly. “I can’t wait to have you here, permanently.”

I grin up at him, and none of the nervousness or fear at the prospect of living with Nate settles in my belly. Instead I’m excited and happy at the thought of being together.

“I’ll start a list tonight.”

Chapter Twenty Eight

“What do you want to do tomorrow?” I ask, basking in post-orgasmic bliss. We are cuddled up in bed, the blankets wrapped around us, my head on his chest. Nate’s fingers are thrumming up and down my back.

He fucked my brains out in the shower, and then dirtied me up again when we got to the bed.

I’m not complaining.

“How do you feel about going down to Pike’s Market? I’d like to get some fresh produce and cook for you tomorrow night.”

“Sure, sounds fun. I love downtown.”

“You’re moving in with me.” He whispers and I grin.

“I am.”

“Tomorrow.” he says simply.

I giggle and kiss his cheek. “I think I have some phone calls to make, some packing to do, and you and I need to talk about logistics.”

“I’m ready for your things to be mingled in with my things. Your clothes in our closet, and you, in our home, every day.”

“God, you say the most sweet, mushy things to me, babe.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. This is new to me.” I run my fingers through his impossibly soft, long black hair and sigh. “It feels like we’re moving really fast.”

“No, Jules, we’re playing catch-up. I’ve wanted this with you for the better part of the last year. I screwed up last summer with you. I won’t let you go again.”

“I’m not asking you to let me go. I don’t want you to let me go.” I kiss his chin again. “I love you so much. It feels fast, but it feels right. I want those things too.”

I sigh and bury my face in his neck and breathe him in. He wraps his arms around me and hugs me close, and I know, without a doubt, this is where I want to be; in his arms, for the rest of my life.

“Go to sleep,” he whispers and kisses my hair.

***

“Ready?” Nate asks, smiling down at me. We just stepped onto the sidewalk outside his building, which happens to be just a few blocks up from the market and waterfront. We’re going to walk down today.

He’s delicious in faded blue-jeans and a long-sleeved, white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. The weather is finally warming in the early summer sun, and we’re taking advantage of it today.

“Ready,” I confirm and he twines our fingers as we stride toward downtown at a casual pace.

“You look beautiful today,” he murmurs and kisses my hand. I’m also in blue-jeans, black ballerina flats, and a red tunic top cinched at my waist with a thin black belt.

“Thank you. So do you.” I lean my head on his warm, muscular shoulder, then kiss it, as we wait at a crosswalk. “So, what are we shopping for today?” I ask.

“Greens and veggies for a salad and fresh lobster.” He pulls our linked hands around to the small of my back and leads me across the street, watching for crazy drivers. I love how he protects me, and watches out for me, while still making me feel like we’re partners.

“Sounds delicious.”

“Anything you want to grab while we’re here?” he asks.

“Tiny donuts and Starbucks.” Pike’s Market boasts the very first Starbucks café ever built, just across the street from the vendors. There is also a booth that serves delicious, fresh tiny donuts that melt in your mouth. They are both must-haves when I visit.

“Let’s do that first.” Nate’s hand tightens around mine as we descend the steep hill leading down to the Market.

When we reach the cobblestone street below, I take a deep breath and look around. This is the heart of Seattle. Business men and blue collar guys, families and couples, and people of all shapes and sizes and colors. There are musicians on the sidewalk, singing and playing instruments for change, and they are incredible, drawing quite a crowd.

I love the sights, sounds and smells.

“I’m so glad you suggested this.” I smile up at my man. “I haven’t been down here in ages, and I love it.”

“Me too.” Nate kisses my forehead and leads me into Starbucks. We order our drinks and wander through the market, starting at the end with my tiny donuts, so we can munch on the hot, soft goodness while we wander.

“SALMON!” Someone yells, and a large gray salmon goes sailing through the air in front of us. A man in orange pants held up with brown suspenders catches the fish and throws it back to the guy in the same outfit behind the fish counter.

Nate and I smile at each other, and watch the fish throwing show for a few minutes, sipping our coffee and eating our tiny donuts, soaking up Seattle.

More fish sail back and forth, the men yelling and putting on a fun show. Nate and I pick out two large lobsters, and they are packaged in a box with a handle for easy carrying.

With his hands full of lobster and coffee, I push a bite of donut in his mouth and we continue through the market, winding through a sea of people. It’s impossible to shop at Pike’s Market in a hurry. There are too many people, especially on a weekend.

Nate and I choose our salad veggies and he buys me a gorgeous bouquet of fresh tulips and gerbera daisies.

“Thank you, babe. These are gorgeous.” I bury my face in them and breathe in their sweet fragrance and smile up at him.

“Like you.” He kisses my nose, tosses his empty coffee cup in a nearby garbage, and presses his hand on the small of my back, leading me out of the Market and onto the sidewalk.

I look up and freeze. Fuck.

“What’s wrong?” Nate asks and follows my stare. “Shit,” he whispers.

Not twenty feet away from us is Carly from the office. She’s turned away from us, looking at a hand-made scarf. She pays the vendor and turns her head our way, and her eyes catch mine. I hold my breath, just waiting for her to say something, but she doesn’t. Nothing in her expression changes, and it’s as though we’re strangers. She gathers her shopping bags and walks in the opposite direction of us without looking back.

“She saw us,” I whisper.