Read Online Welcome to Paradise: Welcome to Paradise, Book 1 by Elle Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elle Kennedy
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tomorrow,” Charlotte promised instantly.
Nate grew serious. “How long are you in town for, anyway?”
“I booked the room at the B&B until the end of the week.”
“And then you’re heading back to New York.”
“That’s the plan.”
She thought she saw a flicker of disappointment in his gorgeous gray eyes, but then he stood up and smiled. “The steaks should be done broiling.” When she stood up, he gestured for her to stay put and added, “I’ll bring everything out. It’s not every day I get to serve dinner to a beautiful woman.”
The offhand comment gave her pause. She got the feeling he was saying something more, telling her something important. Had he shied away from relationships over the years too? She couldn’t imagine a man as virile and sinfully sexy as Nate not having a woman in his life, yet the thought brought a spark of joy to her belly.
Nate returned a few moments later and placed a plate loaded with food in front of her. He’d made steak, roasted potatoes and mashed carrots, and after the first bite, Charlotte moaned in delight. “This is great, Nate.”
“Thanks.” His eyes went heavy-lidded for a moment. “Though I’m pretty sure it’s not as delicious as how you look right now.”
She laughed. “How is it that getting you to talk about private matters is like pulling teeth, but when it comes to sex, you’re always able to say exactly what’s on your mind?”
He chewed slowly, looking slightly uncomfortable. “I don’t know. I don’t like revealing personal shit.” He hesitated. “I could always do it with you, though.”
They fell silent, quietly eating their supper while Nate’s revelation floated through her mind. When they’d been dating, they used to talk for hours upon hours, which had been just as out of character for Charlotte as it had been for Nate. She’d told him everything—her anger at her mom, her dreams to be a singer, how she hated the way the kids at school treated her. And he’d reciprocated, confessing how much he loved this small town, despite the frequent drawbacks. They’d talked and kissed and laughed. They’d spent every waking moment together.
And then he’d broken her heart.
She choked down the agony suddenly sticking to her throat. “So how are your brothers doing?” she asked, cringing at the overly bright tone of her voice.
The subject was a harmless one, though, and soon she got caught up in his stories. He told her about Owen’s construction business, Jake’s life of danger in the special forces, Austin’s award-winning photographs. Charlotte reciprocated by telling him about some of her favorite concerts and the new songs she was working on.
By the time they drifted into the living room and sipped on the beers Nate had cracked open, she felt loose and relaxed. She’d forgotten how easy it was to be with Nate. How nice it was to confide in him. How much she wanted to rip his clothes off…
She almost gave in to the urge when something caught her eye. “Why do you have a guitar?” she asked, her gaze landing on the light brown acoustic guitar leaning against the bookshelf. “Did you finally learn how to play?”
Nate looked sheepish. “Uh, no. I just like having it around.”
Warmth suffused her body. Did he keep a guitar in his house because it reminded him of her?
Before she could stop herself, she set down her beer bottle, hopped off the couch and went to get the guitar. When she returned to the couch and strummed a few test chords, she was surprised to find the instrument in perfect tune.
“Can I hear one of your new songs?” Nate asked.
Pleasure swelled in her belly. With a little nod, she began to strum the opening chords of a song she’d come up with late at night a few weeks ago. There was no nervousness, no hesitation. She simply opened her mouth and began to sing. It came so naturally, singing to this man. As the still-rough lyrics slid out of her mouth, she was reminded of all those nights by
Nate grew serious. “How long are you in town for, anyway?”
“I booked the room at the B&B until the end of the week.”
“And then you’re heading back to New York.”
“That’s the plan.”
She thought she saw a flicker of disappointment in his gorgeous gray eyes, but then he stood up and smiled. “The steaks should be done broiling.” When she stood up, he gestured for her to stay put and added, “I’ll bring everything out. It’s not every day I get to serve dinner to a beautiful woman.”
The offhand comment gave her pause. She got the feeling he was saying something more, telling her something important. Had he shied away from relationships over the years too? She couldn’t imagine a man as virile and sinfully sexy as Nate not having a woman in his life, yet the thought brought a spark of joy to her belly.
Nate returned a few moments later and placed a plate loaded with food in front of her. He’d made steak, roasted potatoes and mashed carrots, and after the first bite, Charlotte moaned in delight. “This is great, Nate.”
“Thanks.” His eyes went heavy-lidded for a moment. “Though I’m pretty sure it’s not as delicious as how you look right now.”
She laughed. “How is it that getting you to talk about private matters is like pulling teeth, but when it comes to sex, you’re always able to say exactly what’s on your mind?”
He chewed slowly, looking slightly uncomfortable. “I don’t know. I don’t like revealing personal shit.” He hesitated. “I could always do it with you, though.”
They fell silent, quietly eating their supper while Nate’s revelation floated through her mind. When they’d been dating, they used to talk for hours upon hours, which had been just as out of character for Charlotte as it had been for Nate. She’d told him everything—her anger at her mom, her dreams to be a singer, how she hated the way the kids at school treated her. And he’d reciprocated, confessing how much he loved this small town, despite the frequent drawbacks. They’d talked and kissed and laughed. They’d spent every waking moment together.
And then he’d broken her heart.
She choked down the agony suddenly sticking to her throat. “So how are your brothers doing?” she asked, cringing at the overly bright tone of her voice.
The subject was a harmless one, though, and soon she got caught up in his stories. He told her about Owen’s construction business, Jake’s life of danger in the special forces, Austin’s award-winning photographs. Charlotte reciprocated by telling him about some of her favorite concerts and the new songs she was working on.
By the time they drifted into the living room and sipped on the beers Nate had cracked open, she felt loose and relaxed. She’d forgotten how easy it was to be with Nate. How nice it was to confide in him. How much she wanted to rip his clothes off…
She almost gave in to the urge when something caught her eye. “Why do you have a guitar?” she asked, her gaze landing on the light brown acoustic guitar leaning against the bookshelf. “Did you finally learn how to play?”
Nate looked sheepish. “Uh, no. I just like having it around.”
Warmth suffused her body. Did he keep a guitar in his house because it reminded him of her?
Before she could stop herself, she set down her beer bottle, hopped off the couch and went to get the guitar. When she returned to the couch and strummed a few test chords, she was surprised to find the instrument in perfect tune.
“Can I hear one of your new songs?” Nate asked.
Pleasure swelled in her belly. With a little nod, she began to strum the opening chords of a song she’d come up with late at night a few weeks ago. There was no nervousness, no hesitation. She simply opened her mouth and began to sing. It came so naturally, singing to this man. As the still-rough lyrics slid out of her mouth, she was reminded of all those nights by
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