Page 48 of Not My Coach
I glance at Nate, and he’s smiling bigger than ever.
“I can’t wait to use that on you.”
Gulping, I find a smaller box beneath it. “How many toys did you get?”
He shrugs. “I just grabbed every one that I thought would make you feel good. Five or six?”
My jaw drops. “What?” I laugh. “Where are the rest?”
He looks at the unopened gifts. “You still have a few bags to go, Eve.”
I open the next bag with a mission and quickly unpack all of them, setting everything out in front of me. He clearly has noticed I love wearing black when I dress up because he picked out a cowl-neck satin evening gown that has a slit up the right leg with flowy straps that hang off the shoulders. He also bought black heels to go with the gown—in my size, mind you.
This man pays attention—I’ll give him that.
“Is there a reason you went on a shopping spree today?” I mumble, throwing my leg across his lap, straddling him.
Leaning back on his hand that is now settled against my hip, he brushes my hair out of my face. “Because my girl deserves to be spoiled and we have plans tonight. Seven p.m. At a cute Italian restaurant.”
“Nathaniel Carrington, are you asking me on a date?” My lips tip up into a cheek-pinching smile.
“I would say less asking, more demanding really.” He chuckles and rests his hand on my thigh.
“Seven it is.” I swoon and grab his face, kissing him deeply and slowly, savoring every single second.
* * *
After two and a half hours of getting ready, I slip my heels on with my heart pounding so hard in my chest that I’m scared it’ll break a few ribs. I think Nate is going to be my full-time stylist from now on because I don’t think I’ve ever looked hotter. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m wearing the outfit that he handpicked for me. Regardless, I feel incredible. Tonight, I curled my hair in loose waves and kept my makeup fairly light, aside from a red lip. There is just something about a red lip that feels so powerful.
“Are you ready to see me?” I call out, cracking his bedroom door open.
His warm breath brushes against my cheek. I had no idea he was standing at the door, and I jerk back.
“Very.”
Pulling the door open, I close my eyes at the anticipation. “What do you think?”
Silence envelops me, goose bumps skating down my body. Peeking through my right eye, I find Nate with his jaw unhinged and eyes twinkling.
His voice is barely audible as he says, “Beautiful. So fucking beautiful.”
Blushing as bright as my lipstick, I smile and shyly say, “Thank you.”
He leans against the doorframe and says, “Come on. Give me a twirl.”
Biting my bottom lip, I pivot on my heel and turn around slowly, giving him a full spin.
When my back is to him, I feel him approach me, and I freeze.
His hands reach around each side of my head, and something gold twinkles in the light, catching my eye.
“One last present for today … probably the last one,” he whispers as cool metal falls onto my chest. “Lift your hair, baby.”
Wrapping my fingers around my shiny, dark hair, I lift it up as he clasps the necklace behind my neck. I’m dying to look at it. My fingers brush against the gold, and I feel the outline of letters.
“Take a look,” he says hesitantly, like he’s nervous for my approval, making my heart flutter even crazier.
Walking over to his oversize framed mirror that leans against the wall by his dresser, I see the word sweetheart dangling from a gold chain.
