Chapter 10

Ten

Ethan

I pulled up to Natalie's house, my mind still churning over yesterday's events. The rumble of the engine faded into the peaceful suburban neighborhood as I parked in front of her quaint home. Playing catch with Jude had been a welcome distraction, but that phone call from Sophia still lingered in my mind like a persistent itch. I needed to return to Dallas soon to deal with a high-profile client, and the thought of leaving Cedar Cove—leaving Natalie—gnawed at me like a hungry beast.

But as I stepped out of the truck and saw Natalie waiting on the porch, a bright smile lighting up her face, the anxiety eased a little. She looked absolutely stunning in that simple dress, which beautifully highlighted her natural beauty. For a moment, all I could think about was how lucky I was to be here with her.

"Well, hello there, beautiful," I greeted her warmly, enveloping Natalie in a hug. The comfort of her presence against me was a soothing remedy to the strain that had been weighing me down like a heavy cloak.

"Well, well, well," she quipped back, meeting my gaze with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Are you geared up for an evening of excitement?"

"Absolutely," I said, pushing the worries about the client's new deal and my real life back to the corners of my mind. Tonight, I just wanted to enjoy being with Natalie and escape into this idyllic moment away from everything else.

The drive to Jess and Mike's house was filled with easy conversation. The hum of the engine and the soft rustle of the wind through the open truck windows provided a soothing backdrop.

Natalie's words flowed effortlessly as she told me about how long Jess had been preparing for Mike's birthday party, her animated gestures making me laugh at her descriptions of Jess's over-the-top excitement. It was a welcome distraction from the weight of everything else that had been swirling around us.

As we pulled up to their house, I could already see the warm glow of lights emanating from the backyard. The sound of laughter and chatter grew louder as we made our way towards the gathering. Friends of Mike's, mostly locals, were mingling together in small groups, their faces illuminated by the setting sun. The air was thick with the aroma of grilling food and the sound of music playing in the background. I couldn't help but feel a sense of ease wash over me.

Natalie led me around, introducing me to a few of Mike's friends. Their curious gazes met mine but quickly softened into warm smiles. Cedar Cove may have been a small town, but it was full of friendly faces and a welcoming atmosphere. As I chatted and laughed with these new acquaintances, I felt myself being drawn into their easy camaraderie, leaving behind any lingering worries or stress from before.

As the evening progressed, I couldn't help but watch Natalie as she moved through the crowd. She was so at ease and so natural with everyone she interacted with. It struck me just how different our worlds were. Cedar Cove was a tight-knit community, and I was starting to understand why Natalie had returned here from college after her parents had moved away.

At one point, I caught sight of her playing a game with Jude, and something stirred inside me. She was so good with him, so patient and caring, and it made me realize what a wonderful preschool teacher she must be. Watching her, I could see how easily she connected with children and how naturally they gravitated toward her kindness. It made me wonder if I could ever want something like that—a family, kids, a life that wasn't just about business and responsibility. The thought was foreign, unsettling even, but it wouldn't leave me alone.

As the night wore on, Mike pulled out a roulette wheel, and the party took on a new energy. People gathered around the table, laughing and cheering as the wheel spun. Natalie and I joined in, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had this much fun. The tension from earlier started to melt away, replaced by the simple joy of being in the moment with her.

But even as I laughed and played along, the phone call from Sophia kept creeping back into my thoughts. My sister had been clear that I needed to return soon—one of our best clients was too important to risk, and she couldn't handle the situation alone. I knew I'd have to come up with an excuse to leave Cedar Cove, but the idea of leaving Natalie, of disrupting whatever it was we were building, left me uneasy. And the idea of telling her the truth was even more damn scary.

As the roulette wheel spun and the ball landed on black, Natalie let out a whoop of victory. We high-fived and decided to call it a night. Walking to my truck, we were both buzzing with excitement and adrenaline. As we drove across town, our conversation was light and playful, filled with jokes and teasing.

When we arrived at her house, both of us shed our party clothes for something more casual. Natalie emerged from her bedroom, adorned in one of my old T-shirts that she had made her own. Her hair was tousled, and her face was free of makeup, yet she still managed to exude an effortless beauty that left me breathless.

All I wanted was to wrap my arms around her and continue where we had left off. Closing the distance between us, I leaned in for a kiss, expecting our night to end as it always did, tangled up in each other's embrace. But as our lips met, she pulled back slightly, causing a flutter of confusion and disappointment in my chest.

"Ethan," she began, her voice soft yet serious, a hint of worry laced within it. My stomach tightened in response. "We need to talk."

Without waiting for my reply, she guided me over to the couch and sat down, patting the cushion beside her. As I settled next to her, I couldn't help but notice the change in her demeanor from earlier in the night. The carefree energy was replaced with a sense of deep thoughtfulness and caution.

Natalie's eyes held a flicker of hesitation before she began to speak. The silence between us was heavy, filled with unspoken emotions and a sense of impending seriousness. Her eyes searched mine, her gaze like a spotlight piercing through my defenses. I could feel her determination, her need for answers.

"I've been thinking a lot," she said, her voice quiet but resolute. "And I can't shake the feeling that you're hiding something from me. You seem to have this whole part of your life that you don't talk about and after that phone call yesterday... I just need to know what's going on."

I sucked in a deep breath. I knew this moment was coming, but I still wasn't prepared for it. I hesitated, trying to find the right words. How could I explain everything without revealing too much?

"It's true that there are things I haven't told you," I admitted reluctantly. "But it's not because I don't trust you or want to keep secrets from you." My mind raced as I tried to come up with an explanation. "The call yesterday was from someone from my past, someone who's going through a tough time. It's just... complicated." The words felt inadequate, but they were all I could offer for now.

Natalie's unwavering gaze held mine, searching for any signs of deception. I could almost hear the cogs turning in her mind as she weighed my words, trying to decide if she should trust me or not. Her features were tense and guarded, like a fortress built to protect her thoughts. I braced myself for her to push further, to demand more answers from me, but instead, she let out a heavy sigh, and her expression softened.

"I understand. You know my experience with my ex," she finally spoke, her voice laced with empathy. "I know what it's like to have someone from your past that you don't want to open up about."

Natalie's eyes seemed to reflect a glimpse of her own hidden pain, just enough for me to catch a hint of it before it disappeared behind a mask of understanding. Even so, the uncertainty in her eyes was clear. She wanted to trust me, but part of her was still holding back—just like I was.

The silence between us was heavy, like a thick fog that had settled in and refused to dissipate. I yearned to reach out, to bridge the growing gap between us, but my tongue felt tied and unable to form the words. The secret of my status as a billionaire weighed on me like a boulder, pushing us further apart with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Natalie stood up, and the spell was broken. "I'm going to bed," she said softly, her words carrying an unspoken message. "You can join me if you want, but..."

I nodded, understanding the implication. Tonight, there would be no quenching of our shared desires. Instead, we were left with a chasm that seemed to widen with every attempt to close it. The air crackled with tension, and I could feel the weight of our unspoken thoughts hanging heavily between us. We walked together in heavy silence, our feet dragging against the carpet as we made our way to her bedroom.

As we climbed into bed, I reached out to Natalie, desperate to offer some form of comfort, but she turned away, wrapping herself in the blanket like a shield from whatever storm was brewing inside of her. I lay there, my mind whirring with guilt and conflict, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was keeping from her.

As the night wore on, the distance between us in that bed seemed to stretch for miles. I could feel her presence next to me, but it felt more like a mirage than reality. With each passing moment, my fear grew that this might be the beginning of the end. The woman I loved lay beside me, yet I had never felt more alone in my life.