Her Stare

Her Stare
Nathan’s POV

I stood in the middle of the living room, still touching my lips like an idiot, replaying that kiss in my head on repeat. 

Things were finally going smoothly. Really smoothly. Heat. Chemistry. Her hands in my hair. And then…the call.

Who the hell was that? I thought, glaring at the bedroom door. And why did they have to call right now?

I strained my ears, trying to catch any piece of the conversation, but her voice was too low. 

Giving up, I turned to the pile of shopping bags and started unpacking to distract myself.

First, I unwrapped the biggest framed wedding photo. The moment I saw it, my chest tightened. 

Kayla looked unreal in that white dress…elegant, glowing, like a dream I didn’t deserve. I was staring at her like a lovesick fool in the picture, completely whipped. 

I couldn’t stop smiling as I hung it on the prominent wall opposite the couch, the perfect spot where we’d see it every day.

Stepping back, I admired it for a long moment. “Perfect,” I whispered.

I hung the smaller one on the hallway wall and another on the side table near the chair. I would be taking that one back to the office when I resume.

Besides, we will take many more pictures when we have our actual wedding.

Then I started sorting through the couple items we’d bought…the matching robes, pajamas, mugs, and all the silly stuff that made today feel so normal and happy.

The bedroom door opened and my face lit up instantly. 

I dropped the shopping bags and practically jogged toward her. “Hey, you’re ba—” The words died in my throat.

Kayla’s face was stiff, completely drained of the playfulness we’d shared earlier. 

She looked visibly shaken…pale, eyes distant, like someone had sucked the life out of her.

I reached her in two strides and took both her hands in mine. “Hey, hey… what’s the problem?”

She slowly looked up at me. Her eyes were filled with pure worry and fear.

Whoever scared her like this… I’ll kill them. I won’t even mind going to jail.

I squeezed her shoulders gently. “Talk to me. What happened? Who was that on the call? Did something happen?”

She swallowed hard. “It’s about Caden. Caleb is taking me to court for custody of my son. I just received a court summon.”

I blinked, then let out a soft laugh of relief. “That’s why you’re scared? Come on, babe. You’ve got a big strong Captain right here. Caleb doesn’t stand a chance.”

But she shook her head, voice trembling. “I have a bad feeling about this, Nathan. He sounded way too smug…like he’s already won. He’s suing me for kidnapping Caden. He claims he hasn’t seen his son and that I have him wrongfully locked away. He’s demanding to see him at the hearing.”

“Kidnapping?” I laughed again, louder this time. “How does that even work? Is he stupid?”

She didn’t smile. “The hearing is tomorrow, Nathan. That’s why I’m unsettled. How can it be so soon? What fucking strings did he pull to have it so soon? I’m not even prepared for that.”

Well I am. All I need to do is make a quick call and my lawyer will be in court tomorrow.

I pulled her closer. “Don’t worry, leave everything to me. I’m going with you. I’ll handle everything. We are not losing Caden to that asshole. Relax, okay? Go take a nice warm shower. I’ll fix us something to eat.”

She shook her head stubbornly. “You’re injured. I should be the one taking care of you. Go shower. I’ll whip up something. You know, I’ve been told that I make mean ass lasagna.”

My heart softened so hard I thought it might melt. I can’t believe this woman is my wife…and she’s offering to cook for me.

I nodded. “Alright. But don’t touch the other unpacked stuff. Those are my responsibilities. I’ll handle them after my shower.”

She gave me a small smile. “Thank you for being here at this moment, Nathan. It means a lot.”

I leaned in, brushing my nose against hers. “Where else would I be? I’m home.”

We stared at each other for a long moment, eyes soft, the air between us warm and sweet.

She’s letting me in. Kayla has finally broken down her walls. Should I be scared? Isn’t this happening too fast? Is this real?

She suddenly shoved my back playfully. “Go already!”

I grinned. “You’re chasing me away like I smell.”

She smirked. “Finally! You’ve noticed it. You reek! Go shower.”

I laughed and headed toward the bathroom, glancing back once to catch her smiling.

Getting undressed was harder than I expected. Every movement made the bullet wound throb like hell. 

I’d definitely overdone it today…lifting bags, driving, all the mall fun instead of resting like the nurses told me. 

But I wasn’t about to let Kayla see me as weak. I’m a man, damn it.

I reached for the soap with my injured arm without thinking.

“Fuck!” A sharp, blinding pain shot through my shoulder and I screamed.

The bathroom door burst open almost immediately as Kayla charged in, still wearing her kitchen gloves, eyes wide with panic. “Nathan! What happened? Are you—”

She froze.

Her eyes dropped. Slowly. All the way down my completely naked body.

I stood there under the running water, suddenly very aware of every inch of myself, heat rushing to my face.

She cares… 

She came rushing after hearing me scream…she is worried about me.

Could it be that she has fallen for me now?

But now she was staring. Really staring.

And…oh boy. I love the attention.