Sarah’s POV
“Something wrong, Sarah?” Nate asked, his hand coming to rest protectively at the small of my back.
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the unsettling feeling. “Just a strange sensation. Like someone was watching us.”
“Paranoia comes with the territory when you’ve been through what you have,” he said softly, guiding me toward the exit. “Let’s get you and Aria settled. Elena’s expecting us for dinner tonight.”
We made our way to the parking garage where Nate’s SUV waited, and we headed straight to the hotel.
My little girl’s face lit up when we walked through the door, and she bounded across the suite, launching herself into Nate’s arms.
“Uncle Nate!” she squealed as he swept her up, spinning her around. “Did you bring me presents?”
“Aria,” I admonished gently, though I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“Of course I did, little wolf,” Nate chuckled, setting her down to pull a small wrapped package from his carry- on. “Have I ever forgotten?”
As Aria tore into her gift—a beautiful handcrafted music box from Portugal–I texted Elena to confirm our dinner plans for the evening.
She replied immediately that she was looking forward to seeing us at seven, though she warned traffic might make her a few minutes late.
I texted back that it was no problem at all. Still, a faint heaviness lingered.
These past few days, Thea and Alexander hadn’t reached out to me once, and I couldn’t shake the disappointment.
After learning Alexander had broken off his engagement, I’d made up my mind to win him back. Before we crossed paths again, I thought maybe I could accept living without him.
But after seeing him–after sharing that night with him–I knew I couldn’t. He was the only man I wanted.
“What’s on your mind?” Alpha Nate’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I shook my head, offering him a small smile.
“Why don’t you and Aria come see my place while you’re here?” he suggested warmly.
I opened my mouth to decline, but before I could, Aria piped up with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
The drive to Alpha Nate’s private residence was picturesque, winding through coastal hills until we reached a stunning modern home perched halfway up the mountainside.
Floor–to–ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the ocean, causing Aria to squeal with delight as she pressed her nose against the glass.
“Mommy! Look at the big water! It’s so blue!”
I smiled, watching my daughter’s excitement with a warmth that temporarily pushed away the unease I’d felt at the airport. “It’s beautiful, baby.”
“I picked this place specifically for you two,” Nate said, looking pleased with himself as he set our bags down. “I remembered how much you loved the ocean view in Portugal.”
“It’s magnificent, Nate,” I admitted, “but we can’t stay here.”
His expression fell slightly. “Why not? There’s plenty of room, and the security system is top of the line.”
I shook my head firmly. “I appreciate the offer, but I think it’s better if we keep our arrangement as planned. The hotel suite is perfect for us.”
“Sarah-”
“Nate,” I cut him off gently. “You know why. I need my own space right now.”
He studied my face for a long moment before nodding in acceptance. “I understand. But at least stay for lunch? Aria seems to be enjoying herself.”
I glanced at my daughter, who was now pressing her hands against the glass, tracing the path of a seagull with her finger. “Alright. Lunch it is.”
As we sat at his glass dining table overlooking the coastline, he watched me pick at my food with concern in his
eyes.
“You’ve lost weight,Sarah. Too much,” he observed, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth.
I tried to change the subject, uncomfortable with his scrutiny, but Aria betrayed me.
“Mommy doesn’t eat enough vegetables,” she chimed in, expertly twirling pasta around her fork. “That’s what Uncle Nate always says.
I couldn’t help but laugh at their tag–team effort. “I’m being ganged up on by the two of you now?”
“Always,” Nate winked, refilling my water glass. “Someone needs to look after you.”
I understood what he meant and made a mental note to find the right time to set things straight with him.
After lunch, Aria didn’t want to leave, so we spent the next hours watching her explore the house’s sprawling terrace, her delighted squeals mingling with the sound of the waves below.
Nate had always been good with her–patient, attentive, quick to encourage her curiosity.
And as I stood there, watching my daughter’s hair glint in the sunlight, a sharp ache bloomed in my chest.
If Alexander and I hadn’t lost those five years… this could have been our afternoon.
His arm around me, his smile warming the salt–tinged air, our daughter’s laughter ringing out over the ocean. I blinked hard, pulling myself back from the thought before it could hollow me out completely. My gaze dropped
to my watch, the minute hand dragging me back to the present.
“It’s nearly five,” I said, forcing lightness into my tone. “We should start getting ready for dinner with Elena.”
I called out gently to them, “Come on, you two–I guess we’d better get going.”
Nate winked at me, ruffling Aria’s hair as he passed. “Alright, let’s get ready. Traffic can be terrible this time of day.”
An hour later, we were pulling into the parking lot of an exclusive restaurant known for its private dining rooms and exceptional cuisine.
The hostess led us to our reserved space, a tastefully decorated room with soft lighting and elegant table settings.
“Elena’s running late,” I said, checking my phone. “Traffic jam on the coastal highway.”
“More time for us to catch up,” Nate suggested, helping Aria into her booster seat.
“I’m going to use the restroom quickly,” I told them, grabbing my purse. “Order me a sparkling water if the server comes by?”
“Want me to come with you?” Nate called after me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Eww, Uncle Nate!” Aria giggled, covering her mouth. “Boys can’t go in the girl bathroom!”
Their laughter followed me as I stepped into the hallway, smiling to myself while typing a response to Elena’s apologetic text.
Head down, focused on my phone, I didn’t notice the figure approaching until I collided with a solid wall of muscle.
“I’m so sorry-” My phone clattered to the floor as I stumbled back, mortified by my clumsiness.
A hand reached down to retrieve it before I could, and something in the gesture–the fluid grace, the strength evident in those long fingers–sent a jolt of recognition through me before I even looked up.
Alexander Blackwood stood before me, his powerful frame looming like a shadow, my phone held in his outstretched hand.
My heart leapt into my throat, joy spreading through my chest like wildfire.
“Alexander! What are you doing here?” I exclaimed, a smile breaking across my face.
