He's The Boss

11

Here I am again.

I don't know what is wrong with me. It's a bad idea to be around Nate, especially after what happened with James and Dana. But here I am, outside his apartment again, driven by some sort of perverse need.

Maybe if Haley had been around, I might have been able to stop myself. But she went out to meet her friends and tell them about breaking things off with Maya. She said I could come if I wanted, but I don't know her friends that well, and don't have it in me for that kind of socializing.

No, what I need is to unwind, and Nate's the best person to help me do that, to make me feel something again. I rap on the door a couple of times, but no one answers. I look down, seeing no light coming from underneath.

He's not home? That makes sense. He's probably out with James right now ... or Anna?

So what if he is? Why should I care? It's not like we're an item or anything.

I turn around, meaning to leave, when the elevator sounds and lets someone off – a man who looks as good as ever in his suit, his hair slightly windblown.

"Caitlin," Nate greets, the sound of his voice making me feel as if I've forgotten how to use my own. "This is a nice surprise."

"Hi." I look around him. "No James?"

"James is going over to talk to my mom and dad. That's not going to be a pleasant conversation, once they find out what happened."

"Shouldn't you be with him? You know, moral support?"

"I think I've given him enough moral support already. He needs to face them on his own now."

"Oh."

He cocks his head at me. "You weren't leaving, were you?"

"Well, I ... "

"Come on," he urges, pulling out a key and unlocking the door. "You can stay for a while."

I don't argue, following him inside. I drop my bag on a stand, going over to the couch. Before I can sit down however, Nate takes me into his arms, kissing me deeply. His lips are cool and soft, and I can feel how much he's missed me.

"What do you want to do?" he whispers a minute later, kissing the edge of my ear.

"Everything," I answer breathlessly, already tugging at the buttons on my blouse.

"And in the morning? You're going to leave again?"

"You know how this is, Nate."

"No," he says all of a sudden, raking his hair back as he pulls away, robbing me of his touch. He holds me at arms' length, peering down at me. "No ... I don't think I can do that right now."

"Nate ... "

"I'm serious."

"So, what is this? An ultimatum?"

"No. Just a simple request."

I stare back at him, feeling lost as to what to do. "Nate, we both have work tomorrow."

"Yet, here you are. You have to wake up somewhere, don't you? Whether it's my apartment or yours, I feel, does not make that much of a difference."

"If it didn't make such a difference, you wouldn't be asking me to stay."

"I was talking in terms of distance."

"What does it matter if I'm here in the morning?"

"No one likes feeling used, Cait. Anyway, I'm not forcing you. You're free to do whatever you want. Like I said, it's a request."