Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 179 This Is What It Feels Like

"You know, there are ways you can make it go away, princess," Nate smirks, giving me his infamous raised eyebrow emoji expression as he sits up.

"No time. C'mon. They'll be here soon."

We are both slow to get out of bed, neither of us wanting to leave the comfort of the the soft sheets and each other's body heat. We brush our teeth, wash our faces and fix our hair in unison like an old married couple. Like we've been doing this forever. When Nate hears the knock on the door, the color drains from his face.

He's nervous.

Why?

Nate is never nervous. Is he afraid of what the doctor might say or find? Has Nate been downplaying his symptoms not only to me and everyone else but to himself?

"Hey, playboy-look at me." I pull Nate's face down to mine and kiss his perfect minty lips. "It's nothing to worry about. A quick checkup is all."

"Yeah says the one with the healthy heart." He frowns and answers the door.

*****

Jonah thanks the doctor and nurses who came to the penthouse suite. Blood was drawn, urine sampled, and vitals taken. EKG was crap but it is to be expected when dealing with heart disease, arrhythmia, and other related conditions. 

Once the medical team is gone, Nate hightails it right to his room. It was a long appointment.

"So now what?" I turn to Jonah and Casey.

"I'm not sure. Let's wait and see what the test results from his labs say. But you did the right thing, Trish.  He needs a day to rest." Jonah exhales sharply and then takes Casey's hand. "We're gonna go out for lunch and do a little sightseeing, if that's fine. If you need anything, you know to call me right away, correct?"

"Of course. There's nothing you can do right now, anyway, so enjoy. You can go too, Evan." I turn to the quiet bodyguard who stood by the door the entire time. "I'm going back to bed. I'm not letting him go anywhere today, but I will text you if anything changes."

"Yes, ma'am." Evan nods, but there's a strange look to his face. Does he think I'm gonna fool around with Nate all day? Even if I did- why the hell would Scofield care? I shrug it off, and once everyone leaves, I head back to bed.

Nate is staring up at the ceiling, lost in his head.

"You need anything?"

"A new heart.... got any extras lying around?"

I frown and crawl into bed next to Nate, tangling my legs with his and running my fingers through his hair.

"Resting today will be good for that old thing." I press my cheek to his chest and feel him wrap an arm around me.

"Has anyone heard from Paul?" Nate asks with closed eyes. I bite my lip and lie.

"I talked to him earlier. She's fine. He's tired but fine. And James is.... You know. The same."

I haven't talked to Paul today. But I don't need Nate worrying about shit over there, so I am fine with this lie.

"Have you heard from Richard yet?"

"Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack thinking about shit, Playboy?" I gaze up at him. "I told you I'll handle it. You need to shut your brain off."

 "It's easier said than done, doll."

"I know it is." I sigh, knowing all too well how much alike me and Nate are. How we sometimes can't shut our brains down. I peck his cheek, and his heavy eyelids close once more. Staring down at his perfect lips, he just put chapstick on, I slowly kiss his cheek again. And again. I feel my body tingle in all the right places with each touch to his skin. My lips trail to the corner of his mouth, and I kiss him again, this time letting it linger before pulling away. We are so close that my eyelashes touch his nose, and his breath tickles my cheek. Nate parts his lips and comes alive, kissing me back the way I need him to. Slow and soft at first until we can't take it anymore, and our tongues touch. Electricity sparks through me, and I can tell Nate feels it too.

"Wait. Everyone's still here." Nate breathes out.

"No, Jonah and Casey just left to go out to lunch and sightsee for the afternoon. I told Evan I was going to take a nap with you so he could go back to the room...or wherever the hell he wants to go, until four."

"Are you planning on seducing me, Miss Banks?" He cocks a brow at me when I lightly stroke my fingers down his chest and abs.

"Will it help you relax?" I kiss his neck. The soft skin right under his ear. His spot. 

"You know it will, princess." Nate swallows hard, making me smirk at the effect I still have on him, even though we have had each other a trillion times before.

I make love to him in a slow manner which lasted well over an hour. I took care of him. In every way possible I will always take care of him.

That will never stop.

*****