Dates

NATHAN POV

I'm getting down the stairs as quietly as possible. I walk through the dark house to the front door and as soon as I put my hand on the knob I see with the corner of my eye the light of a cigarette in the living room.

"Where are you going?" my mom has a dry voice and I can hear the clink oh the ice in the glass.

"Out." I close my eyes, hoping she won't see my face in the dark, talking as firm as I can.

"And that bag?" She gets up from the sofa and exhales a large, smoky cloud, coming towards me.

"None of your business mom." I take a deep breath and look at her, standing near me with her beautiful face, even if emaciated, and her sparkly black eyes. 

"Just be careful baby." A single tear escapes her eye and I wipe it away with my thumb. Sometimes I just wish we could both get away from here, from him. But every time I try to talk about it it's like he hears me and comes for us. And it ends always the same way: my mom crying in her bed and me with a bruise or two, doing his dirty work.

"Yeah mom, always." I lean on her tiny body and place a kiss on her forehead, feeling the bones as I stroke her arms. She wasn't alway like this. My mom had me at 16 and my so-called father disappeared right away. We basically grew up together, even thru a thousand difficulties. She had hosts of men at her feet thanks to her beauty but it was like she never noticed. But one day he came back and she had no choice but to follow him. I close the door behind me and I get in the car, driving a little before stoping to change with clothes that I put in the bag. A few minute later I pull over, in front of Maddie's house. I'm here. Deep breaths Nathan. It's only a date. I shake off the tension and walk up to the door with a confident pace.

DING DONG

"I'm comiiiiing!" Maddie's voice comes from a window upstairs. I look up and I can see a shadow moving frantically behind the curtains. The door opens, recalling my attention.

"Hey Maddie, thanks for helping us." She offers me a big smile and lets me in.

"Oh don't mention it, anything for you two. Plus, I've got some company too." She gives me a quick hug and blushes on the last part of the phrase.

"Marcus?" I raise my brows to tease her and she looks at me with a little bit of shock, her cheeks now flushed. She opens her mouth, a mute question on how I knew.

"Kate." I smile as she closes her mouth, frowning.

"I'm gonna kill a that girl, I swear. Come with me, she's gonna be down here in a minute." Maddie takes me under my arm, walking thru a huge living room to the base of the stairs. I can't stop looking around, I can't stand still. I never saw such a big house. The stairs go up to a big glass balcony and a modern fireplace reproduces the sound of the flames. I walk around the living room, running my fingers on the white couches and admiring the enormous colorful painting hanging on the other side. I go up to a window, peaking behind the curtains where a beautiful pool shines in the night. Whoa.

"Nervous?" Maddie's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I turn to face her.

"Nervous is an understatement." She offers me a sweet smile and tilts her head, rolling her eyes.

"Oh God, you truly are meant to be together." She turns around and goes back to the stairs, sitting on the first step.

"What do you mean?" I almost run to her, I wanna know everything.

"You should have seen her earlier. Sweaty palms, walking in circles and all that stuff. You're the only one that I ever seen that has this type of effects on her." The only one? Maddie giggles and looking in the mirror I see what a stupid face I have. I look like a foolish.

"There she is." At her words my head jerks upward and my heart stops. An angel. Katherine is enveloped in a black dress that emphasizes all her curves, the lace part makes my imagination run wild. I open and close my mouth a few times, my brain is all over the place and I can't think straight. She's flawless. As she walks down she watches her steps and at every movement the flowyness of the skirt gifts me of more inches of her bare and slightly tanned skin.

"Wow." The sound escapes my mouth without me even thinking and her green eyes dart to mine, opening wide.

"Wow." Kate repeats my words and looks at me thru her lashes, biting down on her lower lip. Jesus. I gulp, trying to stop my instinct to jump on her.

"Well, that's my cue to leave. Have a good date guys. And use protection!" Maddie runs upstairs before Kate can do anything and when she looks back at me she gives me the most breathtaking smile I've ever seen.

"You're.. just perfect." I talk without even thinking, I just wanna look at her forever. Katherine looks down blushing. I close the distance between us and lift her head up, placing two fingers under her chin.

"Don't be shy Katie. I just can't take my eyes off you." She places her hands on my chest, electricity runs through my body, and she gives me that sexy look biting her lower lip. Jesus Christ. I hold my breath, desperately keeping control of myself.

"You are truly handsome kn this suit, Mr Walker. And I don't want you to look at anything else." I smile and finally kiss her. She wraps her arms around my neck and my hands slide down her back, pulling her even closer.

"Where are we going?" Kate talks between kisses and I smile before taking her hand and walking to the car.

"It's a surprise."

KATHERINE POV 

I hop in the passenger seat and Nathan takes out a piece of fabric. I look confused at him and the last thing I see is his smile. He blindfolded me. He starts the car and I can only feel the night's breeze coming thru the open window and the bumpy road under the car. 

"You're not going to kidnap me, do you?" I fake a scared voice and I hear his attempt to hold back a laugh.

"I haven't decided yet. The idea to have you all to myself is not so bad." I feel his hand landing on my leg, caressing me just under the skirt.

"Now that I think about it, you're right." I take his hand in mine and I play with my fingers on his palm.

We drive in silence for about 20 minutes and every now and then I kiss his hand before letting it rest again on my lap. His fingers travel on rim of the dress, tracing invisible lines on my bare skin. Every touch gives me shivers of pleasure and I grow more impatient every minute that goes by. As I'm about to talk I feel the car slowing down and finally pull over.

"We're here. Wait up, let me help you out." He exits the car and right away opens the door for me. He places one hand on my lower back and holds my arm with the other one. We walk a few minutes  and I feel grass under my heels. We turn right a couple of times and then Nathan stops, going behind me. His hands travel from my wrists up to my shoulders and to my head, untying the knot. I slowly open my eyes and the view takes my breath away, I'm completely speechless. I recognize my favorite spot on the hill where he has settled up a table with candles, just on the edge. San Francisco lights dance in the distance and the soft sound of the traffic fills the air. How did he knew about this place? f*****g Marcus. I take a deep breath, closing my fists tight. Don't ruin this moment Katherine. I can kill him later tonight.

"This is one of my favorite places in San Francisco. Away from everyone and everything. Only pure air." Nathan's voice rips me from my thoughts and right away sweetens me with his warm tone. His place?

"You won't believe me, but this is my place too." I turn around in his arms and stroke his cheek. This cannot be real.

"What?" His eyes widen a bit and he whispers. I smile at his reaction.

"Remember the first day we met? The fight with Alexis and Miss Brown?" He nods still in disbelief.

"I came here when I ran away from you. I stayed here all day long. This is the only place in this city where your phone can't be traced down. When you're here, you just disappear from the world." Looks like Marcus will live a little bit longer.

"Your are full of surprises Katherine Moore." He leans on me kissing me deeply. I grip to his suit and his embrace thighs up around my body. His soft lips kiss mine and our tongues dance together. When we separate I look back at the table that he made up.

"Me? I didn't do anything. But you, look at this. Thank you. Really." Nathan places his hands on my hips, closing the distance between our bodies. His eyes land on mine, the jet back now even more dark, due to the night and something else, some wild thoughts run thru my mind. He stares deeply into my eyes and he licks his lips. As his fingers dance on my hips, shivers run down my spine and make me tighten my thighs. I wrap my arms around his neck, and on my tiptoes I kiss him again. His hands move on my back, one on the lower part, one on my nape, keeping my body against his, my feet barely touching the ground. Holy f**k, will I be able to stop? Nathan takes my breath away every time I look at him. I cup his face in my hands and he gently put me back on my feet.

"You're intoxicating Katherine. Your voice, moves, your gaze and that determination in your eyes." I adore the way my name slips from his mouth, how he talks against my lips, our breath mixing together.

"You really are a great person Nathan. You gave me a best friend and something more. You can actually convince me that I'm not evil, that I deserve something beautiful. And most important thing, you gave me hope. Thank you." I stroke his cheek again and he takes my hand, leading me to my seat.

*Meanwhile*

MARCUS POV 

Maddie enters her room with the biggest smile I ever seen on her face, closing the door and leaning on it.

"How was it?" I sit up on her bed, making room for her.

"You should have seen them. They where a bundle of nerves, babbling on how perfect they were." She waves her hands all over the place, taken by the excitement.

"Katherine babbling? Oh God, I'll make fun of her my whole life!" I try to repress the laughter but I just can't. That is not the Kate that I know, it's honestly impressive.

"Come on, don't be mean. After all she caught us in the same situation." Maddie falls on the bed beside me and slaps jokingly my shoulder.

"On that note, she gave us her blessing." I fake an unimpressed face but Maddie's jaw drops.

"You're kidding." She's completely serious, her blue eyes are even bigger than before, searching deep into mine.

"Absolutely not!" I lean a little bit closer to her and the shuts her mouth, blushing and looking at me thru her lashes. Oh Lord help me keeping control on myself.

"So she's fine? Just like that? No threats?" I giggle and stroke her soft cheek, she imperceptibly leans her face on my hand.

"Oh you wish. I think that the exact words were "If you hurt her, I'll chase you around the world. You will have to sleep with an eye open" and something like "start digging your own grave". As usual, you know her." She giggles and that bright smile blinds me. How could I not notice her before? 

"I really can't believe it. I thought she would have shoot lightning bolts." I shake my head and lean even closer to her, we almost sink between the pillows.She stops breathing and looks straight into my eyes, I feel like drowning in that ocean of crystal blue. I bear my weight on my elbow and stop a few inches from her mouth. 

"You sure this is what you want? You're not scared by my past?" I whisper the words, terrified of her reaction.

"The past is the past Marcus." Her gentle hands comes to my face, caressing me down to my neck. Her eyes follow the track of her fingers, studying my face.

"I don't know how these things work, you have to be patient with me." She stops my word by placing her thumb on my mouth.

"I trust you." I close my lips and kiss her finger, a soft taste of vanilla caresses my tongue. She looks down, embarrassed. I stroke her cheek again and she rest her head on my hand, closing her eyes.

"Look at me." My voice comes out deep and her blue eyes dart to mine. Suddenly Maddie surprises me by grabbing my shirt and pulling me closer, crashing her lips on mine. You wouldn't expect this type of passion from a sweet little thing like her and this is what makes me loose my mind. The perfect mix of sweetness and sensuality, the best of both. I slide my hand on her nape pulling her even closer to me. Without breaking the kiss I let my hand travel down her back, I squeeze her hips and she tight her grip on me. But, for once, I wanna take it slow and enjoy the ride. For her.

“The movie is starting.” I remove a lock of hair from her flushed face and I kiss her forehead.

“Uh yeah, let's sit down.” We sit up on the bed and I pull her closer to me. She curls under my arm, placing her head on my chest as I stroke her blond hair. This is just.. perfect.

KATHERINE POV 

“The food was amazing. Thank you.” I offer a little smile to Nathan, admiring how the starry night reflects perfectly in his eyes.

“Anything for you babe.” He takes my hand on the table, slowly drawing circles with his fingers on my palm.

“It's getting late Nat, we have to go.” He nods at me and we start cleaning the area, it is all camping equipment and soon we're done. Hand in hand we start to walk down the trail, when I hear footsteps and voices approaching us. Nathan freezes on his feet and I pull him down under some bushes just in time before two big males walk past us. I put a hand on his mouth covering the sound of his breath, trying to understand what they are saying.

“I don’t think it’s right” Wait a minute.. Why in hell do I know this voice?

“Somewhere here Lewis, there's a car down the hill.” Lewis?! Holy f**k.