Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) Read Online Free Page A

We both deserve happiness and love Nate.  But we’re just not that for each other.  I love you, but not in the right way.  You are my best friend.”
    “ I think you’re wrong.  Each woman was nothing compared to you.  You’ll see,” he said adamantly.
    “ Nate… there’s no spark.  There’s no looking at each other and becoming the only two in the room no matter how many people are present.  Please don’t let this ruin our friendship.  You’re the only true friend I have had… ever. I couldn’t lose that.”
    “ I’ll always be here for you Mare.  Nothing will change that,” he says softly running his hand down my cheek.
    “ Thank you Nate.”
    Leaning down slowly, he whispered while staring at my lips, “You will see Mare, we were meant for each other.  You are all I think about. I yearn for you, like I have no one else.  You will see Mare,” he leaned in closer and his lips brushing mine. I am frozen, caught in his eyes. I just couldn’t break away.  He continued almost in a whisper, “you are mine and I am yours.”
    With that, he took my mouth in a fierce possession.  He has never kissed me this way, in all the times we were together. His hands tangled in my hair pulling me closer to him and further into his kiss. I wish I could believe him.  Believe that he was meant for me, but the consuming feeling that my brother and sister talked about just wasn’t there.  Disappearing and forgetting where I was just wasn’t there.
    I brought my hands up and pressed on his chest.  It took a second push to get him to break the kiss.  Backing up, I watched as he stared at me with pure lust in his eyes. He started to walk toward me, but I put my hands up.
    “ Nate, I’m not denying the lust between us. But that is all this is.  We have a great friendship that most people don’t have after sleeping with each other.  Most are awkward and what not, but we haven’t been…please don’t cost me my only friend by making it that way.”
    He stood still just staring at me.  For a moment, I thought he wasn’t going to say anything. Finally, he let out a long sigh and dropped his head for a moment. He looked back up at me with a look I couldn’t describe.
    “ I don’t know that I can, but I will try for you. It won’t be easy Mare, but I would rather have you in my life as a friend than not have you there at all. I will try.” He ends in a whisper.
    I nod my head and release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. After I collect myself, I call out to Carson that I was leaving, but I had a feeling he didn’t even remember I was there judging by the sounds I could hear.  One day I hope to have that.   Not the sex, but the need to be with someone at any time.  The pull to express the love you feel in an act that meant something more than release.
    Shaking my head, I made my way out to my car with Nate following behind me. I said another goodbye to him and made my way to the clinic.  Kayla worked just as much as before, but she also went outside the office more.  It was so good to see her act normal again.  When I arrived at the clinic, I realized how busy she was and didn’t stay long. 
    “ Hey, I’m going to get ready to head off, but I wanted to ask when the wedding is going to be?”
    “ Oh yeah, we are just going to do a small wedding in a month or so.  Neither of us wants anything big or fancy. Will you be able to be there?”
    My face dropped. “I-I don ’t know,” I said sadly.
    “ Hey, if you can’t be here I won’t hold it against you,” she grins.
    “ I’ll be here, whether he likes it or not.” I said firmly.  There was no way I was letting this man take another family moment away from me. I would be there even if it meant he beat me to death… I would be there.
    “ Yay!” Kayla claps excitedly.
    We said our goodbyes and I walked back out to my car.  Just as I sat down, my phone rang. Without looking at who was calling I answered it.
    “You have a