If you want a successful Ch 11

KAT’S POV

“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” Nate said for what had to be the fifth time since we’d arrived at the party, his hand warm on my lower back as he guided me through the crowded living room of the off-campus house.

“Thank you,” I replied, smoothing down the dress. It was shorter and more form-fitting than anything I usually wore, but Sophie had insisted it was perfect for a college party. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

That was an understatement. Nate looked ridiculously handsome in dark jeans and a fitted navy sweater that brought out his eyes, and I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Half the girls at the party had been checking him out since we’d walked in.

“I mean it, Kate,” he said, leaning closer so I could hear him over the pounding music. “You’re the most beautiful girl here. I’m the luckiest guy in the room.”

I felt my cheeks warm at the compliment, even though I knew it was part of our performance. We’d been putting on quite the show tonight – holding hands, sharing private jokes, gazing into each other’s eyes with what I hoped looked like genuine affection.

The other partygoers were definitely buying it, judging by the number of admiring looks and whispered comments we’d been receiving.

“Want another drink?” Nate asked, nodding toward my nearly empty red solo cup.

I probably should have said no. I’d already had two beers, which was more than I usually drank, and I was already feeling looser and more relaxed than normal.

But the social anxiety that had been my constant companion since arriving at Ridgeview was finally starting to fade, replaced by a warm buzz that made everything seem easier.

“Sure,” I said, handing him my cup. “But maybe something a little stronger this time?”

Nate’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You sure? You seem pretty relaxed already.”

“Exactly,” I grinned, feeling bold and reckless in a way I never had before. “I like this version of me. She’s fun.”

“She is indeed,” Nate said with a laugh, heading toward the makeshift bar in the kitchen.

While he was gone, I found myself swaying slightly to the music, something I never would have done sober.

The party was in full swing around me – couples grinding on the makeshift dance floor, groups of friends laughing loudly over drinking games, the usual chaos of college students blowing off steam on a Saturday night.

“Here you go,” Nate said, returning with two drinks. “Vodka cranberry. And I may have made it a little strong.”

“Perfect,” I said, taking a sip and immediately feeling the burn of alcohol. “Wow, you weren’t kidding about the strength.”

“Easy there, lightweight,” Nate teased, but his eyes were warm with affection as he watched me.

“I’m not a lightweight,” I protested, taking another sip to prove my point. “I just don’t usually drink much. Too busy training, you know?”

“Well, you’re not training tonight,” Nate said, moving closer as someone pushed past us in the crowded room. “Tonight you’re just a normal college student having fun with her boyfriend.”

The word ‘boyfriend’ sent a little thrill through me, even though I knew it wasn’t real. Or maybe it was the alcohol. Either way, I found myself leaning into Nate’s warmth, enjoying the solid feel of his chest against my arm.

“You know what?” I said, looking up at him with what I was sure was a dopey smile. “I think I like being a normal college student.”

“Yeah?” Nate’s voice had dropped to a lower register, and I noticed he was looking at me differently than usual. Less calculated, more… interested.

“Yeah,” I breathed, suddenly very aware of how close we were standing. “It’s nice not having to worry about every little thing I do or say.”

“You worry too much anyway,” Nate said, his free hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re amazing, Kate. Smart, talented, beautiful, funny when you let yourself relax…”

“Stop,” I said, but I was smiling and leaning into his touch. “You’re just saying that because you have to.”

“No, I’m not,” he said seriously, his brown eyes intense as they searched mine. “I mean every word. You’re incredible, and I don’t think you realize it.”

Something had shifted between us. The performance was slipping away, replaced by something that felt dangerously real. I could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way his hand lingered against my cheek.

“Nate,” I whispered, not sure what I was trying to say.

“Dance with me,” he said suddenly, taking my hand and leading me toward the crowded living room where other couples were swaying to the music.

I let him pull me into his arms, my hands resting on his chest as his settled on my waist. We moved together slowly, intimately, ignoring the faster tempo of the song playing.

I was hyperaware of every point of contact between us – his hands on my waist, my palms against his chest, the way our bodies fit together perfectly.

“This is nice,” I murmured, my head spinning slightly from the alcohol and his proximity.

“It is,” he agreed, his voice rough. “Kate, I—”

“What?” I asked, tilting my head up to look at him.

“Nothing,” he said, but his eyes were dark with something I couldn’t quite identify. “You’re just… you’re not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” I asked, my words slightly slurred.

“Someone harder, maybe. More guarded. I didn’t expect you to be so…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“So what?”

“So real,” he said simply.

The words hit me harder than they should have, considering our entire relationship was built on a lie. But in that moment, with the alcohol flowing through my veins and Nate looking at me like I was something precious, it didn’t feel fake at all.

“You’re pretty real yourself,” I said, my hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders. “When you’re not trying so hard to be charming.”

“I’m always charming,” he protested with a grin.

“Mmm, debatable,” I teased, feeling bold and flirtatious in a way I’d never experienced before. “But you’re definitely cute when you’re not being calculating.”

“Calculating?” he repeated, something flickering across his face.

“You know what I mean,” I said, my filter completely gone thanks to the vodka. “The way you plan everything out, always thinking three steps ahead. It’s impressive, but sometimes I wonder what you’re like when you just… let go.”

“Maybe you should find out,” he said, his voice low and husky.

Before I could ask what he meant, his hands were sliding up to frame my face, his thumbs brushing across my cheekbones.

The party, the crowd, the music – everything else faded away until there was just us, swaying together in our own little bubble.

“Kate,” he whispered, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath, see the way his pupils were dilated.

“Yeah?” I breathed, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“We should probably…” he started, but didn’t finish the thought.

“Probably what?” I asked, though I was pretty sure I knew what he was thinking because I was thinking the same thing.

Instead of answering, he leaned down and kissed me.

It was supposed to be for show, I told myself dimly. We were at a party, people were watching, this was just part of our performance. But the moment his lips touched mine, I knew this was nothing like the brief, perfunctory kisses we’d shared for appearances’ sake.

This kiss was hot and desperate and completely consuming. I melted into him, my hands fisting in his sweater as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my knees weak. I could taste the alcohol on his lips, could feel the barely controlled hunger in the way he held me.

I forgot where we were, forgot why we were supposed to be kissing, forgot everything except the way he felt against me and the heat building in my chest. This wasn’t fake anymore – this was real and intense and everything I hadn’t known I wanted.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing hard, I stared up at him in shock. His eyes were dark and wild, his lips swollen from our kiss, and he was looking at me like he’d never seen me before.

“Kate,” he said roughly, his hands still framing my face. “I—”

“What the hell?!”

The furious voice from behind us shattered the moment completely. I spun around, my heart still racing, to find Liam standing a few feet away with an expression of absolute rage on his face. His green eyes were blazing, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he looked like he wanted to hit something.