I always figured Nathan would live in a mansion. Once a guy made it big, he usually wanted something flashy to show off his success.

But Nathan actually lived in an upscale neighborhood not far from his company. He’d gotten an apartment on the third floor.

I parked in his underground garage and took the private elevator straight up to his place. At the entrance, there was this mechanical model holding an endless ring. I had no clue what it was supposed to mean.

Nathan looked kind of nervous. His face was red.

He wasn’t as chilly as usual. When he opened the shoe cabinet, he looked a bit annoyed and mumbled, “Only my shoes in here. Uh, you can just keep yours on if you want.”

I glanced down at my high heels and said, “Yeah, that’s fine.”

Nathan flipped on the living room lights. The place was almost empty, nothing but the essentials, no extra touches anywhere. It didn’t even have that lived-in, homey vibe.

Nathan noticed my surprised look and explained, “I’m at the office most of the time, so I haven’t really decorated much.”

I got it. Guys just aren’t as detail-oriented or emotionally expressive as women, especially when it comes to their homes.

If this were a woman’s place, there’d probably be a few pots of flowers on the balcony, some cute, cozy furniture, and even the walls would be painted in warm colors.

It felt like I was dropping by unannounced, and everything about Nathan was laid bare in front of me. He seemed a bit flustered, but his eyes were sincere when he looked at me.

“I’ll make you some coffee,” Nathan said after a moment, finally remembering to play host.

“No need. I should probably head out soon,” I replied.

“You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?” Nathan looked a bit disappointed. “Having a cup of coffee won’t take long at all.”

“Alright,” I said, glancing at the wall to his left. There was a black-and-white cabinet with no doors, filled with rows of neatly arranged books, the only thing that really stood out in the room.

Nathan looked a little happy and headed to the kitchen to make the coffee. I didn’t wander around; I just picked up a book and glanced at it.

As I held the book, my eyes wandered past the pages, and I found myself reminiscing about those early days with Jared.

When Jared first brought me to his place, it was a lot like Nathan’s, a space that was all his, just for a man.

I remembered how I walked in and started exploring every corner, already picturing myself as the woman of the house. I even went through his closet, telling him what clothes looked best on him.

I’d said I’d pick out his outfits every day so he’d always look sharp when he left the house.

I put all my needs out there way too soon. After that, I kept playing as a mom, a wife, and a girlfriend, switching back and forth until I was totally exhausted.

Honestly, what really attracts a man is when one doesn’t overstep, when one leaves a little mystery and doesn’t fill in every blank in the man’s life or feelings.

Nathan set a cup of coffee on the coffee table and walked over to me. “What are you reading?” he asked.

His sudden approach pulled me back to reality, but since I’d been standing in the same spot for too long, my legs had gone numb, and I wobbled a bit to the side.

“You okay?” Nathan asked, steadying me with one arm. He chuckled. “Why don’t you sit down and read?”

I quickly put the book back and smiled. “These books are way too advanced for me, I don’t get it.”

Nathan burst out laughing when he saw I was holding a programming book. “Of course, you wouldn’t get this one.”

I noticed what book I was holding, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I worried he’d think I was so flustered that I’d picked up the wrong book by accident.

Nathan misunderstood, just like I thought he would. He glanced down at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Feeling nervous? It’s fine, come have some coffee.”

So, Nathan really thought I was his prey. But the best hunters always pretend to be prey for a while, just to throw the other side off. Since he’d gotten it all wrong, I might as well let him keep thinking that way.

“Do you live alone?” I asked, just making conversation.