Only then did he glance up into my face with a slight smile and slide lower down me, until he was lying between my legs.
“Open for me, darling.” His hands caressed the sensitive skin on my inner thighs. “Let me make you feel good.”
I combed through his hair with my fingers. “You always do.”
He smirked. “Then let me make you feel even better.”
With his tongue, his lips and his teeth, he proceeded to do just that, bringing me closer and closer to the precipitous edge of complete surrender. When I thought I might die of needing to reach the pinnacle, he pressed his thumb against the perfect, throbbing spot, and I splintered to pieces, shattering and rising and coming together again.
I hadn’t even begun to catch my breath before Nicky was over me again. Kissing my lips, he slid deep inside me, filling me again and again until amazingly, I found myself bowing up once again, making a desperate grab for a second climax. When he groaned, emptying himself into me, I fell apart again, seeing only a blast of bright colors against my closed eyes.
And then, in the wake of that pinnacle of pleasure, great gulping sobs tore from my chest and hot tears poured over my cheeks. I shook, gasping with the force of my grief and pain.
“Ky. My Ky.” Nicky held me, comforting me with his soft words and stroking hands. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I’m here. Cry. Let it out.”
“I d-don’t know why I-I’m crying now.” I shuddered as a fresh bout gripped me. “I’m s-sorry, Nicky.”
“Don’t you dare apologize.” Withdrawing from my body carefully, he sat up and scooped me onto his lap, cradling me close. “It’s a very natural thing to need an affirmation of life in the wake of death and grieving. And sometimes, we need one strong emotion to pull another out of us. You needed the outlet of a good cry, I think. So go ahead. I’ve got you, and I’m never going to let you go.”
I had unwavering faith that Nicky meant what he said, and trusting in that, I buried my head in his chest and wept.
Death is an odd thing. It steps into the midst of life and brings nearly everything to a halt. And it can also remind us all of what is truly important and bring people together in unexpected ways.
On the afternoon before Handsome’s funeral, I sat in the small sitting room downstairs, trying to write the eulogy I’d agreed to deliver. My father had assured me that it wasn’t necessary for me speak; he was going to give the longer message, talking about his father’s incredible life, family and business. But I’d wanted to do this last favor for the grandfather who had demonstrated his love for me and his belief in me every day of my life. It was the least I could do.
Nicky had assured me that there would be no press at the service or even anywhere near the church or cemetery. I’d spoken to Sophie the day before, and she’d assured me of the same thing.
“They’re all very sorry, Kyra. I’ve had more messages from reporters and photographers, asking me to pass on their condolences and best wishes to you. I know they too often harass you, but they really do like you, too.”
I’d refrained from expressing my opinion on that topic, but still, it would be a bit more freeing to talk about Handsome when I wasn’t worried about sharing a story that might cast me in a poor light or about accidentally pressing my lips together, which I’d been told by Aline made me appear to be in immense pain. It wasn’t going to be easy to put into the spoken word what my grandfather meant to me—who he was and what meaning his life had held. Anxiety about reporters would’ve made it even worse.
“Ky?” A familiar voice in the hall just outside the open door drew my attention, and when I saw who was standing there, I jumped to my feet.
“Shelby.” I clung to my friend, hugging her tightly. “You came. Oh, you came. Thank you.”
“Of course, I came.” She drew in a long breath that shook at the end. “As soon as Sophie called me, I started making arrangements.” Shelby drew back a little. “I had trouble getting a flight, so I ended up driving to Texas and flying from there. Vivian picked me up at the airport, but she made me sleep for a little bit before I drove here. She was afraid I’d fall asleep at the wheel.”
“I’m glad she did. She’s a good big sister.” I stepped back and motioned to the love seat and chairs. “Come on. Sit down.”
We settled onto the small sofa, and Shelby kicked off her shoes, tucking her feet beneath her in the corner. “Kyra. I can’t believe that Handsome ...” Her voice caught. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry. You know how much I loved him, too.”
“I do know.” I leaned forward to pat her knee. “And so did he. You know Handsome and Honey considered you their fourth granddaughter. They adored you.”
Shelby sniffled. “I can’t believe he’s gone.” We were both quiet for a moment before she spoke again, hesitatingly. “How are you doing with all of this, Ky? Considering everything that’s been going on—it’s got to brutal just now.”
I laughed without too much humor. “It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure. The whole interview debacle was overshadowed when Daisy eloped, and then with Handsome—” I shook my head. “Sophie tells me that all the press in Britain now is very sympathetic. They’ve been writing stories about my incredibly close relationship with my grandparents and reporting that I’m devastated that he won’t be at my wedding. One article even claimed that I’d planned to have him walk me down the aisle, which is ridiculous, of course. But I guess it’s better than all of the press circling us here like vultures. Believe it or not, they’ve been very respectful of our privacy.”
“Amazing.” Shelby rolled her eyes. She gnawed on her lip. “Kyra, I want to say I’m sorry for the way I ended our last conversation. And for not calling back or making a date to talk again. I just—it’s all so damned complicated and messy, and I can’t find my way out of it.”
I studied her drawn, pale face. “Can’t you just break it off, Shel? End things with—what’s his name? Cabe?”
Her forehead wrinkled as she drew together her brows. “I don’t think I want to end things. That’s the problem. I know what I should do. I know what the smart thing to do would be. But I also know it would hurt, and I’m not ready to give up on the idea that maybe it—maybe we—can work out.”
“Has he spoken to you about the future?” I didn’t know anything about Shelby’s supervisor, but I knew that most people in his position were substantially older than either Shelby or I were at the moment.
“Not in so many words, but sometimes he talks about what we might do after this project is over. He’s suggested that there might be a way for me to stay on in New Mexico once my internship has ended. So that must mean he sees our relationship as long-term, right?” She looked so hopeful that I didn’t have the heart to snort derisively, which was actually what I felt like doing.
“I don’t know, Shelby.” I chose my words carefully, as though I were picking my way through a dangerous minefield. “It seems to me that a decent guy, a good man, wouldn’t put the women who work under him in your position. If he really cared for you, he could’ve waited until after the internship was over, or he could’ve resigned and then had a relationship with you. I feel like maybe he’s a little selfish.”
