And after that, neither of us said much of anything that made sense for a long while.
Maybe it was post-orgasmic euphoria—and that was thethirdorgasm, for those keeping track at home—but as I lay in bed with my head resting comfortably on Nicky’s chest, all of the weekend’s previous gloominess melted away. I was snuggled up with my man, who’d flown long hours home just because he missed me. What did it matter that I couldn’t traipse around town like a tourist or that I didn’t have a bunch of close friends here? As long as we were together ... that was everything.
“I was thinking, while I was in Africa.” Nicky’s voice was a low rumble under my ear.
“Really? Shocking.” I snickered, pressing my face into his warm skin.
“Very funny.” He pinched my side, making me squirm. “I was thinking about something specific. Specifically, about Thanksgiving.”
“Were you, now?” I traced the line of his pectoral muscle, and this time, I was the one making him shiver. “And just what were you thinking about Thanksgiving?”
“That I don’t want to be away from you again—not now, and not for that long. I did some tinkering with my schedule, and it turns out there’s nothing during that week that can’t be changed. So, if you’re amenable, I think I’ll fly to Florida with you.”
“Amenable?” I pushed up to rest my hands on his breastbone, beaming down into his grinning face. “I’m freaking stoked!” Framing his face with my hands, I kissed him once, hard and deep. “Are you sure it’s going to be okay, though? I don’t want to mess anything up with your work or your plans. I don’t want you to get in trouble for shirking your duty.”
“Ky, love, I’m not shirking anything. Nothing that was planned for that time was particularly pressing—just some meetings—and making the changes was easily done.” He combed his fingers through my hair. “And totally worth it, just to see your eyes light up like that.”
“I’m very happy that you’re coming with me,” I admitted. “I was a little down this weekend—at least, before you came home.”
“I’m not blind, sweetheart.” Nicky rolled me to the side, running his lips down my neck. “I know the last couple of months have been challenging. I wish I could do something to make it easier. But I’m afraid I’m totally selfish—and the idea of telling you to go back home just to get a break makes me feel ...” He hesitated. “Well, it takes us back to last year, when I thought pushing you away for your own good was somehow a noble gesture. I think we both figured out that wasn’t working for either of us.”
“Absolutely not,” I agreed with feeling. “Anyway, Iamhome, because wherever you are is my home. It’s the only place I want to be.”
“That is something I like to hear.” Nicky relaxed back into his pillow. “I’m glad we’re decided on Thanksgiving, too. I’ll have to fly a day later than you, just to mitigate the press factor.”
“Mitigate.” I snorted at the word. “They’ll be there at the airports on either side. Thank God, Honey and Handsome’s beach house has a little bit of privacy—and the part of the beach that belongs to your family’s property is totally secluded. Once we both get there, we won’t have to worry so much.” I paused. “Are you staying with me, or were you planning to open up your grandmother’s house next door for the week?”
Nicky chuckled. “No, I don’t think that makes sense. Last year, when we were trying to be discreet, it was a good idea, but now, I’d rather be with you and your family. It seems silly to put anyone to the trouble of getting the house ready for one person to stay for a week.”
“That makes sense.” I sighed, contentment filling me. “I have to admit that as much as I’m dying to see my family—especially Honey, after she was so sick—I was kind of dreading being separated from you, even for a week. Now that I know I don’t have to worry about that, I can’t wait to go.” Closing my eyes, I buried my face in the crook of his neck. “I feel very spoiled.”
Gathering me even closer, Nicky brushed his lips over my naked shoulder. “That’s my life’s goal, Ky ... to spoil you whenever I can, as much as I can. Making you happy is my only priority.”
Unexpected tears stung my eyes, but this time, they came from a deep sense of being loved. What else could I possibly need, as long as I had Nicky?
NOVEMBER INFLORIDA IS Atricky time of year, weather-wise. It can be warm enough that the beaches are filled with locals and tourists, or it can be cool enough that all the stores in the areas suddenly run out of their supply of coats, gloves and firewood.
After being in England for six months, though, the soft air and bright sunshine felt like heaven to me, even if the air was slightly chilled.
“It’s so cold this year!” My mother rubbed her arms and scowled at me, as if this was my fault. “Close that window, please, Bria. I’m freezing.”
“It’s so hot in here from the oven, though,” my sister protested. “I’m about to burst into flames.”
“Actually, Mom, it’s pretty nice out today.” I ventured an opinion. “Compared to what it’s been in London—”
“Butthisis Florida, not London,” Mom snapped. “And all I wanted was a little bit of warmth so we can relax on the beach tomorrow without freezing our asses off. Lisel, stop eating those potatoes, or there won’t be enough for leftovers tonight.”
Lisel met my eyes over our mother’s head. My sister shot me a mock glare just before she scooped another huge spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth, and I bit back a giggle.
Usually, cooking holiday meals was something all the women in our family enjoyed. Honey, my mother, my sisters and I took the rare opportunity to hang out all together in the kitchen, chatting and laughing and having fun. We worked as a team to make delicious food that the whole family gobbled up. It was never stressful—or at least, it hadn’t been until this year.
My grandmother had managed to orchestrate the cooking of the turkey, even if she was supposed to be resting. Mom had the side dishes well in hand, too. As a matter of fact, it had all felt like old times up until we returned to the kitchen after dinner to pack the leftovers and clean up.
At that point, suddenly, my mother had become a little snappish, turning into a general and ordering around Bria, Lisel and me as though we were her troops.
“I don’t know what crawled up her ass, but I’ve never seen Mom in such a rotten mood on Thanksgiving.” Bria spoke low to me, her mouth near my ear, as we put away the leftover turkey. “She keeps looking at the clock and then at the door, like she’s waiting for something to happen.”
“Got me.” I shrugged and pressed a lid onto the glass storage bowl. “You don’t think she’s mad that Nicky’s here, do you? Did she want this year to be just us, with no one from outside the family?”
