He watched as she dipped her gaze to his arms and then dragged it back up to his eyes.
"Weak," she murmured. "You do have the most amazing forearms."
Nick felt a little guilty for his thoughts, not because of the images in his head, but for the hunger he had for this woman.
"I'm trying to make a good impression on you, Ruth."
"Good impression?" She shook her head. "You made a good impression on me a long time ago, basically when we met."
He frowned at her words. "I remember being a bit of a growling bear to you back then."
"You were," she nodded, "but I think it was because of Katie."
He sat back a little, narrowing his eyes on her.
"You can't raise a girl that incredible and not be pretty awesome yourself."
He puffed out his chest a little. "Thank you, but a lot of it was her mom. Katie had the best start in life. I just have to keep her on that path. All in all, she's doing a lot of it herself."
Ruth nodded. Her expression was one of easy acceptance.
"She's bright and talented."
"Have you," he suddenly felt like he was tripping over his own words, "considered having any kids?"
She blanched a little at his question, and he wanted to kick himself under the table.
"Sorry," he tried to keep his tone 'light' so she wouldn't think he was upset. "I probably shouldn't have asked that."
"No, it's okay." She offered him a smile, but it wasn't as bright as it was a few moments before. "I didn't really when I was younger. I liked people, but I liked my privacy, too. I liked it a lot. Then I got older and I liked my co-workers... mostly."
They both chuckled over that.
"But my social side paled in comparison to my quiet side, and I thought children would drain me and the last thing I wanted to do was have children and then not be there emotionally for them."
He nodded. She had put thought into it.
"Then I met you and Katie and saw what it was like between the two of you. For the first time I didn't see children as something that would disturb my quiet time, but something that could make me better. Happier."
He watched her closely and that's why he could see the very moment he second guessed herself.
"I guess I should find a way to say that in a better way. I probably sound really odd and off-putting."
He reached across the table and took her hand. "There's no need to apologize or explain things away. I don't have a problem with your thoughts. I like being up front about things."
She grinned at him.
"Good, because I'm bound to say something silly or stupid sooner or later. It's guaranteed."
Nick squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.
It was a gentle and calming touch, but it seemed to set him on fire.
His new shirt was suddenly tight, his collar almost suffocating.
Reaching up his free hand, he slipped his fingers into the neck of his shirt and gave it a little tug.
"Nick?"
