Nick smiled at her from the porch.He wore tailored blue shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, an ensemble that made him look like summer personified.That was, if summer looked like a Greek god with tousled hair and a cheeky twinkle in his eye.He held a bouquet of flowers for her, a colorful mix of yellow, white and orange calla lilies.“Hey, beautiful.”
She gasped.“Nick, they’re gorgeous.”
“Nowhere near as gorgeous as you are.”He entered, kicking off his sneakers.He put the bouquet on the hall table and pulled her into his embrace.“God, you’re a sight for sore eyes.I’ve missed you around the sanctuary.”
“I’ve missed you too, but we’re together now.”
“Yes, we are.”He slanted his head and took her mouth in a hungry kiss.
Claire’s nipples perked up when they met with his hard chest.She opened to him immediately, groaning as his sweet taste teased and his outdoorsy scent enveloped her.She raised herself up on tiptoes and he slid his hands down to her ass to hold her against him.He was a feast for her senses, and they went into a frenzy each time he was near.
Even though his kisses were more than enough to nourish her, she grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen.She needed to check on the food, but wanted to put the lilies in a vase first.Nick stood behind her, his hands on her hips, as she filled the vase with water and arranged the delicate blooms.
When she was done, she turned around.He put his hands on the counter at her sides, penning her in, and she had never been so happy to be surrounded.
“This is pretty on you,” he said, as he moved a finger under the strap of her sundress.
“It’s not new, just something I found at the back of my closet.”
“I like it.I wonder how it will look when I slide it off your curves.”
“We’ll see, won’t we?But first, dinner.You must be starving.”
“I am.It smells like the holidays in here.This was really nice of you, Claire.”
“I wanted to thank you properly.”She swallowed hard.“For all your hard work at the sanctuary, but also for being so patient with me.”
“Of course.”He touched her jaw in a gentle caress.“You mean so much to me.”
He meant the world to her too, and she’d show him exactly how much tonight.
While theHandymencrew had been at work the last couple of days, Claire had tackled a special project of her own, and she couldn’t wait to unveil it.
After grilling him about his food preferences, she’d prepared his favorite meal.She pulled out the large roasting pan, to check on the roast beef and potatoes.Her thermometer indicated that the meal still needed a little bit of time.
Nick inhaled deeply, peeking over her shoulder at the food.“That smell is unbelievable.Don’t ever tell my mom, but it smells even better than hers.”
“Thanks.I’d like to meet your parents,” said Claire, putting the pan back in the oven.“You know, if that’s something you’d like.”
The cutest crinkle appeared at the corner of his eyes.“I’d love that.I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
How had she not noticed that eye crinkle before?She’d certainly seen him smile many times.
Was she seeing at him through a different filter now?
Maybe her fear had prevented her from taking a good, long look and seeing the real beauty underneath his surface.
What else had she missed?
“Are you okay?”he asked.
“Yeah.”She shook her head.She would not wallow tonight.She was happy, for the first time in a long time.“The roast could use a few more minutes.Can I show you something upstairs?”
“You can always show me something upstairs.”He waggled his eyebrows.“Or you can show it to me on the couch, or on the kitchen table…”
She pushed him ahead of her.“Get moving.Upstairs, buster.”As he walked up the stairs, she pinched his butt, making him jump.“Sorry.That was way too tempting.”
When they got to the upper landing, Nick turned to her.“Where to?”
