But Nick had never felt better.
Firstly, Claire loved the reno.That had always been most important as they’d embarked on their work at Haven.To see her embrace all the changes had been gratifying.
Secondly, the open house had been wildly successful.Because of the great turnout, they had been able to adopt out a huge majority of the cats.The B&B was practically empty now.Mortimer the Manager still ruled the roost, and the few cats that remained could be easily cared for by the staff.Claire and her volunteers would no longer feel stretched to their limits.
To be honest, Nick was glad Claire hadn’t wanted to find a new home for Mortimer.He’d been at the sanctuary for so long, and it really was his home.A new home might prove disruptive.
Besides, Nick was too fond of the little guy to see him go.This way, he could still sneak him some treats in the morning.
It had been an incredible day, but emotional too, and Nick wanted to make sure Claire was okay.He dragged her onto his lap and nuzzled her neck.“You doing okay?”
“Yeah, you?”
He nodded.“I’m with you, so yeah.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and they both closed their eyes for a while.It wasn’t long before she stretched and groaned.“I’m so stiff.”
“Same here.How about I run a hot bath for us?I’ll even give you a soapy massage.”
“Hmm, I was sold on the idea as soon as you said hot bath, but I won’t refuse a massage.”
They headed upstairs, pulling their shirts from their waistbands as they went.As he ran the water, adding some bath soap for bubbles, Claire removed the rest of her things.She got into the bath first, sighing as she went.She closed her eyes and lowered herself.The bubbles trailed over the mounds of her breasts, and her nipples played peek-a-boo.
The sight of her almost stopped him in his tracks.She was so goddamn beautiful.
She opened her eyes and smiled.“What’s taking you so long?”
“I can’t stop looking at you.You take my breath away.”
“Come here.”
He didn’t wait a second longer.He quickly got rid of the rest of his clothes and joined her in the tub.Nick pulled her toward him and she sat in the space between his legs.Moving her wet hair over to one side, he got some of the lather on his hands and gave her a back rub.
Her body melted against his.
His hardened.
He kissed her once, on the ear, then on the curve of her shoulder.He didn’t even care that he got a taste of soap.It was impossible not to kiss her when they held each other like this.
She took his hand and lowered it on her body.
The urge to protect his woman pounded in his chest.To know she wanted him struck a chord in him that he didn’t know he possessed.
Claire squirmed against him, as if her greatest need was to have him touch her there.
But Nick couldn’t.Not until he’d told her how he felt.
There was something so amazing about being able to share a bath, a bed, with Claire.He wanted to share a home with her too.He wanted it all.
Even now, the way she turned to him with such heat in her eyes, was almost more than he could bear.He loved the way she tilted her head when she had a question.He loved being able to stroke her skin and bring her body to the heights of pleasure.He loved hearing her laugh, that soul-lifting laugh that had changed him the first time he heard it.
He just loved her.
Nick touched her chin.His heart raced because he’d never been so excited and yet so nervous.“Claire, I love you.”
Her smile…it was everything.“I love you too.”
“Yeah?”
