After delivering news he’d said was good, his mood turned sour. They got through dinner with minimal conversation and after dinner, he tailed her to her place and then told her he had something to take care of. Two hours later, there she was bored and alone.
* * *
“Rebecca.”
It wasn’t so much her name being called, but the feel of his hands sliding from her waist to her hip that woke her.
“Rebecca, honey…”
Her heavy lids opened with reluctance. Nick was on his knees next to the bed with his handsome face close to hers. She inhaled the aroma of his natural masculinity paired with Egyptian Musk.
“Hi,” she croaked, lethargically. She cleared the hoarseness from her voice and tried again. “Hello.”
“Hey.”
The darkness was illuminated by the brightness of his beautiful smile. “It’s still your birthday,” he whispered. “I have something for you.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded and placed a blue Tiffany box with a white bow on the bed next to her face. Rebecca sat up and scooted to the top of the bed. She picked up the box and smiled.
“Thank you.”
Nick sat on the edge of the bed and rested his hand on her thigh. “Open it.”
As instructed, she tugged the bow until it fell loose and opened the box.
“Oh, my God!” She gasped. “Nick, this is beautiful.”
Inside the box was a silver link necklace with a silver heart-shaped charm. It wasn’t a Valentine-like heart, but an anatomically correct heart.
“Until you get a new heart, I want you to wear mine.”
His beautiful words made her heart skip a beat. She sat speechless while moisture pooled in her eyes.
He cupped her face and ran his thumb along her cheek. “I’m sorry dinner was so awkward. Look, I’m happy that you’re safe. But now that Boogie is gone, and you don’t need me anymore, I was terrified of losing you. Look, lady, before you came along, my life was filled with nothing but loneliness and grief. These few months with you in my life have filled a dark void with joy and contentment.”
Rebecca sighed. Every endearing word he’d spoken was like a painful dagger in her heart. He was already grieving the loss of his wife and the life he knew. All she could ever be to him was another devastating loss. Nothing good would come from their blossoming relationship.
She lowered her head when the first tear trickled down her cheek. She couldn’t allow herself to bring more pain to a man who was already suffering. “Nick, I-I can’t—”
“No, Rebecca. I know what you’re going to say and I don’t wanna hear it. I’m no fool. I know how serious your condition is. I know the risk that comes with my feelings for you. But at this point, walking away is not an option. If you have five minutes, those five minutes will be spent in my arms.” He lifted her chin with his index finger. “I’m not going anywhere. So, don’t even think about trying to push me away.”
He pulled her head to his shoulder and enveloped her in a warm embrace. She exhaled, accepting the peace she got from being cocooned in his big arms.
Nick gave her a squeeze and ended the embrace. When he pulled the necklace from the box, she lowered her head for him to put it on.
She ran her fingers over the heart and smiled. “I love it, Nick.”
He cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. The first contact with his soft lips elicited a moan. The kiss was sweet, but quick to end. He climbed over her, slipped an arm behind her back, and pulled her down on the bed.
“I’m really glad you like your gift. Now, lay back. I’m gonna kick start that lazy heart of yours by licking that sweet little pussy.”
Rebecca giggled and spread her legs. She, for sure, didn’t have to be told twice.
15
CATO
