I shake my head gently, not wanting to pressure him into discussing her. “You don’t owe me any explanations. I understand, Nick. If I were in your shoes, I’d feel just as torn.”
He grimaces, glancing around. “Is she…”
“No. The ring is back in Knox Harbor. She isn’t here,” I vow, wanting him to feel comfortable, and that knowledge clearly helps.
His shoulders relax, and his features soften. “I feel guilty.” My head tilts to the side, but I allow him to continue. “If I don’t fight sending her on, won’t she think I’m trying to get rid of her? Won’t she think I’ve replaced her easily with you?”
I place a hand on his shoulder, smiling sadly. “I promise you, that’s not something to worry about. The woman was trying to coach me on how to win your love.”
He splutters and coughs, finally breaking into laughter. “What? Oh god. What did she say?” The smile that spreads across his face is almost blinding. It’s like the weight of the world has been lifted by a single truth.
“Hmm,” I say, tapping my chin. “Let’s see…I was supposed to ask you about the Jets. And motocross.” He lifts a brow. “When I told her I didn’t care for either, she was rather horrified. She said I needed to step aside so that she could find someone more compatible for you.” I chuckle and he grunts.
“That…definitely sounds like Isla.” He shakes his head. “So she’s trying to set me up.”
“Oh yeah. She wants to see you happy, Nick. It’s all she wants for you.”
He takes a step toward me so that we’re chest to chest, looking down at me with a lazy grin. “It’s my dad who likes the Jets. I could give two fucks about football.” He shrugs. “Motocross almost killed me in my thirties, so those days are over.” He pulls me flush against him, staring down into my eyes. “A lot’s changed since Isla died. I’ve changed. I’ll always be the man she fell in love with, but I’d like to think I’ve evolved, like men are supposed to.”
I smile up at him, my eyes roaming over his handsome features, getting lost in his beautiful gray-blue eyes.
“I want you to know me,” he says, eyes penetrating mine. “The person I am now. Not the guy who lost Isla, but the man who’s falling for you.”
My breath hitches, my entire body light and tingly.
“Because I am, Alyssa. I’m falling hard, and I hope you’re right there with me.”
I feel a flutter in my chest, a sensation that’s become all too familiar in Nick’s presence. It’s as if every word, every glance, every touch between us ignites a spark, drawing us closer together.
“I am, Nick. I’m right there with you.”
Nick’s lips crash against mine, and a surge of electricity shoots through me, igniting every nerve ending in my body. His kiss is bold and passionate, leaving me breathless.
His hand gently cradles the back of my neck, his touch causing goose bumps. Our lips move together in perfect harmony, the connection between us deepening with every minute that passes.
Time seems to stand still as we lose ourselves in the moment, the world around us fading into the background. It’s just him and me, our hearts beating in sync as we share this intimate embrace.
Until some idiot passing by decides to ruin the moment. “Do us a favor and get a damn room.”
I pull away, placing my head against Nick’s chest, feeling his heart beat a mile a minute. He chuckles into the top of my head.
“No need to be embarrassed, Lyss. The guy looks more bitter than anything,” Nick says, loud enough for the guy to hear.
“Yeah, fuck you, man,” the guy yells, continuing to make his way down the street.
“Let’s go,” he says, leading me into the B and B.
The place is empty, Adeana nowhere to be seen. We make our way up the stairs and down the hall to my room. I find the key buried in my bag and unlock the door.
Nick lightly pushes me inside, closing the door behind us. I turn to face him, my heart racing as I take in his heavy breathing and the intense desire in his heated gaze.
He moves toward me with measured steps, gradually guiding us backward until the backs of my knees hit the soft mattress.
“If you’re not ready for this, we can take things slow,” he says, searching my eyes. “I’ll follow your lead.”
My head shakes back and forth slowly. “No.” The word comes out breathy, my hand lifting to grasp his T-shirt. “I want this.”
With those words, all hesitation fades away as I pull Nick toward me. His lips meet mine, igniting a firestorm of desire between us. There’s no doubt or uncertainty, only the overwhelming pull to him.
