She nods her head. “Yes, you do, my little spirit talker.”
“I’m older than you,” I say, mouth forming a tight line.
“But I’m taller,” she singsongs.
“What’s going on over there?” Nina asks, voice full of amusement.
I’m happy to see her mood has shifted. She looks good. The sadness from earlier has been replaced by something resembling hope.
“I’m heading back to Knox Harbor. Lanie will stay back with you.”
She offers a smile. “I need to stick around for a few days.” She glances at Ian. “I’d like to meet my son, if that’s all right?”
“Of course. I don’t understand how Chase has waited this long.”
A beaming smile takes over her face, her eyes alight with happiness, and that’s exactly how she is when I’ve made my way out of the carriage house, heading to the B and B to get my things and Nick. On the short walk back, I look up the flight Nick said he was on later tonight and see there are still seats available. I make thepurchase and pick up my pace, as we’ll need to leave for the airport in the next couple hours.
It’s time to get back home and get to work on catching the Falls Haven killer.
As we finallypull into Nick’s driveway, exhaustion threatens to pull me under. It was a long day, between witnessing the reunion between Nina and Ian and traveling back home.
Nick shuts off the car and turns to me. “Wanna stay at my place tonight?”
His suggestion is tempting, especially since Isla is likely roaming the halls next door at mine. After the last couple days we’ve had, I could use a ghost-free night of sleep.
“I’d love that,” I say.
“Do you need to head over there to grab anything?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I have everything I need in my suitcase.”
Once inside Nick’s house, we drop our bags beside the door and make a beeline for the couch, sinking into its inviting embrace. Nestled in Nick’s protective arms, I feel a sense of contentment wash over me, like a warm blanket on a chilly night. His touch is gentle yet deliberate as he lazily draws random patterns on my bare arm with his fingertips. This is a form of happiness I could get addicted to. The events of the day melt away as our bodies meld together in the dim light.
“How did today go?” he asks, continuing to trace absently along my skin.
It’s driving me crazy in the best way. My stomach tingles, flipping and flopping with anticipation for more. I want his hands all over me.
“Fine.” The word comes out breathy, and my cheeks warm with embarrassment when Nick chuckles, signaling he noticed.
“Things are going to be good for Nina. I know it.”
“That’s good,” he says, voice tinged with a sensual, throaty quality that causes me to shiver in response. “Are you cold?”
“No.” I snuggle up closer to him. “Just content.”
He places a kiss to the shell of my ear, and I can’t contain the exhale that makes it very clear that I love what he’s doing.
He turns me to face him, mouth lowering to mine. The world outside fades away as we become lost in each other, our senses consumed by the heady rush of desire and the way our tongues move in sync effortlessly. Time seems to stand still as we surrender to this moment.
His hand moves under my shirt, slowly rising to just below my chest, resting on my ribcage. He pauses as if to ask permission but doesn’t stop kissing me. I place my hand over his, guiding him until he’s palming one full breast, a single finger circling my nipple and pulling a groan from deep within me.
I haven’t been touched like this for so long. I’d thought that sensation would be long gone at this stage of life, but it’s alive and well, the sensation sending shock waves down my body, landing firmly in my core. I forgot how something so simple could feel so damn good.
Heat pools in a place it hasn’t for years, and I want his attention there.
Just as I’m about to move his hand south, his phone chimes with a notification that’s reserved to alert him that someone is at his door.
He breaks contact, swearing under his breath.
