Page 14

By the time we got back to my place I was exhausted. I’d been up late last night, obsessing about my attraction to Nathan and what I was going to do if he continued to block my liquor license for the café. Sure, he was right, I didn’t need to serve liquor, but it was part of my overall concept for the space. More than that, I’d had so many residents tell me that they wanted a place with the “fancy cocktails” they could only get in the city.

I was relieved that Nathan was turning it over to his supervisor. Not only because it sounded like he was more likely to approve it, but also because that eliminated a source of conflict between myself and Nathan, clearing the way for us to explore this strong attraction that we were both feeling.

“It’s been a big day already and I’m kind of tired,” I told Nathan as we entered the apartment. “I was thinking I’d throw a casserole in the oven and then I was planning to watch a movie and just relax for a while.”

“That sounds perfect actually. Do you mind if I join you?”

Did I mind? I wanted nothing more than to spend more time with Nathan. Now that he’d loosened up a bit, I was starting to see his gooey center. He clearly had a lot of baggage, but who didn’t, especially at our age? I knew there was a story there when he talked about his parents, but I could also sense he didn’t want me to pry, so I didn’t.

I’d spent most of the day replaying that kiss in my head. I’d never had a kiss like that before, and if we hadn’t been in public, I was fairly sure I would have pushed him to the ground and rode him until we were both too exhausted to think about any bad memories.

“Sure, but fair warning. I was thinking about watching a holiday movie.”

He groaned. “Of course you were.”

I bumped him with my hip. “For someone with the last name of Holly, you don’t seem to be that festive.”

“I’ve never been a fan of the holidays,” he said sadly. Like so many things with this man, I sensed that there was more to the story. “Christmas movies are always so cheesy and unrealistic.”

“This one isn’t. I’m betting that you’ll like it.”

We settled on the couch, sitting only a few inches away from each other, and I queued up the movie.

“Home for the Holidays?”

“You’ll love it,” I assured him. “It’s about family holidays that aren’t perfect. And you’ll get to see the guy Evelyn thinks you resembles.”

By the time we were finished watching the movie I was snuggled up against Nathan, his arm around my shoulder, my head resting on his chest. Despite only knowing the man for two days, I felt surprisingly comfortable with him. At least now that he’d relaxed.

I felt more than just comfortable with Nathan, if I was being honest. I felt something that was almost like love, which was totally ridiculous. I wasn’t some nineteen-year-old girl with stars in her eyes who believed in soulmates and love at first sight.

“Well? Did you hate the movie?” I teased Nathan. “And what did you think of your doppelganger?”

I’d looked over at him several times during the movie and could tell that he was enjoying it. He’d even chuckled when the turkey went flying into the lap of the uptight sister. It was the first time I’d heard him laugh. I liked it.

“It was a good movie,” he said in that snooty voice that I was coming to realize was one he brought out whenever he was uncomfortable.

“What’s the matter?” I asked softly, rubbing my hand on his thigh.

He looked surprised that I’d picked up on his discomfort.

“I had a nice day with you but...I’m not sure what to do next,” he confessed.

“What do you want to do next?” I asked.

“Kiss you again.”

“You should always go with your instincts,” I told him.

Without waiting for a response, I shifted until I could throw my leg around his and straddle his lap. I placed my hands on his shoulders and gave him a long look before lowering my lips to his. As soon as we touched, I felt like my entire body was on fire. I’d never felt this kind of instantaneous passion before and maybe it should have freaked me out, but instead I relished it.

I nipped his lower lip with my teeth, and when Nathan opened for me, I slid my tongue against his. He groaned against my mouth, fingers coming to dig into my hips as we explored each other’s mouths.

When I came up for breath, I kissed along the side of his jaw before sticking my tongue into that cleft in his chin. I’d been fascinated with it from the first time I saw him.

Nathan reached his hands up under my shirt, groaning when he found the swells of my breasts underneath the fabric. He cupped my breasts, one in each hand, and gave them a little squeeze that sent a jolt of excitement straight to my core.

“Nathan,” I gasped. “I want you. But I’m too old to do this on the couch. Let’s go to a bed.”