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“I need to make coffee and feed my traitorous kitty. Then we can figure out what we’re doing the rest of the day.”
Climbing carefully from the air mattress to avoid disturbing the big tomcat, Mandy ran for the only bathroom in the cottage.
Zoe walked into the kitchen and took down a coffee filter as Nate’s arms wrapped around her from behind. He kissed her neck and the skin just in front of her ear.
Her hands went limp on the counter. “My lord…”
Turning her, he kissed her properly now that they’d both brushed their teeth. He took his time, his hands stroking her sides, moving through her hair. She could imagine herself experiencing such a morning every day for the rest of her life.
Pulling back, he said, “It’s a good idea for you to stay at our place. Say you will, Zoe.” He planted several light kisses along her lips.
“Don’t come at me with temptation before I’ve had caffeine. You already weaken my resolve just by breathing.”
His lips spread in a slow smile. “Pretty sure that means yes, so I’ve already won.” She laughed as his thumb grazed her jaw. “I need you in my bed. Not sure I’m going to be able to let you leave it.” Rubbing his cheek against hers, he leaned back and suggested, “Stay the weekend.”
“You’rediabolical, Nate.”
“Is that a yes?”
With only a slight hesitation, she nodded. There was nowhere else she’d rather be than with Nate and Mandy.
His expression was victorious and she was awed that he cared so much. “Outstanding. Mom and Noel are coming tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait to finally meet them in person. I feel as if we’ve known one another for years.”
“Zoe…” He cupped her face and she relished the strength and warmth in his palms. “They’re incredible and so are you. I want all the amazing women in my life to be close.”
Placing her hands over the backs of his, she murmured, “The way you are, the way you think about Mandy, your mom, your sister…it moves me, Nate.”
“Finally, after so many fuckups, having a beautiful, kind, intelligent woman to introduce to my family is the realization of another dream.”
He kissed her again and when he broke it, Mandy was leaning against the counter beside them. It made Zoe blush brightly.
“Grandma and No-No are going to love you as much as we do. That’s hard to do, Zoe. We love you an awful lot.”
Reaching out, Zoe petted Mandy’s hair. “I love you, too.”
The young woman smiled. “I’ve known that for months. I’m glad Dad finally told you how he felt because I was starting to want to kick him. Not hard enough to damage anything but…things between you guys were moving soslowand I was getting impatient.”
“Are you hungry?” Zoe asked with a smile.
“Of course, I’m hungry. I’m always hungry. Have some coffee and I’ll take care of Maximus. Feed him and scoop his litter box so he’s good while we’re out.” Glancing at her father, she added, “I think we left the house in decent shape for Zoe’s first sleepover. We need to pick up movie snacks.”
Meeting Nate’s eyes as Mandy walked away, he winked at her. “We’re not letting you get away. Prepare yourself.”
Staring into the lovely hazel green she dreamed about sometimes, she whispered, “Done.”
* * *
An hour later, after putting Zoe and Mandy on the seat, Nate ran around his truck to get behind the wheel. It felt like his heart might beat right out of his chest. He wanted Zoe in his life, his house, and his bed. She was the woman he planned to marry.
Nothing was going to stand in his way.
He climbed in the cab, looked at the two most important people in his life, and started the engine with a smile.
“I’m going to look around for an SUV. Since there are three of us now, I want everyone to have more space.” He grinned. “It’s not like we can all fit in Zoe’s little car.”
“I would never torture your long legs in such a way,” she replied primly. “It would be a disaster watching you have to fold yourself inside, the seat as far back as it would go.”
