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“Later, I’ll have time and opportunity to touch you, love you. I’ll make sure of it, Zoe.” Realizing her months of waiting would soon be over made her dizzy. She reached out to brace herself. His hand tightened on her side. “Did that make you weak in the knees, sweetheart?” She nodded. “Roll with it. I won’t let you fall.”
One more chaste kiss and he backed from the bathroom holding her hand. She grabbed her toiletry bag and let him lead.
She had a feeling she’d be letting him lead a lot in the near future. After all, one should submit to a proven expert in any given situation.
* * *
The only thing that made it possible for Nate to let Zoe out of the bathroom was knowing he was going to have plenty of time later to touch her to his heart’s content.
He slung her laptop bag over his shoulder and lifted her suitcase. She opened the door and Mandy grinned at them as they appeared in the living room.
“Ready?” she asked cheerfully.
“Almost! Let me put all this in the SUV.” He dropped a kiss on Zoe’s lips and took the small bag holding her bathroom stuff. “I’ll be right back. We already bought Maximus a few things the other day.”
Zoe looked shocked. “You did?”
“We wanted to be ready but didn’t want to pressure you. We made him a private bathroom area in the mudroom. The guy at the store said we got everything he might need.”
Mandy was suddenly standing in front of them holding the cat. “He’s coming with us?” Zoe laughed and nodded. “Finally! I’ll help get his stuff together so he isn’t nervous.” She kissed him and put him down.
By the time he returned inside, they’d filled a bag with Maximus’s food dish, kitty bed, and a couple of toys. He watched as Zoe placed a few treats in the bottom of his carrier. The big tomcat walked inside looking bored. As she closed the door, he released a soft meow.
Turning so Zoe didn’t see her lips, Mandy said, “Greatjob, Dad. I figured somealone timewith you would do the trick.” She laughed at his obvious discomfort. “Dad, it’s all part of the deal. Being your girlfriend is showing her all the things she deserves to have.”
His childneverceased to amaze him.
“Your grandmother is right. You have an old soul.” Stroking her hair, he added, “Don’t mention you-know-what.”
“You mean the ring you’ve had for months? My lips are sealed but hurryup. You guys are moving soslow!” His daughter winked.
“What are you two talking about?” Zoe asked beside them.
Mandy grabbed the brunette’s shoulders. “How excited I am that you’re going to stay with us!”
Blushing, Zoe replied, “I’m excited, too.”
“Let’s get home so Maximus doesn’t have to be in the carrier too long. I was going to ride with you but I think there’ll be more room for him in the SUV. I don’t want him to be scared.”
“Good idea. I don’t know if he meows on car rides…”
“I don’t mind. It’s not far to the house.” Mandy hugged her hard and went to get in the vehicle. “See you out there!”
Nate set the carrier on the backseat and Mandy buckled up. “Be right back. I started the SUV to help cool things off.”
Zoe walked her house and locked up. After she put her purse on the passenger seat of her little car and started the engine, he dropped a light kiss on her lips.
“I love you, Zoe. None of this is casual for me.”
“Loving me might be a pain in the ass sometimes.”
“Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” Kissing her soundly, he opened the driver’s door of her little car and handed her carefully inside. “We have a lot to talk about after dinner. Then, I plan to make love to you until you pass out from exhaustion.”
“Time to go, Nate.”
“Agreed.”
He kissed her again and closed the door with a grin. Jogging to his own vehicle, he got in and backed from the driveway. He waited until Zoe pulled out and got behind her.
