Nick’s expression isn’t exactly serious, but he’s not smiling either. “He mentioned him.”
My annoyance at my brother flairs, then wanes with the realization that the proverbial cat is out of the bag and no amount of anger or frustration will stuff it back in. “Okay, here’s my version of what happened. I met a guy. I dated a guy. Said guy turned out to be a player in more ways than one, so I broke it off. End of story.”
“You’re over him?” Nick squats on one knee next to Bandit and rests his arm on the other one, making him look rather sexy. Like controlled strength poised to pounce.
But there’s a question sitting deep in his eyes that I’m not sure I’m ready to answer yet because I guess I’m still struggling to trust him. Yeah, Bryan hurt me, but it didn’t decimate me. Which just proves he wasn’t the right guy to begin with. More like he pissed me off, but I know that wouldn’t be the case with Nick. With him, my heart would get pulverized if he did something similar to me. And I don’t think I’d recover.
“Yes. Completely.” I gather up the wet towels and dump them into the basket so I can take them home to be washed. When I turn around, Nick is right there with his smoldering gaze, inviting me to come play with fire.
But he doesn’t move any closer. As if he’s giving me the freedom to choose what I want, and I want him. Before I can talkmyself out of it, I close the gap between us so he’ll know that I’m not just there to have a conversation.
Nick’s eyes widen, then drop to my mouth, drawing my attention to his. And when he lowers his head, I lift mine because I want this to be a joint decision. I’m willing to give him a chance, to see what this is between us just as long as I can keep my heart from taking the plunge too fast.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek as he slides his hand into my hair, then tilts his head to the side. His clean, spicy scent overwhelms my senses, evoking a sigh in me.
I close my eyes as his lips brush mine in a light exploration, as if to ask for permission. When he draws back, I meet his gaze, searching for some sign of what he’s feeling. There’s no mistaking the desire there, but I swear there’s more. As if he’s trying to tell me I’m safe with him. That I can trust him with my heart because he’s offering his.
“Hannah…”
I’m undone. I tug his head down and press my lips to his. Nick wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him with a hum as he deepens the kiss. His lips are soft, yet firm as they explore mine. All sense of time leaves me as I lose myself in the feel of his stubble against my skin, the warmth of his body against me, and the way his hands are firm yet gentle on my hips. I link my fingers behind his neck, hanging on for dear life. None of my imaginations of this moment come close to measuring up with the real deal.
Bandit’s yip breaks us apart. Good timing since my next patient will arrive soon. We both crouch down to pet his damp fur, sharing soft laughter over this dog that is the epitome of perseverance and unconditional love. In some respects, I feel like Bandit is responsible for bringing Nick and me together. All those evenings dropping by his place to help with Banditafter his surgery built a friendship I know can support a deeper relationship.
One side of Nick’s mouth ticks up, making me want to kiss him all over again. “Any chance you plan on stopping by tonight to check on this guy? Say around dinnertime?”
It’s like he climbed into my head and heard my thoughts. I tug my bottom lip between my teeth, because I have a feeling if I take him up on his offer, there will be more kissing. Please, let there be more kissing…
“I have a late-ish appointment, but I can drop by afterward. Is seven okay?”
The other side of his mouth lifts, making his smile complete and, oh, so sexy. “That works.”
Once we get Bandit strapped back into his wheelchair, Nick leans in to press his lips against my forehead and inhales as he does so. I do the same as I rest my hands on his chest, eyes closed and feeling his heartbeat that seems to match the rhythm of mine. I know this was our first kiss and hopefully the start of something meaningful and real. But strangely, I also feel as if we’ve already been ‘together’ for a while. Maybe wedohave Bandit to thank for that.
Nick takes Bandit’s leash from me, then hesitates to leave as if he’s left something unsaid. He seems tense…or unsure. That fear I’ve noticed hiding in the depths of his eyes makes a brief appearance, then disappears when my next patient opens the door.
Nick says goodbye, then leaves with Bandit, and I’m left wondering what he wanted to say just then. Because if it’s what I think it might be…what I’m hoping it is, I’m pretty sure I feel the same way.
I’mglad Nick remembered to text me his parents’ address after he left because after that kiss, my mushy brain forgot to remind him. Our encounter also dissolved any remaining doubts I had about approaching his parents. I know Nick cares for me, and I care for him.
All the more reason to help him figure this out.
Once again, I’m a tad intimidated by his parents’ neighborhood and that double staircase leading to the front door. I clutch the thank you card—I didn’t make that part up—to my chest as if I’m drawing courage for what I’m about to do. Because I also have the pages Zane created, detailing Nick’s more significant rescues, which convinced me even more that I should do this. Reading those accounts of Nick’s heroics squeezed my heart, making me fall for him all the more, so I’m believing his parents will be touched by them, too.
Zane even included a personal note about how integral Nick is to their operations there and that he’s been a vital part of their success and team growth. All of this fuels me to be brave and hit the buzzer when I drive up to the gate.
After a moment’s hesitation, that I hope is due to my unexpected visit, Nick’s mother buzzes open the gate so I can drive in.
She breaks into a smile when she opens the front door. “Hannah! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi, Mrs. Lawless.” I’m still in my scrubs from work, and she’s dressed in a lounge outfit too dressy for the grocery store. I should have gone home and changed first, but that would have taken too much time. The idea of seeing Nick later is keeping me going.
“CC, please.” She steps back, opening the door wider. “Please, come in.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry to drop in, but it’s important.”
Her smile dips somewhat. “Did something happen? Is Nicholas all right?”
I love how she uses his full name. “Yes. He’s great. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise, but I did want to share something with you…regarding Nick.”
