“Come here, baby. I’ve fucking missed you.”
Alex threw herself into my arms, and I knew in that very instant that this was exactly where I needed to be. All the hard work I’d done these last few weeks would keep me from ever having to leave her again.
“I’m sorry I’m crying. I can’t help it.” She sniffled again and tucked her head closer to my neck.
“That’s okay. I’m just glad you’re not angry at me for being gone so long.”
“I am, but the tears are winning right now.”
“I’ll take those over your punches any day,” I joked, trying my damnedest to get a laugh out of her.
It took a few minutes for her tears to subside, and when she pulled back, I missed her immediately. I finally had time to take her in. From every freckle on her nose to the dirty sneakers on her feet, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered as her gaze traveled over me. I felt it scorching my skin. I really hoped Marisol would want to watch the twins for me tonight.
“I do have a house to build, you know.” I reached out for her hand, unable to keep from touching her. I needed that physical connection.
“I almost believed the town rumors of you not returning, when Dad said you ended your lease on those properties. And then the girls missing the first day of school…. I just didn’t know what would make you come back.”
Yanking her arm, I tugged her close and pressed my nose into her hair that smelled like a mix of honeysuckle, vanilla icing, and sweat. “The same thing that brought me here in May is the same reason why there was never any doubt I wouldn’t make it back. This is where my family is. It’s whereyouare.”
“Yeah?” she asked, tilting her face up to mine.
“Yeah. I love you, Alexandra. I was always going to find my way back to you.”
“That’s good, because I love you too, Nate. So freaking much.”
Alex pushed up onto her toes and pressed her lips against mine. It had been too long since I savored her, and I was like a junkie needing his next fix once I tasted her sweet lips. Reaching my arm out blindly, I searched for the edge of the office door. Feeling the wood in my hand, I began closing it, only for Marisol to call out that a delivery driver was here.
“My God, why are we always interrupted?”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you tonight.” Alex pressed a chaste peck to my cheek and skipped out of the office, leaving me in a thunderous, horny mood.
One minute and some adjustments later, I made my way to the front of the shop, where Alex was signing the invoice and ushering the vendor order into the pantry area.
“This place is amazing, Alex. I knew it was going to be something special, but this is… so you.”
“Thanks,” she said, eyeing the interior. The girls were busy playing with two dolls they packed into their bags, and Marisol was looking on.
“How many days until the opening?”
“Five, and I feel like I’m going to vomit every time I think about it.”
Chuckling, I told her she’d be fine, as I wrapped my arm around her waist, unable to keep my hands off her.
“When they’re done, do you want to grab some dinner with your mom and dad after he gets here? Maybe we can convince them to take the twins later?”
“I like what you’re thinking.”
It took another ten minutes of grunting and groaning before the delivery was complete, and Alex was satisfied with everything on her inventory list. Many were from local farms instead of outsourcing.
Once the men left, Marisol called out that Nash was outside waiting for her and the girls. She was taking them for the night and wanted no arguments about it. Not that she’d get any from me.
We both said goodnight to the twins and watched the sedan and truck pull away. “We’re just going upstairs and getting something delivered later, right?”
“Fucking read my mind,” I told her as I hefted her up and over my shoulder fireman-style. I headed toward the back of the shop after locking the front door and made my way up the steps.
“I’m so glad these aren’t those metal stairs.”
