Page 61 of Fractured

“I understand.” I feel her soft hand lie atop mine, and my whole body relaxes at her touch. I rotate to hold her hand as we make the remainder of the drive to her home in silence.

* * *

We pull into her drive about thirty minutes later. “Where’s your car? Do you park in your garage?”

“No. I got dressed with Mel. I’ll get her to drive it over tomorrow. I don’t work until Monday.”

“You and the Harris family have a pretty tight bond. That’s nice.”

“You have no idea. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

I try to reach her door before she opens it, but she’s already out of the car. I only asked to drive her home, so I try not to make her feel uncomfortable. Even if I’d give anything to be with her. “Let me just walk you to the door.”

I notice she goes to the garage keypad, instead of the front door. I can’t help but watch the digits she enters, wondering if she didn’t bring her keys. I contemplate ways to prolong this time with her since I thought I’d at least have the time it would take to walk her to the front door. As the garage door opens, she turns to me. I guess this is goodbye then.

As I open my mouth to wish her a reluctant goodnight, she comes closer and slips her arms around my neck. Looking into her big brown eyes, I whisper, “Thank you. Driving you home is the best thing that’s happened to me all day.” My answer is sincere, and I think she knows it.

“Well, hopefully, it just got better.” She smirks.

Before I can ask what she means, she’s removed her arms from my neck and grabbed ahold of my hand, pulling me along behind her through the small garage.Hell, yeah, it did

Kat

This man. He’s so patient and kind. He’s continued to be by my side regardless of the turmoil my life has become. It’s awful to see him hurting. Both by my accusation about Ava and from inquiring into the uncomfortable situation with Dr. Lee and his ex-wife. I can’t help but wonder when exactly Dr. Lee and his ex-wife got together. But I certainly won’t press.

As I walk inside the house, I turn and look up at Nick’s handsome face. Reaching up, I cup his masculine jaw and stand up on tiptoes to kiss him. I’ve missed this man so. As I place soft, warm kisses on his mouth, I can feel his tongue begging entrance, and I open for him. His arms slide around my waist, and we continue to slowly kiss and hold each other, drowning out the ghosts of the evening.

“You wore my shoes,” he murmurs against my mouth.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah. I did. I thought about you when I picked them out, actually.”

He nuzzles my neck with his nose and nibbles on my ear. “I love picturing you in those shoes.” I can feel his heavy exhale of warm breath against my ear. “I’ll never forget the way you looked that night. In and out of the shoes.”

“Well, I’m quite awestruck with the way you look in a tuxedo, Dr. Barnes. You look like you could be on the cover of a Menswear magazine.” I pull back from him to take him in from head to toe. This man is literally the most attractive man I’ve ever met. The firm pecs and abs, the sexy smirk, the sharp edges of his stubbled jaw, and that heavenly hair.

“Thank you. But you… you took my breath away before you even turned around, Katarina. That is definitely your color. You look amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner. This night has done a real number on me.”

Reaching up, I stroke the honey-colored scruff along his cheek and smile. “Can I offer you a drink?”

“No, I really shouldn’t. I had one at the gala. I don’t like to drink more than one if I’m driving.”

“What if you weren’t driving?” I ask coyly.

I notice his facial expression changes. He suddenly looks serious, not playful, and smiling as he did mere moments ago.What on Earth did I say?

“Kat? Are you serious?”

I stammer a bit. “What? Why?”

“I’d give anything if you were serious,” he says earnestly.

“Anything?” Relieved, I waggle my brows and giggle, trying to break the tension in the air between us.

Crushing my body to his, lifting me off of the ground, he buries his face into my neck. “Anything, kitten. Name it.”

“Nick. I’ve already got everything I need right here. Do you want that drink now?” I’m unable to stop giggling.

“No, you’re all I want,” he growls into my ear. I notice my panties are becoming wet. As he slides me down his body, returning me to the ground, there’s a firm bulge in his tuxedo pants I don’t recall from moments ago. Deciding to be bold, I reach over and run my hand along his obvious erection. A delicious groan tumbles from his sexy mouth.

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