Page 19 of The Rough Ride

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Nick swung the door open. “Hey, beautiful. Glad you could make it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and tugged her inside.

She gave him a shaky smile and handed him a bottle of wine.

“Whoa, what’s wrong?” There were worry lines on her face where there’d been none a few days ago.

“Thanks for the invite. It’s been a hellacious day at work. An evening with you is just what I need.” She all but fell into his open arms and held him tight.

Okay, then.He hadn’t expected to have her so close, this fast, but he wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. It’d been a long time since his girl needed him, and for some reason, she needed himnow.He reached behind him, set the wine on the entry table and ran his hands up and down her back, massaging her curves under his palms. “Your shoulders are tighter than a piece of plywood, babe. You want to talk about it?”

“No. Well, maybe. Just give me a minute,” she sighed. “Youshouldn’t have visited me the other night. Now, I miss you all the time.”

That’s exactly why hedidgo see her.“Perfect timing, then. I saw where you lived earlier this week. I figured it’d be a nice idea to show you my digs. A step up from the barracks.” He kissed the top of her head to the tip of her nose and planted a light one on her lips. “I could end every work day with you in my arms.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice.” She kissed his neck and leaned back, waggling her eyebrows. “You promised wine?”

“So, I did.” He slipped his hand in hers and urged her toward the kitchen.

“Wow, Nick. These quartz countertops are gorgeous. Stainless steel, chef stove, white lacquer cabinets. This is beautiful.” She wrinkled her nose and laughed. “Did you learn how to cook?”

He grabbed a remote and pressed a button. “Built-in monitor over there for displaying recipes. Contractors finished only a week ago. I haven’t used it. So, no, my culinary expertise hasn’t improved yet.”

“Impressive. You’ve been here only a week?” She accepted the glass of wine he offered and strolled to the picture windows facing the park. “Pretty view.”

“I actually moved in a month ago and lived in the mess until completion. I couldn’t very well run a security agency that caters to the Washington elite from the eastern shore of Maryland. I put a long-term renter in the bayside Cape Cod. I’m not ready to sell it. It’s been in my mother’s family for fifty years.”

“I love that cottage. I remember going there with you our senior year. Glad you’re keeping it.” She looked at him over the rim of her wineglass.

“I remember doing a lot of things there with you our senior year.” He laughed. The memories kept coming. That was part of the reason he couldn’t sell it. Someday, he wanted to enjoy the place with her when they were married. He slipped a hand around her waist. “Do you want to see the rest of the loft?”

“Sure. I love the floors. Is this the original wood? Wow. It’s spacious.” She walked alongside him through a wide hallway.

“Yeah. It’s got three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an office. I was lucky to find it before they began the renovations. I had the chance to customize a little, and yes, the floors are original for the most part. First stop, master bedroom.” He swept his arms open as they entered the room.

She ran a finger across the footboard of the king-size sleigh bed and turned around. “Look at the size of that closet. As much as I like your new suit-and-tie style, I can’t imagine you filling that walk-in, Nick.” She let go of his hand and wandered into the master bathroom. A huge stained-glass palladium window framed a soaking tub. “This bathroom is the size of my mother’s living room.”

He smiled. “Cool, huh? I asked them to take two smaller rooms that used to be offices and make them into a bathroom. I wanted a lot of comfort built into this room.” He leaned against one of the vanities and drank in the sight of her. She fit in like she belonged here with him, using this space. He ached to free her hair from the ponytail holder and run his hands through it.She really had no idea how sexy she was.

Liz stopped mid-step. “You installed one of those sitting tub and shower combinations. They’re handicap accessible. My mom put one in for me.” Her voice drifted off as she traced the edge with a finger. “It has a lovely pearl finish.”

“Of course.” He had to be careful.Don’t push. Don’t push.Just let it sink in. Let her do the talking.

She looked at him, eyes brimming. “You put this in for me?” She yanked a tissue from the box on the quartz countertop and wiped her nose.

“You can’t blame a guy for hoping that maybe you’d want to use it sometime.” He congratulated himself. It didn’t sound presumptuous at all.Totally her decision.He really couldn’t take it if she pulled away from him again. Slow and easy did it when dealing with his injured bird.

“It’s beautiful and tasteful. It doesn’t look like handicap equipment at all.” She turned away and softly blew her nose.

The doorbell rang. “That’s our food.”

She nodded and followed him. “Let me help. What’s on the menu?”

He tipped the delivery girl and set two large bags on the counter. “Chinese. Italian. Ice cream and cookies for dessert.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t make up my mind. You unload the bags, and I’ll get us some plates and napkins.” He grabbed a stack of serving spoons. “I hope you’re hungry. I know I am.” He gestured for her to go first.

“This is lovely, Nick. I’m famished. I haven’t eaten since early this morning.”

He made sure she was comfortable at the table and loaded his plate. “I know they give you breaks at DHS. Why didn’t you eat?”

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