A Mistletoe Kiss for the Single Dad

by Traci Douglass

  “Great.” He signed off on the check, then stood and tugged on his coat before helping Belle with hers. “Let’s go home.”

  * * *

  The ride back to Bayside was quiet, both of them apparently deep in thought. Or, in Nick’s case, feeling a bit hollow after getting all his emotions off his chest at the restaurant. In their wake was a restless energy, pinballing around inside him, making him unsure what to say now. As they took the exit to Business Highway 31 leading into Bayside, Nick glanced over at Belle, trying to gauge her mood. “I enjoyed tonight. Thanks for listening to my rambling.”

  “Thanks for telling me.” Belle looked over at him.

  He flipped on the turn signal to make a right onto Hancock Street. “I’m glad we got it all out there. Cleared the air. It was very therapeutic.”

  Belle snorted. “Gah! Therapeutic? There’s a word most people never want to hear on a date.”

  “Date?” He pulled up at the curb in front of Belle’s house and parked his SUV, cutting the engine but keeping the heater running as he grinned over at her through the shadows. Not that he needed any help. Nick was feeling pretty warm already. He unwrapped and shoved one of the mints from the restaurant in his mouth before handing one to Belle too. “Is this a date?”

  Belle didn’t answer, just ate her mint and stared out the window beside her, making no move to leave. “Dinner was delicious. Back in Beverly Hills I’m usually eating on the run, racing from one procedure to the next. I try to make the healthiest choices.”

  “Another reason I’m glad I left Atlanta behind.” Nick frowned. “Not the healthy choices. The eating on the run.”

  “Right.” She sighed and her smile turned bitter-sweet. “Well, I guess this is good night.”

  Belle put her hand on the door handle and Nick turned slightly to face her, resting one arm atop the steering wheel.

  “Wait, Belle,” he said, stopping her, his pulse jackhammering in his ears. It was now or never, and he couldn’t remember ever wanting another woman more than he wanted Belle at that moment. Even if it was all temporary. Maybe because it was all temporary. “I’d like to keep doing this, with you, for as long as you’re here.” At her confused look, he said, “Seeing each other, I mean. I’m out of practice with the whole dating thing, but I’m afraid if I don’t take the chance now, you’ll go running back to California on Christmas Day and I’ll regret it.”

  “I’m not running anywhere, Nick. California is my home.” Belle slumped back in her seat and stared straight ahead. “Please don’t think I’m not tempted, but we’re both dealing with a lot right now. I don’t want us to be just another complication. Last night you were mired in guilt over your wife’s death and the promise you made to her. What changed?”

  “I’m not sure.” Liar. He knew exactly what had changed. That kiss. He exhaled slowly and stared out the windshield, trying to articulate all the feelings roiling around inside him—apprehension, anticipation, need, nervousness. “I’ve been living alone for nearly two years now, slogging through my days, thinking it was enough. Then you came back to Bayside and it’s like the sun came out again. You made me realize maybe I could do both, be a good father and have a life, at least while you’re here. The short duration doesn’t make it any less real.”

  He looked over at her again, hoping his sincerity showed in his eyes. “That’s why I think we should have a fling. Explore the sparks we ignited with our kiss. Take a risk, knowing if it doesn’t work out it will all be over soon anyway.”

  Snow fell softly and Christmas lights twinkled on the neighboring homes. Belle didn’t respond and Nick beat himself up internally for making a mess of it all. Vicki was probably shaking her head at him up in heaven.

  Tension filled the interior of the SUV like a thick fog.

  Way to go, idiot.

  Finally, Belle took a deep breath and squinted down at her hands in her lap. “I found this old embroidered pillow on Aunt Marlene’s sofa the other night. It said, ‘Bloom where you’re planted.’ She always used to tell me that growing up. It got me through a lot of hard times.”

  The pain in her voice stabbed him. Nick scrubbed a hand over his face then faced her again. “I hurt you in the past and I’m sorry. That was never what I wanted. Never. I only ever wanted what was best for you, Belle. I still do.”

  She gave a little snort. “And you think a fling is what’s best?”

  “I think we’re both lonely and could use a dose of good, old-fashioned intimacy.”

  His gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips and he leaned in, kissing her slowly and tenderly. She tasted of wine and mint and endless possibilities.

  Belle pulled away to look at him, her pupils dilated. “Do you want to come in?”

  Nick nodded slowly, his heart feeling too big for his chest. “I do.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  BELLE FUMBLED HER keys in the lock, her hands shaking—not from cold but from nerves and anticipation. She was doing it. She was taking Nick Marlowe, her old flame, to bed.

  Yes, it would be temporary because she was leaving soon, and quite possibly she was doing it for the wrong reasons—loneliness, grief, desperation—but she couldn’t seem to make herself care. Neither could she shake the feeling deep down inside that there was a good chance this wasn’t all wrong. She still cared for him, far more than was wise. But first they had to get inside.

  She dropped the keys in the snow on the porch.

  “Dammit.” Belle bent to grab them. “Sorry. This isn’t my usual MO.”

  “Mine neither.” Nick grabbed the keys first and unlocked the front door. “I’ve got it.”

  The moment they crossed the threshold he turned and cupped her face in his hands to kiss her again, more deeply this time, as if he too needed confirmation this was really happening. Between the feel of his mouth on hers, coupled with the memories of how it used to be, the way they fit—it all seemed a bit like a fantasy.

  Then Nick took off his coat and pressed more firmly against her and she felt his body—hot, hard, ready—and it became all too real.

  This. Was. Happening.

  Nick pulled her into the foyer, closed the door then pushed Belle up against it, his hands sinking into her hair, tugging gently so her throat was exposed for his kisses, shoving her scarf aside so his teeth scraped the sweet spot where her neck met her collarbone. Belle shuddered with sensation, sliding her hands under his sweater, to feel the hot skin of his abdomen against her palms. Her breath caught, tiny, shallow gasps escaping as she kissed him back hard, urgency driving her onward.

  They shed the rest of their clothing on the way down the hall to the bedroom, not caring where it landed, only caring about this night, this moment, together. So good, so right, so real.

  But by the time they stood beside the mattress, Belle was nervous again. It had been eighteen years since they’d been together. They’d both changed. What if he was disappointed?

  Nick sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her, his brown eyes warm and dark with desire. He took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, meeting her gaze. Unexpected tears prickled her eyes. This was Nick, the first man she’d ever loved. The only man she’d ever loved. Finally, she stopped fighting the craving that had burned inside her since she’d returned to Bayside. “I missed you.”

  He pulled her down and kissed her gently, wiping away her tears. “I missed you too.”

  Then his warm hands skimmed her skin, making her shiver. She leaned into him, nuzzling his neck, her fingers digging into his strong shoulders. Heat sizzled through her blood like an uncontrolled wildfire.

  Belle clung to Nick as he lowered her down beneath him. His solid weight atop her felt like home, at last. She’d never forgotten this. She’d only blocked it out, only tried to pretend she didn’t need this. But she did need it, needed him. So much she ached.

  He watched her, waiting. �
�Okay?”

  “More than okay,” Belle said with a small smile.

  His answering grin had joy blossoming in her heart. All those constant worries and warning bells quieted, and she surrendered to this man, this moment. Yes, she’d dated after Nick, but no one else had measured up to this, to him.

  She pulled him down for another kiss, their bodies flush.

  They couldn’t have forever, but they could have tonight.

  He licked the pulse point at the base of her neck and chuckled. “Your heart’s racing.”

  “Yours too,” she said, pressing her palm to his chest.

  His eyes glimmered in the moonlight streaming in through the curtains and he rocked his hips against hers. He was ready. So was she. Belle slid her hand down to caress the length of him. His breath hitched and he cupped her bottom, his face buried in her throat. Her skin tingled from his touch and she arched against him, wanting to be closer, wanting all the space between them to disappear.

  Nick got up and quickly put on a condom then rejoined her on the bed. She parted her thighs, letting his weight settle between them. His talented hands seemed to caress her everywhere at once and he took one of her nipples into his warm, wet mouth, suckling her sensitive flesh. Tightness coiled inside her and heat built between her legs. She couldn’t wait any longer. She needed him now. Belle reached between them to palm him again, but this time he grabbed her wrist and pinned her hands over her head.

  “Sorry,” he panted. “It’s been too long, and I want you too badly. If you touch me now, it’ll all be over. And I don’t want this to end.”

  In response, Belle wrapped her legs around his waist and rocked against him, allowing him to feel how ready she was for him too.

  Hanging his head, Nick kissed her and stroked her once more, sliding his fingers down to gently tease her most sensitive flesh. She gasped and pressed harder into his hand. “Yes. Please, Nick. Please.”

  “Belle,” he whispered, his gaze locked with hers as he entered her, stretching and filling her completely. “My Belle.”

  White-hot desire scorched through her. All that mattered now was this man, this moment, this night. She gave a low, feral groan of satisfaction.

  His thrusts began slow and steady, growing stronger and harder as Belle moved with him. Soon passion took over and had them both teetering on the brink of completion. He reached between them once more to stroke her and Belle cried out as she climaxed hard.

  After a few more hard, fast thrusts Nick joined her in bliss, his body tight as waves of pleasure washed over him. He buried his face in her hair, whispering words she didn’t catch.

  Finally, they settled back to earth, his breath warm on her skin, his head resting in the valley between her breasts. She felt weightless and heavy all at the same time, her usual quicksilver thoughts sluggish in the wake of endorphins. Tonight had been as good as she remembered. Maybe even better.

  As his breath evened out into the patterns of sleep and her eyes drifted closed, Belle knew tomorrow would bring a return of all the issues between them—their separate careers, his unresolved guilt over his deceased wife, his son and her responsibilities back in Beverly Hills. But tonight it felt like they had their own private bubble, their own private escape from reality.

  It was enough. It had to be enough.

  * * *

  Nick awoke before sunrise. Through a gap in the gauzy curtains he saw the snow had finally stopped falling. In the predawn haze he glanced over to find Belle sound asleep on her stomach, her dark auburn lashes fanned on her cheeks and her glorious hair tangled and mussed from his lovemaking. She looked breathtakingly, achingly beautiful.

  He waited for the familiar guilt to slam into him hard, but it never came.

  Instead, all he felt was tenderness. Tenderness and a tug of nostalgia.

  Hard to believe nearly two decades had passed since he’d been with this woman, since he’d let her go and moved on with his life. Yet the connection between them still blazed brightly.

  He gently brushed the hair back from her temple. Belle gave a small groan and swatted his hand away, still asleep, rolling over to reveal the creamy stretch of her spine. Unable to resist, Nick kissed the nape of her neck then trailed his lips down her back and inhaled deeply. Flowers and mint and warm, sweet woman. Resting his forehead against her shoulder blade, he did his best to remember every second of their night together, wanting to hold onto it forever.

  Belle sighed and he put his arm around her waist, snuggling in behind her again, her soft, plump breast cupped in the palm of his hand. She turned to face him, kissing him before wrapping herself around him. Nick rolled her onto her back and made love to her again.

  After they’d floated back from paradise, he kissed her one last time then climbed out of bed, heading for the bathroom and a quick shower before tugging on his jeans. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

  She leaned up on her elbows, frowning. “Sorry, I don’t have much food in the house.”

  “That’s fine.” He leaned over to kiss her again, then handed Belle her clothes. “Get up. I’ve got an idea.”

  Following a yawn and a stretch, she rushed into the bathroom and closed the door, emerging ten minutes later freshly showered and dressed. She’d braided her damp hair and her green eyes sparkled in the gloom. She looked so happy and beautiful he nearly tumbled her right back into bed again but he stopped himself.

  This wasn’t real. This would all be over soon. What about Connor?

  A small twinge of remorse stung his chest before he pushed it away.

  His son was fine, tucked away safe and sound at Eric’s house.

  It was just that it had been so long since Nick had had time to himself he wasn’t sure how to handle it. Must be it. He glanced over at Belle and saw her grin. He grinned back. “C’mon.”

  After bundling up and grabbing his wallet and keys, they headed out to his truck.

  Holding her hand, Nick steered with the other through the deserted streets of Bayside, heading for the bakery downtown, pretty much the only thing open this early. He left the truck running while he ran inside and picked up fresh donuts and tea, then drove to the state park down by the beach. The temperatures were near freezing and their breath crystalized in the air as they climbed the trail to the top of the huge sand dune there, aptly named Old Baldy because of the clearing at the top.

  At the summit, he spread out one of the blankets he’d carried up and Belle set out their small feast atop it. Then they huddled beneath a second blanket to await the coming sunrise, just like old times.

  The silence between them now felt comfortable as they ate and snuggled while the world around them woke up. From somewhere nearby, an owl hooted. The icy trees crackled in the slight breeze. Everything was quiet and peaceful and pristine in the crisp winter cold.

  Nick finished his donut then took a long swig of hot tea and checked his watch. Soon enough, it would be time to pick up Connor. As Christmas Eve approached, things seemed to speed up and the days slipped by so fast. There was still some work to be done on Marlene’s old clinic and things to get ready, but all he could think about was spending more time with Belle that didn’t involve paint or inventory or work.

  His chest squeezed with a sharp pang of warning.

  Somewhere inside, a small part of him knew there was a good chance he was using her as a temporary fix for his long-term loneliness, as a way to avoid dealing with his guilt over Vicki once and for all. But he didn’t want to think about that now. It had been a long time since he’d been this happy and content and he just wanted it to last a bit longer before reality returned.

  He sighed and stared out over the dark, churning waters of Lake Michigan. Being up here again reminded him of their last summer before senior year. Swimming, playing volleyball on the beach, cooking out over a campfire. The first time Nick had realized she was The One
had been right here in this spot.

  She shifted slightly in his arms and smiled up at him, brushing away a bit of sugar glaze from the corner of his mouth. He kissed her cheek then rested his chin atop her head, her knit hat soft against his skin.

  “There’s Orion’s Belt.” Belle pointed at the crooked line of three stars above. “It’s the only constellation I know, other than the Big Dipper.”

  “Me too.” He snuggled her closer as she sipped her tea. A thin line of orange brightened the horizon, signaling the impending sunrise.

  Belle sighed and leaned away, meeting his gaze as an adorable blush colored her cheeks. “Thanks.”

  “For what?” The rush of waves against the shore below helped eased the sudden anxiety knotting his gut. It rarely got cold enough for the lake to completely freeze over. Belle shrugged then stared off into the distance. His heart seemed swollen, aching and tender. He tipped her chin up and kissed her again as the sun crested the horizon and the snow shimmered around them. Longing and loneliness pierced him before he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “I haven’t stayed out all night with a girl for a long time.”

  Belle chuckled, the sound warming him. “Remember the time we went out on the lake in your dad’s boat and fell asleep? We drifted miles up the coast.”

  “How could I forget?” He smiled and waggled his brows. “You wore a black bikini, the one with the pink flower in the front.”

  “We stayed up all night then too. It was July Fourth. They shot fireworks out over the water and lit up the sky.”

  Nick hugged her close once more. “I remember holding you all night.”

  “Me too.” She tucked her head back under his chin for a moment before pulling away. “We should get going before we get frostbite. What time is Connor due home?”

  The reminder of his son brought Nick back to earth. “He’ll call me when he’s ready to be picked up from Eric’s.”

  “Right.” She kissed him one last time then pushed to her feet, holding her gloved hand down to help him up. “C’mon. Let’s clean up then I’ll race you down to the truck. Last one there has to pick up the medical supplies this afternoon.”