After dinner, Jamie took Ben and Lucas out to play miniature golf. Nora and Davey made their way toward the lobby with Steph and Cruz.
Once there, Steph hugged Nora tight. “I’m happy for the two of you,” Steph whispered. “You’re good for Davey and him for you.”
Were they good for each other…or would Davey break her heart? Nora shifted her gaze toward Davey and Cruz to make sure they weren’t paying attention. “I’m not sure where this is going.”
“Focus on the now,” Steph advised.
Nora gave Steph a half smile. Her friend was right. This advice—to live in the moment—kept coming back to her. She’d heard it from Steph, her grandfather, and even from the Kent’s cow. Her own experiences were richer when she focused on what was happening in the moment instead of thinking about the past or the future.
When Davey joined them, Steph kissed him on the cheek. “Night son.”
Cruz gave Nora a bright smile. “Have a good evening.” He tipped his head toward Davey. “See that our boy gets some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”
Cruz patted Davey on the back, then escorted Steph away.
Davey stuffed his hands in his pockets. “So….”
“So,” she said back.
“You want to go out?” His gaze trailed Cruz and Steph who were making their way out the revolving door. “Cruz is taking Mom dancing.”
Dancing was the last thing on Nora’s mind. Nerves pinged in her belly, but there was something else in there too—something low, intense, and achy. “I’d rather stay in.”
He gave her a lazy grin, making her body vibrate with anticipation. “A girl after my own heart,” he said, taking her hand and leading her upstairs.
Inside his suite, Davey helped her out of her jean jacket and roved his eyes over her pink dress. Tossing the jacket on the table, he gave a low whistle. “You’re stunning.” He wrapped his hands around her waist. “I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you all night.”
Surprised, Nora glanced up at him. She appreciated the compliment, especially since she had never thought of herself as stunning.
He pressed her against the wall. “I’ve thought about being with you all day,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. He kissed her, soft, sweet, and lingering, then pulled her lower lip into his mouth and sucked on it before drawing back. “I’ve thought about kissing you over and over again.”
Her heartbeat quickened. She’d been thinking about those things too and was glad she wasn’t the only one. He leaned in and made good on his words. He kissed her over and over, each kiss a little softer, a little sweeter. When he drew back, her heart was pounding and butterflies were going crazy in her belly.
He caught her gaze and they stared into each other’s eyes for a few long moments. Gazing into the depths of his gorgeous blues she detected real feelings. Not an I’m-attracted-to-you kind of thing, but something far, far deeper. The intensity made her feel light as the clouds and at the same time restless as a pending storm.
He brushed his palms over her breasts, drawing her attention back to the physical. That was a better place for her to focus. When he lowered his warm hands to cup her butt, hot desire jetted through her. “I dream about how your ass feels in the palm of my hands,” he said, his voice rough.
His words chipped away at her long-held sensitivity. Tracing his tongue over her lip, he squeezed her butt. She wriggled against his hands, delighting in the new sensations.
Keeping his hands on her backside, he pressed soft kisses behind her ear, then trailed a path down her neck. Savoring his sweet words and his tender touch, quivers rumbled inside her, threatening to erupt.
“This dress….” He stepped back and gave her the once-over. “It could bring me to my knees.”
Her breath caught.
He palmed his hands along her silhouette. “And how you fill it…mmm, mmm.”
His words sang through her system. No one had ever said such things to her. Even when Matt had been trying to win her over, he’d stuck with the basics, calling her nice or telling her that her eyes were pretty.
Davey was so different. His flattery ran deep and it wasn’t always about her looks. Over the last month, he’d complimented her honesty, her kindness, her passion. She had appreciated those compliments every bit as much.
“Damn, Nora.” He pushed down one of the straps of her dress to expose a shoulder, which he lavished with kisses. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
Feeling wanted and appreciated in a way she’d never known, she pushed down the other shoulder strap and shimmied out of the dress. That left her wearing her newly purchased Victoria’s Secret push-up bra and matching thong.
Davey’s eyes popped as he gaped at her, practically drooling. His obvious appreciation boosted her confidence. She flicked off her bra and rubbed her breasts against his chest.
A ragged groan rumbled out of him.
She tugged his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. “Let’s get these clothes off.” She lowered her fingers to the button on his Levi’s.
He tugged down his jeans before she could get the button undone. He kicked them off, along with his boxers and shoes, then scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. “And I’ve been thinking about doing this ever since our night in ‘Bama.”
A healthy jolt of lust shot into Nora’s stomach. She’d been thinking about it too, almost obsessively. “Me too,” she admitted, as Davey placed her on the bed, gently resting her head on a pillow.
He climbed onto the bed next to her, propped up on an elbow, and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Now that we’re dating, we can do this anytime we want.”
She choked out a laugh. “Is that why you asked me to be your girlfriend?” Her voice was teasing, but a small part of her needed to know.
“It’s a side benefit.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “But I asked you to be my girlfriend because I’m crazy about you.” He drew her into a long, sweet kiss that made her feel like she was the most important woman in the world. When he pulled back and propped on an elbow again, she let out a whimper of protest.
His slow, lazy smile made her flutters return. This time they glided into her chest, making soft, gentle brushes along her heart. She rolled onto her side to face him.
“There’s a lot more of that to come,” he promised, moving a hand through her hair. “But back to your question. I want to be with you for a lot of reasons. You’re an amazing person.” Surprised, she blinked up at him. “I love your mind,” he said, tapping two fingers on her temple. “Your body.” He slid a hand down her side. “And especially, your heart.” He moved his palm across her chest, settling in between her breasts.
She’d never heard such kind things said about her.
Davey rolled onto his back and tugged her on top of him, then he pulled her face to his for another tender kiss. His hands slowly caressed her body—her shoulders, her back, her butt. As she relished his slow, arousing touches, another bolt of desire shot into her belly. Then it branched out, igniting every cell in her body, setting every nerve ending on fire.
As much as she appreciated how cherished Davey made her feel, her entire body vibrated with desire. She needed more…and she needed it now. She slid off him and rolled to the table next to the bed. After shimmying out of her panties, she tugged the drawer open and gave silent thanks when she found a handful of condoms inside. She grabbed one of them and tore off the wrapper.
Davey chuckled. “Is there a fire?”
She moved back to him. “Put this on.” She pressed the condom into his hand. “Now.”
Davey’s eyes heated as he choked out another laugh. “Yes, ma’am.” He sheathed himself, then rolled on top of her. “Look at me, Nora.”
He waited until she did before he slid inside her.
His eyes danced and sparked as they melted into hers. As he moved inside her with slow, tender strokes, she lost herself in his eyes, his smile, his very essence. She hoped beyond hop
e that she hadn’t lost her heart too.
Chapter Twenty
With a great sense of satisfaction, Steph booted down her computer. Even though it was only noon, she had already finished her work for the day thanks to Nora. Over the last few months, Nora had helped Steph clean and organize her office. Shortly after Nora had joined OTR, she had automated their payroll and she’d recently finished automating their invoicing and scheduling. Those tasks used to take Steph days to complete, but now she could finish all three in a couple of hours.
Stepping into the restaurant, a burst of pride filled her chest. When she’d been given less than a year to live, she had stayed positive. With Guru Bob’s help, she’d envisioned great health and had visualized the business she would one day create. Taking in the large, open seating, the expansive NASCAR wall, and the long wooden bar, she realized she had created a mirror image of that vision. She’d done exactly what Bob had taught her: Think it, feel it, and it will happen.
Since that time, she’d learned more about the Law of Attraction. The basic premise was that she attracted everything in her life through her thoughts and feelings. She hadn’t believed it at first, but after she had been diagnosed with cancer, she’d figured she had nothing to lose. After turning her life around in large part by following those principles, she’d become a believer. She had been thinking about this concept a lot lately. She’d also been contemplating Pap’s advice to stop using the now as an excuse to avoid the future.
She and Cruz had been spending every spare moment together, but until Nora’s grandfather’s visit, she had been putting Cruz off anytime he mentioned the future. With a little help from beyond, she had finally admitted—at least to herself—that Cruz was nothing like Tuck. She had known Cruz for over thirty years and in that time, he’d been nothing but a gentleman. She couldn’t wait to share her epiphany with him.
She thanked Nora again, then headed home for an afternoon of luxury. She streamed a yoga class, took a long bubble bath, and napped with Taz. Fully relaxed, she took her time getting ready for her date with Cruz. After fixing her hair and make-up, she put on her new gray slacks, a turquoise top with a draped neckline, and silver sandals.
Cruz arrived on her doorstep promptly at six. When she pulled the door open, he gave her the once over.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” His husky voice and the passion behind his words made her feel beautiful.
“Oh, Cruz.” As a stream of warmth rushed through her, she smoothed down her silky shirt.
“I’m a lucky man.” He stepped inside the house, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Feathering his fingers through her hair, he drew her in deeper while keeping the kiss sweet, tender, and adoring. Her knees wobbled, her toes curled, and her heart trembled with joy.
Drawing back, he flashed his white teeth. “I want to show you something.” He linked his hand with hers. “But we’ll have to drive there.” Steph wondered what he wanted to show her. “I hope you’ll like it,” he said as he led her to the door, his voice a little shaky.
Because Cruz was normally solid and steady, his nerves made Steph uneasy. They got into his SUV and headed toward the lake. She pressed a hand to her stomach as they circled around the water to the east side of the lake.
“We’re here,” Cruz announced, pulling into the drive of a gorgeous home. He parked, then rounded the hood to open her door.
Stepping outside, Steph gaped at the house in shock. The rambling rancher was almost identical to the picture she had put on her refrigerator vision board. It had the same burgundy-colored bricks, multi-gable rooflines, and U-shaped style. It was positioned on a large lake lot, just like the picture she’d cut out of Better Homes & Gardens magazine. She gave Cruz a curious look. “Who lives here?”
“It’s for sale.” He took her hand and led her up the walkway. On the front porch, he entered the code into the lock box, then held the door open for her. “I’m thinking of buying it.”
She wondered why Cruz would want such a large place but was distracted the moment she walked inside and took in the open floor plan, large skylights, and high ceilings. An abundance of light filtered into the space from the skylights and double French doors. She made her way through the family room and stepped outside onto a large earth-toned deck that curved around the house. She could envision relaxing in the afternoon sun after a day on the lake or resting on a lounger under a starlit sky. Beyond the deck an expansive, well-manicured lawn gently sloped to the lake.
Cruz stepped over and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Together, they watched as the bright orange sun sank into the dark blue water, scattering globes of sparkling light. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured. The house, the lake, the warmth of Cruz’s embrace.
“Come on.” He took her hand again. “I’ll give you a tour, then you can tell me what you think.”
He walked her down the hall to the master suite which had a tray ceiling and an en suite bathroom that was larger than her entire kitchen. The oversized shower was tiled in tranquil blues. The bathroom also had a corner jacuzzi and above it, a window with stunning views of the lake. She sighed dreamily. “This is amazing.”
Cruz grinned. He showed her the office, the enormous kitchen, and the dining room. After, they toured through three guest rooms and two bathrooms on the other side of the house.
“What do you think?” he asked, leading her back to the living room.
“It’s gorgeous.” She tipped her head to one side. “But isn’t it a little big for one person?”
He took her hand and held her gaze, his dark eyes jumpy. His nervousness caused a knot of anxiety in her stomach.
He cleared his throat. “I was hoping you might want to live here with me.”
Caught off guard, Steph’s body froze in place. “You want me to live with you?” she asked, her voice incredulous.
Cruz let out a low chuckle. “I really want you to be my wife, but I know you’re not ready. So, I’m hoping you’ll move in with me instead.”
He wanted to marry her? Tears of joy found their way into her eyes, and one slipped down her cheek. “Oh, Cruz.”
He gently brushed away the tear with his thumb. “Or we can keep things the way they are,” he said, obviously misunderstanding her misty eyes.
“No.” She swiped at her tears. “These are happy tears.”
Relief flashed in Cruz’s eyes. “So you’ll move in with me?” He put his hands around her shoulders. “Here, or if you’d prefer we can find another place. Or we can build a house, whatever you want.”
“I love this place,” she said, still soaking in the idea that Cruz wanted her to live with him, that he wanted to marry her. She drew in a breath of courage. “I’ve kind of changed my mind about the other stuff.”
“You’re going to have to be more specific.” His voice was low and steady, but hope flickered in his eyes.
“My head finally caught up to my heart.” She wrapped her hands around his waist. “You’re not Tuck.” She let out a long exhale, feeling a sense of relief after finally saying the words aloud. “And you’ll never be like him.”
“That’s the truth.” Cruz pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I promise you, Steph, I’ll never treat you with anything other than complete respect.”
She smiled. “You already do. I’m ready Cruz….” Unsure of what else to say, her sentence drifted off.
He pressed a hand to his heart. “I’ve been waiting to hear those words for a long time.” Now, it looked as if he were blinking back tears. “I love you, Steph.”
The joy in her heart spilled over, flooding every fiber of her being. “I love you too.”
Gazing into her eyes, he slowly brushed a palm over her cheek as if he were recording every detail. His gaze was so loving, his touch so tender, she didn’t think she’d ever experienced a more romantic moment.
Until Cruz reached into the pocket of his khaki’s and pulled out a gold ring.
Nothing could
have surprised her more. Raising a hand to her mouth, she ogled the enormous princess-cut diamond surrounded by a circle of smaller stones and choked out a laugh.
“You carry a ring around in your pocket?”
“I bought it the week after I walked into your bar.” He gave her a slow, sexy smile.
Her heart stuttered to a stop as out-and-out shock pummeled through her.
“I realized my feelings toward you hadn’t changed,” he said. “If anything, my love for you has grown over the years.” He caught her gaze, and his dark sincere eyes made her heart thump. “I bought the ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you. I’ve been carrying it around ever since, waiting until you were ready.”
She practically swooned. “Oh, Cruz.” His words were sweet. More importantly, he was sweet, and considerate and patient too. She couldn’t believe he’d bought a ring and had carried it in his pocket for months waiting until she was ready. Her heart raced with eager anticipation of his proposal. She was ready now—she wanted to marry him, she wanted him in her daily life. They’d been life-long friends, and now that they’d been reunited, she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.
“I love you, Steph. I always have, I always will.” He extended the ring toward her. “This is a symbol of my eternal love. I want to be with you, live with you, grow old with you.” Another tear fell down her cheek and he gently brushed it away. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes. Oh, yes.” Bliss danced through her body as he slipped the ring on her finger, then lifted her into the air and spun her in circles.
After he lowered her to the ground, he put his hands around her face. “You won’t regret this,” he promised. “I’m going to cherish you each and every day.”
As he leaned in to kiss her, a joyful, light-hearted feeling fluttered in her belly and seeped into her soul. She finally had the man she’d always wanted.
It had been a month since Davey had named Nora his girlfriend. She was growing increasingly fond of him but still hadn’t gotten used to being in the spotlight. No matter where they were—in Serenity, Knoxville, or at one of Davey’s races—reporters always showed up.
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