Put those around me and kiss me again, she thought wistfully. But Nick was walking to the bay window to look out at the garden, so she busied herself with the lemonade.
“Very nice,” he said, coming back to stand in front of her, his eyes drifting down her body.
“The kitchen?” she queried, then went pink when he grinned. “Oh…yes, it’s my favorite part of the house. Nothing has been changed since the accident.”
“I want to hear all about your folks.” He took her hands, his expression turning serious. “When you’re ready.”
Miri squeezed his fingers to reassure him she was okay. “You will, I promise.” She blinked at a sudden realization. She was okay. Really okay. She felt different somehow. Stronger. Loved. Ready to face her future, whatever that might hold.
Miri set the jug of lemonade and two glasses on the table while Nick sat. “Want some? Bree uses real… ” She shrieked as Nick pulled her onto his knee, wrapped his arms around her, and started kissing his way all over shoulder and down her arm.
Nick ran a finger along the small of her back, making her jump. “My God, you’re ticklish, right there.” He laughed when she jumped again. “How could I have missed that?”
“Please, no…not there!” Miri squirmed as he moved his finger to stroke along her ribs.
Nick stopped tickling and started kissing her shoulder again. “There’s so much we don’t know about each other,” he murmured, his breath warm on her skin. “I’m going to need a lot of time to find out about you. I intend to be based in New York from now on. I hope you can cope with me on your doorstep every day.”
“Oh, yes, please. But I’ll be on your London doorstep soon. Two of my works are included in an exhibition, and they’ve invited me to be there. And there are the library commission people to talk to.”
“Please say you’ll stay with me in London.”
“Oh, you can count on it.” She tucked her face into his neck. “I love you, Nick Brannagh,” she whispered, the words sweet on her lips.
His throat vibrated against her face as he breathed into her ear. “I know, sweetheart. I love you, too.” He pulled his head back to look at her face. “Now, about that thing you promised.”
Miri tried to think. “What thing?”
“To change my mind.”
“Oh, that,” she said carelessly. “Well, I’d have to show you the rest of the house first. Where would you like to start?”
Nick waggled his brow, sending Miri into fits of giggles. “You need to ask?”
She stood and took his hand to lead him out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Stopping halfway, she fingered a button on his shirt. “Nick…?”
“Yeah?” he asked, pulling her to him, his fingers working on the halter tie of her bikini top.
She undid the button. “Maybe it’s just sex between us.”
Nick kissed her hard. When he lifted his head, she watched him frown as he thought. “Nope, it’s definitely not the sex.” Bending to slide an arm around her butt, he pulled her flush to his hips, making Miri tremble with anticipation. “Didn’t feel a fucking thing.”
“Fibber,” she countered, snuggling against him.
“Ya think?”
Miri stood high on her tiptoes to kiss his chin as her bikini top fell away. “The bedroom is at the top of the stairs.”
“Right. I need to take a look at those pajamas first,” he mumbled down into her hair.
Miri sighed happily and undid two more buttons to make room for her hand. At this rate, they weren’t going to make it to her bedroom.
Well, they’d get there eventually. But for now…
Bid Me Now Page 18