“Yes, it has. Not since they’re funeral, I believe,” she says softly, taking his other hand in hers and patting it.
Shit. She must have been friends with his parents.
“Yes, ma’am,” he nods.
“You look so good, honey. And so much like your daddy. I saw you and your young lady over there.” She smiles over at me, then back up at Nik. She still hasn’t let him have his hand back. “Y’all look so happy. One of the loveliest couples I think I’ve ever seen. Your mama and daddy would be over the moon.”
Nik smiles at her genuinely this time. “I know they would.” He looks over at me and pulls our hands up to his chest. “This is Ellie, by the way. My future bride. We were just on our way to go ring shopping.”
All four ladies erupt into enthusiastic ooohhs and aahhhs, their hands clasped over their hearts. It’s adorable.
It takes us a good ten minutes to get away from them and we somehow managed to avoid the details of our how we met story. We would’ve had to set up camp if we had told them the details. All they know is we met at Starbucks and hit it off with a bang. It took all I had not to laugh when Nik said that.
“Sorry about that,” he apologizes once we’re out of earshot.
“Don’t be. They were sweethearts and seem really happy for you. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. It was a shock at first. I haven’t seen any of their friends in ages. But I’m all right. I know they were jonesing for an invite to the wedding, but we can keep small if you want. Half of Savannah would be there if I invited all of Mom’s and Dad’s friends.
“Gosh, we will have to plan a wedding, won’t we? You think we could keep it under Leia’s radar until the deed is done?” I laugh.
He laughs with me, grabbing the door to the jewelry shop and holding it open for me. “We’ll have to go into super stealth mode, but I bet we could do it. We might have to go into hiding afterwards though. She’ll want to kill us both.”
I laugh at that, looking around the shop. It looks like most jewelry stores do I guess, but you can tell it’s been around awhile.
“Hi. Welcome to Pearly’s. What can I do for you, folks?” the clerk asks, standing up from his stool over at the register. He’s an older gentleman, maybe in his late sixties.
“We’d like to look at your rings, please,” Nik beams at him.
The old man smiles brightly, his whole face lighting up. “I thought that might be the case. I can always tell. The lovebirds always have a glow about them, you two included. Congratulations. Follow me,” he says, crooking his finger at us. “I’m Mr. Burke, by the way. Nice to meet you folks.”
We introduce ourselves too as we follow him over to the far case that stretches along the back wall. It’s a good twelve feet long and filled with rings of every kind. He steps behind it, leaving us in front.
“Now your classic engagement rings are front and center here. Gemstones are here on the left and antiques to the right. Y’all have a long look-see and let me know if you wanna see anything closer.”
“Thank you,” Nik says, still beaming.
“Wow. There’s so many.” I’ve never seen so much sparkle in my life.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting this many either. Anything jump out at you?”
“Ummmm, all of it?” I laugh. “I’ve never been jewelry shopping before.”
“Really? You never bought yourself anything? My mom did all the time.”
“Nope. I had a bracelet as a girl that Gran gave me one Christmas and my ring. That’s all I’ve ever had.”
He gets an odd look on his face at hearing that, but it’s gone in a flash, his smile back in place. “Well, this shopping trip just got more special then, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I smile and look back down at all the rings glittering under the glass.
There’s solitaires in all their different cuts, then the ones with all the smaller diamonds either wrapped around them or trailing down the bands, some silver, some gold. Every single one of them is gorgeous and I honestly think I’d love any of them.
“Do you like the gold or platinum best?” Nik asks, leaning on the glass, his face bent over it, his eyes darting from one to the next.
“Hmmmm, platinum? I think? I mean the gold is pretty too, but I don’t know. I think the silver just looks better with the diamonds. Don’t you?”
“Yeah, but if you like it, I will. So, I guess we got one part down. Maybe two. You want a silver band and a diamond, not a gemstone?”
“I think so. I like the gemstones but those are more like anniversary gifts or what you buy if you want a second ring, right? Diamonds are for the wedding ring.”
He shrugs. “That’s the way my folks did it, but I want you to have what you want even if it doesn’t follow the crowd.”
He’s so sweet I lean over and give him a kiss. “I’m okay with following the crowd on this one.”
“Okay,” he smiles. “What about cut? Which do you like best?”
“Umm, I don’t know the names of them really. What do you call that one?” I point to one with a rectangular center stone.
“That’s an emerald cut I think,” he says, looking towards Mr. Burke.
He nods at us with a small smile.
“It’s very pretty.”
“You wanna try it on? We gotta get your size anyway.”
“Yeah, okay. Sure.”
Mr. Burke gets it out and glances at the little tag attached to it. “This one is just over two carats total. The center stone is an emerald cut, the two sidestones are square cut and then there’s baguettes along the band. Very nice ring. This one’s a size six, but I can make it any size you need.”
“Geez, that’s a lot of carats, isn’t it? I don’t think I really need one that big, do you?”
“Two carats isn’t huge, but I’ll get you the biggest one he’s got if you want it.”
Mr. Burke laughs. “Sure don’t hear that very often.”
I scowl at Nik, knowing he’s serious. “Hush that. You know I’m not flashy. That’s Leia’s job.”
He rubs my back, leaning over and kissing my head. “Let’s just try it and see.”
“All right.”
Mr. Burke hands the ring to Nik and lets him do the honors. Those butterflies on coke are back and having a party inside me. Just seeing him slide it on my finger…it’s crazy how perfect it feels.
Memories of another time flash through my mind and, as special as that day was, I still don’t remember it feeling like this. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like the day I actually say “I do” to him. My heart feels like it’s going to burst just thinking about it.
“Wow, that…it looks really good on you, Bird. Perfect, actually,” Nik whispers, moving around the stand behind me as I hold my hand up to admire it.
The ring is even more gorgeous on me, but it’s a little big.
I smile up at him and I swear his eyes are tearing up. I look back at the ring before I ugly cry. “It is gorgeous,” I manage to squeak out.
He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes me, whispering in my ear. “I love you.”
I reach up and hold his head still so I can give him a kiss. “I love you too.”
He gets me to try on several more over the next twenty minutes. I love them all. It’ll be impossible for him to pick a bad one. After several reassurances from me that I want it to be his choice, he finally takes the jeweler’s card so he can call him back when I’m not around.
“It was a pleasure. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Mr. Jensen. Oh, and I have your order ready over here,” Mr. Burke says, waving us to another counter.
I look up at Nik. “What’s he talking about?”
He smiles and leans down to whisper in my ear, “It’s a surprise.”
“Nik Jensen, what have you done?”
He laughs and takes my hand, pulling me towards the counter. “Come see.”
I follow him, feeling all sorts of giddy and nervous.
Mr. Burke has one of those headless neck thingies that jewelers display necklaces on. He turns it around to face us as soon as I walk up.
“Oh, Nik!” I squeak the second I see what it’s displaying. It’s a gorgeous little diamond and sapphire hummingbird charm necklace.
I slap his shoulder before putting my hands over my face to hide my tears.
He laughs and wraps me in a hug, rubbing my back until I compose myself. “These better be happy tears again,” he murmurs against my hair.
I pull out of his arms and wipe my face off, trying my best to smile and not cry anymore. “They are. I love it,” I choke out.
“I thought you might. Come on, get a better look at it, then I can put it on you.”
I walk up and finger the little bird hanging from its silver chain. Its wings, head, and tail are all diamonds. Its chest a teardrop sapphire turned upside down. “It’s beautiful.”
Nik hugs up beside me and kisses my head. “A beautiful hummingbird for my beautiful Hummingbird.”
“I love it, Nik, but why?”
He looks at me dumbstruck. “What do you mean, why? I love you? I wanted to? You deserve it? As a thank you for taking care of my lame ass? For loving me? Do I need any more reasons?”
“Okay, okay!” I laugh. “I’ve just never been given anything unless it’s my birthday or Christmas. I’m not used to getting presents.” I smile, hoping to soothe him.
Again, he’s giving me the dumbstruck look. “You’re not serious?”
I shrug, looking sheepish, I’m sure. I decide to move us along. “I guess you’ve had this in the works for a while, huh?”
He stares at me for few seconds, but takes the bait. “Believe it or not, just since last night. I found Mr. Burke here on the internet while you were in the shower. I called him this morning and told him about us, and you, just to see what he might have. He sent me a picture of this and I knew it was perfect.”
“It is perfect, just like you.” I raise up on my tiptoes and kiss him.
He gives me a few soft pecks in return. “Can I put it on you?”
I smile and turn around, holding my hair out of his way. It takes him a minute of grumbling about his big fingers, but he gets it on me. I turn back around and show him.
“Yep, perfect. Just like I thought,” he smiles, his whole face lit up.
I look in the mirror that Mr. Burke has set out for me. Nik’s right. The chain is just the right length, letting the hummingbird lay just below the hollow of my throat. It looks beautiful against my new tan.
I stand back up and step into his arms. He gives me another bear hug.
“Thank you, Nik. I absolutely love it. Almost as much as I love you.”
“You’re welcome, Bird. I’ve decided I like buying you things so consider it the first of many presents to come.”
I pull back and look at him. “Only if I get to buy you some too.”
He rolls his eyes. “If you insist.”
~
“Oh, my God!” I throw my hands up and slap them back down on the sofa. The pop they make isn’t nearly as loud as I wanted it to be. “That was the stupidest finale I have ever seen! Are they serious? All that mystery and build up over the shit load of episodes they forced us to watch and that’s what they came up with?”
I look over at Nik, unbelieving, expecting him to agree with me wholeheartedly. Instead the turd is slumped back, all relaxed with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“You didn’t see it coming? I thought it was pretty obvious.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
He starts laughing. “You’re so cute when you’re mad.”
“Arghhhhh! I’ll show you mad!” I grab the throw pillow behind me and start whacking him with it. “I can’t believe you made us watch this stupid show.”
His laugh gets louder and my short arms and pillow are no match for his long ass ones and big hands. He easily plucks the pillow out of my grasp and has me pinned to the sofa seconds later, tickling me mercilessly.
“Did the mean old TV show get your feathers all ruffled, Bird? Poor baby,” he coos at me as I screech, squeal, and thrash around.
“NIK! Stop it! Please, no! No! Please not there! Aahhhhhh! NO! I hate you! Stop it!!”
His hands go still, wrapping around my waist and pulling me back towards him. Those big blue eyes beg me to forgive him while his hands smooth over my tortured body. Then they push my shirt up and over my bra, his lips joining in to kiss away his offenses.
“I’m sorry. You’re just so fun to tease and I had to do something to make you feel better.” His mischievous smirk tells me the truth.
I forgave him the second he stopped, but I play along, pouting for all I’m worth. “You’re so mean. Those fingers can hurt sometimes you know?” I slap at them as they glide up my ribs. “And what if I wanted to be mad at that stupid TV show.”
His eyes sparkle as he leans down and starts kissing a trail up my stomach and over my bra stopping to hover just above my nipple. “Let me make it up to you.” He bites through the fabric, gently, then drags his teeth up and off my sensitive flesh, sending a tingle through me before moving over and doing the same to the other one.
I hum with pleasure, running my hands up his arms and over the warm skin of his bare shoulders then into his soft hair. “I might let you. But you’re gonna have to be more convincing than that.”
He winks, giving me a sinful grin. “I think I can manage.”
He’s so beautiful my heart flips and a flurry of butterflies dance through my stomach. It happens all the time. He’ll tilt his head a certain way, or he’ll smile at me just so, his eyes bright and crinkling at the corners, and it’s as if the ground under me disappears. I feel like I’m always tumbling head over heels around him. I don’t think he will ever stop having that effect on me. I don’t want him to, it’s the best feeling ever.
I stroke his face with my fingers, a stupid smile plastered across my own. His eyes soften as he looks down at me. I don’t have to say anything. He knows. He always knows. There’s no hope of hiding it, and more importantly, no reason to.
“I love you too,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me.
“I know.”
“So, you’re Han now, huh?”
I laugh. And he does too, his fingers working to unhook my bra. “You should always wear these front close ones. So convenient. Or none at all would be even better.”
“You would rather I be naked twenty-four/seven,” I murmur. I could say the same for him. “And I thought we were on a schedule. Aren’t we supposed to be leaving?” We were just gonna finish Lost then hit the road. The car is already loaded.
He makes a face. “Pfft! I’ll just drive faster.” My bra now flung open, his hands grasp a breast a piece, then his hot tongue is circling and licking one nipple while his expert fingers roll and pinch the other.
I moan, pressing my hips up against his hard stomach.
He wraps his mouth around a nipple and sucks hard for several beats before pinching it tight between his lips and pulling away, releasing it with a slight pop. “Oh, by the way, you were correct before. You should never wear clothes.” He groans, going right back to work licking and sucking, pinching and twisting and has me aching for him in no time.
Then suddenly he sits back and pulls his tank off and unbuttons his shorts, loosening them enough I can see his straining erection begging for even more freedom. He takes care of my shorts and panties next then drops to the floor and man handles me until my legs are off the sofa.
“Nik.”
“Shhhh, just watch me, love.”
Any protest I may have had goes out the window as he spreads my thighs and pushes my knees back. My heart quickens as his face lowers between my legs, because I know what’s coming – complete and utter bliss.
He places tiny kisses over my thighs, working closer and closer to my aching center. His long arms reach up and his hands begin to knead my breasts, his fingers rolling my nipples between them, then pul
ling and tugging.
He teases me for what seems like forever, while I rock my hips up and down, desperate for more than the tiny kisses he’s giving. His warm breath is heating my already burning skin. His lips making mine tingle more. I know what he’s waiting on, so I give in and beg. “Nik, please.”
Answering my plea, his hot tongue slides through my lips in one long, slow stroke. I bite my bottom one to keep from crying out.
He drags up the right side and circles my clit with just the tip, then moves to the left, repeating the same. He goes up the center again, pulling my swollen nub into his mouth as soon as he reaches it, sucking gently, before letting go to flick it a few times.
Over and over, he slowly – so slowly – repeats the pattern: drag, circle, suck, flick. My nipples are never once denied the pleasure of his expert fingers either. Every time I get close he stops, blowing cool air over my heated skin and releasing my tender nipples, making them throb. I whine and squirm, my body begging him for more. I won’t ask though. Not yet. I’d be stupid to rush him. He loves this almost as much as I do. Maybe more. He won’t stop until I beg him too.
His hands slide up the back of my thighs and grasp me around the knees, spreading me wider. “Be still.”
“You know I can’t help it. Oh fuck!”
His tongue is hot, wet velvet being brushed across my clit, so lightly I barely feel it, but it send shocks of electricity through me with each pass. My legs tremble and my hips jerk. But constant and unceasing, he doesn’t waver until I’m crying for more. “Oh God! Please, Nik. I can’t!”
He stops with his mouth, his fingers taking over, running through my juices, pressing against my aching flesh. I’m whimpering now, my control long gone.
“Are you ready to come for me, gorgeous?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Pinch your nipples for me and don’t stop until you’re coming.”
I whimper again, reaching up and doing as he asks. The second I tug against them he slides two fingers inside me and seals his mouth around my clit, working both slowly.
“Yes! More, Nikky, more.”
He gradually builds up speed and that delicious ache gets stronger and stronger. I don’t recognize the noises I’m making anymore. Then he curls his fingers, pulling on my g-spot hard and fast. His tongue is exquisite torture against my clit.
Heal Me (Magnolia Series Book 2) Page 17