“No,” Maddie replied, shaking her head. “I’ve had sex a few times. I just know you’ve had a lot of … practice. What if I’m bad? What if I don’t turn you on? What if … ?”
Nick grabbed her chin and forced her gaze to him. “Stop that right now,” he ordered. “I don’t care how much practice you’ve had. We’re not even going to deal with that right away anyway.”
Maddie blanched. “What?”
“I’m putting a moratorium on the sex talk,” Nick said. “We need some time together as a couple first. So, I hereby declare that we’re not having sex for at least two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
“We’ll talk about it again then,” Nick said. “I want you to feel comfortable with me first.”
“I always feel comfortable with you, Nicky.”
“Yeah?” Nick rubbed his thumb over her chin. “I haven’t done this before, though.”
Nick slammed his mouth against Maddie’s, sucking in a huge gulp of air to steady himself as he went. Her lips felt like soft pillows against his, and when their mouths met, it was like coming home after a long trip. She was so surprised, she gasped at his actions. Nick remained still for a moment, almost crying out in relief when she wrapped her hands around the back of his head and held him close.
Nick slid his hands over her jaw gently and rested them against her neck before tangling them in her hair and pulling her on top of him. His mouth never left hers, and she was making soft sighing noises into his mouth as he kissed her.
Ten years of need were driving them both, and Nick had no intention of letting her go now. He was surprised when her lips parted and her tongue darted out to touch his. He tightened his hands in her hair as she shifted so she was completely on top of him.
Their lips were fused now, and they didn’t pull away for what felt like forever. When they finally parted, they were both gasping. Chest to chest, both could feel the hammering of the other’s heart as they beat against each other.
“Wow,” Maddie breathed, her eyes sparkling.
“Wow,” Nick agreed. He brushed her hair away from her forehead. “I need to do that again.”
This time, when their lips met, the kiss was softer and less needy, but still full of desire. It was going to be okay, Nick realized. Everything was going to be okay. They were finally on the same page in their story, and the book was going to have a happy ending. He wouldn’t let anything come between them again.
Nineteen
“Have you eaten?”
Maddie’s head was resting on Nick’s chest, and they’d been quiet for about a half hour when he decided to stir. When she shifted her head, his fingers rolling through her flaxen tresses, he noticed her lips were slightly swollen from hours of kissing. She looked so beautiful he just wanted to kiss her again.
“I had breakfast this morning,” Maddie murmured.
“It’s after six, love,” Nick said. “You need food.”
“I don’t want to move,” she admitted.
“I’m not particularly fond of the idea either,” he said. “However, I’m starving. We also need to get your flowers into a vase. We’re not sleeping down here tonight either.”
Maddie shifted, her eyes widening slightly.
“We still have a two-week moratorium, Mad, so don’t get all worked up,” Nick said. “We’re just not sleeping down here where Maude could walk in and … do something Maude-like.”
Maddie giggled. God, he loved that sound. “Come on.” Nick shifted Maddie so he could pick her up and then climbed out of the window seat. “Do you have anything to eat in this house?”
“I don’t know,” Maddie admitted. “Speaking of Granny, don’t you think we should’ve seen her?”
“Kreskin said he saw her down at the fair this afternoon,” Nick said. “I was worried about the flowers showing up and her not being here. Apparently, she and Irma were wearing big, floppy hats and following Edna around.”
“They didn’t have guns, did they?”
Nick snickered. “No. I’m hoping she’ll be busy enough to stay away for a while, though. It would be nice to spend a couple hours in complete solitude with you.”
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?”
Nick set Maddie down in a chair by the table and grinned. “A couple more then. Do you want me to try to find something to eat here, or just order pizza?”
“Pizza.”
“No onions,” Nick teased.
“No onions.”
Nick pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and placed the order. When he was done, he excused himself to wash his face, and when he returned to the kitchen he found Maddie standing behind the counter and organizing her roses in a vase.
“You shouldn’t be on your ankle,” Nick chided, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“You can’t carry me around everywhere.”
“I work out.”
“I noticed.”
Nick kissed her cheek, inhaling her scent happily. “I can arrange those for you if you want to sit down.”
“Nope. They’re mine. I want to do it. I’ve never gotten flowers from someone before.”
Nick’s heart stuttered. “Well, you’ll be getting a lot from me.”
“That’s not really necessary,” Maddie said. “I just … want you. I don’t need flowers.”
Nick tightened his arms and held her close. “You’ll always have me. You’re going to get flowers, too. I even have to buy Christy lilies for being such a good friend to you.”
“You should buy her the whole flower shop.”
“That might be cheaper over the long run.”
After dinner and dishes, Nick insisted on carrying Maddie up the narrow staircase that led to the second floor of the old Victorian. He settled her on the bed and then glanced around, suddenly nervous. “This is weird.”
“It’s not like you haven’t been in here before,” Maddie said.
“I know. This is just different.” He shook his head to ward off the unease and then moved to her dresser. “What do you want to sleep in?”
Maddie arched an eyebrow. “Um, I don’t know. I usually just sleep in a tank top and cotton shorts.”
Nick pulled a pair of plaid boxers out of the drawer. They were tiny enough to make his head spin. “These?”
“Those are fine.”
Nick tossed the shorts and a tank top in her direction. “Change your clothes. I’m going to make sure everything is locked up downstairs. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Maddie looked relieved. “Okay.”
“I’ll be right back.”
After checking every window and door in the house (twice), Nick returned to Maddie’s bedroom and found her sitting on the edge of her bed braiding her hair.
“What are you doing?” he asked softly.
“My hair will be a mess in the morning if I don’t braid it.”
“I like it loose.”
Maddie glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll look like Medusa.”
“I don’t care,” Nick said. “I want to be able to feel your hair all night. I love your hair.”
Maddie blew out a sigh and slowly unbraided what she’d started. “Fine. If you make one joke tomorrow, though, I’ll never leave it loose again.”
“Deal.” Nick stripped off his shirt, not missing the way Maddie’s eyes scanned his chest before shifting quickly. It was going to be a long two weeks, but he wasn’t backing down on his moratorium. He wanted them to have some time together before they took the next step. He wanted to remember every moment of their journey, and he wanted time to savor every new experience. He was perfectly happy kissing her for the time being.
After dropping his jeans, Nick hit the light switch and crawled into Maddie’s bed with her, loving the way the cool sheets felt as they drifted down on top of him. He could feel Maddie’s body as she instinctively shifted closer to him.
“You know you can touch me now, right?” Nick teased.
Maddie placed her hand over his heart, and Nick slipped his arm under her body and drew her close so she could rest her head against his chest. “You’re sure you don’t want to … ?”
“Not yet, Mad,” Nick said. “When it happens, it’s going to be special, and we’re not going to have anything hanging over our heads. All I want to do is hold you tonight. Two weeks. I told you.”
“I feel like I’ve been sentenced,” Maddie said, giggling.
“You have,” Nick said, kissing her forehead. “You’ve been sentenced to life.”
Maddie sighed as she shifted her chin so she could kiss him. Nick met her searching lips with a happy moan. After a few minutes of wandering hands and fervent tongues, Maddie snuggled into his warmth. “I love you, Nicky.”
Nick choked up. “I love you, Mad. I love you so much.”
“WELL, well, well. Look what we have here.”
Maddie lifted her head, her mind still muddled with sleep, and focused on her grandmother. Maude was standing next to the bed, hands on hips, and she was staring down at Maddie with a knowing look.
It took Maddie a minute to realize where she was, and who was holding her in his arms as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.
“Don’t you knock, Maude?”
“Not in my own house,” she replied. “What are you two doing?”
“Sleeping,” Nick said. “Well, we were until you showed up. Where were you all night, by the way?”
“That’s none of your business,” Maude chided. “You two need to get up and get dressed. We all have to have a pow wow in the kitchen.”
Maddie was surprised. She thought her grandmother would be excited about the new development. “But … .”
“Now,” Maude said, turning on her heel and stalking out of the room.
Once she was gone, Maddie fixed her contemplative eyes on Nick. “Do you think she’s mad?”
“Mad angry or mad crazy?”
Maddie shrugged.
“She’s definitely crazy,” Nick said. “I have no idea if she’s angry, and I don’t care.” He pressed his lips to Maddie’s mouth and greeted her properly. “Good morning, love.”
“Good morning,” Maddie murmured.
Nick looked her hair over. It was bigger than usual, but entirely adorable. “You don’t look like Medusa.”
“That’s probably because I slept like a rock,” she said. “I didn’t even dream. I always dream.”
“You didn’t need to dream,” Nick teased. “Your dream was already in bed with you.”
“Oh, you have such a big ego.”
“I do,” Nick agreed, throwing the covers off the two of them. “Put a robe on. I managed to keep my hands from slipping in the dark because I couldn’t see you in those tiny shorts. There’s no way I can do it now.”
“Even in front of Granny?”
“You have no idea what those stupid little shorts are doing to me,” Nick said. “I’m going to the bathroom. Put a robe on. I’m not kidding. If you don’t, I’m going to forget my moratorium and Maude is going to walk in on something else.”
Maddie’s cheeks colored.
Nick kissed her one more time for good measure. “I love you.”
Maddie’s relaxed. “I love you.”
“Get dressed,” he said. “If we’re lucky, Maude will make us breakfast while she lectures us. I still love her waffles.”
“I hope she doesn’t yell at me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure I can take her.”
“WE HAVE a very serious situation,” Maude said, sliding a plate of waffles in front of Nick. “We’re going to have to approach it like adults, and come to a resolution.”
Maddie squared her shoulders. “Okay. Why don’t you tell me your main concern.”
Maude nodded. “Edna Proctor has managed to buy two votes on the Pink Lady Council. Now, I was out all night trying to sway Gertie and Bella to see the light, but whatever Edna did to bribe them was significant. So, Nick, I need you to arrest Gertie and Bella. I don’t care if you have to trump up charges. They can’t sit on the council if they have charges pending. That’s going to be enough to buy me some time.”
Maddie stilled, while Nick speared a large hunk of waffles with his fork and doused them with syrup. “I’m not arresting Gertie and Bella.”
“You have to,” Maude said. “I can’t figure out another solution. Edna may actually have enough votes to get herself invited into the club. If that happens, then I’m going to go to jail because I’ll murder her.”
“You’re just going to suck it up,” Nick said. He tapped Maddie’s plate. “Eat. You need food.”
Maddie was confused. “Wait, that’s what you wanted to talk about? You want Nick to arrest Gertie and Bella?”
“Of course,” Maude said. “He’s a big, old disappointment, though. First, he couldn’t win the pool for me, and now this. You’re out of my will, boy.”
Nick raised an eyebrow, blasé. “I’m sorry I’ve crushed you so horribly. Please forgive me.”
“I thought … .” Maddie glanced at Nick for support. “I thought you were mad about finding us up in my bed.”
“Why would I be mad about that?” Maude asked. “It’s your house. Although, for future reference, you should probably lock the door.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Nick said, nonplussed. “I’m replacing that doorknob today.”
“I thought you were mad because … .”
“You had sex?” Maude asked. “I’ve been waiting for you two to have sex for weeks. It was only a matter of time. Once I lost in the pool, I didn’t care when it happened.”
“We didn’t have sex,” Maddie said, scandalized.
Maude looked at Nick for confirmation.
“I put a moratorium on sex for two weeks,” he explained. “I didn’t want her to fixate on it too much when we were just starting out. It seemed like the easiest course of action. Can I have more waffles?”
Maude grabbed another plate from the counter and slid it in front of him. “If you didn’t have sex, why are you so hungry?”
“Because we made out for hours after some very emotional admissions,” he replied, guileless. “And before that, I had a long night breaking up with Cassidy.”
“Yeah, I heard about that,” Maude said. “Did she really break into your house?”
“Who told you?”
“Your mother has a big mouth,” Maude replied. “It’s really unforgiveable.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “She’s unbelievable. While you’re here, though, I need to have a serious discussion with you, too.”
“Oh, is this about the guy in the hoodie who went after Maddie the other night? Or is this about the dead flowers and threatening note on the porch yesterday?”
“Kreskin apparently has a big mouth, too,” Nick grumbled. “Yes. I need you to be careful. Someone has zeroed in on Maddie.”
“It’s probably just Cassidy,” Maude said.
“Cassidy is not masquerading as a six-foot-tall man in a hoodie,” Nick said. “I’m not denying the flowers might be from her, but the man is a real danger. That means you have to be careful. I don’t care if you want to run all over the town with Irma or Catherine or whoever else is plotting doom and destruction against Edna. You can’t wander around alone, though.”
“Fine.”
“I’m not joking,” Nick said.
“I said fine,” Maude replied, irritated.
Nick studied her for one more moment and then turned back to his breakfast. “Eat, Maddie. You’re going to need your strength today.”
“Why? What are we doing?”
Nick grinned. “We’re going swimming down at the lake. We’re taking a picnic and making a day out of it.”
“We are?”
“Oh, yeah,” Nick said. “I’ve been dying to get you back in the water when it’s light out and I can actually see something.”
Maddie was blushing furiously. “Nicky.”
“Oh, grow up, Maddie,” Mau
de said. “You finally have everything you’ve ever wanted. Why don’t you just relax and enjoy it?”
“I agree,” Nick said. “Bathing suits are optional today.”
Maude cuffed him on the back of the head. “Don’t get fresh.”
“You just said … .”
“I didn’t say you could do it in front of me,” Maude protested. “I’m her grandmother.”
“Fine,” Nick said, rubbing his head. “You’re kind of mean today.”
Maude smiled. “And you two are kind of happy. It’s about time.”
“It is,” Nick agreed, smiling at Maddie. “It definitely is.”
Twenty
“Faster.”
Nick arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You have to move faster,” Maddie said, refusing to back down. “You’re never going to catch that turtle if you’re going to be that slow.”
“Listen, missy, I know how to catch a turtle.” Nick cupped his hands in the water and splashed Maddie playfully. They were standing in the shallows of Willow Lake, and as usual, Nick was trying to catch her a turtle. Since this was their first day as an official couple, he was determined to nab one. Unfortunately, he was having a terrible run of luck.
The temperature was still scorching, and the duo wasn’t alone. Luckily for them, the two families and handful of teenagers who were visiting the lake opted to park in the lot across the watery expanse – so their little stretch of beach and water was mostly quiet.
Maddie had insisted on wearing a bathing suit, which turned out to be fortuitous. Most of the time, they had the lake to themselves. It was still open to the public, so it’s not like Nick could ban visitors – as much as he wanted to. He was going to have to engage in his lake fantasy after dark, and later in the week, when they were assured of some alone time.
“You have to catch a turtle today,” Maddie said.
“Why?” Nick crossed his arms over his sun-bronzed chest.
“Because I need to name it.”
“What are you going to name it?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“If you name it Nick, we’re breaking up.”
Maddie put her hands on her narrow hips. “You know very well I already have a Nick turtle.”
Nick waited a moment, and then he focused back on his task. “Don’t you dare move, Maddie.” He plunged his fingers into the water and then raised his hands triumphantly, the struggling red-eared slider scratching at his hands as he gripped it tightly. “Hah!”
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