A Winter's Date (32 page)

I smile and follow suit.

“Ellery hates firewood. She says it’s nice to look at but hates the smell of smoke it leaves on your clothes, hence the gas fire.” He nods at it and takes a drink. I know he’s trying to make small talk to make me feel comfortable.

“It’s pretty nice out here,” I reply and take a drink. “Did she design it?”

He laughs and leans back, crossing his ankle over his knee. “She did. It took her almost two damn years to get it how she wanted it,” he says, nodding to my right. “That koi pond has been moved twice.” He laughs. “If you can’t tell yet, she can go overboard with details.” He then looks over his shoulder at the double doors as if he might have been caught. “Don’t tell her I said that.” We both laugh and it feels good . . . normal.

“How long have you been living in Southampton?”

I watch as he inhales on a deep breath and puffs his cheeks out when he exhales. “Ah, well . . .” He nods his head back toward the double doors that lead into the house. “When Heather left, Ellery decided she needed to leave the city. So I promised her we’d move and try to start fresh. There were too many difficult memories in that home.”

I nod, imagining them with my ballerina. “So you’ve been fostering kids here?”

He shakes his head and takes a drink from his beer. I won’t lie—I’m a little shocked. “No, Heather was the only one we fostered. We found it was too painful when she left and knew it wasn’t for us.”

“Damn, I had no idea. She thinks there were others after her. She said she was with you for three months before Dani, her sister, was legally allowed to be her guardian. Did you get to meet her?”

“Yes, we did. Dani and Heather were remarkably close from what I can remember.”

“They still are. I’m sorry you had to go through losing both of us. I know it must not have been easy on either occasion.”

“No, it wasn’t easy, but today has made up for everything, I believe.”

I raise my beer to him and nod. “Yeah, today has been really good. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this calm. Believe it or not, I just asked Heather to move in with me.” I shake my head slightly as I recall asking her. “I didn’t think she was going to agree to it, but she did.”

“Ah, there is nothing in this world like coming home to the woman you love, son. You better take care of her. She’s a good girl—I can tell she still is, even though years have passed since we last saw her. Now tell your old man: are you two just moving in together, or is there a possibility for more?”

I chuckle because I’m stunned. Fuck, I want so much more with my ballerina, but I don’t think she’s there yet. I know she told me she was when I went skydiving with Coen, but that could have easily been the adrenaline coursing through her stubborn veins.

“I’d like more. I’d like a lot more, but I acted like an ass a while back, in London. I won’t get into the details, but I don’t think she’d be interested in a ring from me.”

“Now, now, you listen to me . . . I’ve been with you two for a day, and it’s plain to see that you can’t be apart from each other. In fact I bet—with my back to the doors—that she’s looking at you right now. That is a woman who is solely in love with the man who has her heart. Heather didn’t have to come out here today, and I don’t think she did it for me and Ellery, or herself for that matter. She’s had years to reconnect with us. Son, she did this for you.”

I look up and my ballerina is looking back and forth from Ellery to myself. “I love her. I’ve never questioned her being the one, but I’ve made her question it more than once.”

I chance a look at him, and he’s smiling simply because he was right. Fuck, this conversation seems to be headed in a direction I’m not quite comfortable talking about with him. I suddenly feel like he’s Heather’s father, and I should be asking him if it’s okay.

I clear my throat, searching for a change of subject, when he moves his ankle from his knee and groans as he stands up. He bends down and pats the side of my knee as I sit there looking up at him. He chuckles, a shit-eating grin on his face. “I’ve been in trouble with that little woman in there more times than I can count. But one thing is for certain: she knows how much I love her. And I know that Heather knows how much you love her. Call it a father’s intuition.”

He winks at me when he hears the double doors open, and Ellery’s soft voice calls out, “Honey? Can we come join you?”

“Come on out; we don’t bite.”

My eyes fly to Heather’s, and I see her sly grin as she walks toward us.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, ballerina. I do bite.

Heather joins me on the loveseat, and I reach out to take her hand. “How’s the hot chocolate?”

Henry and Ellery are both watching us interact with each other. Ellery is beaming, and Henry has a grin plastered on his face.

“Just like I remembered,” she says, smiling, and we lace our fingers together. I feel her thumb rub against my hand, and I know it’s her way of calming me. She’s gauging my mood, and I couldn’t love her more for it. This woman knows me better than anyone ever has and I know now, in this moment, everything is going to be impeccable. I have her, I have my parents . . . everything is seamless.

Ellery sighs deeply, thankfully. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, darling. Now tell me, you two, will you be staying here tonight?”

Heather turns to me and I look back. I don’t have an answer for her or Ellery. “I . . . oh, Ellery, I didn’t bring any of my things here,” she replies with genuine sadness.

“Oh, how silly of me. Of course, dear . . . will you be around for breakfast?”

Heather answers before I can even respond. “Yes, of course.”

“Fabulous. Now if you’ll excuse me, I know it’s rather rude, but I must get some rest. It’s been a very adventurous day. Please don’t leave on my account. You boys have lots of catching up to do.” She smiles and kisses Henry on the cheek.

I look over and see Heather hide a yawn, and I gently squeeze her thigh. “No, I think we better head back as well. I’ve got to get this girl her medication.” I lean over and kiss her temple.

Henry smiles and stands up. “That’s a good idea. Heather, I’ll take a look at it in the morning, and please bring your medication with you too. Come on, we’ll walk you out.”

I help Heather stand, and my hand finds her lower back. We make our way back inside with a little chatter about tomorrow’s breakfast menu. I can’t help but laugh as I set my empty beer bottle on the countertop. “Ellery, please don’t go to all that trouble again. Heather and I would like to take you both out.”

Ellery beams and hugs me tightly without warning. “Let us know where to meet you in the morning and at what time. We’ll be ready to go.”

I look down and hesitantly wrap my arms around her. It feels foreign, her love for me. But I’m getting more and more used to it. “How does brunch sound instead of breakfast? I know Heather’s medication makes her tired, and I’m afraid we may be sleeping in.”

“That works for us, son—just let us know when and where. Heather dear, it’s been great reconnecting with you.” He hugs Heather briefly before shaking my hand.

“Thank you for having us; it has truly been an unforgettable day.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

We make our way to the SUV and say our goodbyes for the evening. I help Heather get in and buckled before I get in myself. I watch my parents, on their doorstep, wave goodbye, and it’s a sight I thought I’d never see. I honk twice before pulling away and heading back down the driveway and past the gate. As soon as I turn onto the road, I have to pull off to the side and park. The tension and emotions from today finally get to me, and I just need a moment to think.

Fuck, I just spent the day with my parents.

HEATHER

I’m rummaging through my purse when I feel the SUV pull off to the side. Confused, I look up and over, seeing Noah’s chest heave with deep breaths.

Oh my God, what’s wrong?

“Baby? Are you okay?”

I turn and am about to unbuckle my seatbelt when I’m forced back into my seat. Before I can gasp, his lips are on mine in a rush. His thunderstorm is back, and I can feel it roll over my body. His tongue seeks entry and I part my lips to taste him, to calm him. He groans into my mouth, and his hand creeps up my neck. I’m immediately wet, and he has me wanting more.

“Fuck, you were amazing today,” he says between kisses as he nips and licks along my jaw.

I grasp at his shirt, pulling him closer. I can feel his rapid heartbeat beneath my fingers, and it feels as if it’s going to beat out of his chest. He’s back against my lips and bites down hard. My mouth falls open in a sharp breath, and he plunges his tongue in, taking what he wants, taking what’s his.

“Do you know how fucking badly I wanted my hands on you today?” I hear him ask over my drumming heart.

His hand hurriedly shoves my long skirt up, and he finds the apex of my thighs with great ease. Pushing my legs apart, he moves my hand to his abundant erection simultaneously.

“This . . . I’ve wanted this buried inside your pussy all fucking day, Heather.”

He squeezes my hand, so I feel his rock-hard length trapped beneath his jeans. “It hurts, Heather; my dick is so hard it hurts.”

His warm breath washes over my face, and I look up into his eyes. They’re dark with lust, but there’s something else there. I know instantly what’s wrong. He’s trying to wash away his fears with my touch. A sense of calm settles over me and I bring my hand up, caressing his cheek gently before rubbing his bottom lip with my thumb.

“Shh . . .” I force his hand away from between my legs slowly. He lets me move him while he stares into my eyes. His movements are stiff, unlike himself. My poor Greek god has just been through an intensely nerve-racking experience and has come out unscathed. He’s so pent up with emotion, and the only way he can express it is with his body.

Oh my baby.

I nod and wet my thumb against his tongue. “Calm down for me.” I smile softly and watch as his chest that was once heaving, is now slowing with deep, steady breaths. “You’re okay, baby. Everything went fine.”

He finally blinks and leans forward, resting his forehead against mine. I lace our fingers together and sit there quietly, silently waiting for him to come back to me, waiting for him to process everything without pushing him. He’s resting against me for minutes, contemplating. I watch as he nods—whether to himself or me, I’m not sure.

“I’m sorry.”

My heart breaks for him, and I wish I could help him get through this. “Noah, no. Don’t ever be sorry for needing me. I’m yours to keep.”

I can feel his breathing slow, and I bring my hand up to caress his cheek, brushing softly against his skin, using my fingertips and then my knuckles. He moves slowly but lays his head against my chest and neck. I’m melting inside. I don’t think he’s ever needed me like this before. My strong, muscled Greek god is lying against my chest, needing my protection for once. I run my fingers into his hair to help him calm down. My storm might be overcast and gloomy, but he’s mine.

He breathes me in and nuzzles my neck before kissing me reverently there. “Can we go back to the hotel? I need to make love to you,” he asks quietly before licking a tender spot under my collarbone.

The sharp chill that runs down my body is telling enough. I cup his cheeks and make him look up at me. “I’d love that.”

He moves and takes my mouth fervently. The passion and heat that we had moments ago is still there in our kiss, but this time he’s controlled. He smiles against my lips, pulls back, and sits up in his seat. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he puts the SUV into drive and heads down the tree-lined road.

I make sure to keep touching him as he drives. He seems lost in thought again, and I try to bring him out of his storm after almost thirty minutes of silence. “I’m truly proud of you, Noah. You made such a giant leap today.”

He glances over at me and winks—that wink will kill me one of these days.

I feel my teeth sink into my lip and I stifle a moan. “I love when you do that to me.”

He pulls into the hotel’s parking lot and unbuckles. “When I do what?”

I unbuckle my own seatbelt and watch him. “When you wink at me.”