“Again?”
“Before I lost my parents, I dreamed of marriage. I envisioned having a family and my parents being there for all of it. When I lost them, I couldn’t face the same future because it meant accepting that they were gone. I know that sounds crazy. I know my parents are dead, but if I didn’t make plans or sift through mementos that reminded me, then it didn’t hurt so much.”
“The way my parents died, so suddenly, I didn’t get to say good-bye. And every day, that stays with me, like I forgot to do something. There’s something missing and I can’t fix it.”
Nick picked up stack after stack of pictures, setting them back into the black tote. “They’re always with you, Noel. Anything you want to say to them, you just do it.”
“You really believe that?”
“I do.”
Noel released a wet laugh. “I don’t know what I believe.”
“Then I’ll tell you what I know.” Nick slid up next to her on the bed, pushing her hair back from her face. “Your parents loved you, more than anything in this world. They had a fuller life with you in it and you get to carry on the memories of them. And if you do want kids, you get to tell them about their grandparents and how amazing they were. How much they loved you and each other. Carry on the traditions your parents taught you. That is what I know. Kids or no kids, I’m yours.”
Noel cupped his cheek and kissed him, the big box poking him in the stomach but he didn’t protest. He threaded his fingers into Noel’s hair and brought her closer, the box sliding off her lap as they consumed each other, finding comfort in each other.
She broke the kiss and he stared down into her eyes, counting the tiny flecks of black.
“I love you, Nick.”
His heart pounded in his chest. “As friends or we talking the big L?”
“Don’t joke please. I…I mean it. I love you. I’ve probably loved you, big love, for years, but was too scared to admit—”
Nick kissed her again, pushing her back onto the bed so they fell over with him on top. He trailed his lips over her cheek, chin, neck. Finally, he held himself up on his elbows, watching as her eyes fluttered open.
“I love you, too. Big L. With six exclamation points.”
Noel’s eyes twinkled. “Wow. That’s a lot.”
“I know.”
Noel leaned up to meet his kiss and it was the first time he’d felt completely at peace in his whole life. Noel, his opposite in nearly every way, centered him. Brought out the best in him.
Nick sat back, pulling his shirt up and tossing it aside. Noel’s hands slid from his stomach to his chest, kneading the muscles of his shoulders and arms.
He lifted her shirt, kissing his way along her stomach until he found the bottom of her sports bra. He helped her sit up and pulled the shirt and bra over her head, exposing her gorgeous, full breasts.
“I love you.”
“Are you talking to me or my boobs?” she teased, breathlessly.
“Them. I already told you, greedy.”
Noel’s giggle ended in a moan as Nick took her rosy nipple in his mouth, tonguing the sweet peak until it hardened. His other hand cupped and kneaded her other tit, and he heard her hum happily.
Nick’s hands grabbed the top of her leggings and pulled them down her legs until all she had on were those absurd Golden Girl panties.
“Well hello, ladies. Missed me?”
Noel pushed them down around her ankles with a snort. Her hands went to the button on his jeans and she opened them with a snap. “I don’t have the patience for your shenanigans.”
Nick let her do what she wanted, groaning as her hands slid inside, gripping his cock as they kissed slowly. Every pump of her hand drove him crazy.
When he couldn’t take anymore, he stood up, shimmying out of his pants and boxers, his gaze traveling over her as he realized that this was finally going to happen. The moment he’d been obsessing over, fantasizing about for nearly a month.
Nick lay down over her, slipping his hand between her legs. Loving Noel, watching her facial expressions, listening to every small sound made everything that much better. She responded to him like she couldn’t get enough, which worked because he felt the same way.
Her seam was slick and open, ready for him and he rolled her over him, letting her take control because he already knew making love to Noel would be spectacular for him. He wanted the same for her.
Noel raised herself up and fitted him against her wet entrance, slowly encasing him. Nick threw his head back, eyes closed, groaning as she took him inside, squeezing his cock.