by MJ Fields
“Wha… what?”
“Got the call on my way to Vail.”
“Oh, God.” She sits back.
“They’ll love you.”
“You said they were—”
“They’re many things, but they love me, and they love Nathaniel, the best they know how.”
“Why do I feel like I’m going to get sick?” She holds her hand over her stomach.
“Red, that wasn’t the part I thought you’d freak about.”
“There’s more?” she gasps.
I nod. “They’re staying until after Christmas, and they are staying with us.”
“What, the studio?”
I push her fallen hair back again. “Yeah, so that means.”
She shakes her head, no. “I’ve lived next door less than a month.”
I nod. “If tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee, tell me where you’d want to be tonight.”
“That’s not fair.” She rolls her eyes.
“You love me.”
She pushes back in her chair and stands. I follow suit. “Red, and I love you so—”
“Fine.”
“A little more fucking enthusiasm, Red,” I say, trying to keep my own in check.
“Yes.” She smiles. “But we talk it over with Nate tonight and—”
“No more talking.” I pull her hard against me and take her mouth.
She groans, opening her mouth to me, and I press my tongue against hers as I push her skirt up just past her knees and up to her arse.
I lift her and walk back to the desk.
“Wrap them around me.”
She does so, one hand on my shoulder, the other between us, unbuttoning my pants and pulling my cock free and lining me up at her hot wet opening.
“Condom, Red.”
“Covered, big guy. Pill.”
“Fuck, Love, I don’t know how long I’m gonna last.” I sit back on her desk, and with the heat of her hot, wet, tight pussy crowning my cock, I pull her hard against me.
“Oh, God,” she cries.
“Christ.” I bite down on her shoulder and then suck whatever pain I may have inflicted away. Fully seated inside her, I growl, “I’ll try to go easy, but nothing, and I mean nothing has ever felt so fucking incredible than being raw inside you.”
“Don’t you dare hold back,” she whimpers.
Holding her arse, I stand and flip her around and as gently as I can lay her on her desk.
I lift one of her legs and rest it against my shoulder, my eyes bouncing from our body’s connection, and her eyes are dark and full of desire.
“Fuck me, Rafferty.”
I pull out slowly and thrust in fully.
“Yes,” she cries.
“Fucking incredible,” I say, heat almost already boiling in my balls. I begin to use my thumb on her clit as I slide in and out of her, faster, harder, until she comes.
Cock slick with her desire, I fuck her faster and faster. “Love you, Nikki. So fucking much.”
“Raff,” she cries as I feel her tighten around me again. “Oh, God.”
I lift her other leg and wrap my arms around her as I drive in and out until she comes again, crying out my name as my orgasm rips through me.
She came straight home from work today, not even stopping at the shop to help Nellie out. When she wasn’t there after school, I knew she was going to be on edge tonight. Which is one of the reasons why Nathaniel and I went to get her flowers. It’s something I now do at least once a week. Not only because she deserves to know how loved she is, but because when she found out—the night shit went down with that wanker Townes—that I literally threw three dozen roses away, she was a bit miffed.
Sitting around the small table in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watch as Nikki bounces her knee up and down nervously.
“You okay, Nikki?” Nathaniel asks, genuinely concerned.
I watch her exhale and look at Nathaniel. “Did your dad tell you your grandparents are coming in for the holidays?”
He nods. “Don’t worry. They’re cool. Well, sort of.”
I can’t help but laugh, and he does, too.
“Well,” Nikki smiles, “I know we have these dinners with your father most nights, and they are a blast. I was kind of wondering how you two would feel—”
“Wondering my backside, I’ve all but begged you to move in here.”
Nathaniel drops his fork; his shocked expression is quickly replaced with a smile. “Are you moving in so my grandparents can take the loft?”
“I was kind of hoping that would be okay.”
“Um, yes!” He grins.
She blurts out, “Really?”
“Uh huh. This way, you can be closer to us.”
I watch as tears fill her eyes. “I’d love it if maybe you and I could still have some time alone. Just us?”
“Will we still be hanging out with Aunt Faith and doing our book club?”
“Most definitely.” She nods.
“Do you like watching sports?”
“I do.”
“Awesome. We watch a lot of soccer.”
“I bet you both miss it during the offseason.”
“Can we start skiing?”
“Nathaniel, she’ll be living here but still working and—”
Nikki interrupts me, “I’ll ski with you if you both learn how to ice skate with me.”
“Can we start tomorrow?” Nate asks.
“Nathaniel, I was thinking tomorrow we could get her all moved in, and maybe you and I make dinner for Nikki, you know, welcome her into the family, properly.”
“Right, of course.” He takes the last bite of his chicken and biscuits and asks, “Can I be excused?”
“Of course,” Nikki and I say at the same time and then exchange a smile.
He stands up, grabs his plate, and starts toward the sink, but stops at Nikki’s side.
“Thanks for dinner, Nikki. I love the way you cook.” His eyes are so sincere.
“Thank you, sweetie.” She swallows hard, my heart filling up.
“My dad does, too. He likes you more than I’ve ever seen him like anyone.”
“I feel the same way about him. And you.”
Then he leans in and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and says, “Welcome home, Nikki.”
“Oh my God,” she says, hands to chest. “Is it okay to tell you I love you, Nate?”
He nods, and when I see what looks like tears misting his eyes, my heart nearly explodes. “I love you, too, Nikki.”
I stand up and grab my plate and Nikki’s and take them to the sink.
“Dad?”
“Son?” I say, still trying to get my shit together.
“You think we can have a fire tonight and maybe plan what our new Thanksgiving traditions are going to be with Nikki?”
“Yeah, of course.” I turn on the water and start rinsing the dishes.
“Can you stay tonight, Nikki?”
“Of course, there’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
Lying back in bed, I look at Nikki as she climbs in on what I can now call her side. “That certainly escalated quickly.”
She waits for me to get comfortable and then wraps her body around me.
“I can’t believe it’s eleven at night,” Nikki yawns, snuggling in closer with her head on my chest.
“I can’t believe you’re in this bed and won’t be sneaking out tonight.” I laugh.
“I swear I love you, but Nathaniel has me wrapped.”
I look down at her. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”
She pinches me lightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Thanksgiving dinner for all of us at the bar?” I ask.
“Us, my family, and yours, plus the staff, and we’re hosting.” She reminds me as if I could forget, and she does so with a smile.
I squeeze her arse. “You sure about this?”
“Of course, I am.”
“Good, cause I am, too.”
&nbs
p; She looks up and scrunches up her nose. “You’re gonna have to pinch me daily.”
Chuckling, I ask, “How about I make love to you every day instead?”
Rule Number Twenty-Six
Never give up on Hope
Nikki
Monday before Thanksgiving
Thankfully, the office building I found is only five minutes from Grams and Pops at Shady Oaks retirement homes. I still visit them every Monday, just at a different hour, and for less time. I was worried at first that it would interfere with their schedule, but they assured me it didn’t.
Sitting in the lounge, a common area for all residents to gather, Grams asks, “Do you like your new job better than working at the Sweet Spot?”
My answer is honest. “Not better, it’s just different. I still help out when I can.”
“That doesn’t leave much time for a social life, does it?” Pops shifts in his seat.
“I think I’m doing okay in that area. Jenny and I see each other every Wednesday, at Blizzards or if she has something going on with her boys that night, like last week, she comes to the office and brings lunch. And actually, I ran into Shep a few weeks back, and we’re meeting tomorrow.”
“And a man?” Grams smiles.
“Actually, I have two.”
Pops’ pipe falls out of his mouth, and Grams slaps her knee as she laughs at both my statement and his shock.
“I think that’s a bit misleading, Nikki.” My posture straightens at the sound of his voice, and I look over my shoulder to make sure I’m not hearing things.
With a smile and a wink, Raff leans down and pops a kiss to my forehead before stepping toward Grams and Pops.
“Mrs. Winterfield, for you.”
“Oh my, thank you, young man.” She smiles and blushes as he hands her a beautiful fall floral arrangement. I love the brief glimmer in her eyes, and it’s something I can definitely appreciate.
The Raff effect.
“Mr. Winterfield.” He holds his hand out, and Pops shakes his.
“It’s very nice to officially meet you both. I’m Rafferty Graham, Nikki’s worse half. And the second man in the equation is my son, Nathaniel.”
“You own Blizzards, was married to Hope Miller.” Pops nods.
“God rest her soul,” Grams says as she crosses her heart as all good Catholics do.
“I’m sure we’ve run into each other in town.” He looks at Grams. “I’m pretty sure I could never forget those eyes. They’re just like our Nikki’s.”
My God, my man is amazing.
“I’m sure we have.” She blushes again.
He unbuttons his jacket and sits down. “Nathaniel and Nikki came up with an utterly brilliant idea for our first Thanksgiving together as a family.”
“Raff,” I whisper, and he looks at me. “I’ve yet to tell them—”
“That you’re shacked up together?” Pops asks.
“Elton,” Grams scolds him.
“Well, let’s call it what it is,” he says with humor in his voice, then looks at us. “Nellie’s been stopping in once a week; she keeps us updated.”
“Even if she doesn’t mean to.” Grams defends her. “Bless her heart.”
Pops laughs. “She is a little spitfire, that one. May be a thorn in your side, but obviously has your best interest at heart. Blocked that little bastard Townes’ number from your phone.” He laughs.
Grams shakes her head. “Had she known he was going to show up, she’d have thought twice, I’m sure.”
“Wait. What?” I ask, confused.
Raff clears his throat. “The evening you made dinner for your family to announce the move to the studio apartment, he called your phone, and she answered. Then she blocked him.”
Still confused, I ask, “What?”
“That girl is like a bull in a china shop.” Pops laughs.
“Don’t be upset at her, Nikki,” Grams says. “She didn’t want him to come between the two of you. Said she saw how happy the both of you were and—”
Pops interrupts, “She may not be able to admit it to you, but she didn’t want to lose you either.”
Raff leans forward and looks at me. “Which is precisely what she said to me when she called in a panic after you left the Sweet Spot to meet him.”
“Wow.” I shake my head. “Just wow.”
Then I start laughing.
Raff clears his throat, and I look back at him, worry etching his handsome features.
“She can be such a pain in the backside sometimes, but I clearly owe her a thank you.”
I can almost see the worry lift from his shoulders. He takes my hand and looks back at Grams and Pops. “We hope that you’ll join us on Thanksgiving, and if Nathaniel and Nikki have their way, I’m sure we’ll be doing the same on Christmas Day.”
“Turkey for Thanksgiving, Prime Rib for Christmas?” Pops asks.
“Of course, and any other requests will be handled as well.” Raff smiles at him.
“You treat her right.” Pops nods firmly.
“I’ll treat her as a treasure.”
“Land sakes alive,” Grams whispers the old- fashioned mild oath.
God, I love this man.
Having to be in earlier than usual tomorrow, I take the liberty to leave early and decide to head to the one place I’ve yet dare to go.
Sitting on a pile of leaves in front of my parents’ headstone, I clear my throat.
“Mom, Dad, I’m home, and I have so much to tell you. Years of things to tell you. But first, I miss you both like crazy.”
I kiss my hand and touch the cold gray marble. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited, but if I’m being honest, I think it had a lot to do with the pressure I put on myself to find where I belonged. I went to college and met a man. He was my boyfriend. We had a wonderful relationship, but living in his bubble isn’t an option. Looking back, I can see it’s glaring reality, but back then, I know I was looking for something I saw in your relationship. Things ended, and I crawled back here, feeling like I’d failed. Now I know it’s not the truth. Because I’m one hundred percent sure that I found who I am supposed to spend my life with, and he has a son, whom I love dearly. And he loves me, Rafferty Graham loves me. I’ve learned that love shouldn’t force you away from loved ones—it should encourage you toward them. Raff was so eager to meet Aunt Gloria and Uncle Elden. Jenny adores him, and even Shep seems to like him a lot. With Raff, life is easier and less stressful. And while Raff obviously has money, which I always thought was the problem with Townes, Raff showed me differently. He doesn’t use it as a weapon or a disguise. Who he seems to be is who he actually is, regardless of whom he is surrounded by. Raff may not be the man I marry, heck, I may never marry, but he’s right for me now, and I know in my soul he will be for a very long time to come. I’ve watched him on the soccer field, laughing as the ball bounces on his knees. Tucking in his son before bed. Eating dinner and pouring me wine, saving me the dark meat on the chicken. The way he looks at me, in well... every situation, makes me feel like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world, even when I’m not feeling all that pretty. I love Raff. I love everything about that man. He’s so smart and funny and kind, a great father, and so supportive of my hopes and dreams.”
“The Nikki from a year ago would have never been here sitting on the ground in front of you. I didn’t feel like I had anything to show you that you could be proud of. But this Nikki, the one who found the daughter you raised with enough love for a lifetime, doesn’t need to be so hard on herself, and the man in my life, well, you two would love him. I certainly do. So, so much.”
With fewer tears to dry than I had thought I’d have, I hurry home from work, knowing Raff will be picking Nathaniel up from basketball practice and wanting to make a nice dinner for them both.
While with Grams and Pops, I saw his worry about what Nellie—and who is fast becoming my favorite pain in the ass—had done, and he’d not told me. He has no reason to worry, none at all. That night was
a turning stone for us, a huge one.
I love this kitchen, and I am so excited to be hosting my first Thanksgiving as an adult with a man I love deeper than I’d ever felt was possible. With Townes, it was always far too formal, and gratitude and thanks were never felt. I feel it in abundance here in Holiday Springs, here with Raff and Nathaniel.
He makes me feel important, loved, cherished, and heard. The fact that he is hot as hell in bed and that regardless of the costume debacles in the bedroom, he plays right along.
The table is set, and everything is ready when the two walk in. My heart swells at the sight of them, and I see Raff quickly try to hide the fact he’d brought takeout home. Nathaniel also moving in my line of vision as he drops it in the hall.
I shake my head. “You two.”
“We just thought you were working and—”
“Well, bring it in. There’s probably room in the fridge, no need to waste food.”
Raff smiles and nods toward the stairs. “Hit the shower first, son.”
“But, Dad, do you smell that?”
“Barely, your sweat is—”
“Fine,” he sighs and hurries toward the stairs.
Takeout bag in his hand, and his other behind his back, he walks toward me with caution.
“Don’t do that,” I whisper.
“Do what?” he asks, setting the bag on the Island.
“Act like you have to tiptoe around me.” I shrug. “I love you.”
“I know that.” He smiles gently as he grips the back of my head and pulls it close so he can kiss the top. “And I love you deeper than I think you know.”
Smiling, I push at his chest. “I’m aware how deep your love goes.”
His chest vibrates in a silent chuckle, and he steps back, bringing his hand in front of him. “For you.”
I take the flowers and hold them under my nose. “I think I was jealous when you gave these to Grams.”
“Well, then, I can promise you, Nikki Winterfield. If I ever buy flowers for another woman, for any occasion, you’ll get them, too.”
I set the flowers on the island and wrap my arms around his hard body. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
