James held her at arm’s length. “What’s this? Hollie giggling? Not trying to flip me over or use every four letter words known to mankind?”
She teased, “I think the boss might have suffered a little bit more than you did.”
James turned toward Nick. “You must be a good influence on the runt.”
Hollie snorted.
“Oh, there’s the girl I know.” He swept his arm in a wide gesture toward them. “Come on in, kids. We need to hear about today’s adventures.”
Hollie reached for Nick’s hand when they went up the steps. The boss’ parents waited at the top of the steps.
Mrs. Walters was the first to hug Hollie. She was tiny and petite, and generous and gentle like her daughter. “We’ve been so worried. I’m glad James had the idea for us to gather here to wait. Thank God, the waiting didn’t last long and you’re both safe.”
Hollie didn’t know what to do with her hands so she patted the small woman on the back. Mrs. Walters held tight and didn’t release her until Aunt Aideen came out of the house. “My girl. I’m glad you arrived safe and sound. Now I need to see Grayce, my nephew, and, of course, Mitzi, and all will be right in the world.” The big woman wrapped her massive arms around Hollie. “We heard about the bomb at Pier 69. Thank the stars that you and your young man are safe.” She looked up at Aunt Aideen’s face. There were tears in her eyes and warm concern.
Hollie heard Mrs. Walters sniff with tears pouring down her cheeks. She again enfolded Hollie in her arms.
The unknown waiting after their older daughter’s tragic death would’ve been hell for the boss’ parents. “I’m sorry. It must have been so hard for you and Mr. Walters.”
“Grayce and you both in danger in one day. It’s too much for Mike and me. Our precious girls in trouble.”
Hollie sucked in a breath and fought back tears. Mrs. Walters considered her one of her girls. She looked around trying to find a way to escape the confusing feelings and caught Nick watching her as he introduced himself to Mr. Walter and Hunter Hines. She raised one eyebrow. What was she supposed to do? The poor woman needed comforting.
James appeared on cue. “Moet Chandon.” He carried out a tray filled with beautiful, long-stemmed glasses filled with champagne. “Lucky I brought my supplies, Grayce doesn’t have a bar.” James handed around the filled glasses as he kept his monologue going. “If you call one bottle of wine a bar and no coupes. Who can live without coupes? I definitely know what I’m getting her and Davis for a wedding present.”
James brought the group to total silence with his mention of a wedding.
Mrs. Walters’ said in a stern voice. “James Weston, do you know something that Grayce’s parents don’t know?”
James laughed. “Of course not, Christine. But, if you had seen them fighting after Grayce’s accident, you would’ve known they’re meant for each other.”
Hollie’s eyes collided with Nick’s who was studying her face. His vivid blue eyes captured and wouldn’t release her from his intense, demanding gaze. She couldn’t look away.
Aunt Aideen, holding a glass of pale gold, raised her glass. “To Grayce and Davis!”
Everyone raised their glasses, cheered, and then drank to the toast. It was Hollie’s first sip of champagne. The bubbles tickled her nose, but the taste was smooth and not too sweet and went down easily. All was good in the world.
And then James ruined it by raising his glass again. “And to our other love birds: to Nick and Hollie.”
She felt heat moving through her entire body and she knew her face was turning a blotchy red. She didn’t know what to do or say. She couldn’t disagree, but she hadn’t been ready to publicly announce her relationship.
Nick moved toward her, put his arm around her, and clicked her glass. He then raised his glass. “To Hollie.” And then he smiled down at her, his full wattage smile with crinkles, and she was a goner.
She looked up to find everyone smiling at her, sharing in her happiness. She smiled back. She’d remember this moment her entire life. All she needed was for the boss to arrive to make tonight perfect.
And, as if the evening weren’t weird and wonderful enough, Davis drove up.
Grayce, with Mitzi following, came bounding out of the car and into her mother’s arms.
Both women started to weep while whispering to each other.
James, after wiping the tears away with a polka dot handkerchief said, “There’s another bottle in the house and food. Please come inside.”
Nick kept his arm around her as they walked into the house. Maddy, with Hunter Hines standing behind, waited for them in the center of the boss’ small but comfy living room. Hollie didn’t need small talk about bombs or abductions; she wanted to apologize to the boss and leave with Nick. And although Nick tried to make her feel better, she still knew she’d let the boss down.
Maddy approached Hollie. “I want to apologize if I was abrupt with you down on the waterfront. I had been undercover for six weeks with Brandon, and I didn’t read the signs that he was our suspect. I thought that the leader of the group, Jason was the terrorist, but it turns out he’s just an activist who has a way with women, not a killer. I thought Brandon was just a gamer nerd, a hanger-on, hoping to score off Jason’s castoffs. Brandon kept hitting on me and he fooled me… I thought he was just a loser mama’s boy…”
Of course he was hitting on her. Hollie hadn’t noticed until now how attractive Maddy was, with bouncy blond curls, and big blue eyes. When she met the Marine on the waterfront, her mind was still reeling that Maddy wasn’t a drug addict but was assisting an undercover investigation. She looked like Nick’s kind of woman, all gung-ho and hoo-rah, who may have had pom-poms and a varsity cheerleading letter in her past.
Hollie glanced up at Nick who was staring down at her. The hungry way he looked at her said he was thinking of his promise. Warmth slid down her throat to her breasts, her stomach, and lower. Nick wanted her—a Goth, dark-haired, not petite by any standards, and definitely not a blond, bouncy chick.
Maddy looked between her and Nick. “You both did an incredible job.”
Hunter Hines stood close to Maddy. His dark eyes and dark hair resembled his sister Angie, who was chatting up James over by the refrigerator like old friends.
Hunter turned Maddy toward him and in a decisive voice said, “You didn’t report this to me.”
Maddy’s relaxed posture changed in a blink of an eye. She wasn’t the cute blond, but Marine all over. She stood taller and looked Hunter in the eye. “He was a guy acting like a guy…nothing suspicious about his behavior. I’m not sure now if it was an act or not. Turns out he was a loser and a mama’s boy…only with a shitload of plastique…”
Hunter’s strong square jaw jutted further out. “You should’ve told me.”
Hollie watched the interplay. This was about more than their operation. She recognized the Alpha male’s possessive need on Hunter’s face similar to Nick’s. Hunter Hines definitely was interested in Maddy, and not as a fellow Marine.
Maddy had to stretch to look Hunter in the eye. “And what would you’ve done? Whatever it was would have blown my cover.”
She had learned that Maddy had lived on the streets before she joined the Marines. Maddy was probably escaping a horrendous family or possibly an abusive foster care family. But it looked like Maddy was not one who had slipped through the cracks. She hadn’t been beaten down. She was good at giving back.
Hollie heard the boss’ voice at the door and rushed over. “Boss, it’s my fault. Nick and I should’ve stayed at the office.”
The boss, like her mother had done earlier, wrapped her arms around Hollie and held her tight. “Nothing was your fault. The only person at fault is Brandon Billow.” The boss had never hugged her before. Hollie, probably because of the champagne and the stress, hugged her back.
Nick followed Hollie to the doorway. He waited until the women released each other. He pulled Hollie to his side. “I’m sorry Dr. Wal
ters, but I don’t think we could’ve made a difference if we had stayed at the office. Brandon Billow followed you to Mrs. Leary’s. When Hollie and I found the chat about the group meeting at Pier 69, we had to act.”
“You three stopped a bomb from exploding. The FBI agent told me how Talley uncovered the bomb in one of the protestor’s backpacks. Obviously, our heroine is tired from her adventures.” The boss pointed to Talley and Mitzi crashed on the floor, sleeping side-by-side in the center of the room.
Hollie could see how the exhaustion began to catch up with the boss. Grayce’s hand wobbled when she raised her glass. “I want to make a toast to our heroes and heroines. Everybody raise your glass to thank them for preventing a disaster today.”
Then James raised his glass again. “And to the person who started the whole adventure. Without her, Angie wouldn’t have been found, the plot to bomb the waterfront wouldn’t have been foiled, and Grayce wouldn’t have been abducted. Let’s raise our glasses to our dear friend Emily Chow.”
Everyone said in unison. “JAAAAAMES.”
And then everyone started to laugh.
Hollie looked around at the full circle of family and friends. It felt right to share this moment with them. It felt right to be part of the group.
Aunt Aideen stepped forward, a glass of Scotch in her hand. “The adventure all began with a prediction.”
All eyes turned toward Aunt Aideen.
“I read Grayce’s tarot cards. They predicted she would go on a dangerous adventure, and in the end, she and Davis would protect each other, and strengthen their relationship. The cards never lie. I’d like to make another prediction,” Aunt Aideen said.
Davis and Grayce shouted simultaneously. “NO!”
The large woman gave a belly laugh. She raised her glass of Scotch. “All I was going to say is ‘A h-uile là sona dhuibh’s gun là idir dona dhuib’, which means ‘long life will come to all in the room’.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nick took Hollie’s hand and led her outside to the small, cedar deck of his rental house on the north shore of Lake Washington.
“I’ve got a great view of the meteor showers. Maybe later we can watch them from my sleeping bag.”
She walked to the edge of the deck and looked up into the black, velvet sky.
In August in the Northwest, meteor showers can be seen in the night skies. Hollie remembered childhood summer nights with her friends in an open field watching the streaks of light, dust particles from a comet, lighting up the night skies—a magical moment preserved from her childhood, and now recreated with Nick. She didn’t believe in fairy tales but all the forces of nature had brought her together with this man at this moment, enough to make her believe.
Nick came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his hard muscles, his strength. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, his erection pressing against her.
She had been nervous on the drive over, worrying about her ability to allow tonight to happen, but Nick seemed to understand. He hadn’t said anything; he just held her hand. He was quite an amazing man. She knew if she had said she wanted to go home, he’d honor her wishes.
She turned in his arms to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Later, we can look at the meteors.” She kissed him like she had been fantasizing about, the way he had kissed her. She didn’t go for subtlety. She thrust her tongue into his wet mouth, exploring the moist space, savoring the taste of Nick.
He gasped when she took his tongue into her mouth and sucked. Nick’s response—the tightening of his body against her, his hard, fast breathing—excited her. His calloused hands were exploring under her tank top. Light touches to her side, under her breasts, down her stomach, giving sensual promises with his touch, ramping her need with each gentle stroke. His tongue followed the beating pulse in her neck. She leaned against him, wanting him.
Breathless, Nick whispered, “Honey, you okay?”
His touch and his hot breath on her hypersensitive skin made her restless. She was struggling for air and words. “Nick, I’m more than okay. But can we lie down? I don’t think I can stand much longer.”
Nick swept her into his arms in one easy motion. “I’d love to lie down.” Holding her tight against his chest, he lifted her and moved into the house. He carried her as if she weighed nothing, through the small house to a back bedroom. The room had a double bed and one bedside lamp. Nearby on her bed, Talley was out to the world.
Nick’s voice was rough and gravelly. “Do you remember when I told you I wanted you naked in my bed?”
She gulped around the bubble of excitement rising in her throat. She snuggled closer to his chest and molded against the rigid muscles. “Nick, how could I forget?”
Nick slowly lowered her next to the bed, sliding his hard body against her, igniting her craving for him. With her breasts pressed against his chest and his erection against her stomach, her body shuddered with need.
Nick stepped back, his hands at his side. “You know I want you, but I can wait. You’ve had a horrendous day. You’re sure you want to do this? No regrets?”
What she wanted was standing right in front of her, his bright eyes holding hers in a look that stripped away all her defenses. The moonlight glinted in his fair hair and on his skin. She thought he was the most wonderfully beautiful man she had ever known.
She couldn’t fight her heart. “I want you… Tonight… Now.” And she stepped closer to him, went on tiptoe, and looped her arms around his neck. She felt the sudden jump of his heartbeat against hers, his body tighten, and then his mouth was on hers, his lips filling her with his scent and flavor.
When the kiss ended, they both were trembling. They stared at each other, shocked by the force of their passion.
Nick spread his fingers through her hair and brought her back against him, devouring her mouth, exploring with his tongue. His rough, out-of-control kiss wasn’t in the least bit intimidating, only enthralling. She felt no fear. Her father had taught her to fear the brute strength of men, but not for one moment did she confuse Nick’s strength and honor with those previous experiences.
He groaned against her neck. “We’ve got to slow down.”
She reveled in the way she made his control falter. “I don’t want you to slow down. I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Nick Welby.” She ran her hands over his chest and his waist. His breaths rasped in and out of his lungs.
Like a man possessed, his mouth was on her—ravenous, demanding. His hands glided over, lifting her tank top over her head. He stared at her breasts. His look of desperate hunger sent a thrill down her body.
With his open wet mouth, he kissed his way along her upper body, along her collarbone, but avoiding her breasts. She threw her head back offering him her sensitive throat and her swelling breasts. He growled as he took little love bites and then soothed them with his abrasive tongue.
She anchored herself by holding on to his strong forearms. Her entire body squirmed in the carnal onslaught.
He released the snap in the front of her bra, releasing her breasts into his hands. “You’re so beautiful and…” He lifted one to his mouth, his tongue teasing her nipple until it puckered. “Oh my God. I needed to do this for so long.”
His words and the sensations shooting through her body made her mindless and boneless. “Nick, I can’t stand.”
“Let’s get you out of that skirt.”
He knelt before her, his hands running down her thighs, putting his face right next to her. She felt embarrassed and excited.
He slowly slid her skirt down her thighs until she stood in only her black thong. “This little lacy thong is what you’ve been hiding under here all day.” His voice was heated and winded. “If I’d known what temptation you hid under this skirt…”
He separated her thighs with his large hands, put his face to her mound and inhaled. “Your musky scent makes me want to taste you.”
She gasped unable to get
air into her lungs.
“Honey, I promise you’re going to like it.” He kissed a path along each of her inner thighs, sucking on the skin, moving higher. She leaned against the bed with nervous anticipation thrumming through her body.
He tongued her clitoris through the lace. She started to tremble, her legs weakening and she grabbed his head for support.
Nick wrapped an arm around her bottom, supporting her weight, as his tongue was pressed against her. Pleasure soared, and she tipped her head back, arching into the feeling.
He pushed the lace away and started a slow exploration of her clitoris, with his tongue flicking, playing. She moaned and squeezed Nick’s hair, trying to hang on when her body was quivering in a rising climax. Nick pushed a finger into her as he pulled on her clitoris and drove her over the edge into a swelling climax. She shrieked in release, her breath and heart thundering.
Nick stood and pulled her against him. His cheeks were red, his breathing harsh. “So sweet. You taste better than I ever imagined. I want to spend a lot more time there.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Maybe later.”
She felt weak, her inner muscles throbbed and she wanted to collapse on the bed. “I had no idea.”
“I know, honey. Let’s get you out of the thong.” Nick knelt again and she lifted her trembling legs for him to remove her panties.
He hoisted her up against him as he pulled back the covers then laid her gently on the bed.
She lay nude in his bed and felt no shyness, only anticipation of what would come next with the gorgeous man.
He stood over her, his eyes burning with lust, with his erection pushing against the seam of his jeans. “This is exactly how I imagined you in my bed with your hair across my pillow.” He bent down to smooth her hair away from her face. “I love the way you shriek. I want to make you shriek all night long.”
Her heart pounded against her chest as he aroused her again with his deep look and erotic promise. She had to touch him. She wanted him on top of her. “I need you now, Nick.”
The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series Page 63
