“Y-yes. That sounds lovely. Thank you.” She dropped her gaze sheepishly and mentally kicked herself. Again.
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s my pleasure to help. I look forward to having dinner with you. Sometime.”
Shit! The first thing that ran through her mind was what she’d do with her children. She wasn’t exactly used to making plans with handsome men, and she most certainly couldn’t ask Mrs. Harrington to come watch them while she made dinner for a man she didn’t know. What the hell had she been thinking?
“Likewise.” She smiled, bidding him goodnight.
As he climbed into the cab of his truck and turned over the key, she groaned softly and wondered what in the hell she was supposed to do.
The opportunity to have dinner with a nice, attractive guy didn’t present itself every day—never, in fact; at least not since Patrick.
She needed to think of something, and quick.
“Lydia. I need to call Lydia.”
Chapter 4
Nick
Morning came much earlier than he would have liked and it was hard to find the motivation to get out of bed.
At least, that was the case, until a beautiful blonde girl popped into his mind...and subsequently caused something else to pop up, too.
All he could see were her big blue eyes behind his closed lids—and the way she bit her bottom lip? Damn. That was a lip he wanted to have between his teeth.
It was highly unprofessional of him to find a customer attractive—his father frowned upon such things—but how was he supposed to help himself when she was so damn beautiful?
And she’s single.
No, not single; she was widowed. There was a huge difference between being single and having one’s spouse pass away unexpectedly.
He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her husband, how long ago it had happened, and a million other things he wanted to know—all pertaining to her.
Nick had only recently moved back to Prairie Town, a place he hadn’t visited since he was about six-years-old. When his parents divorced, it was only natural for him to go with his mom. His father—who always tried to be a good dad—had been a ‘recovering’ alcoholic and Nick’s mom just didn’t want him raised in such an environment.
His father’s addiction had broken their family apart and crushed his mother’s heart. She never remarried after their divorce; she never even dated. She’d gone to her grave not knowing what it was like to give love a second chance.
Nick didn’t want to be like that; he didn’t want his life to be lonely as his mother’s had been. Watching her day in and day out, so sad, but trying to hide it from him. He may have been a guy, but he wasn’t stupid.
She had died alone, without knowing what true love meant. He’d been there, of course. He held her hand and reminded her how much he loved her and how much he’d miss her, but as far as being romantically involved with someone...no, she’d never taken that chance again.
As he took his morning shower and scrubbed his body down with his favorite soap, he thought about the possibilities of finding love in Prairie Town. He wasn’t really asking for much: an honest, caring person who would be loyal to him.
Times two.
He had found two such people in Virginia. But he was met with disappointment. None of his exes had ever lived up to his expectations or the limits he’d set for himself. Sure, maybe he did have high standards, but what person didn’t?
Was it really so much to ask for? Love was supposed to make a person unbelievably happy, wasn’t it?
Again, the beautiful blonde woman came to mind as he grabbed a clean towel and stepped out onto the cool floor. Images of having her pinned to the wet tile wall and hearing her moans as he slammed into her only got him worked up again.
“Damn it.” He gazed down at his raging hard-on and sighed. What was he, fifteen again?
“Dinner? I can do dinner.”
Her sweet voice bounced around in his mind as he closed his eyes and slid his palm down his stomach, slowly grasping his rigid length as he imagined her smile.
“I want you to touch me, Nick. I’m so lonely.”
He could see her, clear as day, standing before him in nothing but a silk nightie. Her golden hair rested against her shoulders and her pouty bottom lip was trapped between her teeth again.
“Come here, baby.” He growled, grabbing her hand and pulling her closer. “I can take that loneliness away.”
Visions of caressing her honey-scented skin and kissing her neck ran through his mind as he quickened his strokes, keeping his breathing steady.
“Yes, Nick. Oh, fuck me. Please! Oh—Oh, yes! Yes!”
His stomach muscles began to tighten, a loaded spring ready to snap, as he got lost in the fantasy. Burying himself deep in her hot body and making her scream as he released his load inside her made his body tremble as he came, quickly reaching out to slam his palm against the wall as euphoria rushed through him.
“Damn.” He was breathless as he lifted his sticky hand and stared at it. “Damn, damn.”
It was ridiculous to behave like a teenager; jerking off in the bathroom while thinking dirty thoughts about a girl he barely knew, but he just couldn’t seem to help himself.
Kelly Spencer was a woman who had loved and lost. He knew a thing or two about that. Maybe not in the same way, but he definitely understood what it was like to have his heart ripped out unexpectedly.
Dinner. A lazy smile spread over his lips as he glanced at the foggy mirror and chuckled. I’d love to eat more than her cooking.
The ringing of the doorbell pulled him from his immature thoughts and he quickly got dressed.
Who the hell was visiting him?
It definitely wasn’t his dad. He’d hardly seen the guy since he got back to town. All Mr. Laveau cared about was his business and making money these days.
What a lonely life that must have been.
“Just a second!” He quickly washed his hands before tugging a shirt over his head. He struggled to pull it over his wet skin, cursing beneath his breath as he descended the steps, two at a time. “Hold on, I’m coming!”
What if it was his dad?
The doorbell rang again and he rolled his eyes in annoyance. It was typical of that old bastard to get impatient.
“Damn, Dad. I was in the shower. Give a guy some—” He abruptly shut up as he pulled the door open to meet someone who definitely was not his father.
Before him was a rather scrumptious creature standing at about 6 feet and tantalizing.
“Uh, hi,” he said somewhat shyly. “I’m here about your ad in the paper—the one for a roommate?”
“What?”
“The ad...you’re looking for a roommate?”
For some reason the guy’s words weren’t registering in his head. Nick was too busy drinking in the sight of his adorably disheveled hair and the freckles on his nose.
And damn if he didn’t feel himself getting hard again.
Nope, I am not doing this again. I learned my lesson last time.
But had he really learned his lesson? It didn’t seem that way. He was all but drooling as his eyes swept over the stranger’s face again.
“Am I at the wrong address?”
“No.” His brain finally decided to start working. “You’re at the right house. I guess I just expected a phone call first.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I was just in the neighborhood so I thought...shit. I’m sorry. I can go.”
“What? No. Don’t be ridiculous. Come on in.” He stepped back so the guy could enter when a thought struck him. “I’m Nick, by the way.” He offered a hand to him. “And you are?”
“Devin. I’m Devin Rose.” He grasped Nick’s hand and shook it firmly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Devin. So are you local?”
“Y-yeah. I’m really sorry about the inconvenience. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important.”
You missed all the fun. Nick thought in amusement
, releasing his hand and walking into the kitchen. “Not at all. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water would be fine, thanks.”
“Water?” He leaned against the counter and snickered. “Just boring old water? Are you sure? I’ve got lemonade, beer, and a new bottle of wine I’ve not even thought about opening. Do you like wine?”
Devin seemed uncertain as he stood in the doorway separating the kitchen from the living room, his hands shoved in his pockets. “Isn’t it a little early to be drinking?”
“Relax, it’s the weekend. Drinking doesn’t have a set time limit on the weekend.”
And there it was. Devin gave him a small smile and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, okay then. Just a small glass though. What kind of wine is it?”
“To be honest with you I’m not sure. It was a housewarming gift from the lady across the street. Mrs. Harrington, I think. She seems nice.”
“That was kind of her to do—the neighborly thing.” Devin took another step into the room and Nick finally caught onto the fact he was an extremely shy individual.
If they were to be roommates, he’d have to come out of his shell. Nick didn’t do shy.
But I’d do him. He thought as he turned to grab the bottle from the fridge. Wait. No, I wouldn’t. I learned my lesson last time.
He was running from a past he didn’t care to remember anymore. Though his mother’s death was the main reason he had left Virginia, there was also something else that had caused him to tuck tail and run.
Nick had been out and proud about his sexuality for as long as he could remember. He never worried much about what others thought about him because his mother had always drilled it into his head that the only opinion that mattered was his own—it made life so much easier for him.
Kids in high school hadn’t messed with him much because he was big and always looked mean, but had they taken the time to get to know him, they would have realized he was nothing more than a big cuddly bear with a desire to be loved.
And that’s where his issue began and ended. He wanted to be loved—maybe too much.
His ideal relationship didn’t involve any one single person and that had always caused strife in past relationships. He was a firm believer that the heart was too big to love only one individual, so his search for true love had yet to be successful.
Was it really too much to ask for? People on TV were allowed to have multiple partners and live happily ever after; he wanted the same thing.
Shiloh had been the first missing puzzle piece, or so he thought. Things between them had been great, picture-perfect, and life couldn’t have gotten any better.
Except it could have, and everything begun rolling downhill when he met Valerie.
Oh, Valerie. She was the perfect catch in every way. Not only was she totally up for the idea of a three-way relationship, she was also very kind-hearted and her knowledge about seemingly everything was inexhaustible. He loved listening to her talk for hours on end, about nothing in particular and everything in the universe, all at the same time.
Her gorgeous long red hair and bright green eyes contrasted against Shiloh’s jet-black hair and blue eyes. They were the total opposites—day and night—but they both offered things to Nick that he desperately wanted and needed. Love, understanding, passion, excitement, and intellect were his for the taking, as were their bodies. And God, he loved when they were together in bed.
But he took it for granted and he didn’t see the warning signs that Shiloh was getting jealous and possessive.
He didn’t see any of it until it was too late.
Needless to say, things ended between them when he found Valerie huddled in the kitchen floor with a furious Shiloh standing over her, screaming at the top of his lungs about how he wanted Nick all for himself and he wasn’t going to share anymore.
Protective instincts kicked in and no matter how much he may have cared for the guy, he would never tolerate a man hurting a woman in his presence. He just wasn’t wired that way. He could not turn a blind eye to the situation, and that’s when Valerie left them.
She left him.
Shiloh had apologized for a week straight afterwards, but Nick couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive him. Maybe things would have been different if he actually did want to be with only one person, but after witnessing what lengths Shiloh was willing to go to, he knew they would never be on the same page when it came to love.
And no matter how big of a dick Shiloh had been to Valerie, it still hurt to say goodbye.
With his mother gone, Shiloh gone, and Valerie gone, what did he have that would keep him in Virginia?
Not a damn thing.
So he packed up and moved to Prairie Town, his hometown, and decided to focus on a career and saving up money for things that mattered.
He never intended on meeting Kelly Spencer or feeling such a strong attraction to her.
And God above, he definitely didn’t mean to find his potential roommate to be handsome either.
Avoid the problem. That tiny voice of reason played over and over in his mind as he poured Devin a glass of wine and sat down across from him at the kitchen table. If you stop thinking about it, it won’t become an issue. Don’t make this into another Shiloh/Valerie situation.
But the more he talked to Devin, the more he realized he might not have anything to worry about. As far as he could tell the guy was as straight as an arrow and that would benefit them both.
I can’t be tempted if he’s not tempted.
But that was a damn lie. He’d had a crush on the quarterback in high school, and no matter how much the guy claimed to like girls he loved getting sucked off an awful lot more.
I just won’t take any chances. Why can’t I focus on having a nice time with Kelly and getting to know her? I can treat Devin like a friend—only a friend. It won’t be hard.
And that’s what he decided on as they shook hands nearly two hours later and he pulled out the roommate agreement he whipped up on a whim.
“Welcome to your new humble abode.” He shook his hand and gave him another grin, reminding himself that they would be friends, and only that.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Devin nodded. “When can I move in?”
“Whenever you want is fine by me. Just remember I’m going to need half the rent by the end of the month. Will that be an issue?”
“Not at all. I think I have some money saved up, but if not, I’ll be getting a job soon anyway so it won’t be an issue.”
“You think?” Nick cocked his head to the side. “How do you ‘think’ you have money without being sure?”
Devin released an exasperated sigh—and damn him, that was cute—and shrugged. “It’s a long story, really. But—”
A light knock on the door interrupted his explanation and as much as Nick wanted to hear it, he also wanted to know who the hell else was visiting his house. Since when had he become so popular?
“Excuse me for a second.” He flashed a dazzling smile in Devin’s direction and hurried to the door, quickly pulling the door open again.
What a pleasant surprise it was to see none other than Miss Cuteness herself standing on his doorstep with a plate of cookies in tow. She peered up at him with those big, beautiful eyes of hers and he was a goner.
“Hi.” Her nervous smile gripped his heart and squeezed it as she held the cookies towards him. “I made these. For you. It’s the neighborly thing to do. I thought maybe no one else had brought you anything aside from Mrs. Harrington and that’s just unacceptable. Plus, it was very kind of you to stop by so late last night. I really appreciate that.”
She was talking a hundred miles a minute and a grin slowly spread across his lips as he leaned against the doorframe and arched a brow.
“That’s very kind of you, Kelly. Thank you for the cookies. But I have to ask—what kind are they?”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink as she peered at the aluminum foil hiding the delicious treats f
rom view. “Well, I wasn’t really sure what you liked so I made chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. I hope one of those will be okay?”
“Are you kidding? I love both.” He took the plate from her hands and stepped aside so she could enter. “Won’t you please come in?”
“Oh.” She seemed to be in a tough debate as she glanced towards the sidewalk and then moved her eyes back to his. “Well, I probably shouldn’t stay for long. Mrs. H. stopped by to watch my kids so I could run out and get the supplies you’ll need to fix the pipes in the basement and—”
“That’s unacceptable.” He eyed her, but his gaze was neither stern nor mean. He hoped she could tell he was teasing her as he nodded towards the living room and chuckled. “I will get everything necessary to fix that, Kelly, so consider this a free hour—and just in time, too. I’d like you to meet someone.”
“Oh?”
That seemed to be the only word she really knew at the moment.
He thought it was the cutest ‘oh’ in history.
“Yes, my new roommate. Maybe being in the presence of a pretty girl will help him loosen up a bit.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far...”
“Nonsense,” he scolded her gently. “Don’t even think about saying that. You are very pretty—no—beautiful. You’re beautiful. Now come on in before the rain gets you.”
He watched as she turned to gaze up at the sky and she released a small noise of disgust.
“I’m not sure I can take any more rain this month.” She stepped inside and he closed the door behind her, more than happy to hide the gloomy clouds from their view. “There’s been talk of a hurricane soon. I’m not fond of those.”
“I’d say not.” He followed her into the kitchen. “I’ve been through a few of those myself and—oof! Why’d you stop?” He nearly knocked her over when she backed up in front of him and he narrowly saved the plate of cookies from a tragic end.
“Kelly?” Devin said in a quiet voice. “That’s your name, isn’t it? Kelly?”
“Yes,” she replied with a small nod. “You’re...you’re the roommate, Devin?”
“Ah, so you two know each other?” Placing the cookies on the counter, he howled with happiness on the inside. If Kelly and Devin were already acquainted then half the hard work was already done.
The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) Page 5
