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.”
He chuckles and gets out, walking around to my door and opening it. “Come on, baby. I want this gorgeous body naked in my arms.”
He leans in to lift my skirt a little and help me out of the SUV. “Is the pain in your foot tolerable, Heather? You’ve been on it all day.”
“I’m hanging in there. It’s not nearly as bad as what it once would have been. I’ll need to take my medication, though.”
I feel his hand at the small of my back when he pushes me forward to shut the door. “Well, let’s get you inside, and I can take care of my girl.”
This man makes me swoon all of the stinking time. We get up to our hotel room and the turn-down service must have already been in because the bed sheet is pulled back, and the nightstand lamp is set on dim.
I rest my bag on the chair as I enter the room and walk over to the bed. My mind is running a million
miles a minute as I sit on the bed and slowly remove my boot. I haven’t even processed what happened today. I was so consumed with worry for Noah that I didn’t have time to think about my own fears. I can’t believe how open and loving Ellery and Henry were toward me. They could have treated me differently, much differently. But today was an outpouring of love for the both of us. Before I can think of much more, I look down and see Noah at my feet, helping my foot out of its confines. Where did he come from? I must have been so lost to my thoughts that I didn’t even see him kneel at my feet.
He sets my boot down and reaches for my medication on the nightstand. “Do you need one or two?”
“I think one will be just fine, thank you.”
He hands me one, and gets up, grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge. “Lie down, ballerina; you need to relax.”
I take my medication and lie back to watch him move around the room. “Mmm . . . so bossy, I love it,” I say, trying to joke with him. He lifts his t-shirt up and off of his torso, and my mouth goes slack.
“Do you now?”
I nod. “When you finish, can you grab me some pajamas out of my bag?”
“No. You’re sleeping naked tonight.” He drops his jeans and walks over to my side of the bed before dropping his boxer briefs too.
“Oh?” I play coy and roll onto my side to watch him.
He climbs over me and lies down, so we’re face-to-face.
I smile and run my finger down his bare chest. “Hi.”
“Mmm, hi, gorgeous.”
His arms move around me and pull my maxi dress up and off, revealing my matching bra and panties.
I watch as his eyes devour every inch of my body. “Thank you for taking such good care of me, Noah. You’re always so thoughtful. I always think I’m going to wake up and this will all be a dream—you won’t be real.”
“I’m real, baby, and I love you.” He pulls my bare skin against his and locks me in his arms.
I look up at him and kiss his jaw. “I happen to love you too.”
His smile is so earnest, it melts me. “You know, I never thought I’d ever hear you say that.”
“Well you better not get sick of it now,” I tease and press my lips to his, tasting his need.
I feel his growl rumble low in his chest, and my tongue teases him. I love teasing him; it’s become my new favorite activity.
His hands move down to cup my behind, toying with the lace of my cheeksters while our tongues tease each other’s.
I must have fallen asleep on him last night because when I open my eyes again, morning light spills into the room through an obscured crack in the curtains. I groan and hide my face in his chest before pulling the blanket up and over my head. He must be awake because I feel his chest move with a chuckle that I don’t hear.
“Are you grumpin’ already, ballerina?”
“Shh . . .”
“I’ll take that as hell yes, don’t fuck with my sleep, Noah.”
“Noah . . .”
I feel him kiss the top of my head and slide out from underneath me. I am now lying on a hotel pillow instead of my spot, worsening my already grumpy morning.
“Come back?” I try and plead with him, but I hear the shower running before I can get the words out of my mouth. I reluctantly get up and toss the blanket. I’m too hot now, and it’s pissing me off. I want my Noah back.
I stomp, yes stomp, into the bathroom and stand in front of the glass shower door in just my lace underwear. “We didn’t have sex last night?”
He opens the door and takes in my body and mood. “Is that why you’re grumpin’?”
“No . . . well . . . maybe.” My sex is throbbing from the mere sight of this naked Greek god. “Why didn’t we?”
He runs the washcloth over his bicep, and my mouth waters from wanting to bite him there. “You fell asleep kissing me, and I didn’t want to wake you. Yesterday was the longest you’ve been up on your feet in weeks. You needed to rest.”
“But I wanted to be fucked,” I huff and cross my arms, intentionally pushing my breasts up.
His eyes go wide because I said fucked. “I believe another sucker is in order on our drive home, Miss Lane.”
I bite my lip and almost lose my body to the memory. “Oh?”
“Mmhmm, now get in here and get ready. We have thirty minutes before we need to meet them for brunch.”
I quickly remove my lacy underwear before stepping into the shower with the water cascading down one side of my body. “You really like them, don’t you?”
“Yeah. They are a lot different than what I expected them to be.”
“They are truly amazing,” I add before completely stepping under the waterfall showerhead.
He nods and gives me that damn sexy wink again.
I need more suckers.
We’re at a restaurant called 75 Main in Southampton. The French doors are open onto the sidewalk, letting in the slightest cool breeze. It took us an hour before we could actually get a table inside of this gorgeous place for brunch. Henry and Ellery have just ordered us all bottomless mimosas as we look over the menu.
When the waiter returns with our mimosas, Ellery orders the marinated portobello and vegetable salad, Henry orders the Belgium waffles, Noah gets the omelet with sweet sausage, and I follow Henry’s lead with the waffles, my sweet tooth shining through.
Once the waiter walks away with the menus in hand, Henry clears his throat. “How are the accommodations over there at the Maidstone?” I smile and look over at Noah and then back at the two of them.
“I’ve slept really well. I actually don’t remember passing out last night.”
I hear Noah chuckle and feel him put his arm behind my chair. I get chills when his thumb rubs along my bare arm. “Yes, well, you are taking medication. It’s either that, or I’m incredibly boring,” he jokes lightly, showing his parents a new side of himself.
Henry chuckles and takes Ellery’s hand. “This feisty one passes out on me every night. It’s the Somer’s curse, I tell you.”
“I try to stay up, I really do, but I cannot seem to keep my eyes open past nine in the evening.” She laughs and tries to defend herself.
“I know you do, angel, but you get up at the crack of dawn. I know your garden needs your attention too.”
I almost melt at his term of endearment for her. I briefly glance at Noah and back at my surroundings, wondering if Noah ever thinks of calling me anything other than ballerina. I hear the clatter of silverware somewhere in the distance while my thoughts run wild—and not in a good way. I suddenly have questions for Noah, about the girls in his past—how he referred to them and what he did with them intimately—questions I want answers to, but I’m also unsure if I want to hear them.
“Heather, dear?” Ellery’s voice interrupts my thoughts. My hearing becomes unclouded, and the room is once again loud with chatter. I realize then that I’ve dazed out in front of everyone. “Hmm?” I look around, and everyone is staring at me.
“Are you in pain?”
I blink and shake my head quickly. “No, no, I’m fine, Ellery.” I give her my best smile, but she seems to watch me like a mother hen.
Our brunch arrives, and Noah looks at me suspiciously. He turns to whisper in my ear, “You can’t hide shit from me. I’ll find out what’s wrong.”
My reply is caught in my throat, and I’m fairly turned on by his confidence.
“Ah, before you two leave today, we need to talk in private, please?” Henry announces as Noah takes a bite of his omelet.
I sip my mimosa before drizzling syrup on my waffles. I don’t reply because I’m assuming he’s addressing Noah.
“Sure, that won’t be a problem,” Noah says and takes my hand underneath the table, playing with my mother’s engagement ring.
I clear my throat and address Ellery. “You’ll have to teach me how to keep a plant alive. I don’t have much of a green thumb.”
“Oh, I’d love to, darling. The next time y
ou come down we’ll plant something for you to take home. I have a little trick for my potted plants—I use the makings of a diaper and mix it in with the soil. It holds a lot of water and you can go days without having to worry about it drying out.”
“Really?” I’m genuinely surprised but still skeptical of my ability. “I don’t know. I’ve even killed off that lucky bamboo stuff that is supposedly hard to kill,” I say in all seriousness, but Noah starts laughing.
“Well, that’s something I have yet to hear. I’ll help you, darling. Just let me know what plant or flower you’d like to grow before coming down, okay?”
I smack Noah’s arm playfully as he continues to laugh. “Okay, I’ll think of something.”
“Noah, play nice,” she lightheartedly scolds him.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I put my fork down because I am stuffed. I watch Noah reach for his wallet and slip the waiter his card. Henry won’t be happy about this, I’m sure.
I try to keep Henry occupied with a question. “Um, Henry . . . you said you’d like to take a look at my foot today. Is there a reason? Am I walking funny?” I’m suddenly nervous.
“Not that I can tell, but this is what I do. I won’t trust just anyone with you, Heather. Let’s head back to the house, and we’ll take a look.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Henry moves to ask for the check when Noah helps me stand. “It’s already been taken care of,” Noah states before pulling out his mother’s chair to help her as well.
Henry raises his eyebrow and chuckles to himself as if he’s got something to hide. “Ah, we’re playing this game, are we?” He winks at me and we walk out to the SUV and their Mercedes.
It doesn’t take long before we’re back in the confines of the Somers’ Southampton home. We’re all sitting in the living room with a fresh mimosa in hand.
A Winter's Date Page 23
