Grave Delight (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 3)

by Hart, Lily Harper

  The hitch in his chest would have brought Nick to his knees if he’d been standing. “It wasn’t a dream, my Maddie,” he said. “It was just another step in our life together. I promise. When you wake up tomorrow, I’m going to be next to you. I’m going to be holding you.”

  “I know,” Maddie said. “I just … can we wait five minutes? I just want a shooting star. Just one. I’ll give up after a few minutes.”

  Nick nodded, kissing her jaw lightly. “We can wait as long as you want.” Since the blanket was drooping off of her shoulder, he reached over and pulled it back up. The idea that she was naked under the plush fabric was enticing … but the knowledge that she needed a star to make this night perfect was more pressing. He closed his eyes and wished fervently. Give her what she wants. No, give her what she needs.

  “There,” Maddie said, shifting on his lap excitedly.

  Nick opened his eyes and watched the bright streak of light as it shot across the horizon. He was relieved … and empowered. He was starting to think he needed the star, too. “There’s your proof, Mad.”

  “Make a wish.”

  Nick’s mind wandered to a previous stargazing experience, one where he made a wish that didn’t come true until a few hours before. He hadn’t wished for sex then. He’d wished he’d have Maddie forever. It took more than ten years to come true, but it was well worth the wait.

  “I’ve already gotten everything I’ve ever wished for, Mad,” Nick said. “This is your star. You make the wish.”

  Maddie screwed her eyes shut, and Nick watched with unveiled marvel as his heart joined with hers in the unsaid wish. When she opened her eyes again she seemed more relaxed. “We can go to bed now.”

  “What did you wish for, Mad?”

  “That every night for the rest of our lives would be just like this.”

  Nick smiled, tightening his arms around her as he lifted her and carried her back toward the bedroom. “Something tells me you’re going to get what you wished for.”

  Her smile – and his happy heart – told him he was telling the truth. Sometimes wishes do come true.

  Nine

  Maddie woke the next morning to the most wonderful feeling ever – her naked body pressed tightly to Nick’s as effervescent sun beckoned them through the flimsy bedroom curtains.

  The urge to let loose with a lazy stretch called to her, but the idea of waking Nick was too much to bear. When she shifted her eyes so she could study his placid face her heart almost stopped. He was just so … beautiful.

  “I can feel you staring at me,” Nick murmured.

  Maddie sighed, frustrated. “I was trying to watch you sleep without waking you up. You look like one of those Greek statues. You’re just so … handsome.”

  Nick smiled, the expression turning his already chiseled face into something otherworldly. “I am handsome,” he agreed. “You’re beautiful, so that makes us a good match.” He tightened his arm around her waist and pressed his lips to her forehead. “See, it wasn’t a dream.”

  “Oh, it was a dream,” Maddie said. “It was just the best dream ever. I never want to wake up.”

  Nick smiled, his eyes still shut. “Me either.”

  Maddie found she was a bundle of energy – and nerves – as she gazed up at Nick’s strong jaw. “Nicky?”

  “Hmm.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking I wish you would put your head back down on my chest and sleep for another hour.”

  Maddie frowned. “What else?”

  Nick sighed, finally wrenching his eyes open and smiling at Maddie’s lovely face. She looked so serious. “I’m thinking I love you.”

  “What else?”

  What was she looking for here? Nick racked his brain. “I think I love the way your body feels against mine.”

  “What else?”

  “Maddie, why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking and we’ll go from there.” Nick reached over and pushed the strands of blonde hair that dislodged from the ponytail overnight away from her face. “What’s up?”

  “I just want to know what you’re feeling,” Maddie said, averting her gaze. “I mean … are you feeling happy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you feeling … comfortable?”

  “Comfortable how? Are you asking if I like having your body pressed against mine? If so, yes. Never move it. Are you asking if I’m comfortable in this relationship? If so, yes. This is what I’ve always wanted. Either way, the answer is yes.”

  “So … you’re not going to get bored with me, right?”

  Nick sighed, hating her worry. “Maddie?”

  “What?”

  “I can never get bored with you,” Nick said. “Never. It can’t happen. It’s impossible. I’m not saying that to make you feel better. I’m saying it because it’s the truth. You are it for me. You’re the one. You’re my forever. I don’t care how insecure you get. Nothing is going to change that.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Maddie lowered her head back to the spot above Nick’s heart, loving the sound of its steady beat. “Yay.”

  Nick grinned as he rubbed the back of her head. “Yay,” he agreed. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m debating if instigating another … round … would be too forward.”

  Nick stilled. “Excuse me?”

  “I … well … I just want to see if it will be as good as the first time.”

  Nick’s chest shook, laughter overtaking him. He forced Maddie’s head up so he could meet her sea-blue eyes head on. “Love, if you ever think you’re being too forward, take a step back and realize that if you climbed on top me every second for the rest of our lives I would die a happy man.”

  Maddie was hopeful. “Really?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Good,” Maddie said, rolling on top of him and pressing her lips to his. “There’s something I want to do.”

  “Those are the best words I’ve ever heard in my life. Buck up, little camper. I’m about to make your morning.”

  “OKAY, I’ve waited as long as I can, but we have to go to work.”

  John pushed Nick’s bedroom door open, immediately wishing he’d had the forethought to knock. It was almost noon, but Maddie and Nick were still tangled together under the covers. Thankfully, they appeared to be sleeping.

  Nick’s eyes shot open, and he was aware enough of what was happening to tighten his arm around Maddie’s bare back so she didn’t expose herself to prying eyes as she attempted to bolt to a sitting position. “What are you doing?”

  “I … seriously … you two are still in bed?”

  “We had a long night,” Nick said, rubbing Maddie’s head to calm her. “What are you thinking just barging in here?”

  “I didn’t have much of a choice,” John replied, nonplussed. “We’re investigating a murder. I gave you guys as long as I could.”

  Nick sighed, resigned. “Go wait in the kitchen.”

  “But … I haven’t even had a chance to say hello to Maddie yet.”

  “Hi,” Maddie said, her cheeks coloring. “It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you, too,” John said. “How are things?”

  “Good. Well … perfect … to be more precise.”

  John grinned. “It’s about time. We’ve been waiting for this for what seems like forever.”

  “I think all of us have.”

  “Probably.”

  Nick growled. “Go into the kitchen, John,” he ordered. “We’re going to take a shower, and then we’re going to be very excited by whatever breakfast you’ve cooked us.”

  “You’re showering together? I don’t have time to wait for that.”

  “Oh, you’re going to wait,” Nick snapped. “I … just go out there. I’m going to beat you to within an inch of your life.”

  “You two look happy.”

  “We were … until thirty seconds ago,” Nick said.

&n
bsp; “I’m still happy,” Maddie said. “I’m a little embarrassed, though.”

  “Don’t be,” John said. “You look hot in the morning.”

  “I am going to kill you,” Nick threatened.

  “I’ll cook your breakfast,” John said. “You have twenty minutes. No … funny stuff … in the shower.”

  John shut the bedroom door, smiling when he heard Maddie dissolve into giggles as Nick softly swore, the heavy wood muting the angry words. He’d never seen his brother this happy. After ten years of misery, no one deserved that happiness more than Nick Winters. Now he just had to whip up a passable breakfast. They were probably starving.

  “WHAT are we doing today?” Nick asked, grabbing a slice of bacon from Maddie’s plate and chomping into it enthusiastically. “Did something happen this morning?”

  “No,” John said, using the spatula to give Maddie more scrambled eggs. “Eat your protein, honey. I think you need it with all the energy you’ve been expending.”

  Maddie smiled as her cheeks colored. “I … thank you.”

  “You’re making her feel uncomfortable,” Nick scolded. “Don’t you dare ruin this.”

  “I’m not trying to ruin this,” John said, nonplussed. “Calm down. You’re out of control. It’s not necessary. I’m not trying to embarrass Maddie.”

  “I’m fine,” Maddie said, forking into the eggs. “I really was hungry.”

  “Good,” John said. “You’re too thin.”

  “Leave her alone,” Nick said, frustrated. “She’s beautiful.”

  “Oh, she’s stinking hot,” John said. “I thought you were hot in high school, but you’re even hotter now. It’s … amazing. My brother is a lucky man.”

  “I am,” Nick agreed.

  “I’m the lucky one,” Maddie said. “He looks like an angel.”

  “He looks like a moron,” John countered. “He’s sloppy in love, and it makes him smile like he’s got mental problems.”

  “You’re lucky you’re an only child,” Nick said, focusing on Maddie. “You don’t have to deal with this nonsense.”

  “I always wished I had a sister,” Maddie said. “I thought … well … I thought it would finally give me someone female to talk to who wasn’t my mother or grandmother.”

  Nick smirked. “You have Christy now.”

  “I do,” Maddie agreed. “She’s … amazing.”

  “She is amazing,” John said. “She’s got a great personality – and her body isn’t bad either.”

  Nick frowned. “Where did you sleep last night?”

  “Don’t worry about that.”

  “I am worried about that,” Nick said. “Christy is a good person. Are you going to sleep with her and disappear?”

  “Don’t do that.” Maddie shook her head for emphasis.

  “First off, I didn’t sleep with her last night,” John said. “I thought about it. After my brother abandoned me to do … whatever it is you two were doing until the wee hours of the morning … I didn’t have a lot of options.”

  “Christy is one of the best friends I’ve ever had,” Maddie said, nervous. “She doesn’t deserve for someone to sleep with and then abandon her.”

  “I just told you I didn’t sleep with her,” John said. “Calm down.”

  “Let’s take this one step at a time,” Nick said, placing his hand over Maddie’s to still her. “Where did you sleep last night?”

  “The dive on the highway that advertises free porn,” John said. “Yes, that’s their big claim to fame. You owe me.”

  “What happened after I left?”

  “Are you asking if there was a catfight?”

  “Why would there be a catfight?” Maddie asked, confused.

  John furrowed his brow. “You didn’t tell her? Shame on you.”

  Nick scowled. “I didn’t want to upset her.”

  “It’s too late for that,” Maddie said, straightening in her chair. “What’s going on?”

  “I told you we went to the bar last night,” Nick said. “I also told you we ran into Christy.”

  Maddie waited.

  “What I didn’t tell you is that we also ran into Marla and Cassidy.”

  Now it was Maddie’s turn to scowl. “I ran into them yesterday, too.”

  “I heard,” Nick said, moving his hand to the back of her head and pulling her closer so he could kiss her forehead. “Um … thank you so much for this.”

  John refused to apologize. “You abandoned me.”

  “I left you with Christy,” Nick said. “You two didn’t even know I was in the same restaurant when I left.”

  “Tell me what happened with Marla and Cassidy,” Maddie said, ignoring Nick’s outburst.

  “It wasn’t anything big,” Nick said. “Marla was … well … Marla.”

  “She always is. I don’t really care about her. What happened with Cassidy?”

  Nick narrowed his eyes. “I want to know what happened with you and Cassidy first.”

  Maddie took a sip of her coffee, stalling for time, and then she fixed an even look on Nick. “Marla accused me of being a homewrecker and Cassidy accused me of stealing the man that she loves. It was nothing new. What happened with you?”

  “How upset were you?” Nick asked, ignoring the question.

  “Not as upset as I would’ve been two weeks ago,” Maddie admitted. “I’m done apologizing for being happy.”

  It was a reality Nick embraced weeks before, and he was so relieved Maddie was doing it now he almost wept. “Really?”

  “I still feel bad for how Cassidy was hurt,” Maddie cautioned. “I think we both could’ve handled that better.”

  “I agree,” Nick said. “Well … I agree on my part. I handled things just about as badly as any man could. You were nothing but respectful to her.”

  “She asked me how I felt about you when I first came back to town,” Maddie countered. “Maybe not outright, but she was still trying to feel me out. She was insecure and worried. I told her we were just friends.”

  “We were just friends,” Nick said. “You didn’t lie to her.”

  “I knew I loved you,” Maddie said. “I’ve always loved you. I’ve always known it, and I’ve always felt it. I knew the second I saw you again that I was still in love with you. It wasn’t fair to lie to her.”

  Nick rubbed the heel of his palm against his forehead, annoyed. “Love, you weren’t the one in a relationship even though you knew it wasn’t going anywhere,” he said. “I knew the second I saw you, too. I felt as if my heart was going to explode. I was already planning on walking away when you showed up. The only reason I didn’t pull the trigger then was … .” Nick broke off, unsure.

  “Why?” John asked, curious. “Why didn’t you end things then and make both of your lives easier?”

  “At first I didn’t want to do it because I knew everyone in town would jump to conclusions,” Nick admitted. “I didn’t want everyone naturally assuming I was dumping Cassidy for Maddie.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I knew that certain people – that unholy wench, Marla, for example – would blame Maddie,” Nick said. “Marla takes pleasure in making Maddie unhappy.”

  “I noticed that last night,” John said. “She’s … awful.”

  “She’s beyond awful,” Nick said. “She’s the Devil.”

  “I get that,” John said. “What about after that? When did you finally acknowledge you wanted to be with Maddie?”

  Nick balked. “I … that’s none of your business.”

  “I want to know, too,” Maddie said. “I knew right away I was desperate to be with you. Sure, I didn’t want to admit it, but Christy saw it. When did you know? And don’t say something you think I want to hear. I want to know the truth.”

  Nick swallowed his upper lip with his lower, considering. “The first night we fell asleep in the window seat.”

  Maddie lifted her eyebrows, surprised. “Really?”

  “Owning up to this in front of my br
other, who is going to use it against me for the rest of my life, should prove how much I love you,” Nick warned. “I don’t want to hear another word about you worrying that I’m going to get bored with you.”

  It was a grand gesture, and Maddie considered it. “I agree to your terms.”

  Nick grinned. He couldn’t help it. She was beautiful … and she was happy. They both were happy. He was still going to pound his brother the first chance he got. “I felt as if our bodies just … fit … when I snuggled around you,” he said. “It felt like … coming home.”

  Maddie’s angelic face brightened. “I felt the same way.”

  “I guess that’s because we love each other,” Nick said, leaning over so he could kiss her. “I knew at that moment that we were inevitable. That’s when I had to start plotting how to break up with Cassidy without tipping off the whole town to what my intentions were.”

  “That didn’t really work out so well, did it?” John asked.

  “No,” Nick said, rubbing his forehead. “I was going to tell her the night you almost drowned down at the lake.” Nick internally cringed at the memory, flashes of breathing life back into Maddie’s still lungs rendering him momentarily comatose.

  Maddie gripped his hand tightly. “It doesn’t matter. We’re together now.”

  Nick regained his senses. “We are, my Maddie,” he said, kissing her lightly. “We are.”

  “Now I’m definitely going to puke,” John said.

  Nick rolled his eyes. “What are we doing today?”

  “We’re going down to the pier to find Raymond Jacob Kingston.”

  “Why are you looking for him?” Maddie asked.

  “Mildred says he’s a pervert and we want to see if he knows anything about Hayley’s death,” Nick said. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I promise to call you when we’re done.”

  “Screw that,” Maddie said, hopping out of the chair. “I want to come.”

  Nick stilled. “You do?”

  “I found Hayley’s body,” Maddie said, matter-of-fact. “We’re in this together.”

  “Okay,” Nick said. “You can come.”