understatement.
“What are your plans for the week?” Nick took her in his arms and they began to dance.
“The goal is to keep my head above water. The shop’s been crazy and I don’t think it’s going to slow down between now and Christmas.”
“Can I see you Wednesday night?”
“Assuming you get out in the morning?” Beth tried to feign indifference as the grin on her face reached new heights. He wanted to see her again. That fact, and being with him tonight, was nothing short of an early Christmas present. Score one for Jenny’s advice. Sometimes you do have to let down your guard and enjoy life as it comes.
“True. I’m not worried, though. Surely they’ll have this cleaned up overnight.”
“When do you get home?”
“I think I land around six.”
“Give me a call when you get in and we’ll figure out where to meet.”
Beth closed her eyes for a moment to absorb the exquisite sensation of being cocooned in his arms as he held her so gently. She could feel the power in his broad shoulders and the hardness of his chest as he drew her against him a little closer than before, bringing every nerve ending in her body to attention.
When she opened her eyes, Nick was staring at her with an intensity that caused a shudder to run through her. And as the music faded, he led her through one last turn and bent down to kiss her. Short, but heavenly sweet. Then he nodded toward the windows.
“We probably need to head home.”
“I don’t think the snow’s going to let up anytime soon.” Her voice sounding steadier than she felt.
By the time their waitress processed the dinner check, the valet had Nick’s car brought around with the heat turned on high. The wind was strong and the temperature had dropped at least fifteen degrees in the past two hours.
Nick held her close as they left the restaurant. Though his closeness warmed her insides, her wrap turned out to be more decorative than useful. Beth slid into the passenger seat, grateful for the seat warmer that instantly took the chill away.
The side streets were slick from a thin layer of icy mix below the snow. Traffic moved at a snail’s pace as they drove the short distance to the interstate. Once there, however, conditions were much improved—evidence that snowplows and salt trucks had started making their rounds. Nick, visibly relaxed, reached over and took her hand in his.
Beth felt the tension in her own body fade as the warmth from his caressing hand engulfed hers. She stared at it for a moment, remembering the gentle strength she’d felt in those hands as he’d held her just minutes ago.
“My grandfather mentioned your family has a horse farm. Do you still ride?” he asked, bringing her thoughts back to the present.
“Not as much as I’d like to. You’ll have to come out to the farm sometime. We have a stable with six horses and almost a dozen boarders. There are miles of trails that wind through the hills. When you’re on top of what my father calls Sergeant’s Gate, you can see for miles in all directions.”
“I bet the view is beautiful this time of year, especially now being snow-covered. I don’t think I’ve been riding since I was ten or twelve years old.”
“Maybe next Saturday we could take a short ride if you’re not working or traveling.” Beth was glad the only light in the car came from the dashboard. She could feel heat rise on her cheeks. Had she just asked him out on a third date? She couldn’t help it. Taking a horseback ride with Nick, up her snow-covered mountain to see the city view, was just too tempting. And he could always say he had to work if he didn’t want to go.
“Sounds nice.” He gave her hand a soft squeeze.
Nick turned into her driveway and parked, leaving the car running. In a weird way, the gesture made her more comfortable knowing he didn’t expecting to stay. She wasn’t ready for the evening to end, but didn’t want to give the wrong impression. And she didn’t like the
“What are your plans for the week?” Nick took her in his arms and they began to dance.
“The goal is to keep my head above water. The shop’s been crazy and I don’t think it’s going to slow down between now and Christmas.”
“Can I see you Wednesday night?”
“Assuming you get out in the morning?” Beth tried to feign indifference as the grin on her face reached new heights. He wanted to see her again. That fact, and being with him tonight, was nothing short of an early Christmas present. Score one for Jenny’s advice. Sometimes you do have to let down your guard and enjoy life as it comes.
“True. I’m not worried, though. Surely they’ll have this cleaned up overnight.”
“When do you get home?”
“I think I land around six.”
“Give me a call when you get in and we’ll figure out where to meet.”
Beth closed her eyes for a moment to absorb the exquisite sensation of being cocooned in his arms as he held her so gently. She could feel the power in his broad shoulders and the hardness of his chest as he drew her against him a little closer than before, bringing every nerve ending in her body to attention.
When she opened her eyes, Nick was staring at her with an intensity that caused a shudder to run through her. And as the music faded, he led her through one last turn and bent down to kiss her. Short, but heavenly sweet. Then he nodded toward the windows.
“We probably need to head home.”
“I don’t think the snow’s going to let up anytime soon.” Her voice sounding steadier than she felt.
By the time their waitress processed the dinner check, the valet had Nick’s car brought around with the heat turned on high. The wind was strong and the temperature had dropped at least fifteen degrees in the past two hours.
Nick held her close as they left the restaurant. Though his closeness warmed her insides, her wrap turned out to be more decorative than useful. Beth slid into the passenger seat, grateful for the seat warmer that instantly took the chill away.
The side streets were slick from a thin layer of icy mix below the snow. Traffic moved at a snail’s pace as they drove the short distance to the interstate. Once there, however, conditions were much improved—evidence that snowplows and salt trucks had started making their rounds. Nick, visibly relaxed, reached over and took her hand in his.
Beth felt the tension in her own body fade as the warmth from his caressing hand engulfed hers. She stared at it for a moment, remembering the gentle strength she’d felt in those hands as he’d held her just minutes ago.
“My grandfather mentioned your family has a horse farm. Do you still ride?” he asked, bringing her thoughts back to the present.
“Not as much as I’d like to. You’ll have to come out to the farm sometime. We have a stable with six horses and almost a dozen boarders. There are miles of trails that wind through the hills. When you’re on top of what my father calls Sergeant’s Gate, you can see for miles in all directions.”
“I bet the view is beautiful this time of year, especially now being snow-covered. I don’t think I’ve been riding since I was ten or twelve years old.”
“Maybe next Saturday we could take a short ride if you’re not working or traveling.” Beth was glad the only light in the car came from the dashboard. She could feel heat rise on her cheeks. Had she just asked him out on a third date? She couldn’t help it. Taking a horseback ride with Nick, up her snow-covered mountain to see the city view, was just too tempting. And he could always say he had to work if he didn’t want to go.
“Sounds nice.” He gave her hand a soft squeeze.
Nick turned into her driveway and parked, leaving the car running. In a weird way, the gesture made her more comfortable knowing he didn’t expecting to stay. She wasn’t ready for the evening to end, but didn’t want to give the wrong impression. And she didn’t like the
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