Nora
It is my favorite time of day, as I relax on the porch. There is still a bit of daylight left, even now after Lotte is in bed. The summer days are long and hot but at this time, the heat gives way to a cool breeze. Holden steps out to join me. My heart thunders in my chest, and I can’t help the butterflies that flit through my stomach at the sight of him. He sits next to me. Close. Rubbing his large hand over one shoulder and down my arm, he leans in to brush his lips across the shell of my ear. Those same lips moving softly over my skin as he whispers, “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” I nod. The knowing gleam in his eyes as he pulls away leaves no doubt that he understands exactly the effect his touch has on me. He does this often. But he does not take it any further. Not until I say so and I am glad for that. It eases my anxiety.
It is another two weeks before Holden needs to go to town again. But he brings me with him and I mail another letter to Aubry. Holden’s come into town three times now; the last time, he brought Lotte. Aubry still hadn’t returned my letter, which makes me worry.
“Anything for me?” I ask, as he thumbs through his mail.
“Sorry. Nope.” I wrinkle my forehead. Aubry should have had plenty of time to get a letter to me by now. Two even.
Holden nudges my shoulder, effectively breaking my train of thought. “Before we head back I need your help.”
“Okay, what is it?” I ask.
Holden grabs my hand. He does that often now. He has stayed true to his promise and not pushed me at all since that night. “I have a funeral to attend in August. I need a suit.”
“What part of that requires me?” I laugh. He pulls me into the crook of his arm.
He looks a bit shy, which is a side of him I’ve never seen before. “I’ve never bought a suit before.” I rest my head on his broad chest. The steady beat of his heart relaxes me.
“Okay.”
He exits the dressing room, looking confused. “Does this look right?” he asks with a furrowed brow. I turn around and gasp. A hand flies to my mouth. Holden is quite possibly the most handsome man I’ve laid eyes on in a suit. He’s all corded muscle, pants wrapped around thin hips, traveling lower to bulge out over thick, solid thighs.
“Uhh?” he grumbles.
“You look breathtaking.” I immediately blush at my words. Holden beams. His smile so genuine, his eyes crinkle at the edges. I blush and look away. I never say the right thing—the cool thing.
“I take it that’s a compliment.” I nod my head without meeting his eyes. “Nora,” he orders. I look up. He curls his index finger, signaling me to go to him. I stumble forward, drunk on emotion and grab the collar of his suit coat without thought. Holden’s eyes cloud. My fingers curl around the fabric tight. I stop breathing. He bends until his lips meet mine. His mouth is soft and warm. Like a rainy Saturday afternoon, curled up with a book and a mug of coffee under a heavy down comforter. I want to stay in the moment. Content and comfortable. He pulls back when the sales clerk clears her throat. “That suit does make you look great, sir, but perhaps you keep the kissing at home.” She arcs a perfectly groomed eyebrow in my direction, while maintaining a completely irritated expression.
Holden bellows out a laugh. Deep and throaty, while I furiously blush. He reaches out and gently picks up the chain of my necklace, righting the clasp to the back of my neck. His fingers graze the sensitive skin as they go and I’m sure I’m on the cusp of fainting. It’s the most intimate I’ve ever felt with anyone. I realize that I only have one week left tutoring. One week left with Holden. I frown at the thought.
“Come on, beautiful,” Holden says. He tugs me into the dressing room with him and I squeal my protest.
“No, no. Stop, Holden. She already told us to leave.”
“If I’m dropping,” he looks at the tag on the suit, “eight hundred dollars, I’ll do what I damn please.”
My eyes widen so much, I can feel the air hit my eyeballs. “Um, well, slow . . . and all that. I mean . . .” Holden wraps one hand around my neck. He pulls me chest to chest with him by my throat.
“Kiss me,” he says. “Kiss me like you did out there. Like a feral animal. Like you’ll starve without it.” I squeeze my thighs together. My hands rest on his forearms pulling lightly. He releases my throat, sliding his hand around the back, cupping the nape of my neck. I lick my lips. His jaw ticks. I touch the spot lightly.
“You’re a strange man.”
“And you’re a strange lady.”
“So, I guess we’re good for each other,” I say. He yanks. My lips hit his with bruising force and a groan escapes me. I hop, he catches my thighs as we slam into the wall of the dressing room. Holden holds me without much effort. I relish the feeling. His lips move to my neck, then collarbone. I straighten my legs. A clear signal to put me down. He obeys with a frown. I straighten my clothes and clear my throat. “The suit is perfect.”
I exit the dressing room, leaving Holden to change, walk past the sales lady and outside. The fresh air rushes me. I inhale deeply and smile. A smile that reaches all the way up to the corners of my eyes.