Although they talked on the phone every day he’d been gone, the six days had dragged for Jonathan. “Is it too late to come over?” he asked into the phone after he and Nicole exchanged hellos. “I cut my trip short. I’m almost to Evergreen. I know you’re upset about having to euthanize that dog today, and I thought you might want company.”

Nicole’s sigh came over the line. “I’m still sad, but I’ll be okay. It’s not too late. I’d love to see you.”

He let out a relieved breath. He’d missed her more than he’d thought possible. Soon Jonathan strode up Nicole’s walkway, and his heart beat faster with each step. The chirp of cicadas surrounded him, as if urging him on. Stars in the night sky beamed down, but guilt also knotted in his gut. It was time he told her the truth. A small voice begged him to wait. He’d been hurt before, but he was sure Nicole wasn’t like the others. Still, he would listen to the voice. It couldn’t hurt to wait a little longer.

Pushing away his doubts and anxieties, he rang the bell. Almost immediately, the door opened and Nicole, dressed in white shorts and a yellow tank top, barefoot, stood there. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, wild and sexy. Her beauty stole his breath and made his words lodge in his throat. The sadness in her red-rimmed eyes touched a chord deep inside him. He wanted to hold her until she smiled again.

“Jonathan,” she said on a breathy whisper.

He slipped through the door, and she closed it after him. He found his voice. “You sounded so sad on the phone.” He gathered her to him.

She hugged him and pressed her cheek against his chest. “You’d think I’d be used to it by now. Euthanizing animals is part of my job. But Ellie was the sweetest collie. I cried along with her owners today.”

He rubbed his hand up and down Nicole’s back. “You have feelings and a heart. Of course you’re going to be sad whenever you have to put an animal down.” He kissed her temple. “Don’t ever change, Nicole.” They stood wrapped in each other’s arms.

Finally, she pulled away and looked up at him with tears glistening in her eyes. “I missed you.”

He cupped the curve of her jaw as pleasure and desire poured through him. His heart felt about to burst. “I missed you too.” He kissed her gently. She needed comforting tonight. His libido could wait. “Have you eaten?” he asked.

“A little. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“You relax, and I’ll take care of you. Do you have ice cream?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll make you the Brand family famous ice cream shake. My mother always made it for me when I was upset.”

Nicole touched his face. “You’re good to me.”

He kissed her hand. “I enjoy taking care of you. Now, go sit and relax.” He headed toward the kitchen.

“How was your mother?” Nicole asked, stopping him.

He turned from the kitchen doorway. “She’s good. Very good. She has a more active social life than I do.”

Nicole laughed. “And how did Ebony and Bandit make out with you gone?”

“I spoke to Amy, their sitter, every day. She spoils them. I think the cats want me to go away more often.” Smiling, Nicole disappeared into the living room. Jonathan hurried to make her the Brand family shake.

* * *

Sitting on the sofa, Nicole spooned the last of the luscious shake into her mouth, enjoying the comforting slide of it down her throat. “This was delicious. I don’t know what you did to make it so creamy and chocolaty, but it tastes better than any other shake I’ve had.”

He smiled. “Someday I’ll give you my super-secret recipe.”

She laughed then looked into his eyes. “Thanks for coming over—and most of all, for understanding.”

“My pleasure,” Jonathan said. “I knew how distraught you were. I wanted to do whatever I could to help.” He set his empty glass on the table next to hers then slid his arm across her shoulders and drew her close.

Her two cats, after warily studying him, had curled up together on the other end of the sofa. Turning, Nicole skimmed a finger over his lips. “You have helped, tremendously.”

He gave her a wide smile that warmed her to her toes. “I’m glad. Whenever I have one of these shakes it takes me back to my childhood.”

Moving slightly away, she met his gaze, wondering if this was one question he would answer. “Did you have a happy childhood?”

He laughed, surprising her. “Yes, very happy…and very boring. My sisters like to say we had a Brady Bunch childhood, but without all those kids and without the housekeeper.”

Nicole glanced away. “Mine wasn’t even close to that.”

He touched her chin, forcing her to look at him. “What was your childhood like? Any siblings? Are your parents still together? I want to know all about you.”

Maybe it was the softness and caring in his eyes, but suddenly she wanted to tell him everything, to share things she’d only told to Jen and Erin. She settled against him and stared across the room, letting the memories fill her. “My dad left when I was two. I have no idea where he is or even if he’s alive. My mother and grandmother raised me. I love them dearly, but they weren’t always very good role models. Between them, they have had seven marriages. They never pick men who want to stick around.”

He hugged her closer. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed. “I’m okay with it now, but I grew up with a lot of…instability. I threw myself into school and studying. It was my way of controlling my life.” She looked down and rolled the hem of her tank top between her fingers. “I decided a long time ago that I wouldn’t get married. We Caruso women aren’t good at it. And most men didn’t stay around anyway.”

“You can’t judge yourself by your mom and grandmother,” Jonathan objected. “You’re a wonderful, warm person, Nicole. You’ll make some man a terrific wife, and you’ll be a good mother.”

She raised her gaze to his. “You don’t know me that well.”

His eyes softened into green velvet. “I know what’s important to know about you. Except…have you ever been in a serious relationship?”

“Once. I don’t like to talk about it.”

“Then we won’t. Not until and unless you want to.” He smiled. “You’re a hell of a woman, Nicole. Any man should be proud to call you his.”

The warmth and huskiness of his voice, along with his trust and willingness to wait upon her comfort, loosened some of the fears and doubts that had gripped her heart through the years. “You’re a good man, Jonathan Brand.”

She wanted him suddenly, wanted all of him, body and soul, in a way she’d never wanted any other man. Hungrily she wound her arms around his neck and lifted her face for his kiss. He was quick to deliver. His lips, soft at first, grew more demanding, and Nicole’s whole body seemed to come alive at his touch. She opened to him, twining her tongue with his in an erotic dance. When he slid his hand up her ribcage to caress her breast through the thin fabric of the tank top, she groaned.

He lay back, pulling her with him until she was on top of him. He cradled her face between his hands. “I want you.”

Her old anxieties threatened again. She pushed them away. She needed this night with this man. With a smile, she nodded.

“Nicole,” he whispered, his voice filled with longing and wonder. He gently pulled her tank top over her head, and her naked breasts were exposed to his desire-filled eyes. “Beautiful.” He caressed her and took one hard nipple into his mouth, sucking and licking until she was a puddle of need.

Slipping off the sofa, Nicole stood and held out her hand to him. “Let’s go into the bedroom.”