HAPTER 6
Nick carried me up to our second-floor master bedroom, planting slow, tender kisses along my collarbone and the side of my throat the entire time. Throwing my head back to give him greater access, I sighed with pleasure and ran a hand along the hard ridges of his back.
When we reached the master bathroom, he started the bath, lit a few red, cinnamon-and-vanilla scented candles on the wide ledge of the deep tub, and then slowly undressed me, the touch of his fingers on my skin making my knees a bit weak. Once every single stitch of my clothing was in a heap on the polished hardwood floor, he took a little step back from me and raked his gaze up and down my naked body, his breathing accelerating.
"Beautiful doesn't even describe you, Daisy. You're gorgeous. You're exquisite."
A little heat always rose to my cheeks whenever he looked at my naked body, and this time was no exception. Thought it wasn't the kind of heat that might rise to someone's face because of embarrassment or self-consciousness; this was something quite different. This kind of heat was more like from an excited little thrill to be examined so intimately by a man who obviously appreciated my body.
And soon, that obvious appreciation became more than apparent. We embraced and began kissing, and I felt Nick's long, thick rod pressing against the curve of my belly, fully erect. I loved it when our pre-intimacy activities got him so worked up to the point that his manhood actually seemed to be straining against his jeans, as it seemed to be doing right now. I became very interested in releasing it from its denim prison, but as soon as I began undoing Nick's belt, he broke the kiss and looked at me with his eyes glassy but twinkling.
"Don't tempt me with your touch yet. Or else you'll never make it into your bath."
I suddenly wasn't so sure if I cared.
But, with the edges of his mouth curving in a sexy half-grin, he gave me one last brief kiss, released me, and began heading out of the bathroom. "You enjoy a nice, warm soak while I light a few candles in the bedroom. I'll be back soon."
He closed the bathroom door, and I did as I was told, a little reluctantly. Though once I sank into the tub, warm water and bubbles enveloping me, I was glad I hadn't skipped my bath. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back against the sloped edge of the tub and breathed in the sweet scent of the red candles. Within a couple of minutes, I was in a state of complete relaxation, letting my thoughts wander. And it wasn't long before my thoughts wandered back to Nick's manhood, and how much pleasure he was able to give me with it. A tight, uncomfortable ache developed low in my belly, and I wondered how much longer before he was going to come back into the bathroom.
Fortunately, almost the moment I began wondering, he returned, wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs, the front of which was tented by his large pole. He was an incredible sight, one that many women might have called a vision of masculine perfection. I trailed my gaze up the length of his body, not only enjoying the sight of his fully erect rod beneath a thin layer of fabric, but his entire physique, from his muscular thighs to his six-pack abs, to his chiseled chest. With only one light on, the spacious bathroom was dimly-lit, and the warm light from the flickering candles alongside the tub made his lightly tanned skin even more golden-toned than usual.
He knelt beside the tub, wearing a sexy half-grin that I'd come to absolutely love. "Enjoying your bath?"
I moved my head in the slightest of nods, a bit dazzled by his golden, square-jawed handsome face. "Yes. I might be able to relax even more, though, if I could get a massage."
Nick's sexy half-grin became replaced by a comical, exaggerated frown.
"Well, where on earth would we find a masseur at this hour?"
Fighting giggles, I had to work hard to give him a look that I thought was sufficiently reproachful. "Stop."
He frowned even harder. "Stop what? I'm just wondering where on earth we'd find someone to give you a massage this late. Unless...." He raised his gaze to a point just a little above my head, still frowning, appearing to be deep in thought. "Unless I might actually give you a massage. Despite the fact that I'm not professionally trained."
"I think I'll let that fact go. I promise I won't demand to see your massage therapy license."
He returned his gaze to my face, his half-grin returning. "I'm relieved to hear it. Because there's nothing in the world I'd love to do more right now than run my hands all over your gorgeous, sexy, slippery body."
To my delight, he was soon doing just that. With his touch firm yet gentle, he ran his large, strong hands up my arms to my shoulders and down to my full breasts, which he kneaded lightly, making me whimper with pleasure. He seemed to be enjoying the activity as well, if a low growl rumbling in his throat was any indication.
After teasing my nipples by circling them with his thumbs for a little while, which greatly increased the frustrating ache in my belly, he moved his caressing touch lower, to my ribs, then to the sides of my stomach, and then to my soft hips, which he kneaded with his gaze locked on my feminine mound. When he spoke, his voice was husky.
"I hope I'm not getting to sound like a broken record, but my word, Daisy...you're the most exquisite creature I've ever seen. By far. By miles. You're just gorgeous. Every inch of you...an absolute work of art."
Even though he'd said similar things to me many times, there was no danger of him ever irritating me by sounding like a broken record. Him telling me how beautiful he found me gave me a little thrill, each and every time, and I knew there was no way I could ever get tired of it.
Running a bubble-covered hand along one of his muscular shoulders, I smiled, feasting my eyes on the hardened planes of his bare chest. "I love it when you tell me how beautiful you think I am. So please, promise me you'll never stop."
He leaned farther over the edge of the tub and brushed a kiss against my lips. "I promise. I never will."
He continued the massage, kneading my upper legs and then my calves, and I became desperate for him to touch me a bit more intimately. But when I whispered this, he moved his head in a slight shake and spoke in a voice that was getting increasingly husky.
"Can't yet. A good masseur, licensed or not, always finishes a massage. And I haven't done your back yet. So, flip...and let me do my job so I don't get fired."
Smiling, I did as I was told, and the sound of a long, low growl rumbling in Nick's chest let me know that he very much appreciated the view. He briefly massaged my shoulders and back before moving his attentions to my rear, which he at first cupped and stroked before full-out kneading it with his breath coming in ragged gasps.
This didn't last very long. I soon found myself being gently turned back onto my back and then lifted out of the tub. Seeming to forget that most people liked to towel off after a bath or shower, Nick carried me out to the candlelit bedroom in his strong arms, kissing me hungrily. I didn't mind at all not having the chance to towel off. I was too busy thinking about satisfying the frustrating ache low in my belly, which by this time was becoming unbearable. Not to mention that being completely wet and slippery kind of felt sexy and fun anyway.
Nick set me down on the four-poster bed, climbed in beside me after kicking off his boxer briefs, and then resumed kissing me while lying on his side. I became absolutely desperate for him to touch me. And very soon, as if reading my mind, he moved a hand to my legs, gently parted them, and began exploring my slick feminine folds. When he located my throbbing feminine bud and began stroking it with a single fingertip, I moaned, breaking the kiss.
It wasn't long before I whispered that I needed him inside of me, and he seemed more than happy to comply with this request. He began climbing on top of me, but I stopped him with a hand on his chest and whispered again.
"No. The other way. The way that makes me feel a bit naughtier than usual."
The way I was referring to was me on my hands and knees and him behind me. This had been one of the last positions that we'd tried together, and I had discovered that it really, really worked for me. Nick seemed to get quite a bit of pleasure from it, also.
After helping me into position, he guided the head of his manhood to my feminine entrance and then plunged his granite-hard rod into my slick depths with one slow, powerful thrust. I cried out, the exquisite sensation of being completely and totally filled almost more than I could take. Gripping my hips, Nick soon began thrusting in and out of me with long, unhurried strokes, groaning. And a while later, I cried out again, my pleasure reaching a dizzying, lofty peak. Almost simultaneously, Nick growled his own release, thrusting his very considerable length into me deeper than he ever had before.
A short while later, after Nick had blown out all the candles and returned to bed, we fell asleep locked in an embrace, our fingers and limbs entwined.
The next morning was Sunday, when he'd usually bring me breakfast in bed, something I loved. We'd then enjoy the meal in bed together, and it usually led to enjoying other activities together, followed by a long, steamy shower.
But when I awoke, Nick wasn't beside me, and I didn't hear any distant sounds indicating that he was downstairs making breakfast. I sat up, wondering where on earth he could be. A quick check of the bathroom only left me with more questions than answers. A damp towel in addition to a few little puddles of water on the floor told me that he'd already showered. Without me. I just couldn't fathom why. Or where he might be now.
But halfway down the stairs to the ground floor, it finally hit me. Alexandria had likely arrived, and he'd probably gone out to thank her for coming and welcome her to town. A note on the kitchen table confirmed this, and my heart sank. However, I reminded myself, Alexandria coming to town was actually a good thing. She'd give Nick the increased strength he needed in order to deal with Ezra swiftly. And in the meantime, I had nothing to worry about. Nick loved me and me alone, and I trusted him. Though I couldn't deny that it was going to be difficult seeing him spending time with another woman. Even if they were "working."
Gazing out a window above the sink, I was sipping a mug of tea when Nick returned home and came into the kitchen.
I turned from the window, suddenly a bit anxious for some reason. "Good morning."
I searched his face, not even exactly sure what I was searching for. It wasn't like I actually expected to see a sign on his forehead reading I now have feelings for Alexandria again or anything. But, to my relief, whatever I was searching for wasn't there. Nick looked completely normal, except maybe just the slightest bit anxious, like I was.
He came over to where I stood and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "Good morning. And sorry. Sorry I didn't bring up breakfast for us this morning. When I came down here to cook us something, Damien knocked and told me that Alexandria had just arrived, and I figured I should go out to greet her and show her to the cabin she'll be staying in for the next few days. So, I went back up and grabbed a quick shower, and...." Exhaling in a rush, Nick raked a hand through his thick, dark blond hair. "Sorry, sweetheart. I can cook something for us now if you'd like."
I'd suddenly lost my appetite.
"That's okay. I'm actually not super hungry, and Katie's going to be stopping by later this morning to talk about my plans for the children's museum and to help me figure everything out, so I should probably hop in the shower and get dressed."
A few weeks after my arrival in Crystal Falls, once Nick and I had settled into a happy, love-filled daily routine, I'd realized that I didn't have a daily purpose or job, which was maybe one of the only things I missed about my hometown, where I'd worked at the museum. Nick had assured me that I didn't necessarily have to work, but after I'd assured him that I really wanted to, he'd tried to help me come up with a few ideas for jobs I might want to have. But none of the possible jobs really appealed to me. It was Katie who'd suggested that maybe Crystal Falls needed a museum of its own. I could run it, give tours, and even hold special events for kids. And then, the more we'd talked about it, I'd decided that I wanted to make the whole museum primarily geared toward kids. Nick had said the idea was wonderful, and he gave me a building to use right next to Katie's clothing boutique.
Now, in response to me saying I should probably skip breakfast in order to be showered and dressed by the time Katie arrived, Nick searched my face, frowning just slightly. "You sure?"
I nodded. "Positive. I'm really not even hungry. But if you are, I could make something for you."
He gave his head a quick shake. "Thanks, but no. I'm not very hungry, either. And I should really get back to Alexandria. She's going to start the spell-work on me today, and believe it or not, she actually wants me to have a few sparring sessions while in dragon form while she does it. Says that if the spells are performed while a shifter is in mid-fight, even if it's not a true fight or a very serious one, it helps the magic to 'take,' so to speak. Helps it to 'set' and give the shifter increased strength for fighting if the spell is performed while that shifter is engaged in combat. Speaking of which, Damien's already volunteered to be my sparring partner, and I can't say I won't enjoy giving him a few swipes upside the head."
After a few hasty gulps of coffee, Nick said he should really get going, gave me a quick kiss, and flew out the front door. When he'd spoken the words "I should really get back to Alexandria," it had bothered me, though not because I thought his reason for wanting to "get back to her" had to do with anything beyond wanting to start the spell-work. But still, something about hearing his words just hadn't felt great. Had even hurt just a tiny little bit for some reason.
However, I knew I had no reason to dwell on the words he'd spoken. There was no point. And it would only get me worked up about nothing.
An hour or so later, I'd showered and dressed, and had just finished tidying up a few rooms in the massive cabin when Katie knocked on the door. Over a brunch of toast, eggs, and fruit at the kitchen table, we talked about some of my plans and goals for the museum while I periodically put down my fork to pick up a pencil and jot things down on a piece of paper. And for a while, I managed to forget all about Nick and Alexandria. For a while, the bright September sunshine streaming in through the kitchen windows mirrored my mood.
But once we'd finished eating and discussing most of my plans, my thoughts once again returned to my still-fairly-new boyfriend spending time with his ex-girlfriend.
While Katie sipped the last of her tea, I set my pencil down with a sigh. "I guess maybe this is everything we need to figure out for right now, and thanks so much for helping me with all this. Doing all this planning has really helped take my mind off things for a bit.
But now...." Pushing my plate away, I sighed again. "I just have a feeling I'm going to be a little distracted all day. And for the next several days, probably. I trust Nick, and I know there won't be any funny business going on between him and Alexandria, but I'm still just not feeling super thrilled about all this. Even though I know it's all for the cause. All so that I can stop looking over my shoulder, wondering how Ezra is going to try to kidnap me next, just because I happen to have a star-shaped birthmark on my hand."
Katie set her mug down. "I know you trust Nick, and I think you're right to, but do you think it might make you feel better if you actually observed him and Alexandria together? If you could watch her doing the spells, just so you could see with your own eyes that nothing funny is going on?"
Realizing that it might, I nodded. "Maybe. And actually, yes. I do think it might help if I could kind of just 'babysit' this situation a little. And in fact, if I do it today, it might even put my mind at ease enough that I won't even feel the need to do it for the rest of the days Alexandria is here. Maybe I just need to reassure myself that there are no romantic vibes between her and Nick or anything, and then I'll be fine."
Katie pulled her long red curls over one shoulder. "I think that's entirely possible. So, why don't we get going? I heard Nick and Damien are going to be sparring out in the clearing behind the cabin, here, in a while, and I know there's going to be a little group that's coming to watch them. And just in case it's a big group...." She gave me a tiny wink, smiling. "We should go get good seats."
Even though we left the cabin right away, Nick and Damien were already sparring in dragon form above the wide, quarter-mile-long clearing bordering the forest when we arrived. If sparring could even be considered the right word, that is. It honestly looked like they were really fighting.
While Katie and I took seats on the grass next to a few dozen onlookers, she whispered to me. "Let's hope this doesn't get too wild. They already look like they're about ready to kill each other."