Chapter Ten #2
“I might just do that.” Zach patted her hand. “But I want to spend as much of it as possible with Nick.” She stopped again, and Zach was shocked to see her eyes glistening. “Hey, what is this? What’s wrong?”
Mom removed a tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes.
“You just reminded me of something, that’s all.
” She took a deep breath, visibly regaining control.
“I met your dad in college during my final year. When the holidays arrived, his family was expecting him home as soon as classes finished. It was the same for me. Only…” There was a faraway look in her eyes.
“Your dad found us a hotel, and we stayed there for a week. Neither of us wanted to leave the other.”
Zach bit back a smile. “Mom.” He laced his voice with mock horror. “You guys weren’t married.”
She whacked his arm. “Don’t you give me that. Okay, so your grandparents would’ve had a fit if they’d found out. They thought I was staying with a girlfriend. How times have changed. You have things so much easier than we did.”
“How did you feel, checking into a hotel with him?”
Mom’s eyes widened. “So guilty. I couldn’t look the clerk in the eye.” She chuckled. “And now look at me. Checking into the same room as Lee before our wedding day.”
He couldn’t resist. “Like you weren’t getting busy before that.
” When she gaped at him, Zach held up his hands.
“Hey, turnabout is fair play. You didn’t have any problems teasing Nick and I.
” Then he relented. “I’m sure that was purely in the spirit of doing a favor for the hotel though.
Exceptional circumstances, right?” How Zach kept his face straight, he would never know.
She giggled. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“Okay, back to your first Christmas with Dad. How long had you known him by that point?” Because to Zach’s mind, it didn’t sound all that long.
“Since the beginning of October. And before you say a word, I would never have gone with him to that hotel if I hadn’t felt certain he was the man for me. When you know, you know.”
Zach was beginning to understand that feeling only too well.
Nick walked up to them. “Have you two changed your minds about the champagne? Because I’m sure Dad and I can manage to drink it all.”
Zach glared at him. “Don’t you come between me and my new favorite drink.” They followed Nick to the table Lee had found where a bottle of champagne was chilling in its cooler, and four glasses stood ready. As they approached, Lee poured the wine.
When everyone was seated, with a glass in hand, Lee raised his. “Welcome to my family, Zach.”
“I’ll second that,” Nick murmured. He clinked glasses with Zach, and they drank. Nick leaned in close. “Do you think they’ll be okay if we kiss?” he asked in a stage whisper.
Oh. Wow.
Dad cleared his throat. “I think that would depend on the kiss.”
Nick laughed before pressing his lips chastely against Zach’s cheek.
Zach feigned disgust. “That’s all I get?” It was a damn sight more than he’d ever expected.
Nick’s eyes sparkled. “For now.”
He coughed. “Wow, look at the time. Early night, anyone?” All three laughed at that.
“As long as I can stop by the shop first,” Nick said with a grin as Zach took a drink from his glass.
Champagne going down the wrong way was not pleasant.
“Nick?”
“Hmm?” It sounded as though Nick was already half asleep.
Zach was well on the way himself, but he wanted to enjoy the feel of Nick’s arms around him, Nick’s chest pressed against his back, and the sound of Nick’s even breathing.
“Just wanted to say… On Monday when I see you in the office?”
“Hmm?”
“Whatever expression I’m wearing, all you need to know is that I’ll be thinking of this moment, and waiting for the end of the day.”
“I was going to talk to you about that,” Nick murmured with a sigh. “Except I was going to wait till tomorrow. Oh well.” He shifted, and light flooded the room from the lamp beside the bed. He propped himself up on one elbow. “Think you can live without me for a few days?”
Zach stilled. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, we need to hold off until I’m no longer in charge of the branch.”
Zach was about to tell him no fucking way, until the logical part of his brain kicked in. “You don’t think we can keep this a secret, do you?”
Nick stroked his cheek. “I don’t want to jeopardize your job.
Once the office closes Tuesday, I’m out of there, and I doubt I’ll be back.
Actually, I’ll make sure I’m not. The safest thing is to inform HR of what’s going on.
Keep it all above board.” He locked gazes with Zach.
“So let’s wait, okay? Christmas Eve, I’ll come to your place, and we’ll spend as much time as we have together.
” His eyes were warm. “That’s if you want me in your bed.
I’d invite you to my apartment, but it’s not a home, just a rental place where I sleep, to be honest.”
If Zach had his way, Nick would spend the rest of his nights in Zach’s bed until they were... well, Lee and Mom’s age at least. He hated the idea of keeping his distance, but he knew in his heart Nick was right. What’s three days? We can do this.
Except he wasn’t thinking of the days—he was thinking of the nights.
But how many nights before he has to leave?
Zach wasn’t going to think about that part. I’ll take what I can get.
He took Nick’s hand in his, and kissed his fingertips. “Okay. As of Tuesday night, mi cama es su cama.”
“Huh?”
Zach chuckled. “That’s Spanish for ‘My bed is your bed.’”
“You speak Spanish?”
“It was one of my best subjects in high school. I don’t get much chance to use it.”
“Could you teach me some?”
“Seriously?”
Nick’s arm tightened around him. “How do you say, ‘Let’s make love’?”
Zach’s heart raced. “Hagamos el amor, I think. I’m a little rusty.” Then soft lips pressed against his neck, and Nick’s breath tickled his ear.
“Hagamos el amor.”
Zach shivered. “Con mucho gusto.”
Nick chuckled. “I’m going to guess that was a yes.”
Sleep could wait an hour.