Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Nic had waited a long, long time for this.
For years, he’d settled for casual, not willing to get deeply involved with any woman he knew wasn’t going to be for him over the long haul.
But with Imogen, everything felt different.
She felt different. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been looking for a man, nor was she the type to even consider hollering at him.
Or maybe Leo was right, and there was something about that Irish blood and the New Orleans weather.
Whatever it was, he was totally taken by her.
Whether they were eating beignets in his breakfast room or poached pears on the deck of the best non-kidnapping ship on the Mississippi, Nic just loved being with her.
She hadn’t panicked. She’d immediately begun problem-solving.
She hadn’t frozen when it came time to leap. She’d held his hand and jumped.
She appreciated his all-time favorite chef, which meant she had phenomenal taste.
And even more importantly, she was kind and polite to everyone, whether it was a valet, a restaurant host, a server, the man who hadn’t really kidnapped her sister, or Havit.
All of those things and every other reason he’d already mentally listed in the past twenty-four or so hours blended together into a tapestry that spelled keeper for him.
So what if she lived on Grand Island? He only had to be in NOLA two days per week. He could paint anywhere the light was good. And a change of pace never hurt anyone. However it worked out, it would work out.
But for now, as he pulled out her chair so she could rise from the table, a walk on the deck was exactly what he wanted to do with her.
In her green-and-white checked dress, all she needed was a parasol to look like she’d come from a different era. He committed her image to memory as she stared out over the side of the ship, watching the levee and everything beyond it pass by.
“I’ve never gone by river to the Gulf before. Have you?”
“Not even once,” he replied.
“I’ve driven to the island so many times, but this is a totally different experience.”
“You look beautiful,” he replied. “Like a portrait I’d love to paint.”
She turned, and the light breeze fluttered her flame-colored ponytail across her shoulder. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“It’s not a line. I almost never paint real people.”
“Really?”
“I tattoo them. Turn them into art instead. Plus, two days per week tops off my peopling meter most of the time.”
“You are the most interesting person I think I’ve ever met.”
“Good. That means you’ll stick around and be less likely to get bored.”
“Bored? What’s that?” Imogen laughed. “I never get bored. Life has way too much to offer to be bored.”
And that was it. That was the moment Nic fell in love.
“I’ve never heard anyone else say that but me,” he said quietly as she turned to look at him as the coastline slid by.
“You get it then.”
“Absolutely.”
She slid her hand into his much larger one. “Then let’s be not bored together.”
“Whatcha doing for the rest of your life, girl? ’Cause that sounds perfect to me.”
Her smile was brilliant. Brighter than the shining sun.
“Watch what you say, handsome, or you might accidentally be stuck with me forever.”
“Wouldn’t be an accident.” He lifted his hand to brush a tendril out of her face.
“How are you even real? How can this be real? I met you two days ago …”
“You think hearts care about hours and minutes? People made those up.”
Imogen breathed out. “You’re right.”
“I know. Just let it happen. We’re both halfway there already.”
“Just halfway? Is that all?” she whispered.
He shook his head slowly and leaned in for a kiss. Against her lips, he whispered, “I’m all the way there with you, girl.”
She kissed him back, long, slow, and deep. Like time didn’t exist and the only thing in the entire world that mattered was them.
If they weren’t on the deck of a ship, Imogen would surely have fallen into bed or onto any flat surface with him.
His very presence and his Southern charm were devastating to her senses—and her panties.
Imogen had had no idea something like this was even possible. But it was. Because she was here. In his arms. And she was falling all the way too.
Finally, he turned her gently. She let their lips slip apart, and he settled her against him with her back pressed to his front, his arms wrapped around her and their fingers twined together.
“I had to slow down,” he whispered into her ear. “You’re living, breathing temptation.”
Imogen let out a ragged breath as her chest rose and fell. “I know what you mean.” She thought of the cabin Leo’s man had shown them before they came up on deck for food.
“Later,” he whispered in her ear.
She shuddered as the chills from his breath rippled through her. “Promise?”
He groaned quietly, “Promise.”
Imogen couldn’t help it as she pressed her butt into the cradle of his hips.
“Careful. I’m not into exhibitionism, but that skirt of yours … let’s just say, being a gentleman is all that’s holding me back.”
Imogen squeezed her legs together to assuage the ache his words had stoked. His fingers tightened their grip on hers. A throat cleared behind them.
“I hope I am not interrupting.”
She and Nic turned as one to see Leo behind them. He was holding out a phone.
“No, sir. What can we do for you? And thanks for lunch. As always, Havit is phenomenal.”
Leo gestured with the phone, and Nic finally released her hands to take it.
“I assume it is the Kilgore parents. You may want to reply for your sister so as not to raise their alarm.”
Nic passed her the phone, and she read the messages on the screen.
“You are correct. Mom and Dad knew I had a date, but Jury was supposed to meet them for an early dinner.”
“You know her passcode?”
Imogen typed it in as she nodded. “I know my sister. And it worked.” She lifted her gaze to Leo. “You didn’t trust her to reply?”
“Not yet. And besides, she’s in the shower.”
Shower? Imogen wondered, but didn’t feel like it was her place to ask questions.
She typed out a reply.
Jury
Met Imogen and went on a river cruise with her friend. We won’t be back until tomorrow. I think Im is falling in love and needed a wingman.
She hit Send, and within seconds, Mom replied.
Mom
Thank the Lord! Don’t worry about us. Take your time. Have fun. Tell Im we love her and YAYYYYY!
Imogen smiled.
Jury
Love you guys!
“All good?”
“Perfect.” She locked the phone and handed it back to Leo. “No worries. They’re fine. I’ll keep them posted if we delay further than tomorrow.”
“Just like that, they’re fine?”
“Yeah. They’re good parents. They just want us to be happy.”
“Any parent that accepted Mount as a son-in-law would have to be unique indeed.”
Imogen’s heart panged. “Well, I don’t think there was much option when it came to accepting him, if I’m being honest.”
“All the same.” He slid the phone in the inner pocket of his suit jacket, which reminded her of Nic’s from dinner.
“Do you two have the same tailor?” Imogen asked, looking from Leo to Nic.
“But of course,” Leo replied.
“Best in the South,” Nic added, sliding his arm around her and pulling her into his embrace once more.