Chapter 14
Helena knew the ice tea had bourbon in it.
It was hidden, but it was just too strong for her so she didn’t drink it.
The food was delicious, but she didn’t believe that aphrodisiacs actually worked.
What had gotten her so turned on was Nolan himself.
He was telling her about himself and every single thing he said was a green flag.
Twenty minutes in and it wasn’t just a parade, but a parade of green flags with fireworks, marching bands, and a headline superstar singer.
Nolan was kind, not only to those he wanted to be kind to, but to everyone.
He could still stand his ground. And when he did, people listened because he wasn’t an asshole about it.
He never thought he was too good for something.
He was humble, taking praise with a blush, but making sure to heap it on her in return.
He loved to listen and would ask her in-depth questions about her hopes and dreams and if she was happy.
Then ask follow-up questions because he sincerely cared.
He didn’t look at his phone once. He kept his eyes on her and they seemed to drink her in.
In twenty minutes of conversation, he’d made her feel more seen and appreciated than any man she’d dated before.
That was what had her so turned on she couldn’t sit still in the booth.
So, she’d begun to count dates. Why? Because it was a rule she’d set for herself.
One she had never broken. Three dates before sex.
Sadly, it weeded out a staggering number of men, which is why she’d had that rule in the first place.
“Hel, are you sure?” Nolan asked her again as he closed the door behind her. “I don’t want you to feel rushed. I can wait.”
“Don’t you dare wait! There are four walls.
Take your pick as long as you have me up against one.
” Helena was nearly frantic. Not only had the conversation been a turn on, but then Nolan had lifted two massive guys up and moved them as if they were nothing.
Again, not a single man in her circle could do that.
They might think they could. They couldn’t.
Then Nolan had carried her across town, and if she hadn’t been in a lust-filled frenzy beforehand, she was by the time they reached his apartment.
Smart, kind, sexy, caring . . . Nolan was the total package.
“I’m sure, but I just wanted to make sure you were.
I do have a bed too.” Nolan seemed self-conscious and maybe it was because she’d told him stories of the men in her circle—the ones with the two-hundred-thousand-dollar cars and the multimillion-dollar penthouses.
However, they were all douches. She’d told him that too.
This was new for both of them. She certainly wasn’t a small-town girl like he was used to either.
Helena glanced around the apartment. “Do you have a cleaning service?” she asked because the place smelled clean with a hint of masculine scents that a cleaning service might spray.
Everything was neat and orderly. Even the blanket on the couch was folded.
The place was filled with leather furniture.
Worn, but in good condition. A large television was on one wall.
A renovated kitchen took up space to the left.
Then a hall, and at the end of it was an open bedroom door.
She saw the bottom part of a made bed with a beige comforter.
“Um, no. Don’t really have the money for that. Besides, I like cleaning. It’s zen for me.”
“Marry me.”
Nolan chuckled. “I didn’t know that was such a turn on. Not having enough money for a cleaning service.”
“Don’t care about the money. I care that you’re a man who cooks and picks up after himself. In the short time we’ve been together, you have done nothing but look out for me and support me without being an ass about it. And yeah, a man who cleans is a massive turn-on. Massive.”
“Then let me show you how clean my bedroom is. I even wipe down the baseboards,” Nolan whispered seductively.
“Holy hell. Keep talking dirty to me.” And she wasn’t joking. Neither was he. His room was simple, masculine, and clean. There wasn’t even a pair of socks on the floor.
“I clean the bathroom grout with a toothbrush.” Nolan set her down on the bed. “I use scented laundry detergent.” Helena sniffed the pillow and groaned. It smelled so fresh and clean. Nolan moved to yank off his shirt. “I know how to fold a fitted sheet.”
That did it. Helena couldn’t wait any longer. She reached down and yanked off her clothes. “You need to be naked. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nolan kicked off his shoes and then tugged down his pants.
Definitely not like the men in her circle.
He had muscles everywhere. And there wasn’t a bit of Botox or filler anywhere on his face or body.
She didn’t know the last time she saw someone who hadn’t had some kind of work done.
He had a smattering of hair on his chest. Not too much, but it was so sexy after seeing nothing but waxed and oiled chests.
Especially the little trail that pointed right to his . . .
She didn’t get a chance to stare because, again, Nolan showed he wasn’t like the men she was used to.
Nolan grabbed her ankles, pulled her legs wide, and dropped to his knees.
One touch of his tongue and she was a goner.
Thoughts stopped. Her mind exploded in pleasure.
Lights danced behind her eyes. She might have cursed.
She might have spoken a different language as she clutched his head until her body went limp.
Helena opened her eyes when Nolan began to crawl up the bed. “That was . . . wow. I can’t wait to see what you do next.”
Nolan chuckled and then reached into the drawer for a condom. “Are you s—”
“Yes! Please, Nolan. You’ve reduced me to begging.”
“My hellion should never beg. After this, you never will again. Anytime you want an orgasm, you tell me and it’s all yours.”
“I’ll take an orgasm, please,” Helena joked as if ordering dinner.
“Whatever my girlfriend wants, she gets.”
And, boy howdy, did Nolan deliver. She thought he might hesitate since he’d been making sure she was okay with this every step of the way.
But he didn’t. He surged into her in one stroke that had her eyes rolling into the back of her head.
Nolan made love like she imagined he fought fires.
He made love to her with confidence, precision, and attention to every detail while being completely fearless.
He noticed if she moaned, if she sighed, and if she didn’t.
He logged it all and used it to leave her clutching his biceps and screaming his name.
Nolan woke with a smile. Helena’s head was on his shoulder and one hand was resting over his heart on his chest. He wanted to wake up this way every day for the rest of his life.
From the vicinity of the floor he heard a constant vibration. He sighed, wondering if it was his phone or not. He was off today at the station and had a bunch of managerial things to do downstairs. However, if it were an emergency, he’d be called in.
“That better not be your phone,” Helena grumbled as she refused to move.
Nolan chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Coffee?”
“You’re so perfect. But yes, of course coffee.” Helena rolled off of him and buried her face in the pillow.
“Hel, it’s not my phone,” Nolan said, reaching down to the floor and picking up the offending phone. He frowned as he saw the number. “Interpol.”
“Crap!” Helena moved fast. She bolted up and grabbed the phone he was holding out. “Hello.”
Nolan went and turned on the coffee as he heard her talking. He wanted to give her privacy since he didn’t know if this was confidential. The coffee was made and he put it in a mug and then stared at it. How did she like her coffee?
“I have to go.” Helena practically ran through the kitchen.
“Whoa! What’s going on? Are you allowed to tell me? Also, how do you like your coffee?”
“Two sugars and a splash of milk.” Helena took a deep breath.
“My witnesses, who are in hiding, were attacked. Garang found them. Three officers were killed and my witnesses managed to escape on their own. They found their way to the police station and called Interpol. I have to get to them and protect them.”
Nolan grabbed his phone and was already texting. “Bring them here.”
“Interpol isn’t going to bring them here.
It’s hard to hide here. My witnesses will stick out like a sore thumb.
” Helena took a sip of her coffee as her fingers flew over her phone.
“I can get a flight to Paris out of Cincinnati in four hours.” A second later she cursed.
“Interpol is calling again.” Helena answered it and she stared at Nolan in surprise.
“Yes, I’ve heard of the Rahmi royal family in Keeneston, Kentucky. ”
Nolan grinned.
“They what?” Nolan heard her say with surprise.
She was quiet as she listened, but her eyes never left Nolan’s.
“Yes, Agent. We’ll be ready for them.” Helena hung up and narrowed her eyes at him.
“The royal family called Interpol and offered my witnesses a place to stay at their security center. How did you do that?”
“I texted Gabe. We’re friends. We help each other out around here.”
“You just casually texted a prince. Okay, but now not only will I be here, but so will my witnesses. We’ll be easy targets!”
Nolan shrugged. “They think you’ll be easy targets.
The town is getting bored. Even our past PTA president, Pam, suggested we do this yesterday.
We’ve got you.” Nolan leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips.
“I have to shower and get to work. I’ll drop you off at the farm so you can get a good look at it.
Then, if I’m still working, Kori can drive you anywhere you want to go.
Oh, and don’t eat dinner. I want to cook for you tonight. ”
“Are you trying to turn me on by saving the day and being all manly and domestic at the same time?”
Nolan winked at her. “Is it working?”
His little hellion winked back. “How big is your shower?”