Chapter 48
Kitty glanced in the rear-view mirror and frowned. She kept her worries to herself, as Nick was in the back, cradling a sleeping Emily. He’d had more than enough to deal with for one day. Kitty took a sharp left down a single-track lane, then checked behind. The car was still there.
It couldn’t be a coincidence that the same vehicle had been behind them ever since they left the hospital. Of course it’s a coincidence, Kitty told herself. She glanced into the footwell and saw the scrunched-up note she’d found stuck on her windscreen, and wasn’t so sure.
Her shoulders sagged with relief as she pulled her car to a stop in Nick’s driveway. Kitty climbed out and opened the door. ‘Do you want me to lift her out?’ she asked, pointing to Emily.
‘It’s OK,’ said Nick, ‘I can manage. Hold on.’ He wriggled himself out of the car, Emily in his arms. ‘Can you grab my house keys? They’re in my left pocket.’
‘Sure,’ said Kitty, grateful for the darkness that hid her blush as she fumbled around in Nick’s tight work trousers. She pulled out a bunch of keys, and he grinned at her.
‘Thanks.’
The sound of an engine caused Kitty to turn. A black hatchback slid past. She was certain the driver had been watching them, but in the dark it was impossible to see who was behind the wheel.
‘Bit late for someone to be out for a drive,’ said Nick.
‘It is.’ Kitty walked to the edge of the drive. There was no sign of the car.
‘Do you think you could open the door?’
‘Sorry,’ said Kitty, running to Nick. She unlocked the door and stepped aside to let him pass.
‘Do you mind putting the kettle on before you go?’ he whispered. ‘It’s stupidly late, but there’s no way I’ll be able to go straight to sleep. There’s a box of decaf tea in a cupboard somewhere. I’ll dig it out once I’ve got Emily to bed.’
As Nick disappeared down the corridor, Kitty checked her watch. It was one in the morning, and she should get to bed. She lifted her shoulders, letting them relax. Like Nick, she was wired, both from hours spent at the hospital and from the anxiety of being followed.
She clicked on the kettle and grabbed two mugs.
Perhaps Nick needed time alone, although Kitty had a feeling he could use some company.
She rummaged and found decaf teabags, the image of the black hatchback prowling around outside filling her mind.
If she were honest, she couldn’t face the thought of returning to her empty cottage.
‘Oh,’ said Nick as he appeared in the kitchen. ‘I thought you would have gone home.’
Kitty handed him a mug of tea. ‘I can leave if you want.’
‘No, that’s not what I meant.’ Nick ran a hand through his hair.
His face was lined with exhaustion. Exhausted yet still gorgeous, thought Kitty. How was that humanly possible?
‘I’m pleased you stayed.’ He carried his mug through to the living room, and Kitty followed.
The space could look stark in daylight. In the light of a single floor lamp, it was far cosier. They sat on the sofa, and Kitty kicked off her sandals, crossed her legs, and tucked her feet beneath her. She blew on her tea, then took a sip. ‘You’ve had quite the day.’
Nick turned to her and smiled, and her stomach flipped. Most of his face was in shadow, giving him the look of a photograph you’d find in a high-end fashion magazine.
‘Thanks so much for coming to the hospital,’ he said. ‘I would have gone out of my mind if I’d been alone.’
‘You would have managed fine,’ said Kitty. ‘You’re a brilliant dad.’
Nick stared into his mug. ‘Thanks.’ His voice was gruff, and Kitty wondered if it was from emotion or tiredness.
From the corner of her eye, Kitty saw a flash against the inky night sky. She climbed off the sofa and walked to the bifold doors. ‘I think I saw a shooting star.’
Nick joined her, unlocked the doors, and stepped outside. ‘Come on,’ he said, holding out a hand. ‘There’s no chance Emily’s going to wake up now. Let’s sit outside and watch the sky.’
Kitty took his hand, shivering as the cool night air tickled her skin. Nick led her to the outdoor sofa.
‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he said, returning moments later with a blanket. ‘Sorry, I could only find one. Budge up.’
Kitty shuffled along and he sat beside her.
Her body instantly warmed as his thigh pressed against hers.
The last time her body had responded like this, she’d been a teenager blushing over Kieron Donnelly, the resident school heartthrob.
Kitty shuffled in her seat and beneath the blanket.
Her hand brushed Nick’s, sending a bolt of electricity through her.
As his fingers wrapped around hers, Kitty held her breath.
‘Kitty.’
When she turned, she was so close she could count the flashes of gold in his hazel eyes.
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, then leaned forward to kiss the delicate skin on her neck.
Kitty groaned with longing, and Nick pressed himself closer.
His kisses traced the line of her jaw, trailing down her neck and as far as the opening of her shirt before weaving their way up to her face.
By the time he reached her lips, Kitty was close to combustion.
She met his kisses with a hunger that shocked her.
As their limbs entwined and their hands explored the new territory of each other’s bodies, a series of shooting stars filled the sky above them. They missed every single one.