Chapter 4 #2
But that was just the beer—and that red sweater talking. He wasn’t going to screw things up between them, not even with the firelight gleaming in her eyes like that.
He just needed to show some damn self-control.
Rose’s self-control was wearing thin. Sitting there, tucked cozily with Nick in the corner, sipping wine and joking over snacks, it all felt decidedly—disarmingly—like a date. And as for the steamy thoughts running through her mind…
Well, they weren’t just platonic.
What had come over her? Rose scolded herself.
She wasn’t usually this hot-blooded. In fact, she’d spent so long pining over Scott these past years, her real-life romantic entanglements had been few and far between.
Maybe that was the problem: she had all these pent-up hormones bouncing around her system, looking for some kind of outlet.
A charming, sexy, British outlet…
She bolted to her feet. “I better head home.” She blurted. “I’ve got another early start at the market tomorrow.”
She’d planned on putting a safe distance between her and Nick’s lips, but instead, he reached for his coat, too.
As they left the pub, Rose pulled her jacket more tightly around her.
After dark, there was no ignoring the winter temperatures on the Cape.
The brisk wind whipped around them, whistling through the bright, snowy square, and she shivered.
“Here, take this,” Nick said immediately, and handed her his scarf. It was cashmere, soft to the touch, and wrapped her in the faint scent of pine trees and cinnamon as she wound it around her neck.
She inhaled deeply, the scent bringing back memories of when she’d been wrapped up in his arms on the ice. Dammit, she needed to get that kiss out of her mind.
“You don’t need to walk me,” she said. Clearly, he thought she was throwing a pity party and needed bucking up, but Nick smiled.
“I need my beauty sleep too, if we’re going to wow the town with our athletic prowess and quick thinking.”
“It’s just a game,” she reminded him.
He laughed. “When it comes to competition, it’s never just a game.”
Their eyes caught, and Rose felt a rush of heat despite the chill. What about us? She wanted to ask. Was this almost flirting a game to him? The sizzling chemistry that seemed to flare out of nothing; the way she was painfully aware of his steady strides beside her as they crossed the street.
“You know, this might be the longest time we’ve ever spent together,” she said suddenly.
Nick paused. “You’re right.” he said, looking surprised. “Why is that, do you think?”
“You mean, besides the fact you’re usually off wining and dining some new conquest?
” she said, only half-teasing. “And I’m…
Not. Oh God,” she said, realizing something for the first time.
“I’m going to have to date again. All that awkward small talk and pretending to care about the guy’s model train fascination. ”
Nick laughed. “You must be doing something wrong if that’s what dating entails.”
“It’s alright for you,” Rose gave him a look. “You’re a man.”
“So?”
“So, you get to be a dashing bachelor, instead of a sad, pathetic spinster,” she argued, as they slowly strolled across the square.
“Plus, you don’t have your mom sending you articles from the internet every week, about how your fertility is plummeting, and how you’re running out of time to ever be happy again. ”
“I bet to differ,” Nick replied. “My mother has made no secret of the fact she wants grandbabies. Lots of them. Soon.”
“Are you going to oblige?” Rose asked, curious. Nick didn’t give any impression of wanting to settle down anytime soon. And sure enough, he gave a casual shrug.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve been told I’m enough of a handful as it is myself. Emotional maturity of a ten-year old,” he joked, but Rose just fixed him with a look.
“You don’t believe that.”
“My exes certainly do.”
“Come on.” She smiled. “You’re perfectly capable of acting like a grown man. You do it with me all the time.”
“Yes, but you’re my friend,” he replied.
A friend who’d offered himself up to her on a platter for a no-strings, palate-cleansing fling. Rose snuck another glance at him. Had he really meant it, what he’d said the other day, or was it all just part of his teasing charm?
And if she went ahead and took him up on the offer…
Just what would his reaction be?
She looked away, as the distant sound of singing drifted closer. “The carolers!” she exclaimed, and they moved closer, over to where a small crowd was gathering beside the gazebo. The singers were bundled up in coats and hats, singing ‘O Holy Night’ as silence fell around them in the square.
Rose watched, a tremor in her chest. Music like this never failed to move her, and with the lights glowing around them, and the sky dark overhead, it was a magical moment. The kind she’d always wanted to share with someone.
As if in answer, Nick moved a little closer beside her.
Or maybe that was just a coincidence, she told herself. After all, it was getting more crowded with people stopping to watch the singing. And when she snuck a glance at him, Nick had his eyes fixed on the carolers, smiling along.
She wasn’t on his mind at all.
She needed to be more like him, Rose decided. Cool and casual, and decidedly non-committal. Nick had kissed so many women, that their little encounter barely crossed his mind: he could just carry on as usual, without skipping a beat.
Meanwhile, she was so starved for romance that she was fixating on the smallest things.
Except…
It really had been an unforgettable kiss.
The singing ended, and there was a smattering of applause. Rose exhaled happily. “It’s one of my favorite things about the holidays,” she confided. “That, and all the food.”
“I’m with you on that,” Nick agreed. “Between the nog-off, and the pie contest, and all those fruitcake loaves…” He rubbed his stomach through his coat. “I’ll need a New Year’s work-out plan. Start working up a sweat again.”
Rose cleared her throat, fighting images of just how they could work up a sweat. “This is me,” she blurted, as they reached the florist shop.
Nick looked surprised. “You live here, too?”
“There’s a little apartment upstairs,” she explained. “My grandma left it with the shop, and with rents being so crazy…”
“Ah. Right. Makes sense.” Nick paused, his hands in his coat pockets. “Well, I’ll see you around then.”
“Tomorrow,” Rose reminded him. “For the next part of the scavenger hunt.”
“Of course. How could I forget?”
Rose paused a moment, confused. Nick was suddenly acting strangely, and it was like he was looking anywhere but at her. “Well… Good night,” she said. “Thanks for walking me.” She began to unwind his scarf, but he shook his head.
“Keep it,” he said.
“It’s fine.” She already had taken it off, so she looped it playfully around his neck, reaching up to tuck it under the collar of his coat. “There,” she said, smoothing it down.
Her hands lingered on his chest, of their own accord. She glanced up, meeting his eyes, and her breath hitched.
Oh.
The streetlights seemed to shine brighter around them; his gaze hot on hers. Nick took a step closer, and then another, and suddenly, Rose found herself pressed up against the door, caught between the hard frame and Nick’s equally solid chest.
She thought she heard him mutter under his breath, something that sounded like a curse, but then he leaned in, took her face in his hands, and captured her lips in a searing kiss.
Yes.
The touch of his mouth was enough to spark the fire in her blood that had been simmering all day.
Rose fell headlong into the kiss. She arched up, wrapping her arms around his neck, eagerly pressing closer, hungry for more.
His hands were in her hair; their tongues slid together, and Rose would happily have lost herself in the moment forever.
God, this man could kiss.
It was a rush of sensation: hot mouths and cool skin. Then suddenly, Nick pulled away.
Rose gave a moan of protest, still reeling from the feel of his mouth expertly exploring hers. More.
She wanted more.
But Nick was already putting a safe distance between them, the chill of the night air replacing his body heat against her skin. He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair.
“I—” Rose started to speak, but Nick interrupted her.
“That’ll give him something to think about,” he said, nodding down the street.
Rose followed his gaze, confused, and saw that someone was standing on the corner, watching them. She blinked. She was so wrapped up in Nick’s embrace, it took her a moment to even realize that it was Scott.
Her ex. The man she was supposed to be heartbroken over… If she hadn’t still been swooning from another man’s kiss.
“See you later,” Nick said, like nothing had happened. And then he turned and strolled away, leaving Rose to fumble with her keys, her heart still racing and her knees weak over the truly mind-blowing kiss.
What had just happened?