CHAPTER 31
Nick
“Mom. Mom!”
She half sat, slumped against the refrigerator, her face as chalky and white as the cabinets. His throat closed, and his chest felt like ice, while his stomach felt like fire.
“Mom!”
“Nick!”
Blood. She sat in a pool of it, deep dark red. God, so much of it, spreading even as he watched, his eyes widening in—
His body shook. Someone grabbed his hand and yanked it.
“Wake up!”
His body shook again, this time harder. Nick started. He shot upright, his eyes snapping open. Looked around, blinking.
Four bare white walls, an open closet door showcasing his garments, and …
“Hey.”
Jannie.
Leaning over him, her face full of love and concern.
He flopped onto the pillow and pulled her close, holding her tight. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply of her floral shampoo, and instantly a sense of peace washed over him.
“Good morning.” She smoothed her hand over his chest. “Bad one?”
He kissed her temple. “You caught it early this time.”
She kissed his jaw. “Good.”
These days, his nightmares were a rare occurrence. But they still happened, mostly when she wasn’t beside him, and each time, Jannie pulled him out of them.
Everything in his life was better now. Mornings were brighter, the days more vibrant, and the nights pure fire.
Jannie was a gift he wasn’t sure he deserved but one he would cherish forever.
Never had he felt so happy and content, because just being near her was enough. He was a lucky bastard, and he knew it.
“You’re up early,” he said, eyeing her tank top and jeans.
“I made breakfast.”
He brightened. “Pancakes?” Jannie’s Norwegian pancakes were killer, but she only made them when she was in the mood.
“Uh-huh. Bacon, too. I waited until you were up to cook the eggs.” She traced a fingertip over his pec and looked up with a sassy little smile. “What would you like to do today, Birthday Boy?”
“How did you know it was my birthday?”
“A little sleuthing. I’ve known for a while.”
Of course she had, his Jannie. He shook his head, unable to suppress a grin.
“So, what would you like?” she asked.
“Hmm …” To get married?
He smiled at the thought of sweeping her up, putting her in his truck, and driving to the Little White Wedding Chapel.
But so far, his proposals had been met with evasion.
For now, she was living with him. Her beautiful face was the last thing he saw before falling asleep and the first thing he looked at when he opened his eyes in the morning.
He would take that. Hell, yeah, he would, with gratitude. And he’d wait however long it took for her to say yes.
Nick stroked her silky hair. “I don’t celebrate.”
Her eyes widened. “Never?”
He shook his head.
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Never felt like it, I guess. Not since—”
Since Mom died.
He didn’t need to say it; the look in her beautiful eyes told him she had guessed.
His mother had always made such a fuss over his birthday.
For the first few years after she was gone, it was too painful to even think about.
After that, it became just another day, and none of the women he was with had even thought to ask him when it was.
“OK, that changes right now. Because I planned to make your day a great one.”
Nick smiled. There really was no need. Since she’d sold her home in Florida and moved to Las Vegas into his small apartment, every day had been great. Jannie wanted a yard for Rolf, but so far, none of the houses they looked at checked all the boxes, so the search was ongoing.
It wasn’t easy with Rolf and no yard. But with frequent walks, regular hikes at Fletcher Canyon and Calico Tanks, and stays with David Winters at his dog training facility, they managed to make it work.
“Who’s on call today? It better not be you.”
“Actually …”
“Oh, no. Absolutely not. You’re off today.” She grabbed his phone and handed it to him. “Call. Now.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
Guess he wouldn’t be flying today.
The air ambulance venture was a success.
Jannie wanted to invest in a second plane, but for now, he was happy with the Lear and the two pilots he’d hired.
He didn’t want to grow the business too quickly because he was also busy helping Jannie work toward her multi-engine rating, since he wouldn’t let anyone else give her flying lessons.
She kissed him sweetly, then pinched his nipple. “Make the call and get in the shower. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Hmm. Morning sex, then, wasn’t part of her plan. A bit disappointed, he watched her fabulous ass as she walked away. No one wore jeans as well as Jannie.
“Be quick, I’m hungry,” she said over her shoulder. “And I have presents for you.”
He didn’t need any gifts. She was the only gift he’d ever wanted, and, unbelievably, he had her.
Jumping out of bed, he ran a palm over his stubbled face and headed for the bathroom with a spring in his step.
·
He sauntered into the tiny kitchen to find a beautiful breakfast spread on the counter. On one end sat several neatly wrapped packages topped with perfect bows.
Jannie stood at the stove with the blower running, allowing him to quietly approach from behind, brush her hair aside, and press a kiss to her nape. She leaned into him, raising a hand to hook around his neck.
He slid his arms around her waist. “Look at all this,” he said appreciatively, his mouth watering at the sight of pancakes, bacon, and fluffy eggs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with that of orange peels, and Nick knew she’d even squeezed oranges for him.
He eyed the presents and smiled. “Cloud paper?”
“Of course! Perfect for a pilot.”
“You are perfect for this pilot.”
“Mmm.” She pulled him down for a kiss that had him at attention in seconds. He pressed into her backside to let her know.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the eggs will get cold.” She pointed with her spatula. “And you have presents to open.”
Nick counted four packages. “You want me to open them now?”
“Open two of them.”
“OK.” He let her go and sat down on a barstool.
Jannie turned to take two plates from the top cabinet, then opened the silverware drawer.
Nick picked up a blue envelope, assuming it was a card.
She shook her head. “Not that one. That one you open last.”
He put the card back on the counter. “How about this one?”
She nodded, smiling.
The package felt soft. He undid the bow and tore the paper carefully, then withdrew …
Nick started to laugh. Gripping the black sweatshirt by the shoulders, he held it up. Across the front, below a large yellow airplane graphic, was the caption Pilot. In thrust I trust.
“You need one too,” he said.
“I got one.” She gave him a wide grin. “Mine is sky-blue.”
Of course it was. He slipped the sweatshirt over his head. “How do I look?”
Her eyes lit up with desire. “Like I should test that claim.” She slid a loaded plate in front of him, then placed a glass of orange juice beside it.
He took a sip but wanted to wait until she fixed a plate for herself, so he went about opening the second package. He reached into the box and pulled out a green bullet-shaped object. “I hope this is what I think it is.”
“Yup. Portable espresso machine. It works with both ground coffee and capsules.”
No more undrinkable coffee on his trips. A slow grin spread across his face. “This is the ultimate gift. I can stop right now.”
He turned the little coffee maker over and noticed it used a USB charger. No need for batteries. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It even makes cold brew and works surprisingly well. I tested it myself before I wrapped it.”
Breakfast was delicious, especially the Norwegian pancakes, which Jannie called pannekaker: thick, eggy crepe-like cakes she served with lingonberry jam and sour cream. As he did every time she made them, Nick overate, but it was worth every extra rep he would have to do at the gym tomorrow.
“I can’t eat another bite.” He took the empty plates and silverware to the dishwasher, grabbing a paper towel to wipe down the counter.
Jannie took it from him. “No work on your birthday.” She motioned toward the two unopened gifts.
“Any particular order?”
She pointed. “That one.”
He took the long, flat box, unwrapped it, and lifted the orange lid to reveal a sky-blue airplane-patterned tie imprinted with B-logos.
“Vintage Hermès,” she said.
Oh, he knew exactly what it was. He ran his fingers over the thick silk twill. “I’ve never seen this one.”
“Special, for Breitling. It was only distributed to watch dealers.”
“Ah.”
“You like it?”
“Love it.”
The last box held a set of aviation-themed tie bars.
He ran a fingertip over one, decorated with a gold-and-white enameled plane. “This is a Piper!”
She grinned, looking very pleased with herself. “Yeah. That one is vintage. I got it on eBay.”
“You collected all of these?”
She nodded. “Every one. I had a blast hunting for them. There was actually one that had an altimeter on it, but it was kind of cheesy.”
No one had ever gone through so much trouble for him. He pulled her into his arms, dipped her, and kissed her thoroughly. Her response was so hot that he started to lift her to take her straight to the bedroom for a proper celebration.
She poked his chest. “You have one more.”
He looked to the counter, where the blue envelope still sat on the edge. “Can it wait?”
“No.”
He inwardly sighed and set her down. “OK.”
She grabbed the envelope and held it out.
Something in her expression made his heart beat faster, and as he took it, a gorgeous blush spread across her face, giving him the distinct impression that this wasn’t just an ordinary birthday card.
What could it be?
He tore it open and found a folded piece of paper.
He glanced up at Jannie and saw her lick her lips, her eyes wide with evident anticipation.
Slowly, he unfolded it.
And stopped breathing.
There was only one thing on the paper: a photo of the mobile billboard advertisement for Sin City Dark.
His gaze flicked to Jannie’s. “What’s this?”
“You know exactly what it is.”
Oh, he knew, but …
He set the paper on the counter, his gaze never leaving hers, and moved to stand directly in front of her.
She looked away briefly, then boldly looked him in the eye.
He gripped her chin. “Does this mean what I think it does?”
She nodded.
“You want to go to the club?
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you miss it?” she asked, answering his question with one of her own.
Did he?
He thought for a moment.
“The truth, please,” she quietly said.
The truth was, he didn’t. Because everything he used to do there, he did with other people. He was deeply, irrevocably in love with Jannie, and she fulfilled him, body, mind, and soul. But now that she’d put the idea in his head, the thought of connecting with her in that way…
Still, he didn’t want her doing anything that made her uncomfortable, and the last time hadn’t exactly gone well. His body, however, reacted, and before he knew it, he was straining against his zipper.
Before he could say anything, she reached to cup his erection, squeezing. “On second thought, you don’t need to answer verbally.”
He couldn’t deny it: the thought of Jannie at the club, and the things he could do there with her, had made him rock-hard. But …
“Are you offering to do this because it’s my birthday?” he asked.
“Not entirely. I’ve been thinking about it for some time.”
“Have you?”
“Yes.”
“And what thoughts did you have?”
“Well …” She moved into his arms then, her palms gliding up his chest, and ran her tongue just below his jaw, where she always liked to lick him. “I thought I might try.”
“Why?”
She caught his gaze then, her blue eyes intense. “Because it’s part of you. And I want to love that part, too.”