Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Nick sat on the side of his bed, groaned, and rubbed his temples.
Last night, he’d abandoned Christmas Eve with his family and friends because of his stupid pride.
The thought that Kate didn’t share his feelings left him gutted.
He hadn’t pegged her for wanting a friends-with-benefits relationship, but maybe that was all she was capable of, which made him question what he saw in her.
Agreeing to be his friend was all she could handle right now, which placed him in an awkward situation. They’d moved beyond being just friends when they almost ripped each other’s clothes off last night. Where had he gone wrong? He couldn’t stop thinking of Kate Davis. The woman he loved.
Smelling coffee, Nick pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. It was Christmas Day, and his day off.
Garrett sat at the kitchen table and looked over the newspaper at him. “You’ve looked better.”
“I’ve felt better.” Nick took a step forward, his foot connecting with the table leg. “Holy fu—” He hopped up and down.
“It’s Christmas,” Garrett said. “Language.”
Between his sore ass and now cracking his toe, Nick thought about heading back to bed and starting the day over. But he needed caffeine more. He limped to the coffeemaker and poured himself a large mugful of dark roast.
“Want to talk about it?” Garrett asked with a smirk.
“No.”
Garrett ruffled his paper in dismissal and continued to read. “Okay.”
“Why are women so frustrating? Why is it that you want to bang your head against the wall one minute, and kiss them senseless the next?”
Garrett slowly folded the paper and placed it on the table. “Are we talking all women, or Kate—the woman you’re in love with?”
Nick huffed and took a drink, burning his tongue, which made his eyes water. “I’m asking for a friend,” he grumbled.
A roar of laughter echoed off the walls. Garrett clutched his stomach, unable to stop laughing.
Nick stood up, knocking his chair over.
“Sit. Sorry.” Garrett wiped his eyes. “You sounded like Chloe.” He reached down and righted the chair. “You must be doing something wrong, bro. Hasn’t Dad taught you anything?”
“Enlighten me.” Nick sat back down at the table and tentatively took a sip of his coffee. “I learned the habit of running my hand through my hair from him.”
“Bad habit. You’ll go bald in no time.”
Nick stared into his coffee. “I’m in love with Kate.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
“What am I going to do?”
“What do you want to do?” Garrett asked.
“I tried to tell her last night, but she shut me down. We made a friendship pact.”
“A what now?”
“A deal. To stay friends.”
“Well, that was your first mistake.”
Nick leaned back in his chair, fingering the edge of his mug. “I agreed because I didn’t want a relationship and neither did she.”
“But now you do.”
“Now I do.”
Garrett stood and walked to the liquor cabinet, returning with a bottle of whiskey. He poured some into Nick’s coffee and a shot into his own. “Here’s to loving frustrating women. Merry Christmas.”
Nick held his glass up in a mock toast and sipped, enjoying the warmth.
“Instead of trying to talk to her, show her,” Garrett said.
“I tried. Whenever we kiss, we connect, and we want more of each other. Except one of us always pulls back. We’re never on the same page.”
“Kidnap her then. You have handcuffs.”
A smile formed on Nick’s face.
“I’m kidding,” Garrett said. “That’s a felony. You, of all people, should know that.”
“I do. But I have an idea.”
* * *
Kate woke up renewed and refreshed after coming to a decision. She was both nervous and excited to see Nick today and hoped he could forgive her wishy-washy emotions.
“Good morning, Kate. Glad you’re awake. I made scrambled eggs,” her dad said as she approached the coffeemaker.
“Awesome, thanks.” She stole a piece of bacon and popped it into her mouth. She poured herself a cup of the dark roast and inhaled deeply.
Her mom sat at the island. “Good morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?” she asked and kissed Kate’s cheek.
Kate tilted her head, enjoying the maternal love she’d missed. They had talked into the wee hours. She sipped her coffee. The sun wasn’t up yet.
“Great. Slept like a baby,” she said, maybe a bit too cheerfully.
“Here you go. Eat up,” Kordell said, sliding plates in front of Kate and her mom.
“Looks and smells delicious, Dad.”
The conversation at the breakfast table reminded Kate of her childhood.
When her dad was home, they’d make big meals and talk about sports and current events.
They stayed away from talking about work.
Sometimes her mom would slip in gory details of what happened in the ER, which had her setting her fork down until her mom finished.
This morning, they talked for hours, making plans for Jill and Kordell’s next trip to Deer Creek Falls and discussing the renovations, what products Kate needed to order, and her vision of creating healthy choices for her customers.
She shared with her parents how she’d cut her budget by postponing the outdoor space to keep the original hardwood floors.
Of course, her parents offered her money. “Don’t hesitate to ask. We have savings,” Kordell said.
She assured them she was fine, but she’d let them know if she ran into another snag. Thankfully, that placated them, because Kate was determined to succeed on her own and wouldn’t ask her parents to bail her out.
After they opened presents, Kordell went outside to shovel and salt the steps. Jill nudged Kate. “So, Katie, does your cheerful mood mean you’ve decided to tell Nick how you really feel and take another chance at love?”
Kate really thought she had made the right decision to stay friends for both their sakes, but after she and her mother talked last night, she’d decided all she really wanted was to hang on to Nick and never let him go. “Yes. You were right, calling me out on all my insecurities.”
“I’m excited for your future, Kate. You’ve found your soul mate.”
“I have. Now I need to convince him to give me another chance.”
* * *
Kate held the door open for her parents to walk ahead of her into the Blue Ox. The resort guests and staff of the hotel and anyone in town who didn’t have family were all invited to dinner.
“I’m so glad you made it. Merry Christmas, everyone,” Ruth said. She hugged Jill while Jim greeted Kordell.
Ruth hugged Kate next. “Merry Christmas, Kate.”
Kate peered over Ruth’s shoulder, hoping to spot Nick.
“Merry Christmas. I love your dress,” she said.
Ruth wore a green sweater dress with a stylish necklace—a creation of Chloe’s, Kate guessed.
She wondered where Nick was. Maybe he had to work.
She’d never asked, and he’d never said. They’d been too busy kissing and then calling it quits.
“Nick won’t be able to keep his eyes off you. You look lovely,” Ruth said.
“That’s true,” Garrett said, agreeing with his mom. “Let’s move into the restaurant and away from the door. I can take your coats.”
Moving down the hallway, Kate still didn’t see Nick.
Cole joined them next. “Merry Christmas, Kate. Kordell. Jill. Do you mind if I steal Kate away?”
“Of course not,” Kordell said.
“Follow me, Kate. I have something to show you in the kitchen.”
He led her to the elevator and pushed the already-lit button. The doors slid open, and inside the elevator stood Nick with a smile on his face, holding a bouquet of roses.
Cole excused himself. “You go ahead, Kate. I forgot something.”
Kate barely registered Cole’s words. She only had eyes for Nick. The sleeves of his white button-down shirt were rolled to his elbow, and his dark jeans hugged his muscular thighs. His brown eyes blazed with intention and made her pulse quicken.
“Join me?” he asked.
Kate stepped into the elevator, and the door closed behind them. He handed her the roses. She brought them to her nose, breathing in the intoxicating aroma, and peered at him over the blooms. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
Nick’s smile lit his face. He reached into his back pocket and before she could react, he pulled out his handcuffs and slid them around the metal handrail, securing one end to her wrist and the other end to his.
“This time, you’re not getting away until I can plead my case.”
He hit the down button, and the elevator started moving, but then it jolted . . . coming to an abrupt stop mid-floor.
Kate gasped, and Nick shrugged. “I guess we’re stuck. You’re stuck with me.”
His slow, sexy smile sent a delicious tingle through her body in anticipation of what he had in store for her. He gently took the flowers from her and set them on the floor.
She gulped, her eyes glistening. “I’m sorry, Nick. I was wrong to push you away last night. I love you.”
“You do?” A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Does this mean we can end that awful friendship pact?”
“Yes, and yes!”
“Hell, that was easier than I thought. I had an entire speech prepared for when I held you hostage, away from prying eyes and distractions.”
“Hmm . . . kidnapping is a felony, and you know how I’m good at getting out of handcuffs.”
“I’d like to see you try without your shoelaces,” he whispered, and then placed gentle kisses along her neck.
“Figured it out, did you?” She moaned, enjoying his seduction technique.
He cupped her breast and thumbed her nipple, sliding her dress away with his fingers to gain better access. His hot breath on her cool skin stole her breath.
She wasn’t even concerned the elevator was stuck. Kate was exactly where she wanted to be. She wanted to remove his clothes slowly and trail kisses down his body. Her knees grew weak.
Footfalls landed on the ceiling, and a sliding noise from above made them disengage and look up. Nick quickly covered Kate’s breast as Cole’s face appeared.
“Hey, guys. Mom was afraid the elevator was stuck again. I’m guessing it’s not really stuck?”
Kate could feel her cheeks heat. Good thing she’d chosen to wear green instead of red, so her face didn’t match her dress.
Nick grinned from ear to ear. “Sorry, man. My bad.”
“Give me ten minutes to get out of the elevator shaft. I guess I should have called the emergency phone, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to rappel down.”
Nick shook his head. He wouldn’t live this down. “Of course you couldn’t.”
“I’ll text you when I’m all clear. Check to see if you have a signal.” Cole said.
Nick pulled his phone from his pocket. “Yep,” he said to his brother. “Or you could call the elevator phone.”
Cole laughed and pulled the panel back in place.
“The elevator isn’t broken?” Kate asked.
“Nope. Mom mentioned she had the elevator fixed after your scary moment last week, and that gave me the idea. I pushed the stop button.”
Kate laughed and pulled Nick in for a quick kiss. “I love you, Nick.”
“I love you too, Kate.”
When Cole texted all clear, Nick freed their hands and slipped the cuffs into his back pocket. “You’re stunning, and I want more of you.” He re-engaged the elevator.
When the doors opened, their families and several of the lodge’s employees whistled and clapped.
Jill grinned from ear to ear. “A perfect grand gesture, Nick.”
Nick’s mouth quirked at the corner. He whispered in Kate’s ear, “I’m glad your mom approves.”
Kate pressed the “door close” button.
“Will you be my plus-one for the New Year’s Eve ball?” she said.
“I thought you’d never ask.”