“Sounds good,” she called back.
The shower turned on and I had to get out of the bedroom because the thought of water running down her naked body was calling me to go in.
I made coffee and peanut butter bagels topped with slices of banana that reminded me of my childhood. Nell came into the room looking incredible in a fitted skirt and knitted jumper. She’d not done anything with her hair but tie it up, but she still looked like she’d spent hours on her appearance. Beauty came very naturally to her.
“This looks good,” she said, picking up a bagel. “I’ve never had peanut butter on it before.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“My mum used to make them when we needed to eat quickly before leaving the house. Cara hates it but it’s still one of mine and Lance’s favourites.”
She took a bite, and I waited to get her verdict. “Like it?”
Nodding, she replied behind her hand, “It’s good.”
We ate the breakfast of kings together and then went to our cars to part ways. She stayed at mine at least once a week and visa versa so it would make sense to keep some things at each others, but I knew that if I suggested that she would freak out. So we lugged a bag back each time.
I put her small case on the backseat of her car and lent against the door.
“Well, thanks for letting me sleep over.”
“Anytime,” I replied. Literally anytime. “You free at lunch?”
“I’m meeting Chloe today, but I’ll see you tonight. And tomorrow is Scotland so you’ll be sick of my by the end of the weekend.”
“Not likely, and shit that’s come around quick.”
Kicking her mouth up at the side in a shy smile, she stepped into my embrace. “I really appreciate last night, Damon. I don’t like to…” Biting her lip, she lowered her eyes. Show weakness was what she was getting at. “Well, just thank you.”
I lifted her chin and pressed my forehead to hers. “You’re welcome. I’m always here. And I can’t wait to get you back in that huge bed in Scotland.”
I couldn’t wait to have Nell back the way she was the last time we were in Scotland. She was so free of whatever demons she carried around.
“Remind me to tie you to it this time,” she said with a mischievous glint to her eyes.
“Done.”
“Come here,” she said, reaching up and pressing her lips against mine.
Groaning, I cupped her neck and deepened the kiss.
Damon
Nell had insisted that she was going to drive to Scotland rather than fly again. She had also insisted that I fly with everyone else but there was no way I was letting her drive alone. Or at all – she was a terrible driver.
I was picking her up and Chloe and Logan stopped by to laugh at us. We were supposed to leave at eight in the morning because it was going to take seven hours to get up there. But it was now eight twenty-nine and she was still rushing around trying to find a certain top that I bet she wouldn’t even end up fucking wearing.
“Nell, do you need it? You have enough to wear and the second we’re in the hotel room you’re going to be naked anyway.”
Chloe laughed, Logan wolf whistled and Nell continued looking as if I hadn’t even said a word. She was either ignoring me or was just so used to it by now. Whether it scared her or not, we were a couple already.
It did scare me too. The way I felt about her scared me. I had no previous idea of what it was like to love someone in that respect, to put them before anything else, to want to do everything humanly possible to make sure they were okay. It was intense and sort of crept up on me. I was powerless to stop it or control any part of loving her. Which sucked for me because she was very anti anything even remotely serious.
“Nell, Damon’s right. You’re only there for three nights and you already have enough clothes. Why do you need this specific top?”
“It makes my tits look awesome,” she replied, getting a chuckle out of Logan.
I cocked my eyebrow. “Every top does that. Get your arse in the car, I’m leaving in two minutes with or without you.”
She huffed and shoved her hands on her hips. “Fine. Are the bags loaded?”
“They have been for the last forty minutes, yes.”
Chloe and Logan stood up while Nell stood still. Alright, she wasn’t getting in the bloody car of her own free will so I was making her. I scooped her up, swinging the top half of her over my back. She squealed and gripped onto my hips.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” She snapped.
“Do you mind locking up, Chlo?” I asked.
Laughing, she replied, “Not at all. Have a safe trip and we’ll see you there tonight. Love you, Nelly.”
“You do not or you wouldn’t let him manhandle me!” She shouted back as I carried her out of the house.
“I wouldn’t have to manhandle you if you just got in the fucking car,” I said, flipping her back on her feet.
Her hair was as wild as her eyes. She glared. “What. The. Fuck.”