When their mouths parted on a series of feathery kisses and he gazed into her eyes, she saw, she knew, he felt it too.
“Trix…?” he whispered roughly.
“I know. Kiss me.”
He reclaimed her mouth, kissing her firmly but tenderly as he withdrew slowly, stroking over all her sensitive nerve endings while sinking deeper into their kisses, loving her so completely, she was swept away, floating on a cloud of pleasure. Just when she caught her breath, he began thrusting faster, harder, sending her right up to the cusp of another orgasm. Her body trembled, every inch of her reaching for more of him. But he held her there, wanting, craving, standing on the edge of a cliff. His dark eyes hit hers, fierce and all-consuming, and he didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. She felt his love for her in his every touch, stroke, and kiss. As his mouth came down over hers and they tumbled into ecstasy, she felt their two hearts become one, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt, he felt it, too.
They rolled onto their sides, their bodies intertwined, stealing kisses between gasps for air. He rested his forehead against hers, holding her tight, like he never wanted to let her go. When their breathing finally calmed and their bodies slipped apart, he rolled onto his back, gathering her close. She rested her head on his chest, pressing a kiss there. They lay like that for a long time, staring up at the starry sky, and she thought about making a wish, which led to thoughts of how much her hopes and dreams had changed over the past month. She’d come to Maryland trying to let go of her feelings for Nick and dreaming of starting her own business. Now all of her dreams included him, this, them.
She wondered if he had the same hopes for the future she did. Butterflies swarmed in her belly as she mustered her courage and said, “What are you thinking about?”
“You, darlin’. Always you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
SUNDAY BROUGHT SUNSHINE, cooler weather, and bittersweet emotions. Trixie and Nick hadn’t said much since they’d woken up and reached for each other, but their emotions roared between them. There had been a moment in the shower when Trixie had thought she might cry, but Nick had pulled her into his arms and held her, and she’d soaked in his strength with every reassuring word. We’ve got this, darlin’. Don’t be sad. I’ll come down next weekend and the weekend after that. I’m just a phone call away.
The trail ride with his family had been wonderful. She’d loved seeing everyone enjoying the outdoors together, and experiencing Nick as their trusted guide, leading them down the trails and sharing random facts about the land and his rides with Walt. The fresh air and company had taken Trixie’s weepiness away. She’d worried about becoming sad again over brunch because it was harder not to feel her impending departure when she and Nick were at his house. She saw memories of them everywhere. In the kitchen where they’d first come together, on the couch where they’d made love and slept in each other’s arms, in the bedroom where they’d taken their relationship deeper, in the barn where they’d laughed and devoured each other, and in the yard where their love had bloomed into something so beautiful, it could bring tears. But Jax and Jillian had been there when they’d come back from their ride, waiting with fresh pastries from Emmaline’s and a big platter of fruit, lifting Trixie’s spirits. She and Nick had cooked bacon, eggs, and pancakes, and she’d been nicely distracted by his family’s banter.
They’d all eaten too much, and helped clean up as they had last night. She loved that about his family. They were always there for each other, and as Nick had proven, when one of them couldn’t be, the others would fill that spot. She knew he’d miss her, but he had his family to fill the gap she left behind.
“Since you’re going for simple, and your ceremony is going to be at the creek in winter, we need to be careful about length to avoid it dragging on the ground,” Jax said.
He was sitting at the table, sketching Carly’s wedding dress, with Jillian hanging over one shoulder, telling him everything he was doing wrong, and his mother over the other, admiring his drawings. Zev sat beside him with Carly on his lap, while everyone else milled about.
“Come here, darlin’.” Nick leaned against the island and pulled Trixie into his arms, holding her from behind, and kissed her cheek.
She put her hands over his and leaned back against his chest, soaking in the feel of him and his family’s laughter and chatter while pretending the clock didn’t feel like a ticking time bomb.
“Can you make the dress look magical? Like a snow princess?” Charlotte asked Jax.
Beau slipped an arm around her and said, “You and your magic.” He nuzzled against her neck.
“I like the idea of it looking magical, too,” Morgyn said.
“Like the universe made it for me, right, Morgyn?” Carly teased, because Morgyn was all about universal signs. “And, Char, you’re the princess in this family. I’m more of a forest fairy. I don’t want anything too fancy or overdone.”
“You had me at forest fairy. I’ve got an idea.” Jax hunkered down and sketched.
“I love where this is heading.” Jillian pointed to his drawing. “Use a color for that.”
Jax gave her a deadpan look, and Jillian held up her hands in surrender.
Clint sidled up to Nick and Trixie and said, “How are you two holding up?”
“We’re fine, Dad.” Nick tightened his hold on her.
“I’ve got to tell you, son, I’m surprised you’re not having a panic attack with all these people in your house.” Clint glanced at Trixie. “But I guess you’re a little preoccupied.”
“If it were up to me, I’d have canceled the brunch and kicked everyone out after the trail ride. But Trixie said that would be rude.”
Clint laughed softly. “Look at your mother, Nick. She’ll be riding the high of this weekend for months. You did a good deed.”
“And it won’t be the last one he does.” Trixie turned in his arms and kissed his chin. “Right, party boy? Maybe we can do it again next time I’m here.”
“Whatever you want, darlin’.”
His father whistled. “Now I’m riding a high. My boy has finally opened his eyes and found his match.”
“Here you go.” Jax moved the paper in front of Carly and Zev, and everyone oohed and aahed. Jax began sketching again. “I’ll show you the coat and cape ideas I have for you to wear over it.”
Trixie imagined her and Nick in Carly and Zev’s place, designing her wedding gown with both of their families around them. She tried to fight that urge because she knew Nick wasn’t ready for such a big step, but it felt too good thinking about it, so she allowed herself just a few minutes of dreaming before letting it go.
Jillian patted Jax’s shoulder and said, “Jax, that’s a gorgeous mermaid gown. It’s sleek and elegant. I love the sweetheart neckline.”
“Carly, you have a perfect figure for a mermaid gown,” Morgyn said.
“She does.” Jax pointed to the drawing and said, “Imagine this is a detachable high-low tulle skirt with a horsehair hem and a single strand of gold around the waistline. I can sew small lace flowers into the tulle. Assuming the weather cooperates, if you wear your hair down and weave baby’s breath down the sides, you and the gown will give the illusion of snow falling.”