Fair Catch (16 page)

She wanted to cry. Wanted to throw something. But Cade’s little voice calling out for her made her rein in her emotions. Thomas would come and Cade would be overjoyed. Ellie would deal with it, just like she always did.

Stepping into the kitchen, she placed her phone on the countertop. She noticed a piece of paper with Nick’s name written on it. A warm feeling replaced the cold emotions of Thomas’s call as she traced a finger over Nick’s name. In spite of her ex-husband, Ellie had a date with America’s most sought after bachelor. Thomas was not going to ruin that for her.

* * *

After going to parties surrounded by celebrities, Nick shouldn’t be nervous about having dinner with Ellie. They’d already shared a couple of meals, just never by themselves, and he wanted their first date to be perfect.

Glancing up at the wall clock, he realized he only had five minutes before going to get Ellie. He finished folding the cloth napkin in a pyramid, placed it on top of the plate, and then stepped back to survey his work. Going to numerous parties did have its advantages—he knew how to set a table and make it look nice. He grinned. His mother would be so proud of him.

As Nick crossed the floor, he tucked the shirttails of his tangerine-colored dress shirt into the waist of his jeans. He ran a hand over his jaw, feeling the beginning growth of a beard. He should’ve shaved again, but getting dinner together and taking a shower had cut everything pretty close as it was.

Just as he was about to open the door, he heard a soft knock. He swung open the door, surprised to find Ellie standing there. “Hi, I was just on my way to get you.”

She gripped her hands together. “I dropped Cade off at Betsy’s and it seemed silly not to just walk over here.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”

“Of course.” He reached out to take her hand and pulled her inside the house. “I’m glad you’re here.”

As he closed the door, the light scent of wildflowers wrapped around him. Ellie looked gorgeous, dressed in a pale-yellow, satiny shirt and a pair of dark-washed jeans. Her long hair glistened under the chandelier’s lights, twisting in perfect corkscrew curls that fell over her shoulders.

“You look beautiful.” Nick loved her hair and longed to bury his fingers in the curls.

“Thank you.” She looked away from him, her gaze sweeping over the foyer and staircase. “Your house is…big.”

He laughed and tugged on her hand again. “I know.” He gave her the grand tour, hoping she liked what his decorator had done in capturing Nick’s preferences. When they made it to the dining room, Ellie stopped and stared at the table he’d set, candles and all.

“You did this?”

He chuckled deeply. “What? You don’t think a football player knows how to set a table?”

She walked over and fingered the napkin folded like a pyramid. “I don’t even know how to do this.”

“It’s easy. I can show you how.”

Her mouth twitched at the corner as she walked over to the sideboard and lifted the lid off of the silver warming platter, the scent of the oriental cuisine rising with the steam. “If you tell me you cooked this food, I might let Cade go out for football someday.”

Nick moved to stand next to her. “Might?”

Ellie replaced the lid and shrugged. “I just never thought a football player could be so well rounded.”

“The food is takeout.” He slanted her a glance. “But I can cook.”

“Are you any good?”

He raised an eyebrow. “At cooking?”

She walked around the sideboard, placing her hands on the back of a dining room chair. “Yeah. At cooking.”

Nick tucked his fingertips in the front pocket of his jeans. “I’m not great, but it’s edible.”

Her eyes met his and she grinned. “I’m impressed.”

Again Nick moved to stand next to her. “So my domestic abilities impress you, but not my football skills?”

She gave him a soft laugh, gazing up at him. “I never said that.”

“No, but you sure acted like it the first time I met you.”

“That was different.” She nudged him in the arm. “I was in shock.”

“So was I.”

She lifted a skeptical brow, stepping away from him. “You were not.”

Every time he got close to her, she moved away. This time, he stayed right where he was. “I thought you were married.”

She wrinkled up her cute little nose. “I don’t get it?”

He reached out and moved the napkin, handing her the plate. “I’m attracted to you, Ellie.” He grabbed his own plate and lifted the lid off of the warming platter. “I was relieved to find out you were single.”

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him in silence. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so blunt, but they were both too old to be playing games.

“You’re attracted to me?” Her voice came out whisper soft, the expression on her face said she didn’t believe him.

Actions spoke louder than words. Right then Nick wanted to
show
her how he felt. “I am
definitely
attracted to you.”

Her mouth slowly curved up, her cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink. “Oh.” She hugged her plate against her chest and walked toward him. “Guess what?”

“What?”

She actually winked at him. “I’m attracted to you too.”

* * *

Ellie was thoroughly enjoying herself. Nick was easy to talk to and had the ability to put her at ease. She still couldn’t believe she’d told him she was attracted to him. The night was going so perfect that she didn’t want to break the news about Thomas to him. She had to do it before she went home.

She took another bite of the spicy chicken while Nick told her about his two sisters and his parents. They all lived in California and he missed being around them. She really didn’t get why he’d moved to Pleasant Wood, Colorado.

“Why didn’t you stay in California?”

He sat back, eyeing her for a few seconds. “You want the truth?”

She lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip of water. “Yes.”

“I’m not really sure.” He lifted his broad shoulders into a shrug. “It’s just where I’m supposed to be.”

His gaze connected with hers and suddenly she felt a little nervous again. She took another drink of water, trying to think of something to say.

Like always, Nick seemed to read her emotions. He flashed a smile and leaned forward. “Okay, enough about me. Tell me more about your family. What are your brothers like?”

Ellie set down her glass, thinking about her brothers and what their reactions would be if they knew she was having dinner with Nick Coulter. It made her smile. “They are extremely overprotective, still tease me, but would do anything for me.” She told him how lucky she was to have brothers who never saw her as a pest and had taken her everywhere with them.

Nick pushed his food around with his fork. “Sounds like you miss them.”

“I do. I wish they would move back to Colorado. Cade needs to have cousins around since he won’t ever have any sibli…” She let her words trail off, realizing what she had just revealed. “Anyway, I just wish they were here.” Nick Coulter didn’t need to know about her shattered dreams, which included not having any more children.

Two lines dented his forehead as he stared at her intently. “You don’t want to have any more children?”

Why were they having this conversation? It’s not like she had a choice. “Uh, I would like to have more children, but I’ve always been under the impression that being unmarried and pregnant was generally not acceptable.”

He started to laugh and leaned in close. “True, but if you married again, would you want more kids?”

How was it they were talking about having kids? She wanted to start fanning herself. “Is it hot in here?” She reached for her glass again and took a long drink of water.

“I’m not hot.”

She cast him a disbelieving look. Oh, he was
hot
all right. “Maybe it’s the Szechuan chicken.” She took another drink.

“Ellie, you’re avoiding my question.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ellie
set the glass back down and closed her eyes. Why on earth was he asking her these questions? “I don’t know if I’ll ever marry again.” This was so embarrassing. “But, if I did…I would love to have more babies.” She opened her eyes to find him smiling at her.

“How many babies?”

“Seven.”

“
Seven?
” His eyebrows shot up in mild alarm.

Now it was her turn to smile. “Just kidding.” Then her smile turned wistful. “I don’t know, Nick. I guess it would all depend on whether or not I thought my husband would stick around right after I gave birth.”

Okay, so maybe she had a few issues to still work out. Who wouldn’t?

He scowled. “Your ex-husband was an idiot.”

Yes—he was—and the idiot was flying in tomorrow. “Speaking of Thomas.” She sighed. “He called today and said he’s flying into Denver in the morning. He’s going to take Cade after all.”

“He is?” Nick almost sounded regretful.

“Yeah.” She felt the disappointment all over again. “I’m glad I never told Cade about the change of plans…it’s confusing enough for him with his dad continually failing to follow through with things.”

Nick picked up his glass of water and took a sip. “I’m sure he’ll have fun with his dad. It’s beneficial for a child to have a father in their life. I know from all the statistics that kids who have both a mom and a dad do so much better.”

She knew all about the statistics and didn’t need him to repeat them to her. “I know, but I thought that usually meant having both parents in the home.” Her voice was tight with emotion. “Thomas isn’t very reliable, which is why I don’t like the idea of sending Cade with him.”

Nick glanced her way, and she felt guilty for taking her frustration out on him. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to sound demeaning.”

She let out a big breath. “You weren’t, and I didn’t mean to bite your head off.” She looked at him shyly. “I’m just disappointed. I really did want to go with you…for Cade and me to go with you.”

He chuckled softly. “You didn’t bite my head off.” He held out his hand, palm up, in an invitation. Tentatively she placed her hand in his, the touch of his skin warming her entire body. He met her eyes, curling his fingers around her hand. “I promise to take you and Cade. We’ll just postpone the VIP trip until later.”

She squeezed his hand gently. “I guess we’ll see.” But would he want to take them another time? Nick was a hot commodity, no pun intended, and in all probability wouldn’t be available.

The atmosphere felt subdued, making her wish she’d never brought up her ex-husband. Talk about ruining a romantic dinner for two. “Can we just forget about Thomas?”

“Who?” he asked with a wry grin.

She laughed and they finished their dinner, asking each other safe questions about favorite movies and other little things. When Nick brought out the dessert, she held her stomach and groaned. “I ate too much. But I really,
really
want a slice of that.” The decadent chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory looked unbelievable. “If I’d known you had that waiting for me, I wouldn’t have had a second helping of orange chicken.”

Laughing, he placed a slice on a plate anyway. “Oh come on. You didn’t eat that much.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I almost ate as much as you did.”

“Not quite, but if you want to take dessert home with you, I can get the plate back later.”

She grinned. “Thank you. I’ll even wash it for you.” She stood up. “And speaking about washing dishes.” She picked up her own plate. “Let me help with these.”

“You don’t have to that. There isn’t much here.”

“It won’t take us long.” She walked past him into the most magnificent kitchen she had ever been in. “Nick, this is beautiful.” Even a girl like her could enjoy cooking in this kitchen.

“Thanks. You’re welcome to use it any time.”

She slanted him a glance. “Not only can I not bake bread, I also hate cooking.”

She thought he’d give her a negative reaction, but instead he took the plates and put them in the sink. “Then I’ll do all the cooking.”

All the air seemed to leave her lungs. What exactly did he mean by that? Nick stepped in front of her and took one of her hands again. She met his gaze and got sucked into those deep blue eyes. Blue eyes that were filled with desire. Desire to kiss her.

Instead of moving in, he waited for her permission. She couldn’t give it to him. His words made the food in her stomach want to make a second appearance. Everything was moving too fast. “I have to go.”

“Now?” He let go of her hand as she took a step backward.

She glanced at the clock. It wasn’t even eight. “Yes.” She swallowed hard. The feelings he evoked in her were both fascinating and terrifying.

Although he looked a little frustrated, he did his best to hide it. “Okay. I’ll walk you home.”

He didn’t hold her hand this time, and as she walked by his side, she lamented her skittish behavior. What was wrong with her? They had both admitted their mutual attraction. Just because he’d made a joke about him doing all the cooking, it hadn’t meant anything.

They reached her door and she knew she’d blown her chance. Nick kept his hands in his pockets, as well as his distance. Now, unless she took him by the front of his shirt and pulled him forward, there wouldn’t be any kisses.

Her hands actually started to reach up just as he took another step backward.

“Good night, Ellie.”

Oh, rats
. “Good night. Thank you for dinner and everything.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re welcome.”

She watched him walk away and enter his house. He didn’t even look back over his shoulder. As he shut the door, she remembered her cheesecake. “Great,” she mumbled under her breath. “No kiss and no dessert.”

To make matters worse, Thomas would be here in the morning. When would she get a chance to make up for her foolishness?

She picked up the phone and called to let Betsy know she was coming to get Cade. Instead of giving her the third degree, Betsy sounded a little frantic. “I was just about to bring Cade over to Nick’s. My son’s wife went into premature labor and Owen is taking me to the airport.”