Out of the Wreckage (5 page)

Nate
chuckles, “Yeah, I suppose I did.” He strokes a hand up her arm and cups her jaw. “I think I will do it again.” Before she can react, he brushes his mouth over hers, and as her lips part for him he caresses his tongue with hers.  She moans into his mouth as his hands cup her behind urging her into him.

“
Nate…” She whispers against her jaw.

“
What is it Sugar?” He asks kissing down her throat.

“
Why do you call me that?” She whispers.

His eyes meet hers, searching. “
Ms. Ruthie does, it just stuck and you are so sweet… I don’t know it just fits, why?”
             

“
Grand-dad used to call Grams that.”

“
Oh, do you mind ‘Drea?”

“
No, I don’t mind it.  Nate?” She asks as she looks into his eyes.

“
Yeah?” He asks as his hands travel up and down her back as if he can’t get enough of her in his hands. 

“
Kiss me again.” She whispers inches from his lips.

“
Oh Sugar, you only have to ask.” He growls and ‘Drea melts into Nate’s kiss, swept away by the romance in the moment.

Chapter Four:

Apple Pickin
’

             
The alarm sounds at 5am jolting ‘Drea out of her dream-land recap of twilight walks in the orchard with Nate.  Last night couldn’t have been more perfect.  Throwing on jeans and a gray pull-over, ‘Drea grabs her sneakers and heads to the kitchen for coffee. 

“
Mornin’ Sugar.” Grams calls as ‘Drea pours a mug of coffee.

“
Morning Grams, sleep well?”

“
Yes, I did.  How was the orchard?”

‘
Drea sighs and sits at the table, nibbling at a piece of toast. “Oh Grams, it was nice.”

“
It looked
really nice
to me, Sugar.” Grams says with a wink.

“
Were you watchin’?” ‘Drea says blushing.

“
Andrea Ruth!  As if you didn’t watch Grand-dad and me walkin’ every night. Nathan reminds me of him, strong but sweet.”
 

“
It was lovely Grams, I always thought the orchard was magical.  Momma used to say it too.  Last night it was, it was perfect.”

“
I don’t know about magic, Sugar.  All I do know is your Grand-dad and I put all our love into this place; into your Momma and you, we never wanted anything else.”

“
I miss her Grams, so much.” ‘Drea chokes back a sob.

“
Oh Sugar, not a day goes by that I don’t miss you Momma.  Now that you are home it does ease the pain.”

‘
Drea hugs her hard, “Me too, I guess you are stuck with me then.”

“
Good, now go pick some apples, I hear Nate’s truck pullin’ up.”

             
Grabbing the basket her Grams has packed ‘Drea heads out and hops up into the truck with Nate. “Morning Sugar.” He says kissing her sweetly on the cheek. “Ms. Ruthie send breakfast?”

“
And coffee.” ‘Drea says with a nod.

“
Love of my life.” He winks taking the mug. “I loaded the bins already, so we are ready to go.”

“
Let’s hit it.”

Nate pulls into the orchard driving down the worn trail.  As he comes to a set of trees nearly bursting with ripe green apples he pulls over and stops the truck. 
‘Drea looks over her green eyes dancing with the flecks of gold and Nate’s heart races.  Before he can say a word, ‘Drea hops out of the truck and leaps up a tree effortlessly.

“
Careful Sugar, no broken bones.” Nate calls as he pulls the ladder out of the back of the truck.

“
My Grand-dad used to say that I could swing in one of these all day.  He would tease me that my Daddy was part monkey.” ‘Drea says as she tosses apples into the first bin.

“
Ha.  I seem to forget sometimes that you are a Westwood.” He says as he climbs the ladder and starts on the tree next to her.

She peeks around
a branch her green eyes blazing at him through that black hair framing her face. “What exactly does that mean?”

“
That you are determined and tough as hell.  I keep underestimating you ‘Drea.” Nate says his eyes full of heat.

“
Oh.” ‘Drea says, smiles then moves to a higher branch. 

By noon, they have loaded all the bins full of apples into the back of Nate’s truck and are sitting in the grass against a tree resting.  Nibbling on the sandwiches and odds and ends that Ms Ruthie packed picnic style and sipping on waters.

“
Looks like the rain missed us.” Nate says squeezing ‘Drea’s hand.

“
Yeah.  I could stay here all day, it is so peaceful here.”

Nate tugs her hand pulling her into his lap, pulling the clip from her hair so her long black strands fall around
them. “You are beautiful ‘Drea.” Nate says sweetly as he kisses her softly running his fingers through her freed hair.

“
Grams will come looking for us Nate, and without her ‘gs’.” ‘Drea says teasingly.

“
Nah, she hasn’t been in the orchard since I have been in town.” Nate says kissing her jaw line and nips at her ear.  His thumbs rubbing circles into her back.  ‘Drea kisses him gently tugging at his bottom lip as her hands twist and tug in his shaggy blonde hair. “’Drea?” He groans, as she nips at his stubbled jaw.

“
Hmm?” She purrs.

“
You drive me crazy… Mmm… ‘Drea, we can’t…not here.”

‘
Drea pulls back and laughs, “No we can’t, can we?”  She stands and walks back to the truck and Nate yells, “’Drea, I said we can’t, I didn’t say I didn’t want to.”

Turning
back to him as he repeats her words back at her, she leaps into his arms. “Oh Nate.” She whispers kissing him hard. “Grams is going to Bingo tonight right?”

“
Mmhmm, hasn’t missed one as far as I know.”

“
Let me cook for you, come to the store tonight and I’ll have dinner and dessert.” ‘Drea says as she strokes his jaw.

“
I can’t say no to you lovely Westwood women.  See you later then Sugar?”

“
Yeah, I gotta get to the store; you gotta get the apples up to Grams.  Will you tell her about dinner?”

“
Sure it will be my pleasure to give Ms. Ruthie the night off.”  ‘Drea kisses him once more and heads through the orchard to the store.  “Yep, she will be a hell of a way to go.” Nate says to himself as he drives his truck up to unload the apples for Ms. Ruthie to clean, and separate.

‘
Drea paces around the island as she decides what to make for tonight.  She decides on lasagna and a salad, and rolls out dough for herb bread.  After mixing the salad and prepping the lasagna she places them both in the fridge.  Locking up the store, she heads to the house where Grams is on the porch peeling apples.

“
I hear I get the night off huh Missy?”

“
Yes, Ma’am.” ‘Drea says with a smile.

“
That’s a girl.  You two have some fun tonight, Sugar.”

‘Drea kisses her cheek and goes into the house.  After a long bath, ‘Drea has lotioned herself and is wearing a silky pink sundress and while ballet flats.  She leaves her hair down; he likes it down, and checks her make-up. She whistles on her walk through the orchard as she heads back to the store.  As the lasagna and bread cook in the oven she sets the table.  Using a white silk table cloth and lighting candles, once she is happy with it she walks to the cooler to get something for dessert and is stopped in her tracks.  Sitting on the shelf is a pie and a note:

If you think I wouldn
’t have my hands in this Missy, you were wrong.  Enjoy your night-Grams.

Taking the pie and the note
‘Drea smiles.  Just as she puts the plates on the table there is a knock at the door. “Come on in Nate, its open.”  Nate strolls in handing ‘Drea a single red rose. “Thank you.” She says as she takes him in: he has shaved, and is in a blue dress shirt and black jeans.

“
You look nice Sugar.” He says pulling her into an embrace.

“
You clean up nice yourself, hungry?”

“
Always.” He says with a wink. “I was going to bring wine, but I didn’t know…” Nate starts as he sits down.

“
I’d rather have a beer anyway.” ‘Drea says handing Nate a bottle.

“
You are an amazing woman Sugar.” Nate says taking a sip.  As they eat they sit together smiling, laughing, and talking about the store. “So in just a few days we will know if this will all work out?” Nate asks as he finishes his plate.

“
Not exactly, I see it as worth it all regardless if anyone shows up.  Grams is the only family I have left and I am happy here.” ‘Drea replies as she slices the pie, as she cuts through the meringue she gasps.

Nate brows
shoot up, “What is it ‘Drea?”

“
Grams, she… Oh it is my favorite!” She stammers out.

“
What…huh?” Nate asks again confused.

She car
ries the pie over and hands him a plate, “When I was a little girl Grand-dad used to buy me Mounds candy bars at the grocer.  Grams made me a pie for my birthday one year.  I can’t believe she remembered.” ‘Drea says as she bites into the chocolate crème pie with meringue and coconut shavings and sighs. 

“Sugar you would be surprised at how much she remembers.  All she talks about it you and how proud she is of you.”

“
She is too good to me; Lord what would I do without her.”

“
Let’s hope we never find out Sugar.” Nate replies as he finishes his pie and clears the table.  ‘Drea starts running water in the sink as Nate grabs her arm, spinning her into him.  “Dance with me ‘Drea.”

“
There is no music Nate.” She says shutting off the faucet.

“
So.” He says matter of fact, and twirls her across the kitchen.  The whole world stands still as Nate holds ‘Drea in his arms and he brings his lips to hers.  As her arms wrap around his neck he groans against her mouth.  Nate’s knees nearly give out, so he locks them in place as he pulls back.

“
Come with me ‘Drea.”

Nate leads
‘Drea through the orchard to a clearing; there is a blanket on the ground, and flameless candles, and cushions set up against a tree.  It takes ‘Drea a moment to take it all in as Nate wraps his arms around her waist pulling her into him.

“
Nate…” ‘She finally gasps, as he squeezes her hand.

“
I may have had some free time this afternoon, sit.” He says as he sits pulling her into his lap.

“
Tonight couldn’t get much better, this is beautiful.” She whispers as she kisses him sweetly.

“’
Drea…” Nate moans as he turns them, laying her on her back on the cushions and blanket, his eyes searching hers. ‘Drea’s hands fist in his shirt and he crushes his mouth to hers.  As his hands run up her thighs, ‘Drea starts unbuttoning his shirt, ripping most of the buttons off making her giggle. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“
It’s OK.  I didn’t like that shirt anyway.” Nate says with a chuckle, as he tosses it off and trails kisses down her throat.  Slowly he unbuttons the buttons on the front of her dress kissing every inch of exposed skin, as she arches up to him.

“
Nate…” She pleads.

“Ssh, right here Sugar.” He whispers as he slides her panties down her legs. “I am going to take my time with you Andrea.  I have been desperate to touch you for like this for days.” As he pushes her dress off, he takes her mouth with his again, wrapping her legs around him.

‘
Drea has never felt like this.  Nate had spent his afternoon turning the clearing into a romantic wonderland, and he was worshipping her body like time stood still.  Phillip never gave her butterflies, she never saw sparks when he kissed her.  Nathan Kyle could make all those things happen and then some.  As Nate slowly sank into her, he thought his brain would explode.  It was better than anything he could have ever imagined…and he had spent a lot of time imagining…  The feel of her soft skin, her heart racing, the smell of vanilla and sugar that came from her was nothing compared to the sweet taste of her. 

As her sweet pan
ts turned to moans and soft whispers of his name; Nate lost himself and went right over the edge with her.  Pulling the extra blanket over them, Nate pulls her against him and kisses her hair. “You are beautiful ‘Drea.”  As he disposes of the condom in his jeans pocket, he hears ‘Drea sniffle.  Concern filling his face, he turns her chin up to look at him, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. “Jesus, Sugar did I hurt you?”