Sleigh Ride Together with You (16 page)

Finally easing out of his arms, having lost all sense of time, Nicole caught the besotted look in Alex's heavy-lidded gaze. She'd obviously surprised him with her impassioned response to his kisses, and he stared at her as if in some kind of trance. She cupped his jaw, which was shadowed with the beginnings of his dark beard, and he leaned into her touch. “We're scary good at that, wouldn't you say?” They needed to keep moving, or she couldn't trust herself not to throw herself back in his arms and kiss him senseless.

He caught her hand, squeezed it, and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “I'd definitely say so. Did you really have any doubt?” Tugging his gloves back on, he chuckled.

“Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?”

“Be quiet or I'll kiss you again.” When he offered his arm, Nicole took hold of him as they continued to make their way toward the pond.

“Is that a threat?”

“Nope,” he said. “It's a promise.”

 

 

 

 

18

 

Alex blinked the snowflakes off his eyelashes.

“It's snowing!” Twirling in a precarious circle, arms extended, Nicole giggled. Her infectious, childlike joy delighted him.

With everything she did and said, she enchanted him. What he'd told Jake was true. The thought of returning to New York was weighing heavily on his mind. He was falling more in love with Nicole each passing day.

“Careful,” he said, reaching for her when she teetered on her skates. After he was assured she was steady on her feet, he released her. “Thank you.”

She tilted her head, slanting him a curious look. “For what?”

“For helping me remember to appreciate God's gifts.” He took her by the hand again. “Come on. Let's go skate.”

Five minutes later, if Nicole's frown didn't clue him in that she was uncomfortable as he helped her onto the ice, the way her ankles wobbled in the skates confirmed it. Moving one arm around her waist, Alex pulled her along with strong, forward glides. This he could do, and it was second nature to him.

He heard her sharp intake of breath. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. But she was willing to try something she obviously didn't like, and that in itself spoke to her strength of character.

Slowing their pace, Alex swung around to face her and captured both her gloved hands in his. “Allow me to lead. Close your eyes if it helps.” He tightened his hold to reassure her. “Don't be afraid. I've got you. I won't let you fall.”

As he skated with her, he darted frequent glances over his shoulder to get a sense of the perimeter of the pond. Once he was confident she was more relaxed, Alex succumbed to the temptation to study Nicole since she'd taken his suggestion and closed her eyes. Her skin was radiant and smooth, and she could easily be mistaken for a teenager instead of a woman in her late twenties. But she was all woman, and then some. He admired her dedication to her career. He adored her sense of humor, her wit. The way her eyes sparked when she was impatient, the way her lips curved into the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. The way she looked at him and made him feel like the most blessed man in the universe. The way her lips felt on his, the way she'd responded to him. The way they fit in every way.

He hoped she wasn't chilled in her red wool jacket. “Are you too cold? If you are, we'll go back inside.”

“No,” she said, and her eyes fluttered open. “I've always loved this time of year and the crispness in the air. Call me weird, but the cold makes me somehow feel more alive.”

“I agree. I've always felt at home on the ice. In some ways, it's very natural for me.”

She giggled a little, the sound working its way further into his heart. “That is weird, but I suspected as much from the time you pointed out your battle scars.”

Exhaling, Alex watched his warm breath escape into the night air. “You're kind of giving me a complex about them.”

Nicole's smile could have knocked him over. “I don't mean to, Alex. They're like your badges of honor. You're missing the point. I actually like them. They give you added character, a hint of intrigue.”

“More like a reminder of my youthful idiocy.” She liked them? That was a pleasant surprise. Two ex-girlfriends had suggested he have his scars corrected. They might be physical imperfections, but they humbled him while highlighting his humanity.

Nicole closed her eyes again as they continued to skate around the small pond.

After a few more minutes, Alex felt the tension in her arms relax and a teasing smile played about her lips. “I'm feeling braver now.”

“Go for it,” he said in a coaxing tone.

She opened her eyes. “It's nice to know you're so accomplished and won't allow me to end up flat on my backside. And I know you were watching me.” When she slicked her tongue along her lower lip, moistening it, it sent a shot of adrenaline straight through him.

Nicole's blue eyes searched his, sending his thoughts in a hundred different directions. He needed to keep them moving, or he'd kiss her again and not want to stop. His skates swished on the ice as Alex skirted around her. Tucking her tight into his side, he skated with her beside him and dared to increase the pace. “Let's have some fun.”

After a few feeble protests, Nicole's nervous laughter calmed down. Soon enough, they fell into an easy rhythm together as they circled several turns, the metal blades of their skates slicing through the ice the only sounds to break the quiet of the night. Alex twirled her a few times before finally slowing them down.

She laughed when he scooped her into his arms and skated to the edge of the pond. “I can see this is becoming a habit with you.” This time she didn't protest or squirm. “Thank you, Alex. That was actually very romantic. I loved every minute.” He gently lowered her to the ground and then kissed her forehead.

“Me, too. Thanks for being such a good sport.”

Five minutes later, shoulders touching, they sat on the covered outdoor porch as they started to remove their skates. “My dad used to skate with me on a pond near our house. Those times are among my favorite memories of him.” Nicole's voice was quiet and full of emotion. Appearing embarrassed, she lowered her gaze.

“Hold onto those memories of your dad,” he said. “Whether or not you realize it, they make you smile. Thanks for skating tonight with me.” She'd removed her gloves and fumbled with a knot in the laces as he tugged off both his skates. “Here, let me help you.” He leaned close and worked out the knot for her. “I've worked out a lot of knots in skate laces in my day.”

“I'm sure you have.” Nicole fell silent as he slipped to his knees and removed her right skate followed by the left. When she took his hand and stood up beside him, Alex hated the thought that he'd need to say good night to her in a few minutes and bring a perfect day to an end.

“You're right about Starlight, you know.”

“Tell me.”

“The part about God being here. And also the part about falling in love.”

Her smile reached every part of him.

He lightly skimmed his fingertips over her cheek and turned her face to his, bringing her closer. “May I kiss you again?” His eyes fell on her lips, and he lowered his head.

 

****

 

“You don't need to ask permission,” Nicole whispered. Something stuck in the back of her mind. Something she didn't welcome. Planting both hands on his firm chest, she shook her head, backing away before he could kiss her. “Wait. I'm sorry, Alex. I can't do this right now.”

She felt as much as heard his sigh of frustration.

“Let's go inside where it's warm.” Moving to the back door, he held it open, waiting, the expression on his face indecipherable.

With each step, Nicole's heart dropped further. Why did she have to question everything? Why couldn't she just enjoy his soul-stirring, heart-stopping kisses and the fact that such a handsome, successful and wonderful-in-every-way man desired her? She should wish him good night and see what tomorrow might bring.
Don't spoil this perfect evening.

“Listen, we're both tired and should call it a night.” Alex hung their jackets on a hook inside the back door. Leaning against the island in the middle of the kitchen, he rubbed one hand over his forehead and then covered his mouth when he yawned. “Sorry, it's not the company. I assure you. It's been a long day, but a great one. We probably tried to cram too much emotion into one roller coaster of a day. I'm looking forward to being in church with you in the morning. What time's the service?”

“Nine thirty.”

“Are we still planning on visiting your mother on the way back to Des Moines?”

She shuffled her sock-covered feet on the floor, leaned against the opposite counter, and avoided his gaze. “I'm debating. A promise is a promise, I suppose, but I'm having a hard time with it at the moment.”

“I'm along for the ride whatever you decide. And I don't just mean because we came in the same vehicle.”

Alex's words meant so much. He wasn't trying to sway her one way or the other. But he was here, and he cared. “I meant what I said. For this one night, you made me feel…precious to someone. That means more than you can possibly ever know.”

“No reason you can't feel that way every day.” Bridging the distance between them, he planted both hands on her shoulders. She sank into those deep green eyes. Her fickle heart was on the slippery slope into something she wasn't sure she welcomed. More like she wasn't sure she was ready. Could she open herself to more hurt from a man in her life? If she wasn't ready, it wasn't right to lead Alex on, making him believe something could ever happen between them. That wouldn't be fair to him. Her spirits sank further.

From her father on down the line, in every relationship she'd ever had with a man, they'd let her down in some way. She had to face the facts: something must be lacking in her because she hadn't been enough for them in one way or another. If she had been, maybe they'd have stuck around. In some cases, it was for the best that they'd parted. Maybe she was more like her mother than she'd realized. What a sad thought.

Lord, can I risk giving my love to Alex?

The sadness in Alex's eyes and his drawn features pierced her conscience. She'd hurt him. Nicole could only hope he understood she wasn't rejecting him. Everything in her screamed to wrap her arms around him, kiss him like there was no tomorrow, and never let him go.

“It's not you, Alex. It's me.”
Lord, help him understand.
But how could he understand when she didn't understand it herself? She didn't deserve this man. He needed to find a woman who could come to him freely without insecurities and trust issues.

His jaw tightened, and he fixed her with a probing stare. “That's not good enough, not to mention it's a classic copout. I deserve better, and so do you. I kissed you because I can't stop thinking about you. I went to sleep last night wondering what you were doing, what you were thinking. I'll probably be wondering those same things tonight. Then the same pattern of thinking will start up all over again in the morning. To be repeated no less than a hundred times during the course of the day. Just like every single day since I've met you. In other words, you're the most distracting woman I've ever met.”

She swallowed. “An unwelcome distraction, you mean.”

A sound of frustration escaped, and he heaved a sigh as he tore his gaze from hers. “Listen to what I'm really saying here, Nicole.” Dragging her into his arms, not asking her permission this time nor allowing her to escape, he dipped his head and brought his lips close, and she was powerless to resist him.

“At the risk of sounding like Slade what's-his-name, I want to be the man who rescues you from yourself as much as anything else. You're a completely nutty, gorgeous, fantastic, and sometimes incredibly stubborn woman. But, in spite of it all,” he said, tipping her chin, “I find that you are the only woman I want to kiss ever again in my lifetime.”

With that, Alex lowered his lips to hers in a long, searching kiss he no doubt meant to be persuasive. The man certainly knew how to prove his point. When he released her, a small groan escaped from somewhere deep in his throat while she gripped the counter to stay upright. She'd never been kissed so thoroughly, or so convincingly.

“I'll see you in the morning. Get some sleep.” He gave her one last lingering glance. “Just so you know, I'm not planning on going anywhere. Good night.” With that, he exited the kitchen.

Staring after him, Nicole touched her fingers to her lips. “Good night, Alex.”

 

 

 

 

19

 

Sunday Morning, Starlight

 

When Nicole stepped through the front doors of the church, Pastor Ted and his wife greeted her with warm hugs as if she'd never left town. Many in the congregation followed suit with more embraces and words of welcome. Several mentioned how proud they were of her work on the show. Nothing felt more right than sitting in the beautiful stone church, preparing to worship with some of her dearest friends in the world.

“Scoot over, honey.”

Nicole smiled as the scent of lilac perfume enveloped her. She slid down the wooden pew, allowing room for Caroline and Ben. “Good morning.” She hugged Caroline and squeezed Ben's hand. “If it was any other day of the week but Sunday, I'd be sitting at the counter in Barney's Diner ordering my usual cup of Earl Grey.”

Caroline laughed under her breath. “And I'd give you a slice of cherry cheesecake.”

“After all, it's not just for breakfast anymore.” Nicole tried to stifle her yawn and wondered if Alex had tossed and turned a large part of the night just as she had. “By the way, your secret's out.”