Page 98 of Marrying the Nanny

They’d torn up the sheets last night, and she’d been splayed across him this morning after straddling his hips for what had felt like long, delicious hours. Her body had been tender and boneless and replete when he traced a line down her spine and said, “I didn’t mean to get that rough.”

“I’m on top,” she pointed out, not even opening her eyes.

“I know.” His hand had cupped the back of her neck, fingers caressing her nape, keeping her in a languorous state upon him. “But I meant to take it easy this time. That’s why I wanted you here. I thought you’d slow me down.”

He had wound up gripping her hips and bucking powerfully beneath her, their groans alerting everyone on the floor that there were newlyweds in the building.

Emma experienced zero regrets. That’s why she was replaying it in her head, sending a surreptitious, but lustful glance up to him as they shared a bench in the water taxi as it carried them into Raven’s Cove.

He caught her eye and stiffened slightly, asking knowingly, “What are you thinking about?”

The growl of the diesel engine covered their low voices from any nearby eavesdroppers, but as he looped his arm around her shoulders and touched his mouth to her forehead, she felt his restraint.

She was starting to read him really well—or rather, to recognize when he was making himself difficult to read and understand that it was his defense mechanism.

“Reid? Please don’t be mad about how we make each other feel. I’ve never felt like this, and I really need to.”

“I’m not mad. But what exactly do you mean?” he asked with caution, perhaps fearing she was talking about emotions.

A small pang hit that he wasn’t ready for that conversation, but the rest was enough for now.

“I feel drunk,” she confided self-consciously. Infatuated, she supposed, turning her nose into his chest, loving the feel of him warm against her. Loving his scent and strength. Loving she had the right to touch him without invitation. “Sexual.” Her mouth quirked. They were having all kinds of great sex, but she continued to ache for reassurance. “Like I’m desirable.”

“You’re too desirable,” he grumbled, drawing her in again. “I don’t want to hurt you in bed or get hard in public.” He sent a scan toward the few other passengers nearby.

“I would tell you if anything hurt so stop worrying about that. The second I can’t help you with.”

“Yeah, you could. Stop looking at me like that.”

She chuckled and they kissed. She felt better, but still…wistful.

Don’t be greedy, she cautioned herself. He had asked for patience, and she understood why. She wasn’t even sure how she felt toward him beyond hoping this growing bond was reciprocated.

The boat docked. Minutes later they were climbing the ramp with their luggage. They’d only been gone two nights, but Emma had brought an extra suitcase, stocking up on new clothes for Storm and a few other necessities.

Trystan was waiting for them, holding Storm. “Who’s that?” he asked the baby.

Storm grinned with excitement, but quickly buried her face into Trystan’s shoulder.

“Come see me,” Emma invited, but Storm was smiling and hiding. She wouldn’t go to Reid, either, even though she was clearly happy to see them.

“I haven’t seen anything this silly since Emma changed your stinky butt on a boardroom table,” Trystan told Storm.

“Give me the keys,” Reid said. “I’ll get the truck.”

Trystan handed them over, but the minute Reid started to walk toward the lodge office where it was parked, Storm picked up her head and let out a loud wail of abandonment.

They all tried not to laugh, but honestly. She finally went to Emma, and Trystan slipped away while they pointed out the boats and birds and an airplane taxiing across the cove for takeoff.

When Storm reached for Reid, he took her and said, “I missed you, too, brat,” and kissed her forehead. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

*

Trystan had other plans. As soon as they were in the SUV, he turned up the road behind the marina, taking them to the community hall where a potluck reception had been arranged.

“Surprise,” he said with faint, ironic enthusiasm as he parked.

The people outside saw that they’d arrived and lifted their cans of beer with a cheer.

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