Page 27 of The Greatest Gift

I grin, taking a bite of the pasta. It’s delicious—the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy with just enough garlic to give it a kick. “You really know your way around a kitchen,” I say, impressed.

“Just one of my many talents,” Nakul replies, winking.

***

After dinner, Stevie gets a bath and her bedtime routine starts. She insists on readingGoodnight Moon—twice—and then demands an extra hug—from Nakul, no less—before I finally tuck her in.

When I return to the kitchen, Nakul is already cleaning up. The sight of him at my sink, sleeves rolled up and hands working deftly, makes my heart twist. He’s also cleaningagaineven though this isn’t his house.

“You don’t have to do that,” I say, stepping in beside him.

He glances at me, smiling. “I don’t mind. Besides, you cooked last time, remember?”

“Yeah, and you helped then too.” I chuckle, grabbing a towel and starting to dry the dishes he’s rinsing. It feels oddly domestic—like a glimpse into a life I never thought I’d have. Our fingers brush every so often, both of us gravitating closer until I’m pressed against his side, the position impractical for drying.

Neither one of us moves though, not until Nakul finishes the last dish and then reaches down to grab my ass, soapy hand and all. A gasp tears from my throat as I nearly drop the last dish, glaring at him—although there’s no real anger behind it. The heat in his eyes changes the mood completely as he drags me into a kiss, both of us tasting from each other.

“Stay,” I breathe against his lips.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you sure?” he asks, his tone careful. “This is a big step, Judd. Are you ready for that?”

I nod, my heart pounding. “I am. I want this. I want you.”

His expression softens and he cups my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin. “Do you have—,”

“Yes,” I cut him off, my cheeks flaming. Searching for lube at the grocery store was embarrassing enough. Paying for it while fantasizing about this evening was even worse. I didn’t plan this but I knew it was going to happen sooner or later and I didn’t want to stop once we were in the moment. Like now.

Nakul swallows nervously as I lead him down the hallway to my room. I check the baby monitor on my nightstand, making sure that it’s on before locking my door. My head rests against the wood as I gather my thoughts, Nakul stepping up behind me, his hands settling on my waist. “We don’t have to do this, Judd. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know,” I mumble. “But I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Like what it would feel like, you inside of me, holding me. Am I crazy?”

He chuckles, kissing down the back of my neck before running his lips across my shoulder. “Only if I am.” Then he turns me around and kisses me, holding my face in his large hands.

His lips press against mine, slow and deliberate, and I melt into the embrace. It’s not rushed; there’s no urgency, just the quiet exploration of each other. His hands move back to my waist, pulling me closer and I let myself lean into him, my arms sliding around his neck.

There’s no fumbling, no pressure, just the soft hum of connection that builds with every kiss, every touch. His hands are warm as they glide up my back, and when his fingers slip beneath my shirt, I shiver—not from the cold, but from the way his touch sets my skin alight.

He pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with mine. “Tell me if you want to stop,” he says softly.

“I don’t want to stop,” I whisper, my voice shaky but certain. “I don’t want to stop.”

We move slowly as if the world outside this room doesn’t exist. He peels off my shirt with careful hands, his fingers brushing my skin in a way that makes me feel seen—cherished. His lips find my neck again, trailing soft kisses along my jawline, down to my collarbone, each one drawing a quiet gasp from me.

“Nakul…” I murmur, my hands tangling in his hair. It’s softer than I expected, sliding easily between my fingers. He looks up at me, his eyes dark and filled with something more than just desire—something almost like love.

“Tell me how you want this,” he says, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

“I don’t know,” I admit, feeling a little embarrassed. “Just… this. You.” Neither one of us has been with men before but I know what I want now. There’s no denying that I’m both attracted and falling for this man who has me as putty in his hands.

His lips curve into a small smile and he kisses me again, deeper this time. We stumble toward the bed as I fight with his shirt, laughing when he reaches down and rips it over his head with expert precision. The laugh dies in my throat as he undresses the rest of me and then himself, showing me his entire body for the first time.

Nakul stands at the edge of the bed as I lean back on my elbows from the mattress. He’s a work of art, muscles upon muscles lining every inch of his body but it’s his cock that makes my mouth water. My tongue darts out to lick my lips before I sit up and swallow the tip. His hips buck forward, his hands on my shoulders as I taste him. Knowing that I’m undoing this beautiful man in front of me gives me the confidence to keep going.

“Fuck, Judd. If you keep doing that—”

He gently tugs me off his cock and I scoot farther onto the bed, my heart beating a little faster with what’s about to happen. It’s always been me taking apart my date, watching them fall apart before I do and now the roles are switched. I find that I love it.

I reach over to my nightstand and unearth the new bottle of lube, both of us swallowing nervously. Nakul slips it from my hands and then kneels beside the bed. “Come a little closer, love.” My breath catches at the new nickname, Nakul pausing as if he didn’t even realize he used it. “I need to prep you so you don’t get hurt.”

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