Page 23 of Banking on Love

“What?” I shrieked. I turned on my heels and looked at him.

“Yeah. I got off the phone with you and the next thing I knew, he was carrying your dad out. Said he was going to take him home and to not wake you up,” Jack smiled knowingly. My cheeks burned from both embarrassment and flattery knowing that Nick had thought of me.

“Oh,” I blushed.

“Mmhmm. He seems smitten by you.”

“Smitten?” I laughed. “That’s such an old-timer word.”

“Guess I’m finally starting to show my age, huh?” He laughed to himself and shook his head slightly. No doubt reminiscing about his life.

“Never,” I smiled then turned towards the door. “See you later, Jack.”

* * *

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Nick laughed as he closed the door to his truck and walked over to his porch, where I was standing.

“Well, I debated on going to the house but, honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to see him,” I admitted faintly. Nick gave me a sympathetic look then placed his hand on my shoulder. “Figured I’d meet you here instead.”

“You okay?”

“Yes,” I nodded but quickly shook my head. “Why’d you take him home?”

In my mind, I had played this scenario out over and over. And each time I sounded like an idiot. Saying it out loud had been no different.

“Sorry,” I groaned. “I just mean, you didn’t have to. I would have gotten him.”

“I know you would have, Kensi.” Nick wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his warm, firm body. He kissed the top of my head. “It’s okay to take the day off from saving the day.”

My heart skipped a beat before pounding rapidly. My stomach felt like hundreds of butterflies were fluttering around. Nick’s words were like glue to all my broken pieces. Everything I feared was washed away. And, I felt…safe.

“You’re incredible. You know that?” I whispered. His chest vibrated as he chuckled.

“I’m just being honest.”

“You’re still incredible,” I giggled. “Thank you.”

“For?” he asked, pulling away just enough to look down at me.

“Helping me with my dad.”

“Oh. That,” he replied faintly. There was a slight groan in his tone. “I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t my place. I was trying to keep you from getting your sleep interrupted but I see I failed at that.”

“That wasn’t your fault. Jack had already called me. He has me on speed dial, unfortunately,” I chuckled but Nick didn’t.

“I see this. I thought I had gotten your dad out of there before the bartender had a chance to call. Sorry.”

“None of that, Sir.” I stood on my tipped toes and kissed him softly. “I appreciate you helping, Nick. Truly.”

“Was that sweet kiss my reward?” I leaned my forehead against his chest and giggled. “I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

“I’d give you more sweet kisses, if I didn’t have to be up early,” I admitted with a heavy sigh.

“Raincheck?” he said teasingly, but there was a hint of sexiness coated in his tone.

Mmm, I moaned to myself. I had been wanting a round two with him ever since the first night. However, timing had been off or I was simply too chicken to make a move on his sexy ass.

“Definitely a raincheck.”

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