Page 52 of Nico
"But..."
"Quiet," his voice was firm and had her blinking. "I'm not done. I spent most of the day wishing you were sharing the moments with me." His eyes flickered to the sleeping child. "The way she tore into her presents, the laughter and joy on her face. I wanted to share it with you, and you weren't there. I am not going through that again."
"Am I allowed to speak now?"
Instead of smiling, he simply nodded, bottle green eyes trained on her face with an absorption that had her heart thundering. "I want to say yes."
"It's one simple word," he pointed out.
"There are so many people involved. I don't think your mother likes me."
He smiled at that. "She's cautious. I'm her son and like any good mother, she thinks no one is good enough for me. We can get past that. She'll accept you as soon as she realizes how I feel about you and they do." Using his thumb, he traced her lip and felt desire stirring into flames. Soon, he would take home his daughter and return or persuade the woman in his arms to come back to his place. But he was certain there was no way they were sleeping apart from each other tonight. "Say yes."
"I need time."
"Say yes."
Rolling her eyes at him, she smiled. "Yes. And if I disappoint you..."
"Never," he whispered before crushing his lips to hers.
Chapter 13
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the frost-laced windows, painting golden stripes across the floorboards. Sadie woke to the comforting weight of Nico's arm draped around her waist and the quiet hush of the house, as if the world itself was holding its breath for them. She lay still, savoring the rare moment of peace, her heart full in a way that felt almost foreign and yet, deeply right.
Gracie's laughter drifted from the hallway, bright and bubbling, announcing the start of a new day. Nico stirred beside her, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.
"Good morning, fiancée," he whispered, the word rolling off his tongue with a mix of pride and awe.
Sadie turned, eyes bright, unable to contain her smile. "Good morning, fiancé." The exchange felt both surreal and inevitable, like stepping into sunlight after a long winter. "I should not have spent the night. What will Gracie think?"
"She's too busy enjoying the benefits of Christmas," he nuzzled her neck and focused on a spot behind her left ear. "Besides, she just knows that her daddy is sleeping in the same bed with the woman he's going to marry. Nothing more. A child who's less than two sees things innocently and does not complicate matters."
She stirred a little restlessly. "We're not married yet."
"We could remedy that by taking a trip to the courthouse. I just want my rings on your finger and you bearing my name."
Her brows arched. "And if I prefer to keep my name?"
"Then you keep it. In my heart, you'll be Mrs. Nico Coulter."
"Is that so?"
"Hmm." He nibbled at her flesh. "I woke earlier and gave Gracie some breakfast. PB&J and some hot chocolate. She's in a sugar coma." He grinned at her frown.
"That's not breakfast."
"My daughter thinks differently. She thinks I'm her hero. Besides, Nadine is with her."
She popped up, almost bashing her head against his chin. "Your sister is here? In this house, right now? She knows I'm-- we're-- Oh God! What will she think? What will your parents think when they hear I slept over with Gracie present? They'll think I'm a slut. Nico--"
"Hush now." He covered her mouth and brought her back down. "You almost smashed my teeth and are panicking for nothing." He trapped her body with his when she tried to get up.
"Let me up."
"Why? I love this position." He grinned at her and ignored the poking of her fingers in his ribs.
Before she could say anything else, there was a knock on the door.
