Page 73 of One Unexpected Gift

“They’re going to love both of you.” Nick set a reassuring hand on her thigh as he drove one-handed.

He did that a lot. Touched her, kissed her. Not quite innocently but not inappropriately either. Not that she would have minded. She’d been hungry for him for so long. It had been two weeks of spending every day together and they had yet to pass first base.

Before he learned of Gabby’s existence, he’d hinted–not so subtly–of his interest in her. And while he teased her and turned nearly everything she said into a sexual innuendo, he hadn’t once taken their kisses further than a heavy make out session. His hands stayed on her hips, her lower back, tangled in her hair, or, her favorite, cupping her face.

Her body sizzled under his touch, and not just when they were kissing. Yesterday afternoon while making them lunch, he beckoned her over to him so he could show her how to make enchiladas. She didn’t have much practice in the kitchen, there was no need when living on a military base, but she’d had enchilada night with her friends before.

They’d bought one of those kits, opened the can of sauce and dumped it over the dish, then topped it with cheese. When she told Nick this, he tsk’d her and showed her the right way. Being so close to him in his kitchen, bumping elbows, moving out of his way when she stood in front of the spice drawer he needed access to, was incredibly sexual.

It was like he knew what cooking for her was doing to her body. Not once did he take advantage, instead, his eyes smoldered with mischief, his dimple deepening. When he had to leave for work, he helped carry Gabby’s stuff to the car, made sure she was safely buckled in, and gave her a peppering of kisses before giving Skylar a quick kiss on the lips.

That was the way with him. She never knew if it would be a peck or something more. Either way, she was always left hungry for him. The man was the devil.

“We should be there in about thirty minutes. Do you want me to pull over so you can nurse Gabriella now or do you want to wait until we get there?”

A single man with no past experience with babies, and only two weeks under his belt in his new role shouldn’t be so perfect at the Dad role. Especially since it had only been four days since she explained Gabby’s nursing schedule.

“I think she can go another hour. She may end up being so overwhelmed with all the attention that she stretches it out further.”

“I never asked how she slept last night.”

His attention to her and her daughter turned her on almost as much as his kisses. “She slept six hours in a row.”

“Anytime you want to start practicing her on the bottle, I can take care of the midnight or early morning feedings. Granted, that would mean you’d have to sleep over.” He squeezed her thigh, and she did all but melt into the seat.

“I should start soon. Charlie and Owen’s freezer is packed full of milk. I’m pretty sure it’s freaking Owen out.”

“Yeah. That’s what he said at the gym the other night.”

“Nick. You’re not supposed to be lifting weights yet. This could set back your recovery.”

He reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers before bringing them to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and the tingles made her momentarily forget about his medical condition.

“I took it easy, Nurse Hayes. I rode the spin bike, which is doctor approved.”

“It’s Nurse Skylar. You didn’t try to lift with Owen?”

“I helped spot him, which was when he told me about the milk.”

“I can picture the faces of the guys in the gym.” She let out a laugh.

“I’m not the only guy there who brags about his kids.”

“You brag about Gabby?”

“Damn straight I do. I feel bad for the other guys who don’t have a kid as cute as ours. From the horror stories some of them whine about, their babies cried twenty-four-seven. We’re blessed to have such an easy baby, granted you’re the one who does all the work.”

“Gabby has been easy from birth. From what I’ve read, that could mean we’ll be paying for it in the toddler years. Some of the most challenging babies are the easiest toddlers and vice versa.”

“Nah. We’ve got a good kid. I feel it in here.” He brought their joined hands to his chest and thumped his heart.

“You’re biased, but so am I. I hope you’re right.”

When they entered the charming town of Acadia Falls, Nick pulled off to the side of the road. “All right. One quick thing before we get to my parent’s house.”

She slipped her hand from his and turned in her seat, not liking the seriousness in his tone. “You did tell them you were bringing me, didn’t you? I don’t want to be an uninvited guest.”

“Oh,” he laughed. “They know you’re coming. My mom is already planning her mother-of-the-groom dress.”

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