Page 89 of One Unexpected Gift

She said yes without any hesitation. Nick hadn’t planned on a sleepover tonight, but it felt right so he went with his gut. A smile took over his face and he kissed her. Hard. He slipped his hands to the back of her neck and pulled her into him.

When her arms looped around his neck, he sighed in contentment. It didn’t freak him out. Not even a trace. A woman and a baby staying with him wasn’t ever something he wanted, especially after his divorce, but this felt right.

Skylar felt right.

Gabriella laying on his chest felt right. When he’d fallen asleep on his parent’s couch yesterday afternoon with his daughter, that felt right.

“Okay then.” He gave her a curt nod, another quick kiss, then righted himself before he pushed her too far. Putting the truck in gear, he looked over his shoulder and pulled out into the road. All the while his heart thumped with a happy, content beat.

Sleeping over didn’t mean anything more than spooning. And some possible sex. Please, God, let there at least be spooning. He’d pray for more, but he didn’t want to push his luck. Besides, asking God for sex seemed sort of... wrong.

The sex would be an added bonus, a much appreciated bonus, but he needed to make sure Skylar didn’t think that was a condition he’d hold over her head. He pulled into his driveway a few minutes later. While Skylar brough Gabriella inside, he made three trips bringing in the rest of the gear.

It was nearing dinner time and, other than some trail mix on the ride home, they hadn’t eaten since the morning brunch. “I don’t have much in the fridge.” He opened it and inspected the dates on the milk and yogurts. Nothing else other than a door full of condiments. Nick made a mental note to check the expiration dates on those as well when Skylar wasn’t looking.

The last thing he needed was for her to think he was a disgusting bachelor. At least the house was clean. Not that he was a slob before, but since she started coming around more often, he vacuumed every other day instead of a few times a month and cleaned his bathroom nearly every day instead of waiting for water stains to prompt him.

“I’m not too hungry. I stuffed myself this morning. You Pierce siblings make a mean breakfast.”

“I can’t promise a smorgasbord like that every day, but I’ll be sure to dazzle you with my breakfast skills while you’re here.”

While you’re here. Meaning this wasn’t a permanent situation. He hadn’t been looking for permanent, but the thought of losing both Gabriella and Skylar in a few weeks was a kick to the chest. More specifically, his heart.

“How about soup?” He took out two cans of chicken noodle from the cabinet.

“Soup is perfect.”

“I may even have some bread and cheese if you want a side of grilled cheese to go with it.” He went back to the fridge and found a package of American cheese that didn’t have any mold on it.

“Maybe a half-sandwich.”

“Done. Have a seat while your personal chef cooks dinner.”

They talked and laughed about inconsequential things while they ate. Gabriella hadn’t stayed down long and joined them for dinner as well.

“Do you mind if I nurse her at the table?”

“Of course not. I’m impressed how much you can multitask while doing that.”

Skylar lifted her shirt, and he did his best not to stare at her soft skin. While he fantasized about her breasts regularly, when she nursed his thoughts turned elsewhere. More in fascination, awe, and respect for how she nourished their daughter.

After dinner, Skylar showed him how to give Gabriella a bath. There was more intimacy with the two of them standing together propping their slippery baby in the kitchen sink than if they’d been doing the naked tango on his couch.

Okay, maybe not more, but deeper. More real. Different from any other experience he’d had with a woman. Once clean and in her pajamas, he set Gabriella on her blanket in the middle of his living room.

“It’s good for her to have some alone time. I don’t want her to become too dependent on someone holding her twenty-four seven.”

“Should I turn on the TV or something?” Nick picked up the remote and surfed for an age appropriate channel. “I don’t know what I’m looking for.”

“Maybe the radio? Music is good.”

He turned on an easy listening station and picked up Skylar’s bag that he’d left by the front door earlier. “I should have brought you to Charlie’s to get your things.”

“I can go tomorrow. I texted her while you were making dinner to let her know we wouldn’t be home tonight.”

“How did that go over?”

“Like you’d imagine.”

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