Page 117 of One Unexpected Gift

“What happened to Nicolas?”

“When you’re giving me what I want, I’ll call you Nicolas.”

He chuckled. “Is that how it’s going to be, darlin’?” Now he really wanted her to wait. “You see, you challenged an incredibly competitive man. And one thing you should know about me,” he licked from one nipple to the other, “is that I always live up to my challenges.”

Nick licked down the center of her stomach, stopping when she lifted her hips to him. It took the willpower of the entire Avengers fleet to not give her what she wanted.

Yet. Lifting his chin, he scooted back on his hunches and swung his legs off the bed. He opened the top drawer to his dresser and pushed aside his boxers and socks. It was cliche` keeping the box in the drawer but he hadn’t thought about a creative hiding space.

“Either you’ve been getting your rocks off somewhere else, you’re not interested in me anymore, or you’re gay.”

Nick spun around. “What?”

“You left a desperately willing and naked woman begging in your bed. What gives?”

“Desperately willing, huh?” He clutched the box in his hand and pointed down at his erection. “Rocks are rock hard and haven’t gotten off since you did that thing on the phone last week. In case you can’t tell by the direction of my compass, I’m more than interested.”

He sat at the edge of the bed and lifted her delicate hand in his.

“And I’m definitely not gay.”

“Are you just wanting me to beg? Is that payback for leaving you for so long? I figured you’d be at my mercy learning I’m moving here. Unless—”

“Don’t even go there, Skylar.” He shifted one foot under him and caressed her fingers. “I have a gift for you too. I wasn’t planning on giving it to you... like this.”

“Naked?”

Nick chuckled. “Yeah. Naked.”

“What is it? Because from what I’ve heard, chocolate sauce is best served naked. Not that I’d know. There’s this guy I know who’s all talk and no action.”

“Skylar,” he growled. She’d get her action. He rubbed one hand while the other fumbled with the box. Maybe now wasn’t the right time.

“You’re stalling, Nick. Presents or sex. I’m fine with either as long as the sex happens soon.”

“Absence sure makes you horny, doesn’t it?”

“The heart grows fonder, too.” Sky moved across the bed and straddled him. “You got all quiet and weird on me. Is this too fast? If you’re not ready for us to move in, I’m totally okay with it. Last year your invite was only for a few weeks. And these past months we’ve only been—”

Nick stopped her words with a kiss. “I’m totally okay with you and Gabriella moving in.”

“I don’t want you resenting our daughter.”

“Our daughter is what brought us back together. If anything, I’m indebted to her for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t want you feeling like you have to be with me.”

“Baby, there are all sorts of feelings going on inside this body and head of mine, and none of them are preceded by the word have to be.”

“That’s three words.”

“The only three words I’m thinking of at the moment are I love you.”

“I don’t doubt your love, Nick.”

“Good.” He lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles before unlocking his fingers from hers. He pulled at each finger, stopping on her third. He took in a deep breath, the hammering in his chest not from his uncertainty. He wanted this more than anything. What he wasn’t sure was if she wanted it too.

“I want more than Gabriella occupying a room down the hall. I want more than your clothes taking up space in my dresser. I want this to be your home too. Our home. Our family’s home. The home of our future children.”

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