A Special Summer(70)

Chapter 25




Floating down the stairs in a pair of lavender silk pajamas, Nick got a whiff of Bath and Body Work’s newest scent, Brown Sugar and Fig as Summer rested a hip against the edge of the sofa closest to him.

Flicking through cable channels with the remote in one hand while holding the baby in the opposite arm he tried to ignore the tantalizing scent dancing beneath his nostrils.

“Do you want something to drink or to eat? She asked as she leaned across Nick and touched NJ lightly on the tip of his nose with her finger.

“Sure, what you got in there?”

“My mom made some baked chicken, greens, candied yams and macaroni and cheese before she left.”

“Cool, I’ll have that.”

Summer’s mom was mean as all get out, but the woman sure could burn. Nick was the recipient of many a tasty meals while she stayed with Summer and the baby over the past six weeks. And he had enjoyed every single meal.

Pushing off the edge of the sofa, Summer stood. “Okay, coming right up.”

While she was in the kitchen preparing his food, Nick sat holding the infant struggling to get himself together. Summer’s scent was too provoking. She had him feeling like a starved man who desperately needed to be fed in the worst way.

Minutes later she placed a tray with a plate of hot steaming food and a glass of her famous strawberry lemonade on the coffee table.

“Here let me take him so you can eat.”

“Thanks.” Was all he said as he concentrated on the piping hot plate in front of him as an effort to clear his head.

Tenderly the sleeping infant was transferred from father to mother. Once the baby was settled in her arms, Summer gently kissed his forehead.

“You’re going to spoil him rotten Nick if you keep holding him like this while he’s sleeping.”

“Come on now, I don’t get to see him as often as you. I can’t help it if after a long day at work all I want to do is hold my son.”

Summer smiled. He loves his son so much. Is this the same man who almost lost his mind when he found out I was pregnant with his baby? Now look at him, can’t keep his hands off my baby. “Yeah, my little man has that effect, doesn’t he?”

“Yep, he does,” Nick agreed as he turned to the movie, Training Day. Picking up his plate he patted a space on the sofa next to him. Having Summer and NJ close always made him feel complete. It made him feel whole.

Sitting down she asked, “Did NJ take the bottle okay?”

“Yeah… he did good…Why?” he asked in between bites.

Evading Nick’s question she questioned, “Did you burp him?”

Nick raised a brow. “Yeah, why you ask?”

“Because I don’t want him to get a tummy ache from all the air in his little belly,” she said in baby talk as she held the sleeping baby kissing his tiny lips.

“Not why to that. Why did you ask about how he did with the bottle?” Nick noticed how Summer squirmed at his clarification of the question.

“Because he didn’t like the bottle at first, he kept crying and spitting out the nipple.”

“Why?” Nick was now even more curious as she squirmed even further with her explanation.

“He likes the breast better than the bottle,” she mumbled under her breath.

“That’s my boy,” Nick commented with a wolfish grin.

Rolling her eyes and scooting away feigning disgust, Summer huffed, “You so nasty. Just nasty.”

Nick chuckled, shrugging a broad shoulder. “I’m only telling the truth.”“Whatever, Nick.”

Summer swatted Nick’s hand as he leaned over and poked her in the side. “Come on, you know you want to laugh.”

“Leave me alone nasty boy. Watch your movie,” she said swallowing her giggles as she stood holding her son close to her chest.

“Where are you going?” he asked almost in panic fearing he had gone too far in his jesting.

“I’ll be right back. I want to put my little prince to bed.”

“A’ight, hurry up back so you can watch the movie with me.” Hurry up back? What is up with that? Nick mindlessly scratched the side of his head, wondering when he had become so desperate. Since you fell in love with her, the tiny voice in his head taunted.

Returning from putting the baby down, Summer found Nick in a more relaxed position. The tie was removed, the first few buttons of his shirt were undone and his sleeves were rolled up. Reclining back, long legs were stretched out and crossed at the ankles.

“Are you comfortable?” Summer asked as she plopped down next to him.

“Uh huh, why you asking?”“Because, you look awkward to me that’s all.”