Kilyn stood and wrapped her arms around her husband. After a quick kiss, she faced me. "Gabi, this is Thano."
I stood and reached my hand out for his. He pulled me to him and kissed me gently on the cheek. "It's nice to meet you, Gabi. I'm not sure what you did to my big brother in there, but keep doing it. I haven't seen him this relaxed in a long ass time."
Not sure what to say, I simply smiled. The next thing I knew, a young girl in curls ran out the door screaming.
"Uncle Nic is going to get me . . . save me!"
She stopped on a dime when she saw me. Her sweet blue eyes lit up and she pointed to me. "You are very pretty. Who are you?"
Nic was by my side, kissing me gently on the cheek. "This is Gabi, squirt. Gabi, this is squirt. Otherwise known as Kira."
I bent down and offered my hand to her. "It's so nice to meet you, Kira."
She wore a wide smile. "Are you Uncle Nic's girlfriend?"
Opening my mouth, I wasn't sure how to answer that.
Nic answered for me. Scooping up the little girl, he threw her over his shoulder. "She is, but you'll always be my number one girl."
Joy danced through my heart at Nic telling Kira I was his girlfriend. Even though it was only our second date, the declaration felt right.
Squeals of delight came from her mouth. "Yay!"
My heart melted as I watched Nic play with his niece. He'd make a wonderful father. A slow ache began to build. I'd never really longed for a family of my own. In that moment it was all I could do to not dream of that with Nic.
Too. Soon.
These feelings were happening way too fast. Peeking over to Kilyn and Thano, they were gazing at me like I was the best thing since apple pie.
"Gabi! Gabi! Come play hide and seek!"
I quickly made my way out into the yard with Nic and Kira.
"Okay, well you guys have fun. I'm taking my wife inside for a bit."
Kilyn giggled and let Thano led her into the house. My mouth fell open. Turning, I looked at Nic.
"Are they?"
He tossed his head back and laughed. "I guess they saw an opportunity and took it."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess so!"
Nic opened the door to his condo and motioned for me to go in first. Following, I gasped when I saw the view before my eyes.
"Wow. Why in the world would you want to move with a view like this?"
He set the three bags of groceries down on his kitchen island. "I don't know. A change would be nice. I figured I'm almost thirty-one, buying a house seemed like the next step."
Walking to the wall of glass, I looked out at the sun dipping below the mountains. This was why I decided to stay in this city. I was ready to put my past behind me and start dreaming about the future. And Nic was the person I wanted to do that with. But could I start a relationship with someone I was so drawn to on a lie?
He spoke and I jumped. "And if you hadn't backed out of the bidding war, I might not be talking about the little blue house I'm closing on in a month."
I laughed as I spun back around and helped him take out the fixings for lasagna. "I did love that house, and I'm sad I let it go."
"I happen to know the new owner. I bet he'd let you come and have a sleepover."
My lower stomach pulled. "Hmm . . . tempting offer."
Sparks seemed to ignite the air as we both stood and stared at one another. I finally broke the stare down. "Are you sure you want me to make lasagna?"
"Hell yes I'm sure," Nic said as he pulled out the long loaf of fresh Italian bread we had just bought. I laughed when he took a bite off the end of it.
"If we were at my house, you'd be eating it with fresh pasta."
Nic sauntered over to me, placed his hands on my hips, and pulled me to him. "If we were at your place, Charity would be pushing us to the bedroom and probably telling me the correct way to use my dick."
Laughing, I hit him on the shoulder. "You're so bad, right, but bad."
He quickly kissed me on the cheek. "I'll put some music on and you get to cooking dinner for me, woman."
Colbie Caillat's soft voice came through the speakers and I couldn't help but smile. "I love her!" I called back over my shoulder.
I felt him before he touched me. The hairs on my neck stood and my lower stomach dropped as his hand moved around and rested on my stomach. He pulled me back against him and I rested my head on his massive chest.
His hot breath tickled my skin while he teased me with his lips.
"I've been wanting to tell you all day how heavenly you smell."