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things you can't see, but that doesn't make them any less real."
He sighed, knowing she was probably talking about fairies. Hell, maybe she had seen something
magical. Whatever she'd seen whatever she'd imagined it had sure helped her get through some rough
times. He couldn't knock that. But that was a lot different than being sure he loved Maggie.
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Between you and me, I do think I love her. But I don't know how
to tell for sure. I've been wrong before, and I can't be wrong this time. Not with Maggie. I won't do that
to her. I need to get clear. Then I can be sure."
Pressing the bottle against her forehead, she sighed. "I'm telling you, Nick. Let the girl know you love
her before it's too late."
Sighing, he leaned back against the kitchen table. What was he afraid of, really? That he'd be wrong?
That he'd hurt her? All of those things and more. For so long he'd lived his life in compartments, neat and
tidy, with things happening in the right order, cause and effect, one after the other. So far it had been
working just fine. But what would happen if he took a leap? Chaos, maybe. And Nick wasn't at all sure
he was a chaos type of guy.
Then again, Maggie certainly had an aura of chaos about her. It practically floated around her ankles,
touching everything she did. And so far, she hadn't done anything to his world except brighten it.
"Hello Nicholas."
He spun around. "Maggie. Where've you been? When did you get back?"
She smiled. "Just a minute ago. I've been nearby." With a tilt of her head, she acknowledged Deena.
"Hi."
"Hiya kid. I've got your costume almost finished. I'll bring it over tomorrow."
"Thanks."
Nick nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."
His sister poked him in the chest with her forefinger on her way out. "You think about what I said."
He nodded. He couldn't help but think about it. How he felt about Maggie was pretty much the only
thing on his mind these last few days.
"I'm sorry I missed shopping. Are we still going out?"
Suddenly, he realized that he didn't want to share her with anybody, not even a waiter or a valet. "How
would you feel about staying in and ordering a pizza?"
Her teeth grazed across her lower lip. "If there's snuggling on the couch involved, I think that's a fine
plan."
Fifteen minutes later, there was no question but that snuggling was definitely on the agenda, as was
kissing and stroking and exploring the sweet woman pressed against him. He sat across the couch, his
legs spread out, and she fit between his legs, leaning back against his chest, the honey scent of her hair
teasing his nose.
She moaned softly, her breath almost sounding
his name, as his hand stroked her side, teasing
the curve of her breast. He'd be happy to stay that
way forever, holding her, letting her presence ,
next to him calm his fears and fill his days. J
This had to be love. What else could it be? So J pure, so fresh. It was just the words that terrified
him words that, once spoken, couldn't be taken back if he was wrong. They were three little words
that could change everything forever.
But he could show her that he loved her. With every look, every touch, ever caress, he intended to let
her know exactly how he felt.
Maggie cringed as Deena grabbed some material |
from above Maggie's tailbone and pinned the cat f
tail on. "Okay. I think it's tight. There you go. Now
you can be a cat twenty-four hours a day." ;
"I was kind of hoping to go the opposite way." Deena grimaced. "He didn't tell you, huh?" Shaking her
head, Maggie sighed. "No. And it's Halloween. Deena, I'm out of time." "He loves you, kid. It'll work
out. It has to."
Maggie nodded, trying to keep tears of frustration from welling in her eyes. "I know he loves me. I
know he feels it in his heart. But that's not enough to power the enchantment." And Old Tom wouldn't
bend his rules. Not even for her. Somehow, some way, she had to make Nicholas tell her that he loved
her before dawn.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friend."
"I don't understand."
"This Vision thing. He has to get past it. My brother's a loon about doing one thing at a time. Maybe if
he feels like his job's safe, he'll turn to his personal life."
"But Michael doesn't want to sell. And I don't think it's fair to what's that word? blackmail him."
"So there is something?"
Shrugging, Maggie avoided Deena's eyes.
"Look, kid, if there's anything, anything at all that you've learned, you need to tell him. It's your best
shot. It may be you're only shot."
Slowly, Maggie nodded. She'd promised Michael, but if she had to break that promise so she wouldn't
lose Nicholas . . . She sighed, not sure she could do it.
"You have to," Deena said, apparently reading her thoughts. "Just remember, it's only business."
Nodding, Maggie followed her into the living room. A low whistle greeted her.
"Yowza, baby. Mags, you really are one hot number."
She smiled at Hoop, his praise lifting a bit of the cloud around her heart. Next to Hoop, Nicholas just
stared, his mouth slightly open. Automatically, her hand went to her hair, and she tried to smoothe it back
but hit the headband with the fake cat ears. She lowered her arm, standing awkwardly under his gaze.
"What's the matter, buddy? Cat got your tongue?"
He and Deena exchanged glances, and Maggie realized that Hoop knew her secret. She smiled. If
Hoop and Deena were exchanging secrets, then maybe soon they'd be sharing even more.
"Maggie. You're absolutely beautiful."
Nicholas's words flowed over and around her, stroking and teasing her. They were filled with love,
with passion, and Maggie knew in that moment that she'd do whatever she had to do to make Nicholas
tell her that he loved her.
Chapter Eighteen
"I'm glad you told me," Nick said.
They were in the break room at Ferrington's studio, and Maggie was sitting in a little plastic chair
looking miserable. "I only told you because I love you, Nicholas."
His heart wrenched. Because he loved her back, he needed to use the information. That one secret
would secure his job, secure their future. His mouth twitched in a halfhearted smile. A future with Maggie,
bought with Michael's privacy. The idea sat like a rock in his gut.
She licked her lips. "I'm trusting you with Michael's secret." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]