The Broody Brit for Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,33
place for Nathaniel to be raised. I understand his points, but still think New York City is the heartbeat of America. I should tell him about my plan to return, but something within me has me holding back. I guess I am just enjoying his company so much. I don’t want to ruin it.
Coming back down the mountain on the lifts, I find myself leaning against his chest. We don’t speak. Just relax in our comfortable silence, full and content. With Raff, I don’t feel stressed or worried. I’m not uncomfortable with who I am or where I come from. And honestly, it isn’t until this moment that I finally realize that the problem with Townes wasn’t that he was rich. It was that he made me feel less-than and insecure. And now that I’ve spent such an amazing evening with a man who makes me feel uplifted, I can’t ever imagine living with anything less. After just one date, he has shown me what I am looking for without even asking the question.
Our car ride back to my childhood home is quiet but filled with warmth. He pulls into the driveway and unbuckles his belt, turning to me. “We’ve been quiet.”
“We have. But I liked it.”
His eyes move from mine down to my lips and back again. “I loved it.”
He takes off his seat belt and slowly moves to kiss me. I shut my eyes, waiting, and expectant.
His hand is gentle against the side of my face, his lips are a breath away from mine, heat spreading through my body as anticipation grows.
When suddenly…. a loud bang on the window has me widening my eyes in shock “Nikki?”
We jump back, away from each other.
It’s Nellie.
Raff grunts, “Jesus Christ, she’s a twat.”
His use of the word twat has me smiling.
She hits the window again, banging with her fist.
Sighing, I whisper, “I should go,” just as Nellie yells, “It’s your night to do the dishes. You are living here for free, you know!”
Rule Number Eleven
When in doubt… throw her over your shoulder
Raff
Nellie runs back into the house, her pointed nose in the air. Even in the dark, I can tell Nikki’s face changed from glowing and relaxed to upset.
“Please tell me you’re embarrassed for her, her actions, and her insane jealousy, and not because of what she said.”
“Of course, it’s embarrassing.” Her voice damn near breaks, and with it, the last shred of decency I have left for her cousin.
I start to open my door and she grabs my hand. “Please don’t—”
“Disrespecting you at all, but especially in my presence is a fucking no-no.”
“A no-no?” she says, almost cracking a smile.
“Fuck,” I snap, “I morph into dad mode rather quickly, but still—”
“It’s kind of sexy.”
“You’re trying to stroke my ego in order to keep peace with your family?”
“My aunt and uncle are the sweetest people on the planet, and I appreciate that they’ve not only raised me, but took me back when I failed.”
“Jesus Christ, Nikki, you did not fail. Nellie’s behavior is appalling! And your ex is a wanker who clearly hasn’t the balls to come off his mum’s tit. The failing is his, not yours.”
A small smile forms on her lips. My accent always comes out stronger when I’m feeling hot.
Her green eyes are no longer cloudy but lit in amusement. “I swear I can handle it. I’ve been dealing with her mood swings since getting back, and as soon as I have secured a new job, I’ll be moving out and doing so without pushing away the only family besides my nan and pops that I have left in the world.”
“What do you mean a real job?”
“I mean, getting a job that utilizes my degree.” She shakes her head. “I’ve wasted —”
“No, you’ve learned valuable lessons. Lessons that teach you who you truly are and what you will and will not accept in your life.”
Her face softens, and she nods.
I want this woman on so many levels it’s fucking insane. “Come home with me tonight.”
She looks down at our hands, not realizing she hasn’t even released mine since she grabbed it when I was going to get out and rip Nellie into shreds with my words.
She lets go. “Too soon, and Nate is—”
“With his aunt for the entire weekend. And this is the last weekend for quite a few that I have the bar covered completely. My lead bartender, who also works as my evening manager, and her boyfriend will be heading south for the season. So, come