Claimed By The Devil - Joanna Blake Page 0,42

own brush with unrequited love. But just like Maggie, my love had eventually wanted me back. I just hoped it was enough to last a lifetime instead of causing a lifetime of regret.

Mom had drifted off again. I hoped she would sleep most of the way through the night. The new pain medication seemed to do that for her, at least. Watching her sleep so peacefully was a blessing. She needed her strength. A stupid, foolishly hopeful part of me couldn’t help praying that she could still beat this.

Even though I knew deep down that it was a childish dream.

It gutted me that the doctors had stopped fighting the cancer. It had won. It was over. Now they were just trying to give my mom some comfort.

I couldn’t protect her from this anymore. I couldn’t save her. All I could do was ease her pain and protect her dignity while she died. And, God forgive me, but I wanted to keep her with me for as long as possible.

I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, inhaling her scent. I wondered how many more times I would be able to do that. I forced the morbid thought away and wandered downstairs. Nick was watching TV very softly in the living room. He stood up immediately and came to pull me into his arms. I sighed and leaned my head against his big, warm chest. I wasn’t even scared about relying on him too much. His arms made me feel that safe.

The man was very, very good at hugs.

“Ready for bed?” he asked in a low voice. I nodded. I was tired. I guess I really had needed the nap the day before. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, turned off the TV, and took my hand. I followed him docilely up the stairs. Was he . . . putting me to bed?

He handed me a fresh nightie and helped me undress. His hands were gentle as he pulled my clothes off, sending shivers up and down my arms and legs. He stared down at me with so much heat in his eyes I was immediately warm, even though the farmhouse was perpetually drafty. I swallowed when he gruffly ordered me to lift my arms over my head. My nightgown floated over me. Then he settled me in the bed, pulling the blankets up to my chin.

“Scoot over,” he said, and when I did, he kicked off his boots and crawled in with me. It was a tight squeeze, but I instantly felt better with him beside me. He didn’t make any move to touch me. He just slid his arm under my neck and turned off the light.

I closed my eyes, but lying next to Nick was doing things to me. My breath was shallow and I couldn’t lay still. He groaned and turned on his side, pulling me against him.

“Nick . . .”

“Get some sleep.”

I sighed and wiggled a little bit more. I wanted him to kiss me. As tired and worried as I was, I wanted him. I wanted more.

“Melissa,” he warned. I bit my lip and blinked up at him. He was so gorgeous it made me dizzy. And he was here, in my bed, where I’d dreamed about him all these years.

Nick let out a low curse, lifting my chin and looking me over. Then he was gone. I sat up, startled by how quickly he had moved. He was on the floor by the bed. I watched as he folded his leather jacket and tucked it behind his head.

“Do I have bad breath or something?”

He gave me what I could only describe as a glare.

“Woman, you are going to kill me in that nightgown.”

I glanced down at myself then back at him, having no idea what he was talking about.

“Are you really going to sleep on the floor?” I asked as he closed his eyes and crossed his legs at the ankle. He didn’t look comfortable, exactly. But he was definitely ignoring me.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You need sleep and I need a little distance.”

I frowned, staring at him.

“Why?” I asked again, knowing I sounded childish and not caring.

He opened his eyes and looked at me.

“Because I know what you need, and it’s not this. But if I get back in that bed, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

“Oh,” I squeaked, turning bright red. Was he really getting turned on by my old granny nightie? I looked at him again and saw the bulge in his jeans.