promised Eddie that day I'd see the building destroyed. But some promises need to be broken. Eddie would have wanted it this way."
She gripped his hand, tears flowing down her cheeks, feeling the pain he was obviously feeling. She knew he spoke about both the past and the present, and her heart broke for him. She wanted to take him in her eyes and tell him he could tear down the building and put up a parking lot for all she cared.
But that wasn't what he needed, she realized. If he'd needed it, he'd have done it. He needed her.
The clarity was so sudden she almost expected to hear a chorus of angels. She shook her head. She should have realized it sooner. "You need me," she repeated out loud.
"Yes." He started to reach out to her face, but he pulled back. "I should have realized it sooner. I'm sorry I didn't. I'm especially sorry I hurt you."
"I didn't think men apologized."
"We do when it benefits us, and I have ulterior motives."
She moved closer, so she smelled the laundry fresh scent of his clothing and the spiciness she knew was all him. "What sort?"
He took her hand. "I have a business proposition to discuss with you. A merger."
"That sounds serious."
"It is. It's irrevocable." He tugged her onto his lap. "Once you agree, there's no going back."
"What are the terms?"
"Forever. Non-negotiable."
She looked around the grand hotel suite. "We may have to relocate the headquarters. I have a lot of pans."
"We can discuss that."
"And we need to discuss whether we want to expand."
He blinked, as though surprised by the thought. Then he said, in a voice full of emotion. "I'm in favor of expansion."
She pictured a little Nico sitting on the kitchen counter as she baked. She pressed a hand to her heart, the image filled it so fully. "I'd want rapid and aggressive expansion."
"I believe in going all out." He lifted her chin with his free hand. "But I have a couple more conditions of my own."
"I'm open to hearing them now."
"You have to leave your makeup all over the counter of my bathroom."
"Our bathroom," she corrected.
He smiled, but then he became all business again. "You're required to deposit underwear all over our headquarters."
She sighed dramatically. "I suppose I can arrange that."
"And you have to wear an apron when you bake. Only an apron."
"You drive a hard bargain." She slipped her arms around his neck. "But I think I can deal."
"Good."
She pressed her lips to his. It was reverent and slow, still spicy, but an element of care, as if they were both savoring the feeling.
Then he grabbed her closer, and it heated up.
He leaned backwards, until he reclined with her on top. She sat up and yanked her sweater off. "I thought of wrapping myself in a ribbon."
He watched her lift her shirt over her head. "You're a gift, regardless of how you're decked out."
Pausing, she looked at him, knowing she probably looked sappy. "I didn't thank you for my present," she said as she began to unbutton his shirt.
He shook his head, lifting up so she could push his shirt off him. "That was yours to begin with. I just returned it to the rightful owner. Before you say anything more, I know I'm doing the right thing. My brother knows it, too, I think."
She kissed him, her heart overflowing. She felt his hand snake under her pajama bottoms and she reached between them to undo his jeans.
They disengaged to discard the rest of their clothing and then clasped each other again, skin against skin, heartbeat against heartbeat.
Nico nuzzled her neck. "I wasn't sure I was ever going to get the pleasure of this again. I fucked up."
"You did." She arched her back to give him more targets. "Big time."
"Don't mince words," he said as he kissed his way down her torso to her breasts. Then he gazed into her eyes, cupping her face. "I couldn't decide what I missed more, your lovely face or the sweet smell of home you've given me."
Her heart expanded with love. "I'd have thought it'd be my body."
He grinned wickedly. "Maybe I was wrong."
"Don't worry." She lowered her mouth down to his. "I'll set you right."
Their embrace was one part him, an equal part her, liberally laced with passion, an extra serving of love, and a pinch of fairy dust. She saw sparks, fireworks, and rockets.
She felt his hands all over her, as though reclaiming lost territory. She pressed herself close, humming in