Only Forever by Linda Lael Miller Page A

“This must be what it’s like when you’re on safari,” she said after swallowing a sip of wine. “I can just imagine that we’re camped alongside a steaming river with crocodiles slipping by, unseen, unheard…”
    “Now that’s a romantic thought,” Nick observed.
    Vanessa hiccuped and looked accusingly at her wine. “I’ve had too much vino ,” she told Nick seriously. “I’d better sleep in Gina’s bed tonight.”
    If Nick was disappointed, he didn’t show it. “Whatever you say, princess,” he said quietly, taking the glass from her hand and setting it on the tiled edge of the large square tub. “I don’twant you to have any regrets when you look back on today.”
    “I won’t,” Vanessa said, even though she knew she would. The wounds Parker had left were only partially healed, and she wouldn’t be able to disregard the similarities between him and Nick forever.
    When she yawned, Nick lifted her out of the tub. “Time for bed,” he said. “We have to get up early.”
    Vanessa scrambled for a towel, not because she was naked, but because she was chilled, and she watched unabashedly while Nick got out of the tub and switched off the jets. He was so incredibly secure in his masculinity that he didn’t reveal the slightest qualm about being nude.
    When he pulled on a blue terrycloth robe, it was an unhurried action, meant for comfort and not modesty. In fact, when Vanessa came to him he opened the garment long enough to enfold her inside, against his ribs.
    They walked upstairs that way, talking idly of spaghetti and hot tubs, and parted after a brief kiss in the doorway of Gina’s room.
    The sheets were cold. The moon and stars must have all gathered on the other side of the house, for there was no light for Vanessa todream by. She missed Nick, even though they had parted only a few minutes before and he was just one room away.
    Snuggling down determinedly, she closed her eyes and commanded herself to sleep. Despite her utter weariness, oblivion eluded her. She tossed, turned and tossed again.
    Finally she got out of bed, put a robe on over her striped silk pajamas and padded across the hall.
    “Nick?” she questioned softly from the doorway of his room.
    He sounded sleepy. “What?”
    “I think I heard something.”
    A motion in the moon-shadowed bed and a throaty groan of contentment told her he was stretching like some cocky panther. “Like what?” he asked innocently.
    Vanessa shrugged. “You said there were ghosts….”
    “Yup,” Nick agreed, “I did.” He threw back the covers to make a place for her beside him. “There’s only one thing to do, Tonto. Circle up the wagons and share a bunk.”
    Vanessa was across the room and between Nick’s satin sheets in a wink. She snuggled up against him, reveling in his warmth and hisstrength. “I’m going to hate myself when I wake up in the morning,” she confessed with a contented sigh.
    Nick kissed her forehead. “I know,” he answered sadly. “And me, too, probably.”
    Vanessa rested her head on his shoulder. “Probably,” she said, and then she dropped off to sleep.
    When she awakened at dawn, Nick was gone. She knew he was probably out running, and she was grateful for the time to sort out where she was and what she’d done the night before.
    She’d had her shower and dressed for work by the time Nick returned. Clad in running shorts, a tank top and a jacket, despite the fact that November was fast approaching, he looked at Van warily as he crossed the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and took out the milk he and Vanessa had stopped for on the way home from O’Shaughnessy’s the night before.
    “Let’s hear it,” he started. “You hate me, you had too much wine last night and waking up the morning in my bed was an instant replay of the first time with Parker. Right?”
    Vanessa was eating a slice of whole wheat toast slathered with honey. “Do I look traumatized?” she asked, chewing.
    He cocked his head to