Six Weeks of Seduction by Ellis O. Day
CHAPTER 37: SARAH
When Sarah woke the bed was empty. Nick must’ve left in the middle of the night but where was Tank? She hopped out of bed, pulling on a pair of shorts and T-shirt. Tank never left her side. She prayed he hadn’t gotten sick from the stress of Nick being here. She hurried into the living room and stopped. Nick was sitting on the couch sharing his breakfast with Tank. Tank was so busy snacking on bits of bacon that he barely gave her a glance.
“See, I’m not such a bad guy.” Nick scratched Tank behind the ears as he fed the dog a bite of toast. “And I’d never hurt your…Mom? Is that how you think of her?” He stared at the dog as if trying to understand Tank’s thoughts. “Nah, you know she’s not your mom. She’s not hairy enough and I’m the only one gets to lick her ass.”
She laughed and Nick turned, a smile taking over his face. He looked like a boy with his rumpled hair and morning stubble. Okay, maybe not a boy, but still adorable.
“Good morning.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “I made breakfast.”
“I see.” She smiled even though fear clawed at her throat. This was too good. It wouldn’t last. But enjoy it while it does. She hurried to the kitchen. “Did you save me any or did you use my portion to bribe my dog.” She tried to make her voice sound normal but must not have succeeded.
“Is everything okay?” He followed her, Tank trotting after him.
“Yeah.” She tossed a piece of bread in the toaster. “Why?” She had to calm down.
“You seem upset.” He glanced behind him. “It’s okay that I fed him human food, right?”
“What? Yeah.” It was great. He was great and that was the problem.
He moved closer to her but Tank stepped between them. The dog wasn’t growling anymore but he wasn’t ready to surrender either.
“I’m not going to hurt her. Ever.” Nick patted Tank’s head as he took Sarah’s hand. “I wish you’d both believe that.”
“Nick….I know you won’t hurt me.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, of course. I let you tie me up, more than once.” Her toast popped and she pulled free from his grasp and focused on buttering the bread.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I trust you. I do.” She took a bite of toast as he watched her.
“Hmm.” He began cleaning up the dishes.
“I can get it.”
“I made the mess.” He leaned toward her and kissed her lightly. “My mother raised me right. She’d tan my ass if she found out I’d left the cleaning of the kitchen for you because you’re a woman.”
“I think, I’d like your mother.”
He closed the dishwasher and started it. “You will and she’s going to love you.”
Her heart started racing again. “Going to? As in…”
“I go there every third Sunday for brunch. The whole family gets together.” He took her hands. “I’d like you to go with me tomorrow.”
“Me?” Her voice squeaked like a scared mouse. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her fingers.
“Why? I mean, this will be over in a little over a month. Do you take all your contracts to see your mother?” She knew the answer to that.
“Okay.” He dropped her hands. “I’ll go alone.” He strode into the living room.
She’d done it again. She couldn’t stop pushing him away and for some reason it was hurting him. He shouldn’t care. This was temporary. She waited to hear the front door close, but it never happened. She walked into the living room and he was sitting at the table working at his computer.
He wasn’t leaving. Her heart melted a little. “I’m going to shower.” She walked past him, trailing her hand across his wide shoulders. “Want to join me?”
