WindSwept Narrows: #4 Alice Branch Read online

  “Huh…I got me a gamer girl…show me your toons,” he said, sinking to the sofa behind her. His hands gently massaging along her shoulders. “Hmm…hunters…mage…priest…and druid…”

  “I don’t like hand to hand combat,” she said with a shrug.

  “What server?” He made a note. “I’ll transfer my toons over…makes for a fun evening,” he said with a nod, going back to his computer and rubbing his neck, trying to decide how to be diplomatic and honest at the same time.

  Alice felt Matthew’s little body sway and looked down to see him fighting sleep, a quick look at her screen telling her it was past eight already.

  “I think we need to get ready for bed,” Alice closed her laptop and carefully stood up. “I have my pjs and we’ll get yours…”

  Nick looked up with a raised finger. “Alice…he’s never…you are a girl…”

  “And Matthew is a gentleman,” she told him with a wink. “I personally think nudism should be mandatory until children reach the age of five.”

  Nick was up and down the hall, watching the rubbery little boy poured into his pajamas. She tucked him down and brushed the hair from his forehead before kissing him.

  “Can I have ocean?” Matthew turned over, snuggling down with his bear.

  “Ocean?” Alice looked up, puzzled at Nick, who stepped forward and pressed a button on the small player on the back of Matthew’s bed. The sounds of waves and seagulls drifted through the room.

  She left Nick at his bedside, wandering to the master bedroom and gathering her pajamas. She came out with her hair brush, wandering to the living area and watching him work. She spread the thick quilt before the fireplace and sat cross legged in the center, brushing through the long hair.

  Nick closed his eyes and reopened them, watching a pair of pale blue harem pants with a brief slim strapped tank top to match enter the room and spread the quilt on the floor. His hands moved over the keyboard, the laptop closing down at the same time his feet were working his shoes off.

  “What’s this?”

  “I always believed…” Alice stretched out on her stomach, knees bent and feet swaying behind her. She leaned on her elbows, watching him move to the floor in front of her. “That sleep overs were blankets on the floor and pillows and probably marshmallows…I’m not sure on that one…”

  “Pajamas?”

  “Hmm…go figure…girls game and wear pajamas.”

  “The game thing was a little surprising,” Nick sat up and pulled his tee shirt over his head. “But I’m sure there’s a great deal I’ve yet to learn about Alice Branch…” He climbed to his feet, turning off lights before disappearing into the back for a few minutes. He returned with a couple pillows and another quilt. “Never let it be said that I am a bad sleep over host.”

  “Marshmallows?” Alice rolled to her back, deciding she definitely liked watching his muscles.

  “Sorry…just me…”

  “Hmm…that seems like a very nice trade off,” she whispered, his mouth seeking hers in the glow of the fireplace. Her palm brushed over his cheek, the gentle rasp tickling the center.

  “I…ahh…forgot to shave this morning,” Nick watched the golden glow of the fire sparkle around them. A jolt of excitement shooting through him when she simply speared her fingers in the hair at the back of his head and pulled him down to her.

  “There’s something very sexy about a shadow and a tattoo…on you,” Alice wrapped her arms around his neck, losing herself in his kiss.

  Nick felt himself flying in sensual awareness when Alice was in his arms. The sweet scent of her, the silken feel of her pajamas and her skin against his and the arousing sounds of their lovemaking pulled him deeper and deeper. He knew what it felt like to tumble head first into the rabbit hole.

  He chuckled when he lifted her from the floor sometime later. She’d managed to get back into her pajamas and then fallen asleep on the floor in front of the fireplace. Nick turned the dial down and gathered her in his arms, taking her and the blankets back to the bedroom. He did his checks on the doors, peeked in on Matthew and slid into the large bed with Alice, amazed at how very right it all felt tonight.

  Chapter Seven

  Nick heard the sound of Matthew’s gate opening at the same time Alice turned toward the bedroom door. Pale lashes fluttered, a tiny cold palm on her shoulder.

  “Matthew…” Alice leaned up drowsily, glancing at the glowing numbers on the clock. “What’s wrong, sweetie…”

  “I think I had a bad dream…”

  “Ohhh…and you’re cold…come up here…”

  “Alice…this is a mistake…” Nick sat up.

  “Never…” Alice whispered, easing back and fitting Matthew in beside her. “And your little toes are cold too…we need to get you some sleep socks…here…tuck the blankets around you…there…close your eyes…it’s all good here…”

  “Alice…”

  “Shhh…” she cuddled the little boy against her, Nick’s palm on her waist as he sunk back into the warm blankets.

  Nick listened to the rhythmic sounds of them both falling into sleep, darkness taking him with them seconds later. It was an extra large bed, he remembers thinking. And yet, somehow he managed to keep Alice within an arms length of him, needing to touch her even when she slept, reassuring himself that she was real. And that she was his.

  Alice vaguely heard Nick leave the bed and return. Light was slowly filtering into the room a short time later, a soft, low sound easing from her lips when she felt his palm slid beneath her top. She cuddled back against him, evidence that he was partially aroused sending excitement through her. Her breast fit so perfectly into his palm and his fingers knew exactly how to tease and arouse her.

  The shadowy growth on his face further ignited the fire he was stoking when his teeth trailed light bites along the exposed throat. His palm pressing heavily over her stomach and inside the elastic band of her pajamas, strong, warm fingers toying with the amber coils before sliding lower.

  “I think I’m a morning guy…” He whispered in her ear, groaning softly when he felt the hot moisture gathering for him.

  “So is your son,” she whispered back as she rolled to face him, blinking and forcing her vision on the small figure sitting in the wide window seat with a book on his lap and his bear beside him.

  Nick closed his eyes. “I told you it was a mistake…” He found himself staring into a set of wide silver eyes a second later, her palms on his face and shaking him forcefully.

  “No…no, Nick…you will never say that,” she whispered fiercely. “Never.”

  “Alice…I didn’t…”

  “Matthew…would you do me a favor, please?” She lay her head on Nick’s chest, peering at the little boy. “Please take your book and bear into your room. I will come in a few minutes and we will make pancakes for breakfast…alright? You wait there for me,” she watched him nod and scramble off the window seat, trailing his bear by one paw after him.

  “Alice…I did not mean…”

  “Shh…where were we?” She quickly shoved the bottoms of her pajamas off her legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You started something…”

  “I need you…god, I had no idea…” He whispered hotly, reaching for the nightstand and leaning over her, sinking into a long, sensuous kissing battle. He shoved the top above her breasts, capturing the wrinkled flesh with his mouth at the same time he moved between her open thighs. He could feel her heat, the beginnings of her climax rippling with the soft moans and pleas for him to match.

  He would have laughed when she pulled the pillow over her face, the muffled screams and powerful clenching of her body taking laughter far from his mind. His lower body thrust hard and fast, sinking himself over and over until he fell against the bed, burying his face in her throat, trying to recover a normal heart rate.

  “I think I wore a layer off my teeth,” Nick whispered, groaning when she giggled, the tense muscles of her lower body squeezing him even more t
ightly. He pulled himself back to the present, brushing his fingers over her face. “Alice…I never meant that Matthew was a mistake…”

  “I know that, Nick…..but it can never be a mistake to have him with you…with us, Nick…if…” she swallowed, trying to make her mind think clearly. “If…this…is as big a part of us as Matthew…neither can control and neither can be neglected.”

  Nick gave himself over the need to kiss her, softly, lovingly. “I think I need to move before…”

  “Umm…I noticed…” She giggled again when his cheeks flared with color. She watched him head to the bathroom, sitting up and straightening her top and tossing the blankets aside, digging beneath them for the bottoms.

  Hands were busy pulling the long hair into a ponytail as she moved down the hall, smiling at the little boy seated quietly on his bed reading.

  “So…” Alice dropped to her heels in front of him. “Do you want a bath this morning or tonight?”

  “After pancakes?” He said with a hopeful little smile.

  “After pancakes,” she agreed, standing up and holding her arms out to him. Matthew stood up on the bed, launching himself into her arms with a burst of giggles. “Bathroom first,” she said, lowering him and waiting for her turn.

  “You know…” Nick wandered into the open space, dark hair fresh from his shower and tee shirt not yet tucked away. “You are totally ruining my image as a good breakfast guy,” he stopped at her side, tipping her face up and tasting the buttery syrup on her lips. “Good morning…”

  “It’s a wonderful morning,” she responded, smiling at how he touched their foreheads before moving to sink onto one of the high stools, both hands wrapped around the large mug of coffee.

  “Want some pancakes?” Matthew asked through a large bite.

  “I think that would be nice…”

  “We had a discussion about day off breakfasts versus work day breakfasts,” Alice said with a serious smile. “Matthew understands…but he also knows that girls have secret tricks for stuff…”

  “Secret tricks, huh?”

  “It’s sunshiny outside,” Matthew pointed out, looking hopefully from one to the other.

  “It is very sunshiny outside this morning,” Alice agreed, sliding a plate of warm pancakes to Nick. “I think…perhaps a bath tonight…and today maybe a trip to the market and I know where they have a marvelous playground…” she laughed at the excited look in the little boys eyes.

  “You…are spoiling us,” Nick commented, when half his plate was empty.

  “I like being spoiled,” Matthew announced, holding his face still while Alice cleaned up the breakfast. He turned onto his knees and eased himself to the floor, running off to his bedroom, tugging at his shirt as he ran.

  “You have dressing duty while I take a quick shower,” Alice kissed him and moved quickly out of his reach, running lightly down the hall.

  Nick watched the silky, long legs running off, his head shaking as he polished off the fluffy pancakes and coffee. He had been pondering just how he got so lucky the whole time he was wrestling and laughing with Matthew.

  Alice stood in the doorway, her foot tapping on the hardwood. She cleared her throat loudly, her head shaking at the little boy and big boy, hair going in all directions. The little one had a shirt half on and half off, one shoe and only his briefs.

  “Uh-oh,” Nick looked up with a boyish grin that was matched on the smaller face.

  “Are we in trouble?” Matthew asked breathlessly, hastily shoving his hand through the opening dad held out for him.

  “I think so…she’s dressed and ready to go…” Nick snatched up the jeans, holding them and laughing at the little feet trying to find the openings.

  “Fine…I got the keys and I’m leaving you two here,” Alice turned and lifted her purse, keys jangling for effect.

  She laughed, listening to them mumbling and blaming each other. Both came running down the hall, skidding to a stop and looking guilty. Alice sighed, shook her head and dropped to her heels, tugging Matthew close and straightening his jeans, tying the shoes and pulling the shirt off, turned it right side out and replacing it.

  “My turn next?” Nick asked hopefully, winking and quickly tucking his shirt in, reaching into the closet and bringing out two light jackets. “Here you go, sport…” He made sure things were locked, he had his keys and wallet before going out the front door. Alice was bent inside her car, surfacing with several cloth bags.

  “For the market…” She said in answer to his unasked question. “I made them…”

  “So where are we headed?” Nick asked, starting the car and watching her input information into the GPS. “South on I-5…got it…”

  Half an hour later, he drove slowly around the circle and into the large parking area, the market bustling with people out enjoying the warm September weekend.

  “So you riding or walking today, Matt?” Nick asked, opening the buckles while Alice came around to the side.

  “Both,” she answered for him, dropping to her heels and taking Matthew’s hands. “There are a lot of big people in the market…and I don’t want you to get stepped on, okay? When we’re done shopping, we’ll go to the playground, deal?”

  “Deal,” was the bright smiled answer before he climbed into the stroller.

  “You’re pretty good with this kid talk stuff,” Nick commented as they wandered through the large outdoor/indoor farmer’s market.

  “When I was little…no matter what…my parents always explained what was happening,” Alice grinned over at him. He looked so natural pushing Matthew in the stroller. “I know I couldn’t possibly have understood what they were saying…but I felt like I was part of it…I wasn’t just a fixture. I’ve seen so many parents treat children as if they were invisible…and all they really want is to belong.”

  Nick couldn’t stop the smile, just watching her buy things and fill the cloth bags she had brought along. He wasn’t sure what a lot of it was, but had a good feeling they’d be tasty when she was finished with them. He also had a good feeling that she was seeing this couple thing as a permanent way of life for them.

  Alice took a slice of the golden apple from the tray offered and handed one to Matthew, biting down on her slice and watching him. When he ate the whole thing she bought five of the apples.

  Nick wheeled him over to the guy making balloon creatures while she was selecting garlic and some other things. She carried the large tote and sat next to him.

  “Is it time to play?” Matthew asked, looking from one to the other, grinning happily when Alice reached over the unbuckled him, holding his hand while he climbed free.

  “You know…I think it is definitely time to play…we’ll head in that direction while your dad puts things in the car, how’s that?”

  “I’ll catch up,” Nick promised, dropping the totes of their purchases into the stroller and striding toward the parking area.

  Nick watched the little boy soaring on the swing, his laughter happy and hands clapping when he slowed down and wanted set free. He lifted him out and followed slowly with Alice to the large slide, the little legs manipulating the steps carefully. She caught him at the bottom and sent him running around to go again. Only when he set his sights on a rocking pony did Alice and Nick sit back on a bench and watch.

  “There’s a lot of dads here watching you,” Nick whispered, grinning broadly when she shifted to the side and lay over his lap.

  “Then you better convince them I’m already taken…” she countered. “And make it quick…he’s on the run again!” She exclaimed, jumping up and running along after the three year old.

  “That was a good lunch,” Matthew declared, licking his lips and nodding. “There’s lots of boats out there,” he pointed, riding high on Nick’s shoulders.

  “It was a very good lunch, thank you, Nick,” Alice slipped her arm through his, his palms carefully holding the little feet from moving as they walked toward the car. “It’s after four already…”
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br />   “He’ll sleep on the way home,” Nick eased them out of the parking lot, heading north along the highway in a few minutes. The weekend was almost over. It seemed like a life time had slipped into a scant two and a half days and nights. “Are you nervous about tomorrow?”

  “No…no…anxious…I really enjoy working,” Alice laid her head back, watching him as he drove, their hands together on her lap.

  Nick drove quietly. He’d only bargained for the weekend. She was singing quietly along with the radio, her voice soft and clear. He didn’t open the door immediately after parking in front of the house, raindrops decorating the windshield. He held her fingers tightly.

  “Alice…”

  She looked over at him. She knew what was on his mind. It was as if she could feel his anxiety, his doubts. She released the seat belt and faced him, a gentle smile lifting her lips.

  “Yes.” She said firmly.

  Nick blinked. It wasn’t a questioning yes. It was a yes. A smiling, happy yes.

  “Yes,” he repeated slowly, his lips rising at the corners slowly.

  “Yes, I’ll live with you,” she explained easily, watching the immediate rush of relief filling his features.

  “Hey…are we home…”

  “Yeah…we’re home,” Nick answered, kissing her and grinning.

  “How about you do the bath and pajama thing while I put this stuff away and see about something for dinner?” Alice lifted the heavy two totes she bought, waiting at the door.

  “I’ll find you a key…” Nick told her, pushing the door wide and striding to the back after the galloping Matthew. “He really likes bath time…”

  “Most kids do…so let him play…he’s only little for such a short time,” she said whimsically.

  Chapter Eight

  Nick was amazed at how soundly he was sleeping. Both him and Matthew. While he was slow to wake, Alice was decidedly a morning person, rising instantly when the radio came on shortly after six in the morning.