Page 45 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

T hree days later

Nick rose from the couch and patted Ella’s little butt as he let Derek in through the dining room elevator. He placed a finger across his lips as his friend stepped out of the lift.

Derek set two big bags of carryout food on the table. He peeked at the sleeping baby on Nick’s chest and whispered, “She’s a pretty little thing, bro. Looks right at home on you, too.”

“Yeah. My very own tiny princess, she even reaches for me now.” He kissed the top of Ella’s head.

Derek smiled. “You know the Sanctuary guys are setting up in the lobby? I kept them from mauling the French chef trying to deliver the food.”

Nick barked a laugh. “Mac and Ethan wouldn’t take no for an answer.

They’re covering security the next three days round-the-clock, just in case the hacker had a plan B.

I don’t think she did, but I’m grateful for their help.

And per Major Chan, Liz’s boss, the feds are watching Arlene’s house for the remainder of the week, too. That’s a big relief.”

Derek stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked around. “Speaking of Arlene, where is she? I’m her ride home. Feds are waiting for us downstairs.”

“In the guestroom, packing up. I’ll walk you back. It’s time I put Ella in her crib, anyway.”

Arlene zipped her suitcase and turned to them with a broad smile. “Nick, are you sure you don’t want me to take the baby home with me?”

Nick hesitated. It had been insane around here the past few days with the doctor, the police, and the FBI. And he knew Arlene really wouldn’t mind. But Ella was his responsibility now.

“No, but thank you for offering. I’m not letting either of my girls out of my sight for a long time.”

Arlene nodded. “Alright, feel free to call if you change your mind.” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Liz is still in the bathroom. I already hugged her goodbye.”

Derek grabbed her suitcase, and Arlene followed him down the hall.

Nick laid Ella in her crib and knocked softly on the bathroom door.

Liz opened it a few inches. “We’re finally alone, babe.

” He leaned against the doorjamb. How many times had he stood in this same doorway and dreamed of her using this accessible bathroom with the special tub?

The pained loneliness he’d felt back then was gone.

She belonged here. And, if the evening went according to plan, he’d convince her to stay.

A wide grin spread across her beautiful face. “Omigosh, just us—” She let the door drift completely open.

“Just us. Ella’s asleep in her crib. ”

“Thank goodness. I hope I’m not interviewed, poked, or prodded for a really long time.” She smiled and leaned toward the mirror to apply a salve to her cuts and bruises.

Nick’s eyes enjoyed a leisurely stroll down her body. She was a rock star in her satin panties and bra. “Food’s here. How long before you’re ready to eat?”

Liz gave him a wink in the mirror. “Just give me five.”

“Alright. I’ll set it out.” He strode toward the kitchen rubbing his hands together.

He’d set up the marble table by the living room window earlier this afternoon and had moved two plush chairs in for seating. He lit the candles and opened the wine. Everything was ready, just the way he’d planned.

He checked the cake. It was perfect, right down to the tiny candy box on top in the midst of the bed of chocolate roses. Butterflies danced in his stomach.

One by one, he unpacked the containers of food.

As usual, everything on the menu at Le Petit Bijou looked excellent, and he’d ordered quite a bit.

Goat cheese salad, Lobster Bisque, Boeuf Bourguignon, Duck Confit, a side of buttered noodles and crusty French bread.

She’d love it. So would he. His stomach rumbled in agreement.

Liz sauntered down the hallway in his cozy, blue-striped flannel shirt a few minutes later and stopped in her tracks when she reached the open area.

“Nick, it’s wow—beautiful. This room really warms up with candles everywhere.

And the flower bouquets are stunning.” She bent and inhaled a whiff of fragrant yellow roses and traced her fingers across a white hydrangea. “Thank you. You’re so thoughtful.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He walked over and slipped a hand around the curve of her waist. “Wine first? Or with dinner?”

“With dinner. I don’t want the food to get cold.” She inhaled a deep breath. “It smells phenomenal in here, like French food and fresh flowers.”

He strolled to the counter and handed her a plate. “You first.

Liz set a hand on his chest and peered up at him. “Thank you again. You’ve been so sweet and have made me feel so special.”

Nick swept his lips across hers and kissed her. She tasted like his toothpaste and promises waiting to be kept.

She peeked in several of the boxes. “Oh, you got all my favorites. My mouth is watering.” She filled her plate and followed him to the table where he seated her.

He lifted his glass. “A toast, babe.”

She raised her goblet and waited.

“To our future. May we take the time to love each other like we promised we would.”

A smile lit her face. “Nothing would please me more, Sergeant.” She reached over and laced her fingers with his.

A few minutes passed as they ate and admired the sunset. “I asked Ella a question today. She said yes.”

Liz chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “What did you ask her?”

“If it was okay for me to be her daddy, in the everyday sense.”

Her eyes misted, and a smile crossed her lips as she reached for her wine glass. “And how do you know she said yes?”

“She gave me one of those big, slobbery kisses on my chin. A definite yes.”

Liz burst out laughing. “You’re really enjoying her, aren’t you? ”

Nick squeezed Liz’s hand. “Yeah, and blowing raspberries on her belly. I could listen to her giggle all day.”

“Well, as Ella’s proxy, I’m thrilled she said yes.” Satisfied, she laid her napkin on the table and sat back. “My goodness, that was delicious.”

“Good.” His heart clenched. He was Ella’s father but becoming her father was different. Better. Fulfilling. It surprised him how much he looked forward to seeing her now. Even the diaper changes were a chance to interact with the daughter he’d quickly come to adore.

Liz stood and removed their plates. “Since you took care of the dinner, I’ll do dishes.”

“I’ll put the food away.” Nick gave a conspiratorial grin. “I have a surprise for dessert.”

“Dessert? Okay, give. What is it?” She turned the hot water on and opened the dishwasher.

He hurried to reseal the boxes of food and store them in the fridge. “It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it.” He leaned against the counter enjoying every sway of her hips as she worked.

“Well, I’ve had an awful lot of them this week, but if you say I’ll like it, I’m game for one more.”

Nick stood behind her and pressed her luscious body against the sink, tracing his fingertips across her shoulders.

She leaned against his chest and smiled. “What is it about me doing the dishes that turns you on? You reach for me almost every time I’m in the kitchen.”

“Hmmm. I like that your hands are occupied, and I get to touch the places I love without interference.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck, his hands roaming the round of her derriere. “Like this. ”

She spun around and caught his mouth in a deep kiss. “Are you my dessert, Nick Flannery?”

“Maybe,” he winked. He took her hand and led her back to the table. “Sit. Close your eyes. No peeking.”

She cocked her head and gave him a look. “Okay. You’re not going to flambé anything, are you?”

“Now there’s an idea,” he laughed. After making sure Liz closed her eyes, he turned on the huge monitor over the fireplace with the recording of the fireworks behind the Eiffel Tower, adjusted the fiber optic lights in the ceiling, and set the dessert on the table.

It was his best imitation of a starry night in Paris. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she giggled.

“You can open them now.”

Her eyelids fluttered. She stood on a gasp and twirled around. “Oh, my. It’s stunning, Nick. You’re amazing. This is breathtaking. It looks just like Paris at the holidays.”

Yes! He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “I’d love to whisk you away from here and everything that’s happened, but we both know it’s not possible right now.”

Liz caressed the side of his face. “I don’t need Paris when I’ve got you and Ella. The past few days have been the best of my life with the three of us under one roof.” She beamed at him.

He kissed her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Ready for some chocolate cake?”

“Always.”

He chuckled. “Got it. Sit down.” He cut the big slice just like he’d planned, set it in front of her, and then cut himself a piece.

“Nick,” she laughed, “I’ll never eat this huge piece by myself. We’ve got to share it, save yours for breakfast. ”

He knew she’d say that. “You get the slice with the candy box and the big chocolate rose, Lieutenant. I insist and suggest you dig in.”

She giggled. “That little box is edible?”

“Sure is. But you might want to remove the contents before taking a bite.” His stomach started doing jumping jacks and cartwheels.

Liz pulled the dainty box from the cake and licked the icing off the bottom. She grinned. “That is amazing buttercream.”

Heaven help him. He couldn’t wait to haul her into his arms and eat her alive, starting with the little dollop of chocolate in the corner of her mouth.

“Oh look, it has a removable lid.” She held it up.

“There’s a present in the box, babe.” Shut up, shut up. Let her discover it. He bounced his knee impatiently.

As Liz looked inside, Nick slid to one knee.

Tears flowed down her face as she pulled out the gorgeous emerald and diamond ring.

He cleared his throat and took one of her hands in his.

“Liz, I have loved you since the third day of junior year statistics class. You’re everything that’s good in my life, the ember in my fire, my continuous heartthrob, my best friend, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I have never wanted anyone but you. Will you please do me the honor of—”

She slipped to her good knee in front of him, tears trickling down her cheeks. “Oh, Nick. You’re the man I’ve admired most, the one I’ve dreamt of holding me at night, and my giant among men.” Her hands traced his face with tender strokes. “Yes. Yes. I should’ve said yes the first time. ”

He nodded as his eyes misted. “You’ll do me the honor of being my wife?”

She nodded excitedly, a huge smile lighting her face from within. “Without hesitation.”

He pulled her into his arms, kissing every inch of her face over and over again. “Looking back, saying no in Paris was the best thing you could’ve done. We have Ella because of it. It all worked out the way it was meant to. I love you, Elizabeth Nelson.”

Liz swiped the tears from her cheeks. “I love you, too. So much.”

Nick slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly and would endure the decades.

Just like them.