Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(48)

Sensing her fear, Nathan shifted her on his thigh and leaned forward, peering into her face.

“Is she okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. She likes it!” I held Marley’s fist and wiggled it open so she could grip my finger. Another firework bloomed overhead. “Look, baby!” I pointed at the sky, and Marley grinned and giggled, falling back against Nathan. Her squeals poured into the night. Nathan wrapped his arms around her.

The twins cheered and chanted for more, eventually joining us on the blanket and sprawling out on their backs. Marley stayed in Nathan’s lap. They were both smiling so big. I watched them more than the fireworks.

This would be an amazing memory for them. For all of us, I thought. My two would never forget it.

We left shortly after the fireworks ended.

Davis high-fived my kids and wrapped his arms around me, finding it hilarious when Nathan rushed him through the embrace. Marley was asleep on Nathan’s shoulder before we made it to the truck, and she stayed asleep the entire drive home despite the constant conversation bouncing between Oliver and Olivia. Two hours of reliving every second of our evening didn’t seem to bother her. It didn’t seem to bother Nathan either.

He answered every “Remember when we did this, Nate?” and played along like he needed reminders.

I, on the other hand, would’ve killed for an interlude. I was dying to speak to Nathan alone. Or as alone as we could be with three children sitting behind us. So much had happened tonight. What was going on here? I had no idea. The only thing I knew for sure was it was pushing midnight and my children were wound up.

What the hell was in those Popsicles?

When Nathan pulled into the driveway, I couldn’t thwart my disappointment. My body slumped against the seat.

Our evening was over. I never wanted it to end. What would happen the next time we saw each other?

“Do you want to come inside?” Nathan asked, cutting the engine.

I looked over at him and blinked. My heart began working double time.

It was crazy late. Marley was passed out. My kids needed to go to bed an hour ago. And Nathan wanted me to come inside?

“I do,” Olivia answered before I could get a word out.

“Yeah, can we watch a movie or something?” Oliver asked.

“Sure,” Nathan said, staring right at me.

There it was again—that serious, uncertain gaze. He’d taken his aviators off to drive and was back to wearing his prescription glasses.

“Do you want to watch a movie, Jenna?”

I heard his question. I also heard what he wasn’t saying.

Come inside. I don’t want to watch a movie.

“Sure. I’d love to.” I smiled at him.

We could talk. We could figure out what was happening between us. Or, something else maybe? The way he was looking at me…

I threw the door open and stumbled out of the truck.

After gathering both bags, ignoring Nathan’s protest about it, I trailed behind him and the kids and stepped inside the house. I dumped the bags near the front door as Nathan flipped on the lights. Marley was still asleep on his shoulder.

“Go sit down,” I told my kids.

Oliver and Olivia rounded the couch and sprawled out on separate ends. They yawned and blinked tiredly at the TV.

“What movie do you want to watch?” I asked no one in particular. I stood in front of the couch and scrolled through Netflix at lightning speed. I could feel Nathan’s stare on my profile.

“Here. This is good.” I cued up The BFG. I knew Oliver and Olivia enjoyed that. Dropping the remote on the love seat, I looked between the two of them and said, “You guys stay here, okay?”

“Okay, Mom,” they both mumbled, eyes heavy-lidded and glued to the screen.

I crossed the room and entered the kitchen, following Nathan up the stairs. He didn’t ask me to follow him. In fact, he didn’t say a word to me. My feet moved without prompting. I knew Nathan didn’t want or need help putting Marley to bed. That wasn’t why he’d waited, and it sure as hell wasn’t why I’d suddenly become his shadow.

One, Marley was already asleep. And two, Nathan was perfectly capable of putting her to bed even if she were awake right now.

Come inside. I don’t want to watch a movie.

Instead of following him into Marley’s room, I stepped inside the bathroom across the hall, closing the door behind me and flicking on the light. After relieving myself, I washed my hands and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

My hair was still tied up in a knot, but it looked messier than usual, with several pieces falling around my neck and in front of my ears. I pulled the tie out of my hair and ran my fingers through the strands, smoothing them out. Then I rubbed at my nose and cheeks, trying to remove the excess lotion that hadn’t been absorbed. My skin looked pink from the sun and my lips were cherry-Popsicle stained.

I quickly wiped at my mouth, which did absolutely nothing to the color; then I flicked the light off and opened the door, stepping out into the hallway.

Nathan was slouched against the opposite wall, and our eyes met instantly as I emerged, as if he’d been staring at the door. Waiting.

“Hey, sorry,” I said, smiling at him. I pulled the door closed behind me. “Do you want to go downstairs?”

“The kids are asleep.”

“Mine too?”