Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(55)
Jay and Lana had to get home to relieve their babysitter and left at midnight. Shortly after that, Seth was feigning a yawn.
“All right, all right,” Justine teased. “I’ve got the message.”
Smiling, Seth reached for her hand. In the elevator, he stood behind her, arms around her waist as he kissed the side of her neck. “I’m ready to collect on all those promises you’ve been sending my way all evening.”
“And what about that surprise you promised me?”
“You’ll see when we get to the room.”
“Oh, Seth, I love you so much.” She turned in his arms and held him close. It felt as if she had her husband back at last—as if the burdens of the months since the fire had fallen away.
“Just wait until you see what I bought you to wear to bed,” he whispered with a low groan—obviously picturing her in it.
“Do you really want me to take the time to change?” she whispered.
“True,” Seth murmured. “No, don’t bother. The minute you put it on, I’ll be taking it off.”
Justine closed her eyes and smiled. “That’s what I thought.”
The elevator doors glided open, and Seth swung her into his powerful arms as though she weighed next to nothing. He headed down the long hallway toward their room. It was a small comedy of errors as he tried to hold her while attempting to open the door with the room card. Justine dissolved into giggles and then they were both laughing. He had to put her down before he managed to get the door unlocked.
Seth didn’t bother to turn on the lights. He shut the door and pressed her against it, kissing her with hot, urgent hunger.
“Oh, Seth,” she breathed, her head spinning. “I was so afraid I’d lost you.”
“Never.” His hands worked at the tiny buttons on her silk blouse. “I think you’d better get out of this before I accidentally rip something.”
She giggled again and took over the task of unbuttoning the blouse.
They made love that night and again in the morning. Lying there, spent, Justine felt utterly relaxed in her husband’s arms, utterly tranquil and at peace.
“Seth,” she whispered, thinking aloud. “I need to ask you something.”
“Anything.” He stroked her bare back, letting his hand roam from her shoulder blades to the curve of her waist.
“After a night out—the first one in over a year—are you sure you want to rebuild the restaurant?”
His hand stilled, and she feared she’d destroyed the moment.
“I don’t know anymore, Justine. I just don’t know.”
Twenty-Three
On Sunday at noon, Nate drove to Rachel’s with a picnic lunch. She met him on the sidewalk outside her front door, too eager to wait. Throwing herself into his arms, she sighed as he hugged and kissed her. It was weeks since they’d spent more than a couple of hours together.
His work schedule was hectic, but so was hers. Her days off were Sunday and Monday, although lately she’d been working Mondays, too. As soon as the navy wives had gotten word that she did both hair and nails, her schedule had started filling up. Her bookings were practically overlapping. The money was great, but she needed a break.
“Where would you like to go?” Nate asked, smiling down at her.
“How about Point Defiance Park?” she suggested. The Tacoma park was always lovely, but especially at this time of year with the rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom.
“Perfect.” Nate kissed the top of her head. “I can have you all to myself?”
“Of course.” Rachel knew the question referred to the time she spent with Jolene. Nate didn’t complain much, but he wasn’t pleased—and she realized it was her relationship with Bruce that troubled him, not her friendship with the little girl.
“Good.”
The day could not have been more ideal for their outing. The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky, and a light breeze blew off the cove. Rachel grabbed her sweater, then slipped into the front seat of Nate’s convertible, a relatively new acquisition. He’d chosen a candy-apple red and she’d fallen in love with it the minute he’d brought it over the first time.
The wind blew her hair into total chaos, not that Rachel cared. She was with Nate, and they had the whole day together. The weather was a bonus, but it wouldn’t have mattered if the skies had opened and drenched them with rain. In that case, they would’ve had their picnic on her living room floor.
They wandered through the park, finally choosing a secluded spot where Nate spread out a blanket. The picnic basket boasted fried chicken, potato salad, rolls and coleslaw, which Nate had picked up at a chicken franchise before coming to collect her. He’d also brought some white wine that was way more expensive than anything she ever chose.
When they’d eaten, Nate sprawled out with his head nestled in her lap. Rachel lazily stroked his hair and savored this peaceful afternoon together. Nate’s eyes drifted shut and Rachel discovered that she felt sleepy, too. The sun’s warmth, the wine and the food and, most of all, being with Nate produced a sense of well-being and uncomplicated joy.
The tranquility of the moment was shattered by the shrill ring of Nate’s cell phone.
Jerking upright, Nate frowned and reached for the phone, clipped to his waist. “Hello,” he answered tersely. But then his demeanor changed and he relaxed.