Justice Falling (Falling #3)(47)

Tanner tilted his head to the side and scrunched up his face. “What’s a moz-u-liam?”

“That’s where dead people rest.” Nate said plain as day. I smacked my forehead with my hand while Tanner shrieked with laughter.

“We’re gonna see dead people?”

“No, that’s what a mausoleum is,” Nate said very matter-of-fact. “We’re going to the Children’s Museum,” he drew out the word so Tanner would hear the difference. “At the museum, we’ll get to experience a variety of fun things including live performances, exhibits, pet some furry friends, and make our own pizzas!”

“I love pizza, and I love animals. Mom, can we go, can we go right now?” Tanner squealed.

“Let me say hi to your mum first. Then we’ll shove off, yeah?” Nate held his hand up and Tanner smacked it in a high five.

“Go put your coins away, and go to the bathroom before we leave, baby. I don’t want you having to go the second we get into Mr. Nate’s car. Okay?” Translation: I don’t want Tanner having an accident on Nate’s pristine leather seats in his very expensive car.

Tanner scurried off hollering and jumping down the hall to the bathroom.

I looked up as Nate stalked toward me. His blue eyes were the brightest I’d seen them, matching the color of the sky. His hands cupped my neck, his thumbs lifted my chin before his lips covered mine. He tasted of mint and English breakfast tea, two flavors that were quickly becoming my addiction. Nate pulled my body flush against him as he kissed me. I felt the kiss through every inch of my body, wanting more, but knowing I couldn’t have it. Not right now. One of his hands sifted through my hair. Thank God I wore it down, or it would be a ratty mess the way he liked to maneuver my head this way and that. He took my mouth in long deep sweeps of his tongue and sharp tiny bites of his teeth. The man could kiss. He brought me right to the pinnacle of excitement in the time it took to light a match. He ignited desire just by saying my name in that gravelly ’just woken up from a long sleep’ tone of voice. Sexy as hell, and all mine.

He pulled back until our mouths were an inch apart. “Morning, Precious. You look ravishing.”

Really? I didn’t agree with his sentiment only wearing a simple light blue sweater, jeans and ankle boots, but I felt good. He made me feel as though I was dressed to the nines and about to walk the red carpet.

“Morning. Thank you,” I whispered against his lips. He licked them, which I took as my queue to lay one on him. Long sips from his lips would never be enough. I’d always want more; need to have more of him. His hand palmed my ass, and brought me flush against his body. I moaned into his mouth feeling the ever present thickness pressed against my belly.

“Isn’t that gross?” a quiet small voice said not far behind us, followed by a giggle. My ears perked, knowing we had an audience.

“Girl cooties are sick,” another voice said. Nate pulled away from my mouth and grinned like a loon, rubbing my nose with his.

“Looks like we got caught.” Nate waggled his eyebrows.

“Guess so.” Without warning Nate yanked himself back, clutched his chest and pretended to clumsily fall back on shaky legs.

“Oh, no, boys, save me. I was attacked by the cootie monster.” He brought his hands to his face and fell to his knees in front of the boys who were roaring with laughter. “N-n-eed water…must have water to kill the poison girl cooties.” He fell to the ground in a heap of limbs and muscle. He made for one sexy area rug.

“Get the water!” Tanner yelled to Zach. Jin’s son ran to the sink, grabbed a cup from the dish drainer, filled it with far too much water and ran back, spilling almost all of it as he skidded to a stop in front of Nate’s prone form.

“Mr. Nate, sit up. Drink this before you die!” Tanner grabbed the glass, which had maybe a half inch of water left in it and put it into Nate’s hand. Nate leaned up as if it took every ounce of his strength, brought the cup to his lips and drank it all. Then--much to the boys delight--bounced up to standing as if he was a supercharged action figure.

“You saved me!” He pointed at me. “That dastardly beautiful girl held me down and smothered me with girl cooties. You are my best mates having saved me from the heart-stealing, cootie kissing monster!”

I opened my mouth in shock. “Hey! I’m not a monster. And I did not steal any kisses!” I put my hands on my hips. “You gave them freely.”

“Be careful mates, you never know when the heart-stealing, cootie kissing monster will attack!” he warned.

“Alright, alright, enough. Time to go. Be good for your Mama Zach.”

“She’s taking me to the park today!” he answered happily. I was grateful that Jin was taking Zach somewhere. It made it less awkward for Nate to take just Tanner, and not him. But we needed the time alone. In the future, we’d plan things with Jin and Zach. At least, I hoped we would.

“Okay, so when I get back we’ll talk about our ‘ventures!” Tanner exclaimed, smacking hands with his best friend.

“Yeah! Sounds awesome! Bye Auntie Cami. Bye Mr. Nate.” Zach waved as I herded my two guys out the door. I loaded my arms with the stuff we might need and pulled the door closed.

“What’s all this?” Nate looked at the four bags I was carrying. “You moving in?” I pinched my lips together and knocked a hip out to the side. “No! One has a change of clothes, pj’s, etc., for Tanner. One has the same for me. One is filled with snacks, a handful of toys, crayons, and coloring book,” I rattled off all the items I could remember putting into the bag. “And the last one is my purse. I need that. Is that alright with you?”