Page 42 of Nick: His to Claim

“You could,” he agreed as he got her down the stairs and smoothly across the yard. “But you’re not going to, so let’s save ourselves the embarrassment of me carrying you to the truck. You might want to conserve your energy for more important matters.”

“Did you talk to Mason? I mean other than him asking you to take me home?”

Nick nodded as he helped her into the vehicle. Before he could shut the door she grabbed his arm.

“Rory?”

“Yes.”

Maggie swallowed with difficulty. Her headache was back with a vengeance, and she dropped her head into her hand.

The rest of the trip home was made in silence. Maggie desperately wanted to ask Nick if she was fired but didn’t really want the answer.

After helping her in the house, Nick directed her to go upstairs and told her he would be up in a few minutes. She went without an argument, which said a lot about her frame of mind. There was no way she would be able to find another job that gaveher the income this one did, and to think she’d brought it all on herself was just unbearable.

Nick came upstairs carrying several small packages and set them on the dresser. Going into the bathroom, he shut the door.

Maggie could hear him running water, and the opening and closing of cabinets, but she couldn’t work up enough interest to care what he was doing in there.

When he returned to the bedroom, she was in exactly the same position on the bed, sitting upright but just barely, looking like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. He handed her two pills with a glass of water.

“Take these.”

Maggie took the pills as Nick removed her boots.

“Stand up,” he ordered gently as he unzipped her jeans and slid them down along with her panties.

“Sit down,” he told her and when she did, he slipped them off her legs.

Maggie followed his instructions, until she was totally naked and still she didn’t argue. This must be a first, he thought, as he began to roll up his sleeves, watching her intently. He grinned when her eyes flew open, and she began to bite her bottom lip.

Not a good sign, she thought, sleeves rolled up. No, not good at all.

“Nick, you’re not going to… ?” she asked with a quivering voice.

“Spank you? No. At least not yet,” he informed her, his voice firm but not unkind as he helped her up and guided her into the bathroom.

Maggie’s claw-foot tub was about half full of steaming water. She could smell the lavender bath oil that was her favorite. Nick picked her up and she sighed as he gently lowered her into the water.

He bathed her like a child, even washing her hair and massaging her scalp until she was putty in his hands. Every curve and hollow was attended to, and it was like nothing Maggie had ever experienced before. Her moans and whimpers of appreciation were music to Nick’s ears, and he decided he could get used to this warm, soft, compliant Maggie.

Who would have thought he would ever use those words to describe his Maggie, he grinned. When he was finished, he lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy towel, drying her thoroughly before helping her into her soft robe. Nick took her back to her room and seated her on her bed before picking up her vintage hairbrush from her vanity.

Maggie’s eyes flew to his in panic, but Nick just smiled.

“No, sweetie, not yet,” he told her as he seated himself behind her and pulled her back against him. She was warm, soft, and smelled like heaven, he thought, moving her hair to one side and kissing her neck. Sitting her forward, he began to untangle her hair, his hands so gentle she almost fell asleep. Finally, he set the hairbrush on her nightstand and eased her down on the bed.

At this point, Maggie was so relaxed Nick could have done anything he wanted. But all he did was strip off his wet shirt, kick off his shoes, and lie down beside her. Maggie snuggled into his arms and sighed with pleasure. Never had anyone cared for her so tenderly. Tears filled her eyes as she rested her head against Nick’s chest. She took his hand and held it to her heart, willing him to feel the fluttering beat.

This was her man. She knew it, and he knew it, and there was relief in finally admitting it. What was the sense in fighting it? Her body was already preparing itself for his possession. Her heart beat in time with his, her breath measured by his breaths. Every touch of his hand was both soothing and electrifying. His very scent called to her. Maggie released his hand and it stayedon her breast. Her own hand traveled the planes of his chest, teasing and memorizing every inch.

Nick trembled and grasped her hand, carrying it to his lips and kissing the palm.

“Maggie, I’m taking over,” Nick told her, keeping a firm hold on her hand just in case. Maggie smiled, never raising her head.

“You are?”

“Yes, I am,” he told her firmly, between nibbling her palm and kissing her fingertips. “I can’t get any work done for worrying about you. It drives me crazy. I have to know you and the children are taken care of. You need a keeper, honey, someone to make sure you’re taking care of business, so to speak. No more harebrained excuses why you’re not following the rules. It’s about time someone held you accountable.”