Page 102 of One Kind Soul

A loud meow sounded and Christian took a detour to the front door. He set Nicole down so he could open it. On the other side, all five pack cats were milling about the porch, but Tibbs sat on the welcome mat, meowing his lungs out.

“Okay, okay, man,” Christian said. “You don’t have to yell about it. Come on in. All of you.”

Tibbs flicked his tail and paraded into the house. Nina followed next, her slinky body rubbing against Christian’s ankles. Roxie and Pebbles followed her, the two of them scuffling with each other along the way. Leaf pounced on a moth, caught it, then moved a front paw and the moth fluttered away.

“Better luck next time. C’mon, Leaf.” Christian stepped outside to pick up the kitten and set her inside. Looking to the left and the right, he said, “Anyone else want in? Now is your chance because I plan to be otherwise engaged for the rest of the night.”

“The rest of the night?” Nicole slid her arms around him and pressed a kiss to the curve of his neck.

“Yes, the rest of the night and possibly the next several days.”

“I do have to go back to Kauai to work that final week and grab my belongings,” Nicole said.

Christian frowned. “I forgot about that.” He tapped a finger to his lips as he squinted at her. “What if . . . what if I went to Kauai with you?”

“What?” Had she heard what she’d thought she’d heard?

“It’s only a week, right?”

She nodded.

“I can spare a week.”

“Can you? I’ve cost you time because of Lynda and this is your busy season around the farm.” She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but truthfully the idea of going back to Kauai on her own held zero appeal. She’d considered asking Tessa to go with her.

But if Christian could come . . .

“It’s still June,” he said. “I’ve got Ben, Jared, and Rada here overseeing things. I’m willing to bet that Ben or Jared have a random cousin or someone I could hire to be an extra set of hands for that week. I can also ask my brothers to check on things while we’re away.” He paced away then pivoted and came back to her, taking her hands in his. “And when we come back, these pretty hands right here can help me, can’t they?”

“Of course. I kinda need a job anyway so . . .” She nudged him.

“You will look stunning in a Shepherd Orchard and Farm T-shirt.” He squeezed her hands. “So what do you say? Will you take me on a Hawaiian vacation? Donovan made it sound so great.”

“Absolutely.” She reached up and kissed him. “I’d be honored to be your tour guide.”

Christian let out a whoop and picked her up, twirling her. “My first trip to the West Coast!” He set her down, but framed her face with his hands. “And I get to spend it with you.”

“In between my final waitressing shifts at the resort.”

“Oh, Nixen.” He brushed her lips with his. “What you don’t realize is that I’m going to plant myself in any dining room or bar where you are serving.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I will be your best customer.” Again, his erection made itself known as Christian ground his hips against her.

“Better leave good tips.”

His only response was a groan when she palmed him over his jeans.

“Bedroom. Now,” she whispered.

Christian hoisted her up into his arms again, her legs wrapping around him like a belt as their mouths melded. He navigated around the pack cats and headed for the stairs without breaking the kiss. Tibbs let out another loud meow and Christian pulled his lips from hers.

“You’re on your own now, cat. We’ll cuddle with you guys later.”

He climbed the stairs with her in his arms and it was a big turn-on that he didn’t struggle at all. Hot cowboy farmer arms were powerful things.

Christian entered the master bedroom and lowered her to the bed. After flicking on the bedside lamp, he ripped off his T-shirt, exposing those mouth-watering abs and Nicole couldn’t contain her moan of appreciation. She hadn’t been sure she’d ever see those abs again and that would have been a true tragedy.

She raised her arms and made a grabby motion with her hands. “Must. Touch. Now.”

Christian grinned, but when he took her hands in his, he turned them slowly, inspecting the burn-like marks on her wrists from the rope Lynda had used to tie her up. The rope Nicole had used to choke Lynda.