The natural separation ought to be a relief, given the intensity of the weekend they’d spent together, but damned if he didn’t miss her. In a few short days, he’d grown accustomed to another warm body in his bed. He liked waking up to her snaked around him, as if they shared a twin bed instead of a double. He hadn’t even been bothered by her female stuff all over the bathroom, and his toothbrush at home looked lonely by itself.
Pathetic.
But true.
With work keeping Sam busy, he was grateful Mike had taken charge of the situation with Tyler. He had a patrol car doing drive-bys of Nicole’s house and the bakery, where she was preparing for opening. He didn’t mention it to her. She was wary enough. But with the art show over, Serendipity had gone back to normal and anyone new would stand out. Tyler stayed in the city, catching up on work and taking the opportunity to look for evidence that could implicate his father or, even better, the bigger fish the feds were after. So all was quiet for now.
If and when things blew up, Mike would let Sam know to be ready.
Sam finally found time for himself late Saturday. Instead of heading home, he walked from the station to Nicole’s bakery.
The door was unlocked and he let himself in. The smell of fresh paint assaulted him first. A cheery yellow replaced the original gray, and a royal blue trim bordered the white ceiling. Both her and Lulu’s welcoming personalities were clear everywhere he looked. They’d accomplished a lot in a short time, and a feeling of pride filled him at the sight.
No sooner had the bells rung overhead than Lulu greeted him at the entrance, her long gypsy skirt sweeping the floor as she walked. “Well, hello, handsome.”
He grinned at her lack of formality. “Hello to you too. How are things going?” he asked.
She smiled wide. “Amazing, as you can see. We’re on track for a grand opening in two weeks!”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m thrilled for you.”
She reached out and pinched his cheek. “I bet you are. Your girl is putting down roots here.”
His throat constricted as Lulu used the same words his brother had used recently to describe Nicole. “Where is she?” he asked, changing the subject.
“In the back. I was just heading out for the night. I’ll lock the door behind me.”
“Have a good one,” he said.
“You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she said, laughing over her parting words.
Sam rolled his eyes. The Donovan family bred them bold and outspoken, he thought.
He walked through the back and into a small office and caught sight of Nicole, changing her clothing. He glimpsed her long legs and barely-there top.
“Hey,” he said, causing her to shriek and pull her miniskirt over her nearly naked body.
“Relax, it’s just me,” he reassured her.
“Oh my God! Aunt Lulu said she was leaving and would lock up behind her.” Nicole’s heart pounded a thousand miles an hour in her chest. “I thought I was alone.”
“She sent me back to you,” Sam said.
His hot gaze traveled over her and her body reacted, her nipples tightening, her sex contracting.
“Well, I’m changing to go to Joe’s.” She waved her hand at him in a gesture indicating he should turn around.
“Oh, come on. I’ve seen you in less.” His sexy grin merely complemented his scruffy look. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and he only looked hotter.
She rolled her eyes and pulled on her skirt, then added a flowing tank top with ruffles at the bottom.
“You look as good in clothes as out.”
“Thank you. So what brings you by?” she asked casually, feeling anything but. Because she’d missed him. Badly.