Chapter Four

“Fine,” she snapped. "Whatever makes you happy."

“Rule number two: we do not, under any circumstances whatsoever, discuss the fucking pictures you took of me in bad light. Agreed?”

“The light is not bad! You’re just –”

Adam shook his head. “No discussion.”

She glared some more. “Fine.”

“OK, let’s go.”

Katie opened her door and slumped down in her seat, wondering if maybe she should have taken her chances on the train, even if it had meant eleven transfers and bad weather between Colorado and Nevada. Anything had to be better than this.

Adam started the car. “Seat belt.”

“Are you kidding me?” she said, staring at him wide-eyed. “Am I five years old?”

“Well, you’re acting like a five-year-old,” he said. “And we don’t move one inch until you’re buckled up.”

She huffed. “Your car, your rules, right?”

“Damn right.”

Katie snapped her seat belt into place and smiled sweetly. “Ready to go.”

Adam put the car into gear. “Yeah, me too. Party on.”

****

Mia Ferris stood staring out at Open Skies Ranch. It was simply the most breathtaking place she had ever been in the whole of her life. The snow gave everything an almost magical feel, and she sighed as she realized that she felt happiness for the first time in what seemed like a long time.

In the cabin kitchen, Nick Spencer poured milk into Mia’s coffee and quietly observed her. She looked better today, more relaxed and settled.

He brought her the coffee and she smiled at him as she thanked him. He gazed at her beautiful face, saw how her golden eyes were clear and shining in the morning light. He reached out and touched her cheek.

“How you doing today, babe?”

“Good,” she said. "Better."

“Yeah, you look good. How did you sleep?”

She nodded. “OK.”

“Any bad dreams?”

“No. Not last night, for a nice change.”

He gestured at the table next to the window which was covered with pieces of paper. “You did some writing this morning?”

“A bit. I got up around six and just jotted down some ideas. Nothing fantastic, but it felt really great to just put pen to paper. Kind of free-think, and do a stream-of-consciousness thing.”

Nick was incredibly relieved that she was showing interest in writing again. He wanted nothing more than for Mia to start to heal and to move on.

It was their fourth day at Open Skies, and even in that short time, Nick had seen her get better. They were talking openly for the first time since Mia had been kidnapped and badly beaten, and he felt that he was regaining her trust after betraying her by kissing another woman. Even though they were in separate bedrooms, Nick knew that she was comfortable with his touch again. The night before, he’d kissed her goodnight and although he’d barely brushed her forehead with his lips, he had felt her shudder at even that small contact.

Best of all, though, that amazing inner light was back. Mia was simply the brightest, most shining person Nick had ever known, and he’d been terrified that she’d lost something vital. But now he saw that it wasn’t gone; it had just been lost for a little while. Covered up with confusion and hurt and anger.

Mia looked up into Nick’s gray eyes and felt her stomach start to churn. He was just so gorgeous and sweet, and her body longed to be close to his. She missed his strength and gentleness. That kiss last night had reminded her what it had been like to make love to Nick, and her body had opened and heated up instantly. She put her coffee down.

“Nick?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“I was wondering – I was thinking… could you…”

“What is it?” He set down his coffee and moved closer. “You OK?”

Mia looked down and took a deep breath.

“Mia?”

“I was wondering if you’d kiss me. Like, properly.”

Nick’s heart stopped dead in his chest.

God, I have waited for this for almost six weeks. Of course I’ll kiss you.

“You sure? You feel ready?”

“Yes. I – I want to start that part of our relationship up again.”

“Me too.” He brushed her hair out of her eyes. “We’ll take it slow, OK?”

She nodded.

Nick took her face in both of his hands and moved to her. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, her throat, feather-light kisses. She closed her eyes and felt his breath on her skin, hot and sweet. Her hands curled on his chest, loving the groove of muscle under his t-shirt.

Slowly, Nick’s mouth moved to hers. By the time he reached it, Mia was almost panting with desire. His tongue ran over her lips, tasting her. Her mouth opened and his tongue moved inside cautiously, just a bit, and then moved out again.

She moaned. “Nick…”

At the sound, his kiss deepened. Mia swayed on her feet and he held her more tightly, pulled her to his broad chest. Her nipples hardened as they made contact with his body and she moaned again.

Nick pulled back. “OK, angel?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He ran his fingers through her tousled hair. “My sunflower.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “God, I missed that.”

He kissed her eyelids. “Me too.”

She smiled at him. “Will you kiss me again?”

“Oh, yeah.” Nick ran his thumb over her lips. “As many times as you want, Mia. All I want to do is kiss you all day long.”

“That sounds like a plan,” she said. “I mean, what else are we going to do today?”

The smiled at each other. That was the moment when they both knew that they were going to be OK; that was when they knew that they were through the worst of it.