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."I'm counting on it."CHAPTER 10Nicky's breath fluttered in his chest.He knew meeting them was important to Seth and hoped to make a goodimpression.He just didn't know how he would accomplish that when he had to lie to them right from the beginning.Itdidn't bode well for the future, yet another reason Nicky felt so hesitant about committing to Seth.Seth was quickly turning into everything Nicky ever dreamed of.The man was smart, caring, and drop dead gorgeous.He also seemed to want to stick around for the long haul.He was supportive unlike anyone Nicky had ever met.Nicky was just terrified that Seth's support wouldn't last when push came to shove.How could he ask Seth to puthimself in danger? Even being with him now while playing dress-up put Seth in danger.If Morales caught wind ofwhere Nicky was, the danger to Seth would increase to a level he didn't know if he had a right to expect Seth to agreeto.Nicky would be destroyed if Seth got injured, or worse, because of him.Despite what he told Seth, Nicky truly did carefor the man.He could easily imagine spending the rest of his life side by side with him.He knew he'd be happy everyday they were together."We can do this another time if you would prefer, Nicky."It wasn't until Seth spoke that Nicky realized he had a death grip on the man's hand.He smiled nervously and loosenedhis hand."No, this is okay.I guess if we're going to be in a relationship I'll need to meet your parents at some point,right?"Seth looked stunned for a moment then a beautiful smile slowly spread over his face.Nicky hadn't meant to say theywere a couple but after watching the joy fill Seth's face, he was helpless to pull his words back."Do you mean that, Nicky?"Nicky drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly as he tried to find the right words to give Seth what he wanted butretain control of his emotions, emotions that were screaming at him to take a chance while he had it.His head wasscreaming at him to run back down the walkway."I mean that I want to be with you but you need to understand I am still scared.I don't know exactly what this is that ishappening between us.I just know I've never felt this way about someone before and I don't want anything bad tohappen to you.""Nicky, being with me doesn't mean something bad is going to happen to me.""You don't know that," Nicky insisted."If Morales catches you ""If, Nicky, if."Nicky rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to respond when Seth knocked on the door and it was immediatelyopened.Nicky plastered a smile on his face that he didn't really feel and turned to greet Seth's parents."Seth, son, it's good to see you.""Dad," Seth said."And who is this lovely lady?"Nicky arched an eyebrow and turned to send a meaningful glare in Seth's direction.Lovely lady, indeed.He was sogoing to make Seth pay.Not because he was being introduced as Seth's girlfriend but because he detectedamusement in his chocolate-brown eyes."This is Nicky."* * * *Nicky smothered his laugh as Seth's mother directed his lover to carry the dishes into the kitchen and load thedishwasher.Seth looked like she was forcing bamboo shoots under his fingernails.He looked tortured."We can go right here to the patio while Seth loads the dishwasher, hmm?"Oh hell, here it comes, Nicky thought as he climbed to his feet and followed Mr.and Mrs.Leighton out to their patio.Mrs.Leighton sat in a white cushioned chair and gestured for Nicky to sit across from her on a white cushionedlounger.Mr.Leighton started a small fire in the stone fire pit sitting between them."This is very nice out here, Mrs.Leighton.""Please, call me Pamela.Calling me Mrs.Leighton makes me feel like my mother-in-law." She waved a hand at Nickyas she laughed."God love the woman but I am not nearly old enough."Nicky grinned."Pamela it is.""Richard cut back on work last year but we both decided that we need an oasis to get away from everything until hecould fully retire." Pamela waved her arms around the large backyard and patio."Our oasis."Nicky glanced around him and understood exactly what Pamela was talking about.While the backyard had a fencearound it, it was surrounded by tall, leafy trees and colorful flowers.The stone patio went from the house to the edgeof an in-ground pool made to look like a rock pond instead of a modern one.The flames from the fire pit lit up the patio area and gave it a soft glow that wasn't too bright but just enough to makethe area feel homey and comfortable.Nicky could imagine spending hours on the patio curled up in Seth's arms justlistening to the night pass by."It's very nice.I can see exactly why you love it so much [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]