Cocktails & Dreams (28 page)

“Like I’d give you ammunition to tease me, Cooper. But, as a matter of fact, Leisa provided the evening’s amusement for once.” Jena kicked off her shoes and flopped on the couch as she closed the door behind her.

Nicholas laughed hard at Leisa’s being caught perving the waiter. “Serves her right. I wish I could’ve been there to see it.” He sounded refreshed after his laughter. “I missed you today.”

“Me, too. But I suppose we’d better get used to it. Dr. Call informed me earlier that spending social occasions alone is the lot of the doctor’s wife.” As soon as the word left her mouth, Jena wished for the millionth time in her life that she would learn to think before she spoke. “Girlfriend. Significant other. Partner.” She flopped her head against the back of the couch. “This isn’t awkward or anything. Can I have a do-over?”

Nicholas chuckled. “Not necessary. I get what you meant.”

“Good.” Jena curled her legs under her. “When are you coming home?”

“Home. I like the sound of that.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Anyway, I won’t be out of here for a while.”

“Come to me whatever time you’re finished, Nicholas.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. This has been a crap night. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.” His pager went off and he growled. “I’d better get back.”

“Sure. I’ll be waiting.” She yawned and laughed. “Probably asleep, but the intent will be there.”

“You’d better be asleep. I have plans for tomorrow morning that require you to be well-rested.” He laughed. “And, Jena? I have no objections to
any
of the relationship terms you used before.” And he was gone.

Holy crap. Did he really mean that? The thought thrilled and terrified her in equal measure. If someone had told her six months ago that a college-crush and a one-nighter would lead to hints of a future with Nick, Jena would have laughed in their face. Now, though…she grinned as her eyeslids drooped closed, remembering her first, early-morning glimpse of Nicholas that had started it all: his broad smile and twinkling eyes as stepped aboard the bus, laughing at the gawking freshman that she had been. Memory slipped into dream, and she slept.

The quiet beeping of the alarm awakened Jena gradually, and she reached over to click it off before it woke Nicholas. She could feel the slow, steady thumping of his heart under her hand and smiled as she rose up to rest on the opposite elbow, studying him. Her dream brought college-Nicholas strongly back in her memory, and she compared that to the man sleeping beside her.

His face was different from the young, half-formed face of dream Nicholas. That boy was beautiful, but the man whose fingers were entwined with hers was so much better. The hair that tumbled over his forehead was shorter and darker because he spent much less time outdoors than he could when he was younger, and the fine lines around his eyes and heavier beard took him beyond pretty and made him truly handsome. His shoulders had broadened and his chest thickened in the last seven years, making him even more attractive. In sleep, the slight lines of tension that typically marked his face were gone, and Jena shifted a little so she could trace the relaxed line of his jaw.

She sighed and brushed her lips against his shoulder, hating to wake him up and see the lines deepen around his mouth and the tired set of his shoulders as he sat up and mentally prepared himself for the day.

The minute speeding up of his heart let Jena know Nicholas was awake an instant before he spoke. “If you keep staring like that, I’ll have to start charging admission.” His lashes opened, and his eyes smiled into hers. “Hi.”

Jena untangled her fingers from his and smoothed his hair back from his forehead. “If you charged every time someone stared, Nicholas, you’d be a rich man.” He rolled his eyes, and she leaned in to kiss him. “You could have paid for a year of college from how often I stared at you at crew practice when you weren’t looking. What time did you get in last night?”

“This morning, you mean.” He yawned. “About three. Luckily, surgical rotation allows a little more sleep than other rotations, so I don’t have to be back in until ten.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. “Is crew what you were dreaming about last night?” She dropped her face on his shoulder, blushing, as he chuckled. “It must have been a good one. I was being so quiet, trying not to wake you up, and then you started whimpering and saying my name…” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I couldn’t resist when you started rubbing against me.” He laughed. “Why couldn’t you have done that in college?”

Jena raised her head. “Would you have liked it?”

“Hell, yes.” Nicholas looked at Jena from the corner of his eye and grinned. “So, what was your dream about?” Jena shook her head, covering her face with her hands. “C’mon. I actively participated, so I have a right to know.” He tugged on her wrists. “Was it sex in the boathouse? I thought about that a lot. Definite spank bank material.”

Jena shrieked, flopping down and burying her head under a pillow. “You’re not supposed to ask about dreams, Nicholas. They’re private. It’s like asking about fantasies.”

“We’ll get to them later.”

“What if you don’t like what you hear? It’s a big risk.”

“If this morning was any indication, it’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Nick kissed her shoulder, laughing. “I didn’t hear any names other than mine, so don’t tell me any different.”

Jena raised the pillow and kissed his hair. “You’re safe. You’re my dream and my fantasy.” She snorted. “How gagging sweet is that?”

Nicholas captured her mouth in a slow kiss. “Perfect answer,” he murmured. “Thank you.” He laid his head on her chest, and they were quiet for a minute. “Okay,” he finally said, “I answered a question, so now it’s your turn. Why did you leave that morning after the New Year’s party?”

“Duh. You’re my dream and my fantasy.” He looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Okay, look at it from my perspective, Nicholas. I’d had a massive crush on this unattainable guy—
you—
for years, and the fantasy suddenly becomes real, right?”

“I’m with you so far, except I wasn’t unattainable.”

“Yeah, but
I
didn’t know that. So, what if you woke up, and it was awkward? Or you were disgusted? The fantasy is ruined. Until you woke up, it could be perfect. I like perfect.”

“Okay, but what if I was thrilled when I woke up? I would have been, though I can’t deny that it might have been a little awkward at first. You could have stuck around to find out.”

“Too risky at the time. I wanted to keep the fantasy.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “And here you are,” she said quietly. Groaning, she flopped her head against the headboard. “If I say anything else that sounds like a Hallmark card, just kill me.”

Nicholas scooted up and curled Jena into his arms. “Not a chance. My enormous, starving ego loves this shit.” He smirked as she slapped him on the shoulder, and then his voice became serious. “I’ve wanted you for so long, Jena.”

She snuggled into him, feeling him smile against her hair, completely relaxed. “You’ve got me.” They lay quietly, content to be silent. “Hey,” she said finally, “you told me last night that your day was crap. What happened?”

Nicholas sighed. “The ambulance brought in this girl. Twenty-two years old. She’s out running with a friend and drops. Just…
bam
.” He held Jena closer. “Aneurysm. I observed the surgery and went out when the doc talked to the family. She made it through the surgery, but they don’t know if she’ll wake up. Her fiancé was there, and he was…” Nick shook his head. “It made me realize how lucky I am. I don’t want to be without you again.”

Jena intertwined her hands on his chest and rested her chin on them. “I’m yours as long as I have any say in things.” She smiled and traced his chin with the fingers of one hand. “Whatever relationship term you care to use.”

Nicholas caught her fingers and drew them up to his lips, kissing them. “Jena, I wasn’t joking about that. I don’t mean right away—I know we both have school to finish. But someday…if you want to…I’d like you to be with me always.” He winced. “
There’s
your Hallmark moment. Sorry.”

“I’m not. Perfect answer.” Shifting to a half sitting position, Jena leaned in to twine her fingers in his hair and drop her mouth onto his, immediately feeling a charge pass between them as he pulled her on top of him. She whisper-kissed along the line of his jaw. “Besides, you might change your mind after Thanksgiving, so I have to enjoy every sappy moment right now.”

She felt the rumble of laughter in his chest before he rolled them to the side. “You’re kind of starting to scare me, here. Are your parents going to hate me?”

Jena snorted. “Hell, no! My mom already loves you, and my dad is just glad you’re not ‘some artsy-fartsy cry baby.’ His words.” She laughed. “He and Trav bonded over a mutual disgust with Peter.”

Nicholas grinned. “I can’t pretend that I’m sorry about that. So what’s the problem?”

“You’ll see. Rob and Sharon love can be a little…overwhelming.” Jena glanced at the clock. “Now, if we start right away we’ll just have time to get you into the shower and feed you before you have to leave.”

Nicholas glanced at the clock, startled. “Shit. I made you miss your class. I’m sorry.” He looked again. “Wait a minute. It’s only eight thirty.” He smiled and slowly lowered his head to kiss her chest. “You wouldn’t have pre-work plans for me, would you, Jena?” He lightly nipped the curve of her breast and she gasped.

“Maybe…” she said. Nick chuckled and ghosted his hand up her arm and neck to tilt her chin so he could kiss the soft underside. “Okay, definitely. And I’m not sorry at all.” Jena cupped his face and brought it up until she could kiss him. “You’re more important than classes this morning. How often do we just get to laze around in bed and talk? I can make up the work, but I would have missed this.” She kissed him again. “I love you.”

He smiled slyly. “I know,” he said, grabbing Jena’s hands with a laugh as she slapped at his shoulder with a gasp of mock outrage. He leaned his head down to rumble in her ear, “Now, about that dream…”

Jena screeched and stopped short when she walked into the kitchen and found Leisa perched on a stool. Nicholas was looking down, straightening his tie, and walked into her. Leisa grinned and held out two cups, nodding toward an array of pastries on a plate.

“How the hell—” Nicholas began, catching Jena’s shoulders before she could hit the floor.

“Key,” Leisa and Jena said together.

“I took a personal day to do girlie stuff and want Jena to play hooky with me. I came over earlier—” Leisa grinned “—but it didn’t seem like the best time for a conversation with either one of you, so I bought breakfast.”

Nicholas took his coffee from her hand and picked up a bear claw with a sigh. “You know, once that would have bothered me. I can’t believe I’m getting used to everyone I know being familiar with my love life.” He checked his watch and took a bite of pastry. Chewing quickly and swallowing, he smiled. “And I owe you one. This way I get breakfast before leaving.”

“Hey!” Jena protested. “I woke you up in plenty of time for breakfast.”

Nicholas leaned in for a kiss. “I preferred to have you for breakfast. Food could wait.”

Leisa rolled her eyes. “You think you can whisper around me. Jeez, just thank me and get out of here already, Hot Bod.” She held her cheek out primly.

Nicholas pecked her cheek with a laugh and walked to the door. “Call you later, Jen.” He pointed at Leisa. “Tell Jen how much being nomadic sucks, will you?”

Leisa was off her stool, carafe in hand, before the door snicked shut. “No rush, girl. Sit down and enjoy your coffee.”

Jena nodded and slid onto a stool at the breakfast bar. She blew on her cup and smiled, asking after Travis’s bruised ego. They snickered for a while about how Leisa got caught ogling the waiter, and then Leisa got quiet, sipping her coffee and looking down at the countertop. Jena knew something was brewing, but she sat quietly, waiting.

“So…Trav and I talked about the future a little…” Leisa began, rolling her cup between her palms restlessly.

“Mmm-hmm?” Jena took a sip of her drink and stayed carefully noncommittal. “What brought on the heart-to-heart, Leis?”

“Well, it might have something to do with what Travis heard when he thought you were going to be late for class and went to make sure you were awake…” Leisa smiled slyly and gulped down her coffee as Jena’s head dropped into her hands.

“What did he hear?”

“It might have been something about ‘always’…” Leisa chortled as Jena reddened. “He did hear right! I can’t believe that I was wondering just yesterday if you even had a future together. Damn, Jena, you move quick!”

“It’s no big deal, Leisa. It was a
maybe
,
sometime
,
far-in-the-future
, we
might
want to have…more.” Jena felt a sappy smile begin to spread across her face and saw Leisa’s matching grin.

“It
is
a big deal. Even
talking
about that is huge.” Leisa’s smile softened. “When Trav came back he looked stunned, and then he started to talk about the things he’s thinking about for us. It was just…thanks. That’s all I can say. I could never bring that shit up in a million years, even though I’ve been wondering where he sees us going. I’m done playing around, you know? I’ve done that bit for long enough.”