Chapter 14: Chapter 14

ANGEL

Angel awoke in his arms, feeling sore from their lovemaking. It was so intense, so passionate, and so long-lasting that they’d collapsed from exhaustion, drenched in sweat.

She slipped out of bed, grabbed Nash’s shirt, and went downstairs to start breakfast. Moe was standing next to her as she fried the eggs and bacon, wagging his tail and smiling.

Nash had been so quiet coming down the stairs, it wasn’t until he put his arms around her waist from behind and his mouth near her ear that she realized he was there.

“Why is it that a woman looks sexy as hell when she wears nothing but a man’s shirt?”

She giggled when he nibbled her ear. “Stop, that tickles.”

He sat down as she prepared breakfast. “So, you still up for skating? We could grab a bite to eat in town afterward.”

After the ordeal of the storm, the intensity of her lovemaking with Nash, and working in the barn with the horses, she’d been exhausted the previous evening.

Now, after a good night’s sleep, she was thinking more clearly. And having doubts.

“I’m willing to give it a try, so long as you’ll be there to catch me if I fall.”

Taking her hand, Nash pulled her onto his lap. “No matter what happens, I’ll always be here to catch you. I’ll never let you fall.”

Angel cupped his face and leaned down to kiss him.

Her heart skipped in her chest, pumping warm feelings of joy and happiness through her veins. She knew she had fallen in love with him, and it didn’t even scare her.

When she felt his hand moving up her legs, she moaned. She knew when he picked her up that the food was going to get cold, and he carried her back up to his bedroom.

NASH

After picking up the skates, Nash took Angel to the park. She felt nervous watching the other skaters, but Nash helped her put her skates on and guided her toward the ice rink.

She took a deep breath and held on to his hand as she stepped onto the ice. “Well, here goes nothing.”

She clung to his arm as she slipped and skidded, barely able to right herself as she laughed and panicked at the same time. “It’s official—I don’t know how to skate.”

“Don’t worry,” Nash said through a chuckle, “I’ll teach you.”

He put his right arm around her waist, took her left hand in his, and moved with her, showing her how to move her feet.

After a while, Angel started getting the hang of it, and at one point, he let her go on her own, staying close in case she was to fall.

“Look at you, you’re doing it!” Nash cried. “You’ll be skating like a pro before you know it.”

She half skated, half stepped on the ice, turning until Nash was in front of her, and she fell into his arms. “You’re a good teacher; I’m having a ball. I feel bad about leaving Moe at home though.”

Angel’s smile made the butterflies in his stomach dance, and his heart began beating faster.

The snow had just started falling, leaving snowflakes on her face that shined alongside her green eyes.

Nash pulled her in closer. He couldn’t believe that a woman so sweet, gentle, and beautiful really seemed to like him back.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the Christmas tree lights came on, and Nash lowered his head. His lips met hers, and they kissed as the snow fell and people skated past them.

When they came apart, she inhaled deeply. “Wow, you’re such a great kisser.”

“I could use more practice.”

Nash leaned in to kiss her again, but she put her hand on his chest to stop him.

“Whoa, cowboy, slow down. Trust me, you don’t need any more practice, but let’s skate before the sheriff comes and arrests us for disorderly conduct.”

ANGEL

After dinner and the drive back to the ranch, Angel went upstairs to change into something more comfortable.

When she came back down to the lounge, she found Nash sitting on a blanket and some pillows in front of the fireplace, the logs burning behind him, holding two steaming mugs of cocoa.

“I thought we could warm up together. Come, sit with me.”

She sat down, taking a cup from him. “This is so romantic.”

“Maybe we should have a glass of wine instead? That’d make it even more romantic.” Nash stroked her cheek with his fingers.

She loved the way his rough but gentle fingers felt on her soft skin.

“No, this is perfect just the way it is.”

“I know what could make it more perfect.” He winked at her.

“Really, Mr. Harris? And what might that be?”

“Let me show you.”

He placed both mugs on the coffee table, then cupped the back of her head, drawing her in for a kiss. As the passion in their lips and tongues rose, he slowly lowered her down onto the floor.

Their tenderness mixed with desperation as they tore their clothes off each other, and it wasn’t long before they were both naked, making love in front of the fire.

“Oh, God, you’re so beautiful,” Nash said, looking down at Angel after they’d both climaxed. “I’m falling in love with you.”

Her breathing hitched, and she choked back a sob. “Oh, Nash, I’m in love with you too. I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but my heart knows how it feels.”

He leaned over, bringing his nose to touch hers. “Whatever happens, no matter who you are, we’ll figure it out. If there is another man in your life, I’ll fight for you. I won’t lose you.”

“You won’t lose me. Ever.”

Angel pulled his head down so she could kiss him, and the feel of his hard muscular body on top of her naked breasts set fire to her core again.

In her mind, she didn’t know who she was, where she came from, or who else was in her life.

But in her heart, she knew she wasn’t in love with anyone else. In her heart, there was only Nash.

***

Hand in hand, the couple spent the next afternoon walking up and down the town’s main streets, delighting at the decorations in all the shop windows and enjoying how everyone gazed at them adoringly.

“Oh, just a moment,” Nash said as they walked past a hardware store, “I need to run inside and grab something.”

Angel figured he needed to buy some building supplies since he was still working on the downstairs bathroom, so she was horrified when he picked up a blender.

“I think my folks will like this one.”

“Wait, you’re getting them that for Christmas?”

“Yeah, I know they have one but it’s getting old.” Nash’s smile faded. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”

“Oh, nothing, forget I said anything.”

“No, come on, tell me what you’re thinking.”

“It’s nice and all but not very personal. I just think a Christmas present should be something someone likes, not what they necessarily need.

“I’m sorry, I’ll mind my own business, I’m sure they will love the blender.”

Nash scratched his chin and placed the blender back on the shelf. “If you haven’t guessed already, I really suck at buying gifts. I could sure use your help.”

Angel thought about it, then smiled. “You know that pearl necklace your mother is always wearing? What about matching earrings? Maybe a pair would be perfect?”

Nash’s face lit up. “That would definitely be something she’d like. You’re amazing.”

Nash grabbed Angel’s hand and pulled her out of the shop and into the jewelry store across the street. His excitement faded when the jeweler presented him with so many options.

“I can’t decide. I don’t know one earring from the next.”

Without any hesitation, Angel pointed at a small pair. “Those ones match her necklace perfectly.”

“We’ll take them,” Nash said to the clerk. “But what about my father? I doubt he’ll want to wear the earrings.”

Angel rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. “My, you are funny today. Let’s see… Oh, the last time we saw your father, he complained about his watch, remember?”

“You’re the best,” Nash said. “You can come Christmas shopping with me every year.”

Angel leaned in and kissed him. “You bet.”

After paying for the items, they stepped back onto the street.

“And you?” he asked, taking a hold of her hand. “What would you like for Christmas?”

Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. “No, I don’t want anything.”

“There must be something you’d like.”

“Nash, promise me you won’t buy me anything! I mean it, it would only make me feel terrible if you gave me something when I had nothing to give you.

“You have done so much for me, bought me clothes, let me stay with you. Please, promise me you won’t get me anything!”

He reached over and cupped her cheek. “Okay, take it easy. I won’t, I promise.”

She let out a sigh. “Thank you.”

He touched her chin with his finger. “Before we head back, let’s go get the groceries. Maybe we can get a bottle of wine and enjoy a movie when we get back?”

Angel shared her approval for his plan by pushing her arm into his and snuggling into him as Nash walked her to the grocery store.

They were halfway around when they ran into Nash’s ex, Charlotte, and Mike. The sight of their little baby made Angel swoon.

“Oh, hi,” Charlotte pointed at the gifts under Nash’s arm. “Doing some Christmas shopping?”

“Yeah, for my parents.” He looked at the baby in Mike’s arms. “He’s growing so fast. Before you know it, he’ll be chasing all the girls around town, just like his father.”

Angel stepped closer to get a better look. “Oh, my, he’s so cute.”

Mike lifted the baby out of the carrier around his torso. “Would you like to hold him?”

“I’d love to.” Taking the baby in her arms, Angel gazed down at him and smiled when he wrapped his tiny hand around her one finger.

“You’re good with him. He often cries when a stranger holds him,” Charlotte said when Angel handed back the baby. “You’ll make a good mother someday.”

Mike slapped Nash on the stomach. “Hey, maybe she already is one.”

Charlotte and Nash looked at him in disgust.

“What the…? Hey, man, that’s not cool.”

Mike rubbed his face. “I’m sorry, Nash. I’m sorry, Angel. I wasn’t thinking. It just came out.”

Angel did her best to laugh it off, biting the inside of her cheek every time her smile wobbled.

Once Charlotte pulled Mike away, Nash took Angel to one side. “I’m so sorry about that. That was out of line. Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Let’s get the last of the stuff and go back to the ranch. I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t fine. She’d been so focused on trying to remember if she had a partner or not, she’d not even thought about whether she had a family.

~Could I…?~

~Curse this amnesia. Why can’t I remember who I am? Why can’t I remember where I’m from?~

~Am I alone in this world? Where is my family?~