Grave Concerns by Lily Harper Hart Read Free Book Online

“Maybe I’m going to ravish you. Have you ever considered that?”
    “Only every night in my dreams, love,” Nick replied. “Come on. Let’s see who can make the perfect wish first.”
    “You’re on.”

Six
    Maddie woke up the next morning to find Nick’s body pressed tightly against hers, his face buried in the arched hollow of her neck. She took a moment to relish the comfort he offered.
    “I can feel your mind working from here, Mad,” Nick murmured, shifting slightly so he could roll his favorite blonde to face him. “You’re supposed to be rested and quiet when you wake up. I get the feeling you’re … something else.”
    Maddie loved the way he looked when he woke up. She adored his sleepy eyes and lazy smile. She especially loved his messy hair. “I was thinking something schmaltzy, if you must know.”
    Nick grinned. “I think I must know what you’re thinking … especially if it’s something schmaltzy.”
    “I was thinking that you … complete me. I’ve never felt better then when I’m in your arms. Go ahead. Make fun of me.”
    Nick’s face, while filled with joy, offered no hint of teasing. “You’re my everything, love. I feel the same way. I am curious why you were thinking about it now, though.”
    “All those years I was away from you I … well, I never slept well,” Maddie admitted. “My dreams were a mess. Heck, most of them were nightmares. I woke up alone every morning. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.”
    Nick’s expressive brown eyes softened and he pressed a kiss to Maddie’s mouth. “I’ve never been this happy either,” he said. “You don’t have to feel guilty about it, though. You don’t have to … be embarrassed by your feelings. I want people to know that you find me handsome and can’t get enough of me.”
    Maddie giggled. “I’ll have a T-shirt made up.”
    “You do that.” Nick’s mouth returned to Maddie’s, the kiss growing in intensity until the cabin door flew open.
    John slapped his hand over his eyes when he realized what was going on beneath the covers. “Oh, no way! I’m scarred for life.”
    Nick tugged up the sheet, making sure Maddie was covered before turning his furious eyes on his brother. “Don’t you knock?”
    “You’re camping,” John countered, his fingers separating so he could peek between them. “You’re not supposed to be rolling around naked when you’re camping.”
    “Stop looking at her,” Nick ordered, slipping out from beneath the sheet and climbing out of bed.
    “Oh, man … why are you naked?” John sounded like a petulant child.
    “Because we were … sleeping,” Nick answered. “Get out of here.”
    “Mom sent me to get you guys for breakfast.”
    “We’ll be down in twenty minutes,” Nick snapped.
    “I … um … .”
    “Why are you still standing there?” Nick was beside himself.
    “I was kind of hoping to see Maddie naked,” John admitted. “If I have to be mentally scarred by seeing you in all of your … glory … then I feel I should be rewarded by seeing something legitimately glorious.” John sent Maddie a cheeky smile. “I’m guessing you look glorious naked.”
    “I’m going to kill you,” Nick muttered, grabbing John’s arm and pushing him out the door. “Stop looking at her!”
    “You’re a lucky man, Nick.”
    “We’ll be down in twenty minutes,” Nick hissed. “If you say anything about this … .”
    “Just one more look,” John whined.
    “I’m going to beat you bloody.”
     
    “DO YOU think John told your mother what we were doing?” Maddie asked, her fingers linked with Nick’s as they trekked to the family campsite. “I mean … do you think she knows?”
    Nick smirked. “You’re so adorable.”
    Maddie stilled, confused. “That wasn’t an answer. Why am I adorable? Are you making fun of me? Is everyone going to know that John saw me naked?”
    “First off, John didn’t see you naked,” Nick replied, his forehead wrinkling.