A Special Summer (Love Conquers All) (5 page)

“That’s pretty young don’t you think?”

“Not at all, I want to enjoy my life. You wouldn’t believe how many people get sick as soon as they hit retirement at sixty-five. Most of the times the poor souls didn’t enjoy their lives, hardly took any vacations, or spent time with their families because they worked like dogs.”

After paying the bill, Nick assisted Summer out of her seat and into her coat. As they made their way out of the restaurant she was conscious of the way his hand rested on the small of her back as he led her outside.

The cold November air was brisk as they waited for the valet to bring Nick’s vehicle. Once inside the vehicle the two sat in silence. Nick’s attention was on the road and Summer’s was on the city’s passing scenery.

Nick was the first to speak. “It’s still early. Want to go for a walk?”

10:20 p.m. was the time on the car’s interior clock.

“Sure, I could use a walk. I ate too much,” Summer groaned patting her stomach remembering the four-course meal she devoured.

Nick chuckled. “Yeah, you sure did.” Scanning her petite body from head to toe, he teased, “I was wondering where all that food was going.”

Playfully punching him in the arm, Summer pouted, “Hey, I hadn’t had anything to eat since nine this morning. I was hungry. No, make that starving.” “Yeah, I could tell.”

Sucking her teeth and cutting an evil eye sideways at him they both erupted in laughter at Summer’s reaction to his teasing.

“I’m glad you’re having a good time at my expense, Mr. Stiles.” Summer’s insides fluttered when Nick flashed the sexiest smile.

“I am having a great time at your expense, Miss Jackson.”

Parking the car on Kelly’s Drive near Boathouse Row, Nick got out of the vehicle and proceeded to help Summer out.

“So, which direction do you want to walk, Beautiful?” he asked as he gazed down into Summer’s flushed face. He was doing it again, making her nervous.

Summer twisted her mouth to one side as if in deep thought. “Umm, I guess toward Lincoln Drive.”

If they made it that far it would be at least a mile walk, give or take. This would allow her to walk off the huge meal and get a chance to spend a little more time with Nick. To Summer’s surprise she was really enjoying his company. Besides being the most sophisticated man she’d ever been out with, he was a true gentleman. Not once had he made any unwanted advances. Once she’d gotten over her shyness, Nick had been very attentive when she talked. It was as if he was interested in what she had to say as he held onto her every word.

“Okay, Beautiful, Lincoln Drive it is.”

Good.
This would give him more time to get into that pretty head of hers. Nick was impressed. He found her rather mature and well versed for a twenty five year old. Usually his rule was never to date women five years his junior. Summer was that and then some, twelve years to be exact. He had figured she was much younger, however, she carried herself with such elegance and grace the age difference didn’t bother him at all. She wasn’t some young, hoochie momma, gold digger, but rather an intelligent, articulate, young woman.

Nick’s lips twitched in a faint smile remembering Summer’s offer to help pay the check while back at the restaurant. When he refused, she pleaded with him to let her at least leave the tip. Again Nick refused. Summer pouted, not even thinking when she stubbornly insisted, “Next time I’m paying.”

Yes, there definitely will be a next time, Miss Jackson.

Again with Summer he’d experienced something new. Every woman he’d ever taken out expected to be wined and dined, of course at his expense. Nick didn’t mind though; that’s what a man was supposed to do when he invited a woman out. Summer, however, wasn’t presumptuous; she had not assumed he would foot the bill. Nick wondered about that. Had the men she dated been so cheap she was used to helping foot the bill? Or was it she didn’t want him to expect any favors at the end of the night because he’d taken her to a five star restaurant? The last thought made him frown.

Strolling at a comfortable pace, Summer found it hard to put one foot in front of the other. She couldn’t believe her first date with Nick was going so well. The man looked good, smelled good, and for goodness sake had manners. Not once had he attempted to touch her inappropriately. Certainly, Summer noticed how his eyes glanced over her when she opened her front door for him earlier, how during dinner he made her so nervous when he gazed directly at

her nearly making her drop her fork, or how he would take her small hand as he helped her in and out of his car.

Nick interrupted her reverie. “A penny for your thoughts, Beautiful.”

Oh, mercy he had the sexist, deepest voice she ever heard in a man.

Stopping mid-step, prompting Nick to stop as well, Summer turned facing him; she tilted her head to get a better view of him in the moonlit sky.

“
Why do you keep calling me that?

“Calling you what?” Nick was aware of what she was asking, however, he wanted to draw her out, make her talk more.

Lowering her head, she avoided Nick’s penetrating gaze. You know what.”

A lazy grin curved his full lips. “No, Summer, I don’t know.”

Letting out a breath of frustration because she knew he was messing with her.
“
Beautiful. Why do you keep calling me that?”

Taking a finger he gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “Because, Summer Jackson, you are beautiful.”

Summer thought she would die as Nick proceeded to lean down, kissing her ever so lightly on the tip of her nose. A current ran through her body causing her to shiver. Maybe it was the sudden gust of night wind that just blew by and not the kiss.
Nah, it definitely was the kiss.

“Are you cold?” Concern laced Nick’s husky voice.

All Summer could do was nod her head. No way was she about to tell the finest man she’d ever laid eyes on that he had reduced her to shivers.

Before Summer could blink, Nick held her in an embrace so close she had no choice but to lay her head on his strong muscular chest as his chin gently rested on top of her head. Summer’s nipples tingled while the butterflies in her stomach fluttered as she melted into Nick’s solid form.

“Does this feel better?” he whispered holding her close generating heat from his body.

“Yes.” Summer answered in a small voice.

It didn’t matter she barely knew this man, because this felt so right. Summer’s arms which had been at her side freely wrapped around Nick’s midsection.

Closing her eyes she inhaled the scent of his cologne. She recognized it as the same scent as the one on his handkerchief the night of the benefit. Holding onto Nick, she let herself go and simply enjoy the feel of his strong presence.

Nick’s breathing became deep and slow as he fought to control his manhood as he held Summer close, pressed so intimately against his body. Things had been going so well the last thing he wanted was to frighten her off. Nick knew women; the one he held in his arms hadn’t had much experience with men, if any. He definitely would have to take things at her pace. Real slow.

Be that as it may, he couldn’t control his sudden impulse. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, because he wanted to do this from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Threading long, strong fingers through her hair, cradling the back of her head he slowly pulled her away from his chest.
Daaayum, I could play in this hair all night long.
Gazing down into her face he trembled at the vision before him.

Summer’s eyes were at half mast with her lips slightly parted waiting to be kissed. Lowering his face he wanted to take her mouth in a wild passionate kiss.
Slow, Nick, slow.
Delicately he traced her bottom lip with his tongue. The mere act gave him the response he wanted. A soft moan escaped Summer’s throat traveling pass her parted lips into his mouth. Summer opened her mouth wider in submission allowing Nick’s tongue further entry to explore her sweetness. After his exploration their tongues passionately mated until they were satisfied.

Breaking the embrace they gazed into each other’s eyes, no words were exchanged. No words were needed. The kiss sealed their fate. Simultaneously they reached for the other’s hand as they continued their leisurely stroll hand in hand as if they’d been lovers for years.

Month of December

Why is everyone standing around me shouting in my face? Where am I anyway? That’s right, I’m at work. What happened? Wasn’t I getting a bag of IV fluids from the cabinet?

Gently patting her friend on the face, Ava tried to arouse her. “Summer, Summer are you all right?”

Blinking her eyes and shaking her head to clear it, Summer sat up frowning. “Ava, what are you yelling and smacking me in my face for?”

“Girl, you passed out,” Ava told her as she backed up to give her room.

Summer waved her hand dismissing the fact she’d just fainted. “No, I didn’t. I just got a little woozy that’s all.” Ava gave her an incredulous look. “Woozy my foot! I’m calling your doctor.” Rushing over to the phone she began dialing Dr. Neil, Summer’s obstetrician.

“Ava, get off the phone. I feel better now.” Summer demanded, downplaying she’d just fainted at work. Standing up she was a little off balance. She felt Starr’s arm supporting her weight by holding onto what used to be a slim waist.

“Summer, let Ava talk to your doctor. Didn’t you just have an appointment yesterday?” Starr questioned as she helped Summer sit in a chair.

“Yes and everything went well. I probably just moved too fast or something.”

The entire time Ava was on the phone with the doctor’s office she kept Summer in her line of vision.

“Mmm-hmm, I see. Okay. I’ll let you speak with her now.”

Handing the phone to Summer, it didn’t faze Ava one bit her friend was shooting daggers at her as she took the phone placing it to her ear.

Not saying a word, Summer nodded her head as if the person on the other line could see her.

“Okay, thanks Sheila. Bye.”

Starr looked at Summer with a curious stare. “What did Sheila say?”

“Calm down already. I’m pregnant not deathly ill.” Summer rolled her eyes. She knew Ava and Starr didn’t mean any harm, but they were more than overbearing at times. “Sheila said that my hemoglobin is a little lower than it was the last time I had blood drawn. And as you Nancy nurses know that’s why I got all dizzy and everything. Sheila said Dr. Neil wants me to start taking my iron pills three times a day instead of twice a day. Okay. Satisfied?”

“Well, you know what I think?” Ava ignored Summer as she spoke to Starr.

“What girl?” Starr knew Ava was about to send Summer into a frenzy, that’s why Ava was ignoring her.

“Summer works too hard. What she needs to do is take her pregnant self home and go to bed.”

Ava stared Summer down, daring her to put up a fuss.

Summer wasn’t intimidated by the stare. Crossing her arms she shot daggers at both of them while pressing her lips in a thin line.

“What? Don’t look at me like that, Miss Thing. I’m not the one selling you wolf tickets,” Starr snorted. Pointing her finger, Summer snapped, “First of all I can look at you anyway I want to. Second, I’m not going anywhere. It’s almost time to go home, anyway, for your information.”

Snatching a patient chart off the desk, Summer flipped it open writing a shift note.

Humming a tune, ignoring her friends as they went on and on about how she should start her maternity leave now and not two weeks before her due date.
They must be crazy if they think I’m going to sit up in the house bored to death all day until this baby is born.

Starr whispered to Ava, “Look at her, ignoring somebody with her little nasty self. I swear she ain’t our sweet little Summer anymore since she’s been pregnant.”

“Mmm-hmm, chile done went and grown a backbone. It’s gotta be those crazy pregnant hormones.”

“Humph, must be. I can’t wait until she has that baby.” Starr threw out loud enough making sure Summer heard every word.

“Tell me about it.” Ava agreed.

Standing up walking over to Summer, Starr tugged on her ponytail. “Maybe she’ll be nice again.”

Summer giggled as she nudged her. “Get away from me. You make me sick.” Looking Ava up and down, wrinkling her nose, she playfully snapped, “You make me sick, too.”

Ava threw her head back and laughed. “Yeah, I love you too, Boo.”

♥♥♥

The week went by uneventful; Summer hadn’t had any more fainting spells. Ava and Starr were still being royal pains in the butt. Summer didn’t know why she went to work; they’d taken to tag teaming her, doing the bulk of her work before she could get to it. And if they weren’t calling her every day after work, they were popping up unexpectedly at her front door. Not to mention they would call Summer’s parents giving them minute by minute updates on her as if they were channel 6 Action News or something. Their over protective actions led to Summer getting calls almost on a daily basis from her parents. She didn’t mine though; she missed her parents something awful. Summer’s parents were upset when she told them she’d decided not to tell Nick about the baby. Her mom had called him every dirty name in the book. Whereas her father had lectured her mother that the man couldn’t be blamed if he didn’t know he was going to be a father.