Solving For Nic (31 page)

“Here, I have something for you.”

He turned her away from him and Lizzie looked up at the mirror over the fireplace so she could see what he was doing. Her breath caught in her throat, but not because of the white gold chain he was fastening around her neck, or the sparkling emerald pendant dangling from the end.

All Lizzie could see was the two of them together. The muted colors of her crepe dress blended with the gunmetal gray suit he wore. Her heels and intricate updo had her brushing just under his chin. He was tall and dark behind her, his face fierce with concentration as he adjusted the drop in place. He looked up and met her eyes. “Perfect.”

And they were. They looked great together. She did not look a bit out of place. Heat prickled at the back of her eyes as she realized she was not out of her league with Nic at all. They had their own league. She definitely belonged right next to him and she knew in her heart there was no place he’d rather be.

He slid his arms through hers and rested his chin on her shoulder. “What’s that look for? Don’t you like your necklace?”

She glanced down at the gorgeous stone. “Yes, of course, I’m sorry. It’s lovely. Thank you.”

“It almost matches your eyes. The next one will.”

“You don’t have to buy me jewelry.”

He grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “That’s why I like doing it.”

She turned and wound her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said again. “Are you sure you’re ready for dinner with the parents?”

“As long as we’re together, Lizzie, I’m ready for anything.”

Nic managed to slip into the lecture hall unnoticed. He’d tried to do it before but Lizzie had seen him walk in. She’d stopped midsentence and ended the class early. This time she had no idea he was even in town. He’d come back two days early so he could surprise her by flying her to Hawaii in time to see Stefan run the Ironman.

Since they would be in Hawaii, Nic had another surprise for her but he wasn’t sure if he could wait until they landed.

He sat down in the back row and watched her in action. He’d thought he’d been prepared for this. He thought he could handle it but he almost didn’t recognize the woman standing at the base of the lecture hall, scribbling on her tablet without looking up at the number and equations that appeared on the overhead.

Nic had never considered himself a slouch, but the things Lizzie talked about on rare occasions made no sense to him at all. Now the words flying out of her sounded like Greek. Most of the class was having a hard time keeping up but they were as riveted as he was.

She was graphing something called imaginary time. Nic became fascinated by strange things called Wick rotations, Minkowski space vs Euclidean, special relativity, and all sorts of thing she couldn’t keep up with without his head exploding.

He’d thought he’d understood how smart she was.

He hadn’t had the first clue. They were light years apart. They didn’t even function in the same reality. Lizzie was special, brilliant in a way that redefined brilliance. Gifted.

Amazing.

She was his.

Lizzie was the center of his universe. He wanted to spend the rest of his life orbiting all that dazzling fire and light.

She turned to ask for questions, then spotted him.

Lizzie turned, caught her breath and found Nic Maretti right in her line of sight. That slow sexy smile was impossible to look away from. He was always so sure of himself and once again, he owned the room.

Now warm brown eyes stared back at her, completely engaged in her world. All those beautiful hollows and angles now had an easy going side to them. He was relaxed and happy and he was hers.

“Class dismissed,” she said without looking away from him. Her eyes never left his as the students filed out of the room. She folded her arms across her chest and waited until the last student was gone. “If only I had a ruler.” She sighed.

Even from the distance she could see him tense up. His bottom lip dropped and she knew his heart rate had increased. He wanted her. In the worst way. But knowing him like she did now, it wasn’t enough. She wanted him more.

She pushed the wire-rimmed glasses up her nose. “I hope you got your homework finished.”

“I may need some help with it.”

“Oh, really?”

He stretched one long arm across the back of the desk next to him then opened his hand.

Lizzie faltered and for a moment she thought she saw a small black box in his upturned palm.

“It’s a test,” he said simply.

“Nic…”

“It’s yes or no, not a discussion question.”

“But…”

He tossed the box in the air and caught it as he stood up.

“No.” She took a quick step back, panic slicking through her.

“No?” His head snapped back. A heartbeat later he was coming down the stairs as quickly as she was backing up. “No?”

She shook her head. “You can’t do that here. It’s all wrong. There’s supposed to be candles and violins and…”

He opened the box and a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings winked up at her. Lizzie’s heart stopped and fire roasted across her face as she realized her mistake. Nic snapped the box shut.

“Oops, wrong box.” He grinned.

“Not funny.” She pushed against his chest. He didn’t move, just grinned at her. This sense of humor was a new thing for him. So far it was a complete fail for Lizzie.

“It was a little funny.” He dropped the box back in his pocket and pulled out a long slim box that obviously held a bracelet. “Try this one.”

“Stop it with the jewelry already.”

“Okay, then close your eyes.”

“What?” She looked up in confusion.

“You really have a problem with following directions, don’t you?”

“You didn’t think so a few nights ago.” She smiled sweetly at him.

“Close your eyes,” he grumbled.

“Fine.” She huffed and shut her eyes.

“We’re on the fly bridge.” His voice was raspy and he had to clear his throat to continue. “Drinking some ridiculously sweet champagne and I’m feeding you strawberries.”

“Mmmm.” She smiled at the images unfolding in her mind and snuggled against his chest. “Chocolate covered strawberries?”

“Yes, with the tuxedos,” he added impatiently.

“What am I wearing?” She tilted her head back but didn’t open her eyes.

His frustrated sigh made her smile. “Nothing. You’re naked.”

Her eyes flew open. “That’s not true. I would be wearing something fabulous and my crystal Jimmy Choos.”

“You were wearing a fabulous dress but I ripped it off you a few minutes ago. You still have on the shoes. Now can I finish?”

Lizzie nodded, she would ask for details on the dress later. “Yes, please.”

She closed her eyes without having to be told. She bit her lip to keep from laughing when he muttered something in Italian she had no need to translate.

“Then what?”

He took her hand and it was hard to keep her eyes closed because she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him.

“I give you my grandmother’s ring. The diamond has been in my family over two hundred years.”

“I’m not going to wear it.”

“Yes, you are. I slide it onto your finger and say, ‘Elizabeth Hope Sellers, will you marry me?’”

She opened her mouth but he cut her off. “And you say yes.”

She pouted and her shoulders slumped but she kept her eyes closed.

He definitely didn’t sound irritated when he said, “I promise to love you for the rest of my life.”

She had to squeeze her eyes tight to keep the tears from escaping. They did anyway.

“Is that what you want?”

She nodded. “Eventually.”

She opened her eyes long enough to kiss him, then her eyelids were fluttering shut. The kiss was lazy and sweet and she never wanted it to end. When he raised his head, she smiled at him. “You’re not giving me a two hundred year old ring. I’ll be terrified I’d lose it.”

“This is not up for discussion.”

“I won’t wear it.”

“You will,” he promised her. “It’s expected. You’re marrying the De Santis heir, remember?”

She huffed and folded her arms across her chest, and fought off a smile. “You can’t have everything.”

He shook his head in defeat, kissed her quickly. “I already have everything, Lizzie.”

He pulled a small gray box out of his other pocket. “I was going to wait until after the race, but I can’t…” He opened the box and Lizzie’s heart stopped again. For real this time.

“Are you sure I’m not dreaming?”

“If you are, please, don’t wake up.”

Too stunned to move, she couldn’t take her eyes off the stone as he took it from the box and slid it on her fingers.

“It feels a little loose,” he said and started to slip it back off.

Lizzie made a fist and jerked it back.

Nic grinned. “So you do like it.”

“Shut up,” she whispered, looking at the ring again. The brilliant cut diamond in the square setting was flanked by smaller round diamonds. It was a classic engagement ring from the 1950s and it was everything she could have ever wanted in a ring. “It’s gorgeous, but it’s not two hundred years old.”

“No, the diamond is millions of years old, but it has only belonged to the De Santis family for the last two hundred. My grandfather had it made into an engagement ring for my grandmother. I know you like everything midcentury modern and—”

“I love it, but—”

“I know it’s too soon, Lizzie, but I want our relationship to be clear to our families.”

“You mean my father?”

“Yes, but also Andreas. All of them. I’m tired of the drama. I don’t want you distracted. I know how important your work is, Lizzie, and we can have a long engagement, wait until after you’ve finished school to get…” he paused as he heard himself. Lizzie bit back a laugh.

“Married?” she finished for him.

“Yeah.” He grinned. “There’s no rush.”

“Nic.” She slid her arms around his middle. He sounded nervous and Nic Maretti nervous was wrong on so many levels. “You do know you’re just as important to me, right? If I had to choose between you and my work I would—”

“I would never ask you to choose,” he inserted quickly.

She nodded, her vision blurring. “That’s the reason I choose you.”

Nic did take Lizzie to Italy. They went at Christmas and stayed through the New Year. Lizzie loved it so much she decided she wanted to get married in the village church where generations of the De Santis family had been wed.

On the first Sunday after Advent the following year, on an unseasonably warm day, Lizzie walked with Nic to the old church and they were married in a quiet ceremony with family and a few friends.

Lizzie’s mom, Jen, Pam and Nic’s aunt planned the reception to end all receptions. There were Christmas trees, fresh flowers, and ribbons everywhere. Even a new crèche had been constructed with live animals from De Santis Farms to entertain all the children. There was a huge reception at the De Santis Estate. Jen had made a traditional Italian Wedding cake so tall they almost needed a ladder. There was food and wine and family and friends.

The Bride and Groom didn’t notice a single detail. All they could see was each other. After their first dance as man and wife, Nic reluctantly released her so she could dance with her father.

“One dance,” Nic warned Mac.

“Boy,” Mac warned Nic, but he was smiling, “do not start with me—”

“One dance.”

“I sure like my new son-in-law, Lizzie,” Mac said as Nic walked away and she danced with her father. “Thank you, baby girl. Best Christmas present ever.”

“Because he gave you a seat on the board?”

“Yep,” Mac shamelessly admitted. Andreas Maretti had retired days before the first board meeting Mac had decided to attend. They hadn’t heard much from him, but Lizzie was pleased Claudia had flown over with Angie and Rogan for the wedding.

“What did your father say?” Nic asked her later when they boarded the helicopter waiting to take them to Lake Como.

“He liked his Christmas present.”

“What did we give him this year?”

“A trip to Italy.”

He didn’t believe her but he let the subject drop. Lizzie had learned the difference between Nic’s fishing trawler and Nic’s yacht on a previous trip. She’d wanted to spend their honeymoon night on the yacht despite the wintery cold. Lake Como and Bellagio were as beautiful in December as they were in summer. She was starting to get used to the way Nic lived but she promised herself she would never take Nic or his lifestyle for granted.