The First Date

[Stuart LaRoche]

"She'd like that," Stuart said when Nicky offered to take soup to Zippy. "I just haven't had the time to bother with her. I got her some juice at the market and that's about the extent of it."

When he glanced over at Nicky she lifted her face to his, and his heart stopped as he saw her eyes move down to his lips. She wanted to kiss him. None of this was in his imagination, she wanted to be with him and to feel his lips against hers. His breath caught and he was about to lean forward to kiss her when the carriage hit the bump and they half fell off the seat.

Stuart held onto her as he righted himself. Poor Nicky, she had hit her head, but she had also grabbed onto him. He kept his arm behind her as he held her close, and he laughed to himself as she told off the driver. "Just lean against me, that way you won't hit your head any more, okay? I think I've got more padding than these goddamn seats anyway." He grinned at her as he watched her rub her head. "Want me to kiss that for you?"

He gave a short laugh when she said that her grandmother would know by tomorrow. "You think it will take that long? I expect her to be out there on the front step waiting for us with your sugar plum princess outfit all ready." He paused for a second and then continued. "If she does I suggest we go hiking for our second date."

[Nicolette St. James]

"Oh, so I know who not to go to when I'm sick"  Nicky teased but was going to make all preparation tomorrow to bring Zippy soup.  Her grandmother had a recipe for some perfect feel better soup and she was going to make it even if she had to go to the market and get the ingredients herself.  Everyone should have some feel better soup when sick.  It was the only way Nicky lived when she was under the weather with a red nose and scratchy throat and heavy eyes.

Nicky had felt the move when the two had lunged in opposite directions when the bump caused the carriage to dive and bounce up.  With Stuart's arm now around her she was able to move, awkwardly at first but then she slumped down to get comfortable, still rubbing the head that had a dull throb.  "You'd be kissing a mass of hair."  She laughed.  "I don't think you want a hair ball."  Shaking her head she tenderly rested her hurt head on his side.  It was true his arm was more comfortable then the back of the seat. 

Nicky laughed when they spoke of her grandmother.  Truly her grandmother wasn't bad, she loved the woman to death, but it was fun to picture all the funny things her grandmother might or might not do.  Sure, the woman could possibly dismiss the entire thing with an 'I told you so' comment but it was more fun to imagine her as a match maker wanting the night to be perfect.  "Oh yes, and I can dance around underneath the moon with my princess costume."  She laughed delightedly.  "Don't worry, just because someone might want me to do something, doesn't mean I will.  I will wear what I like."  She finally said, and it was the truth, she would not change for anyone, not even for Stuart.

They entered the Circle and the familiar street lamps that lined the drive.  Nicky could see the St. James house steadily approaching and soon enough it would be time to say goodnight.

[Stuart LaRoche]

"I don't know when you're planning to see Zippy but I'll let her know you'll be by. She likes you, I think. She wouldn't have been teasing you when we went to that French restaurant if she didn't like you. So I'm sure she'd appreciate the company." Stuart really wasn't very good company when other people were sick. When he was sick he preferred to be left alone and tended to treat other people the same way. He never understood the handholding and comfort that went along with being sick. During Ainne's early pregnancy he had pretty much just stayed out of her way.

Stuart kissed the top of Nicky's head anyway and looked out of the cab at the houses passing by. They had reached Morgan LeFey Circle and would soon be at their destination. He wasn't ready for the evening to be over but he would be back tomorrow to work in the garden and then out again at night. He would be seeing Nicky again regularly; they would be spending plenty of time together.

"I'd actually like to see you dancing around in a princess costume," he said with a slight smile. "You could put on a show for everyone out in the yard at night and we could all sit around and admire your pretty skirt as you twirl around." This was the strangest conversation they'd had yet, and Stuart wondered how they even got on the subject. Holly would probably wonder why they were talking about her like this as well, since he was sure she'd never actually dress Nicky up like a sugar plum princess.

They finally reached the house and climbed out of the cab. Stuart paid the driver and took Nicky's hand in his own and started to walk around the side of the house towards the back yard. "I guess I'll tack Lucy and be on my way," he said, wondering if she'd ask him in. He felt weird about just going into the house on his own, even though he'd lived there before and would have just walked into the kitchen under normal circumstances.

[Nicolette St. James]

"Well if not tomorrow, maybe Sunday I'll be by to see her, I need to make the soup first."  She said glad that he'd let her know.  "Oh don't worry about it.  Her and I are fine."  Nicky was not worried about Zippy liking her or disliking her, it was the thing to do.  She knew the girl she wasn't going to let her be alone and miserable with a cold.  That just was no fun at all.  But she certainly was going to have to get Stuart out of this absence business, maybe he liked to be alone but most people didn't.  Most people like company or at least Nicky did.

Nicky had suddenly laughed, imagining herself dancing around in the back yard.  "They would think I was nutter."  She laughed again.  "And you a nutter for thinking it interesting.  You never know, maybe this coming halloween I will be a princess and you can see me dance about."  Cat's Claw loved Halloween as did Nicky and she loved dressing up for the occasion to boot, so he wouldn't have to worry about costumes, she'd be in one for sure. 

As they finally got to the drive to her grandmothers house, Nicky had stepped out and waited for him to pay the driver.  Walking with Stuart they rounded the house and went through the small fence gate to the back yard.  Everyone was asleep, the lights were out inside the house and outside it sounded quiet as well.  "Well, would you like some dessert?"  She asked suddenly not ready for their night to end either.  "I brought home a chocolate eclair, and it was too rich for Bama.  Maybe you'd like a taste?"  She thought just throwing it out there.  If he declined she'd see him tomorrow working in the garden and then tomorrow evening for their date.  For now, however, it was either goodnight or dessert and she waited for his answer.

[Stuart LaRoche]

As soon as Nicky mentioned Halloween Stuart quieted down. He had met Ainne on Halloween and every year they had made the night a special occasion, even more important to him than their wedding anniversary. To Stuart it was the night his life had dramatically changed, a huge turning point in his life. He had forgotten about Halloween coming up and now wondered how he would get through the evening this year. Possibly drunk again. "Hmm," was all he said to Nicky as she talked about dressing up for Halloween. What could he say? "That night belongs to my dead wife and me"? Hardly.

Right now, though, he was here with Nicky. He had to push thoughts of Ainne out so he could think about Nicky or he'd ruin things by retreating inside himself. He had to do this with Hannah a few times and had always felt guilty about it, like he was being untrue to his wife. If he'd had a choice he wouldn't have to push her out of his mind. They'd still be married and they'd have their first child by now. He'd be a father.

He held open the gate for Nicky as they walked into the backyard. He was planning to tack his horse and head for home, but Nicky asked him in. He hadn't wanted the evening to end and was happy to be asked in but when she threw dessert into the mix he couldn't say no. He smiled at her, his eyes creasing in the corners. "I would have said yes without the chocolate eclair, but since you're offering, yes, I would like a taste." The house seemed to be still and quiet -- everyone else had probably gone to bed and it would just be the three of them. Nicky, Stuart and the chocolate eclair.

Stuart followed Nicky into the darkened kitchen, shutting the door behind him. He could smell the hellsbane in the distance but knew that if he stayed in this room he would be fine and get nothing more than a slight headache. He watched Nicky move about, noticing for the first time how gracefully she moved, her lithe limbs arranging themselves like a dancer, her skirt swishing around her legs. She had a beautiful figure, which he had noticed before, but he hadn't really thought about the way Nicky moved. She was a lovely woman. He wordlessly waited for her to finish what she was doing as he stood with her in the kitchen, simply watching.

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky did not know the story of when Ainne and him had first met, or that their special holiday was Halloween.  It would have been obvious to Nicky to have never brought it up if she had known.  But now it was out there and Nicky, not knowing continued on with the idea of dressing up, and Stuart had remained speechless. 

As they drew closer to the door she had offered eclair to try and get him to stay.  At his own words she laughed and placed a hand on him.  "Hey, you are stealing my lines."  She laughed, having only teased him and walked behind him into the house.  Immediately she had quieted herself, not wanting to wake anyone in the house.  She moved around the room, having it memorized, and touched one of the lamps turning it on.  A dim light filtered into the kitchen and lit the room with a warmth and cozy feel. 

Nicky continued to move about the kitchen, pulling out plate and a fork and then lastly the eclair.  Presenting him with the chocolate treat she finished it off with a nice shot of whipped cream across the top.  She had pointed to the chair at the table and had taken one next to it, not realizing he had been watching her move around.  She had always been graceful.  Her mother thinking the only good thing for all girls was dance lessons.  Nicky had had them at a young age of three and had continued until she had been eleven and went off to school.  From then out, she refused her mothers protests for her to continue her lessons.  But the grace and movements had stuck with her all that time. 

Placing the plate down, and resting her chin in her hand she waited for him to try.  "Now I want you to be honest.  It was the first time I ever made them.  And though they were sold, I'm not sure they were as good as Emily's design."  Nicky had never made a chocolate dessert before, and she had never realized how tempermental chocolate had been, this was going to be her true judge and she waited for his opinion.

[Stuart LaRoche]

((Heh. He did steal her line! I knew I'd heard it somewhere before. ))

Nicky got out the eclair and sat at the table, expectantly waiting for Stuart to join her. Usually his normal seat was opposite from hers, but tonight he pulled out the chair next to her and sat close, his arm along the back of her chair. The eclair looked fabulous, all covered in chocolate with whipped cream along the top. He'd actually never had an eclair with whipped cream and wondered if it would add to or detract from the dessert as a whole. One way to find out.

He picked up the fork and gave her a slight smile. She looked at him so expectantly with her chin in her hands, like he was the ultimate person to judge an eclair. "Okay, the first part of making a French dessert is learning the right name. Eclair au chocolat," he said with a French accent. Stuart found this entire scenario hilarious, like he was an expert in all things French. He'd never even been to France! He gazed down at the plate with an appraising eye, turning the plate so he could look at it from all angles. "As far as presentation goes, the eclair itself looks good, but I've never seen whipped cream on an eclair. That might fly in Ireland, but if you're making a French dessert you want people to taste it and say, 'Mon dieu! Je suis dans le ciel! ' People should be speaking in French after taking a bite." He was teasing her with a glint in his eye, and he hoped that she wouldn't think he was making fun of her. He took his fork and cut the eclair in half so he could taste just the filling first, which was was delicious and entirely promising.  He looked up at her with a smile and a raised eyebrow, and then took a forkful of the whole dessert.

For someone who had never left Ireland, Nicky had done a pretty good job of making an eclair. The pastry was yeasty like bread, but not heavy at all. The pastry needed to be light and airy to contrast and balance out the heavier filling, which was so delicious that it could have been a dessert in and of itself. The two together were the most important part of the eclair, and she had nailed these components perfectly. The chocolate on top was a bit off. It was thick and should have been thinned out a bit, and it had a very slightly bitter taste. Stuart sat and chewed thoughtfully, thinking of what he was going to say to her.

He decided to tell her the truth, since she had asked for his honesty. "The pastry and the filling are perfect, Nick. You couldn't have done better with them if you tried. The perfect balance. The chocolate on top isn't right, though. It's too thick and tastes funny... bitter, I think." He looked up at her and smiled, hoping he wasn't offending her, and he moved his arm that had been along the back of her chair so that his hand was on her back as he leaned a little closer and took another forkful. "If this is the first eclair you've ever made you've done an excellent job."

[Nicolette St. James]

((Haha, funny!!  Alright, last post of the night, sorry have to work tomorrow))

Nicky watched as he joined her, sitting right next to her and immediately placing a strong hand on the back of her chair.  She however, remained leaned in and staring up at him, waiting for him to try the eclair.  She nodded as he said the word in French.  "Eclair au chocolat."  She had whispered to herself, still not getting the French right but had not butchered it like she had with everything else.  "No?  No, whipped cream?  I guess, it is an Irish thing."  She said shrugging.  "Everyone in the coffee shop asked for it."  She shrugged again. 

She felt like she was sitting on nails as he surveyed the plate and sampled the sauce in the center and then finally took a bite.  Eyes watched with rapt attention, watching him chew, wondering what he was savoring or if he liked any of it.  And then came the truth.  She couldn't help but smile when he declared that she had nailed the pastry and the filling.  Literally ready to jump in the air with glee, but refrained and only pushed back against his hand that now was on her back.  The rest of the news she could take.  "See, I thought perhaps.  The girls gave a face at the chocolate.  So, bitter.  I guess I should have added more sugar.  Maybe not used the baker's chocolate, maybe something else?"  She asked though was more asking herself.  "Well you know who will be getting a sample of the next batch."  She said in all honesty smiling to him.  "I'm glad I did a pretty good job though.  That chocolate... I have to give it up to the French, it is tough."  She laughed.  She was not at all upset that he had told her the truth.  How were you to fix any problems if you went around not knowing the truth.  "Thank you Stuart for being honest.  You are going to help me be a great success.  Who knows, maybe even open my own shop one day."  Her eyebrows lifted.  It was something she had been thinking about, she had not told anyone about this crazy idea, just Stuart now knew her secret want.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart took another forkful of the eclair and held it out to Nicky with a questioning look. "Aren't you going to have any? Don't tell me I'm going to be eating this whole thing by myself." He could have, it was that good, but he didn't want to be a pig. "If your customers are asking for whipped cream then by all means, put whipped cream on top. Whatever your customers want. It might not be authentic France but we are in Ireland. I was just kidding about you having to call it by its French name and make it authentic. And don't be too hard on yourself with the chocolate. The dessert as a whole still tastes very good."

Good God. Did she just tell him that he was going to get more eclairs? He was in heaven. "Any way I can help," he said grinning as he finished off the dessert. "If you need someone to test drive any other offerings at the coffee shop, I'm your man. Actually, Zippy knows a lot about French baking. She used to help our grandmother in the kitchen. I know she knows how to make brioche. I'm sure she'd help you out if you were interested."

Stuart pushed his plate away and wiped his mouth and face with a napkin, hoping he didn't have any crumbs in his beard. He didn't think so; he was usually pretty careful about the way he ate. He had finished his dessert and was putting off leaving, and he stayed as he was, with one hand on Nicky's back and the other resting on the table. He smiled at her as she thanked him for his honesty, and then she told him that she might want to open her own shop some day. He looked at her in surprise, his eyebrows lifting. "You could," he said after a moment. "Not only are you an excellent baker but I see you having the right personality for that sort of thing. You would be very good at it. Build up a customer base where you're working now so people get to know your name in connection with your baked goods. Then if you do open up your own place you'll have a following." He shouldn't have been surprised Nicky would want to do something like this. She had the skills and the drive to run her own place.

Stuart didn't have an excuse for staying now that he had finished the eclair, but he still didn't want to leave just yet. Another five minutes, he told himself. He watched Nicky's face in the dim light as they talked, and he kept glancing down at her mouth. Stuart loved her lips, they way they rounded and curved perfectly on her face. He couldn't take his eyes off of them, and he watched the way they changed shape as she spoke. Beautiful. He liked her lips even more than her eyes. He lifted his eyes to hers for a moment, holding her gaze and smiling slightly before dropping his gaze to her lips again. Altogether lovely. He leaned in closer to Nicky, his face close to hers, and he hesitated for a moment to take a breath before closing his eyes, leaning in and putting his mouth to those gorgeous lips.

[Nicolette St. James]

"Alright, I will have a bite."  Nicky said and leaned forward taking the offered bite from the fork.  He was right, now it all came together for her.  It was the chocolate, just a little too bitter, and it was heavy.  It should be lighter as the filling was to be the heaviest and fanciest part of the entire dessert.  The sweet pastry nearly melted on her tongue and the heavy filling just sat there like a custard.  Swallowing it she even surprised herself sometimes at her concoctions.  She wanted to learn to make all sorts of baked treats, and would certainly take up the idea of using Zippy.  If Zippy had skills perhaps the two could even work together, wouldn't that be fun?  "I just may have to ask her about that.  You know, they do have a new opening down at the bakery, not sure if she'd be interested but you could let her know.  I mean I know she is sick and all but if she is still jobless, sometimes that perks people up."  Nicky shrugged.  Stuart her taste tester, and Zippy her partner.  It sounded good in theory, and perhaps it really could work.

As she had divulged her little secret to him she was pleased to hear his support on the matter.  But she looked down to her hands for a moment, her smile slipping.  "Well, its a big task to take on.  I'd have to choose hours.  I'd need to have people working for me I can trust, because I certainly can't be there during all the business hours. I'd likely get too overwhelmed and quit.  I have quit..."  She stopped to count in her head.  "Four jobs, four jobs."  She said looking at him.  "Dad thinks I have horrible work ethic.  And what happens if someone suddenly becomes in need of help, how am I to just leave the business?  I just am not sure I have the drive for it."  She said honestly.  Though was certain he hadn't really wanted the entire fear factor to come into play at the moment.  He had said she would do great, and she believed him but Nicky also knew herself and how lazy she could become with things.  But perhaps this was a new her.  She had nothing to do around this Conservative town, every time she tried to make a stand her grandmother sort of bumped her and would tell her bees and honey.  Bees and honey.  She was going to die knowing that phrase, she just knew it.

And as they sat there, the room became quiet.  He finished the eclair and pushed the plate away.  She watched him, and the way the light cast shadows across his face.  The heavy glasses that made him look so dignified, the trimmed beard that circled his lips, and those lips that looked full of life when he smiled.  His eyes that could capture her own.  And then it happened.  He had leaned in, and then hesitated.  Nicky, not one to let men have all the fun pushed her own lips to his, closing the gap.  Her hands immediately reached out, touching his chest as she sat up slightly in the kiss.  It was a sweet tasting kiss, after having the heavy dessert, but it was perfect for their first kiss.  Her mind buzzed and her body hummed with the new electricity that surged through her body.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart leaned into their kiss, lost in the feeling of Nicky's lips against his and her hand on his chest. The sound of their breathing was the only thing he heard. He loved the way she touched him and wanted more of it, and he loved the way she moved to kiss him before he could even get there. Her enthusiasm and the fact that she seemed to anticipate what he wanted is what made Nicky so desirable in his eyes. Some men might have found that restrictive but not Stuart. He was perfectly content to let Nicky take the lead. To him it was less about her being in charge and more about her being the one to discover what they both wanted and agreeing with her.

They were in an awkward position, nearly knee to knee in the kitchen chairs and leaning forward, but Stuart barely noticed. All he cared about at that moment was kissing Nicky. Bells rang in his head as his entire body was responding to what she was pulling from him. If they hadn't had crazy chemistry before, he felt like they had it now.

He lifted his hand from the back of her chair to her neck, running it around the side of her neck and up behind her head as his fingers twined with her hair. He held her like this, not forcefully, simply touching her, as their kiss deepened. His other hand, which had been on the table, dropped to her leg and rested there.

He suddenly realized that this was entirely too awkward, and Stuart broke the kiss, moving his hands to her arms and pulling her up. His chair fell behind him as he shoved it back and stood but he didn't even spare it a glance. His eyes were on Nicky, and he smiled at her as he searched her eyes, wondering what was going through her mind right now. He moved his arms to encircle her waist and, pulling her close, resumed kissing her. He kept his hands still, not wanting to go too far too fast. The way her body and lips felt against him was enough for now, and he breathed in when he broke the kiss again and kissed his way along her jawline.

Lord knew he didn't want to go, but if he stayed much longer he'd get too carried away. He returned to her lips. "I should probably go now," he said, each word punctuated by a kiss. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, though."

[Nicolette St. James]

Perhaps men were offended or put off with Nicky's go ahead ways, but she never was one to mind.  You took her as she was, or you just didn't take her.  However, Stuart and Nicky were paired rather well.  He was fine with her impulsive nature and she liked that he was polite and sometimes hung back.  In this moment however all she could think about was that kiss.  Her feet had been tucked beneath her chair, her knees bumped and brushed against Stuart's as a mean to get a little closer to him.  Her hands rested on his chest to just be closer but to also keep herself from falling over.  Her mind buzzed with this new high she was feeling that she could not get from a hundred shots of whiskey. 

His strong fingers had curled into her short hair, hair she had previously been thinking about growing out, and again as he touched it she wondered about growing her hair longer.  But as the kiss deepened, her head tilted slightly and mouth opened to take in more of him she was drawn only to the moment, only to Stuart.  His hand had landed so gently upon her leg, that she scooted as close to him as she could.  Only half of her was on the chair as she leaned in a little more, unable to hold back the sigh that followed, but then the kiss was broken.  Much too soon for liking.

His hands were on her and she was standing in a second.  The soft thud of the chair made Nicky flinch, but those gentle green eyes brought back that rise in passion.  Her arms wrapped around him in a strong grasp as they resumed the kiss, now standing.  Of course now she was worried that surely anyone could come in at a moment's notice.  She had worried about her grandmother sneaking in on them before, of course in a very humorous sort of way, because of course her grandmother would be wearing purple fuzzy slippers and a yellow robe, but now she was even more certain that the two would be interrupted by an angry Bama who catches the two in the kitchen making out. 

Though the real fear was pushed out of the way, far too into the kiss to want it to actually end.  Especially for the minor possibility of being caught.  And if she really was caught, what would happen?  Would it really be that bad?  At least she could say that her Bama was right, she should have been out with him. 

Nicky let out a heavy breath as his lips firmly kissed up her jawline, eyes rolled upwards, her chest and face was completely flushed, her legs felt like jello, and yet she continued to stand firmly.  With a brush to her lips he spoke.  Her eyes closed trying to find her own calm, her own center, as she took in what he said.  He was right, this was not the place to lose her head.  This was not the place to become too frisky.  "Yes tomorrow."  She added two of her own kisses to his lips.

Nicky had taken a step back finally, breaking from his embrace and pressing a hand to her cheek in an effort to calm herself.  "Tomorrow.  The garden.  Depending on where we are going tomorrow, perhaps you'd rather bring a change of clothes with you so you don't have to go all the way home to change."  She added backing up.  "Just a thought."  Swiping the plate from the table, Nicky moved over to the kitchen sink, giving her hands and her body something to do, though her eyes still looked to the American that stood in her kitchen.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart opened his eyes as Nicky stepped out of his arms and away from him. He watched her put a hand to her cheek and he felt that he was having the same reaction. He could feel the blood beating in his face, too. The last thing he wanted right now, though, was for Nicky to move away from him. It was all he could do to keep his hands from roaming her body as he was holding her, even though it was way too early in their relationship for that yet. In spite of the strong desire she had aroused in him, he was content enough for now with having held her and felt her lips against his. It was what he had wanted to do in this kitchen on Sunday and, unless people were around, he would do it again tomorrow.

His kiss with Nicky had drawn an entirely unexpected feeling from him. Stuart had expected their first kiss to be a sort of tepid affair, given their previous lack of chemistry. That they were both standing here flush with passion amazed him and made him wonder why exactly it had taken him so long to wake up to Nicky. She was a wonderful kisser, surprising him by opening her mouth. He hadn't expected that, and couldn't wait until tomorrow night.

Stuart stood breathing heavily as she picked up the plate and moved to the sink. He had to stop himself from following her, so he turned to pick up the chair he had knocked over and pushed it and the chair she had been sitting on under the table. He leaned against the back of one of the chairs and looked up to see that she was watching him from where she stood at the sink. Her dark eyes held him in her gaze and those lips he loved were just begging him to come over and kiss her again.

And he wanted to. More than anything Stuart wanted to go to her where she stood and kiss her deeply and passionately like they had just been doing. But he knew himself and he knew that if he got started he'd never stop. He'd keep going until he had dragged her off to bed. What's the rush? he asked himself, trying to talk himself down. There would be tomorrow night, and next week, and the week after that. He breathed out a sigh, letting go of his frustration.

"Yes, I was planning on bringing a change of clothes," Stuart finally managed. "Even if we don't go some place nice I don't want to wear the clothes that I wore working in the garden. I don't want to gross you out." He smiled at her across the room, his want for her continuing to tighten in his chest.

"I better go," Stuart said as he moved toward the back door. "I'm going to tack Lucy. You can come with me or we can just say goodnight now and you can stay here."

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky turned to watch Stuart fully.  He had righted the chair and now shuffled them both into place, the dish had been cleaned and now was in the opposing sink to let air dry.  Dark eyes burned, staring at him, taking in different parts of his features that were cast in and out of shadow.  Her fingers had reached behind her and gripped to the counter tightly.  She knew what would happen if she went back over to him.  And not that kissing him was a bad thing, but kissing soon led to other things.  And though Nicky was not afraid to do those other things with Stuart, she did think it would be a little awkward the next morning.  What if the two didn't enjoy themselves?  Of course that thought was almost laughable.  The way the two kissed each other only proved to the fireworks that were to come. 

But Nicky held tight, standing firm to her spot even when he said that he was going to tack Lucy and he'd be back tomorrow.  "Thank you.  Though I have seen you in three day old clothes."  She gave him a wink across the room.  "But smelling nice is a plus in my book."  She added quickly.  Watching Stuart reach the door she felt her feet move towards him and yet her hands would not let go.  His offer sent a shiver up her spine. 

"I shouldn't.  With a hayloft, and an upstairs compartment, there is all sorts of mischief we could get ourselves into.  Not that I'm against it, but just not tonight."  She had done it.  She had declined politely, she had given her reason which was the honest truth.  Now she just wanted one last goodnight kiss.  Crossing the room before he could open the door, Nicky lifted her lips and kissed him gently on the cheek, lips landing on a patch of smooth, soft skin that was just a little hot.  "Goodnight"  She whispered into his ear, and then backed away knowing the close proximity would not be good for either of them when the rise in passion was at a dangerous level.  "Tomorrow."  She said again, as if she were giving him some sort of promise.  Backing up a little more she'd wait to lock up after he was gone, and for now just watched him again, those brown eyes gobbling him up.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart smiled at Nicky, slightly red-faced. "Yeah, you're right," he said. He hadn't considered that she'd seen him in three day-old clothes just this past Sunday and was embarrassed that he'd actually shown up like that. God. He had been such a mess that day; he couldn't believe that she'd actually said yes to going out with him when he was in such a sorry condition. Right now, however, she stood across the room, winking, her teasing manner belied by the tension in her arms as she gripped the counter behind her. She was holding onto it like a lifeboat, like she would suddenly be lost in the current and helplessly swept towards him. She was just as caught up in this as he was, and he suddenly realized he'd been holding onto the doorknob with a similar intensity.

He let go and watched her speak as she shot him down, although he honestly hadn't been thinking about taking her up to the hayloft. He truly was planning to go out, tack Lucy and leave, but now that Nicky had mentioned it all he could think about was, to use her words, getting into mischief with her in the hay. His vision blurred for a moment and he took in a deep breath to recover. I have got to get out of here, he thought, and as he took the doorknob again to open the door he said with a lacivious smile and in a low voice, "Why, Miss St. James, you are giving me all sorts of ideas for tomorrow night." She had told him no, but she'd also made it clear that it wasn't easy for her to say no. This made his breath catch as it was brought home to him again that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

This was not the first time in his life that Stuart had been out on a date, but it was his first time as a widower. He couldn't count Hannah as a date because they had never actually been anywhere besides the party, and he couldn't even count the party because they hadn't gone together. Standing there in the kitchen and gazing at Nicky in the dim light, it dawned on him that this was entirely different from any date he'd gone on as a single man. He'd had a woman in his life. He went to bed with and woke up next to his wife every day, and he had missed the way she touched him and the feel of her in his arms. He wasn't thinking Nicky was Ainne and he wasn't intentionally trying to replace one woman with another, but he realized that the stops that one would normally have in a dating relationship were gone for him. He'd been married and had no reason to put on the brakes when he'd kissed Ainne. Now he realized that it was something he needed to work on. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Nicky; it was that it would be better for everyone involved if he took things more slowly with her. They'd proven to themselves that they were more than just friends. Now he needed to prove to himself that he wasn't using Nicky as a replacement for Hannah or Ainne.

Stuart had been quickly working all of this out in his head when he realized Nicky had left where she was standing and was heading towards him. His eyes held hers as he watched her move across the room, and he wondered what she was going to do. She reached him and kissed his cheek, her lips to his ear driving him wild as she whispered goodnight, and before he could reach for her she slipped away with all the grace of a deer in the night.

Tomorrow. For the first time in months, that word held hope.

He smiled at her, holding her gaze for a moment, and said, "Goodnight. Tomorrow." Turning the doorknob, Stuart left the house.