Over the Fence (35 page)

She was still somewhat of a mystery to me when it came to touching. She always held herself stiff when I would first embrace her, before eventually relaxing into my arms. It was as if she was waiting for something, but I wasn’t sure what. Frustrating me the most was the fact her shyness still kept her covered in the light. I had hoped we would have moved past it by this point, but it wasn’t happening. I did my best to remain patient, telling myself I had to give her time. I didn’t know how much time, or how to make her see how lovely she was to me. I was determined to make her see the truth.

This past week had been especially good, with no drama surrounding us. Every day we learned a little more about each other. With every new discovery, I fell more in love with her.

I still hadn’t told her about my past, and I knew I had to. I decided I would tell her this weekend. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, and I needed her to know all about me.

As I sat at my desk, thinking of the best way to handle it, my message light lit up. I frowned when I saw it was Annie, right away thinking something was wrong, until I saw the first message.

LabGoddess: Hey Nathan—I stole your info from Kourtney when she gave me her new acct name. I’ve been holding back ’til now, but I need a favor. Chefgirl—suits her BTW.

Gnat: Yeah, it does. What’s up?

LabGoddess: I need you to weave a little more of your voodoo magic on Kourtney for me.

Gnat: Voodoo magic?

LabGoddess: Nathan—she came to lunch with some of us today—the first time in the two years she’s been working here. She went out with me—outside the office. I saw her locking lips with you—more than once. She smiles and laughs. She even makes the occasional joke. If that isn’t voodoo magic, I don’t know what is.

Gnat: She’s shy, Annie, that’s all.

LabGoddess: Thanks for the newsflash, bug boy. She’s beyond shy and I know there’s a story behind it. One day I hope she shares it—but ’til then I am thrilled to see her happy and coming out of her shell a little. Everyone is. She may be shy but people really like her. She just doesn’t seem to realize it.

I shook my head. Annie was right about that. Kourtney was so used to rejection she anticipated it before it even happened. And she protected herself from it.

Gnat: What’s not to like? I think she’s pretty perfect myself. She doesn’t see herself the way we do. But we’ll get her there. She is too amazing not to.

LabGoddess: Knew I would like you. Now getting back to the subject at hand . . .

Gnat: Right—what do you need my magical skills for?

LabGoddess: There is a BBQ tomorrow night—a staff one. I don’t suppose Kourtney has mentioned it?

Gnat: No.

LabGoddess: She never goes. Lunch today was the first social thing she’s ever done. I thought maybe she might come if you were with her—I know you being there would make her feel better. Can you talk to her?

Gnat: I won’t push her to do something that makes her uncomfortable, but yes, I’ll ask her about it. Although how do I explain I know about her work BBQ?

LabGoddess: Oh, I will tell her I told you—I already told her I wanted her to come. But she got all nervous, so I thought I would ask you.

Gnat: Okay, I’ll talk to her tonight.

LabGoddess: Perfect—thanks!

I stared at the screen, thinking. A work function. It would be like a date. I wanted to take Kourtney on a date. Although we had spent most of our time together since she came back, it was always at home. Aside from our morning runs and the occasional grocery store trip, we never went anywhere. She said she liked it at home, and while I loved having her all to myself, it was time to expand our world. And this might be the right step.

“No.”

“Why?”

“There’ll be lots of people there, Nat.”

I smiled indulgently, having expected this response. “That’s what a party is, Kourtney. Lots of people.”

Her hands began to twist the hem of her shirt as she tucked her knees up to her chest. I reached out and tugged her hands away, clasping them in mine. “Why does it make you so nervous?”

“I don’t know most of them. I only know the people in my department, and not even all of them.”

I frowned, hesitating, before speaking up. “Is it because they don’t want to? Or you don’t give them the chance?”

She gave me a startled look, her teeth working her bottom lip. “I don’t know,” she finally whispered.

“Annie tells me you are very well-liked at work—did you know that?”

“No.”

I cupped her cheek, stroking the supple skin. “Maybe you need to try and let them in. Let them get to know you, and you know them. Not everyone is going to treat you like your family did, Chefgirl. And, you’re not in school anymore. If someone says something that makes you uncomfortable, you can tell them to go fuck themselves.”

Her eyes widened at my advice.

“I think—if you try—you might be pleasantly surprised. This might be a good place to start. Look what happened when you allowed Annie in to your life.” I teased her. “Or me. That turned out pretty damn good, I think.” I grinned, wanting to reassure her.

“It did.”

“I’ll be right there with you. We can do this together.”

Her eyes were downcast as she struggled with her answer. I could
feel
the tension the conversation had caused her, and I knew she was holding back something.

“Tell me.”

“Do you really want to go?”

“Yes, I’d love to take you, if you want to go.”

“You’d be okay being seen with me?” Her voice was quiet, and she still wasn’t meeting my eyes.

I sighed in frustration. “Hey. Look at me,” I commanded.

Her troubled eyes lifted to mine and the worry I saw in them tugged at my heart.

“I would be proud to be seen with you, Kourtney. I want people to know you belong to me—like I belong to you.” I cupped the back of her head, and kissed her until we were both panting. “Together, okay? You with me?” I leaned my forehead to hers. “I won’t leave your side, Kourtney. Promise.”

“Okay.”

I beamed. “Okay. Hey—our first date.”

She rolled her eyes at me, and I had to tease her some more. “I wonder if I can get to first base with you?”

She giggled, swatting my hands that were threatening to tickle her. I held her to my chest, grazing her ear with the tip of my tongue, enjoying the feel of her shiver. “Maybe I’ll get even further, Chefgirl?” I nipped her lobe teasingly. “Something tells me I’ve got a pretty good chance. I am rather charming.”

Her giggles turned into her low, sultry laughter. “Keep laughing like that and we’ll have a dress rehearsal right now.” I growled playfully. “Or, even better, an undress rehearsal—” She pushed me away and stood up, smiling, but shaking her head.

“If we’re going to the barbeque, I have to take something for the potluck,” she informed me. “So I have to go make it.”

“What are you making? I’ll help.”

She raised her eyebrow at me. “
You
want to help cook?”

I shook my head. “No, that would be a mistake. I can get what you need at the store. And, of course, I want to help taste test. Quality control. I’m all about that. Very important.”

She laughed as she walked into the kitchen. “Such a hard job for you. Not sure I can ask you to make such a sacrifice.”

I sighed heavily. “I only do it for you, Chefgirl. Only for you.”

“Okay, I’m ready to go.” Kourtney sounded nervous and unsure.

I looked up, dropping the paper I’d been reading while I waited. “Chefgirl . . .” I breathed, taking in the sight before me.

Holy fuck.

Her eyes widened and she turned around. “I’ll go change.”

I shot out of the chair, realizing I had spoken out loud and she took my words as disapproval. “No!” I crossed over to her, taking her arm. “You look incredible.”

She glanced down at her dress. “Annie made me buy it at lunch today.”

I whistled. “Remind me to buy Annie a big thank you gift.”

I loved seeing her in a dress and this one was spectacular. It was cut way lower than I was used to seeing on Kourtney, hugging her breasts, outlining their fullness, then flowing out to her knees. It was flowery and pretty; she looked like summer, all bright, airy and, very sexy. Her hair was drawn away from her face but hanging down her back in waves so I could thread my fingers through it, which I loved to do. I clasped her hand, that had been bunching up the fabric of her dress—one of her nervous habits. I brushed my lips along hers. “You are beautiful,” I murmured against their softness, smiling as I felt her cheek warm up. “Don’t change. Please?”

“Okay,” she breathed.

I moved back, still smiling. “Should we really take all the stuff you made last night, Chefgirl? It’s an awful lot of food.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “It’s two salads, Nat.”

“Two huge ones. Maybe you should only take the coleslaw and leave the pasta one here. You know, for later.”

“I made extra for you.”

I grinned. “Yeah?”

“The way you were moaning over tasting it last night? I figured I had better.”

I grabbed her, pulling her close, and kissed her hard. “I’ll happily moan over something else later.” I smirked and nipped her lips. “Thank you for saving me some.”

She pressed her lips to mine. “You’re welcome.”

I watched as she picked up another container. My eyes narrowed. “What’s that?”

“I also made brownies.”

My eyebrows shot up. “When?”

She chuckled as she walked past me. “While you were snoring last night on the sofa, in a pasta-salad-taste-testing-induced coma.”

“I don’t snore.”

Did I?

Kourtney looked over her shoulder. “Then your snoring twin is taking your place most nights in bed, Nat.”

I locked the door behind me. “I’ll have to speak to the bastard.”

Frowning, I looked over at her in the car. “Do I keep you awake?”

“No. It’s not a snore really . . . it’s more a grunt-sigh-grumble thing.” She made a strange sound in the back of her throat. “Like that. You only do it when you’re really tired and it’s rather adorable. I like it.”

“You
like
it?”

She nodded, looking out the window, once again shy. “When I wake up and hear it, it reminds me I’m not alone anymore. I know you’re there.”

I picked up her hand and nuzzled it. “For as long as you want me, Kourtney.” Then I chuckled. “But don’t ever make that sound again. And hit me if I do.”

She giggled and I squeezed her hand. I wanted her smiling. I always wanted her smiling.

“How about another glass of wine, Chefgirl?” I looked down at Kourtney, grinning. She was right; it didn’t take much to get her tipsy. Two glasses of wine and she was pretty much on her way—and Annie loved encouraging it. It pleased me seeing her more relaxed and I was thrilled things were going well.

Everyone seemed happy to see her there, and as promised, unless it was to grab us a drink or fill up my munchies plate, I hadn’t left her side. We had walked around, talked to people, and Annie and Jason remained close as well, so Kourtney seemed to be doing fine. She had relaxed enough to let go of the death grip she had on my hand when we had first arrived. Although she did stay close to my side, which I didn’t object to at all.