Page 74 of Nigel

"Beer is fine."Nigel accepted a can and watched the activities in the pool. Hiswoman was splashing in the water along with the rest of the family.

"Why the hurryfor the wedding?" He turned his head at the pointed question.

"I don't want towait to make her my wife. I am nearing fifty and for the first timein my life, I am head over heels in love. We should not have towait."

"She wants achild." Lionel guzzled beer, his eyes meeting Nigel's.

"I am aware andI want what she wants."

"I wassuspicious of your motives."

"Motives?"Nigel's eyebrows lifted.

"Yes. You are awealthy guy and my sister is not your usual type."

"Your sister isthe most beautiful woman I have ever met." He turned to look ather. She was soaked, her hair plastered to her head. Chloe wassplashing her with more water and she was doing the same. "Sheis wonderful and I admire her spirit. I could not help but fall inlove with her. I still am." He mused almost to himself.

"Every time Ithink this is it, I am filled up with her, then there is anotherdimension. It scares me sometimes, all the time actually. And Icannot keep my hands off her." He coughed, remembering that hewas talking to her brother. "Just saying."

Lionel hid a smileand was pleased with the answer. He had seen evidence of the man'sdevotion of course. One could not help but notice the heat simmeringbetween them. But now he was more than convinced.

"I would saymake her happy, but that has already been accomplished."

"Thank you."

"Nigel come onin!" Ava called out.

"I will be rightthere." He turned to look at Lionel. "Are we good?"

"As gold."

"Great."Finishing the beer, he rose and headed to the lip of the pool anddove in cleanly, surfacing behind her to wrap his hands around herwaist.

"Hi."

"Hi."Turning her head, she searched and found his lips.

"Cut it out, youtoo." Kyle called out. "We are playing water polo. Lionel,get in here."

"Allow me tofinish my damn beer."

"Uncle you justcursed," Chloe shouted.

"I am sorrypumpkin. Your dad has a way of getting on my da- I mean my nerves.Here I come."

*****

“You had fun,”she murmured as she leaned back against him. Their family had gone onhome and she and Nigel were still by the pool, laying back in theloungers. The long summer evening was cool and with the birds singingand squirrels scampering up the trees, it made for a pleasant andrelaxing ambiance.

“Hmm.”Easing down her dress, he kissed her neck. “You have abeautiful family.” He was pulling at the zipper.

There had beenmoments when he had been impatient to get her alone. But he had tocurb his desire and yearning because they had been surrounded bypeople. Now they were alone and he wanted to get her naked.

“Whatare you doing?”

“What does itlook like?” He had the dress off and was pulling it over herhips.

“Nigel we areoutside.”