Chapter 33 Night

Much later Nathan goes out in the storm to walk home. By the time he gets to the row houses he is exhausted as he trudges through the snow. He see a light burning in Elizabeth's house and briefly debates himself about stopping, it is late and he is sure she must be asleep, but he promised her and he doesn't want her to worry. He struggles up the snow covered steps and lightly taps on her door. If there is no answer he decides he will just go home. Quickly the door opens and Elizabeth stands there all wrapped up in a blanket. "Nathan:, she cries, "Get in here out of the storm". Nathan says "I don't want to bother you, I will just make a mess." "Stubborn man" she says as she pulls him in. "Here stand on these towels and take off your coat and boots." Sit before the fire and warm up" Elizabeth orders .

Before Nathan can get out a word she helps him with his clothes and guides him to blankets in front of the fire. He finally finds his voice and says "Elizabeth, I don't want to be a bother." "Nathan all day you took care of everyone , let me care for you now. I have been waiting for you" she tenderly says. Her blanket slips off and reveals Elizabeth in a heavy flannel robe over her nightclothes. He tries not to be distracted. Elizabeth wants to feed him, but he says "I got food at the Café." "So how about a hot toddy," she offers which he agrees to.

Sitting in front of the fire he begins to relax and feels his eyes closing. It has been a long physical day and Nathan is sore from hours on horseback and getting Mr. Watkins into town. Elizabeth sits next to him and says "Here have some of this it will warm you up." Nathan takes a big gulp and it burns as it goes down. "Elizabeth how strong did you make this" he gasps. She says "Let it go Nathan you need it".

She asks how things are out there and he gives her a quick version of the day. He tells her how Julia is helping Carson which surprised him. Elizabeth says "Nathan don't keep things from me how are you?" He says "Elizabeth I don't know when anyone really asked me other than Allie about this. I have no practice in really sharing how hard some days are". "Now you do Nathan" and she leans back and stares at him "Don't shut me out".

Nathan says "The last time you said that to me I wanted to do this" and with that he pulls her in and kisses her deeply. Elizabeth toys with his hair and says "You wanted to kiss me on that day." "Yes I did and numerous times before, but it was never my place and I really didn't know how you felt" Nathan confesses.

Coyly she said "Do you know when I thought you were going to kiss me?" He arches his brow as if to say when and she says "That day up in the woods when we were so angry at one another." "Why do you think I walked out" he says. "I was so mad at you and myself my self-control was breaking."

During this exchange she could see him wincing every time he moved his shoulder. "Nathan what's wrong," Elizabeth asks. He says "I think I pulled my shoulder it will be fine". "Sit up" she orders and kneels behind him as she begins to knead his shoulders. "Oh Elizabeth that feels wonderful." Nathan says As she continues working on his shoulders he tells her about finding Mr. Watkins and the tough trip back to town.

At first Elizabeth is listening , but quickly she becomes fascinated with his broad shoulder and muscles and the way his hair curls on his neck as it dries from the snow. Without realizing what she is doing her touch becomes softer and more exploratory; her hands with a will of their own play with his hair and then she begins to stroke his upper back and kisses the back of his neck. Nathan has stopped talking at this point and is stunned with Elizabeth's boldness and revels in her touch. Suddenly he needs to touch and taste her as well. "Elizabeth" he whispers in a strangled voice. He takes her hand and pulls him in front of him. She sees the pulse beating fast in his throat and kisses it . Groaning Nathan buries his face in her hair and then rains kisses on her face her throat and finally reaches her lips where they kiss passionately. Finally breathless he breaks the kiss and they are now forehead to foreheat. At the same time they say each other's name, "Elizabeth/Nathan"

.Meanwhile her hands roam over his face, shoulders and chest. Nathans' hands travel over her face and down her arms and once again he kisses her throat. With supreme effort they pull apart. Nathan says "I should go". Elizabeth responds "Shhh just a little longer. Let's just sit here and enjoy the fire" she says. "I love sitting here as you hold me" Nathan can never say no to Elizabeth so he wraps his arm around her and they sit there peacefully each in their own thoughts about how much they love one another. Quickly Nathan starts to nod off as he has a very long day. He begins to slump and Elizabeth pulls him down in the blankets. "Elizabeth" he says, "shh it's just for tonight and she lays on his chest and his strong heartbeat lulls her to sleep.