Chapter 3 – First Kiss

Elizabeth started pacing behind the couch. Nathan watched her for a few moments and then went to sit on the couch. He could see that she was upset and blaming herself for things.

"I think that there is plenty of blame to go around for the past couple of years." Nathan said. "You were afraid and Lucas used that. I thought you had chosen Lucas so I backed off. And again he used that to his advantage. He manipulated things and both of us. Let's put the past in the past and start over. If that is what you want."

Nathan patted the couch and motioned for Elizabeth to sit down next to him. When Elizabeth sat down, it was the first time she noticed that Nathan was wearing the light blue checkered shirt she loved and it was unbuttoned enough that she could see his unbuttoned henley underneath and just a peek of his chest hair. She inhaled sharply and closed her eyes as memories of the night before flashed through her mind. Thinking something was wrong, Nathan put his hand on Elizabeth's and she once again inhaled sharply. But that time Nathan felt the electricity shoot between them and up his arm. He quickly pulled his hand away and looked at it. He knew Elizabeth had felt the electricity as well, based on her reaction and face.

"You felt that?" Nathan asked.

Elizabeth nodded.

"It was stronger than the other times it happened." Elizabeth said.

"Other times?" Nathan asked.

"In the library and once in the livery." Elizabeth said. "But they were just very light compared to that. I thought you felt the one in the library the way that you looked at me afterward."

Nathan closed his eyes and thought back. He had felt the one in the library, but he had been so surprised he didn't know how to react. He couldn't remember the one in the livery, but he trusted Elizabeth.

"I have never had that happen with anyone else." Nathan said.

"I have." Elizabeth said. "The first time that Jack kissed me. My aunt used to tell me when I was a child that if you felt a spark with someone, that was how you knew that your hearts beat to the same rhythm. Butterflies in the stomach and you knew that you loved that person. Sparks and you knew that you were in sync with the person and they felt the same. My aunt always told me to never settle for less. I am done settling for less. There were no butterflies or sparks with Lucas."

"Butterflies?" Nathan said. "More like a stampede of wild horses and that was more than a spark. My hand is still tingling."

Elizabeth couldn't stifle a giggle at Nathan's description. She looked at him and they got lost in each other's eyes. Without thinking, Elizabeth reached up and put her hand over his heart to feel it beat. Nathan froze at her touch. His breathing was fast and he knew his heart was pounding. He was having a hard time thinking with her so close and then touching him. He closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing and heart. When he closed his eyes, Elizabeth leaned forward so that she was only inches from his face.

"I have dreamt of kissing your perfectly shaped lips." Elizabeth whispered.

Nathan felt her breath on his face and it sent shivers down his spine. Elizabeth didn't wait for Nathan's invitation. She closed the distance and kissed him. It took Nathan a moment to respond, but he kissed her back with equal passion. Her hand slid up his shoulder and eventually stopped where Elizabeth could play with a curl of his hair behind his ear. Nathan was feeling things that he had never felt before and there were so many feelings that it felt like a bomb had gone off inside of him.

Finally, Nathan pulled back because he needed air, but he leaned his forehead on hers. He brought his hand up and cupped her cheek. He gave her a lopsided grin.

"I don't know about you." Nathan said, low and sultry. "But that was better than any dream I have ever had."

"Much better than a dream." Elizabeth said.

"So now what?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know about you." Elizabeth said. "But I want to share a few more kisses."

"I can do that." Nathan said, again with the lopsided grin.

Nathan and Elizabeth shared several more kisses before Nathan got up and walked away from Elizabeth, pacing in front of the stove in the kitchen.

"I think we need to stop." Nathan said. "Otherwise we are going to get in trouble."

Elizabeth blushed as she realized what Nathan was saying.

"I agree." Elizabeth said. "So where do we go from here?"

"I think we need to talk to Allie." Nathan said. "But I am pretty sure she will be on board. But how about we say we are courting."

"Only if you ask me." Elizabeth said, coyly.

Nathan let out several harsh breaths. He then walked over to his desk, grabbed something and slipped it in his pocket. He then grabbed something else and kept it in his hand. He then moved to kneel in front of Elizabeth.

"I would love nothing more than for you to be mine." Nathan said. "I have dreamt about it from the first day that you walked into the Mountie office. I have something in my hand that I would love nothing more than to give you, but it has only been hours since you broke off your engagement to Lucas and I feel it is too soon. But just know that is what I want. So for the moment, I will put it back in my pocket."

Nathan didn't let her see the ring that she knew he was holding, but he slipped it in his pocket and grabbed something else.

"So instead of giving you the piece of jewelry that I want." Nathan said. "I will give you this and just know that the other one will be coming soon."

Nathan held out his hand and in it was a lovely gold oval shaped locket. It had a raised filigree design with a small pearl in the center.

"I love it." Elizabeth said.

"It was my grandmother's." Nathan said. "Open it."

Elizabeth gently picked it up and opened it. When she saw what was inside, she gasped and tears slipped down her cheek.

"Don't cry." Nathan said.

"I love it." Elizabeth whispered.

Inside the locket, Nathan had gotten a picture of Jack in his uniform with his metal and on the other side was one of his latest pictures in uniform.

"How long have you had this?" Elizabeth said.

"A long time." Nathan said. "I only added my photo last night, though I have had it for a while."

Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed Nathan.

"It is perfect." Elizabeth said. "And for future reference, I don't care about social convention. I will say yes to that other piece any time you are ready to ask."

"I will keep that in mind." Nathan said.

After another kiss, Nathan put the locket on Elizabeth.

"Now." Nathan said. "I think I better go check in at the office."

"I should go get Little Jack." Elizabeth said. "I left him with Bill."

"How about you join us for supper tonight." Nathan said.

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "What can I bring?"

"How about a side?" Nathan said. "I will fry the fish and make the potatoes. Bill is bringing the yeast rolls."

"I will make a vegetable and maybe some dessert." Elizabeth said.

"Sounds good." Nathan said.

Nathan stood up and then helped Elizabeth to her feet. They left the house and went about the things that they had to do, both of them happier than either could remember. Rosemary was going to look for Elizabeth when she saw her and Nathan walk by, laughing and talking. Rosemary just smiled to herself and knew that something had changed between them and she was happy about it.

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