The sunshine from the previous day had been replaced with a thick blanket of cloud, which was just as well because she’d left her sunglasses in Nate’s bedroom. It was still humid, though, and her T-shirt stuck to her skin after trying to keep up with Nate’s loping strides.
“Can you slow down a bit,” she said, yanking on his hand. “I’m small, remember.”
Nate lazily cast his gaze over her. “Yeah, but perfectly formed.”
She rolled her eyes at him but was secretly thrilled. She kept wanting to pinch herself to make sure all this was real. She was on vacation. In New York. With Nate Brook. And they were walking down the street hand in hand. The odd passerby cast a curious glance their way, probably trying to place Nate, but he stared straight ahead without making eye contact. She realized after a few minutes that this was a tactic he’d used in LA, too. It must be an approach he’d discovered worked because they weren’t accosted by a single person.
He stopped in front of a café with a green awning that read Evergreen. “This place serves the best pancakes in New York,” he said, pushing open the door.
A bell jingled overhead, alerting the waitress behind the counter who was serving coffee to men in suits.
“Sit anywhere you like,” she said. “I’ll be over in a sec.”
Nate slid into a booth. Dex followed. She’d figured, after the several meals they’d shared, that Nate preferred for her to sit beside him rather than opposite. He caressed her inner thigh and hit her with a smile that melted her insides.
“You’re learning, Titch.”
Dex had never thought of herself as subservient enough to be a people pleaser. She was too mouthy, too opinionated, to need outside validation. But pleasing Nate was becoming an addiction. She chased his smiles, craved his approval. She loved making him happy, because it made her happy.
After they’d ordered pancakes, eggs, and coffee, Dex turned to Nate. “What are we doing today?”
Nate tapped the side of his nose. “Wait and see.”
Dex grinned. Let him have his fun. “As long as the Empire State is on the list, I’m good.”
“It might be,” he said, leaning back to allow the waitress to set down two steaming mugs of coffee.
“Are you sure Jax doesn’t need you to help with the wedding? We can easily sightsee on Sunday and Monday.”
Nate flashed a look of horror her way. “That sounds like my idea of hell. I’m here. I’ll turn up tomorrow and smile and make small talk with dicks I couldn’t give a shit about. But as for anything else,” he shook his head vigorously, “nope. Not a fucking chance.”
Dex rolled her eyes. “Jeez. Chill, will ya.”
Nate narrowed his eyes, but beneath the fierce stare he shot her way was a mischievous glint she couldn’t resist. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him, a quick peck rather than a passionate clinch, but as she began to pull away, Nate held her arms in place and deepened the kiss.
“The taste of you is becoming addictive, Titch. Luckily our pancakes will be here soon, otherwise I may have gotten on my knees and eaten you instead.”
A couple of customers at nearby tables looked over. Dex’s face burned, not because of what Nate said, but the volume at which he’d said it.
“Shhh,” she said, giving him a nudge.
“What?” When she cocked her head, Nate made eye contact with a man sitting adjacent who had decided the conversation happening to his left was a lot more interesting than his plate of eggs Benedict. His sleazy gaze swept over her, and he licked his lips.
Nate straightened in his seat and picked up his fork. “Buddy, if you don’t take your eyes off my girlfriend, I’ll fucking gouge them out.”
Dex stared at the floor, willing it to open and swallow her whole.
The guy cleared his throat. “No offense meant.” His chair scraped backward, and he got to his feet, mumbling an apology.
Once she was sure he’d gone, she lifted her head, expecting to see the entire café watching the show. Thankfully, Nate’s glowering expression must have put off any other interested parties - not one person was paying them any attention.
And then Nate’s words hit her like a ten-ton truck. Girlfriend. He’d only gone and called her his girlfriend. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was saved from conjuring up any words when their breakfast arrived. Nate seemed oblivious to her bewilderment as he picked up the maple syrup and poured it over his pancakes.
“Take a bite and tell me they’re not the best damn pancakes you’ve ever tasted.”
Dex stared at her plate, then at him. “I’m your girlfriend?”
Nate frowned, and then his forehead wrinkled, sending his eyebrows shooting up. “Fuck. Yeah. Shit.” And then he broke into a smile. “Guess you’re stuck with me, Titch. How do you feel about that?”
She swept her tongue over her dry lips and swallowed. “I guess I can cope. Once I’ve trained you up a bit.”
Nate threw back his head and laughed. “Trained me up?”
She grinned. “Yeah. I mean, you could be boyfriend material. It’ll take a shitload of work, but I’m up for the challenge if you are.”
Nate shook his head, but the smile was still very much on his lips. “Sold.”
Her heart began thrumming against her ribcage. She’d just become Nate Brook’s girlfriend. Oh, dear God, she was going to hyperventilate.
“Now eat your pancakes before they go cold.”
* * *
Nate paid the check and opened the door for Dex. His heartbeat still wouldn’t slow down. He had a girlfriend. Him. Nate Brook: playboy, manwhore, skirt-chaser extraordinaire. He was off the market, and fuck, if that thought didn’t make him the happiest he’d ever been. When the hell had this happened? This thing with Dex had started out as a bit of fun with someone who perked up his dick without effort more than any other woman had ever managed. The last thing he’d expected was to end up in a relationship—and be happy about it.
Dex linked her arm through his. “Okay, boyfriend, lead the way.”
Nate grinned. “First stop, Empire State.”
Dex’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “I knew it.”
A short subway ride later, they emerged onto the street. A few spots of rain were in the air, but nothing could dampen his spirits. The little dynamo bouncing on her toes beside him had chased the clouds away, at least right then. Experience told Nate he wouldn’t shake the dark thoughts forever, but if being with Dex could push them to the far recesses of his mind and heart—only to emerge when he was alone—well, he could live with that.
They joined the end of the line, but thankfully, they didn’t have to wait too long for tickets. During the entire ride in the elevator to the top, Dex didn’t stop babbling. Whereas once, constant chatter from a female companion would have irritated the fuck out of him—and he’d have made some inane comment about sticking his dick in their mouth to shut them up—with Dex he found he didn’t mind one bit. Her enthusiasm was contagious, so much so he found himself looking forward to getting to the top, despite the view being something he’d seen several times.
The viewing platform on the eighty-sixth floor was crowded, but not overly so. Give it another hour and it would be impossible to move for tourists.
“Wow, I can see everything from up here.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” He slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “There’s Madison Square Garden. I used to go there fairly regularly with Jax to watch the Knicks. Not so much these days.”
She gave him a look. “I didn’t know you liked basketball. I used to go watch the Bucks with my dad before he passed away.”
Nate leaned in close, his mouth next to her ear. “Oh, Titch. A basketball fan? You’re definitely getting several orgasms later.”
Her dainty pink tongue appeared and dampened her lips. Fuck. His cock jerked as the memory of what she’d done to him with that tongue the previous night came rushing back. He shook the image from his mind. He had severa
l things he wanted to share with her today, and while his cock was most certainly one of them, it’d have to wait until later.
They walked around the entire observation deck. Dex took so many photos, she’d need to buy extra storage to house them all. Nate checked she’d seen enough, then the two of them headed back down onto the street.
“Where to now?” she asked.
He glanced down at her footwear. Sneakers. Good.
“Let’s walk over Brooklyn Bridge. There’s a cool pizza place on the other side that I love. We can grab lunch. And the view back to Manhattan from the waterside is really cool.”
She laughed. “I’m still full from the pancakes.”
“You won’t be after we’ve walked over to Brooklyn.”
By the time they’d crossed the bridge, checked out the waterfront, eaten lunch at his favorite pizzeria, and arrived back in Manhattan, it was already four in the afternoon. Sightseeing in New York always took longer than expected. Jax had arranged dinner at a local restaurant for them all at eight, but that still left plenty of time for one final stop. The one he most wanted to show her.
Their third subway ride of the day culminated about a quarter mile from the hotel in a tree-lined street with rows of attractive-looking brownstones lined up like soldiers. Nate’s chest hurt the closer they got to the final destination. He clutched Dex’s hand, her soft skin and warm touch soothing him from the pain blooming inside.
Five minutes later, he turned a corner and stopped.
She glanced up at him, a confused frown drawing her eyebrows together. She didn’t say a word. Instead, she squeezed his fingers.
“This was the place I grew up,” he finally said, the words sticking in his throat, his voice hoarse and rough. “The house we lived in before my parents were killed.” Pain scored his heart, and he suppressed on a wince.
“It’s a lovely home,” she said gently.
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Jax sold it within weeks of their passing and moved us a few blocks away, but I used to come back here regularly. This place grounded me when everything else turned to shit. It was the wrong decision to leave here so quickly. I hated the other house. It was never my home. Jax knows he made a bad decision, but at the time, he thought he was doing the right thing.”
He sat on the stone steps, tugging Dex down beside him, hoping the owners weren’t home and might, at any second, come out to ask him what they hell he was doing on their property.
“I was twelve when they died. Can’t remember if I already told you that. It’s so weird how when you’re that age, you go through life not even aware of how fragile it all is. And then bam! Your whole world is turned upside down in an instant.”
She stroked up and down his arm, her soft fingertips alleviating the ache inside. “I’m so sorry, Nate. Not that it makes a difference, but I know exactly what it feels like.”
He rested his head against hers. “It does, though. Make a difference.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own memories. Then he got to his feet and helped Dex up. “I don’t know why I brought you here.” He shrugged. “I guess I wanted you to see where I came from.”
“I’m honored you brought me.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek, her lips so warm, so inviting.
He turned his head, capturing her mouth. With a groan, he buried his hands in her dark-red hair, digging his fingers into her scalp as he angled her exactly the way he needed. When they broke apart, both were panting. He glanced at his watch.
“Come on, Titch. Dinner isn’t until eight. I reckon that gives me a good ninety minutes to start on those orgasms I promised you.”
Chapter 17
Dex checked herself in the mirror one more time. She always felt strange wearing a dress, but a shirt, jeans, and sneakers wasn’t acceptable attire for a wedding. The cornflower-blue knee-length fitted dress went well with her red hair and complexion, so all in all, she hadn’t scrubbed up too badly.
She applied a little more lipstick and patted her lips on a folded tissue. After slipping her feet into four-inch stilettos—she needed height from somewhere—she picked up the silver clutch bag and took out her cell phone. One text from Elva to let her know Mom was okay and Milo was missing her. She smiled and tapped out a quick reply.
As she dropped her cell back into the purse, Nate appeared behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. Dear God, the man rocked a tux better than anyone she’d ever seen, and if they had time, she’d be peeling it off and helping herself to a piece of what she craved.
“Don’t,” he murmured, nibbling on her earlobe.
“Don’t what?”
“Look at me like that, otherwise we’re not going to make this wedding, and Jax is going to spend a lifetime making me pay.”
She turned around in his arms and brushed imaginary dust from his suit jacket. “You’re damned handsome, Nate Brook.”
“And you’re sexy as fuck.” He bent to kiss her.
She turned her head. “I’ve just put lipstick on.”
“So? You’ve got more, haven’t you?” His mouth took hers in a kiss that left her breathless. When he drew back, he was wearing more of her lipstick than she was. She giggled and grabbed a tissue from her purse, wiping it away.
“That’s better.”
She reapplied her makeup, then took Nate’s proffered arm.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Are you?”
He shrugged. “You’re making this trip a whole lot more bearable, Titch.”
She twisted her lips to one side. “I don’t get it, Nate.”
“Get what?”
“Why you hate coming here so much. Your brothers clearly adore you, and you’re surrounded by so much warmth and love. That shit’s addictive, yet you push it away.”
His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened, a dangerous glint in their depths. He yanked his arm away. “Don’t pull at that thread, Titch. Not if you know what’s good for you.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and she planted her hands on her hips. “What’s good for me? Is that a threat?”
A nerve beat in his cheek, and she was sure she could hear him grinding his teeth. “I’m not talking about this, so either drop it and we can go enjoy the day, or carry on and seriously piss me off. Your choice.”
He slowly turned away and headed for the door, leaving Dex standing there, anger building deep within her. “Stop right there, Nate Brook, or so help me, I’m going to kick your ass.”
He froze in place, one foot in front of the other, mid-step. She moved in front of him, her neck craned back. Goddammit, what she wouldn’t give for a few more inches so she could have this conversation eye-to-eye.
“I will let this drop, not because you ordered me to, but because I can see you’re a hot mess of anger and rage. I don’t know what the hell is going on here, but I’ll tell you one thing: the day will come when whatever issues you have with your brothers is going to erupt. And if you don’t take control of that shit, it’s going to blow up in your face.”
And this time, she left him behind. She wrenched open the door and stormed into the living room. Cole and Millie were sitting on the sofa. Millie was cradling Aimee who looked absolutely adorable in a soft pink dress, matching shoes, and a pink bow in her dark hair. Their eyes widened when met with a furious redhead stomping around. Cole glanced over her shoulder where she guessed Nate was standing, and then looked back at her.
“Everything okay?” he asked, concerned.
“Fine,” she spat. “Except your brother is a dickhead.”
Cole’s forehead wrinkled, and Millie smothered a grin. “Well, we know that,” Cole said, laughing. “And now you’ve caught on, you’re definitely part of the family.”
Cole’s jokey demeanor stripped the tension right out of the room. Dex’s shoulders relaxed back in place, and as she joined in with the laughter, she sensed Nate behind her, his eyes boring into the back of her head. Deciding to ignore hi
m, she turned to Millie, who she’d sat beside at dinner the previous evening. The two girls had developed an immediate rapport, and Dex hoped they’d become friends, albeit long-distance ones. Still, that was what social media was for.
“I love your dress, Millie,” Dex said. “It really suits your coloring. And Aimee looks so cute.”
“Thank you,” Millie said with a smile, adding, “You don’t think it makes my skin appear too pale?”
Dex shook her head. “Not at all. You’ll steal the limelight from Indie at this rate. Talking of which, where is the blushing bride?”
“She stayed at Alana and Paul’s last night.”
“Oh, that’s right. She did say.”
“Jax okay?” Nate finally spoke, but when Dex turned her attention on him, he refused to meet her gaze.
Well, screw him. He could spend the rest of the day in a snit for all she cared. Except she did care. She just wished he’d talk to her. They’d had such a breakthrough yesterday, and she was finally beginning to feel secure and not be constantly waiting for him to end things between them. Maybe she needed to wait until he had a couple of drinks inside him. Might make him more pliable. Or ask him again after sex. Nate was always more agreeable when his balls were empty.
“No, he’s panicking,” Cole said.
“I’ll go see if he needs a hand.”
Nate disappeared into Jax’s bedroom, leaving the three of them alone.
“Jesus, did you refuse to put out or something last night?” Cole asked, earning a sharp dig in the ribs from Millie’s elbow.
Dex giggled, not in the slightest bit offended at Cole’s remark. “No, but I will be tonight if he carries on behaving like a child.”
Cole laughed. “Y’know, Dex, you’re exactly what he needs.”
They chatted for a few minutes, and Dex even managed to sneak in a quick cuddle with Aimee before Jax and Nate joined them. Jax’s face had a green tinge to it, and Dex couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. Although the wedding would be a small, intimate affair, it mustn’t be easy to stand up in front of everyone. If it were her, she’d be worrying about forgetting her lines, or tripping up on her dress, or being sick over the pastor.
Web of Lies: A Brook Brothers Novel Page 14