“Still, so many people who try to recreate it from magazine and the internet can never pull it off. You made this house look incredible.”
Nick watched the two women in his life getting along. Luke grinned at him from across the table. Would Luke start to resent him for dating Victoria when he couldn’t get Halle, or would he figure that it would get him closer to her?
“Mom signed me up for a cheer camp and Helena up for math and science camp. It’s on different weeks, but we’re still excited.” Lucia told them. “Mom was a cheerleader in high school.”
Nick raised a brow at Victoria. She’d never breathed a word of that. “You were?”
“Yeah, I was. I don’t have that kind of flexibility anymore, but I remember a lot of the cheers,” Victoria said. “But I won’t do any because I’m sure that would only embarrass the girls.”
“What do you do in math and science camp, Helena?” Nick looked over at the girl, who had barely engaged with the rest of the group the entire night. Luke had teased a smile out of her a few times, but other than that she kept silent.
“We’ll get to look at stars through a telescope. Learn more about space.” Helena spoke shyly at first, but the more she talked about the topic she loved, the more she engaged. “Learn about constellations, things like that.”
“You haven’t said anything about the math.” Luke elbowed her in the side.
A small smile lifted her lips. “I’d rather do the science part. I’d be in a science club at school, but they only have a math club.”
“There’s supposed to be meteor shower tomorrow night,” Nick told them. “A friend of mine has a telescope I can borrow.”
Helena’s face brightened, and she actually looked him in the face. “Really? Can we, Mom?”
Victoria smiled. “Sure, baby. Lucia?”
“Yeah, that’d be fun,” Lucia agreed.
“Okay, after dinner, I’ll call and see if I can pick it up in the morning.” Nick tried to ignore his mom’s misty eyed smile.
When dinner was over, Victoria thanked his mom with a hug. His mother squeezed her tightly before telling the girls that they needed to come over some during the summer and that she’d take them to the beach. He walked Victoria and the girls to her SUV, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. They both wanted to ease the girls into the relationship, so he couldn’t kiss her like he really wanted to.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
VICTORIA WATCHED HELENA bounce around the backseat next to Lucia in excitement. In their part of the country it was rare to be able to see shooting stars, and luckily enough, tonight was bright and clear. Traffic thickened as they headed toward the beach. It seemed they weren’t the only ones with the idea to watch the meteor shower from there.
“Oh, my Gosh. I can’t believe it!” Helena squealed. “I want to see a million of them!”
Nick looked back at them, grinning. “Maybe you will. The website said that it would be a big shower. The weather couldn’t have been better for it, either.”
“No clouds, no light pollution. The mayor asked the houses on the beach to turn their outside lights off for a few hours tonight,” Victoria told them. She pulled into the public parking lot and searched for a parking space.
This was it. She and Nick were announcing to the rest of the town that they were together and that she’d introduced him to her kids, which was a big step. Lucia and Helena hopped out of the car, and Nick went around to the back and grabbed the box for the telescope. He handed the basket he’d packed to Helena and the blanket to Lucia.
“Want me to carry anything?” Victoria asked.
“You want the telescope or the ice chest?” Nick thought for a second. “You can carry the telescope. The ice chest is heavier.”
Victoria watched him pull the ice chest out. His t-shirt rose, showing the muscles in his lower back. Want and need tangled in her body in a sharp rush that took her breath away. She looked away and swallowed. Her daughters didn’t need to see her lusting after him.
Nick winked at her, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “Come on. Let’s get a good spot before they’re all taken.”
They walked to the beach, taking their flip-flops off when they reached the cool sand. Stars twinkled overhead brightly, and the moon hung high in the sky. It took them a minute, but they found a spot near the water, far enough away that the waves wouldn’t reach them. Nick and Lucia spread the blanket out.
“Helena, want to help me set up the telescope? I’ve never done this before.” Nick pulled out the instructions and stared at them, flashlight in hand.
“I know how. We learned in class,” Helena told him, all signs of animosity gone.
A tenderness for him hit her. He included both her girls in the date. Roger wouldn’t even acknowledge them unless it helped him climb the social ladder. Nick was patient and kind with them, and she had no idea how he’d ever doubted that he could handle this. That he’d end up like his father. Charlotte had raised him and his brother to be good men.
“Put the tripod out first.” Helena told him.
“This is really cool, Mom.” Lucia leaned in for a hug. “Helena’s having a great time.”
“I know, sweetie. It’s great for her. And for you.” Victoria hugged her close. “You don’t mind being out here, do you?”
“Some of the boys from school will be here. And I think it’ll be neat to see some falling stars.” Lucia glanced over to where Nick and Helena worked on the telescope. “But don’t tell her I said that. I’ll never get her to stop talking about it.”
“It’ll be our secret.” Victoria cringed inwardly when she thought about Lucia and boys. She’d never be ready for that day.
Once everything was set up, they still had about half an hour before the shower started. When Helena and Lucia saw some of their friends from school, they went to talk to them, leaving Nick and Victoria alone on the blanket.
“This is romantic, right? I get points for this?” Nick joked as they sat on the blanket. He kept an eye on the girls while they talked to their group of friends. “You know there are boys over there, don’t you?”
Victoria pressed her lips together to hold in her laugh, but failed. “Yes, you get major points for this, Helena is beside herself. I see the boys over there, sir, and I see you keeping an eye on them.”
He looked over at her. “Do you mind that? I’m not trying to step in and take over or anything. I just know what I was thinking, even at that age, and your daughters are pretty. Like their mother.”
Under his joking manner, she could tell his question was serious. “I don’t mind. I see how protective you are of your mother, even your brother, and I think it’s sweet.”
“Good, because I wasn’t sure if I was overstepping boundaries or something.” Nick grabbed a Coke out of the ice chest. “I’m so new at this. I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t do.”
She grabbed his hand, squeezed. “You’re doing an amazing job so far. If you did something wrong, I’d let you know. I have a feeling you won’t, though. Your mom is an amazing and strong woman. She raised you right.”
“Thank you.” Nick rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. Chills slid up her arm. “Most people don’t realize how amazing she is. They just see her as the woman whose husband ran out on her and left her with two rowdy boys.”
“They’re blind and damn stupid if that’s all they see when they look at her.” Victoria frowned. “She did an awesome job raising you two, especially without any help.”
“I’ll tell her you said that.” Nick leaned close and brushed his lips softly over hers. “Tonight, after the girls go to bed, I want to show you how much I’ve missed you.”
The chills spread up her neck. She bit her lip and breathed in his scent, mixed with the salty sea air. “Good, because I’ve missed you, too.”
His slow grin made her
want to forget about the meteor shower and rush home. She knew she couldn’t, so she reminded herself that the anticipation only made it better in the end.
The girls wandered back and grabbed something to drink before the start of the shower.
“Lucia’s crush was over there,” Helena told them. Lucia’s eyes widened, and she slapped her sister on the arm.
“Shut up.” Lucia’s face reddened.
“Oh? Who is it?” Victoria stifled a grin. “If I look now, will it completely embarrass you?”
“Yes, Mom,” Lucia hissed. “Please don’t; he’s looking over here.”
Nick peeked over Victoria’s shoulder. “Which one? Is he the one with the Beiber haircut or the one in khaki shorts and blue t-shirt?”
“Oh, my God.” Lucia hid her face in her hands. “The one in the shorts. Stop looking, Nick. You’re going to scare him away.”
Nick looked back at Lucia. “Do I need to?”
“No!” Lucia laughed. “He’s sweet. This is the first time he’s talked to me.”
“He can actually tell the two of us apart,” Helena said. “Even when we’re not together.”
“That’s impressive,” Victoria admitted. “Not too many people can do that.”
“Is it time yet, Mom?” Helena asked, eyes brimming with excitement.
Nick looked at his cell phone. “It’s going to start in about a minute. You want to get next to the telescope so you can get the first look?”
“Sure.” Helena bounced up. “You don’t mind?”
“Nope. You’re the science wizard,” Nick told her.
“Yes!” Helena stood behind the telescope and waited.
When the shower started five minutes later, only one or two falling stars appeared over ten minutes. Then they started shooting across the sky. The sight was breathtaking. Helena laughed and pointed, then dipped her head back to watch them through the lens.
After fifteen minutes, Helena reluctantly switched with Lucia. Lucia’s face glowed as she watched the sky. Nick held Victoria’s hand, and Victoria smiled to herself. Tonight was perfect, something she hadn’t had in a very long time. Even the girls enjoyed themselves.
To see them this happy, over something so small, warmed her heart.
The shower ended around one in the morning, and the girls tried to keep their eyes open as they walked back to the car. Nick carried the ice chest and blanket, while Victoria carried the telescope and basket.
The girls fell asleep in the car, so Nick and Victoria stayed silent on the ride home. Once they got inside, the girls sleepily thanked Nick for taking them, then headed upstairs to pass out. Victoria looked at Nick, a sensuous grin on her face.
“Maybe we should wait an hour, make sure they’re asleep?” Nick asked.
“We can lock the bedroom door.” She leaned into him, whispered in his ear. “I can be quiet. Can you?”
Nick sucked in a breath, his arms coming up to her shoulders. “Lead the way, baby.”
She shut the bedroom door behind them and locked it. Nick came up behind her, hands going to her ponytail. He pulled her hair down slowly, nuzzling her neck. She couldn’t breathe with how much she wanted him. His hardness pressed against the small of her back.
His fingers tucked under the edge of her shirt, and he pulled it over her head. He discarded it, then ran his hands back down her body. She shivered. “I love the feel of your skin. Nothing turns me on more.”
She wanted to turn around, but he kept her against the door. He unhooked her bra from the back, and her breasts spilled out. The shock of the cold against her warm skin sent heat spiraling through her. When he nipped her shoulder with his teeth, her lips parted.
“I’ve thought of being inside you all week.” Nick brought his hands around to the front of her shorts, unbuttoned them. He pulled her shorts and lace panties down at the same time.
There was something insanely erotic about being naked and pressed against the cold door while he was fully clothed. She wanted him inside her now, could feel the wetness between her legs, and tried to tell him that.
“Shh. I want to see if you can really keep quiet.” Nick kissed the side of her neck, his tongue lapping out. His hands slid around to her chest and he tweaked her nipples.
A low moan rose in Victoria’s throat. Her knees weakened. Nick wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her up. His other hand slowly traveled lower, torturing her with the wait.
“Fuck, you’re wet.” His voice deepened, grew rough as his fingers pushed inside her.
She whimpered, biting her lip to keep quiet. He didn’t stop moving his fingers in and out, and he brought her to an orgasm so fast she had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.
Nick spun her around, not giving her time to catch her breath, and kissed her hard, his tongue slipping into her mouth. She loved the taste of him, the way his kiss could light a fire in her. Her arms went around his neck, her legs around his waist. He kept the kiss going, stoking that fire, as he walked to the bed and laid her down. He threw his clothes off, then settled his weight over her.
“Nick. Please,” Victoria whispered. She wrapped her hand around his hot cock, loving the silken feel over the hardness. She gripped him, twisting her wrist.
“Tori,” he choked out. “Damn it, I need to be inside of you.” He pinned her hands above her head after he slid a condom on. “Keep your eyes on mine. I want to watch what you look like when I push you over the edge.”
His dominance sent a delicious thrill through her. She arched against him, knowing there was no way she could look away. He owned her, his gaze holding her prisoner, like his body, and all she wanted was for him to push inside her, to let her feel that fullness. Her body craved it more than anything else.
When he—finally—pushed inside her, still holding her hands above her head, he groaned. The muscles in his neck tightened as he held himself still. “Give me a second. Fuck, you’re so tight and wet. I’ve got to get control.”
Victoria moved her hips and slid up his cock.
His pupils dilated. “Tori.”
“I don’t want you to stay in control. Fuck me, Nick.”
His brows raised until she moved again. His eyes slammed shut. “Fine. If that’s what you want.” He thrust hard, pushing her into the mattress.
“Yes.” Victoria tilted her head back. Her legs went around his waist and tightened around him. “Harder. Now.” She didn’t know when this sex kitten personality was born, but she’d be embarrassed about it later. Right now, she wanted Nick to move.
His thrusts quickened and he panted against her neck as he did what she asked. Her body tightened underneath him. Every movement, every sensation, boiled over, and she came, harder than she ever had.
Nick’s breath caught as she tightened around his cock. He thrust three more times, hard, before his head fell back, and he came inside her.
Victoria sucked in air as she tried to catch her breath. Her lungs gasped for oxygen like she’d just run a marathon. Her legs shook, felt like jelly, so she didn’t even try to move. Nick settled on his side, propped up on an elbow, his other arm draped over her hip.
He kissed her shoulder. “That was phenomenal.”
She nodded and tried to force her eyes to stay open. “Yes. It was. I really need to get cleaned up so I can put some clothes on.”
“Why would you want to do that? I’m not finished with you yet.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
VICTORIA’S NEWLY FINISHED, renovated office glittered with life at the office warming party. Her family and regular clients were there, as well as a few people she hoped would become future clients.
Lucia and Helena stood with Victoria’s parents, holding flutes of sparkling grape juice. Other guests enjoyed the champagne and finger foods Wes had been happy to provide. The dark gray walls and white trim stood out aga
inst the dark hardwood floors, and the chandelier twinkled from above. She loved the elegant feel of the place.
“Congratulations.” Rachel tapped her flute of champagne to Victoria’s. “The office looks marvelous.”
She looked around the room, full of people she cared about, and peace enveloped her. Near her parents and the twins, Nick talked with his brother and Halle. The cut of his charcoal-gray suit hugged his muscles and made his blue eyes pop. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen for him. “I’ve had a lot of help. From you and the others. You gave me a chance, let me stage homes for you.” She willed herself not to let the tears fall, not to ruin her makeup.
“And look how well it worked out for me. Those homes sold faster than the others I had.” Rachel waved to Ella, who chatted up a potential client. “And my niece now has a job as your assistant. It came full circle.”
“It did.” Victoria beamed. “Everything seemed to work out for the best.”
Rachel lifted an eyebrow at Nick, then grinned. “Yes, you’ve got a hottie on the side.”
Victoria kept her smile in place until Rachel walked off to talk to someone else. Some of her peace vanished. Is that what people thought? That she and Nick were just…screwing around? Was that how everyone saw it but her? What if Nick thought that way? She shook her head. Nick had been nothing but honest with her. He believed, as she did, in total honesty.
“Why are you frowning?” Nick asked as he put his hand on her waist, the heat from his touch burning through her dress. “This is a special night.”
Victoria forced herself to forget her murky thoughts. This was a special night, and she’d worked hard for it. “No reason. I’m just realizing how lucky I am.”
A corner of Nick’s mouth curved upward. “You can get lucky later.”
Victoria rolled her eyes. “Stop.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “Someone might hear you.”
“And that would be bad?” His mischievous grin lightened her mood.
Crossing the Line Page 18