Distressed that he thought he needed to make excuses, she refused. “No, Ty, if you need to leave, I'll go with you. It’s fine.”
“Really, I insist. Stay and enjoy the meal. It's the least I can do for standing you up.” He led her back to their table, and bending down, kissed her full on the mouth. “I had a good time tonight, Sara.” He gave her a smile laced with regret before ambling across the dance floor to Nick.
Leaving her wondering what had just happened.
***
Nick was more than ready for pretty boy as he made his way across the dance floor after taking Sara back to their secluded little tete-a-tete table. It had been all he could do to remain in his seat as the asshole dipped and dallied with her out on the floor.
Garrett fired the first word as he came into range. “Listen, I don't know what you’re doing here, but if you ever hurt that lady over there, you'll answer to me, got it? I must be out of my fricken mind, but I’m going to leave now. So the door’s open. Do. Not. Screw. It. Up.” Sketching a quick salute across the dining room, Ty turned and left the restaurant.
A little stunned that he was getting another chance, and calling himself all kinds of a jerk, Nick made his way over to the woman who had him tied up in knots. He had no excuse. He’d been compelled to follow them. Seeing them on the dance floor, the perfect couple, had about killed him, but he couldn’t have stayed home tonight. Whether Sara wanted to admit it or not, there was something special between them, something he wasn’t willing to walk away from.
The moron was lucky he’d been able to walk out of the building after kissing her like that. Nick had been ready to bust some kneecaps for a few minutes there. Seating himself awkwardly at their cozy little table, he was still working out how to explain breaking up their date when Sara beat him to it.
“Nick, what are you doing here?”
Yeah, Nick, what are you doing here?
He needed his head examined. He had no business showing up here tonight and ruining her date. He’d tried to go home after they left together in that POS, make himself supper and find something to watch on the boob tube. Nothing worked, she stayed front and center in his mind. Finally he’d given up and decided to take a little drive, blow off some steam. Yeah sure, that worked well. Next thing he knew he was parked in the La Lune parking lot, watching fancy dressed couples making their way inside.
Since he was here anyway, he might as well go in for a beer, right? The place was nice, he had to admit. Dining patrons encircled a gleaming hardwood dance floor. Soft lighting highlighted an elderly couple drifting to an old time melody. No sign of Sara yet, so he made his way over to a polished mahogany bar, found a seat, and ordered up a drink from a cute little barmaid. Turning to face the room, he rested his arms on the counter and scanned the room until he found them.
Scowling, he noticed studdly had reserved them a private little table for two with candlelight and wine. He grabbed his beer and took a long pull, annoyed with the little green monster riding his last nerve. The feeling intensified tenfold when the guy got up and invited her to dance.
They looked good together. She moved with grace, head tipped up smiling at her partner. The soft lighting caught in her hair, turning it to burnished gold. Beautiful. He watched as the bastard dipped her and she came up laughing like a schoolgirl, and something twisted inside, his jaw clenching on the pain.
“You okay there, buddy?”
The bartender. Shit. He needed to get out of here.
“Yeah, I’m good. Be out of your way in a minute.”
“No problem. Take your time.”
That’s what got him into this mess in the first place. He’d been so busy trying to deny what he felt that he’d missed what was right before his eyes. Fuck.
He almost growled when the asshole led her back to their table and kissed her. Slugging back the rest of his beer he set it on the counter, when he wanted nothing more than to wing it across the room. Throwing some cash down, he was about to leave when he saw Garrett cutting across the dance floor, headed his way.
And now here he was, sitting like a tongue-tied idiot while the woman of his dreams waited for an explanation. “I was restless, thought I’d come check out what all the hype was about.”
“Really? You thought you needed to see how popular La Lune is? Tonight?” Sarcasm laced the words.
Well, at least she hadn’t thrown her glass of wine in his face as soon as he sat down. That was promising. “You’re right, I followed you. I guess I just wanted to make sure your ‘date’ behaved himself.” No way was he admitting how lost he’d felt when she’d driven away with the guy.
“He was the perfect gentleman, you didn’t need to worry,” she said, gazing across at him with undeserved warmth, her eyes reflecting the candle’s glow. “Besides, I can take care of myself, Nick. I have for a long time now.”
“I know you can, but maybe you shouldn’t have to.” He decided to switch topics before he totally ruined the night for her. “What were you planning if he tried anything, stepping on his foot with those killer shoes you’re wearing?” He smiled to show her he was teasing.
“That's not what I meant and you know it.” The sound of her laughter popped in his chest like bubbles of champagne. “But thank you for watching my back, I appreciate it.”
“My pleasure, and your welcome. Now what's for dinner?” He sat back and savored the moment. The music, candlelight, wine, and the beautiful woman sitting across from him.
Sara chuckled, her eyes still sparkling with mirth. “Your incorrigible. I feel terrible. Ty went to a lot of trouble for tonight.”
He loved her laugh. Whole-hearted and husky, it slid its way down his spine like warm syrup. The candlelight highlighted her lovely heart-shaped face and those honey-colored eyes. Her hair was twisted up in some kind of complicated knot. A few loose tendrils had fallen out and were caressing the side of her neck. Giving in to the temptation, he stretched out and gently tucked the silky strands behind her ear, his pulse rioting when she leaned in to his touch like a purring cat.
“What are we doing, Nick?” The soft yearning in her voice made his chest tighten even as his thighs hardened in reaction. Good question, what were they doing?
He tugged the bottom of her ear before reluctantly letting go, satisfied as a visible shudder coursed through her. He sat back and contemplated whether to give the easy answer or an honest one. “I suppose we're here to enjoy this fabulous meal.”
Easy, it is.
The server arrived with impeccable timing. “Brought together by the powers that be, I think a toast to good old Ty is in order, don’t you.”
She gazed wordlessly at him for a long moment. Disappointment turned her mouth down at the corners and wiped some of the sparkle from her eyes. He was about to throw caution to the wind and admit how much he wanted to be there with her when she straightened her spine and tossed her head before replying, “You’re right. A toast then, to a perfect meal.”
She lifted her glass to touch his with a faint ting before taking a sip of the fruity tasting wine. “This is nice. A relaxing evening with a friend, no expectations.”
Which one of them was she trying to convince? She could call what they had together friendship all she wanted, but it wasn’t going to change a damn thing. Nick wanted her, and he was pretty sure she wanted him back.
He wanted to tell her about his past. He just didn’t want to bring it up right now. Not with her looking like a dream come true in the softly flickering light. Tomorrow. He’d tell her tomorrow, for sure.
“Nick, tell me something about you I don't know.”
Startled at how close their thoughts coincided, he kept it light, wanting to see that sparkle again, “Well let’s see now…I shave in the shower. Kill two birds with one stone right? And I abhor broccoli, actually anything green. If we were meant to eat green shit, we would be walking on four legs, that's my theory.”
“Nick!” She chuckled, her lips tilting up so that her cheeks r
ounded out like two plump apples, and her eyes crinkled at the corners. “Don’t tell Jess that, vegetables are very good for you. Makes a body strong, you know.” Then, as her gaze wandered over him just long enough to make him sweat, “Okay, maybe not everyone needs them.” She admitted, admiration glinting from her glorious eyes. “And what you do in the shower is your business. I was talking about something from your past. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are your parents still alive? Have you ever been in love?”
It was easy to think they were two people out on a date, enjoying each other’s company with no obstacles between them. He only wished that were true. “You should be a reporter. Okay seriously, I thought I was in love—once. It never worked out.” His hands fidgeted with the wine glass. “No brothers or sisters. My old man ran off years ago, no loss there. And my mom lives in a senior’s condo in Florida. She loves it; they have weekly Bingo nights, craft nights, singles nights. She never has time to get bored, it's good for her.”
Wanting a chance to hold her close, he stood. “I'm not nearly as smooth as Romeo there was, but give me a chance and I'll try not to step on your toes?” He hadn’t danced in years, and hoped like hell the music would be slow.
Hesitating only long enough to stop his heart, she smiled, and grabbing onto his hand, pulled him out to the floor as a great old song his mom loved, “Till We Meet Again”, by Doris Day began to play.
She settled his arm securely around her waist and holding his other hand close between them, rocked from side to side, doing interesting things to his equilibrium.
“Listen for a minute. Do you hear that?” She hummed along with the melody, her sweet voice stroking him from the inside out. “That’s what we’re going to move to.” She nodded towards an older couple he’d noticed her watching earlier. “Like them.”
After a somewhat rough start, Nick began to focus on more important things than where to set his feet. Her body tucked up close to his, so close he could smell the citrusy fragrance of her shampoo as her hair tickled his chin, a couple of strands catching in his stubble. Her bare back, soft and silky as he ran his fingers up and down the gentle curvature of her spine. His other hand resting in heaven, enveloped between the pillowy softness of her breasts. It was all he could do to concentrate on where his feet were supposed to be. Wow, if he’d known dancing could be like this, he might have taken it up sooner.
“You’re doing great. Not so hard, is it? I just love these old songs; they lend themselves to rhythm.”
Nick could think of a few other rhythmical moves he’d love to be practicing right now. “Yeah, it's not so bad. Thanks, Teach.”
***
Sara was floating, safe and secure, tucked in close to Nick's warm body. One hand rested on his broad shoulder. The other was wrapped securely inside of his, resting between her breasts. They were so sensitized by the movement of their bodies, she needed him to do something. Anything.
Looking up, she became entrapped within the hooded darkness of his eyes. He wanted her. She knew it by the tension in his shoulders, and the hard brush of his body as it rubbed against hers.
It’d been almost two years since she’d lain with a man. On that nightmarish day, she’d had no chance at all against Tom’s anger. It was that, as much as the actual act, which had frightened her the most. And maybe he’d felt guilty for what he’d done to her. She didn’t know, or care, but was grateful when he moved out of their rooms and never bothered her again.
One of the first things Sara bought upon their escape was pepper spray, and she made sure there were hard case flashlights in both her car and every room of their house. She’d learned they were an effective way to fight off an attacker, at least long enough to escape.
The dance had ended. Angry that she’d let stupid thoughts of the past waste the precious moments, she returned to their table to pick up her purse. “I'm tired, Nick. Mind if we go home now?” The evening was destroyed. Once again, Tom had managed to assert his mastery of her. Would she never be free of him?
She tried to smile as he searched her eyes. “Sure honey, just let me pick up the check. Why don't you go wait for me by the doors?”
Off-balanced and emotional, she moved to stand by the entry. Gazing through the moon etched glass into the starlit night, she realized either she could spend the rest of her life jumping at shadows or she could take this chance at a new beginning.
She knew which one she wanted to choose.
Nick’s big body joined hers, reflected in the glass as if the two of them were an actual couple. Nick, so tall and dark, standing protectively behind her smaller, slighter form left her feeling both sheltered and loved.
She chose to live.
He guided her to the parking lot where his big four-by-four truck should have looked out of place among all the fancy imports. Instead, it looked safe and trustworthy, much like the man who owned it.
Opening the passenger door for her, he grimaced at the left over takeout bags and coffee cups. “This truck's not really meant for classy dressed ladies. Hold on while I make some room.”
Watching as he collected the empty coffee cups and chocolate wrappers, carrying them to a nearby garbage can before striding back to move some power tools into the back of the pick-up, Sara couldn’t help but note the differences between her ex-husband and Nick.
Tom always had to surround himself with the best of the best. From the cars he drove, to the meals at upscale restaurants and expensive suits he wore. Nick, on the other hand, was comfortable in his own skin, wearing jeans and button down shirts as if they were of the finest cloth.
“Okay, ready, but there's no way you’re going to climb up there in that dress. I'll give you a boost up.” He dropped his arm behind her knees, and wrapping the other around her waist, easily picked her up.
Breathless at the contained strength in those hard arms, she grasped Nick around the neck, bringing their lips millimeters apart.
“I would cut off my own arm before I ever hurt you. I hope you realize that.” He said, the eyes holding hers, a crystalline blue.
She sighed, not surprised at how their thoughts had overlapped. “I do know, Nick. It's…”
“What? Talk to me sweetheart.”
She knew he sensed something stood between them from her past. If they were going to move forward, she would have to trust him with the truth. Soon.
“Take me home, Nick.” Wanting to forget, she bridged the gap between her lips and his. The shock of his warm, perfect mouth on hers made her gasp, and her hands tightened their hold against his neck.
A deep, hungry groan was her only warning before he took control, kissing them both half senseless. A muffled cough and a giggle nearby broke them apart and it was hard to say which one of them looked sorrier.
Choking out a giggle, she said, “Wow, you’re pretty good at that.” She smiled into his eyes. “Maybe you’d better, um…set me down now?”
“Hmm? Oh yeah. I guess we should probably go.” As he settled her carefully into his pick-up, her hand caressed the side of his face down to the pulse she could see pounding in his neck.
“I want to go home, Nick. With you.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gripping the wheel, Nick kept stealing sideways glances at Sara as she sat biting her nails and gazing out the passenger window. As far as he was concerned, they couldn’t arrive at his place quick enough, but he had a feeling she was second-guessing her decision.
He definitely needed to get his lungs under some kind of control. Even to his own ears his breathing sounded like a freight train. For crying out loud, he wasn’t some callow teenager looking to get lucky here. He’d better get his shit together. She was different, special to him. Whatever happened between them, he wanted her to know she would be safe with him—he’d never hurt her.
“Nick I hope you…” Her voice drifted across the dark cab.
“Sara, are you…?” They looked at each other and laughed, releasing some of the growing tension. This was becoming a h
abit.
“You first, this time.” She smiled.
“I was just going to ask if you’re sure, about you know—this. You and me? I don’t want there to be regrets between us, so if you’ve changed your mind, I’m fine with that. Well maybe not, but I'll live,” he teased, hoping to ease her mind a little.
“Wow, Nick, that’s pretty noble of you, offering to go without like that.” She giggled at his pained expression. “I'm kidding, of course I'm ready, or I wouldn't have made the offer. I just wanted to make sure this meant more to you than a simple fling. Because, it does to me. Mean something, that is. I haven’t done this sort of thing before.”
He pulled to a stop in the driveway of his rental and threw the truck into park, cutting the engine. Listening to her hesitant little speech had him almost reaching for her right there. Instead, he shot her a quick glance before hopping out to stride around and open her door.
“Honey, I can guarantee there isn't anything simple about this. Sometime soon, we're going to have to be open with each other. There are things about me I want you to know. And I think it would do you a world of good to get whatever is bothering you off your chest. If there’s going to be something between us, I think we should talk.”
His attention zeroed in on her pearly white teeth chewing her luscious bottom lip and he groaned under his breath. Leaning in, he gently kissed it better. Pulling her towards him, he let her slide deliberately slow down the length of his body. Letting out an inaudible growl at the soft warmth of her against his hardness, he nibbled along her smooth jawline up to her ear, breathing in the essence of sunshine and roses that was so much a part of her. Giving a little bite to the lobe, he smiled against her throat as she moaned and dropped her head back to give him access. He tucked back a stubborn strand of silky hair, before cupping her warm cheek. “I’ve dreamt of this, you know. Of us being together like this. You’re so damn beautiful. But––I don’t think we should rush into something you might regret, so how about we go inside and I’ll make a nice hot cup of tea. We'll take things slow and see where we end up, okay?”
Tidal Falls (Wounded Hearts Book 1) Page 6