As if on cue, a knock sounds on the living room wall. “Excuse me, Nick, but Carter’s here. He’s waiting in your office.”
“Thanks, Max. I’ll be right there.” He rubs his hands across her shoulders. “Will you wait for me?”
Pressed against him, heat races through her body. His clean, citrusy scent and sexy smile weaken her resolve to resist his request. She nods before letting him go.
“Good. I want to show you something.”
He grasps her hand and leads her to the lower level, pushing open the door to a dimly lit room. Three rows of black leather sofas stacked stadium style face an enormous screen. Small black and gold tables with recessed square lights nestle between each sofa, the dark walls and furniture a sharp contrast to the cream carpet.
He picks up a remote and pushes a few buttons. Light flickers on the screen, revealing an endless list of movie titles. “I thought you might want to wait here for me. I’ll try not to be gone too long, and then we can talk some more.”
She can’t hide the smile his thoughtful gesture inspires. Bringing her here, remembering what she likes, wanting to make her happy. “I’d like that.”
“What would you like to watch?”
Unable to focus on anything but him, she shakes her head. “Surprise me.”
Bridesmaids flashes twice, and a row of women in pink dresses appears on the screen. He picks up a gray afghan from a basket next to the sofa and motions for her to sit down. After tucking the blanket around her, he runs his knuckles across her cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She takes a deep breath. Alone with her thoughts, she can’t snuggle in and enjoy the movie like he hopes. Any doubts surrounding his “alleged” status dwindle from their encounter today. Now, she sits in his mansion pretending to watch a romantic comedy while really questioning her sanity. She risks her career, her safety, even her heart being with him.
Until she met Nick, she never thought she would stray from the sheltered lifestyle her mom created for her, never deviate from the plan of success that didn’t have room for anyone but the two of them. Now it’s a solo life, with the yearning for more. For what Nick gives her. Choosing to be with him could be her downfall. One of those fateful decisions, when looking back, is easy to realize as an obvious mistake. But, in the here and now, he’s all she wants.
After a few minutes, Nick returns and sits down on the sofa. Pinwheels twirl in her stomach as he pulls her close, nestling her into the crook of his arm. The movie plays on, but her focus remains on him, his taut stomach muscles shaking under her hand as he laughs, his fingertips skimming across her wrist as they cuddle.
The second the credits roll, she hops up, flustered by more than his physical presence. Her acceptance of his soft touch symbolizing the sway of her heart. “I liked the movie. Thank you.”
A playful smile crosses his mouth. He stands in front of her and gently cups her face. “You’re welcome.” Leaning in, he presses a kiss on her lips. Soft. Gentle. Chaste. A hint of desire, matching the ache she suppresses in herself.
“I think I’d better go.”
He brushes his thumbs across her cheeks. “Okay, sweetness. If that’s what you want.”
* * * *
Hand in hand, they walk upstairs. His lips and groin throb from the brief contact of her silky skin against his. After Juan’s stunt at the coffee house, he’s lucky she’s even here. That she allows him to touch her at all.
An entire week and he barely has one kiss. If it was any other woman, he’d have already screwed her and be scheming to get her out of his bed, probably out of his life. With her, he welcomes whatever she offers him, any sliver of hope she might actually give him a chance. He shakes his head at the foreign feeling of being controlled by a woman, especially one who has no idea of the power she holds over him.
In the foyer, they meet his housekeeper coming from the kitchen. “Hey Marta, this is my friend, Shae.”
Her dark brown eyes crinkle in delight as she pushes her glasses on top of her head and smiles at Shae. “Nice to meet you.”
“Marta runs the show around here. She takes care of me and everything else.”
The older woman puts her arm around his waist. “Is tough job keeping up with this one, but he good boy. I keep eyes on him.”
Shae laughs and squeezes his hand, her touch flaming the need he tries to restrain. “I bet you do.”
“I make mandarin chicken salad for lunch. Come eat.” Marta edges Nick out of the way and wraps her arm around Shae’s shoulders, guiding her to the kitchen. “You too skinny. I feed you.”
He follows behind them, smiling at her keen perception of Shae’s significance to him. They wash their hands as Max comes in and sits down. “I’m starving. What do you have for us today?”
“Salad. Lots of good fruits and vegetables. Good for pooper!”
Max sputters and spits some of his drink on the kitchen table. “Damn, Marta, you’re ruining my appetite!”
“Is truth. Now eat!”
As they gather their bowls and glasses, Marta stacks up several cookbooks spread across the table, leaving them open to save her spots in them. Shae sits in the chair next to her and nods toward the books. “Are you making something special?”
“My church has, how you say, bazaar for kids. I make popcorn balls and caramel apples, but not sure what else.”
They talk about what treats to make and what kids like, Shae’s eyes dancing from their discussion of the ingredients required for build-your-own sundaes. Max raises his eyebrows. “I think Marta’s stealing your date.”
Unlike any other woman he’s brought home, she blends effortlessly into the relationships he has in his life. No pretentiousness or ego, just her soft-hearted nature charming the people who don’t easily impress.
After they finish eating, Max rummages through the refrigerator while Shae and Marta stand at the counter, poring over the cookbooks together. Containers fill the space around them from Max’s search. Marta looks up and gasps, swatting at him with her dishtowel. “Leave alone. That’s for dinner.”
Feigning mistreatment, Max rubs his stomach. “But I’m starving. All I’ve had today is yogurt, muffins, and salad. I need real food.”
“I make you sandwich. Now scooch.” She gives him a light push on the stomach before opening the lids.
Nick stops scrolling through his phone. Max is right. They can’t survive on so little. “I’ll take one too.”
He smiles at the sweet sound of Shae’s laughter at their request for more food, giving him a tiny glimpse of the perfect life. Her joking around with him and Max, dreaming up treats with Marta to satisfy her sweet tooth. What it could be like with her here, bringing so much peace to his world. This could be his if he doesn’t mess it up.
Shae’s buzzing phone interrupts their planning. She picks it up and laughs at the message on the screen. “Uh-oh, I’m in trouble. Carrie wants to know if I’m ever coming home.” She texts back, her face lit up as she types. Almost immediately, her cell buzzes again. She laughs again before holding it up for Nick to see.
WTF??????
Marta glances over from smothering mayo on her thick, homemade bread. “What is w-t-f?”
Shae purses her lips together and pats Marta on the hand. “It means she’s very intrigued with what I’m doing.”
Nick hides his grin at Marta’s naiveté. Shae’s kindness toward Marta matches Jason’s assessment of his friend. She looks after the people she cares about.
They finish their conversation while Max and Nick gobble down their sandwiches. Marta stacks up the cookbooks in a tall pile. Putting her hand on her chest, she tilts her head, studying Shae. “You good girl. You come back and cook with me.”
Her eyes sparkling, Shae pulls Marta into a small hug. “Thank you. I would love that.”
Fucking shit. He can’t help but shake his head and smile to himself. Marta’s getting more than he is. He’s got to find a way to reach Shae too.
They wal
k outside to the waiting limousine with his driver standing next to it. “Shae, this is Jacks. He’s part of my security team.”
She smiles at the man, thanking him as he opens the door for her. As they drive, Nick lifts her hand to his mouth and kisses it. She glows with happiness, the calmest she’s been since they arrived at the house.
“You made Marta’s day.”
“Well, she made mine too. My mom and I used to cook together all the time, and I miss it.”
He kisses her hand again and entwines their fingers, her ivory skin and short pink fingernails so delicate against his. “When can I see you again?”
She drops her eyes as she smiles, making his heart pound at her shyness. “You know I’m always at the gym at seven.”
He must find a way for her to understand how much more he wants with her. That working out together will never be enough. “Will you come over tomorrow night and let me make you dinner? Sunday is Marta’s day off, so I’m on my own. I’m not much of a cook, but I do have one good recipe I could make.”
Jacks pulls into the gym parking lot, and she reaches for the door handle as if she’s going to hop out before the car comes to a stop. “Can I think about it and let you know in the morning?”
Nick rubs the back of her hand, trying to soothe the uncertainty clouding her face. “You’re like a little bird. Whenever I get too close, you get scared and fly away. Please don’t be frightened of me.”
Jacks opens the door and she climbs out, hesitating before turning back to meet his eyes. “Okay, I’ll let you make me dinner.”
She strides to her vehicle, not giving him the chance to say anything more.
* * * *
Carrie stands in the living room doorway staring at Shae, her green eyes sparkling above a wicked smile. “Is he naked?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, with that dreamy look on your face, I figured you must be fantasizing about Nick.” She cocks her head and raises her eyebrows. “So, is he naked?”
Almost everything her best friend says and does relates to sex somehow. And, with Nick, it’s way too easy to let her mind drift there too. Heat creeps up her cheeks at the thought of him wearing nothing but his running shorts. “Stop it.”
“I know he’s hot from his picture, but in person, is he really as fuckable as he seems?”
“Carrie!” She admonishes her friend, but can’t hold back a smile. “Yes.”
“Shae Armstrong! I can’t believe it. You really are thinking dirty thoughts about him! What has this guy done to you?”
Made her the happiest and most terrified she’s ever been, destroying all of her normally logical thinking and letting her heart make decisions she doesn’t understand but can’t seem to change. “Nothing! I wasn’t fantasizing. I was worrying. I’ve been chewed out and stood up all in the same day, so I’ve had a lot to think about.”
Carrie pushes the white blanket covering Shae’s lap out of the way before plopping down next to her on the sofa. “By who?”
“Gail called and said she was doing damage control from my bodyguards pulling a gun on some aggressive fans.”
“Oh, shit.”
“I know. There isn’t any video because the place didn’t have its security system set up yet. It’s only a picture the girl took of us sitting at a table and the kids’ version of what happened.”
Max’s bribe was not enough to keep the teenagers from selling the story to a gossip site for more money than they probably ever imagined. No doubt the talk of their friends, basking in the sudden stardom of a drama they misinterpret. She smiles at the fun they must be having, grateful only her reputation is hurt, not their lives.
“That doesn’t seem too bad.”
“No, but I still received the ‘tough love’ and ‘help me help you’ lectures.” With her hand on her heart and three fingers forming a pledge, she sits up tall. “I had to promise I will always keep my manager informed of everything that goes on in my personal life, so she can help guide my decision making and manage any issues.”
Carrie throws her head back and cackles. “Oh, no! Two speeches and an oath. She must have been mad. Wonder what she’ll do when she finds out the truth about Nick?”
“I don’t want to think about that.” She slumps against the cushion, smoothing the cover over her legs. “He didn’t show up at the gym this morning. After what happened yesterday, I’m worried something’s wrong.”
The danger may have ended for her when they left the restaurant, yet her stomach twists knowing the risk for Nick remains. Juan’s angry threats are unlikely to dissipate without Nick’s agreement to work with him.
Carrie pulls her hair into a pony tail. “Maybe he’s sick or something. But he could have at least texted you.”
Shae wrinkles her nose. “Um, I don’t think I ever actually gave him my phone number.”
“How do you expect a guy to call you then?”
Shae puts down the book she wasn’t really reading and leans her cheek against the back of the couch. The coarse red fabric scratches her skin, releasing a hint of her mom’s perfume from all the years of her sitting in their favorite spot in the house. “What should I do?”
Tapping her temple with her index finger, Carrie whispers to her, “Give him your number.”
“I’m serious. He thinks he’s in love with me. I was worried about him being in the mob, but now I’m worried about him being crazy too.”
“There are worse things in the world than a guy thinking he loves you.” Carrie covers her heart with her hands and flutters her eyelashes. “Besides, haven’t you ever heard of love at first sight?”
“Only in the movies.” With Evan, their relationship evolved out of friendship, slow and hesitant, before ending with a sudden, harsh finality she can’t seem to recover from. She may be over him, but not the shame of failure, unable to forgive herself for not following her own heart.
“Maybe it’s possible in real life too. Or, if not, you could just use him for sex.”
“Carrie!” Shae throws one of the checkered pillows at her friend. “You’re terrible.”
Leaning forward, Carrie slips on her running shoes and ties the laces. Shae picks up the iPod and selects her friend’s favorite running music before handing it to her.
“Thanks. What are you going to do about dinner? Are you going to go over there?”
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t want to look like an idiot since I haven’t heard from him. We’ll just do it another time. It’s fine.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Carrie stops swiping the screen and squints at Shae. “I know you’re afraid after what happened at the coffee house. Hell, I am too. But you like him and need to talk to him. If you don’t want to see him anymore, that’s cool. If it was me, I’d at least give him a chance to explain before writing him off.”
Shae’s head drops as she smiles. “I‘ve never felt like this before. It’s just so intense it scares me.”
“That’s what love feels like.” Carrie’s smile fades, and she lays her hand on top of Shae’s. “Don’t run away from him unless he gives you a reason to. He’s not Evan.”
Shae bites her lip and nods. “I know.”
“After I’m finished, I’m going to meet Nathan for his dinner break, if he even gets one tonight. Text me if you leave. I want to keep tabs on you and your hot new boyfriend.”
Shae swats at her bottom as she walks past, but Carrie jumps out of the way and laughs. “Too slow!”
She snuggles in to read again, but it’s no use. The words blur together as her mind drifts to Nick, hoping he’s okay, wondering if he’s thinking about her too. Tossing the book on the floor, she slides down on the sofa and stretches out her legs with the fuzzy afghan tucked under her chin. Carrie must be wrong. This isn’t love. It’s…
The side table rattles from her buzzing phone, interrupting her attempts to define this whirlwind of sensations spiraling within her stomach. Her heart skips a beat a
t the message.
It’s Nick. I’m sorry about this morning.
Please say you’ll still have dinner with me.
He wants to see her. All the emotions she should feel—relief, irritation, doubt—fade away because he wants her. As much as she wants him. Another text comes through.
I can be there in ten minutes.
This is it. The perfect opportunity to walk away. Tell him no and end the dance. Stuffing the cell under the pillow, her body throbs from her racing pulse. The right choice. Yet, the truth scrapes like a chisel against the wobbly foundation supporting her decision. She doesn’t want it to be over. A muffled chirp squeaks through the fabric.
I have dessert.
She laughs out loud at her lameness and his ingenuity. Too clever for his own good, he uses her weakness against her. Before she can talk herself out of it, she texts him back and grabs her keys.
At Nick’s estate, the gates glide open as soon as she pulls into the driveway. Her heart flip-flops at him waiting for her by the front door.
After she climbs out of the car, he wraps her in his arms, nuzzling her neck. “Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
Her knees weaken at his lips on her throat, stealing every thought out of her mind except for the feel of his muscular back through his shirt as she holds onto him, his broad chest engulfing her as she nestles against him. She swallows hard, trying to regain her ability to speak. “You know I can’t resist dessert.”
“I like tempting you.” A shudder ripples through her at his whisper in her ear before he pulls back, his sexy smile in full force. “Let’s go inside.”
She laughs as they walk into the kitchen. A light dusting of flour covers almost every surface. Cheese, black and smoking around the edges, melts on the cooktop. Drops of marinara sauce dot the countertop, with a long smear next to the cast iron sink. “You’re a messy cook.”
Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) Page 6