God, even the way he said her name made her want to do bad things. Everything about him was sexy.
And just beyond her reach.
“Look, Nick. This may be difficult for you to understand, but we can only be friends. Nothing more can happen between us, at least not for a few more years.”
“What?”
“Just a few more years, about nine or so.”
God that sounded ridiculous in her mind. Was she really asking him to wait for her? To wait nearly a decade?
“Or not. I mean, I guess that’s a little silly, isn’t it? You can do whatever the hell you want. I just...” Her breathing grew shallow as her feelings for him began to overwhelm her. Just the thought of having Nick walk out of her life caused panic to seize her.
Why?
“Where is this coming from?” In spite of her request, he moved in like a spider eyeing its next meal, and she was tangled in an invisible web, unable to move. One of his hands quickly found one of hers and a frown shadowed his handsome features. “You’re shaking like crazy.”
Of course, she was shaking like crazy. He had no idea how many thoughts were running through her mind at the moment.
Hell, she had no idea either.
“I just can’t do this. We can’t do this. Whatever little game you’re playing...it has to end.”
“Game?” His tone became one of offense. “You think I’m playing a game with you?”
“N-no. Not necessarily. I mean, I’m just saying if it’s a g-game.”
Stammering? Since when did she stammer? She hadn’t had that problem since her freshman year of high school.
Damn you. You’re doing this to me.
Nick did a lot of things to her if she really wanted to be honest about it. He made her nervous and happy and ridiculously aroused, all at the same time.
But it had to stop, didn’t it? Justin had gotten his point across; he wasn’t interested in his mother having a new man in her life. He wanted to be the only one.
I don’t want him to resent me.
Nick’s free hand moved to the side of her neck, fingers kneading at the tense muscles. Her body instantly calmed and her brain threatened to shut down as she sighed contently.
“You’re thinking too much, Kelly.” His voice echoed in her mind. “I don’t know what’s got you so out of sorts, but believe me when I say none of this has been a game. I don’t play games.”
Damn. It would have been so much easier to force him out of her life if he’d admitted some of it had been a game. But even she knew better than that. Nick was a good-hearted man. He’d allowed a complete stranger into his home—and one with a bad reputation at that.
He cared about Devin when no one else gave two shits.
He’d fixed her pipes, and God only knew what else he had up his sleeve with the ‘secret project’ in her basement.
Nick had given her a taste of the happiness she’d once felt when she was with Patrick; something she’d been certain she’d never feel again.
Justin and Jamie would always be her first priorities in life, but what if there was a chance she could somehow inch Nick into the picture? What if she showed Justin it wasn’t as terrible as he’d already made it out to be in his mind?
She sighed inaudibly and slumped against the doorframe, unsure of what she was supposed to do.
“Talk to me, Kelly. Tell me what’s going on.”
I want to.
“If this is about earlier...”
“Not entirely.”
“But a little bit, maybe?”
“Just a little bit. Kind of.”
“Then let’s talk about it.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the kitchen table. Pulling a seat out for her, he waited for her to sit down.
“It’s really just something I have to think about.” She started, sitting down and peering up at him.
“Well, can you at least give me a chance to talk you out of it? Whatever it is, I mean.” He slid down on the chair across from her and rested an elbow against the table, the muscles in his forearm causing her to think totally inappropriate things.
A vision of those muscles dancing due to a...strenuous activity...made her squeeze her thighs together and she squirmed in her seat.
Nick, totally oblivious to her dirty imagination, stroked his thumb across his jawline and frowned.
Oh. Shit. She was supposed to be talking, wasn’t she?
“I found out why Justin was so rude to you earlier.”
“Okay.”
“And as it turns out, he’s not really fond of the idea of me remarrying, let alone dating someone.”
“I see.” Leaning back in his chair, Nick nodded. His eyes wandered about and his jawline flexed as he released a hum.
“Yes. So I’m sure you’ll understand why I’ve decided not to let this go any further. You and me...”—she waved her hands in the air, a bad habit—“we can’t work. We should get out while the getting’s good.”
“Totally.” He nodded enthusiastically. “We should definitely get out. Just quit. Cold turkey, right?”
“Exactly.” Folding her arms across her chest, she gave one firm nod and then sighed. “Cold turkey works for me.”
“Oh, yeah. Me, too.”
“Good. So we can just be friends and that won’t be so bad.” She was totally lying to herself, but it was the only solution she could come up with. It was the only option she had.
“And we wait nine years?”
“Yes. When Justin turns eighteen he’ll be free to do as he pleases, and so will I.”
“Nine years isn’t so long.” He stood from the table and circled around to her side. His fingertips traced over the backs of her shoulders and he stopped suddenly, causing her heart to run rampant once more. “Nine whole years.”
“Well, not exactly. Justin turns ten in—”
His fingers gripped her chin and pulled her head back, and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her.
He was kissing her in a way that must’ve been illegal. She was dizzy and warm and dying, all at the same time.
His tongue slid into her mouth and swirled around hers, and then he groaned, sending vibrations all the way to her very core.
God help her, she couldn’t take it.
The room began to spin as he lifted her up from her chair and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Sweet Lord, she could feel every inch of him.
“I can’t wait nine years, Kelly.” He growled against her lips. Setting her down on the countertop, he opened her robe with a quick tug and her nipples instantly hardened. “Nine years is too long. I’m not a patient man.”
“Oh, I...” The ability to speak was long gone. All hope of convincing him, they couldn’t possibly work vanished when he leaned in and latched his lips onto the side of her throat.
He acted like he was starving and she was the first meal he’d had in days, licking and nipping at her sensitive skin as his hands began to roam.
Yes, her mind pleaded. Please touch me.
It had been so long – too long.
“Nick.” His name fell from quivering lips as she tried to keep her eyes open. Her mind fogged over and her body heated to extreme levels. Desire, so foreign yet familiar, flooded her veins and caused her to finally give in. “Please.”
“Please, what?” His voice grew raspy.
“Please don’t stop.”
He pushed on her shoulders gently until she leaned back, supporting her weight on her palms. He kissed down to her collarbone, slowly, taking his time. His tongue traced over every inch of exposed skin and she shivered in delight.
“So delicious,” he murmured, and then he hooked a finger into the thin strap of her nightgown, tugging it down her shoulder. “You drive me wild, Kelly Spencer.”
Doing her best to remain calm, cool, and collected, she knew she was going to fail miserably when he pulled the top of her nightgown below one breast and eagerly attacked her aching nipple.
She bit back a moan and squee
zed her eyes shut, opting to dig her nails into his shoulder instead.
“I’ve been thinking about this for weeks,” he admitted huskily. Tugging the other strap down, he exposed both breasts and eyed them heatedly. “I want to know what you taste like.”
Oh. God.
He sucked her neglected nipple into his mouth and met her gaze. As his tongue teased the very tip, he kept his eyes on hers, biting occasionally.
“Oh, please.” Her voice went an octave higher than usual. “Please...”
Releasing her nipple with a soft, wet noise, he licked his lips and tilted his head to the side. “Please, what?”
“Taste me.”
“I want to, beautiful.” He lifted a hand and tucked some hair behind her ear, smiling.
“Then do it. Please, for the love of God, do it.”
It felt like she’d run a marathon. Her heart was still beating unbelievably fast and sweat glistened on her hot skin. If letting him get to first base had such an effect on her, what would it be like if he went downtown?
He kissed her again, sweeter this time, and brushed his palms over her nipples, eliciting another moan. “I’m going to taste you now,” he promised, “but you have to do something for me.”
“Anything.” She heard herself whisper.
“I want you to pull your nightgown up and slide your underwear off.” The commanding tone he suddenly possessed did things to her; wickedly, delicious things.
Her fingers stilled against the hem of her nightgown and she trapped her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Kelly?”
With a small sigh, she lifted her eyes to meet his smoldering gaze and frowned.
“I’m...probably not what you expect,” she admitted sadly. “I’ve got two kids.” A hand subconsciously slid across her stomach before falling back against her thigh. “I’m not a supermodel or anything. I’m trying to—”
He silenced her with another fiery kiss, and she swore she could feel her soul leaving her body. Chuckling softly, Nick pulled away and cocked his head to the side, giving her that irresistible smile of his as he smoothed a palm over her knee.
“That’s what’s got you worried?” He asked. “You think I won’t like your body? Kelly, do I seem like the shallow type to you?”
She quickly shook her head.
“Good, because I’m not.” His lips ghosted over her cheek and he breathed her in, causing her to shiver in anticipation. “Whatever you’re worried about, I want you to stop right now. I don’t want a supermodel,” he confessed, his voice lower, almost a whisper. “I want you.”
Oh, God. He was out to kill her, she was sure of it. There was no way possible that such a perfect man could exist. There had to be a catch, right?
“Now, be a good girl and do as I’ve asked.”
Swallowing hard and nodding in understanding, she held his gaze and reached down to lift the bottom of her nightgown. As she pulled the material over her thighs, she began to shake uncontrollably.
He was about to see a part of her only Patrick had seen. Did he even understand how special he should feel?
As if somehow reading her mind, he slid a single fingertip along her jaw and grinned before giving her a wink.
She couldn’t help but to smile in response as her fingers found the waistband of her underwear and she began to pull them down.
“Just a sec,” she mumbled. It was damn difficult to take her underwear off whilst sitting on a counter; she’d be lucky if she didn’t kill herself.
“Let me help you.” His sexy southern drawl made her heart flutter. Gripping her beneath her arms, he lifted her with ease and she finally managed to kick the garment, suddenly so offensive, to the floor.
She wasn’t sure why, but she felt like a virgin all over again. Hadn’t she once read, somewhere, that a woman technically became a virgin after so many years without sex?
Why am I even thinking about it?
A shiver raced up her spine as his warm palms gripped her knees and he carefully pulled her legs open, eyeing his prize as his tongue snaked over his full, totally suckable lips.
“Try to keep quiet, beautiful.”
It was a promise she knew she couldn’t keep, especially after he knelt down and she felt his fingers exploring her hot, wet flesh. He pulled back her folds and quickly found her clit, and God, he didn’t give her any warning. The sensation of his tongue as it slid over the throbbing nub caused her to see stars, honest to goodness stars, and she had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep from moaning.
He was good. He was damn good.
His mouth devoured her, feasted upon her like a well-deserved treat, and it was all she could do to keep from voicing just how much she was enjoying it. But, by some miracle of God, she suppressed the noises threatening to escape and instead focused on moving her hips in unison with the strokes of his tongue.
Faster, faster.
Closer, closer.
She was positive she was about to stroke out as he grabbed her bottom and pulled her even closer, groaning against her most sensitive areas. Unraveling in the best way known to any hot-blooded woman, she threw her head back and bit down on her knuckles, allowing him to give her the best orgasm she’d had in a long time.
When the world finally stopped spinning and she was capable of breathing again, she slowly sat forward on the counter and gripped the edges; gazing into the smiling eyes of the man she knew could give her the happiness she missed so much.
No, he wasn’t Patrick, but he was someone who could glue all the broken pieces back together. He made her laugh and he made her happy – what more could she ask for? What more could she hope for?
Justin isn’t ready for this.
Nick stood and cupped her face between his hands, and then he leaned in to kiss her forehead. Warmth embraced her body and sadness fought to take control.
Was anybody ever truly ready to let new love in?
“Thank you for that,” she whispered tiredly.
“I don’t know what you’re thanking me for.” He chuckled. “The pleasure was all mine.”
“No, I know. I just...it’s been so long, you know? I guess I never anticipated it feeling so...”
“Great? Amazing? I’ll accept either answer.” He teased as his fingers ran through her hair.
“Normal.”
“Normal,” he echoed quietly. Resting his chin atop her head, his fingers slid up and down her spine. He was as still as stone for several long moments before he spoke again. “I know you miss him, Kelly. I hope you don’t think I’m trying to take his place.”
“No, never.” She pulled back to stare at him. “No one could ever take Patrick’s place – not for me, not for my kids.”
“Precisely.” His expression softened as he ran the backs of his knuckles across her cheek. There was something about his touch. It was so tender, yet so rough at the same time.
Her body trembled as she tried to imagine what it would feel like to make love to him.
I am definitely not ready for that.
“You are such an incredible person, Kelly. I would consider it a privilege just to be your friend.”
A part of her was relieved at that statement, but a small part of her was extremely disappointed. Did she really only want friendship with him? Especially after what he’d just done to her?
“Good. I’m glad you understand.” Her response surprised her. That wasn’t what she meant to say at all. What the hell? “Because no matter how nice it was,”—and it really was—“this can’t happen again.”
But it did happen again.
And again.
For the next week and a half, she found herself caught up in a whirlwind romance. Nick stopped by every evening on his lunch break and they found themselves tangled up in the oddest places. He went down on her in the laundry room; he licked her until she screamed in the guest bathroom; he even had her begging for more on the stairs.
It was wild and reckless, and she loved it.
“Oh,
God! Stop! Stop!” She pleaded, and pushed his head from between her trembling thighs. Lifting her head to stare at him, she whimpered and placed a hand over her over-sensitive clit; afraid he’d try again. “God, do you ever get tired of doing that?”
“No.” He grinned.
Her juices glistened on his chin and her skin warmed at the sight. Well, if it could get any warmer.
“You’re ridiculous,” she commented, breathless. “And you need to leave. I’ve got work to do.”
“Ouch, baby. That hurts.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her up from the floor, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “That really, really hurts.”
“It does not.” She swatted his chest, delighted in the feel of his rock hard muscles. “You’re being a big baby.”
“That’s not what you were saying a few minutes ago.” He waggled his brows and pressed his hardness against her stomach. The damn thing threatened to burst through the restraint of his jeans.
“Now you’re just being a perv!” She giggled and pulled away from him, bending to grab her underwear.
“Oh, I could be a pervert – if that’s what you want.”
She froze when she felt his fingers touch her center from behind. Of all the wonderfully, wicked things he’d done to her, he hadn’t once attempted to enter her, not even with his fingers.
Another ache made itself known, as she reached for the side of the tub and closed her eyes.
“Show me.” She challenged him. Her bare feet slid over the linoleum with ease, inching apart as she bit at her bottom lip. “Unless you’re afraid it’s going to bite you or something.”
“I bite back.” He groaned, and slid his fingertip over her clit.
She released a loud moan; partly from how sensitive she already was from two back-t0-back orgasms, but also from how much she wanted to feel him inside her.
He was trying to kill her.
“You know I want to.” He fell to his knees behind her and she stared at his bellybutton from between her legs. Though he was upside down—or maybe she was—he was still a glorious sight to see. “I really want to, Kelly.”
“Then do it. Please.”
His fingers kneaded the flesh of her bottom and she felt herself getting wet again. Well, wetter. His nose grazed the back of her thigh and she sighed, completely lost in the sensations of his affection.
The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) Page 18