A Wild Ride

by Vivian Arend

  She paused, one hand on the open car door, shock in her eyes. “What for?”

  He shrugged. “She’s right. I promised I’d take care of the kids. I shouldn’t have been fooling around with you.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” She caught him by the coat front and jerked him closer, fire in her eyes. “You listen to me, Troy Thompson. We didn’t do anything wrong. My sister is being a jackass. Those kids thoroughly enjoyed you being their babysitter tonight instead of Mike.”

  Guilt still rippled. “I don’t want your family mad at you.”

  “She’ll get over it,” Nic promised, smoothing her hands down his chest and pressing a sweet kiss to the side of his neck. “Want to come home with me?”

  More than anything, but something was very not right. “I think I’ll go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The hurt in her eyes only added to the guilt washing over him in waves. It was a cold, lonely drive home as his conscience haunted him. How could he need someone so much, and yet be so wrong for her?

  The ache in his heart grew another notch.

  By the time he made it to the parking lot outside his apartment, he still didn’t know what to do with himself. He was restless. Aching.

  He sat in his car and stared out the front window like the biggest loser on earth, all his previous good intentions and confidence wiped away. He wanted the best for Nic, even if that meant walking away from her. It would be like ripping out his heart and leaving it behind.

  He didn’t know if he was strong enough to give her up. To give up all the dreams he’d finally thought within reach.

  A light tap sounded on the window beside him, and he shook himself alert, opening the door in confusion to discover Nic peering down at him.

  “Shove over,” she ordered. “I’m taking you for a ride.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Certain moments in Nicole’s life shone with crystal clarity. Like back in eighth grade when she’d realized her supposedly best friend wasn’t. Or when she’d figured out sex was something people did for fun.

  Eye opening, to say the least.

  Revelation hit hard moments after Troy drove off and left her, his confusion and sadness clear. They’d been having so much fun together moments earlier. That night they’d connected on a new, deeper level, she was sure of it.

  The only thing that had changed between sweet laughter in the living room and him driving away upset had been Jodie’s disapproving comments. Clearly that was what had distressed Troy, and that was what she needed to fix. Now, before they lost something precious.

  Nicole loved her family madly, but that didn’t make them the be all and end all when it came to what was right for her or her future. They still had issues with Troy? Tough. She had none…and it was time to damn well tell him that.

  He made it easy for her to stalk him by waiting in his truck, and now he stared at her, his eyes looking far more lost than usual.

  She hung on to the doorframe, raising one brow. “You going to move this century?”

  He gave in, sliding across the bench seat to let her get behind the wheel. “I don’t get to ride shotgun very often.”

  Nicole adjusted the seat so she could reach the gas pedal before patting the space beside her. “I seem to remember some fine young man telling me no way in hell was I allowed to sit all the way over by the window while we were dating.”

  Troy shook his head in amusement, but he followed her orders, ending back in the middle of the truck. “This doesn’t work quite as well for me. My legs are longer than yours.”

  “Suck it up, sunshine. You can stretch your legs all the way over to the far corner. You keep your ass where it belongs beside me.”

  She put the car into gear, fighting to keep from laughing at the expression on his face.

  “You’re a little feisty, aren’t you?” Troy commented.

  “I haven’t even gotten started,” she warned.

  “We headed somewhere in particular?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Troy stretched his arms along the back of the seat, turning up the radio and singing along as she aimed the truck out of town to the west. He didn’t say anything else until a low chuckle escaped as she took the corner onto a familiar dirt road.

  “Why, Ms. Adams. I do suspect you’re taking me to Heartbreak Ridge. I’ll have you know I’m not that kind of a man.”

  “I know exactly what kind of a man you are,” Nicole promised. “Trust me.”

  A full-out snicker escaped him. “Just the tip? Is that what you’re saying?”

  She snorted. “You’re terrible.”

  He wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck, a strong caress that dug deep into her muscles as he twisted sideways and offered a grin. “If you’re really determined, you might be able to talk me into something.”

  “I’m pretty sure about that.” Nicole slowed the truck, taking the bumpy route cautiously as she aimed for a spot equal distance between the two vehicles already overlooking the Red Deer River.

  She put the truck into park, pushed Troy into the passenger seat then wiggled out from behind the wheel so they were facing each other full on.

  He’d gone quiet as he stroked the hair back from her face. “I’m sorry for ditching you. Just had a lot on my mind, and I wasn’t sure I would be good company anymore tonight.”

  “Obviously, I either don’t care or have a different opinion.” Nicole caught his fingers in hers. Fighting to find the right words. It was all good and well to tell herself she was going to make the situation clear between them, but simply blurting it out seemed wrong.

  Then again, screw it. Why make things more complicated than they needed to be?

  “I like you,” she confessed.

  His lips twitched. “Awwww. I like you too.”

  “And that’s what matters.” She examined him closely. “When you were all into messing up my speed-dating evening—”

  “I beg your pardon. I did no such thing.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You were a perfect gentleman and followed every one of the rules. Not. Shut up and let me lecture you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stole a kiss though, and something flickered inside her chest. Hope?

  “As I was saying, when you sat there and told me I needed to be taking a serious look at you as a boyfriend, I thought you were being your normal pain in the ass, but you weren’t.”

  “I was being extraordinary—?”

  She jammed her hand over his mouth to make him be quiet. “You said you were right for me, and it’s true. You are exactly who I need in my life, Troy Thompson.”

  The crease formed between his brows. “Then why do you sound so sad when you say that?”

  “Because I need to know if… Okay, this is going to get a little complicated.”

  He leaned against the seat back, arm stretched past her. “Hey. Don’t look so serious. We don’t have to do this tonight. We’re okay, really.”

  Nicole was determined to make him understand, and she didn’t want to wait any longer. “Remember all those puzzles we did over the years? All the mixed-up games we played when no one else was looking, between toys and puns and other tricks?”

  He nodded, curiosity rising.

  “Over the past while, I’ve been struggling to figure out the puzzle that is Troy Thompson.”

  He laughed. “Okay, that’s not what I expected you to say. I’m not very complicated,” he insisted.

  “That’s what you like to pretend. Heck, maybe it’s even what you believe, but I think I’ve solved you. Or I’m ninety-nine percent of the way there.”

  His grin grew wider. “Hey, if it makes you happy, you can untangle my pieces all you want, sweetheart.”

  “I will.” She held up fingers as she spoke, counting off items. “You played football to make your dad happy. You don’t want your brothers to know the things you did for them because ‘they’re in the past’. But the more I think about it the more I remember seeing y
ou doing things, like letting Clay mother you, and going wild and crazy with Mitch. But with Len you’re a lot quieter, and around Katy, you work like crazy to make her laugh.”

  His gaze was fixed on her. “They’re my family. I care about them a lot.”

  “I know you do. You’re everything to everyone because you love them. That’s why Katy called you a rainbow.”

  “I’m a rainbow? Were you drinking at the time?”

  “No, she was telling me about seeing people like colours. And you? You go around matching people’s colours. That’s why everyone in this damn town likes you even if they think you’ve made less than stellar choices.”

  His lips twitched. “Thanks. I think.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what they think, because every choice you’ve made has been on someone else’s behalf, hasn’t it? To please the people you care about. You’re a rainbow, Troy, because you’re so busy trying to do what makes other people happy that you never do what you want.”

  This time he didn’t have a smart answer.

  Nicole wiggled until she was kneeling on the seat, reaching up to cup his face in her palms. “What do you want, Troy? What is going to make your colour shine through instead of reflecting everyone else’s?”

  “Why is this so important, as weirdly fascinating as it is to talk about rainbows?”

  She took her future happiness up with both hands and laid it out before him.

  “Because, while you’re exactly who I need in my life, am I who you need?” Nicole lowered her voice, forcing the words out past a throat gone tight. “I don’t want you to settle for anything other than what’s best for you. It’s too important. So I need to know—what do you really want, Troy?”

  It took a second before understanding cleared his eyes. And then she couldn’t see his expression because he’d hauled her into his lap and was kissing her senseless.

  A possessive grip took hold of the back of her neck as he kept their lips in firm contact. Another hand dropped to her lower back, pressing their torsos together as she settled into his lap. It wasn’t quite the answer she’d expected, but it was definitive and nothing she was about to argue with.

  Although it did make it difficult for her to tell him she loved him when they had their tongues in each other’s mouths.

  Troy Thompson held on tight as the most frickin’ amazing miracle occurred. Everything he wanted was right there in his lap. She’d damn near broken him in two with her honesty and the fear he’d seen on her face. Worried that he’d reject her—

  Bullshit on that. How could he survive without his heart?

  Tap, tap, tap, tap.

  For the second time that night, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the clatter of knuckles on the window only inches from his ear.

  He didn’t think they’d been kissing that long, but the windows were steamed up, fuzzing the bright light shining in his eyes. Nicole scrambled off his lap and back into the driver’s seat as Troy cursed and hit the window control, rolling it partway down.

  “Oh, hell.” A familiar female voice.

  Troy blinked hard, holding up a hand to block the light. “Anna?”

  His sister-in-law swung the flashlight away, bending over to lean on the window ledge and peek into the truck. “What is it with you, Troy Thompson? Didn’t get parking out of your system back when you were fifteen?”

  “I promise he’s here of his own free will, Officer,” Nicole said clearly, drawing Anna’s attention. “I won’t use the ropes in the back until we get home.

  Anna shook her head, stifling her laughter. “I swear I should get danger pay for having to deal nonstop with both the Thompson and Coleman clans. You two okay?”

  “I was better a few minutes ago before you interrupted us,” Troy grumbled.

  Nicole elbowed him in the side as she leaned across and smiled sweetly at Anna. “Is this when you suggest we find somewhere else to fool around?”

  “Please. Since you both have homes to go to.”

  “You don’t need to sound so smug,” Troy said.

  “Yes, I do. It’s in my job description.” Anna leaned down once more and spoke over Troy. “Hey, Nic. Will I see you later this week at the Thompson family dinner?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Nicole promised. “Janey said you’re bringing dessert?”

  “S’mores. About the extent of my baking skills.”

  Troy fought to keep from laughing as the girls kept chatting.

  “Never mind me,” he muttered. “I’ll just sit here and listen to my sister-in-law the cop and my girlfriend discuss next week’s dinner while everyone around us wonders what we’re getting arrested for.”

  “Shhhh,” Anna and Nicole ordered at the same time, and Troy lost it, laughing out loud as he pushed open his door and strolled around to the driver’s side.

  Nic slid over, and by the time he got behind the wheel, the girls were done their conversation, waving goodbye as he backed the truck out carefully. He waggled his fingers at Anna then headed toward Rocky.

  He and Nic sat in muted silence for all of thirty seconds before she laughed. Low at first, growing stronger. Addictive. Contagious. Troy caved and joined in. He had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid going into the ditch.

  “Oh my God, I can’t breathe,” Nic gasped.

  “Can’t see. Stop it,” Troy demanded, wiping at his eyes, which just set her off harder.

  It took a while for them to calm down to the point he could suck in a lungful of air and put the truck back in drive. They both trembled on the edge of going off all over again, and he stared determinedly at the road until temptation passed.

  “My face hurts from smiling,” Nic boasted when he pulled into the parking space behind her house.

  He flashed another grin her way then met her on the path, linking their fingers together and kissing her knuckles. “Now. Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?”

  Nic twisted on the spot, walking backward as she led him to the house and up the steps. “You were about to let me have my wicked way with you.”

  “Perfect. You should get naked and do that.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  She stripped off her shirt and let it fall. It pooled into a bright blue puddle on the top step of stairs, and she stood there in the fading twilight, smooth skin glowing in the faint echo of streetlights reaching the backyard.

  “Babe, you’re beautiful.”

  Her eyes flashed, sexual hunger and something else slamming into him as she blew him a kiss.

  She crooked a finger. “Follow me…”

  He moved slowly, letting her get ahead of him as the striptease continued. Through the living room and down the hall…

  Pants abandoned by the recliner.

  Her lacey bra hooked precariously on the edge of a picture frame.

  Barely-there panties dangled from the doorknob of her bedroom.

  Troy pushed open the door all the way, standing in the doorway to take in the view.

  Nic was in the process of crawling onto the bed, her naked ass toward him…

  …Wonder Woman socks on her feet.

  So fucking perfect.

  She rolled, propping herself against the pillows as he closed the distance between them to stand beside the mattress, gazing down to enjoy every exposed inch.

  Nic smiled as she reached for her socks.

  “Leave them on,” he ordered.

  “Kinky.” She put her hands on her shins and dragged them up her body until she was stretched out before him.

  “Anything we want. If it makes us happy, it’s a go.” Troy stripped off his shirt, tossing it aside before popping open the button on his jeans and partially opening his zipper. Just to relieve the damn pressure before the top of his head blew skyward.

  “You make me happy,” Nic whispered. “You’re perfect for me.”

  Her gaze slipped over him, hot and needy. Pride trickled up his spine. This woman had picked him as who she wanted. He ne
eded her to know he’d damn well picked her as well.

  Now and forever.

  For everything. Every fucking thing she’d dreamed of, and a whole lot they’d never even thought of yet.

  He paused and considered. It needed to be said clearly, so she’d never have any doubts. “I want you. Fine, I’m a fucking rainbow. It’s how I show love, and I’ll probably keep being one because that’s who I am. But even rainbows need the sunshine to bring out their magic, and that’s you, baby. You’re the one who makes me shine.”

  Her eyes—so amazing. Fixed on him, full of fire and emotion.

  “I don’t want you to have to pick between me and your family,” he admitted. The last barrier standing.

  She shook her head. “I won’t have to. But Troy? If I did have to pick?” She knelt forward so she could touch him, laying her hand on his chest, directly over his heart. Her voice soft and sincere. “It’s not even a question. I’d pick you. Every time.”

  Joy swelled inside him. He leaned forward, crawling over her as Nicole settled against the mattress. Lips connecting, his torso pressed to hers. Slow languid kisses as if they had all night. All week…

  A lifetime.

  She murmured something against his lips, rolling them to the side as her hands pressed at his jeans. He helped her take them off, digging into the back pocket for the condom he’d put there before she tossed the fabric to the floor.

  Then he pulled her back into his arms. Touching and caressing. Hands on her breasts, lifting them to his mouth. Licking and sucking until she squirmed under him.

  He slid a hand over her torso until he reached her sex, cupping her possessively.

  Troy pulled back just far enough to look into her green eyes. “Feel. Feel me loving you.”

  He pressed a single finger between her folds and stroked. Teasing her clit in circles as he stared into her face and watched pleasure sweep in. She curled a hand behind his neck, panting as she grew closer to the edge. Holding on tight as he took her higher.

  Her lashes fluttered closed as she breathed out his name, and he rolled between her thighs, pressing his cock into her still-pulsing body. Liquid heat surrounded him, pleasure streaking up his spine like a lightning bolt as she widened her legs and welcomed him in.