He stared at her, his chest rising and falling. Suddenly he came to her and was down at her knee. He looked up. “Not too much. Just some old crap thrown around. Nothing that can’t be cleaned up. I’m sure it will all be fine by Monday.” His voice caught. “At least I hope so.”
He looked at her so earnestly then, his eyes full of a ridiculous hope, or, she didn’t know, maybe it was her own heart just telling her to see what she wanted to see. She reached up and touched him. Ran her thumb across his cheek and he closed his eyes, letting out a breath, leaning in and kissing the inside of her palm.
She let out a choked laugh. “You are full of so much shit, Nicholas Ross. Did you at least get me some coffee while you were out?”
He looked up at her and smiled wide. “Of course I did. I may be a fool but I’m not a complete fool.”
Nick powered up the burner on the stovetop and Gabby scrambled sausage and eggs. He had indeed found her a large black coffee. The bodega was open and doing a brisk business in the old-fashioned stove-perked kind. It was strong and had a jolt that had Gabby thinking she had found her new love.
While she cooked, Nick jumped in the shower, and over breakfast they didn’t bring up the earlier conversation or talk about the night before. She was fighting hard to keep her feelings pushed down and just make it until the lights were back on. She’d decided they were both on edge and raw enough. There was no need to keep picking at the scab. The only hints of discomfort now were the furtive glances at the burnt-down candles on the coffee table and the tightening of her nipples as she watched Nick eat the rest of the strawberries she served with breakfast.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” His voice poured over her.
“Like you know what I’m thinking.” She bit down hard on the end of her sausage.
He laughed. “Woman, I wouldn’t dare attempt to know what you’re thinking.” He made a big showing of crossing his legs. “I have a feeling it would be my downfall.”
She raised a brow and cocked her head to the side. “I’m nowhere near that good.”
He stared at her for a long while before he spoke. “You’d be surprised.” He scraped up the last of his eggs and leaned back, looking at her. “Tell me about that dress in your room, the one on the dress form. What’s it for?”
She looked at him in surprise. “It’s my dress for Sam’s wedding. I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Well, I was busy with other things but it’s plain as day on your dress form. It’s beautiful. You’ll look lovely in it. Where did you get it?”
She dropped her fork. “I made it, of course.”
He held up his hands. “Well excuse me. It’s just so different from the things I saw you sketching the other night. I didn’t want to assume.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, that was necessary work. Some things you do for money and some you do for love. This is for love.”
Her answer seemed to pull him up short. Once again he was staring at her. She got up to clear the plates. Coming around to his side she picked his up to take it to the sink but he stopped her when his hand clamped around her wrist. “Will you put it on for me?”
She looked at him and shrugged. “Sure. If you want.”
“Will you do it now?”
Gabby’s eyes narrowed. What was he getting at? Suddenly Nick wanted to play full-figured Barbie dress up? “Don’t you want to wash these dishes first?”
He took them from her hands and placed them in the sink. “They can wait. I want to see you in that dress.
She let out a long breath. “Nick, I have work to do. And I’m thinking you do too.”
He poked his lip out. “How much can either of us do without any power? Come on. Let’s have some fun today. Who knows when the power will be back on? Could be any moment or it could be days. We need to steal this time while we can.”
“But I can do lots while I have daylight. I’ve got to work on Sam’s dress still. There are things I can do by hand.”
He pulled her hands to his chest and then up to his lips. “Will you just give me this morning and then I’ll get out of that gorgeous hair of yours?”
She frowned. “There is nothing gorgeous about my crazy, untamable hair.”
He grinned. “That’s what I love about it. That fact that it’s untamable—just like you. Now please put on the dress.”
She stared at him. He was asking for the day, and in her heart she knew she wanted the day too. She wanted him in the light for a change, not some figure in the dark. She gave him a narrowed gaze. “Just this morning, huh? Okay, well, if I’m dressing for you then you’re dressing for me.”
His eyes went to slits and he licked his lips. “Like I said, you’re untamable.”
• • •
She was beautiful. Gabby stood before him looking like a goddess in the simple, grey, one-shouldered, Greek-style dress. The way the fabric twisted and then flowed, it accentuated her slim waist and the sensuous flare of her hips. The soft fabric opened just enough to be both sexy and demure, showing off the fullness of her ample breasts, making him want to reach out and touch them. The fabric of the one shoulder gathered up and flowed down her back to the other side, making a slight train. She looked regal with her hair softy twisted up and suddenly he had the impulse to go out and gather flowers to make her a crown to show his love. Nick coughed. “You look amazing.”
Her lips twisted nervously. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
He walked around her in the middle of the living room. “Believe me, I’m not going far enough.” Nick took her by her shoulders, his thumbs taking a moment to caress their softness. He turned her to the mirror. “Look at yourself.”
“I have.”
He leaned down to her ear, the perfect shell calling him for a kiss. “Not enough, you haven’t.”
She looked up and met his eyes in the large hall mirror. They stood there, quiet and still for long beats. Each measuring the other. Nick felt the connection to her like nothing he’d ever felt, and it was overwhelming. With her, he wanted to go away. Wanted to leave the fast pace, the wheeling and dealing, the game playing, and just lay it all down. He didn’t want to talk, he just wanted to be. To be them. As they were. Her in her dress and him, silly and stripped as he was. Only half done up. Barefoot in his dress pants, tank, suspenders, and that was it. Somehow he felt free but also grounded, connected to her. He laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“Look at us. Here you are looking like a queen and I’m looking like some half-dressed pauper not worthy to carry your train.”
She turned to him. “I don’t know, I think you’re looking pretty hot in those suspenders.” She pulled one back and gave it a snap. “And your pants all tight right where they count.” He faked being offended and put both hands over his crotch. But honestly, he’d gladly do a strip tease on the kitchen counter if it would make her smile and, now that he was thinking of it, get her to drop that one shoulder. She looked around and walked over to the coat rack by the door, grabbing one of Steve’s fedoras.
“What are you doing?” he said, ducking out of her reach as she attempted to put the hat on his head.
“I always thought you’d look good in this. Steve does.”
“Well, I’m not playing into your oddball brother fantasies.”
She let out a huff and crossed her arms. “Trust me, when it comes to your brother I have no fantasies beyond him paying his half of the rent. He’s never been more than a best friend to me.” She gave him a serious stare.
He snatched the hat and put it on. Her lips widened into a sexy grin.
“Hot. I knew it. You do know how to set off a look, Mr. Ross.” She gave him a sexy wink.
The woman was too much. She took a blackout and turned it into the best night of his life. Nick didn’t understand the feeling; all he knew was that he wanted it to last. He turned away from her and went over to the counter, reaching for his iPad.
“What are you d
oing?”
He looked back at her and smiled. “You’ll see.”
Nick tapped the screen a few times and suddenly the sound of soothing music filled the room.
He looked at Gabby and could see the shock on her face—was it at him firing up his device or at his choice of classical music? But the simple melodic notes of the piano and the violin suited her and her classic dress and the tune was regal, just as she was.
“Are you nuts? You’re wasting your battery,” she said.
Nick shook his head and walked to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. The chiffon was soft and cool against his skin. He took his hand and placed it at the small of her back and pulled her in close, her breasts pressing against his chest. “Believe me, love, this is not a waste.”
“Besides, at that wedding, the guys will be lined up ten-deep to dance with you. I’d better take my chance now.”
She looked up at him with a slightly open mouth and those pretty eyes framed by her long lashes. He could tell she didn’t believe him. “I doubt that.”
He swayed, loving the feel of her body against his. “Oh, baby, I know it’s true. So tell me, who’s your plus one?” She stilled and he looked down at her. Who the hell was her plus one? Suddenly he had to know. Nick fought to keep his voice even. “So, spill it. I promise not to get all twitchy. Even if it’s that dude from your job that Steve told me about.”
Gabby let out a huff that he couldn’t quite read. “It’s Steve. I just hope he comes back for the wedding. It’s not that far off now.”
Nick’s pulse went back to steady and he started to sway, gently easing Gabby to move with him. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he will. And if not I’d be happy to be a fill in.”
She froze again.
“Damn, what did I say this time?”
She looked up at him, her eyes growing hard. “Don’t you mean you’ll already be there with Claire?”
“What are you talking about?”
Gabby shook her head. “It’s nothing. Honestly it doesn’t even matter. Let me take off this dress.” She tried to move out of his grasp but he held her.
“No, it does. What are you talking about?”
“Doesn’t your girlfriend tell you when you’re both on a guest list? She’s invited a plus one. I assumed it’s you.”
He looked at her long and hard. Damn this woman and damn Claire for coming in and messing up their perfect morning, their special dance. Yeah, Claire had talked to him about going to this wedding. It was something he’d been vaguely looking forward to. Samara’s family had some pretty powerful connections, and Claire had rightly pointed out it would be a great place for the two of them to be seen together. But that was in the past. They were done. He was sure she’d already lined up another to take his place, and he had to move on and do his best to prove himself by his work alone. Either way, it didn’t matter. He didn’t want to talk about it or her now. All he wanted was Gabby in his arms and to do his best to not ruin this moment.
Nick pulled Gabby back in close so they were groin to groin and breast to chest. She had to lean back to look at him. “You know what they say about assuming, right? You really shouldn’t do it. Now let’s dance. Don’t let this song pass us by.” Nick gently spun her around and let the gentle notes of the flute soothe his hyped-up nerves and get them back on beat.
He leaned in closer and breathed in the scent of Gabby’s hair, letting the smell of honey ease his senses. After a while Gabby gave in too and let go, resting her head on his shoulder. Nick let out a breath as relief washed over him. This was home. It was just what he wanted. To keep her relaxed and pliant and safe in his arms like this always.
But then the song changed. It got more sensual, the tempo going lower and the addition of a bass adding a deeper vibe. Gabby changed pace too. She let her talented hands wander. One going up his neck, massaging gently up his scalp, the other going south down the V of his back to the curve of his behind. She pulled him in and ground him to her center. He swallowed.
“I’m trying to be nice here, Gab,” he croaked out. “Trying not to get your dress too wrinkled.”
She attempted to inch back but there was no way he could let go now. He held her firm and in his grasp. And she looked up at him with those eyes full of temptation. “You’re right, my dress could get ruined.”
Nick shook his head. The woman was a fucking temptress. He leaned in and captured those full lips with his own, tasting her on his tongue. Then he went down to that bare shoulder and kissed it. His hands burned to touch her chiffon-covered breasts. He growled. “You’d better turn to the side and help me help you out of this dress or pretty soon you’re going to have more sewing to do.”
Her laughter and the fact that she turned, giving him access to her zipper, was better than hitting the lottery. Nick eased the zipper down and sprung to attention when he saw the satin and lace corset she was wearing underneath the dress. “Lord, woman, you could warn a man.”
She hooked a thumb under the one shoulder and lifted it, causing the dress to spill to the floor, and just like that it was just her standing there in a flesh colored satin and lace corset and her grey strappy sandals and nothing else. He almost fell to the floor.
“I needed something to bring the waist in for the lines of the dress.”
He looked at her, taking her in, reaching his hand out to touch that silky fabric. It was cool. Cooler than he expected. And her breasts stood high and firm at attention over the tops of the scooped out cups. He walked around her; her behind was shaped like a perfect upside-down heart. A present he didn’t deserve but was in no way giving back. He reached down and tilted her chin up to him. “Lines of the dress, huh? Well, I think you’ve got it just right.”
She looked down then swept her eyes back up at him in that way that she did, any hint of past hesitance gone. “Do I now?”
She stepped toward him and pulled down his suspenders. “I’m thinking you’re now a bit overdressed for this party. What do you say you submit to the new dress code?”
He bowed his head in a gesture of surrender, coming back up to meet her sensual gaze. “As you command, my lady.”
Chapter 16
There were a few hours of sunlight left and Gabby was determined not to waste it. Not that anything about this dream of a day was a waste, but still she had to do something that bordered on normal. Anything to keep her head and remind her of who she really was. The lights would come on again. The world would get back to rights, and this dream would be over. She would wake up.
Sitting in the big overstuffed chair in her little sewing corner in her bedroom, Gabby paused with her needle in midair and glanced over at Nick snoring soundly in her bed. The sound was both a comfort and a torment. She liked having his solid form there, liked the warmth of having him in her bed, despite the heat. She liked the way he made her feel, the way he held her and looked at her like he really did believe she was beautiful and he cared. But still it was torture because she knew it wouldn’t last. How could it? Despite their dance, the way he held her, and they amazing way they’d made love, the world would turn back on, noisy and whole, and pull him away with sleeker, shinier, better things soon.
He’d made no promises. She’d noticed that and she purposely didn’t ask for any that she knew he would break. This was what it was. Nice for now. And she had to be satisfied with that. Gabby went back to her sewing and forced herself to concentrate on the tiny stitches and be grateful for the sunlight and the sound of his breathing filling the silence as she finished taking in Samara’s waistline.
Things were looking up for her and life was going well for her friends. Samara was finally happy and in love, and Steve’s career dreams were coming through. To top it off she was finally getting to show her stuff at Zenia. If she proved herself there, Mr. Caberrera could back her for more, or maybe she could take her strong sales and a good showing to a bigger and better company. It was all fantastic.
Nick stirred, turning over, and she looked up. H
is creamy brown chest was well chiseled, the shafts of sunlight coming through the window making beautiful shadows across it. The white sheet twisted low on his hip. Gabby swallowed the lump in her throat, imagining him once the power came on and he once again donned himself in his suit of armor. Nick’s eyes slowly opened.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Why are you way over there and not here with me where it’s warm?”
“It’s warm over here. Still downright hot, if you ask me. Besides, I didn’t want to lose the light.”
He gave her a forlorn look. “I can heat it up over here too.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure you can, but I really need to work.”
Nick’s face went dark as he rubbed at his scalp. “Yeah, you’re right. I should get a few things done myself. Once this power comes on, I have a feeling that all hell’s going to break loose. Everyone is going to want everything done yesterday. No matter that it was the weekend.”
Gabby smiled, but she could see his mind turning. Already he was distancing himself and though he was still technically nude, the suit of armor was clicking into place. He got up and stretched, looking glorious in all his chiseled beauty. He then gave her lopsided smile that bordered on cheesy, and Gabby’s brows drew together. He walked over and kissed the top of her forehead. It was then that he looked down at the lace piece in her hand. “Hey, babe, that is really pretty.” He glanced to the side at her sketches, picked them up, and his eyes went wide. “Wow, these are phenomenal. You never stop amazing me. You’ve got so much more going for you than meets the eye.” Getting up, he lightly slapped the side of Gabby’s bare hip. “I’m going into the living room to work myself. You keep at it.”
Gabby just glared at Nick’s backside as he left the bedroom. She shook her head. Something in his tone rubbed her the wrong way. It was too short, too flip, just… too. She let out a breath and held up the piece. It was pretty. He was right about that. But what kind of backhanded compliment was that. More than meets the eye? Meaning what he could see wasn’t good enough?
Threads Of Desire (Creative Hearts Book 3) Page 15