His head lifted, his eyes glassy as he stared at her. “I’d cut out my own heart before I’d ever harm you.”
Nicole kissed him. She didn’t want to hear any tales or professions of love when she knew the truth. She was going to enjoy this fantasy interlude for as long as she could before the real world intruded again.
“Nicole, I . . .”
“Shhh, Colin. I don’t want to talk.”
“But . . .”
“You’re here for this. I’m willing to give you what you want.” She kissed him quiet.
Reece surrendered to her will this once. He knew come the light of the morning, they were going to have a long overdue talk about fame, success, and falling in love.
~ ~ ~
They finally made it upstairs to her bedroom, taking the long way around. The first stop was the kitchen table where he hand fed her strawberries dipped in chocolate syrup. Somehow, the chocolate had dripped onto more alluring fruit. He had to lick her clean. He then held a can of whipped cream to her mouth, spraying as she bent her head back, capturing the creamy treat on her tongue.
“This is the best kind of blow job,” he said as she smirked at him, jumping down from the table and pushing him backward toward the stairwell.
As they neared the wall, she dropped to her knees, loving his staff with her mouth twelve ways to Sunday. “No,” he moaned, his fingers combing through her hair, “this is the best kind of blow job.”
As they were climbing the stairs, he couldn’t help but admire her assets, which led to her holding onto the banister as he rode her from behind.
Their short shower became a lengthy bath, which stayed steamy long after the water grew cold.
They were exhausted and wrung out, resulting in them both falling into the best sleep they’d had in a very long time.
~ ~ ~
Reece woke to heavy snorting and a noxious odor, turning his head. “Bloody hell!” he yelled, scooting away from the ugliest face he’d ever seen. It was white, baggy, with an under bite that went on for days.
“Good dog, nice dog. Where’s your owner?” It licked its chops, continuing to pant. “Nicole?” he called, but there was no answer. He flipped the covers back, keeping one eye on the dog. “Nicole, where are you?”
When still no answer came, he grabbed his jeans and headed for the door. The dog sat on the bed watching him, laying its head down on his paws with the tip of its tongue sticking out. It groaned and then sneezed, but it kept watching him.
“Same to you, buddy,” Reece said as he moved from the room toward the stairs. He trotted down them, searching the rooms, but it seemed she had disappeared again. He moved to the sliding door and stepped onto the deck, noticing the roar of the waves filling the silence.
Holding his hand to his forehead to block the sun, he scanned the beach until his eyes finally lighted on a small speck in the distance, growing larger as it moved closer. Nicole was jogging in the sand. Watching her, his shoulders relaxed as he leaned against the doorframe.
Seeing her again in the light of day brought back all the love and anguish he’d felt over the last year. It had been twelve months of hell for him. He could only imagine what she had gone through. They could have gotten through all the obstacles together if she hadn’t run, but they were together now, and that was all that mattered.
She jogged closer with her hair, that beautiful shade of red, swinging back and forth in a ponytail as strands dangled in her face in sweaty tangles.
His jeans grew tight as he thought of licking away that salty dew. He couldn’t seem to stop wanting her, his appetite insatiable for every inch of her.
He knew the moment she became aware of him. She checked her stride, a frown crossing her face as she moved toward the deck.
He smiled. “Good morning, Nicole. Did you sleep well?”
“I slept okay. How about you?” She squeezed by him and into the kitchen.
His body and gaze followed, soaking up every inch of her. “I haven’t slept that well in a long time. It must be the sea air.”
She shot him a half-smile. “I like to listen to the waves as they crash on the beach. It’s very soothing.”
His eyes scanned the room. “What is this place?”
Without missing a beat, she spouted off a line from Harry Potter. When he didn’t laugh, she shrugged. “It’s my parent’s beach house.” She glanced around to avoid making eye contact. “I’m going to go hop in the shower. There’s coffee ready if you want some, or I can fix you breakfast if you like.”
He was surprised. “You know how to cook?”
“A little bit. I know how to use a toaster, at least. I can make you Pop Tarts.”
He laughed. “That sounds good.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Do you need any help in the shower?”
She paused, biting into an apple. “I’ve been bathing myself since I was five. I think I’ve got a handle on it, thanks.”
He held up his hands. “I just thought I’d ask.”
She stood still, staring and wondering why he was still here. Hadn’t he reached his booty call quota yet?
He tilted his head, a confused furrow on his brow. “Nicole, what’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m going to get that shower now,” she said, sprinting from the room. When she arrived in her bedroom, she purposely kept her gaze away from the bed. No need to visually remind herself what she’d done with him when she felt it imprinted all over her body.
Tugger snuffled at her feet. She leaned over, patting his big head. “Why didn’t you bite him, Tug? You’re supposed to be my bodyguard.” He grunted loudly, plopping down on his side, offering his belly for a rub. She laughed despite herself, nudging him with her foot. “You are such a waste of space.”
Grabbing her clothes, she headed for the bathroom, locking the doors behind her. She didn’t want any interruptions.
As she started the water, she stripped down to her skivvies. She contemplated how to deal with the six-foot-three dilemma standing in the middle of her kitchen. Why was he here? How had he found her? What was she going to do?
She stood under the spray, her hands pressed flat against the wall as the water was beating down on her neck and shoulders and running down her back in steamy rivulets.
She didn’t know if she wanted him here. A part of her hoped he’d be gone when she returned downstairs, but another part hoped he’d jimmy the lock, joining her for another bout of hot, steamy sex. She hated feeling this way—her heart and her head clashing. She wished she knew which way to go.
She shut off the water, wrapping a towel around her before stepping out of the tub. She swished her hand across the foggy mirror, staring down her reflection. Was she up for round two with him? Was she emotionally ready to put herself out there again? She knew he was going to hurt her. It was inevitable. Could she handle the fallout this time around?
Nicole slipped into her sweats and tank top, combing back her wet hair. She breathed deep, closing her eyes and holding the breath until she thought her lungs would explode. She exhaled slowly, her muscles relaxing as she pushed the tension from her body. She could do this. She would face him on her own terms.
She ran down the stairs, entering the kitchen and nearly barreling into Reece as he was coming out. She moved left; he countered. She moved to the right, and he moved as well. Was he doing it on purpose?
“I need coffee, or you’re going to get hurt. I go left, and you go left on the count of three.” When she moved, he again blocked her way. She gritted her teeth. “I’m not kidding, Mr. Collins. I’m a psycho bitch from hell if I don’t get my morning jolt of caffeine.” He continued to block her, smirking. Her hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around his package, squeezing hard.
He jumped two feet off the floor, quickly movin
g out of her reach. “What the bloody hell was that?” he asked, his hand covering his offended member.
“That was basic elusive strategy number one. Go on the offensive and make him defensive.” She moved to the coffee pot, pouring herself a large mug of hot coffee. “I did warn you.”
“I didn’t think you’d actually hurt something that gave you pleasure.” He shifted to get comfortable.
She shrugged. “Consider it a casualty of war.” She took a huge gulp of liquid, letting it scorch her throat as it burned all the way down to her stomach. She turned back to him, leaning her butt against the counter. “I thought you’d be gone by now. I piddled around extra-long in the shower, so you could escape with no problem. How did you get here anyway?”
He frowned. “I used a car service,” he said, bracing his hands on his hips. “Why would I want to leave?”
“Who knows you’re here? Were you followed? I don’t need to be fodder for the morning papers again.”
He was still waiting for an answer to his previous question. “I just arrived, Nicole. Why would I want to leave?”
“You got what you came for,” she replied glibly as she moved toward her desk, noticing her computer already booted up and open on her latest story. “You’ve been reading my stuff?”
He watched her, confusion etched on his face. “You never minded me doing it before.”
“I mind it now,” she snapped as she closed out of the program, slamming her laptop closed and keeping her hands braced on the desktop as she breathed deep.
Reece was stunned at the abrupt change in her demeanor. What happened between going to get her shower and now? Better yet, what happened between England and now for her to be acting this way? It felt like she hated him. Was she still angry about the pictures? That was over a year ago. She seemed to have recovered well enough.
“Are you going to stay mad at me forever?”
She stiffened, standing up straight and glaring at him with her mouth twisted. “No, not forever, but the day after that is looking pretty good.”
He rolled his eyes, his temper flaring. Why was she acting this way? What did she have to be angry about? “If I’ve done something wrong, I wish you would tell me.”
She shook her head. “You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m going to treat this little interlude as it is and not see it with romantic eyes. I’m your convenient piece of ass to pass the time with until your next movie role comes along.” He was facing her, gaping in astonishment. “Close your mouth, you’re catching flies,” she snapped, surprised when he did it. “I mean, isn’t that what you told your brother when he asked you about me?”
Reece stumbled backward. What in the hell was she talking about?
“How is your slime-ball manager by the way? I’d like to tell him where he can shove his hush money.” She promised his mother she wouldn’t say anything, but she was so mad, she couldn’t help it.
“His hush money?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t know about the hefty check he sent to my publisher? It included instructions to keep my mouth shut.” She waved her hand. “You must’ve known. The check had your signature.”
Reece gripped the back of a kitchen chair. “Wait . . . what?” This was all news to him.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, you want to pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about? Fine, I’ll start at the beginning to remind you.”
“Please do.”
She nodded to the chair. “Have a seat. This may take a while.” He turned the chair, sitting on it backward. She took a deep breath. “I was in the library that day, Reece.”
“Colin, remember?”
Her eyes narrowed at the interruption. “As I was saying, Reece,” she stressed the name, “I was in the library when you and Marcus came in, arguing over the photos. I didn’t want to interfere, causing any more tension between you. I scooted up the spiral staircase to exit out the gallery door when I heard my name. I paused to listen.” She shook her head. “It’s true when they say eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves.”
“What did you hear, Nicole?” He couldn’t remember the entire conversation but had a feeling it was going to be damaging to him.
She tapped her chin, examining the ceiling tiles. “Let me see, what did you say exactly?” She snapped her fingers. “That’s right. You said you were just killing time with me until your next role came along. You fed me all the right lines. You gave me all the right looks, and I was putty in your hands.”
The color drained from his face. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
She snorted in derision. “Of course you did. You, the great and wonderful Reece Collins, couldn’t have cared less about a lowly commoner from the States.” Her eyes narrowed at him. “If you wanted a whore, Reece, you should’ve left money on the bedside table. That would’ve been more honest.”
His nostrils flared in affront. “I have never treated you like a whore.”
“Yeah, you did. I was just too naïve to see it.”
“Nicole, I . . .”
“I’m not interested in your denials. It’s over and done. I came home. I cleaned up the mess as best as I could, moving on from it. And you’ve done the same. I understand congratulations are in order.”
He turned away from her, seething. “Congratulations for what?”
“I hear you’re engaged to your co-star. I’m glad the two of you were able to patch up the misunderstanding about us.” She tapped her forehead. “What am I saying? There was never an ‘us.’ There was you and the American hussy you picked up on a plane.”
He shot to his feet. “You are not a hussy, Nicole. You happen to be the woman I’m in love with.”
She clapped her hands in mock awe. “Bravo! Well done, Mr. Collins. Thank you for that Oscar-worthy performance. If I had roses, I’d throw them at your feet.”
He stood over her, his chest expanding in an aggressive manner. “I’m not putting on a performance. I’m telling you I’m in love with you.”
She put her hands on his chest, shoving him backward. “I’m not interested, Mr. Collins.”
He reached for her. “I’m Colin, Nicole. When I’m with you, Reece Collins doesn’t exist.”
She spun away. “Yes, he does. He’s with you twenty-four-seven.”
He gripped her shoulders, turning her back to him. “I’ll stop being Reece Collins if that’s what it takes to prove I mean what I say.”
Her entire body jolted at his confession, and her gaze shot upward in disbelief. “You would give up being a movie star for me?”
He snapped his fingers. “I’d do it in an instant.”
She bit her lip, staring into his eyes and feeling the fight draining out of her. “I don’t want you to do that. Reece Collins is a part of you—a part you can’t live without.”
His voice lowered. “I will, if it means I can be with you.”
“What about your fiancée?”
“I’m not engaged to Melanie Daniels. I don’t even like her.”
“But the magazines . . .”
“You of all people should know better than to believe what a magazine prints,” he said, incredulity in his tone.
She had the grace to blush. “Okay, you got me there.”
Reece cupped her cheek tenderly. “I haven’t wanted anyone else since the day you hobbled into first class with a black eye and twisted ankle. My God, girl, I love you.”
Nicole wanted to believe him, but it was hard. “It’s too much, Reece.” When he frowned down at her, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Colin,” she said. “My Colin,” she whispered, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss him. “Can we take it slow? I don’t want to get overwhelmed again.”
He nodded, lifting her off the floor, her feet and legs
dangling. “You have yourself a deal, Miss DeLancey.”
~ ~ ~
They spent the next few days holed up at the beach house, making love and basically getting to know each other again. They snuggled on the couch, watching old romantic movies. They took turns reading their favorite romance novels to each other. They walked Tugger on the beach in the evenings and watched the sunrise from the roof deck in the mornings.
Reece and Tugger came to an uneasy truce. They both wanted all of Nicole’s attention, but since the dog’s kisses were quite sloppy and his farts worse than napalm, Reece won the honor of sleeping beside her every night.
Right now, they were reclining on the back deck, listening to the waves and enjoying the late afternoon breeze. Nicole’s feet rested comfortably in his lap.
“How was your reception when you arrived from England? I saw your dad hugging you on the news footage, but I didn’t know if it was genuine or a play for the cameras.”
She raised her chin to the breeze. “It went unbelievably well. My parents have been understanding and mostly calm about the situation. It was rough with my mom at first, but surprisingly, Daddy has been steady and supportive since the news broke.”
“Do you think I’ll ever get the chance to apologize to them?”
His question surprised her. “Why would you want to apologize?”
“My actions last year were an insult to their daughter and to them. I caused a lot of undue stress and anguish. I believe I owe them an apology.”
She smirked. “Well, I think they’ll accept it gladly. I have a feeling this has been a setup.”
He stopped rubbing her feet. “What do you mean?”
She waved her hand. “Don’t you think it’s convenient my dad sent me here to check on the house, and you mysteriously find out where I am? I believe my family set this whole thing up. Lindsey got to you in New York, didn’t she?”
An Accidental Love Affair Page 14