“Listen,” Nick said in a serious tone, “I don’t sleep with a different woman every night. That’s never been my style. I actually have to like the woman and respect her, before I take her to bed.”
“Okay,” Brooke said, oddly believing him. He was a man with integrity.
“What happened between us just now was amazing.”
Brooke agreed with a nod. “For me, it was.”
Nick took her into his arms and laid her head on his chest. “For me too.”
She could stay in his arms all night, but thought better of it. “I’d better check on Leah.”
She found her nightie and tossed it over her head then made a move to go, but Nick stopped her, taking her hand. “Come back.”
“I, uh, we’re still keeping this simple, right?”
“Simple,” Nick agreed without hesitation, releasing her from his grasp.
“Okay, then I’ll be back.”
Nick put on his boxers and got out of bed to pour two glasses of wine. He didn’t know what brought Brooke to him tonight and he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. But he couldn’t help wondering. She’d been bold and vulnerable at the same time, but it was the underlying trepidation in her eyes that she’d tried to hide that bothered him. Something was up with her—something had changed to bring her to his bed. Maybe he shouldn’t want to know and maybe he was better off not knowing but the hell of it was, he did want to know.
Sex with her was better than he’d imagined. And he’d done a lot of imagining over the years. Whenever he was at his lowest points in life, he’d think about Brooke Hamilton and her image would make him smile. But at the same time, it would leave him empty.
He’d done the right thing back then, but it was different now and Brooke seemed to want what he did. Simple and uncomplicated. Two words Nick knew a lot about when it came to women.
He set the bottle down, the Carlino Wines label facing him, a constant reminder of the sacrifices forced down his throat for the sake of the company. He wanted out. He wanted away from here and the sooner the better. His old man wouldn’t win. Not ultimately. Nick would win his bet with his brothers and that would be that.
When Brooke reappeared in his doorway, he was swept up by the look in her stunning blue-green eyes. It was a turn-on just seeing her framed by the moonlight, her blond hair tousled and the strap of her nightie falling down her shoulder.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“How’s Leah?”
She smiled. “Sleeping like an angel.”
Nick walked over to her and took her hand. “Come back to bed.”
She hesitated and peered at him with eyes that seemed haunted. “This isn’t a mistake, is it?”
Nick put his hands on her shoulders and caressed her lightly. Touching her spurred something fierce within him and he followed the path of her slender body, his hands roaming down her sides until he reached her waist. He pulled her close and she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Doesn’t feel like a mistake.” He brushed a kiss to her lips. “Does it to you?”
She shook her head and those gorgeous eyes caught him in a spell. “No, but it’s just that I…”
“Just that you, what?”
“Nothing, Nick.” She pulled away from him to pick up the two goblets of wine. She handed him one, then took a sip of her own, her demeanor changing. “I haven’t been able to drink wine or anything alcoholic in a while. This tastes delicious.”
Nick blinked and wondered about her sudden mood change but not enough to destroy the evening. He had a beautiful woman in his room, drinking wine after a wicked time between the sheets and he wanted her back in his bed. He wasn’t through with Brooke Hamilton yet.
She took a few more sips then set the glass on the nightstand. Nick polished his merlot off easily, then sat down on the bed and grabbed her hand. With a tug, he pulled her onto his lap. She fell onto him gracefully and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He nibbled on her throat and his voice took on a low rich rasp. “I want to make love to you all night long.”
“That’s why I’m here,” she answered softly.
Nick’s questions were quelled with her response. He gave up trying to figure her out and simply enjoyed the fact she was so willing. He lifted her off him and laid her down on the bed. She reached for him with outstretched arms causing his heart to hammer and his body to tighten instantly.
He made love to her slowly this time, peeling away her clothes and relishing each morsel of her body. He took care and time and enjoyed her as he’d never enjoyed another woman. She was hot and sexy and fun and feisty in bed. She gave as much as she took and as the night wore on, they made love again and again.
Each time was different and better than the last. Nick hadn’t had sex like this in a long time. It was almost as if Brooke had been dying of thirst and once she was offered a drink she couldn’t get enough. Lucky for him.
Sometime during the late night, Brooke must have tiptoed out of bed, because Nick woke up alone. Oddly, the sense of loss he experienced when he found her gone puzzled him. They’d certainly had a satisfying night between the sheets and it wasn’t unusual for him to wake up alone after being with a woman. Usually, he preferred it that way.
Nick showered and dressed and made his way down the hallway. He knocked on Brooke’s door softly, and when no one answered, he opened it to find both mother and baby weren’t there.
He strode downstairs and found them in the kitchen. Brooke stood at the kitchen counter feeding Leah her breakfast. The little girl was outgrowing her infant seat quickly. Brooke was so intent on spooning squash into her mouth, she didn’t notice him enter the room. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Morning,” he said. When she turned around, he planted a kiss to her lips.
“Morning,” she said, taking only a second to look at him before turning back to her daughter. “Watch out, Leah’s in a squash-tossing mood this morning.”
Nick patted Leah’s head, her loose little blond curls bouncy under his palm. “You need a high chair, kid. I’ll order one and have it delivered today.”
Brooke put Leah’s spoon down and stared at him. “Nick, you will not.”
“Why not? She’s outgrowing that seat she’s in.”
“Because for one, she has a high chair at my house, and for two, we’ll be moving out in a few weeks. We can make do until then.”
“Hey, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?”
Brooke’s defiant expression changed to something more reasonable. “No, I didn’t.” Then a little smile emerged and she softened her tone. “I got up feeling pretty wonderful this morning.”
“You can thank me for that later.” He grabbed a cup by the coffeemaker and poured his coffee.
“I thought I showed my appreciation last night.”
Nick chuckled and was glad feisty Brooke was back. They drove each other crazy last night, a memory that would stay with him long after she was gone. He sipped his coffee. “What are you doing tonight after work?”
“Cooking for you and then falling into bed. I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night. Why?”
He shrugged. The thought just popped into his head. “There’s a new pizza place in town and I hear it’s pretty good. I thought you’d like to try it. Nothing fancy, sawdust on the floor.”
The incredible hue in her eyes softened and just when he thought she’d agree, she turned her attention away and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“We’ll take Leah.”
“It’s not that. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Pizza is always a good idea.”
She wiped her daughter’s chin then the rest of her face and removed her from the infant seat. With Leah on her hip, she turned to him. That underlying worry he’d seen last night reappeared. “I’ve got a lot going on right now, Nick. I…can’t.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She clammed up and
again he wished she’d tell him what had put that wary look on her face. “We’re keeping this simple and I really need that right now.”
“It’s what we agreed on. I’m a man of my word.”
She sighed deeply. “Your breakfast is on the stove. I’m not hungry this morning.”
Hell.
“Don’t cook tonight. I’ll bring pizza home.”
She turned away from him and busied herself with dishing up his meal. “Okay. If that’s what you feel like having tonight. It’s fine with me.”
Nick spent the morning at the Carlino offices in town. More than once he thought about Brooke and that haunted look on her face. He told himself to butt out, that simple meant not getting involved too personally. Leah’s face popped into his head and he figured Brooke’s worry might have something to do with her baby. If that were the case, she might need his help. But Leah looked like the picture of health. He didn’t know much about kids but he knew that Leah was a happy child.
Brooke was a fantastic mother.
After lunch, Nick found himself in front of Brooke’s bed-and-breakfast. He had no reason to stop by other than he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He got out of his car and the first thing he noticed was how manicured the front lawn appeared. New grass grew along the walkway leading up to the front door. A garden of yellow, pink and lavender flowers sprouted from the borders on either side of the front porch. The exterior walls of the house were painted with a fresh coat of yellow paint and half of the shutters were gleaming white, the other half layered with primer.
Nick knocked on the door. When Brooke didn’t answer, he knocked again, louder. He saw her part curtains in a big box window and glance first at his SUV, then gaze at him. The look of pure relief on her face gave him pause.
A second later, the door opened and he grinned, seeing the splotches of cornflower blue paint on her nose and chin. Her oversized T-shirt and denim jeans were splashed with streaks of paint in various colors. In the background, he heard Leah’s cries of complaint. “Did you get any paint on the walls?”
“Funny, Nick,” she said, heaving a big sigh and opening the door wider to allow him entrance. “Come in.”
As she waited for him to step inside, he noticed her scanning the street before shutting the door and bolting it. “I’m painting one of the bedrooms and Leah’s not happy about it.” She headed toward the sound of Leah’s cries.
Nick followed her past the parlor and up the staircase. “I don’t want her inhaling the fumes, so she’s complaining about being out in the hallway.”
Once he reached the hallway, the baby gave him a big smile from inside her playpen and lifted her arms out toward him. He bent to lift her up and Leah tucked her little body against him. Nick stroked her soft curls as her baby scent wafted to his nostrils.
Brooke looked at the two of them together and her lips pulled down in a frown. “What are you doing here?”
Was this the same woman who’d been sweet, sexy and loving in his arms last night? Brooke seemed to be out of sorts and jumpy as if she’d lose it at any second. It was exactly why he’d come here today. Something was wrong and she wouldn’t confide in him. The truth was, he was worried about them though he wouldn’t say it out loud. “I had an appointment with a client. It was on my way and I thought I’d stop in and see your progress. The outside is taking shape.”
“Thanks. It’s slow going today though. Leah’s not cooperating.”
“She’s fine now.” He couldn’t help it if the kid liked him, could he?
The furniture was in the middle of the room covered with a big drop cloth. Brooke must have dragged it there and covered it without any help. Hell, he could have a crew of painters out here tomorrow and every room painted to her specifications if she’d allow him. But he wouldn’t even suggest it. She budgeted for the exterior to be professionally painted and took on the interior work herself. He had to admire her work ethic and pride. He knew she loved working on this place. That was not what was making her edgy.
“She’ll be worse once you’re gone.”
“Then I won’t leave.”
Brooke glanced at him. “You’ve got better things to do.”
Leah bumped her head against his chin and he flinched from the hard knock that gnashed his teeth together. He ground out, “Can’t think of anything.”
Brooke shook her head and laughed. “She’s got you conned, Nick.”
“I’ll help you paint. We can take turns with her.”
Brooke scoffed and the look on her face annoyed him. “You’re dressed like a million bucks.”
“I’ll take off my clothes. Anything to accommodate a lady.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
“I’m serious, Brooke. I have a free afternoon. I’ve got an old pair of sweats in my car.”
Before she could answer, her cell phone rang. Nick glanced at it vibrating on the window ledge. One ring. Two rings. Brooke’s eyes went wide but she didn’t make a move to answer it.
“Want me to hand it to you?” he asked.
“No! Don’t get it.” Brooke’s face froze with fear. She glanced at the phone as if it were death warmed over. “I’m not going to answer.” When the phone stopped ringing, her body slumped and she let her breath out.
Nick set Leah down in her playpen and strode over to Brooke. “What the hell’s wrong? The phone scared the crap outta you.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” She tried to smooth over her fear by softening her tone, but Nick saw straight through that. “I can’t talk right now. I have to finish painting, that’s all.”
“And you don’t want to know who it was?”
“It was Molly,” she said without skipping a beat. “You remember Molly Thornton, don’t you? She’s teaching school now and I told her to call, but I’m too busy to talk. You know how women are, once they get on the phone, they don’t stop. I’m really eager to finish this room today.”
Nick narrowed his eyes. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Brooke squeezed her eyes shut. He watched turmoil cross her features. When she opened her eyes to him, she hoisted her chin, her stubborn face on. “Are you going to help me paint this room or what?”
“Yeah, I’ll help,” he said, angry that she’d lied to him. Why the hell he cared baffled him. She wanted simple and so did he.
He walked out to his car and got his sweats. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d picked up a paintbrush.
If ever.
Eight
Nick was true to his word. He helped her paint the bedroom and they took turns with Leah when she fussed. It was a sight, seeing Nick with paint smudging his usually impeccably groomed face. Half an hour into it, his sweats were in no better shape than her clothes. She kept fixating on the speck of blue paint on Nick’s eyelid whenever they spoke to keep from thinking about the call. She suspected it was Dan but she hadn’t listened to her voicemail. It could have been Molly leaving her a message. Wishful thinking, she supposed because from the look on Dan’s face yesterday, she didn’t think he would give up. Oddly, having Nick with her today calmed her nerves.
By six o’clock they’d finished the room. Both stood back to admire their work. “Looks nice, a soft shade of blue and once I get the furniture back in place, I can call this room ready to rent. Only three more to go.”
It was a good thing too, because the money she’d saved for repairs and renovation, meager as it was, had been stretched to its limit.
“I’ll call for pizza and once the paint dries, we’ll put the furniture back.”
Brooke had a protest on her lips, but Nick had turned his back on her, his cell in hand making the call. “What kind do you want?”
“Vegetarian.”
He winced and ordered two pizzas, one with veggies and one fully loaded. “They’ll be here in thirty minutes,” he said. “Where can I clean up? I need a shower.”
“Oh.” That caught her off guard. Images of Nick naked in the shower made her mind sizzle with promisi
ng thoughts. Making love to him last night had been better than any of her wild imaginings.
Nick grinned as if reading her mind and approached her. “You could use one too.”
The dimples of doom emerged on his face in a way that beckoned and brought even more lusty thoughts. After a full day of being shuffled back and forth, played with and read to, Leah had conked out. Her naps usually lasted at least an hour, so Brooke couldn’t use her for an excuse.
Not that she wanted one.
Nick came within a breath of her and their eyes met. Once again, she focused on that blue fleck of paint on his eyelid and inhaled sharply. He dipped his finger onto his wet paintbrush coming up with a dollop of cornflower blue and spread it across her throat in a slow caress. “You’re gonna need a good scrubbing to get all that paint off.” His brows lifted, then he bent his head and brushed a lingering kiss to her lips.
Brooke trembled and her eyes fluttered closed. Every nerve in her body tightened. She couldn’t refuse Nick and the promise of pleasure he would give to her. For a few minutes, he could take her away from her troubles and make her forget.
It was simple sex, she reminded herself. She took his hand and led him to the upstairs shower in the corner room. “It’s small. We’ll have to squeeze in together.”
“I like the way you think.” Nick lifted his sweatshirt over his head and tossed it in the corner. With his muscled chest bare, she itched to touch every inch of taut skin then devour him with her mouth.
He skimmed the edge of her shirt, pushing it up and over her head, exposing her white cotton bra. His dimples popped out and an appreciative smile spread across his face. “You’ve changed my opinion of soccer moms.”
Brooke swatted at him, but he grabbed her wrist and wound her arm around his neck. He pressed his lips to hers in a more demanding kiss, one that had them pushing and tugging off the rest of their clothes. Nick pulled her into the shower stall, turned the water on to a hot steamy spray then backed her up against the tiled wall.
He was beautiful and sleek and tan, built like a superior athlete and at the moment, he was all hers.
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