by Leanne Banks
“The timing’s interesting. Did the Lafittes have anything to do with your decision?”
“Perhaps,” she said. “You’re all such independent sorts, even Amelie. You made me aware of how trapped I feel.”
“And how do you feel now?” he asked.
“Great,” she said, reluctant to reveal even her tiniest regret.
“And a little scared,” he said.
“I didn’t say that,” she said.
“Your mouth didn’t, but your eyes did,” he said and cupped her chin. “You’re gonna be okay, Pippa. You’re stronger than anyone thinks.”
“What makes you so sure?” she asked.
He gave a dry chuckle. “You’ve already proven yourself ten times over.”
The strength in his gaze both empowered and aroused her. The combination of feelings was strange but undeniable. She leaned toward him and he took her mouth. The room began to spin.
The kiss turned into another and another. Soon enough, he’d removed her blouse and skirt. She pushed away his shirt and jeans, and he was inside her. This time, slowly.
“Okay?” he asked, his restraint vibrating from his body.
“Yes,” she said, drawing him into her.
The rhythm began. She took him and he filled her. More than ever, they had more in common. She was a rebel just like him, and their joining was more powerful with the knowledge of it.
* * *
The next morning, Nic awakened before dawn on the mattress on which they’d collapsed on the floor. Pippa breathed in a deep, even sleep. She’d been exhausted and he could still feel her tiredness against him. But Nic had tasks calling him, even at this time of day. His businesses, his father’s business, his mother’s illness.
He tried to make himself slow down and relax for just a few moments.
“You’re awake,” Pippa whispered and turned her face into his throat.
His heart stuttered. “How did you know?”
“Your whole body is tense. I can almost feel your mind clicking a million kilometers an hour,” she said.
He felt the slightest easing inside him. “I thought you were asleep.”
She gave a soft chuckle that tickled his throat. “Not.”
He tugged her fabulous, curly hair with one hand and slid his hand low between her legs. “As long as you’re awake.”
She gave a soft intake of breath. “Oh, my.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said and began to make love to her.
An hour later, they took a shower together and had to hunt for towels. They dried off with blankets instead which provided even more of a distraction.
Nic dressed in the clothes he’d worn the day before. Pippa stood before him with a damp blanket wrapped around her.
“Will you be okay?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said. “I have a dozen boxes to unpack. My biggest fear of the day is a visit from Bridget or a call from Tina.”
He rubbed her shoulders. “You can handle them.”
“Yes, it just won’t be fun,” she said and made a face.
“Call me if you need me to break any legs,” he said.
She laughed. “Now that would go over well.”
“I’ll check in on you later, but seriously, call me if you need me,” he said.
“I will,” she said. “And I may take a break from unpacking to visit your mother.”
“She would like that,” he said. “She did okay physically after the procedure to drain extra fluid, but I can tell it bothered her to need it.”
She sighed. “I wish I could change this for her.”
“You already have,” he said.
“Have you been able to reach your brothers?” she asked.
“Two down, one to go,” he said. “They said no the first three times I talked to them. I’ve got them up to a maybe.”
“You’re amazing and they’re stupid,” she said.
“It’s complicated with my dad,” he said. “If I hadn’t been successful on my own so young, I may have shared their attitude. The weird thing about that success is that it freed me to forgive him.”
Pippa loved him even more for his ability to express how he’d grown. Not every man could do that. She reached for his hand. “You’re a good man.”
His hand enclosed hers. “Careful. Never forget that I come from pirates.”
Chapter Ten
Nic chewed through another two antacids as he stared at his electronic tablet and tried to figure out when he could break away for a two-day business trip. His mother had seemed more tired than usual lately, sleeping more during the day. He didn’t know what in hell to do. If he left and she passed, he would never forgive himself.
He had thought that spending the day and night with Pippa in Capri would rid him of the increasing edginess he’d felt 24/7. Being with Pippa calmed a part of him, and he’d thought just a little time away with her would give him the break he’d never admit to needing.
He’d known going into this that it would be no picnic, but he would never have predicted the effect the situation would have on his body. He had begun to feel like a caged animal, rarely sleeping longer than three hours at night. The knowledge of his mother’s impending death seemed to squeeze his throat tighter and tighter every day. He was always running out of antacids. He’d been determined to keep his emotions under strict control, but his frustration at his inability to change his mother’s pain and the ugly progress of her disease wore him down.
He heard the sound of his mother singing outside his window and immediately glanced outside. He stared in disbelief at the sight of her as she approached the pool. It was 1:00 a.m.
Alarmed, Nic raced out the door. “Mother, what in hell are you doing?”
Amelie glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, hello, darling. What are you doing up so late?”
Nic felt a sliver of relief. At least she was lucid. He let out a half breath. “Finishing up some work,” he said, moving toward her. Although she was still eating, she looked thinner.
Amelie tilted her head, sympathy creasing her brows. “You’re not sleeping well, are you?” she said more than asked. “Come here and sit with me for a few minutes. I was going to go for a swim, but it can wait,” she said as she sank into a chair.
Nic shook his head, but joined her. “You can’t go swimming. Dr. McCall said you have to wait for five days after the procedure to swim or take a tub bath.”
She frowned. “I could have sworn it’s already been five days.” She waved her hand. “My memory’s not the best lately. The pain meds help the pain, but they make me sleepy. Makes for a difficult choice.” She sighed. “But enough about me. I’m sick of it all being about me. How are you and Pippa?”
“What do you mean me and Pippa?” he asked, rubbing his jaw.
“Well, there’s obviously something between you. It’s a wonder the sparks don’t burn down the cottage. What are you going to do about it?”
“It’s complicated,” he said.
She laughed. “You think I don’t understand complications?”
“She’s very devoted to her family. They hate me. It’s an impossible situation for her. I can’t ask her to give up her family,” he said.
“Pippa is a very strong woman. You’re a strong man. The two of you together, you may be able to achieve something that seems impossible,” she said.
Nic couldn’t see it. He couldn’t see asking such a thing of Pippa after all she’d already done for him and his mother.
“You have no faith,” she said. “You’ll have to find your way. But remember what I said.”
“I will,” he said.
“And I wish you wouldn’t suffer so much about the fact that I’m dying. I’m going to be fine. I’m a bit worried about your fathe
r, but I think if you get him a dog, it will help.”
Nic blinked. “A dog?”
His mother nodded. “He’ll need the blind adoration and companionship. Trust me on this.”
His stomach knotted at the direction of their conversation. “We don’t have to talk about this.”
“Yes, we do,” she said and put her hand over his. “I’m worried about you.”
He clenched his jaw. “You don’t need to worry about me. You raised me to be strong.”
“Yes, but you don’t have superpowers. Deep inside, you think you should be able to save me, and the fact that you can’t is ripping you apart. If I’d known it would be this hard for you, I would have stayed in the States and worked with hospice. This has been too much of a burden on you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “Except for you not to die,” he said, his eyes stinging with emotion.
“Oh, darling, you will always have me with you,” she said. “I promise. And I believe you’ll feel it. It will hurt terribly in the beginning, but I’ll always be with you. You’re doomed. You have my genetic material and that won’t go away.”
He laughed at her words, struggling with a dozen emotions, most of them sad and wrenching. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“You’ve already done it. You’ve given me this wonderful gift of time in Chantaine. Now live your life,” she said. “If you need to take care of business, do it. But don’t forget your heart. Never ever forget to have fun and to have heart. Promise?” she asked.
He took a deep breath. “I promise.”
She looked wistfully at the pool. “Are you sure you won’t let me cheat and take a quick dip?”
“One more day, and you can be a dolphin. But not until.”
“You’re such a tyrant,” Amelie said. “But I’m tired again anyway. Good night, darling. Try to get some rest. You know how cranky you get when you don’t get your beauty sleep.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll try,” he said and helped her to her feet and walked her to the front door. At that moment, he knew what he had to do. She hadn’t asked for it, but there was one more thing his mother wanted and he was damn well going to do it for her.
* * *
The next day, Pippa came to visit. She began pulling off her disguise the second she climbed out of the car. “Hate this,” she muttered. “Completely and totally hate this.”
Even her griping made Nic feel a little lighter. He stepped outside his door and grabbed her from behind. She gave a squeal.
“It’s me,” he assured. “The gray wig brings out my primal urges,” he said.
She laughed breathlessly and turned toward him. “You’re insane.”
“I do my best,” he said. “It’s damn good to see you.” He took her mouth in a long kiss that made him want far more than a kiss.
“I’ve been unpacking,” she said. “I didn’t think I had that much, but I clearly underestimated. Plus, I had nothing in my refrigerator and couldn’t ring the chef for breakfast or dinner.”
“Oooh, tough break, Your Highness. Sure you don’t want to move back into the palace?” he asked. “I know Stefan would take you back.”
She shook her head. “There will be adjustments. That’s expected. Nothing a toaster and microwave won’t cure. Plus I’m told my security detail is retiring at the end of this week. The true beginning of my new life will start then.”
“Yeah, just be careful,” he said. As much as Pippa’s security had been a pain in his backside, the fact that she’d had it had given him a measure of relief.
“Oh dear, you’re sounding just a bit like Stefan,” she said.
“Cut me some slack. I can be protective, too,” he said.
She nodded. “I know. It’s not totally bad when not taken to extremes,” she said. “How are your mother and father?”
“Dad is getting stronger. Mom is getting weaker. It’s going to be tricky keeping my dad occupied,” he said.
She frowned. “Do I need to take him on an outing?”
Nic chuckled at the image of Pippa taking his dad to the knitting store or brunch. “Nah, I’ll just get Goldie to wear him out with some extra workouts.”
She nodded. “And what about you?” she asked and he felt as if she were turning a searchlight on his insides.
“I’m good,” he said with a shrug.
“You lie, but I understand,” she said and squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry this is so hard for you, but you wouldn’t be the man I—” She broke off. “You wouldn’t be the man I admire you if it weren’t hard for you.”
“Yeah, well,” he said and picked her up off her feet.
Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“Just checking your weight. Making sure you’re not wasting away without a chef.”
She laughed. “I’m not suffering that much,” she said.
He pulled her against him and slid her down the front of him. “I’m headed out of town tomorrow. Can you come over tonight?”
She nodded.
He felt a rush of relief. “I’ll send Goldie to pick you up. Wear this and you’ll be fine.”
Pippa groaned. “As soon as my security guy retires, I’m burning the wig.”
“Don’t rush it. You never know when you’ll need it.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Back to the States for business and one personal mission. Let’s go see my mom. She’ll fuss if she knows I kept you from going inside,” he said.
* * *
Pippa saw the weariness stamped on Amelie’s face. Nic’s mother tried to hide it, but it was unmistakable. Still, Amelie seemed happy to see her and Pippa promised to visit with her the following day. Not wanting to tire her further, Pippa gave the woman a hug and left. Nic walked her to the dreadful machine that was her covert car.
“I’ll see you later,” he said, pulling her against him. His strength tugged at her. She didn’t know how he kept everything together. She just longed to help him as much as she could.
“Later,” she promised and kissed him, then drove away.
Hours later, she ate a frozen dinner and tried to play catch-up with her academic work. First, she waited for her security detail to leave for the evening, then she waited for Goldie’s call. Her stomach danced with nerves on her way to see Nic.
The more time she spent with Nic, the more she felt as if she were making a commitment toward him. With the way her family felt about the Lafittes, she just didn’t see how anything between her and Nic could end well. Pippa closed her eyes against the thoughts. She couldn’t think past tonight. There was too much to work out and she knew she couldn’t do it all at once.
But she could be with Nic tonight, hold him and treasure the way she felt when she was with him, the way she felt in his arms.
When Goldie pulled into the driveway, he immediately got out and opened the door for her. “Your Highness,” he said with a dip of his head.
“Thank you, Goldie,” she said. “But I already told you to call me Pippa.”
“Yes, you’re welcome, Your—” The big man broke off and smiled. “Your Pippa,” he said.
She smiled. He was such a gentle giant.
“I’ll take you home whenever you like,” he said. “Enjoy your evening.”
Pippa walked the few steps to the guest suite and lifted her hand to knock on the door, but it opened before she had a chance.
Nic caught her hand and pulled her inside. “What took you so long?”
“I waited for my security detail to go home,” she said.
“Good for you,” he said. “Have you had dinner?”
She nodded. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
“Are you going to tell me what you ate?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He chuckled. “That tells me enough. Goldie put together some appetizers and he baked a pie.”
“A pie?” she echoed. “Is there anything he can’t do?”
“Not much,” he said. “Have a seat. I’ll get you a glass of wine.”
They shared easy conversation while they ate the appetizers. Pippa was almost too full for pie.
“The proper way to eat this apricot pie is with ice cream,” Nic said.
“À la mode,” she said. “But I can’t imagine eating a full slice.”
“Then we can share,” he said and scooped up a bite for her. The gesture was both generous and sensual.
“Delicious again,” she said. “What time do you leave tomorrow?”
“We’re not going to talk about tomorrow, but I’m leaving around 5:00 a.m.”
Pippa gasped. “You should go to bed and I should leave. You need to get your rest.”
“I can sleep on the flight, but I like your idea of going to bed,” he said, his dark gaze wrapping around hers and holding tight.
She took a last sip of her wine and met his challenge. “Then what are you waiting for?”
He immediately took her hand and led her to the bed. He skimmed his hand over her crazy, curly hair. “I didn’t expect to want you this much after the first time we were together,” he said, kissing her. “How can I want you more?”
Her heart hammered in her chest. “I hope I’m not the only one who feels this way,” she whispered. “It’s almost too much.”
“I know,” he said. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
“That’s a relief,” she said and tugged at his shirt.
“Maybe for you. It’s hell for me,” he said, and began to undress her.
They kissed and caressed each other into a frenzy. He made her breathless and she did the same to him. Finally he filled her and they stared into each other’s eyes.
Pippa wasn’t sure if it took seconds or moments later. She only knew she felt taken all the way to her soul.
“I want you,” he muttered. “I need you. I—”
He didn’t finish, but she craved the words, the emotion, everything that he was. Her heart and stomach clenched, and she arched toward him as he thrust deeply inside her.