by Joanna Blake
"There's still time.”
Chapter 33
Nick
Nick waited patiently while Sabrina showered and changed in the bathroom. He had almost hoped she might ask him to join her but no such luck.
At least she was going along with his scheme. There was hope. If he could show her the London he knew, maybe she’d soften up a bit.
He ordered up two coffees to go. He'd remembered how she liked it; black, with half a packet of raw sugar. That was a first for him. He'd had trouble remember his ex-wives birthdays, let alone their likes and dislikes.
Everything about this was a first if he was honest with himself.
He had a grand day planned for them. They'd start with breakfast at E Pellicci in East End. Then they'd go to the park and Camden Market, all the places he would hang around in his youth, causing trouble. Then he was taking her home.
By Tube.
All incognito.
He wondered what she would think of it all.
She came out of the shower looking fresh as a daisy. She had on tight worn in jeans and a oversized black t-shirt. She pulled on a black motorcycle jacket.
He handed her the coffee and she smiled gratefully.
"Thanks."
"Come on then, love."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm showing you London. My London."
He pulled her out into the hallway and waited while she checked that her door was locked three times. He rolled his eyes and cracked a smile. She was so adorably persnickety.
She stopped when they passed the elevator banks. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall to the service exit. When you were mega-famous, sneaking out through the staff exit was the only way to go unnoticed.
"We're not taking that elevator. We're taking this one."
He pushed open a door at the end of the hallway revealing the less than pristine service elevator. Inside was one of the doormen waiting in full livery. He held out a shopping bag.
“Good morning.”
Nick returned the greeting, ushering Sabrina inside. He opened the shopping bag and smiled. He handed her a plain khaki baseball hat and a pair of cheap sunglasses. She stared at the items in her hands.
"What's this, Nick?"
"Your disguise."
He grinned and pulled out a checkerboard cap and red sunglasses. He gave the doorman a look.
"Is this the best you could do?"
The doorman shrugged and hid a smile. Sabrina was laughing at him as he pulled on the cap and glasses. She reached out and touched his head.
"Wait- you still have your tags."
He grinned at her goofily as she pulled the tags off and stuffed them into her jacket pocket. That was nice. She was nurturing by nature. The sort who would make a good mum.
The random thought of her holding a baby suddenly overwhelmed him. Not any baby though. His baby.
His voice was soft when he thanked her.
"Thanks, love."
He handed the doorman a couple hundred pounds as they left. The man smiled broadly and whispered to Sabrina as they hustled out of the elevator.
"Date Nick!"
Chapter 34
Sabrina
Sabrina watched as Nick joked around with the owners of the cafe he'd taken her to. It was incredible. It had been there since 1900 apparently, and in the same family the whole time.
They had warmly embraced him, coming out from behind the counter one by one. They even remembered Nick from the old days. Back when he'd been a half-starved teenager with long hair, razored off on one side.
He told her he hadn't often been able to afford eating out, but when he did he came here. She couldn't help but laugh, imagining a skinny, scruffy, bad to the bone little Nick Falcon coming into this place and getting a scone.
Something new she learned about Nick: he loved scones.
She watched fascinated as he demonstrated the proper way to eat one. His eyes closed in ecstasy as he dipped it in his tea and nibbled daintily on the tip. She would have laughed but she was feeling something else entirely at that moment.
Desire.
She swallowed her tea too quickly, burning her mouth a little. Nick had surprisingly soft lips. She'd been imagining him touching her. Nibbling on her.
Oh God. She was in trouble. She couldn't just run away this time either. Worse yet, she didn't want to. Even though she knew he was going to end up hurting her in the end. It was inevitable.
So was her losing her heart to him.
He was gorgeous, sweet, talented and dangerous in a wildly sexy way. She was completely ordinary. Bland even. She didn’t stand a chance.
He was grinning at her while he finished up the rest of his scone. She put on a brave face and smiled at him.
"Where to next?"
"My old stomping grounds."
"Where's that?"
"Where else? Camden Town."
Chapter 35
Nick
Come on, don’t bolt… nearly there.
Nick wrapped his hand around Sabrina’s, knowing the crowds were making her skittish. She glanced at him and he squeezed her palm. He heaved a huge sigh of relief when she didn't pull away.
He told himself it was only because he didn't want to lose her in the crowd. But it was more than that. He wanted to touch her so badly that holding her hand was making fireworks go off in his head.
They were walking through the stalls at Camden Market. Nobody recognized them at all. It was bliss.
So far, they are having a bloody perfect day.
They'd already perused a few record stalls and bought several of the albums that had influenced Nick, plus a few lesser known artists that Sabrina wanted him to try.
They both shared a love of music which surprised him. She knew her stuff and had a keen ear. Sabrina had seemed all business to him, but there was a reason she chose the music industry.
Other than the added bonus of dating dashing rock stars, of course.
He grinned to himself.
She said something about loving the escape of listening to records up in her attic growing up. Her parents had refused to buy her a stereo. They'd needed the money for other, more important things. But they'd had the old 1960's record player left behind by the previous tenants. They'd left a lot of records behind too. She'd go up the rickety stairs and get lost in the music.
He smiled at the image of uptight little Sabrina Newton laying on her bed listening to Joni Mitchell or The Mamas & the Papas.
"What was your favorite?"
She grinned at him.
"Creedence."
A loud laugh had exploded from his chest, causing other people to turn and stare. They'd had to quickly put their heads down and get lost in the crowd to avoid detection.
It was only later, while he watched her pick out an old vintage concert t-shirt that he realized she hadn't said what she needed to escape from.
He'd been clinging to her hand all day like a little boy with a kite he was afraid to let go of. Or a balloon. Something felt fragile about what was happening. He didn’t want to risk breaking the spell. He finally had to release her small hand to pay for a cone of fries for them to share.
Her eyes widened as he poured vinegar straight onto the fried potato crisps. Gingerly she had picked one up with her fingertips and crunched the very end of it. Her eyes had widened as the tangy flavor exploded in her mouth.
She took another tiny bite. And then another. It took her a half an hour to eat a handful of crisps.
But he wasn't annoyed. He was enamored.
Nick stopped short when it hit him. She was imperfect. Bossy, overly self-sufficient, fussy, bloody adorable. And his.
She had to be.
He was falling in love with her. Hell, he'd already fallen.
He was lost without her.
That’s when he knew.
He’d do anything to keep her close.
He was even pulling out the big guns.
He was taking her to
meet his mum.
Chapter 36
Sabrina
Sabrina looked nervously around the shoddy neighborhood. It looked like the outer parts of Brooklyn where she'd been sent on one of her earliest scouting trips. But she'd had a driver to take her when she visited New York. They dropped her off and waited for her outside after shows.
Now it was just the two of them out on the streets after a long Tube ride. And the light was starting to fade.
"Where are we, Nick?"
"The East End. Getting tired?"
"A little. Can we find someplace to sit for a little while?"
"Just a little bit further, love."
Sabrina had stopped correcting him when he called her that. Mostly because it was fruitless, but also because she was starting to like it. Too much.
Don’t get used to it, Brina. Hold onto your heart.
Finally, he stopped in front of an ordinary looking row house. Well, not exactly. She glanced around. This spot was fixed up more than the others they'd passed. Actually, the whole block was fixed up. Spiffy. New windows and doors and the brick work all repaired. Flowers and trees planted out front of each.
"Where are we, Nick?”
He turned to her and kissed her hand. It was incredible the way the man could give her butterflies with the lightest touch.
"Home."
Just then the door opened and a funny looking woman came to the door. She was dressed as a maid would be in the finest establishment. But her hair was pink.
"Mrs. Falcon! Come quick, it's Nick!"
Sabrina turned to Nick in astonishment.
"Wait, your real name is Falcon?"
“You thought I’d made it up?”
“I thought it was a stage name!”
“No, dear. It’s not.”
He shrugged sheepishly. Then another odd looking woman came to the door. This one was dressed like an ordinary housewife. Except for the sparkle.
Sabrina squinted, realizing the woman was covered in diamonds.
The woman was swimming in them. Her ears, neck, wrists, fingers. Sabrina glanced down, half expecting to see diamonds on her feet.
No gems, but she was wearing Chanel ballet flats.
"Nicky! My boy!"
He grinned at her and threw his arms open.
"Mum!"
She was squeezing him with all her might as he bussed her cheeks with kisses.
"You are not eating enough!"
"Mum, I want you to meet someone."
She perked up at that, finally noticing Sabrina.
"A young lady now? What's this?"
"Mum, I'd like you to meet Sabrina Newton."
Sabrina was quickly enfolded in a warm hug. Mrs. Falcon smelled like sugar cookies. No, not cookies. She smelled like scones.
Definitely Nick’s mom.
"Well, it is very nice to meet you. What a lovely girl. Come in, come in. You are just in time for tea."
"That's what I was hoping for."
Nick winked at Sabrina as he ushered her into the modest little row house. She was still absorbing the fact that he'd taken her home to meet his mother. A warm feeling was in her chest, spreading outward in all directions.
But once inside, all she could do was stare around her in wonder. It wasn't a simple row house at all. It was three or four row houses all remodeled to be one giant, opulent, over-the-top city mansion.
"Make yourself at home now. I've got to call the girls! Jasmine, get the tea ready- we have guests!"
The little maid bopped her bright fuchsia head and scurried off on Mrs. Falcon's heels. Sabrina felt like she was in an old movie all the sudden.
A comedy. No- a farce.
"I don't understand- what is this place?"
Nick guided her to a soft chair in what could only be called a 'front parlor'. It was so opulent that it was almost too much. Just a little bit tacky… The sort of thing that a woman with a sudden influx of money might do.
"She refused to move out of the neighborhood or away from all her friends. So I bought the block."
"You what?"
"This was a couple of houses before we combined them. The next few houses are Sadie's. On the other side is Gertrude. Around the corner are my aunts on both sides. And my mum's hairdresser. She needed a house too."
"You bought houses for all your mom's friends?"
He shrugged sheepishly.
"She deserved it. She did everything for me coming up.”
Sabrina's heart did a crazy little flip-flop. Who would have thought it? Nick Falcon was a mama's boy.
"He means that I put up with him, dear girl. I started going gray when he was ten! Not that you'd know."
Mrs. Falcon patted her well-coiffed head as she sailed back into the living room with her maid at her heels. Nick beamed as the maid set down a teakettle and a heaping tray of tiny sandwiches.
"Don't forget the scones please, Jasmine!"
Mrs. Falcon started serving tea. Nick bussed her cheek.
"Be right back, mum. Have to use the loo."
She leaned in conspiratorially as soon as he was gone.
"He'll be stuffing his face back there, just watch. Now my dear, how do you take your tea?"
"Lemon and just a half spoon of sugar."
Mrs. Falcon handed her a cup of tea and made one for herself. Then she leaned back and leveled a piercing stare at Sabrina.
"So what's your story, young miss? Are you after my Nicky for his money?"
Sabrina choked on her tea.
"No- I'm- I'm not after anything."
Mrs. Falcon narrowed her eyes and stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. Then she nodded.
"Right. I can see that you're not. I read the papers too, love. Just had to be sure."
Sabrina had no clue what to say to that. She took another sip of her tea. It was delicious.
"Try one of the sandwiches dear. Go on."
Her mouth was full of cucumber and salmon on toast when Mrs. Falcon dropped the bomb.
“This is a big day. He's never brought a girl home before. Not even any of his wives."
Sabrina nearly choked. She tried to chew and swallow as quickly as she could. She gulped some tea, even though it was still piping hot.
"Really?"
Mrs. Falcon nodded sagely.
"Oh, I went to one of the weddings. The one that wasn't in Vegas. But that was the only time I met the gel. It was over before the year was up anyway. He's always been like that. Women throw themselves at him you see. And he's always been obliging."
"Yes, I've noticed that."
"But you're different. He likes you. You aren't just a pretty face."
"I- thank you?"
Mrs. Falcon was peppering her with questions about her life and growing up when the doorbell rang. Sabrina nearly collapsed with relief when Nick's mother suddenly changed focus and clapped her hands together with glee.
"Oooh! They're here!"
Nick dashed by in the hallway, tell-tale crumbs on his face. His mother was right, he'd been sneaking scones.
"I'll get it!"
The sound of the door opening was shortly followed by the high-pitched squeals of several women.
For the next hour Sabrina was surrounded by all of Nick's aunts, cousins, and his mother’s best friends. Even the hairdresser showed up. The whole block was a Falcon compound. It was incredible.
It was a disaster.
With every moment, she was getting pulled deeper into his world. She could feel all the cracks in her heart being filled up with the sense of belonging, of being wanted.
Filling up with love.
Sabrina tried to enjoy it. She did her best. But she knew better than anyone how quickly things could change. How what you thought was safe, was yours to treasure, would inevitably be snatched away.
Life had taught her that time and time again, starting with the day her mother had left. No, not left. She’d died.
Leaving Sabrina with nothing.
Chapter 37
Nick
"Isn't this cheating?"
Nick waved to his mum and friends as he helped Sabrina into the waiting limo. She stifled a yawn as he sat as close to her as possible. He'd been longing to kiss her all day. Now was his chance.
"I think we've earned a little luxury, don't you love?"
She nodded sleepily and nestled against him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Nick froze and then forced himself to relax. He lifted one arm up and held her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It felt natural. He relished the feel of her snuggling so trustingly in his arms.
She had finally softened towards him.
He'd won.
Tonight he would take her. He’d be gentle, tender at first. But the second time, all bets were off. He'd be fierce, passionate, firm.
They would make love all night, that way she could sleep on the bus to Paris. Nick was stroking her hair as he leisurely contemplated all the things they would do once they got back to the hotel.
Filthy, naughty things.
But with her, they wouldn't feel dirty. He could tell. They'd just feel bloody right.
A tiny snuffling sound caught his attention. It sounded like… He turned his head to see if he was right.
Bloody hell.
Sabrina was sleeping like a babe in his arms. That adorable little sound had been a snore. He almost laughed. She was so cute, falling asleep when he had so many dirty things he wanted to do to her.
He leaned back against the seat and shook his head. They'd be back at the hotel soon. As much as he wanted to wake her up, he knew he wouldn't.
Damn, he'd forgotten to change their mode of transport! Gingerly he pulled his phone from his pocket and texted Marley.
Let's take the Chunnel tomorrow instead of flying. See if we can get a bus for the rest of the tour. Thanks, Mate.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket and kissed her sleeping head.