by Andrea Hurtt
She tried not to laugh.
That’s what he wanted to ask me?
She’d been praying for something better, something to help her understand Nick.
His interest in her friend was there, but he hadn’t really asked anything juicy yet.
Hope put her hand on his shoulder, and they made eye contact. “She’s coming. Don’t worry.”
Blaze stepped away and took his turn. He sank a solid yellow ball.
The game went on just a little longer.
Blaze won, but offered to let Nick play in his stead.
Her would-be beau set up the ball for another round. “Pick a stick,” he called.
Hope stood before the display of pool cues, unsure which to choose. It’d been years since she played pool. She wasn’t very good.
“That one looks perfect,” Nick whispered in her ear.
Hope hadn’t heard him move closer to her. Gooseflesh rippled over her skin when the heat of his breath washed over her. She stepped forward, away from him, and grabbed the first cue in front of her. She didn’t answer him.
“You can break, and choose stripes or solids.”
She stepped up to the table and let out a puff of breath. She tried to eye up the ball but made the mistake of glancing up.
Nick stood across from her, his blue gaze hungry.
One glance down told her he could see right down her pink scoop neck top. Her face seared.
Hope should be pleased, not embarrassed, that he liked what he could see, right?
She chided herself to relax.
Just play pool.
She tried to stand up a little more, at least get her shoulders higher, but that put her at a major disadvantage to getting a line of sight on the ball.
Hope pulled her right arm back, holding the cue. Her left hand grazed the green fabric of the pool table, and her right hand thrust the cue stick forward.
The tip hit hard on the right of the white ball, sending it spinning awkwardly into the nicely arranged balls.
Not one sank into a pocket.
In fact, they barely moved.
Across from her, Blaze chuckled.
Embarrassment kissed her cheeks again, and she looked away.
“Bro, I think she could use a little help. I’ll set them again. Go show her how to do it,” Blaze said.
Nick ran his fingertips across the lip of the table, caressing the wood as he made his way closer to her.
Hope’s heart pumped hard, thundered her ears with the sound of blood rushing through her body. She wanted to reach up to her neck to make sure the pulsing wasn’t visible.
“May I?” he drawled. Nick didn’t wait for a response. He slipped a hand across her lower back, letting her know he was behind her. He moved so close, their bodies pressed together. He gave her a gentle push, and she leaned forward.
Their height difference made it possible for him to lean over her body and still line up the ball perfectly.
His left hand went to hers, showing her a better way to hold for aiming. His right hand slid down the length of her arm, trialing heat as he went.
His breath tickled her ear as he spoke to her in hushed tones. “Imagine there’s a line from the end of the stick to the middle of the ball. Pull back, but not too far. Just enough to give it the force it needs to propel forward. Yeah, just…like…this.”
Together they shot the white cue ball, breaking the others to scatter across the table.
Two solids crashed into the side pockets.
Hope laughed, full of joy as Nick stood back up. She’d sunk two balls. One solid, one striped. She looked over her shoulder at him, a little confused.
“You get to choose. What do you want to be?”
“Solids!” she called.
Chapter 5
“Ready to finish this?” Nick asked as Hope set the drink on the small table next to Blaze.
“I’m really not good at this. Maybe you two should just take over.” She glanced at the dark-haired man. Tried not to laugh, because the lusty look in those dark eyes had locked on her best friend.
“You got this, babe.” Nick brought her attention back to him. “I’ll help you line up again if you need it.”
As much as Hope wouldn't mind having him pressed against her body again, her hormones couldn’t take it.
Or her heart.
Focus on the game, girl. Not him.
She tried her best, keeping her eyes strictly on the green felt in front of her.
Nick took pity on her, yet he still won the game.
She was more than happy to pass her cue stick on to someone else.
He racked the balls to prepare for another game, and Blaze disappeared to the bar.
“Hey, Gracie,” Nick said. “You’re up next.”
“Um, okay. So, who am I playing?”
“Well, I beat Hope, so I guess you’re playing me.”
Hope flashed a devilish grin. Once again, she carried a secret.
“I’m warning you, Nick. I suck,” Grace admitted. Her cheeks were flushed red from the alcohol.
It gave Hope, well… some hope for her best friend’s future. Her bestie needed to let loose and find some joy in life outside of the theater.
Blaze came back to the pool table with a bright blue drink in his hand and offered it to Grace.
“What's this?” she asked.
“It’s a BJ in the Morning.” He winked.
Hope was envious again.
Blaze clearly had feelings for Grace. The look in his eyes said it was more than a one-night stand.
She glanced at Nick.
What are his intentions?
“Grace, you have to break to determine if you’re solids or stripes,” Nick said, bringing Hope back to the game at hand.
Her bestie purposely messed up when scattering the balls. Grace obviously wanted the guys to think she didn't know how to play pool very well.
“I can help you, if you’d like,” Blaze offered.
Hope tried not to laugh when, a moment later, Grace was in the same position she’d been in with Nick just a short time before.
Little did they know Grace was an expert. Her father had taught her from a young age how to play.
On more than one occasion, they’d come home from the bar with more money than they’d started with because men would bet they could beat her.
When it was her friend’s turn, and she was playing a different kind of game with Blaze, Nick came to stand by Hope again.
The liquid courage helped. She put her hands on his shoulders and guided him, so he stood in between her knees. Her chin fit perfectly on his shoulder.
He reached behind to grab at her hands. He put them on his chest, letting her know he wanted more, too. Every time it was Grace’s turn, Nick returned to Hope and her touch.
It was fun to watch her would-be man get cocky, like he had the win in the bag.
Then Grace played her way and soon, Nick was getting his ass kicked.
He sighed in defeat. He’d lost this round, but it was looking like Blaze was going to win overall. “Hey! I thought you said you suck.”
Grace laughed, and the alcohol spoke for her. She glanced at Blaze. “I do suck. I suck good.”
His face flushed crimson.
Hope burst out laughing, proud of her friend for relaxing, even if it was a little much.
There were a couple guys waiting for them to finish their round so they could have a turn at the table, so Nick suggested they hit the dance floor.
“Oh, I don’t know…” Hope said.
“I won’t take no for an answer. I need your body.”
She snapped her head up, and collided with the heat in his eyes.
Nick continued to move toward the floor, her hand buried in his.
On the dance floor, everything and everyone disappeared.
Nick pulled her against his chest. Although they had quite a height difference, they fit together like two puzzle pieces.
Hope laced her finger
s through his hair, and in return, he ran his fingertips along the underside of her arms, which was now exposed.
She’d never really been ticklish, but it was sending sparks throughout her body.
His hand continued down her body to find the edge of her belt, and his thumb caught in the edge, holding her even closer to him.
She could feel the heat of his body, and the way he was reacting to her pressed against him.
The evidence was exciting and terrifying.
Hope had never had a one-night stand.
Could she say yes?
Could she say no?
What did she want?
It brought her out of her Nick bubble when she spotted Grace leaving with Blaze. In a hurry.
She hoped things would go well.
“Elvis has left the building,” she whispered.
Nick nuzzled her neck, “Elvis?”
“Yeah,” she said breathlessly, the heat of his breath getting the best of her. “Her name, Grace Lynn, sounds like Graceland… so, Elvis.”
Had her words made any sense? She felt garbled and faraway. Out of her own skin.
Nick laughed. “I’ll have to tell Blaze about that one.”
The song had ended, and a new mix was beginning.
His body tensed suddenly.
Did I do something wrong?
Hope stepped away and faced him, her stomach clenched.
Nick leaned in close to her ear. “We may have to leave...soon.”
“What’s wrong?” She had a slight flutter of hope because he’d said ‘we’.
“Um,” he bit his lower lip. “This is me.”
“What’s you?” she asked, frowning.
“This song. It’s me singing. It’s called, Aflame.”
“Then let's dance,” Hope said. She continued to face him, and they seduced each other on the dance floor.
Nick visibly relaxed, and he sang along.
He was some huge popstar, boybander. Razor’s Edge.
Did it change how she felt about him?
No. Not at all.
Their dancing was more like making love with their clothes still on.
Hope was so hot by the time the song was over, she had to take a break. “Do you mind if we step outside and get some air?”
He didn’t answer; Nick just took her hand and led her out.
She’d expected him to go to the patio. The door leading out was just before the pool tables, but he slipped them out the front door. “Let’s get outta here.”
It was already after one a.m., and Hope found herself back in her room, with Nick trailing right behind.
There’d been no intention of bringing him up, yet there they were.
“I, um…”
What should she say?
“Well, look at it this way; the room I share with Blaze is most likely occupied.”
“If you are such a big star, couldn’t you afford your own room?” she teased.
“There was only one room left at our favorite hotel, so we shared. That way we could just go to the events without having to worry about meeting up and getting mobbed alone. It’s always better to get recognized in a small group rather than when solo.”
That made sense.
Now, Hope was in a situation she hadn’t planned for.
Her hands shook when she put the keycard against the locking pad. She pushed the door open and flipped on the light.
She remembered her brief chastising of herself from earlier in the day; she’d forgotten to put the “Privacy” card on the door. They’d serviced the room, including making the bed, and placed fresh towels in the bathroom.
Nick reached around her, holding the door so she could enter.
The heavy panel slammed back with a finalizing click.
He walked around the room and stuck his head in the bathroom. “Wow, that tub looks comfortable.”
Although there were no jets in it, Hope had to admit the oversized oval-shaped tub looked inviting. She’d always preferred baths to showers. “Would you like a bath?”
He nodded.
She started the water before stepping out of the room. Nerves skittered below the surface of her skin, despite the alcohol. Hope kicked off her heels right away, hoping it would ease her tension.
His breath on her neck caught her off guard. She hadn’t heard him step up behind her.
“Can I unzip that for you?” Nick asked, his voice a low, sexy rumble.
“I’m joining you?”
“Of, course,” he whispered into her ear while pushing her hair over her left shoulder, exposing her bare neck and shoulder. He unhooked the top clasp and unzipped her blouse.
She covered her breasts when her top fell to the floor. She wasn’t wearing a bra.
His hands slid around her, caressing her soft flesh.
She tilted her head back, as her body pressed against him, as if of its own accord.
He kissed her shoulder, then her neck.
Her heart raced. She whirled to face him.
This was it.
No going back.
If it was going to be a one-night stand, she’d enjoy every minute.
Mettle she’d never had before urged her on.
Hope urged his T-shirt up over his head.
She gasped when his hands came down to find her waist, then slid to the front to unbutton her jeans before he peeled them down her legs.
She held back a groan of pleasure as Nick kissed the tops of her thighs while he moved the fabric, lower and lower. She stepped out of her pants.
He held her close, their tongues danced as she undid his pants, freeing his erection.
She slid her hands over his tight butt and down his legs, urging him out of his pants. Hope stood and turned off the water. She quickly got out of her thong, and held a hand out to him, inviting him to join her.
Her bravery was puzzling, but she was clinging to it, letting it lead her.
This wasn’t her. She wasn’t a sexpot, but he made her feel like she was.
Hope ran her fingertips up his muscular chest, around his neck, into his hair.
He slid his hands over her butt, lifting her off the ground.
Her legs instinctively wrapped around him as she kissed him.
Nick stepped into the tub, and she wasn’t worried he would drop her.
The water was warm as they sank in deep. Hope readjusted her legs so her knees folded beneath her. She leaned in, kissing him again, and placing her hands on the tub wall behind him.
His touch traced her thighs to her hips. He groaned when she ground against him.
Her lips moved to his neck. The slow undulation of her hips felt good to her, even though she was teasing him. Tingles shot down Hope’s spine, and she told herself to stay relaxed, go with the flow. She’d been doing so well.
Nick’s hands roamed her back when she moved her mouth to his ear.
She sucked first on his earlobe, then ran her tongue around the outside groove.
His body hardened even more beneath, making her ache to have him inside her, ached for him to take control.
Hope slid her fingers between. She gently adjusted him to the right position.
Passion consumed her as she thrust herself down on him.
His hands tightened on her waist as she moved.
She rose to her knees, moving in a delicious rhythm over him. Her body was built for this, her hips rocking back and forth as she slid up and down him.
She had full control as her orgasm built. Hope moved faster.
Nick tried to help, lifting himself to her as she came down harder and faster.
She cried out, throwing her head back as she came. She didn't stop, but leaned into him, rubbing her breasts against his chest.
Hope rode Nick until his body exploded inside her.
He clutched her tight as his body shook with ferocity.
She relaxed against his chest.
Nick caressed up and down her back. “Wow, I’ve never done it in water.” He la
ughed softly.
“I’m glad I got to be your first,” Hope whispered, her head still on his chest.
Hope stood in the bathroom, the door closed while she brushed her teeth. Her head was all over the place.
If someone had asked her a week before what she thought her future held, this would not have been it.
Not that she wasn’t happy; she was beyond blissful.
It’d happened so quickly.
Hope had finally reconnected with her old friend. It was a relationship they’d both cherished but had neglected.
She had so much to look forward to with Grace’s friendship. She’d never again let them drift as far apart as they had become.
Now… she had something new and unbelievably exciting happening.
In the other room, a few feet away, fast asleep, was a possible future.
With Nick’s lifestyle, Hope would be lucky to be just a one-night stand.
That wasn’t what she wanted.
To have a man like him desire her was mind blowing. Not to mention, Nick had instigated.
He’d been so kind, so genuine while Grace was busy with her show.
Nick had had a friend to spend time with, so he wasn’t showing interest in Hope out of boredom. He’d been there to see his brother perform, not to find some girl to hook up with.
Could they really be more?
Chapter 6
Hope stretched all her muscles, loving the delicious soreness.
Nick had taken his time with her, making sure her needs were seen to first.
She’d never had a guy do that before.
The man beside her, still asleep, rolled over to face her, looking far too innocent for the truth. Strands of his dark blonde hair had fallen forward on his cheek, which was pink from heated sleep.
His dark lashes would make any woman jealous. His breathing was even and slow.
As soon as she moved to climb out of bed, Nick seemed wide awake.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, his voice gravelly.
Hope’s cheeks flushed with heat. “Morning.”
“Where’re you going?”
“Um, just the bathroom.”
“Wanna leave your clothes in there while you’re at it?”
Her stomach flipped.
He wants to see me naked? In the daylight?