“Me, too.” Katrina turned toward the door.
Frankie held up her hands. “No, not yet. Please stay, both of you.”
“I’m exhausted, Frankie. I’ve had another busy day.” Katrina took the pie from the counter. “Thank you for the pie and for the fun tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Nick followed Katrina to the door.
“Wait, Nick!” Frankie tugged his sleeve. “Could you help Katrina to her car?” She passed him a container of biscuits and a smaller container of cream balancing on top.
“I can handle them.” Katrina reached for the containers.
Nick did, too. Their fingertips collided. An electric charge raced through his hand.
Eyes wide, Katrina quickly withdrew her hand.
“Don’t be silly, Katrina. I’m sure Nick doesn’t mind.” Frankie winked.
“Um…no, of course not.” Nick accompanied Katrina to her car and opened the passenger door.
“Thank you.” She took the containers from him and placed them on the seat next to the pie.
“No problem.” He closed the car door and walked to the other side.
She unlocked her door and climbed inside, shoving her key in the ignition. “Have a good night.” She waved, pulled out of the driveway, and drove away without a side-glance in the rear view mirror.
Nick kicked his truck’s tire. What was wrong with him? Instead of acting cold and aloof, he could have made small talk. As much as he wanted to avoid Katrina for his own sanity, he couldn’t afford to lose this job. He had to apologize and make things right between them—a risk that may cost him more than just this renovation.
****
Katrina didn’t know what upset her more. Frankie’s devious matchmaking ploy or her own frosty attitude toward Nick. Good job, Katrina. Would it have hurt to make small talk with the man? She had rehearsed all the things she wished she had said, but didn’t. I’m sorry we argued again today. Why do we keep butting heads? I wish we could get along and be friends. And even, I think I like you, Nick.
Ten minutes later, she pulled up to the cabin, shifted the gear shift into Park, turned off the ignition, and then rested her forehead against the steering wheel. Why did Nick have to be so difficult? She didn’t want a relationship. She just wanted to get along.
Katrina closed her eyes as visions of Nick raced through her mind. He stood in the doorway of the cabin, bare chested and wearing blue jeans—waiting. Her gaze devoured his sculpted frame, and her fingertips tingled with the longing to caress his six-pack abs.
A sudden rap on the driver-side window made her jump, her scream deafening her ears.
“I’m so sorry.” Nick stepped back from her car door, holding up his hands in a surrender pose. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She got out of the car, slamming the door behind her.
“I’m sorry. I got nervous seeing you leaning on the wheel. I thought something was wrong.”
She opened her mouth to yell again, and then closed her lips firmly together. Okay, she could see why he might have thought that. Katrina had been so absorbed in her fantasized thoughts, she hadn’t heard his truck pull up by the house. “What are you doing here?” To calm her pulse, she inhaled a deep breath.
“I…um…I wanted to talk.”
“About?” She frowned, anticipating his answer.
“I wanted to apologize about tonight, today, yesterday, and the day before.”
Katrina walked to the other side of the car to retrieve the pie, passing the containers to Nick. He followed her into the cabin. She flicked on the kitchen light, tossed her purse on the sofa, and then put the pie in the fridge.
Nick placed the containers on the counter.
“Apology accepted, but I think we’ve been down this road before.” With the flick of a finger, she flipped off her shoes. She glanced at Nick, leaning against the counter. “I think we should cancel our contract.” The words left her mouth before she could stop them.
An awkward silence filled the cabin. Turning from his stunned expression, she went outside to sit on the steps. The moon’s brilliant glow rippled across the lake.
Nick joined her, sitting on the step below, and faced her. “You’re firing me?” His brow lifted.
“You didn’t want this renovation in the first place.” Guilt tore at her insides. Nick wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t interfered in his personal business. “I’ll pay you extra for the time and expense you’ve already put into the project.”
“Is this because of this morning?”
“Yes and no. Just us. You and me.” Katrina bent her head, rubbing her fingers against her temples. “I shouldn’t have threatened your company, belittled your position, or embarrassed you in front of your crew.” She sighed.” I apologize and you apologize, but we never move forward.”
“I don’t want out of our contract. I agreed to do the renovation, and I’ll complete the job.”
“If you need money, don’t worry. I’ll help you out.”
“No!” Nick slammed a foot on the step.
His abrupt response made Katrina jump.
He ran a hand across his chin. “I’m sorry.”
“Look, Nick, this is exhausting.” She shook her head. “I’m tired of fighting. Just tell me what you want.”
He glanced down, kicking a twig stuck in the grass. “I started the fight from the day you called. The truth is, my mood has been pretty lousy the past few months, and I’ve been taking out my problems on you.”
The seriousness in his brown eyes melted the shield around her.
“I don’t mean to be such a jerk.”
She laughed. “You’re pretty good at acting that way.”
“How about we start over?” Nick smiled. “Agree to a truce. No more arguing, no more fighting.” He extended his hand and quirked a brow.
She accepted his peace offering, enjoying the warmth of his strong fingers wrapped around hers. She didn’t want to let go. The top-to-bottom tingling sensation running though her body was new and exciting. She swallowed hard, her heart pounded in her chest. Katrina tugged her hand from his and then gazed up at the night sky. The darkened vastness was littered in dots of twinkling lights, and the quarter moon’s ends were pointed with tips of a well-sharpened spear.
“Beautiful, just beautiful,” Nick said.
When she turned, she caught his brown-eyed gaze staring at her instead of the sky.
Katrina’s cheeks blushed with heat. She dipped her head forward, hoping her loose hair would act as a disguise, but knew he had probably seen the betraying flush staining her cheeks.
Chapter Six
Nick reached for Katrina’s hand and tugged her off the steps. “Come.” He led her into the main house and to the center of the living room. “Close your eyes.” When he saw her eyebrows rise, he chuckled. “Trust me.”
She sighed and closed her eyes.
He stepped behind her and placed both hands on her shoulders. Nick bent to whisper in her ear, the tropical scent of coconut tantalized his nostrils. “Slowly open your eyes and tell me what you see.”
She turned her head left and right. “Is this a joke?”
Her shoulders tensed under his fingertips. “No joke. Humor me. Close your eyes again and then tell me what you see when you open them.”
Katrina closed her eyes and then opened them. “Still an empty room.” She shrugged.
His grip held her in place. “Want to know what I see?” Nick leaned close, his lips just a breath’s distance from her neck.
“Okay.” Her voice trembled.
“I see a big sofa over there.” He pointed to an empty wall. “And two recliners, with an end table between them, by a bay window swathed in sheer drapes.” He turned her slightly, the old floorboards creaked under their feet. “A mantel holding family pictures.” He stretched his arms around her, forming a square with his hands. “Under the mantel is a stone fireplace with a mesmerizing burning flame.
Covering the maple hardwood floor in front of the fireplace is a plush carpet, so soft and inviting you can’t resist lying by the fire.”
Her eyes closed. She relaxed her stance and swayed backward.
Nick inhaled a breath. Heaven, pure heaven. He wanted to rest her against his chest and nuzzle her head under his chin. To wrap her in his arms forever would be heaven, but Katrina wasn’t here forever. She was returning to Paris after the renovation.
Katrina jumped from him, folding her arms across her chest. “That’s quite an imagination you have. I guess that’s why you’re the best.”
“Having imagination and vision helps me do my job, but anyone can see beyond a rough surface if they try.” He glanced anywhere other than her big browns. “We’ve been visualizing each other like an empty room. We’re seeing what’s on the outside, not what’s inside.” Confusion muddled his thoughts. Nick ran a hand through his hair. How did he go from talking about the room, to their relationship?
“I’m not sure what your point is.” Katrina frowned.
“You’re twenty-eight, a highly intellectual and successful businesswoman, and insanely independent.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“But you hold such confidence you tend to come across a bit superior and overwhelming.”
Her smile faded.
He should have stuck with compliments to win her over, but he wanted to know more. What drove this gorgeous woman? “You’re hiding behind a façade.”
“Where do you come up with this nonsense?” Katrina’s hands tightened into balled fists at her sides. “Don’t analyze me because you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m being honest.” He stretched his arms wide, enjoying her feisty attitude. “Your turn. Tell me what you see.”
Katrina pursed her lips. “You’re thirty-two.”
Nick raised a brow. Her attorney or grandmother must have informed Katrina on his background, but just how much did she know?
“You’re a good contractor, but you take your frustration out on innocent people.” She smiled, placing a hand on her hip. “You walk around like you don’t have a care in the world, while your business crumbles. You’re smug, moody—”
“Gee, don’t hold back.” Nick chuckled, stopping her slaughter.
“You asked.”
Her eyes sparkled in satisfaction. “Now that we have our face-value opinions of each other out of the way, I think we’re okay.” He tore his gaze from hers before submerging under her spell. “When was the last time you had let-your-hair-down fun?”
“Frankie and I had a great time this evening.”
“I meant on a real date.”
“I…um…why?”
Nick opened his mouth and then closed. Stop! I’m making a big mistake! “I think we should go out sometime. Maybe dinner and a drink?” He knew asking Katrina on a date was wrong, but his pulse escalated at the thought.
She flicked her gaze to the ceiling and then to the floor. “That would be nice.”
Did he really ask her out and did she just accept?
Nick offered to walk her to the cabin. Walking at her side across the lawn, he brushed his arm against hers. Heat fevered at the base of his neck. He leaned against the doorframe, while she unlocked the cabin door.
Katrina pointed inside. “Would you like to come in and continue our truce over a piece of Frankie’s pie?”
“As inviting as that sounds, I must take a rain-check.” He regretted declining, but didn’t want to push his luck. “I have a lot of paperwork to do before I close my eyes tonight.”
“Of course.” Katrina stepped inside the cabin and turned to close the door. “See you later.”
Disappointment clouded her eyes. Nick lifted her chin with a finger and stared into her beautiful eyes. “Most definitely.” His gaze shifted to her lips. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her—to taste the sweetness of those pink lips. Pure pleasure, he was sure.
The opportunity couldn’t be better. The ambiance and timing were both on his side. Don’t kiss her. Don’t push your luck. His thoughts scrambled for clarity. He stepped back and rushed to his truck, sprinting like a young boy who had been caught by her father standing at the window.
****
Katrina wasn’t accustomed to idle afternoons. Each morning, she’d go jogging and then back to the cabin to shower before checking in on Dean and the crew. She’d supply them with their morning caffeine fix and then head to the cabin to work. She had purchased a desk and placed it in the corner of the small living room. One of the armchairs was lost to the bedroom, but now she had an area to work.
Once her phone calls to Glen, the senior board members, and her management staff were complete, Katrina would flip open her laptop and check her emails, faxes, and then sort through any paperwork needing her attention.
By mid-afternoon, her workday was complete, giving her thoughts the rest of the day to wander. Nick robbed her concentration since their truce.
Did he really ask me on a date? Katrina wondered if she conjured the conversation in her head. Had her dreams also conjured the notion of Nick kissing her? Butterflies flipped in her belly like a giddy teenager. Her palms were sweaty and her chin tingled at the memory of Nick’s touch.
She could no longer deny her attraction to Nick and the pleasure of being around him, which created a problem. Katrina couldn’t allow her logical-self to be influenced by enticing good looks and a smoking-hot body. She didn’t have the time—or the heart.
Frankie had been Katrina’s savior, dropping by for visits in the afternoon. Sometimes, she would arrive alone or she’d bring the kids. Her friend brought picnic baskets filled with enough food to feed them and extra treats for the crew. The lake was now warm enough for the kids to get their feet wet, so they’d spend the afternoon hanging out by the water.
Today, Frankie arrived alone. She stopped briefly at the main house to give something to the guys.
Judging by the grins on their faces, Katrina assumed the box contained Frankie’s delicious fudge brownies.
Frankie set the kitchen table with paper plates and plastic utensils.
Katrina lifted the lid and peeked inside the basket. Chicken wraps were over-stuffed with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and Frankie’s secret salad dressing. As much as Katrina wanted to sink her teeth into one of the wraps, she spotted dessert, and the pineapple squares tucked under the fruit punch juice packs had her mouth watering.
“I truly believe you’re sabotaging me.” After swallowing one last mouthful of the wrap, Katrina slurped the last drink of juice though the tiny straw and then tossed the box into the recycling container. “The wider my waistline grows, the better your chances to raid my closet.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Frankie laughed an evil snicker as she dried the lunch containers and placed them in her basket. She waddled to the living room. “So, you told me about this truce with Nick a few days ago and haven’t elaborated since.”
Katrina rinsed the soap from the sink and hung the dishcloth over the faucet. “Where are the kids today?” She joined her friend in the living room, sinking into the new pillows she had bought for the sofa. She tossed one to Frankie.
“They’re home with Thomas. He has the afternoon off.” Frankie adjusted the angle of the pillow behind her back and squirmed in the chair. “Nice pillows, where’d you get them?” She frowned. “Hey, you knew I would be swayed by the comfy pillow, probably hoping I’d change the subject. We were talking about you and Nick.”
“There is no me and Nick. Besides, I haven’t even seen him in days.” Katrina twirled the fringe on one of the pillows around a finger. “Dean’s doing a great job at the house. I guess Nick’s busy.” She dismissed the urge to ask about Nick’s whereabouts, thinking best to not stir suspicion.
“Thomas said Nick had business out of town. I think he’s due back sometime today.”
Katrina smiled, and then pressed her lips tight
together. Too late, Frankie had noticed.
“I knew it!”
Frankie’s excitement reverberated off the cabin walls. Damn! Katrina shrugged. Where’s my poker face when I need it?
“You do like him.”
“What I really like are these jeans.” Katrina smoothed a hand over her thigh, the straight-legged, stretchy denim fit snug against her leg. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve worn a pair of jeans? I only bought two, but I think I’ll return for more. They come in capri-length, too. They’d be great for summer. Maybe a pair of white or beige—”
“Katrina.” Frankie slapped her hand on the arm of the chair.
“I think he asked me on a date,” Katrina blurted, and then quickly regretted the admission.
Frankie’s eyes widened. “What? We’re talking about Nick here, right? Not some guy at the store where you bought those awesome jeans?”
Katrina nodded. Opening up to Frankie probably wouldn’t be wise, but she needed someone to talk to. If she couldn’t trust her best friend, then who could she trust? “Well, I think he did. I’m not exactly sure.”
“Tell me what he said, word for word.” Frankie leaned forward in the chair.
“I don’t remember his exact words.” Yes, I do. “He said something like, we should go out sometime.”
“Oh, this is wonderful.” Her friend grinned. “You are perfect for each other. Sparks fly when you’re together.”
“That’s because we’re usually fighting.”
“No, because you’re attracted to each other, but you’re scared to move forward on those emotions.”
Katrina threw her pillow to the other end of the sofa. “Nick and I were getting along, and then he mentioned going out for dinner. But he left town.”
“That doesn’t sound like Nick. Something else happened that you’re not telling me.” Frankie’s squinting gaze narrowed on Katrina. “Do you remember the time Russ Clark kissed you under the old maple in the park?”
“Do I ever.” Katrina laughed. “He said he had a secret to tell me, and before I knew what was coming next, he leaned in and planted one. I didn’t know whether to slug him or kiss him. Thankfully, he ran off before I decided.”
Twist Of Faith Page 7