She turned to walk up the stairs, but he pulled her back against him. One hand cupped her breast, and his hot, wet mouth found her neck. His thumb brushed over her taut nipple, sending blood and heat straight to her core. Moaning, she writhed against him, pushing her ass into his hardness, loving the way they fit together. His other hand slid across her belly, and she wanted him to touch her there. Her body cried for it.
Nick roughly turned her around to face him, and then captured her mouth in his. Probing with his tongue, testing her with his hands. If they didn’t lay down soon, she would melt right there on the stairs.
When he lifted his mouth from hers they were breathing heavily.
“Are you in the mood now?” he asked.
All she could do was squeak and nod.
“Welcome to my hell,” he said as he backed away. “For nine months I’ve wanted you, Casey. Like no one I’ve ever wanted before. But we’re going to wait. We aren’t going to rush this. I want it to be the right time and place. And I want us to know one another. There’s a lot you don’t know about who I am, and I won’t touch you in that way until you do.”
Was he for real? What could he possibly think she should know about him before they had sex? Was he just teasing her? “You’re a cruel man, Nick Christos. I’m fairly certain that you know me better than I know myself. I don’t care about your past. You are the man I’ve been thinking about for nine months. And I want you. If you don’t want me, fine, but don’t pretend like you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart.”
This was what she got for trying to be fun and spontaneous. What a disaster.
They stood staring at one another, the silence weighing down on her as she thought about what just happened. She’d offered him her body, and he’d shot her down.
“You don’t understand,” he said finally.
“You’re right. I don’t,” she said. His rejection hurt. He might as well have called her nothing again. His mixed signals were so damned confusing. She wanted him. It was as simple as that. Did he want her? Part of her thought the answer to that was as obvious as the hard-on she’d felt when her ass had been pressed intimately against him. The other part of her heard his words and the rejection tore through her soul.
“I’m trying to protect you.” He sounded wounded, which was ridiculous. She was the one who he’d rejected.
“Well, your protection feels like rejection to me,” she said. Might as well be honest.
“No,” he barked angrily. “That’s not true. This has nothing to do with rejection. I just told you that I want you more than anyone in the world, Casey. Than I have ever in my life. You mean that much to me.”
She sat down on the cold concrete step. “You have a funny way of showing it, Nick. I basically offered myself to you on a platter, and you punished me for it. What am I supposed to think?”
He shoved a hand through his blond hair, his muscled body tense as if he were ready to spring into action. “I’m so good at screwing things up when it comes to you,” he said. Then he sighed. “I’m not sure I’m ever going to get it right, Casey. I wonder if you’ll ever understand how much I care about you. I’m just asking for a few days. That’s it. We’ve been friends for a long time, but this is different. We’re taking whatever it is we have up a hundred steps and I want it to be the right thing and the right way.”
Whatever. To her, it sounded like a control thing. He had a certain idea in his head of the way things should go. And she wasn’t following his well-structured plan. Fine. He was about to find out just how spontaneous she could be.
“Great,” she bit out. “Then I need you to come upstairs and be my friend. I want you to lie down beside me and hold me like you did the night I was drunk. I felt safe and protected. And if I can’t have sex, which I really, really need right now, I want that feeling.” She needed that feeling from him. She wasn’t sure why, but there it was.
It was such a childish thing to say, but she was tired, grumpy, and sex-starved.
“Go upstairs. I need to check with security and then I’ll be up.”
Well, at least they would sleep together.
“And Casey. Put one of your old T-shirts on. Please,” he begged. Nick actually begged.
She laughed. “You’re a big boy, Nick. From what I felt on my ass tonight, a very big boy. You can handle one pink nightgown.”
She heard him growl again.
Oh, Nick. You are in for it now.
Chapter Eleven
“Nick I need to borrow your American Express and some of the security guys,” Casey said over her eggs the next morning. “And before you ask, it’s a part of the surprise. And I wouldn’t ask for you to pay for it, except I have a feeling you’re going to insist the security guys follow us around and they’re going to need some—um, special gear for where we’re going.” She smiled sweetly at him, but he saw that gleam in her eyes.
The woman would be the death of him. He’d spent the night holding her and forcing himself not to take it any further. To hear her moan again was his ultimate goal. He hadn’t lied. Never in his life had he wanted a woman so much, but he needed time to get control over his inner beast. She had no idea what harm he might cause her if he really let himself go.
“What about my gear?” Nick played along with her game as he handed her the black credit card. She hated spending his money, so he was curious as to what she intended to do.
“You are dressed appropriately in your shorts and button down. Perfect, in fact.” She leaned across to kiss his cheek, her robe gaping open over the pink material that had driven him mad. No, it was what was in the material that tested his ability to keep control. He’d spent most of the night going over the many ways he would make her pay for putting him through this torture, which was absolutely no help for his aching body. It had taken him three times in the shower before he felt like he could sit down to breakfast without attacking her.
Four hours later, Nick and his security team stood outside the gates of what was intended and advertised to be the happiest place on earth, but none of them wanted to be there. He’d pondered what she had up her sleeve for the past few hours, and none of his guesses had come close to this nightmare. Jet skiing. Diving. Maybe surfing, but this?
“No,” he said simply as Casey tugged on his arm.
They were surrounded by small, screaming children and parents who foisted their babies into the arms of furry creatures with horrific smiles. It was no wonder the children cried.
“You said we would do whatever I wanted today,” Casey reminded him. “So, we lose the stuffed shirts and have fun. Come on. Have you ever been on a roller coaster before? I bet you haven’t.”
And she’d be right, but that was beside the point. Beyond the mobs of people, the security risks of them being out in a theme park were astronomical. Hell, Mason was nearing a nervous breakdown, and that man never lost his cool. Nick had already tried to appeal to Casey on that point, but it hadn’t worked.
“If you don’t go with me, I’ll call someone who will,” she’d threatened. Then she’d picked up her phone and started dialing a number.
“Fine,” he growled. He knew she’d invite that rock star, who probably would have done anything to get his paws on Casey. What a little blackmailer. “This is a place for children,” he said as she shoved him toward the gates.
“No, it’s an amusement park. And I’m in the mood to be amused. So for the next few hours, that’s what we’re going to do, and you won’t ruin my day by being grumpy. I want my friend Nick back, who was game for anything. I like that Nick better.”
Straight to the heart—she knew exactly what to say to propel him into motion. As they made their way through the park he realized no one seemed to care who they were. Most of them were too involved with their children to take notice of a group of grown men walking around in board shorts and T-shirts. The clothes she’d picked out for Mason, which included a pair of blue and white board shorts and a white T-shirt that said “Hang 10,
” was enough to make the day worthwhile. His old friend had donned the outfit and even given Casey a rare smile thanking her for the unusual gift.
Nick had a feeling Mason, who probably slept in a suit and tie, would be burning those clothes by the end of the evening. Man, did he owe him one.
It was strange to be in such a public place. Supernatural beings, especially of his ilk, had a tendency to stay out of largely populated areas. One never knew when the inner beast might strike. Nick had tamed his beast hundreds of years ago, but he’d seen what happened when he was around Casey. Still, the sunlight did have an effect on him. He couldn’t be in it for more than a few hours at a time. Yet, another reason he didn’t go out in the daytime very often.
“I’m scared to death of the tower ride, so let’s do that first,” she said to the security men behind her. No one spoke, but they all nodded in agreement. He would have to pay them a big bonus if they made it through the day without quitting. “Here,” she said as she handed out passes. “I had a feeling Mr. Richie Rich wouldn’t appreciate standing in line with the plebeians, so I dropped some of his dough for special passes and an escort. Oh, there he is.”
Joseph, their escort, was from Columbia and had been in America for seven years. Casey had his entire life story before they reached the ride. She had a way about her that made people feel comfortable. It was one of the reasons she knew so much about him. With other women he’d always had to be careful about what he said, but with her, for the most part, he was unguarded.
She was dressed in denim shorts and a white shirt that hung loose around her shoulders but tied in a knot on her hip. They would have to get her a hat and sunglasses if they were out in the sun much longer. Her cheeks were already pink.
“So what is this ride?” Nick asked. His eyes traveled up the tall building.
“I read online that you go up in an elevator and then it free falls for a little bit,” she said. But she bit her lip, which meant she was nervous about it.
Nick took her hand in his and she smiled up at him.
And that was it. He would do anything to see that smile. Even embarrass himself and his team by riding crazy rides at an amusement park.
After two turns on the tower of death, and three roller coasters later, he couldn’t stop smiling. He’d never been on an amusement ride, and he rather liked the adrenaline rush. Even more, he loved the way Casey held tight to him and didn’t care when he laughed as she screamed.
A few times he’d glanced back to find Mason and the other men with equally big smiles. She’d turned his security team into a bunch of teen boys. Nick only prayed nothing happened at the park because none of them were doing their job.
Casey yawned.
“How about we get you something to eat? And you need a hat before your cheeks burn.”
“It’s so hot. Let’s do Splash Mountain first.”
The five-story plunge left them soaking wet and Nick’s shoes ruined, a small price to pay to hear Casey’s delighted squeal. It wasn’t until he saw several men glancing at Casey that he realized her shirt was the wettest of all. And through the white shirt, her lacey red bra showed through.
“Shop, now,” he directed her. His security detail surrounded them so Casey was no longer visible to the public.
“Is something wrong?” she whispered, glancing around.
“Your top is see-through,” Nick informed her. He tried to keep the bite out of his voice, but it was difficult. He didn’t like other men eyeing her.
She’s mine. Oh, fuck. When had he started thinking like that?
She gave him a look of derision. “Me and every other woman who was on there. I have a bra on, jeez. I don’t get why you’re so cranky.”
“Not every woman is you,” he said. “And you are mine.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized he’d articulated his thoughts.
“Way to go all alpha, Nick. We just started dating, if you can really call it that. Men look at boobs. It’s no big deal. I seem to remember your Barbies always had nicely made pairs.”
Was that jealousy he detected in her tone? The thought took a little edge off his crankiness. “They weren’t you. You have the most beautiful breasts I’ve ever seen, and I’d rather you not share them with the world.” It was the truth.
She snorted. “Whatever, dude. And I thought you were worried about drawing attention, which your little army does when they surround us like this. Do you have some kind of hand motion that tells them to join ranks? Because you didn’t say a word. They just did it.”
He’d thought it, and Mason had moved the men, but he couldn’t tell her that. “It isn’t just your shirt,” he said. “There were some suspicious suspects the men spotted earlier.”
Everyone at the park looked suspicious to him. Perhaps an exaggeration, but he was reminded Alvinia or any of his enemies could show up at any time.
Inside the shop, he found her a T-shirt that was two sizes too big. It had the character Goofy on the front with a set of golf clubs.
“I refuse to wear anything with Goofy on it. I’m a Pluto girl all the way.”
“Who the hell is Pluto? Isn’t that a fake planet?” He put the shirt back.
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine, I’ll wear this.” She pulled out a gray shirt that had a glass slipper on it. After the other night, it seemed appropriate. She was definitely his Cinderella.
“That’s Pluto?”
She shook her head. “But if I put this on, you have to wear this.” She pulled out a blue T-shirt that had Grumpy from the movie Snow White on it.
“No.” The last thing he needed was the paparazzi catching him in something like that. It was bad enough they were at a park for kids. She looked like a teenager with no makeup, her long legs hanging out of those sexy shorts that made him want to squeeze her ass. No, his girlfriend wasn’t going to parade around the park with men ogling her that way. He had to draw the line somewhere.
His girlfriend? Really? Nick didn’t do girlfriends.
“Oh, you will,” she said thrusting her chest out. “Or I’m parading my very wet, very large breasts,” she whispered, “all the way to the front gate.” Hands on her hips, she reminded him of the Amazon women he’d met years ago during his travels. A blond bombshell Amazon.
A fang bit into the inside of his mouth. The red lace, which he was determined to touch at some point in the next few hours, did nothing to hide the taut nipples behind it.
“Don’t push me,” he growled. Why did the woman have to be so hardheaded? And speaking of hard…Fangs in an amusement park were just bad form.
“Don’t push me, Grumpy.” She gave him a stare that would wilt flowers. He’d never seen that particular expression from her before, and once his fangs retracted he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
She punched his arm. “Stop it. I’m trying to be mean.”
He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her hard, not caring what anyone thought of it. “I like you angry,” he said against her lips.
“I just like you,” she said softly as she gazed into his eyes. He could lose himself in this woman right there in the middle of the store.
“I’ll wear the T-shirt, but I’m getting a hat, and one for you too. I don’t want the paparazzi publicizing our relationship until we are ready.”
She frowned and pulled away. “Are you ashamed of me?”
This time it was Nick who rolled his eyes. “Of course not, but for the last time, it’s my job to protect you. I explained to you the other night that the threats are very real. I’d like to keep them at bay for as long as possible.”
She reached for a hat that also had Grumpy on it.
“Fine,” she said. “Sometimes I forget you’re somebody.” She put down the Grumpy hat and chose one featuring Happy. “I’ll wear this hat,” she said. “Because today, Mr. Christos, for a little while you were carefree and happy. I like that Nick, and I want to remember him.”
Her words tugged at his heart. She
deserved someone who could make her happy every day, who didn’t come with so many complications. His wealth and notoriety would be the least of their problems. When she discovered the truth, which had to be soon, he might never see her again.
Nick prayed she’d understand. If she left him now, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.
…
Casey leaned her head against Nick’s shoulder. They’d had a good day with only a few hiccups. The smile on his face when they went down Splash Mountain had been priceless. She was determined to help him find that smile permanently.
Never in her life had a man been so possessive of her. Most women would probably run from a man like that, but it made her feel like he genuinely cared. She could tell in the store that he was jealous of other men looking at her. When he acted that way at the studio the day before, she thought it was to keep Clayton from pawing her to death. But last night, she’d seen hunger in his eyes. Even though it was dark.
Unfortunately, she still couldn’t get past the why. Why her? He had a choice of women from around the world, but he wanted to be with her. Well, he said he did. She thought for sure when he climbed in her bed that he would make a move, but he didn’t. She could feel the tension in his body, but other than holding her close he hadn’t tried anything.
Much to her disappointment.
She yawned again. It had been a wild couple of days.
“Sir, we have a tail,” Mason said and then he whispered something into his phone.
Nick whipped around to look out the back window.
“Which car?” he asked.
“Dark blue SUV, three cars back on the left,” Mason said. “We’re running the license, but it appears to be a rental.”
“Sam should be able to—”
“Already on it,” said a voice from the seat behind them. Casey could hear fingers tapping on a keyboard.
“ALI Corporation.”
Nick sucked in a breath. “Crap.”
“Who is it?” Casey didn’t want to interrupt, but she’d never seen Nick so tense.
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