by J. Kenner
"Nolan..."
"It's not so bad. By that time I knew I wanted to be in radio. So I pushed that dream. And I've gotten to exactly where I want to be."
He told her more about how he'd worked his way up the ladder and about how Connor helped by giving him oral briefings.
"Does he know about the dyslexia?"
"I don't know. I've never asked. If he does, it doesn't bother him, and that's good enough for me."
"And I guess Lauren had issues."
"I never told her. She just thought I was lazy. Didn't apply myself. She never considered that by starting low in radio and working my way up I gave myself a better understanding of everything that went on. Or that I didn't go back for my GED because I reached a point where I didn't need it. And as for ambition, being happy wasn't enough for her--not that we were, but so long as we were living frugally, she would never have been satisfied. She wanted wealth, and she wanted it right then. And the fact that I've been saving since I was fourteen and have a tidy sum put away didn't impress her at all."
"Well, I'm impressed. And as an accountant, that's saying a lot."
He grinned, her words easing the unpleasant memories. "She always made me feel like I couldn't make it. And I think I was starting to believe her, because I've had a similar voice in my head--my father's--my whole life."
He exhaled. "Sometimes I wonder if I should have stayed in school. Harassed the counselor until they got me into a program, and just sucked it up when my dad belittled me."
"No," she said firmly. "No regrets, okay? Because your past made you who you are. And the Nolan I'm sitting here with is pretty terrific."
"Baby..." He cupped her head, then kissed her so tenderly it made his heart ache. When he pulled back, he lost himself in her eyes as he brushed the hair off her face with his fingertips. "Do you want to go back?"
He wanted her--God he always wanted her--and if she wanted to head back to his bed, then he wouldn't hesitate. But right then, he only really wanted to hold her.
"Do you mind if we stay here for a while? I just want to watch the river and be with you."
"Sweetheart, that sounds perfect to me."
* * *
He thought about that night at the river days later as he stood in a tuxedo behind a podium in the ballroom at the Westin Hotel in North Austin. The huge room was full of round tables, each of which sat eight guests. And every table was full, as the staff had told him they would be when they'd called last week to give him an update on the event.
Normally, Nolan had no problem talking to crowds. After all, he did it every day at work, although those listeners were blissfully invisible to him.
Still, he'd never even hiccupped at a public appearance, because that was all about being Nolan Wood the celebrity. Pop on the schtick, and away you go.
Today, he was being himself. And that was infinitely harder.
He'd been a nervous wreck getting dressed at Shelby's house, so much so that she'd had to deal with his bowtie. He'd calmed himself by watching her dress in a stunning red number that she told him she'd borrowed from her friend Hannah.
"Why bother?" he'd asked when she'd put on a lacy thong. "Go commando. You're practically naked under there, anyway."
"You're insane. It's a gala benefit. For kids."
"I don't think kids are coming to the gala. And even if they do, they won't be peeking under your dress."
"I'm not ditching the underwear."
"Not even if it calms my nerves?"
But she simply gave him a hard stare as she shimmied into the dress, then slipped on her shoes. "Not even," she said. "Besides, they say nerves are good before a speech. Gives you that extra adrenalin kick. So you're welcome."
He'd laughed then. Now, he allowed himself only a tiny smile, letting the memory settle his nerves once again. And then, as the room calmed, he began to talk.
When he'd planned his speech, he realized that a lot of what wanted to include tracked what he'd told Shelby during their night by the river. He talked about his past, about his struggles, about his secrets and his shame, and that was what he now told the folks in this ballroom.
He'd told his parents the full truth three days before, and now they were watching him with so much pride it made his throat thick. Amanda sat beside them, positively beaming, and Shelby was next to her, having abandoned her table for his under the pretense of chatting up Amanda about accounting work for her real estate company. They'd spent much of the evening together, and he'd been relieved to see how well they got along. Not that he'd doubted it, but memories of Amanda and Lauren's mutual disdain still lingered.
As he continued his speech, he was surprised to see tears in the eyes of many in the audience. Considering he was used to making people laugh, the impact of his words was humbling.
And when he finally wrapped and stepped off the podium, he had so many hands to shake and good wishes to receive, that it took a full forty-five minutes before he finally manage to end up alone with Shelby.
"You were great," she said.
"Take off your panties," he countered, making her laugh and almost spit out the wine she'd just sipped.
"One track mind, much?"
"Hey, I'm like a god here. Did you see the reaction?"
From the way she beamed at him, he knew that she had. "Your excellent performance here doesn't earn you a naughty fantasy."
"Fantasies I can manage on my own. I want the reality."
She rose up on her toes, then kissed his cheek. "No. But I'm incredibly proud of you."
"And yet you still won't get naked under that dress."
She lifted a shoulder, her expression just a little wicked. "Take me home," she said, "and I'll get as naked as you want."
"Sweetheart, you've got yourself a deal."
Chapter Sixteen
Shelby always knew that she liked routines. It went along with liking numbers and the way they made sense and followed patterns. But she'd never imagined just how comfortable it would be to slide into a routine with a man.
Then again, she'd never imagined Nolan.
When she thought about it logically, they didn't fit at all. Her, all ordered and precise. Him, practically overflowing with wild and untamed energy.
But that was surface stuff. Underneath, they fit. Not because they were alike, but because they were like a jigsaw puzzle. Their differences meshed perfectly, and once together, everything made sense.
"Penny for your thoughts," he said, coming into the living room with two cups of coffee. Since his speech, he'd pretty much moved into her place. He even had his very own drawer. And Shelby loved the domesticity of it.
"Are you only worth a penny?" she asked lifting her feet so he could sit, then replacing them in his lap. "Because I was thinking of you."
"Then we're even, because I'm always thinking of you."
"We are so sappy," she said, then laughed.
"I won't tell if you won't."
"Deal."
He glanced at his wristwatch. "I need to get going. You'll come later?"
"I wish I could come now." Tonight was the Mr. March contest at The Fix, and Nolan was going in early to meet with everyone involved since he was ramping up the promo for The Fix on his show.
"I'll probably be late," she reminded him. She gestured toward the stacks of paper on her coffee table. All minor crises that had to be dealt with, and so she'd brought the work home so that she could focus properly. "And then I have to meet Frank after work and brief him."
"But even if you don't make the contest, you'll meet me there?"
"Absolutely," she said. "And as for the contest, I still think you should enter."
"Too late now."
"Not for Mr. April."
He narrowed his eyes. "Not happening."
"If I can surprise you, can that be my prize?"
"Surprise me?"
"Yeah, you know. Pull a rabbit out of a hat. Give you a blowjob while we're doing eighty on the toll-road. Stuff like that."
"Let's skip that one."
"Illustrative purposes only," she promised. "But if I manage a safe surprise..."
"I guess it'll depend on the surprise."
She rolled her eyes, but knew it was the best she'd get from him. "Go," she said. "And let me get back to work."
It really did take her all afternoon and into the early evening to get a handle on her various projects, but that still left her plenty of time to get to The Fix and settle in. Because she had no meeting tonight. She just needed to go alone. Because that was all part of her plan.
* * *
Nolan clapped Cam on the shoulder, congratulated him on being Mr. March, and thanked him for doing the promo spot. Then Cam pretty much bolted. Not that Nolan could blame him. Nolan knew damn well that the only thing on Cam's mind at the moment was Mina.
He checked his watch, then glanced again at the door. He still hadn't seen Shelby come in, and he hoped that he hadn't missed her in the crowd. He'd been to all three of the Man of the Month contests, and with each event the crowd grew bigger and bigger, such that Brent was going to have to hire extra security to make sure the crowd didn't get too rowdy and that the door didn't let too many people in and violate the fire code.
But, again, that was something Nolan didn't care about.
He wanted Shelby, and he was about to pull out his phone and text her when Aly hurried up, her expression harried and her tray overfull. "A lady just tipped me twenty to make sure this gets to you," she said, then shoved a folded receipt into his hand. He started to ask if she'd given him the wrong thing when he realized that the handwriting on the thin strip of paper was more than just a signature.
He unfolded it, then laughed out loud at the note in Shelby's neat, precise handwriting--Surprise.
As soon as his laugh faded, though, he frowned. What was the surprise? For that matter, where was Shelby?
The question was answered almost the instant he'd asked it. Because there she was, walking toward him in her familiar linen blend suit skirt and matching suit jacket. That, however, was the end of familiar. Her usual buttoned-to-the-collar shirt was open all the way to her cleavage, revealing the white lace trim of what was undoubtedly a sexy camisole.
And most interesting of all, she was walking on the same incredibly high fuck-me pumps she'd been wearing the night he'd first laid eyes on her.
"Shel? What is it?" he asked as she approached. "Are you okay?"
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he kicked himself, because of course she was okay. He was the one having heart palpitations.
"I'm fine," she purred. "I have something for you."
She reached into her purse, and then pressed something soft into his hand before flashing him a flirty smile and continuing on toward the exit.
He watched her go for a full minute before thinking to look down into his hand. When he did, he felt his cock grow hard. Because he was holding a pair of red La Perla panties--and he was quite certain that his Paradox--who had repeatedly refused to go commando--was wearing absolutely nothing at all.
* * *
Shelby kept walking even though she knew that she had Nolan's attention. And sure enough, she heard his footsteps hurrying to catch up to her. She glanced over her shoulder as she walked, lifted her brows, and said, "Good surprise?"
"Very. But where are you going?"
She paused long enough to look him up and down, lingering her gaze in the vicinity of his cock. "I thought we'd go to your place. Walking distance, right?"
His mouth curved up. "It most certainly is. And we can take the shortcut."
Her pulse picked up tempo at the idea of getting naked with him sooner. "I'm game," she said. "Lead the way."
He stepped beside her, then took her hand as he led her through an alley behind the Bank of America building.
"How is this faster?" she asked, and he laughed.
"I didn't say a shortcut to what," he said as he eased her up against the brick wall of the alley. They were hidden from view from pedestrians on both Fifth and Sixth Streets by the uneven nature of the wall and the scattered Dumpsters and metal storage containers.
"What are you doing?" she asked as he inched the skirt up, exposing her to the dim ambient light.
"What I've been wanting to do since I first tried to get those damn panties out from under your dress," he said, then lifted her up so quickly and unexpectedly she gasped.
He ordered her to hook her legs on his shoulders, and she complied, both turned on and slightly terrified of falling. But he had her fast, and she realized just how strong those muscled arms really were.
"Arch back," he ordered, and since the next thing he did with his mouth was cover her clit and suck, she did what he said. And as he worked a beautiful magic on her sex, she opened her eyes, looked at the sky, and let Nolan hold her tight and keep her safe as he, quite literally, took her to the stars.
Chapter Seventeen
"I'm serious," Hannah said as she poured a round of Pinot Punch for the table. "Electric toothbrushes. I mean, who would have thought, right?" She rolled her eyes, then continued. "Although I guess I just lack imagination, because apparently the electric toothbrush vibrator craze is going strong. I just read this huge article online."
Shelby pressed her legs together. There'd been no vibrators last night, but abandoning her panties had definitely made for a quality evening. She remembered the way his hands had felt--not to mention the rest of him--as she caught Nolan's eye across the bar. The air crackled, and she knew his mind had traveled back with hers.
Yeah, she thought as she squeezed her legs together again. Nice to be on the same wavelength.
"It's getting rowdy over here," Reece said, grinning as he and Nolan came over to join the table. He put his hand on Jenna's shoulder, and she reached up to touch it. "What are you talking about?"
"Dental hygiene," Jenna said, and she, Shelby, Brooke, and Hannah melted into laughter again.
"This is that electric toothbrush thing, isn't it?" Nolan asked.
Shelby looked up at him, intrigued, while across the table Hannah murmured, "Well, well."
Nolan held his hands up in surrender. "Fodder for my show, people. Just fodder for my show." He winked at Shelby. "Unless you want it to be more," he added, and her cheeks burned so quick and so hot that she had no choice but to kick him under the table. A lame kick with no follow-through that only had him laughing.
"Nolan's entering the Mr. April contest," she announced, figuring that was punishment enough.
He sighed, but didn't argue, and she did a mental fist pump, shoring up her victory.
"Not my idea," he said, grinning at her. "I lost a bet. But the payment was worth it."
"It's all good," Reece said. "Good promo for the bar and for your show. Honestly, we can't lose."
"No," Nolan said, his gaze burning into Shelby, "you're right. I definitely feel like a winner lately."
* * *
"Hey, Mom," Shelby said as she punched the button to accept the incoming call through her car's audio system. "What's up?" Shelby knew her voice sounded rattled, but it had been a crazy week at work, and now she was on her way to being late for the Young Professionals taping.
It would have been smarter to let her mom go straight to voicemail. The last time she'd talked to her mother, she'd been less than excited about Shelby dating Nolan. And today of all days, Shelby didn't need anything negative in her head.
"I'm on my way to that Young Professionals thing I mentioned last week," Shelby added, hoping her mom would understand that this was not the moment to mess with her daughter's head.
"You'll do great, sweetheart. No, I just called to let you know that I listened to Nolan's show this morning."
Shelby's hands tensed on the steering wheel as she waited for her mom to continue, but the silence lingered for so long she was afraid the call dropped. "Mom? Are you there? What did you think?"
Mentally, she banged her head against the steering wheel. Consideri
ng Nolan's usual routine, that was really not a question she ought to be asking her mom. Ever.
But especially not today.
"Well, honestly, I wish I'd realized how, um, racy it is. I wouldn't have listened with your father in the car."
"I didn't listen this morning," Shelby admitted, her stomach twisting a little. Surely the one time her parents listened wasn't a time when Nolan went even more over the top. Was it? "I was prepping for a client meeting and this interview. But what did he say?"
"Oh, it was funny," her mother said, but entirely lacking in conviction. "Just ... raw. All about toothbrushes and electric shavers and--"
"Oh, God." Shelby was going to kill Hannah for ever bringing that up. Honestly.
"Well, that was my reaction, too."
Shelby winced; she hadn't meant to say that out loud. "It's his brand, Mom. He does a raunchy morning show. It gets the audience going, makes drive time more fun."
"Hmm."
Shelby squirmed as her underarms started to sweat from nerves--and not nervousness about the upcoming show. "Listen, I need to go. I have to do this interview, and--"
"I know. I just worry. Alan was so devastated when you turned him down, and now you seem to have gone a little off the rails. I mean, these stories Nolan tells about him and this Paradox woman--that's just him making up vulgar stories for his audience, I assume? I mean, Shelby, he's not talking about the two of you, is he?"
"Mom, I don't even know what stories you're talking about." Which was so not an answer, but maybe her mother with her genius level IQ, multiple degrees, and MENSA membership wouldn't notice the obfuscation. "Listen, I'm almost to the library and I want to listen to some meditation tapes before the interview. Clear my head the way you told me to that time, remember?"
"Right. Of course. Good luck. You're going to do great." She'd half-expected her mother to insist they finish the Nolan-track of the conversation, but she should have known better. Her mom would never mess with her head before a professional event. Not on purpose, anyway.
As for Shelby having a great interview, she hoped her mother was right, but as she turned into the library parking lot and hurried to the community room that the organization had booked for the interview, she had a sinking feeling that her day was cursed.