“Oh, you’ve got the goods!” Wriggling her arm free, Marla snaps, “Costco bulk size!”
I gasp and Denise steps forward, hissing, “Why you little bitch!”
“No, Denise, I’ve got this!”
“Fine. But make it good!”
“Oh, I will.” Up in Marla’s face I get. “Why you little bitch!”
“That’s the best you got? Repeating what your cooler friend says? How do you two even know each other? Denise, do you have a soft spot for charity-cases or what?”
I slap her face so hard, people gasp around us, it was that loud. Marla starts slapping me, and I fight back in pretty much the same way. If it weren’t for the gin I’d be embarrassed, escaping this party so quickly you’d see dust clouds. But she hit home.
Now I’m going to hit her, dammit!
People start egging us on with the tried-and-true chant: “Girl fight! Girl fight! Girl fight!”
Through them Denise shouts, “Get her, Maddie! Get her good!”
Neither Marla nor I will back down, even though we don’t know how to fight. Grunting. Slapping. Pushing. I try punching her, like with an actual fist, but before I get the chance I’m off the ground, arms flailing.
I’m still trying to get at her.
“No! Let me at her!”
In that same instant Matthew has appeared and snatched Marla off the ground, too. She kicks at him, shouting, “Put me down! I’m not done with her!”
“I’m right here, Marla, you bitch! Come and get me!”
A deep voice laughs in my ear as my legs fly around. “Okay, Slugger, settle down.” Strong arms grip me tighter and I’m carried away. “Hey, Billy! You got a cool down room?”
Our grinning host points inside. “Second door on the left down the hall! There’s a sign that says ‘Off Limits.’ Go there!”
“I don’t need to cool down!” I shout, seeing red and panting as I try to break free. “She started it! She called me…” My words die on my tongue as I crane my head. My mouth shuts. Nicholas Cocker’s gorgeous face is inches from mine, warm brown eyes crinkled with laughter. This irritates me even more. “Something funny, Cocker?”
People make way for us as he carries me through the kitchen and down the hall. I throw my feet up on the hand-scrawled sign to block us from going inside. “This is why I wore pants! Marla couldn’t do this without showing her lower cleavage!”
Nicholas chuckles, whips me around, opens the door. “You’re pretty funny, Slugger.”
“DENISE!”
“You’re in good hands. Calm the fuck down.”
“I don’t wanna!”
He cracks up, and kicks the door shut with his foot. Setting me down with a thud, he flicks the light-switch and plants himself at the exit, blocking it, muscular arms crossed. Has he always been this tall?
“Breathe, Slugger, breathe.”
“You’re not my keeper!”
I pace.
And I pace.
And I pace.
It becomes clear after a while that somebody has to say something.
Huffing I mirror his stance and glare at him.
The man’s smile fills the room.
CHAPTER 5
M ADISON
Struggling for something, I blurt, “I’m sober, too, just like you are!”
Nicholas laughs, “Oh yeah, totally, I can tell. And who says I’m sober?”
“Your eyes are very clear.”
“Visine.”
I blink at him. “Really?”
“No. You wanna tell me what that was about?”
“Why should I tell you anything?”
“Because I just saved your life,” he smirks.
“Yeah, right. From her? I was just about to show her my fist.”
He laughs, “Okay, sure. Why? What went down with you two?”
“Why don’t you ask Marla?” I challenge. “She seems to know you, intimately. But then again she has a vagina and lives in Atlanta, so of course she knows you!”
Running long fingers through chocolate-brown hair that looks super soft, Nicholas shakes his head. “Wow, you are something else.”
“She called me fat!”
He frowns, head swiveling a little. “She did?”
“To my face!” Pointing at my butt, I ask, “You see this? Women like her pay money to have an ass like mine!” I give it a slap and show him a better view. “Round and fun. That’s what I call this.” Pausing, I admit, “Not out loud. Just to myself. But I do call it that.” With more energy and volume I slap it once more. “People pay for this! They pay for it!”
Nicholas leans against the door and smirks, “You keep slapping your ass and I’ll pay for it.”
My jaw shuts. I might have made a noise I have never made before. Maybe.
“Slugger…did you just squeak?”
Okay, I definitely did.
“No!”
“You squeaked.” Pushing off the door he strolls over with a swagger so sexy the walls sigh. “That was adorable.”
Involuntarily I step back. “Hold it right there!”
The flirtatious glint he has physically alters my body chemistry, shockwaves soaring new life into neglected and atrophied places.
And he keeps walking closer.
Appalled at my involuntary reaction I stammer, more to remind myself, “You already had sex with someone tonight!”
Nicholas pauses, turns his head a little. “Just stand here a second, would ya?”
My lips part.
He closes the distance.
I stop breathing entirely.
Slow fingers reach for my breast.
He picks something off my baggy sweater. Showing a red-painted sliver to me, we eye it together.
“Her nail broke off. You want it as a souvenir?”
“Um…yes.” I offer him my open palm, heart-line bared and ready for someone to read my lack of good fortune.
He places the nail directly on it.
“There.”
We stare at it a beat. I turn my hand upside down, let her DNA fall to the carpet. “Yuck.”
He stifles a laugh, inspecting me. “What did Denise call you…Addie? Like Addison?”
“Maddie. Like Madison.”
“I’m Nicholas.”
“I know.”
He blinks. “Oh, that’s right. You called me Cocker. Have we met?”
“No, I just…” Want to have your babies and see you grow old. “…come to these parties a lot.”
His eyes narrow. “You do?”
Dryly I mutter, “Glad I made an impression.”
He laughs, white teeth gorgeous. “You’re really funny, I like that.” He waves his hand, smile waning. “And forget about Marla. She shouldn’t have called you fat. You’re voluptuous.” His eyes sparkle and hold on me. “I like that, too.”
Swallowing my excitement I stare back at him, unable to move. I can usually employ a pretty good poker face but today? It’s taking a lunch break.
The only guy I’ve ever pined for in my life is a mere foot away from me and I wish he were closer. I cannot be blamed for appearing eager.
Oh God, is there yearning in my eyes?
Clearing my throat, I lean on sarcasm. It’s carried me through worse predicaments. “Thank you. Good to know someone appreciates the effects of dairy during childhood the way I do.”
Beautifully thick eyelashes drop to check me out, taking their sweet time as he drinks in the sight of my breasts.
Even in this sweater anyone can tell I have a hard time finding bras that don’t hurt my back.
I almost joke, “Wanna milk me?” but bite my tongue, instead. Enough to almost draw blood.
What are you doing, Madison?
He just had sex with that…person.
It’s gross, not sexy.
He is not sexy.
He’s gross.
Yeah, right.
He’s my dream.
But nice try.
The pep talk worked a l
ittle, though, because I hear myself saying with a self-protective tone, “Wasn’t one girl entertainment enough for one night, Cocker?”
“Can never have enough entertainment, Slugger.”
“Then go to the movies.”
“I like the show right in front of me. Have any popcorn left?” Gorgeous fingers float up, lightly touch my lips, brush across them and tickle me. But I keep staring at him like this isn’t affecting me. His eyes catch fire, amber glittering in the recesses.
“Mmm. What if I just…”
He leans in.
I have wanted to kiss this man so many times—but all of them were because I saw him kissing someone else in a way that inspired envy.
I will not be a number.
I have a name.
And a huge heart.
I want more.
If I can’t have it all?
I don’t want anything.
I’d rather be with a man who can give me his all, than give mine to one who’ll return nothing that lasts.
With an ache I jump back. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He reacts, straightening up on a deep frown. I bet I’m the only woman who ever did that, pulled away. His voice is husky and confused. “Testing the waters.”
“They’re cold.”
“I can see that.”
My eyelids feel heavy as I curse my will power. “I’m not interested. In fact I think you’re a jerk.”
A grin flashes toward one of the cream walls, and flickers as he thinks about what I just did. “Guess we should part ways then.”
I mutter, “Guess so, but this was fun,” flicking a glance to the carpet.
He holds open the door, narrowing his eyes like he can’t figure me out. “You’re interesting, Maddie. I haven’t been surprised in a long time.”
On a whim I reach for the fingernail, pick it up and bring it to him. Pressing the sliver into his amused palm I smile, “This is to remember me by.”
As I walk into the hall, leaving him and this crazy half-hour behind me forever, I square my shoulders and console myself. You did the right thing. Walking out of here needing a tissue between your legs would have reverberated in your heart for years. Not worth it.
Nicholas calls after me, “Thanks for the free rear view. But I would have paid for it.”
I stifle a laugh. “Very funny! Save your charm. I’m not falling for it!”
“No shit!”
Shaking my head I return to the kitchen, walking into a throng of strangers, and wondering if Denise had me pegged. Maybe I am stubborn.
But I’ve had a crush for over a year.
Nicholas would chew me up and spit me out. I’m not like these party people who live for the thrill of immediacy and freedom.
I’m a nester. I prefer to stay at home, watch a great Sci-Fi movie, cook a delicious meal and go to bed early.
Introvert, that’s me.
Not stylish, also me.
Wishing I would go back in that room, lock the door, and get naked?
Me again.
CHAPTER 6
N ICHOLAS
L ook at her go, mmm.
When Maddie was slapping that gorgeous ass, my cock cheered.
Odd bird that one. She covers herself up, total Plain Jane, but when the anger was raging she was sexy as fuck. Like she dropped her invisible cloak or something. No wonder I never noticed her with the way she presents herself. I don’t like the clothes but I can always take them off.
I think I found my next goal.
But wait a second. People are looking at her and whispering.
Oh shit.
They think we had sex in there.
That’s my fault.
My reputation is inventing hers.
Frowning, I watch the effect it’s having on Madison. She sees their reactions. Like a wilting flower she begins to disappear right before my eyes.
Over the loud music I shout, “Hey Maddie, buddy, want another drink? I’ll go grab us one. What were you having again?”
That oughta dampen the gossip.
Over her shoulder, she blinks at me, eyes more vulnerable than when we were alone. “Um, gin and soda?” she ventures, uneasily.
“You got it. Find Denise and I’ll find you both.”
Still uncertain she says, “Okay.”
I give her an encouraging smile and we head in separate directions.
Matthew strolls through hordes of people who make way for him. “So Marla took off. Some dude came to her rescue and she left in his Porsche.”
“She flip out after I left?”
“Because you grabbed that other chick first, and not her? What do you think?”
We make our way to the bar, a disaster zone now.
Reaching under the tablecloth, I smirk, “Not to worry. Billy has back up,” and dig around until my hand finds purchase on the right bottle shape. “Bingo,” I mutter, handing a full Bombay Sapphire up to Matt. “What’d you think of her?”
“She’s a fuckin’ whack-job. But that’s probably why she’s great in the sack.”
I hand him red cups and a back-up Pellegrino bottle. “I meant Madison.”
“Who’s Madison?”
“Exactly. Look at all this ice. I love Billy.”
“Make me one, too. We lost our glasses, by the way. I went back for them and they were gone. Madison the new girl? This for her?” He holds the plastic cups so they don’t topple, his fingers stretched over three of them.
“Yeah. That’s the thing. She’s not new. Been here a lot from what I gathered. Knew who I was.”
Matt shrugs, “That’s not hard.”
“I’ve never seen her before. And we know Denise. I guess they’re friends.”
Matthew blinks at the cups. “Oh, you wanna get one for Denise, too?”
“I did. These are for you and them. I’m not having another. I’m driving your drunk ass home.”
He grins, “Better sober up then, because it’s getting late.”
“I am already. Whatever buzz I had is gone. Think that fight cleared my head. That was funny as hell.”
We start walking, and a path clears for us again. I take note of it because the opposite happened for her. Frowning I replay how we saw that fight break out, and all the nuances of our exchange in the empty bedroom. She’s interesting.
Glancing to Matthew, I take one of the drinks from his hand. He eyes me, so I ask a casual, “What?”
“You want to deliver it to her.”
“I’m the one who bent down to get the gin, remember?”
Billy shouts, “Meatballs!”
Matt and I shout, “Later!”
“Stop worrying about your waistlines, ladies, and eat my balls!”
I laugh.
Matt calls back, “If I was worried about my abs, Billy, I wouldn’t be drinking this!” He holds up his cup. “Get some real glass next time, you cheap sonofabitch!”
Billy waves him off and goes back to his business.
Some guy whose name I don’t know, asks me in passing, “Hey Nicholas, is your cousin Lexi single?”
“Fuck off.”
His smile drops.
Matt and I stroll into a cool January night made warmer by heat lamps placed throughout the modest suburban yard. I spot Denise but not her friend. A frown slides into my forehead as I search dozens of faces. As we get closer Maddie comes into view, and I relax. She’s squatting to pet a black Labrador whose long tail is wagging like crazy.
I have a soft spot for dogs. My family’s always had them, all the way back to Aslan and Noosh who were there when I was born.
“What a good boy,” Maddie murmurs as she strokes his soft ears.
Smiling at the Lab I ask, “Who’s this? Here you go, Slugger.”
Maddie laughs through her nose—a small, cute sound as she straightens up, eyeing me like she’s not sure why I got her a cocktail. “Thanks. He wandered over. But he’s so well behaved his owner probably just lets him roam.”
&
nbsp; Denise thanks Matt for her drink.
I squat down to pet the dog, “Hey boy, how you doin? Aren’t you a handsome guy?”
“He’s very friendly,” Madison smiles.
“Sure is.” Touching under his snout I murmur, “Look at that face, huh?” Giving him a last pat I stand up and cross my arms. “So, Madison, what do you do for a living?”
She watches him amble into the crowd searching for his owners or for some more love from strangers. “I’m a nanny.”
“You go to school for that?”
She’s got great lips. Full in the center and slender on the sides. I’m imagining what it’d be like to chew on them. Feel her breath as it hitched right before I—
“I’ve taken parenting classes, and children’s psychology courses, as well as CPR, whatever would improve my skills.”
Impressed, Matt nods and hums his approval.
Denise is focused on me. “Nicholas, I hear you think you saved my friend’s life.”
My eyebrows twitch. “Just corralled her, that’s all.”
Maddie’s eyes flash. “Corralled?!”
“Like when a cowboy lassos a bull,” I smirk, just to get a rise out of her. She stomps her feet and I point down. “See? You’re about to charge me and I’m not even wearing red. Should I pull out a cape, see what you’ll do?”
Denise stifles a laugh.
Madison glances to her, then back to me. “What’s your game?”
“Me?” I touch my chest. “Don’t have one. Right now. Maybe later I’ll show you.”
Matthew sniffs around, frowning, “You smell something burning?”
CHAPTER 7
N ICHOLAS
T he four of us scan around and Madison jumps, points behind me. “There are flames coming out of the bathroom window!”
Swearing under my breath I take off running for the house.
Matt is right behind me, pushing through people as he shouts, “FIRE!”
The crowd freezes, unsure if he’s serious.
Madison shouts, “Stay calm! If you run, you might not get out! Don’t trample each other!”
That does it. They lose their minds with fear.
Denise shouts over the screaming, “No! Don’t go out the side yard! That’s where the fire is! We have to go through the house! This way!”
Matt and I find Billy with a sloshing bucket, rushing toward the bathroom. He sees us. “Help! I can’t find the fire extinguisher! It’s not under the sink!”
Nicholas Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 16) Page 3