Page 8 of True North

“I like this,” she said, giving his beard a soft yank.

“Ouch.” He feigned hurt but then laughed when she giggled. “You always said that you like my beard. I threatened to shave it off a few times, especially this time of year when it’s so humid. You wouldn’t allow it, telling me you wouldn’t kiss me ever again if I did.”

“Well, I can’t promise to let you kiss me, Nico. But I do love your beard.” Nico’s sadness reappeared in his eyes, and she was starting to regret playing twenty questions with him. She needed to lighten the mood.

“I feel like I have as many questions to ask you, Toni,” he admitted. “I wonder if you’ll give the same answers as you did before you recovered your memories.”

“Well, I’m an open book, so ask away,” she offered, happy to have the tables turned.

“What’s your favorite color?” he asked.

“Purple,” she fired back.

“Cats or dogs?” he questioned.

“Cats, definitely cats.” She laughed. “What’s your favorite color?” she asked.

Nico paused and then answered, “The exact color of your eyes. They remind me of the ocean,” he whispered.

“Any siblings?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “Although I used to wish for a little sister to play with.”

“Me too,” he said. “I was always so lonely growing up, I hoped my parents would give me a brother or even a sister, but it was just me. Being an only child makes you feel very alone,” he said. She felt his sadness, knowing exactly how he felt. She had spent many lonely days dreaming of having a playmate, especially after her mother died.

“That’s it, up ahead.” She pointed to the big building sprawled out on the horizon in front of them. She knew it had been over a year since she was at her father’s office, but for her, it felt like it was just yesterday. Nico pulled into the lot and parked his car, killing the engine.

He didn’t make a move to get out or release her hand from his. “You know, we don’t have to do this,” he offered. “We have other options to help you fill in the blanks. Heather found a doctor who specializes in hypnotism.” Toni laughed at the way Nico wrinkled his nose when he mentioned a hypnotist.

“I take it from your expression you don’t put much faith in hypnotism.” Nico shook his head, answering her question.

“No, but if it will help you to remember this past year, I’ll try just about anything,” he admitted. Toni leaned over the center console to gently kiss his warm, fuzzy cheek.

“Thank you for saying that Nico. I’ll keep it in mind. But I have to do this. I need to face my past head-on. Otherwise, I might never know how I came to lose my memory in the first place.” Toni unbuckled her seatbelt, hoping that Nico would be willing to join her when she faced Zac. She didn’t leave things on the best of terms with him over a year ago.

“All right, let’s get this show on the road then.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, rounding his car to open her door and the whole scene felt so familiar to her. She took his hand, stepped out of the car, and let him pull her into his arms.

Nico wrapped his arms around her body and kissed her mouth in a hard, passionate kiss. “That’s for luck, baby,” he growled.

Toni wasn’t sure what to make of Nico’s kiss until she looked into the glass front of the office building to find Zac watching them, and from the pissed-off look on his face, he had seen the whole exchange. Nico was marking his territory. Toni shook her head, worried she was about to walk into trouble. She just hoped like hell she’d be able to find her way back out.

Nico

Zac met them at the front entrance, ordering the security guard to wave them through. Toni’s old flame couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her and the way Zac looked at her made Nico want to punch him. He had never been much of a possessive asshole, but Zachary Bierman made his inner caveman roar to life. When Nico caught Zac watching them through the wall of glass windows, he couldn’t help himself. He staked his claim, loud and clear. Toni didn’t seem to have any idea they were being watched and the way she simply allowed him to kiss her like that made him hot. He wanted to lay claim to her in every way possible. Hell, maybe it would help Toni remember what they were to each other. Maybe it would help her to remember she was his.

“Well, there’s my girl,” Zac said, pulling Toni in for a hug that lasted a little longer than Nico liked.

“I’m not your girl.” Toni pushed at his body, trying to remove herself from his hold and Nico couldn’t help his growl.

Zac had the nerve to laugh, and Nico knew he was playing right into the asshole’s hands. He needed to remember to keep his head on straight and hopefully, he and Toni would be able to get some answers before the afternoon was over.

“You know what I mean, Toni. I’m so happy to see you alive and well,” Zac whispered. “We all thought you were dead.”

Toni nodded. “I know, and that’s why I’m here. I was hoping you might be able to help me fill in some blanks.” Zac motioned toward a room off to the side of the front entrance and they followed him.

“Please sit,” he offered when they entered the spacious office. “Can I get either of you anything?” he asked. Nico stood behind the white leather sofa where Toni had taken a seat. The thought of getting comfortable in Zac’s office made his skin crawl.

“No,” Toni said, fidgeting with her clothing. Nico didn’t miss the way being in the same room with Zac seemed to make Toni nervous. “Listen, Zac, I know we didn’t leave things on the best terms, but I hope you will let bygones be bygones. I have amnesia and I’m trying to fill in some holes in my memory.” Toni sat up a little straighter and Zac let his eyes roam her body. Nico growled again, garnering the man’s attention away from Toni’s body and hopefully sending a warning. Toni shot Nico a look that told him she wasn’t happy with his inability to keep it together and he just shrugged and smiled.

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