Page 1 of Big Nick Energy

Prologue

NICK MARSH

Two years earlier

I knew better.

I was a grown man, for god’s sake!

Forty fucking years old and a lifetime of experiences to go with it. I’d gambled big, risked my life over and over, and had somehow, time and time again, come up on top.

But she was going to be my downfall.

The innocent-looking girl who didn’t know she dripped sexuality with every step she took would be the reason I’d fall down on my sword and say fuck everything I’d worked so damn hard to achieve.

I glanced out at the living room, where the little tempting morsel sat. Jesus, she was gorgeous. So damn beautiful I had no idea how my poor stupid heart could stand it.

Too bad she was visibly uncomfortable sitting next to my dumb-ass son. Noah had no idea, no clue that women like the one at his side were once in a lifetime. Too young and too fucking dumb and stupid to see it. The idiot was on his phone, ignoring the young woman next to him.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved my kid. He was my flesh and blood. I wanted nothing but his happiness. But the kid was a moron. I knew it by the fact he couldn’t tell that Blanca was uncomfortable. Probably thirsty by the way she kept eyeing his water. I frowned, hating that my dumb-ass kid didn’t know what he had sitting right next to him. Yet, and I hated myself for it, I was also grateful. I didn’t want them to work out. Not when I knew I wanted her for myself.

I’d known that from the first moment I had laid eyes on her. As if feeling my presence, she turned, and our eyes connected for a moment.

Blanca Dominguez was beautiful. Breathtakingly so.

Wide brown eyes so deep and soulful. Long, straight dark tresses that made my hands ache to touch. And a face of an angel. A small beauty mark by her lip that tantalized. Not to mention her body. Jesus Christ, Blanca was a curvy siren made for sin that left a man with only thoughts of breeding her.

“Hello, Mr. Marsh.”

“Hey, kid.” I winked and momentarily winced at myself.

“Hungry?” I stepped closer, no longer able to keep my distance or hide in the shadows. It was like this any time she came over. My kid shot me a look that let me know he wasn’t happy with me.Too damn bad.

“Yeah, I mean…” She licked her lips, and my eyes dropped to the soft pink pillows of her mouth. I had to fight myself from getting hard. Popping a woody in front of my kid and his girlfriend like some kind of predator was not what I needed. “I was actually going to go,” she announced, sitting straighter.

“Why?” Noah asked with a whine.

“I told you I had to be back early?—"

“But we were going to go upstairs,” he argued, and her eyes widened. She blushed as she glanced at me and then back at my son.

“I told you Libby needs help studying.”

“Jesus! When is that nerdy friend of yours going to find a man so she can loosen up and then you can, too?

“Noah––

“You need new friends.” he clipped, and I watched my sweet girl stand up and cross her arms over her chest as her head tilted to the side. “Hotter friends.”

“New friends? Like Jen, maybe?” He might have rolled his eyes, but I knew my son. There had been a flash of slight guilt.

“Jen is just a friend.”

“Yeah, that’s what Biz Marky said,” she mumbled, and I coughed to cover up my laugh. Suddenly, I felt the two of them looking at me.

“Can you give us a moment here, Dad?” Noah asked, his eyes wide as he pointed between Blanca and him.

“Actually,” she started to say, “he doesn’t need to.” She looked away from Noah, and our gaze connected. Hers soft yet slightly worried. “I’m sorry, Mr. Marsh, this wasn’t how I wanted to do this.”

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