Page 4 of Wilde In His Arms

“Don’t be like what, Nick?Disappointed?Sad?That’s how I feel.You came running when Mason called.And I appreciate it because it was for my sister.I’m sure last night was scary as hell for her and everyone else trying to find her.But for me, you show up acting like you can’t stand not to have me in your arms the second I open the door after you haven’t called or texted in more thantwoweeks.You’re not even trying anymore to pretend this isn’t just sex.When you’re back home in Montana, I’m out of sight, out of mind.”

Nick stared down at her, his eyes filled with anger and what she hoped was regret to go with the heaping dose of frustration coming off him.“Is that what you think of me?That I’d treat my brother’s wife’s sister like some…booty call.Seriously?”

Brother’s wife’s sister?Not girlfriend.That said a lot.

“Why haven’t you contacted me at all for the past two weeks?What the hell am I supposed to think when I get nothing but silence from you?When our whole…whatever this is we’re doing, revolves aroundyou.Your schedule.Your job.Your availability to see me.”

Nick turned it right back on her.“Why haven’t you contacted me to say you missed me?That you wanted me to come?That you were willing to drive up to see me?”

“Now we’re playing games with each other?”She rolled out of bed, found her tank on the floor, and pulled it on.

Nick sat on the edge of the bed and stared over it at her.“I’m not playing games.I’m asking you why you stewed on this instead of simply calling me.”

She pulled on her panties, crossed her arms under her breasts, and stared at the floor.“Because your silence spoke volumes.And I want more.I deserve more.”

Nick dragged on his boxer briefs, then his jeans, and let out a frustrated breath.“You’re right.You do.I was busy on a new case.One that is taking up a lot of my time.And that’s no excuse.”He put on his socks and shoes.“I just…every time I wanted to reach out, it was late at night and I knew you were working at the bar.I kept telling myself, I’ll call her tomorrow at lunch when she wakes up, but then…”

“You got busy and time got away from us.”

“Yes.”

She pulled on a pair of leggings.“I get that your job is important.Lives are on the line.And yeah, I’m just a bartender.”

He stopped in the middle of putting on his shirt, his arms in both the sleeves in front of him, and turned to pin her in his gaze.“You’re more than that,” he growled.

“Fine.But the thing is, Nick, I have no idea what we are to each other.Whatever this is that we’re doing, isn’t enough.My sisters and brother have found their someone, who will never let them go.I want that, too.But all I am is lonely.”

He pulled on his shirt and adjusted his belt and badge.“I know this isn’t easy.But we have something good here.”

“We have amazing chemistry.What we’ve shared has been more than I’ve ever had with anyone.”

He held his arms out to his sides.“I feel the same way.”

“But I want more.”

His arms dropped.

She poured out everything she’d held inside too long.“I want everything.Marriage, the house, the kids, a dog, and the love of my life by my side.But you’re so dedicated to your job, you think that’s a life.And if you’re happy with that, that’s fine.But for me…I want more.”I want it with you.She couldn’t seem to bring herself to give him that last desperate piece of herself.

Nick’s phone buzzed with a text.He checked it quickly and sighed.“That’s the pilot.He’s running early.”

Meaning they were out of time.He had places to go, people to arrest, others to save.“How is your cousin, Hawk?”

“He’s…the same.He spends too much time alone.”Nick frowned at her.“So do I.That’s why you and I…” He shook his head.“If I don’t leave now, I’m going to be late.And I—”

“Have a meeting,” she finished for him, because he always had a meeting to get to.

Her heart ached.She really wanted to know what all the missing words were in those half sentences.But she knew the drill.“You should try to get some sleep, too.You look tired.”

“Aria.”God, the way he said her name.With regret and longing and something more.A plea.

She wanted to give him everything.

But how could she when he was always walking out the door.

He took two steps toward her.So close, but not touching.“I wasn’t expecting this when I came to see you.”His gaze dropped to the tangled sheets on the bed.

“Yeah.I know.But it’s been coming for a while.”She looked up at him, wanting so desperately to wrap her arms around him and hold him here with her.“As much as I love our time together, I can’t do this anymore.”Her throat closed as she held back a sob.She wasn’t going to fall to pieces.Not now.Not in front of him.

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