Page 8 of Wild For You

“Shall we?” He offered me his arm, every inch the dashing rogue, leading me away from the vibrant centerpieces and laughter-filled tables.

“Lead the way,” I answered, placing my hand on his forearm, feeling the solid reality of him beneath my fingers. My pulse quickened, a fluttering bird eager to escape its cage.

5

Nico

What was it about this woman that had me so enthralled? Or was it the couple of drinks I inhaled to try to get myself to loosen up before the reception? We were both adults and just because I invited her back to my hotel doesn’t mean sex would be involved. Looking at her, I wouldn’t object, but truthfully, I wanted to know more about her. One dark soul to another, there was chaos going on in her mind, and maybe we could help each other.

The reception was coming to an end and Haley had already left with my mother for the night. Thank god, because having to tell my mother I was taking a girl back to my hotel room might be a little awkward. She would jump to conclusions, especially with how long I’ve been single, but relationships just weren’t in the cards for me right now. My focus was on raising my daughter and making sure she knew how important she was to me. With her mother not around but twice a year, she needed stability. But as a single father, it was hard to find time to go out with someone. Trying to find a sitter, and then explaining to her where I was going, nope. It was easier just to stick to myself.

Until Josie…

When I saw her across the room, hiding behind her camera, she looked lonely. There was no ring on her finger. This weddingwas the perfect opportunity for me to be someone else for a night. Bold. Mysterious.

I pulled out my phone to get a driver, but she stopped me.

“I can drive us.”

“You haven’t had anything to drink?”

“Not a drop. Sober as a baby right now.”

I put my phone back in my jacket pocket and followed her to the car. Channeling someone else, Josie might not like the reserved Nico.

On the way to the hotel, she didn’t speak much, but I gauged she hadn’t done this often, if ever. I didn’t normally take girls home either, but Josie was different. I was in a different town and had no expectations of ever seeing her again. Even if we just talked all night, I’d be fine with that. That was one of things I missed most about being a single father who was either at work or home. Adult conversations. Haley and I couldn’t talk about politics, the latest scandal or anything else.

“You can change your mind, you know. Just drop me off and go home. I won’t be mad at all.”

She smiled, eyes not leaving the road. “I’m good. Just hate these roads at night. Gotta be careful.”

Tonight, I was a different guy, but maybe Josie deserved to know the real me. My ex screwed me up, that much I knew, but sometimes I wish opening myself up to someone wasn’t such a nightmare. Most people looked at me differently once they knew my last name. Although I got out of Lawson Ridge before all the major drama happened with Michael, the Youngblood name was forever known in that town. I didn’t want anyone looping me in with my brother. We were polar opposites in almost every arena.

“We’re here.” She turned off the car, and looked at me. “What now?”

She definitely hadn’t done this before.

“Well, I’ll take you up to my room and then grab us some drinks.” I opened my door and then like a gentleman, opened hers.

“Sounds good.”

My hand rested on the small of her back until inside of my room. Her eyes roamed around, probably noticing all the girls stuff laying around.

“You met my daughter at the wedding. Haley.”

She smiled. “She is so sweet. You are lucky.”

Josie walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back. “At least you have a decent view of the Walter’s ranch instead of the highway.”

She was nervous and had every right to be. My heart was beating a thousand times per second. I didn’t want her to think this was normal of me. As much as I loved being able to pretend to be someone I wasn’t, she shouldn’t think I sleep around with women often.

“I’ll go grab us a few drinks. Are you hungry at all?” I asked, because we didn’t have to have sex tonight. She needed to know that.

“I could eat. And I’m not picky.”

Just how I liked them. “Alright, I’ll be back with some food and drinks.”

I shut the door behind me and took a deep breath. This was really happening. There was a woman in my room. I was so out of practice with this sort of thing, but maybe we both were.

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