Page 36 of Touch Me Not

“Well, then, go take a walk or something, but move your feet.”

“No.”

“No?” she asked incredulously, and he chuckled. “This is not funny, Nikoli.”

“I’d disagree. It’s about as funny as you calling me a manwhore in front of everyone this morning.”

The poor waitress picked that minute to show up. Julie, as her name tag read, blushed a bright cherry red and gave him a look he did not appreciate. “Are you…uh…um…ready to…order?”

“Cheeseburger and fries.” Nikoli scowled at Lily. She was grinning from ear to ear. Damn woman. He was not a whore!

“Is the fish fresh?” Lily asked, smirking at Nikoli.

“Yes, of course. The owner gets it from the docks every morning.”

“Chowder, then, thank you.” Lily smiled at her and handed over the menus. The girl nearly ran from the table. “Don’t blame me. That was all you, buster.”

“You’re supposed to be helping me with my reputation, Lily Bells, not causing it further damage.”

“Kinda hard to do when you blurt out things worse than a girl.”

Nikoli’s mouth fell open, and Lily burst out laughing. He was going to wring her neck yet.

“Are you going to move your feet?” she asked again.

“No.” She frowned, and he shifted both feet closer to her. He still wasn’t touching any part of her, but she started to fidget. Hewas hoping she’d get the nerve to push his feet away from her. It would force her to touch him. That first touch was going to be the hardest. He wanted it out of the way quickly. It was like the first time you rode your bike without training wheels. You knew you were going to fall. It was inevitable, but once you did, you got up, climbed back on, and took off again. That first fall was the hardest, but once you knew what was coming, you were okay with it happening again. She would be fine once she got over that initial contact.

“Why the hell not?” she demanded.

“Because I like you trapped,” he purred. “It makes me happy.”

“Do I look like I care if your perverseness makes you happy or not?” she snapped. “I’m not happy, so move your damn feet.”

“Nope, you have to make me move.” Before she could argue, he interrupted her. “So, about this bet I never agreed to…”

“What about it?” She wasn’t even looking at him; she was staring at his foot.

“What in God’s name gave you the idea I’d ever put my car up for a wager?”

“Afraid of a little bet, Kincaid?” She looked up and smiled, really smiled, and Nikoli felt his insides twist. She was gorgeous when she smiled. He’d seen her laughing and smiling, but not like this. It was genuine and full of joy.

“No, I’m not,dushka, but you should be.” He leaned across the table, invading her personal space. “Do you really think I’d ever lose my car in a bet, especially a bet about sex?”

“I told you not to call me that,” she whispered, pushing herself back against the seat and as far from him as she could get. Luckily for him, that was only a few inches.

Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. His eyes followed the movement, and he felt himself growing hard imagining what that tongue would feel like against his skin. “You smell likevanilla, Lily. It reminds me of sugar cookies. Would you taste like warm vanilla sugar cookies,Milaya?”

“Uh, Nikoli,” she whispered, drawing in a ragged breath. “Your eyes are getting darker.”

He pushed himself closer to her. “Do you know why, Lily?”

She shook her head, and he smiled, the smile guaranteed to get a woman out of her clothes. “It’s because I’m imagining all the things I could get you to do with that lovely little tongue of yours.”

Lily’s eyes widened, and her breathing sped up. Nikoli pressed closer, his own mouth a hair’s breadth from hers. “Would you like to do that, Lily?”

Someone cleared their throat, and Nikoli was forced to look up. Their waitress stood there, holding their plates. He groaned, frustrated, but moved back so she could put the plates down. Her hands were a little shaky when she pulled them back. Lily took one look at her and blinked. He watched all the progress he’d made in the last few minutes slip away as she closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were wary, watchful.

Frustration welled up, but Nikoli refused to show it. Instead, he smiled lazily at the waitress. “Thank you, Julie.”

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