Page 27 of Falling for Nicole
“Yeah…I see what you mean byinteresting.” She looks way too bloody happy about it.
“Nic—” Declan starts when he gets to me, but Susan calling his name distracts him and he turns to look her way.
I breathe a sigh of relief as he gives his mum a hug that I’m able to put off our inevitable awkwardness after last night a little longer.
Once I know he’s fully distracted, I make my escape, leaving Emily to serve in my place.
Shutting the office door behind me, I rest back against it and look up to the ceiling as I let out a long breath.
What the hell was that back there? That connection the second he walked into the room. I thought I would be anxious seeing him, but all I felt was excitement. I knew he was mad, the hard set of his face showed that, but I didn’t cower away, worried about what might come out of his mouth. I was actually looking forward to giving him as good as he gave me for a change. Suddenly his years of teasing and torture have turned into some kind of foreplay I can’t wait to continue. It’s fucked up, I know.
When I return, I find the bar clear, and looking around I spot Lilly and Lucas sitting at a table with Susan, Pete and Declan. I allow the sound of their happiness and laughter to filter through me, and for a few seconds I smile with them, that is until I realise I’ll never have what they’ve got. I was always jealous of their big family, but it’s worse now than ever. I have no one. Everyone I love has died. It’s like some kind of curse. My dad was killed in a motorcycle accident while Mum was pregnant with me, my grandparents both passed away not all that long after we moved up north to support them, and then Mum last year.
I sigh as I continue watching them. As soon as Lilly notices me she smiles and waves me over, but I refuse and get back to work. Declan once again looks my way. With my knees threatening to buckle beneath me, I tear my eyes away and focus on work. Well, as best I can when I can feel his stare on me.
Declan
Mangoes. That’s what she smelt like. I can’t get the fucking smell out of my nose. Every time I wonder if she would taste just as sweet, I feel myself harden in my shorts. I didn’t mean to go out and pounce on her, but hearing her voice filter through to the office as she sang pulled me out. Once I saw her perfectly round arse wiggling in time to what she was singing, I lost control of my actions in my need for her.
I should be saying that I’m glad she stopped it going any farther, but I’d be lying. I’ve been pissed off and equally as turned on since she pulled the brakes before I had the chance to put my lips on hers.
I was tempted to avoid the shack today. I’ve no idea if her head’s as fucked as mine is after that last night, but I don’t really want to find out for fear it’ll only fuel my desire.
What I don’t expect to find when I do grow a pair is my parents waiting for me with a happy looking Nicole serving them. My heart pounds as we stare at each other. Regret slams into me that I wasn’t a little more forward the night before. She wanted it, of that I’m positive, and I’m sure just a little more from me and she would have been like putty in my hands.
My cock twitches the second she sees me about to walk towards her. Her eyes widen in surprise but I don’t miss the slight darkening of her stunning green irises. She spent all night thinking about me as well.
I’ve no idea what I want to say to her this morning. I tried coming up with an excuse for what happened, but I don’t have anything other than the truth about how badly I needed my hands on her. But it looks like it’s going to have to wait as I watch her run to the safety of the office.
I think it’s safe to say that I’ve got under her skin.
I end up spending the day with my family. It’s been quite a few weeks since I’ve spoken more than a few words with my parents as I prepared for the opening of the shack, and I’m really glad they decided to come down and surprise me and Lilly. Having said that, I spend the whole day wondering if Nicole’s thinking about me, if she’s waiting for me to return at any moment with excitement or dread, and more importantly, if she’s regretting stopping me last night. That look this morning sure pointed towards it.
Mum’s been assessing me with a familiar look in her eye all morning. She’s been under some weird illusion for years that there’s something between Nicole and me. I think her and Nicole’s mum used to get together and secretly plan our wedding even when we were kids. It’s one of the things that pissed me off in our early years—one of many when it came to Nicole. It’s strange now, because although I know how much she irritated me, I’m struggling to remember what all those really annoying things were.
“The shack looks incredible, angel. I’m so proud of you,” Mum says when we eventually get a few minutes together.
“Thank you. It wasn’t all me, though. I had plenty of help.”
“Take the credit, Dec. That place wouldn’t be what it is now if it weren’t for you. It would probably be just another seaside café with plastic flowers and paper doilies.” Her words drag up images of what the place looked like before we put it all in a skip. “So how is it with Nicole here? Lilly says she’s doing a great job managing the place.”
“It’s fine, and she’s good at her job.”
Her eyebrow rises in question. “That’s all you’ve got to say about it?”
“Uh…yeah.”
“I see more than you think I do, baby. I’ve seen it for years,” she warns. “Just promise me something?”
“What is it?” I ask with a groan.
“Just keep an open mind with her.”
“With Nicole?”
“Yes. Oh and don’t be a total arse to her. She’s had—”
“A rough time. Yes I know. I’ve had this lecture from Lilly more than once. I’m aware of what Nicole’s been through, but she’s just my manager. As long as whatever she’s going through doesn’t affect her work, it’s all good.”
