Page 78 of Wine & Whiskey
“Speaking of, is that why you’re so tired this morning?” He raises his eyebrows and smirks, his annoying arrogance returning. “Shae keep youuplate last night?”
His regret about punching him starts to dissipate as Carter eggs him on. “I mean it. I’m not in the mood.”
“Fine.” Carter puts his hands up in surrender. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you such a grouch?”
Nick frowns as he rubs his forehead, a bad feeling brewing in his gut with the uncertainty remaining from Max’s latest investigation. “Jessica’s called me twice, but didn’t leave messages. I’m having Max look into it, but he hasn’t found much yet.”
“What did he say?”
“She was living with some poor bastard in Beverly Hills. I guess it fell apart, because her convertible’s been parked outside her sister’s house for the last two weeks.”
“I guess she’s her sister’s problem then.”
If only he could be so indifferent about it. Nothing with Jessica is ever that easy. She makes sure it isn’t. He shakes his head. “I just can’t figure out what she wants after all this time.”
“Hell, I know.” Carter rubs his thumb and fingers together before jerking his hand up and down over his crotch.
Money and sex, pretty much the basis of his relationship with Jessica. Of all women, until now. God, he’s so fucking lucky to have found Shae. “No, on both counts.”
Rolling with laughter, Carter raises his eyebrow. “What? You don’t want a nice piece of ass on the side?”
He’s done listening to this stupid fucker and points to the door. “Get the fuck out of my office.”
Still smiling, Carter stands up and grabs his sandwich and drink. “Never hurts to have options.”
* * *
Nick rubs his aching neck, relieved to finally be home. “Shae?”
“I’m in here.”
He follows her sweet voice into the living room. Wrapped in the yellow bedspread from her house, she sits snuggled in one of the oversized side chairs. Piles of stapled papers line the floor and coffee table. An enormous smile lights up her beautiful face as she holds out her hand to him. If only she was naked like yesterday, he’d be completely happy.
“I love it that you call for me when you come into the house. It makes me feel very special that you’re looking for me.”
He scoops her up and sits down with her on his lap, tucking the blanket around them. “You’re the best reason I’ve ever had to come home.” Pinkness dots her cheeks as she tips her head down. Her modesty challenges his restraint not to take her upstairs and show her what her presence means to him. Letting out a deep breath, he gestures to the stacks. “What are you working on?”
“Gail sent some scripts over. I was reading through them to see if any are worthwhile.”
“Any luck?”
“Yes, there’s a good one about a couple who spends their honeymoon trekking around the world. It’s only supposed to last for a year, but they keep traveling against their families’ wishes. It’s a romantic comedy, with a happy ending, of course.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” He winks and rubs his finger along the fraying edge of her comforter. “Why do you have this?”
“I guess it’s kind of silly, but I was missing my mom, and it reminds me of her. Carrie and I stopped by my house, and I brought it back with me.”
His stomach clenches at her fading smile, the uncertainty clouding her dark blue eyes. Gliding his finger under her chin, he lifts her face and meets her gaze. “Are you unhappy here? With me?”
Her eyes widen before she wraps her arms around his neck, the blanket sliding down to the floor, her heart pounding against his chest. “No! You’re all I want. Just you. Please believe me.”
“I do, sweetness.” He strokes her hair as she clings to him. With all she’s been through, he hates she has more anxiety, doubt still lingering in her about him, about them.
After a few minutes, she lifts up and gives him a small smile. “How was your day?”
“Busy. And weird.”
“What do you mean?”
