Page 19 of Wine & Whiskey
“No. Juan won’t accept the fact that I don’t want to be in business with him. He’s been a growing problem for the last few weeks. I didn’t realize until now how unstable he is.”
“What about the gun? Max had a gun pointed at Juan’s head.”
The shrug of his shoulders is almost imperceptible, the steadiness of his voice unwavering. “He was protecting us.”
Matter of fact. Cut and dry. A forgone conclusion about the need for armed protection, and it’s not even the most terrifying part. Her voice cracks as she reveals her bigger worry. “What did you do to his brother?”
“Nothing. He worked for me. He was a hothead and made some stupid mistakes. He ended up in jail and was killed. Juan blames me, but he brought it on himself. ”
Her mouth opens, but the words won’t come. The rage on his face was too vivid to ignore. His need to protect her fuels a fury in him she struggles to comprehend.
“What is it?”
Fear steals her breath, and she can only whisper. “You were so angry.”
“Juan was trying to…” He closes his eyes and grimaces. “Touch you. I couldn’t let that happen.” He shakes his head. “Fuck, what am I doing?” His face falls slack, his eyes darkening with defeat. “Jason’s right. I need to leave you alone.”
Cold chills run through her body at the realization of her friend’s broken promise. “What are you talking about? What did he say?”
“It doesn’t matter.” With a deep sigh, he steps back. “You don’t belong with me. I’ll have Max take you back to your car.”
She closes her eyes, willing away the growing ache in her heart. Forcing herself to return to her accepted fate of being alone. “I’m sorry we couldn’t—”
“I know I should let you go, but I can’t.” He pulls her against him and whispers into her hair, “Please don’t leave.”
The rawness of his plea exposes a vulnerability in him she never expected. Its simplicity revealing the purity of his emotion. He cradles her head as she talks into his chest. “I feel out of control. Everything’s moving too fast.”
“I promise to take things slower. I’ll do anything to make you stay.”
The faint ticking of the mantel clock provides the only proof time passes. Wrapped in his arms, her trembling stops, her body softens as the tension releases. This is where she wants to be, no matter how wrong it is. “You’re tenacious. I know that about you.”
He laughs before kissing the top of her head. “Oh, yeah? What else do you know?”
A small vibration pulsates between their bodies before she can respond. He ignores the chirping phone, drawing her tighter against him. She lifts her head and smiles back at him. “If you don’t answer it, Max will just come for you.”
As if on cue, a knock sounds on the living room wall. “Excuse me, Nick, but Carter’s here. He’s waiting in your office.”
“Thanks, Max. I’ll be right there.” He rubs his hands across her shoulders. “Will you wait for me?”
Pressed against him, heat races through her body. His clean, citrusy scent and sexy smile weaken her resolve to resist his request. She nods before letting him go.
“Good. I want to show you something.”
He grasps her hand and leads her to the lower level, pushing open the door to a dimly lit room. Three rows of black leather sofas stacked stadium style face an enormous screen. Small black and gold tables with recessed square lights nestle between each sofa, the dark walls and furniture a sharp contrast to the cream carpet.
He picks up a remote and pushes a few buttons. Light flickers on the screen, revealing an endless list of movie titles. “I thought you might want to wait here for me. I’ll try not to be gone too long, and then we can talk some more.”
She can’t hide the smile his thoughtful gesture inspires. Bringing her here, remembering what she likes, wanting to make her happy. “I’d like that.”
“What would you like to watch?”
Unable to focus on anything but him, she shakes her head. “Surprise me.”
Bridesmaidsflashes twice, and a row of women in pink dresses appears on the screen. He picks up a gray afghan from a basket next to the sofa and motions for her to sit down. After tucking the blanket around her, he runs his knuckles across her cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She takes a deep breath. Alone with her thoughts, she can’t snuggle in and enjoy the movie like he hopes. Any doubts surrounding his “alleged” status dwindle from their encounter today. Now, she sits in his mansion pretending to watch a romantic comedy while really questioning her sanity. She risks her career, her safety, even her heart being with him.
Until she met Nick, she never thought she would stray from the sheltered lifestyle her mom created for her, never deviate from the plan of success that didn’t have room for anyone but the two of them. Now it’s a solo life, with the yearning for more. For what Nick gives her. Choosing to be with him could be her downfall. One of those fateful decisions, when looking back, is easy to realize as an obvious mistake. But, in the here and now, he’s all she wants.
