Page 34 of Wine & Whiskey
“I guess it’s morphed into that over the years. We were working all the time, and it made it easier for him to stay at the house. Once he moved in, we became friends. He’s a good guy.”
“He has a good boss.”
His hands glide over to her naked body, drawing her closer. Her heart skips a beat at his strong yet gentle touch, his desire for her evident as his body responds to her pressing against him. “Are you trying to butter me up, Miss Armstrong?”
“Well, Mr. DeMarco, I need to take a shower and thought you might help me wash my back.”
“I’m at your command.” He stands and pulls her up, holding her against him. Shivers trail her neck from his fingers running through her hair. “I like it when you flirt with me. Your playful side is very sexy.” He nuzzles her ear and begins to kiss down her throat. “I’d like to see more of it.”
“You bring it out of me. I can’t help myself when I’m around you.” She steps back and smiles at his exaggerated frown from her wiggling out of his embrace. “Give me one second. I want to get something.”
Kneeling down on the floor, she slides out a box from underneath the bench at the foot of her bed. “I didn’t think you’d want to smell like orchids or lilacs, so I have this unscented soap for you.” She smiles up at him and winks. “Now I can wash your back…” Her voice fades at the hollowness of his expression, the turmoil swirling in his eyes. “Nick?”
Suddenly, his fingers clench her shoulders, and he pulls her up to him. He wraps his arms around her, almost crushing her. His heart pounds against her cheek.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I had this weird déjà vu flashback or something.”
They hold each other until his heartbeat calms, but his face remains pale and drawn. Sitting side by side, he presses her fingers flat between his palms. Lost in his thoughts, he stares at their coupled hands.
“Do you want to tell me what you remembered?”
A few minutes pass before he responds. “I think I was in second grade. I came home from school and walked into the kitchen.” Goosebumps cover her arms and legs at his voice, so distant and lost. “My mother was kneeling on the floor, rocking forward, holding her head. I guess he had hit her. He was standing over her screaming, calling her names. I was paralyzed. So scared I couldn’t move.”
Nick shakes his head and stands up, staring into the distance at something only he can see. She wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his back, needing to keep the connection between them as he trusts her with his heartbreak.
“Then, he was quiet. I thought he was leaving. I thought it was over. But it wasn’t. He reared back and kicked her hard in the stomach, and she went flying across the tile. I tried to go to her, but he pushed me away, backhanded me across the face. Screamed at me to go to my room. I was too scared to do anything else, so I ran to my bedroom and locked the door. I laid on my bed until morning. No one ever came for me.”
The lump in her throat strangles her voice, and she can barely push the words out. “I’m so sorry.”
He entwines their hands and takes a deep, shuddering breath. “It all came rushing back, seeing you on the floor in front of me. I think it’s the last time I ever saw her.” He brings her hand to his mouth and kisses her knuckles. “I’m sorry if I frightened you.”
Heaviness fills her heart. Amidst his own suffering, he still takes care of her. Regardless of her uncertainty about his job, his love for her remains clear. “No, you didn’t. I was just worried about you. It breaks my heart both of you went through that.”
“She’s been on my mind a lot lately, since meeting you.” Turning around, he cups her face before kissing her softly. “I’m on the Board of Directors for the L.A. chapter of the Domestic Violence Foundation.”
Her stomach twitches at his comment. He doesn’t know she researched him and learned about his involvement with the charity. Knowing the reason behind it intensifies her guilt even more.
“Their annual gala is this Saturday, and I want you to go with me.”
“Of course. I’d be honored to be your date.”
“Thank you.” He strokes her hair, as if comforting himself as well as her, while his brow remains furrowed. “I’m sorry you didn’t get your shower.”
“It’s okay. If you stay with me tonight, I’ll need another one anyway.” A little bit of spark returns to his eyes at her naughty comment. “Are you hungry?”
He nods. “Starving.”
“Come on, then. Let’s go find something to eat.”
* * * *
They peer into the refrigerator. Yogurt, carrot sticks, cottage cheese, and white wine. “I guess it’s kind of girl food, isn’t it? How about I order a pizza?” She smiles at him and wrinkles her nose, adorable in her unnecessary embarrassment. The rattle of the garage door interrupts their discussion. Her face lights up before she pushes against the handle. “That’s Carrie. The birthday party for Nathan’s grandma must be over.”
Carrie walks into the kitchen carrying a stack of white boxes. Winking at Nick, she smiles. “I thought that might be your sweet Audi in the driveway.”
He returns the sentiment before taking the packages from her and setting them on the counter. “Hi, Carrie.”
