Page 54 of Wine & Whiskey
Her fingers stroke up and down his back, feather-light touches winding trails over his relaxed muscles as he places small kisses on her lips, unwilling to release her, not ready for her soft body to be anywhere but under him.
“I know we need to talk, but you also know how I like to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.”
He smiles at the mischief in her voice. “I thought it was reading.”
“Not anymore.”
Rubbing his thumb across the lace of her pink satin bra, he presses his lips against her ear. “This time I’ll slow down and give you the attention you deserve.”
She lays her hand on top of his as he cups her breast, the sparkle back in her eyes and her smile. “Are you talking to me or to them?”
He grazes her earlobe with his teeth. “Yes.”
Her head falls back as she laughs, giving him perfect access to nuzzle her neck.
Muffled voices in the hallway interrupt their lovemaking.
“I said wait! You can’t—”
“I want to see my friend! Shae? Are you in there?”
He sits up at the pounding against the wood as she wraps the sheet around herself. “What the fuck?”
The door flies open, revealing Carrie and Max, both of them out of breath. A slow smile spreads across Carrie’s face as she shakes her head. “Hell, Shae, no wonder you didn’t call me back.”
Nick can’t hold back his laughter. “It’s nice to see you too, Carrie.”
* * *
“You’re getting soft, Max. I can’t believe you let Carrie get away from you.”
Leaning back in his chair, Nick props his feet on his desk. Max’s two-hundred-sixty-pound, six-foot-six frame sprawls across the leather sofa in his office. From the scowl on his face, he could use a drink as much as Nick.
“Fuck you. If she was a guy, I would’ve laid her out. But what was I going to do to a tiny woman who’s also Shae’s best friend? I told her to stay put in the living room while I looked for you guys.” Max rolls his eyes as he shakes his head. “The next thing I know she’s fucking running upstairs, screaming for Shae.”
“Yeah, but it’s a package deal with the two of them, so don’t cross her.”
A reminder more to himself than Max. Her antics prove her concern for Shae’s safety with him, the hesitation she holds for them to be together. Of Shae’s friends, Carrie’s been his lone supporter, and it would only take one word from her for Shae to leave him. Compared to the other challenges in their relationship, his love would not be enough to overcome her disapproval.
Max nods before pointing to the ceiling. “From the look of things upstairs, I guess Shae’s staying.”
He was going to let her go. He really was. Unable to blame her for panicking, for seeking escape from her terror, he fought against everything in him not to chase her down, beg her to stay, let her be the joy of his existence.
Yet, she came back. Completely. Of her own volition. With one touch of her skin against his, her breathless whisper of his name, she belongs to him again. And, he refuses to allow Juan or anyone else to jeopardize the gift she gives him. “Yeah, and I want you to be the one to protect her. Don’t put any of the other guys on her. She can’t leave this house without one of us.”
“Then I’ll move Joseph and Oscar to you. I’ve also set up additional security for the house and your office.”
“Good.” Nick nods, appreciative of Max’s efforts, always ahead of him before he even has to ask. But this time, it’s not enough. Not for her. “I mean it, though, no matter where she’s going or what she’s doing, you or I go with her. I can’t take any chances with—”
“I know, Nick. I promise I won’t let anything happen to her.” Max’s tone conveys reassurance rather than the irritation Nick knows he deserves.
He hates sounding like a dick. An expert in his field, no one needs to tell Max how to do his job. But, for the first time since his mom was alive, he feels fear, and he can’t shake the bad feeling in his gut.
Max rests his forearm on the top of his head. “I hate to say it, but Carrie should stay here too.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing. I don’t want her to get caught in the middle, if Juan tries something at Shae’s house. But I’m not sure if we’ll be able to convince her.”
Even with his eyes closed, Max smirks. “Maybe Shae can work the same magic on her she does on you.”
