Page 72 of Wine & Whiskey
Fury flames in him just like the night Juan kidnapped her. The side of Nick she so rarely sees, yet understands the devastation that can come from it. She must calm him down, bring him back from the anger engulfing him. Cupping his cheeks, she tilts his face toward hers, meeting his angry gaze. “Even if Carter and everyone else are right, I can’t change how I feel about you.”
His eyes burn with intensity as he searches her face. His fingers cover hers, squeezing them in worry, doubt lingering in his emphatic touch. “You’re not going to try and leave?”
“I’ll admit it was my first thought. To run upstairs and grab my suitcase. But I knew it’d be pointless.”
“Because I’d find you wherever you went?”
She shakes her head and smiles, needing to confirm her commitment to them despite the obstacles they face. “Because I’m not going to run anymore. I want to be with you.”
The stiffness leaves his body, and he slumps down on the edge of his desk. Pulling her against him, he rests his head on her shoulder, his heavy breaths warming her neck, slowing her racing pulse from his dissipating fear.
“I don’t want to cause problems with your business. So, if you—”
His grip tightens around her waist. “Don’t even say it. All of this is meaningless to me without you. No matter what happens, you and I belong together.”
Her fingers glide over his scalp, stroking his hair, trying to soothe the uncertainty swelling in him again. “I was just going to suggest you don’t have to go to New York with me, if you need to work. I know it’s a long time to be gone.”
“I'm going.”
A small smile crosses her mouth at the ferocity imbedded in his answer, a reminder of his stubbornness amongst the turmoil, of how much she loves him for it. “Okay. We don’t have to decide right now.” Weakness softens her muscles, throbbing from the tension gripping them for so long. She presses her cheek against his, the light stubble tickling her skin. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to get ready for bed. Are you coming?”
“Yeah, I’ll be up soon.”
As she starts to step back, he entwines their hands, a shiver running through her at his lips pressed against her ear. “Don’t let what Carter said make you doubt us. Nothing has changed how I feel about you.”
Her heart aches from his worry, unable to fully trust her belief in him or her promise not to run. “I know.”
* * *
Tonight, whiskey doesn’t soothe his temper. Not strong enough to help him forgive his cousin for hurting Shae or make Carter’s accusation untrue.
It was easy to work sixteen hours a day when he was alone. A focused mind and an empty bed are the ideal combination in this world. Only indulging in the occasional hook-up to satisfy his needs and release his tension, with no attempt at any real connection.
Now, he’s found this beautiful distraction who makes everything else unimportant, who spurs his dream of leaving it all behind. Of giving up everything to become a better man with a different life. He takes a long drink, welcoming the heat sliding down his throat. She’s already sacrificed so much, he can’t ask her for more.
“Aren’t you coming to bed?” Concern infuses her question, her soft voice bittersweet against the breaking surf.
For the first time in his adult life, someone besides Marta worries about him. Waits for him to come home, cares when he’s late. Proof of how alone he really was. Until her. Until she gave him everything he didn’t know he was missing. After all she’s been through, his stomach clenches from burdening her with more anxiety. “I’m sorry, sweetness. What time is it?”
She accepts his outstretched hand and snuggles into his chest as he leans against the railing. The raspberry scent from earlier lingers on her skin. Next time, he’ll make sure it’s a bath for two.
“About one-thirty. You’ve spoiled me, and now I can’t sleep without you.”
Only an angel like her would call what he’s done to her spoiling. “Hell would be a better description of what I’ve put you through.”
Her hair brushes against his shirt as she shakes her head, her futile attempt to lessen his guilt. “Why are you out here beating yourself up? What’s wrong?”
She knows him too well. Her intervention keeps him from stewing, using the burn of alcohol to quiet the torture he inflicts upon himself. “Nothing. Let’s head upstairs.”
“You made me promise not to keep things from you. I want you to do the same.”
All he wants is to protect her from the truth, to keep from completely destroying her sweet innocence. Although not knowing could hurt her even more. “When I told you I couldn’t quit, I wasn’t completely honest. There’s another option.”
Her head flies up, her eyes bright with optimism. “What is it?”
The hopefulness in her voice stabs his heart, guilt slaying him from proposing what he knows is an impossible option. “We could disappear. It would have to be sudden and permanent, and then we would be free from all the threats.”
A frown pulls down her face at the realization of his suggestion. “Leave everyone behind…forever?”
