Page 13 of Nick's Baby

"Too bad." His boss exclaimed.

"What kind of boss are you?" Kelsey demanded.

Nick shot her an incredulous glance. Then he stormed up the embankment. Kelsey stood rooted for a second, amazed by Nick's decisive choice of his family over his job. Never had she seen a man do such a thing. A man of his word, he did put his family first. God, she liked him even more now, if that were possible.

She took off after him. "Nick, wait, you're going too fast. I can't keep up."

Nick shot her a glance over his shoulder.

"Wait, please wait. My cars just up the hill. I'll drive you."

"Great," he muttered. "Get in it, and go home."

He didn't have to be so bossy. She was doing her best to be nice, offering assistance even. Why couldn't he just accept help?

Kelsey had no reason to care about Nick's little brother, but the look in Nick's eyes when he stormed out of the office told her this could be serious. She had to go with him, if for no other reason than to reassure herself that all was well.

She shouldn't care, but she did. It made no sense.

"I insist," she rasped, catching up to him at last. "Besides, it's much faster."

He turned to stare at her, and their eyes met. Kelsey was drowning in those dark orbs that stared like a savage beast at his prey. A new tension sprang between them like a live current. His frown began to fade, of all times for a man to attract her. He did. Right here in the basement of the city sewer department. The thought scared her witless. Men had always been such a mystery to her. Unsure of herself. All her life she'd only managed to screw-up where men were concerned. Yet, Nick had some kind of draw on her, making her bolder, more daring. He pulled at her heartstrings.

He stopped abruptly, stared at her through her thick set of glasses.

"You just don't give up, do you?" his voice went husky. "Don't you ever take those damned glasses off?"

"Occasionally." The breath froze in her chest, her heart pounded like a drum. For a moment time seemed to stop. "And no. It's not in my nature to give up." She paused, trying not to drown in those big brown eyes. "Besides, I'd like to help, if I can."

Nick moved away from her. But her hand touched his and he took it, pulling her up with him.

Within minutes, they were strapped into a fire-red Lamborghini. "She's a beaut." He ran his hand along the soft leather interior.

"You like her?"

"What's not to like? This is the closest I've been to one of these babies, or ever will be. It's a privilege to sit here. Must have set you back a fortune."

"Not really, it was a birthday present." She realized as soon as she said it how hollow it sounded. Most of her friends drove equally nice cars. She had never thought anything of it. He probably already had his mind made up that she was just some little airhead princess.

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Nick's expression hardened.

"It's just a car, Nick."

"Hardly just a car!"

They rode in silence till Nick suddenly shouted, "Pull up there. Thanks."

As they pulled to the curb by his apartment building, he jumped out. He didn't say goodbye, he didn't even look back.

~~~

Nick flew up the stairs, taking them two at a time, his worry only tempered by the woman behind him. Kelsey followed, panting all the way. He heard her gasp, heard her curse under her breath, and turned at the top of the stairs to see what her problem could be.

She had stopped, and bent over to remove her shoes and now carried them in one hand. He didn't have time to look at feet! But dammit he was looking.

Whirling back, he threw open the door and stalked in. He slowed, calming himself, and cast a curious glance over his shoulder at Kelsey who had momentarily slowed down too. He watched her take in the surroundings. A frown puckered her forehead. His control snapped, grabbing her up short, he held her a moment. They seemed to stop breathing.

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