Page 51 of Flame True

Nick laughed, nuzzling her neck. “No, I don’t.”

“Why are you being so nice?”

“You don’t think I am a nice guy?”

“No, I think you’re rude, standoffish and difficult.”

“She wounds me with her words,” Nick smiled, his hands settling on her hips.

Mulberry sighed and put her head on his shoulder.

“Sorry. You go all evening acting as if I am a chore, and now you asked me to dance.”

“I needed to dance one last time before I left this gala,” Nick said. He wanted to trace the hollow of her neck with his fingers. His dick twitched, and he spun her around on the changing beat.

“And you aren’t a chore, Mulberry.”

“What am I then?” Her lips parted, waiting for his answer.

His heart did something weird. He wanted to wrap this woman up and keep her safe. He wanted to give her all the reassurance she was asking for.

Nick stared into her glowing grey-blue eyes, her slight smile that revealed a dimple on her cheek, and leaned forward. His lips were right next to hers, almost kissing her.

“You’re my charge, and I will take care of you. I will protect you.”

“Nobody has ever done that before,” Mulberry said.

Nick tightened his grip on her slightly. “Axis Management has provided security for you in the past.”

“I know. This is different. More personal. You sound as if you mean what you say.”

“I always mean what I say.” Nick pressed his hands into her hips, feeling a slight shudder roll through her. Mulberry turned her head from him, and he wanted her eyes back on him.

Holding her close with one arm, he slid his hand along her back, over her shoulder and gripped her chin. “And you, ma chérie, are not a chore.”

And he couldn’t fight it anymore. She looked so gorgeous and soft.

She smelled so damn good.

Leaning down close to her, his lips fused with hers. He swallowed her startled cry, brought her close to his body, so close he could feel her heartbeat.

His tongue worked hers, possessively with all the angst he felt for her. He kissed her as if she was the last woman on earth, sure he would drown in her taste.

She wasn’t the last woman on earth, only the last woman he should be kissing, and with an effort, he pulled away from her mouth, placing a finger on her lips as the number ended.

“I’m ready to go home. Are you?” His voice came out gravely.

“Yes. I guess I can’t avoid it.”

“I’d rather take you back to my place. It’ll be splashed everywhere that Nick Laurent is dating the daughter of Grace Stevens.”

Mulberry closed her eyes, opened them and smiled. “Your place it is.”

He took her hand and liked how her dainty little hand fit just so in his calloused fingers. With her by his side, he made the rounds, saying goodnight to everyone and once outside, in the cool morning, he dropped her hand.

“About that kiss.”

“Yes?” Mulberry asked, her eyes wide.

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