Bad Nerd Falling

by Grady, D. R.

  Bad, bad, bad… pay attention to your surroundings his survival instincts roared, trying to recapture his attention. Only those swirling pools of green were so heady, it was impossible to tear away from them. His head descended while hers ascended and their lips connected perfectly.

  A tiny sigh of happiness escaped her before their lips sealed. He wrapped one arm around her and plastered her against him, full length to full length.

  She felt right in his arms.

  Liking that, he kissed her with everything he was. All he had to give. Admittedly, it wasn’t much. But all he had was hers. They kissed, time stood still, and he only raised his head when he realized his heart threatened to stop beating.

  His lungs seized and he heard her draw in several deep breaths, panting like him to keep bodily functions working properly. That had been close. Still, as soon as the spots stopped forming in his vision, he lowered his head to kiss her again. She met him halfway.

  This kiss was a little easier because both of them remembered to breathe. When they parted, Vlad loved how slumberous her eyes were. Her lips pouted in a sultry, beautiful woman way.

  “You came to kiss me?” Her eyelids half-masted – like it required too much energy to open them wider.

  “No, I didn’t come to kiss you,” he refuted.

  Her lips curled up in a knowing feminine smirk.

  “Okay, I did come to kiss you. But I also came to just spend time with you.”

  Her smile faded as hope and awe took its place. “Really?”

  “That was the plan.” He ran a hand through his hair, but kept the other arm fastened securely around her. For some reason, it was hard to let her go, even to put a few centimeters between them.

  Her smile lit up the dark places deep inside him. He wanted to burrow deep inside her light, to bask in the warm, soft glow. This is what drew him here tonight. The sense of contentment he knew only when he was with Helena. It was addicting. Like her lips.

  “I’m glad you came.” She smiled up at him, like he was the only man in the world.

  That’s when he noticed they hadn’t proceeded any further into her apartment than the foyer. She couldn’t move because he held her flattened against him. Tight. Helena didn’t protest.

  “I am too,” he whispered and bent his head to sample her smile.

  She didn’t argue, but let him explore her lips. When she leaned into him and moaned, he realized they needed space between them or things he wasn’t planning on might occur and he would be powerless to stop them. Relying on Helena to halt things wasn’t a great plan because he would work extra hard to convince her and she apparently had the same weakness he did.

  Easing space between them was harder than he imagined.

  “I think we need to sit on opposites ends of the sofa.” One shaky footstep away from him and he wanted to snatch her close again, but she raised her hands to stop him and he relented.

  “Okay,” he agreed, even though instinct demanded he claim his mate.

  Helena pointed to the sofa and he sank onto it, not happy she was so far away. She strode into the kitchen, which lay beyond a counter. He hadn’t even looked at the place, much less assessed it for danger and weaknesses.

  That was unacceptable. The first thing he should have done was protect Helena, and instead he jumped headlong into those kisses and ignored his surroundings. That had never happened before. It better never happen again, a caustic voice stated firmly in the back of his mind. He agreed.

  When Helena exited the kitchen he noticed she carried two bottles. She handed him one and he saw it was iced tea. “Thank you.” He unscrewed the cap.

  She followed suit and they both took a sip before turning to each other. Now that he was here, he didn’t know what to do.

  Helena leaned forward to place her bottle on the coffee table before leaning back and staring at him. “I’m glad you came.”

  His lips quirked up. “I think you already said that.”

  She reached out to playfully swat him and he grabbed her wrist and tugged. Tumbling and laughing, she flew into his arms, exactly as he planned. “I thought we were supposed to talk,” she said breathlessly once she settled against him.

  Vlad wrapped both arms around her, anchoring her to his side, in case she had ideas of escaping him. Silly woman if so.

  “We will. But I like you close.”

  Throaty laughter bubbled up. “I guess you do, since I can’t move.” She mock scowled at him.

  “You’re fine.” He brushed a hand over her hair, loving the springy mass. Her dark curls had caught his eye from the beginning. She must have been about five. He was entranced then, and had never grown out of his fascination.

  “How do you know I’m fine?” Her arched brow provided another distraction.

  Vlad traced the lovely line. “You’re beautiful.”

  “You’re partial.”

  “Maybe, but there’s no denying yours is a face men fight wars over.”

  He loved the delicate color that flooded her cheeks. She was the most beautiful woman alive, but she was also humble. “How did a beautiful woman like you end up in a lab?”

  “I love science. You know that.”

  “You did spend a lot of time chasing insects and animals and collecting rocks when we were kids.”

  “Yeah, I haven’t changed much.”

  “You still collect all those things?” He took another, more leisurely, look at her apartment.

  She laughed. “No, I don’t collect them now. But I still love science and adore my job.” She stroked a delicate finger over his jaw. “It’s official as of today. Your mom, Jorge, and I are all going to help Tia in the lab.”

  He frowned. “I thought that was already official.”

  “Not until today.”

  “So you didn’t know for certain you were going to work with Tia?”

  “There wasn’t much said. We all feared we’d end up having to return to the hospital.”

  “You didn’t like the hospital?”

  “Not compared to what we’re doing with Tia. And her research is only going to get more exciting.”

  “The hospital wasn’t exciting?”

  Her mouth turned down. “Try processing stool samples and then answer that.”

  “No, thank you.”

  “So polite.” Her tone was teasing as she traced a finger over his lips. He managed to kiss the tip before she trailed it over his cheekbone. “So handsome.” Her swallow was loud in the silent room. They stared at each other before she leaned forward to kiss him.

  He didn’t argue; instead he kissed her back with gusto.

  Hauntingly beautiful piano music started playing. It was nearly as exquisite as the woman in his arms. He tugged her closer, savoring her warmth and enticing female scent. His senses had only ever been used for survival before. But now he realized they could appreciate the beauty all around him. This woman, this evening, the music that rose, lifting his spirits, embracing his heart, urging him to become a part of the night.

  The heady scent of Helena filtered in and enticed him deeper. Her lips beckoned and pleaded. He responded. Everything male in him clung to all of her that was female. The night dropped away as the music built. It neared the crescendo and Vlad’s breath caught as the beauty of the music rivaled the beauty in his arms.

  With one haunting chord to the next, the music swelled until it was inside him. Then it crashed all around him, in him, through him and then before it was finished, abruptly ended.

  “What?” He raised his head to stare in bemusement at Helena.

  “He botched it again.” She grinned before rising to pace over to a small door in the wall. Opening it, she leaned inside and yelled, “Beau, play something else. You’re too tired to do that piece.”

  A man’s disgruntled voice answered. “I nearly had it.”

  Helena shook her head. “No, you didn’t.”

  “Everybody’s a critic,” the male voice griped. “So what does Her Highness wish for m
e to play then?”

  Helena rattled off several names he had never heard before. Apparently they meant something to the man downstairs. “I do need to practice those.”

  “Make certain you use the correct tune.”

  “I’m a musician, that’s the point.” A thump told him the man had abruptly shut his own little door in the wall.

  Helena laughed and shut hers before turning to him.

  “Did I fall down a rabbit hole?”

  “No, Vladimir in Wonderland.” She surveyed him before pointing out, “You’re not dressed for the part.”

  He stalked her and with a laugh she jumped out of reach. This was child’s play to him. But it was also fun with her.

  “You have a musician who lives downstairs who you taunt,” he opened for her.

  “His name is Beau DuBois and he’s a symphony orchestra pianist.” She adeptly avoided him again. Hmm, Helena was good at this. Too good in his estimation.

  “That name sounds familiar.”

  “Yes, he’s widely known throughout the world. He just accepted a position with Rurikstan’s newly formed chamber orchestra. Beau was born here and he very much wanted to return.”

  “Where was he before?”

  “He played with several well known orchestras in America.”

  That snapped his memory into place. “That’s where I’ve heard of him.”

  “Yes, he’s considered a very eligible bachelor and ends up in the tabloids a lot.”

  “He’s single?”

  Helena frowned. “I think so. He rarely talks about that aspect of his life.”

  “He’s asked you out on a date?” He worked to file down the hard edge in his voice.

  “No. We’ve gone out as friends, but there’s no chemistry between us. And he knows about you.”

  That appeased him. “That’s good.” Heroically, he refrained from cracking his knuckles.

  The music started up again, and it was as beautiful this time as before. “I don’t know what you were complaining about, that first piece was beautiful.”

  “Yes, it’s amazing until he gets to the exact same point in the piece. He can’t seem to get it right.” She paused. “At least not when he’s tired.”

  “Does he always practice at home like this?” He distracted her so he could pounce.

  It didn’t appear to be working, because she kept her focus on him. Smart woman. And she was his. “Yes, he practices quite often.”

  “None of your neighbors mind?”

  “No. I can hear him because of the cupboard, but most of the others can’t.” She eased to the left.

  He watched her, and barely restrained himself from licking his lips. Her eyes gleamed with cunning as she set laughing eyes on him.

  “So you get treated to a concert every night?”

  “Most every night. If he’s here. Sometimes he has to travel.”

  He nodded but his mind wasn’t on the conversation. Instead he watched her for the telltale signs of what she planned to do. And there it was, she feinted right, and when she went left, he grabbed her.

  And startled a laugh out of her as he caught her and swung her around in his arms. Helena circled his neck with her arms. “You cheated.”

  “There was no cheating involved.” He stroked a hand down her back. “You’re easy to read.”

  She pouted but then her neighbor started playing a new piece, and this tune was more recognizable and as beautiful as the others. “Would you care to dance?” Hopefully his skills weren’t as rusty as he feared.

  “We are in position.”

  Her eyes were dreamy and he was willing to bet his were as well. “We are.”

  When she kept her arms looped around his neck he grinned. “You’re supposed to offer me a hand.”

  “Oh.” She quickly did so. Her cheeks tinged with pink.

  To say he was entranced was probably an understatement. He took her warm hand in his and squeezed gently before he swept them around the room. It was lit with only one light and to the accompaniment of the piano downstairs, the evening took on a magical, otherworld fantasy.

  Helena’s green eyes glowed with a light he had never seen before. But one he longed to see so much more of in the future.

  “This is nice.” Her voice was about the prettiest he’d ever heard.

  “It must be amazing to hear a fabulous concert like this most nights.”

  “A free concert.” She nodded. “Of course, I also have to listen to all the mistakes as he’s learning a piece.”

  “You know music?”

  “I can usually identify mistakes.”

  “Are you kind?” That sounded like amusement in his voice. Tonight it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the woman in his arms and the music that continued to play below them. He was a bit rusty at dancing, but like most things, it came back.

  “Of course. He’s my landlord.”

  That gave him pause. “DuBois owns the entire house?”

  “Yes. His thought was to return it to its former glory but then he saw that it would make him a tidy income if he kept it like this.”

  “Ah, he’s pragmatic.”

  “I also convinced him that he’d enjoy living amongst other people.”

  “They are all nice here?”

  “Now they are. We convinced him to evict some of the nasty ones, and he moved in to his favorite flat after some renovations.”

  “So you’re nice to him because he’s your landlord?”

  “Of course. And also because I love hearing him play.”

  “Can you play an instrument? As I recall you took lessons.”

  “Yes, I still play the guitar. Beau makes me come down and play with him when he’s having trouble.”

  “Why haven’t you helped him with that first piece?”

  Helena’s expression turned smug. “I have. Only I mastered it and he hasn’t.”

  He laughed. That came as a surprise, but it felt good. “I see. Did he threaten to throw you out onto the street.”

  “Of course, but I threatened him with Prince Aleksi if he did so he decided to let me stay.”

  His pretend scowl didn’t cause her to miss even one step. “Isn’t that an abuse of power?”

  “Yes, and I use it well.” She sent him a sweet smile and his heart melted. Exactly as the little minx intended.

  “You are one dangerous lady.”

  Her laughter was sweeter yet. His heart flipped this time. It also signaled that it was thinking of leaving him. He was concerned that it might already have done so without prior notice. Helena likely now owned it.

  That should probably scare him more than it did.

  Chapter 10

  The next morning on the way down the stairs she ran into Beau.

  “Did I hear a man with you last night?”

  “He spent the evening with me.”

  Beau’s brown hair gleamed in the early morning sunshine as his cat colored amber eyes watched her with a little too much perception. “Kind of sudden wasn’t this?”

  “The man with me was Vlad.”

  Those dreamy eyes widened. “I see. That puts a new spin on it.”

  “That’s why I told you, Mr. Nosy.” She tried to tweak the nose in question.

  He avoided her without much effort.

  “So when do I get to meet this Wonderman?”

  Helena sent him an incredulous look. “Why should I introduce you?”

  “I’m a man. I can tell what his intentions are better than you.”

  “Um, you do know I’m good friends with Prince Aleksi, right?”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “He’s best friends with Emerson and Maks who is Vlad’s brother.”

  Beau whistled softly. “I forgot your man was kin to Maks Wellington.”

  “See, you don’t need to vet him, since I have plenty of people who can.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Beau decided decisively as they traversed the final set of stairs. “I should still make certain he’s acc
eptable.”

  Even though she was skeptical she still appreciated that Beau really did care and fully intended to check out Vlad. If she could have special ordered an older brother, this man would be her choice. Well, Beau and Aleksi.

  “Remember Emerson is married to my sister.”

  “Of course I remember that.” Beau was about as far from what she had always considered a classical musician to be than she could imagine. Really the man looked more like a rock star than classical pianist.

  His musical compositions were played by orchestras all over the world. Ironically, the piece he struggled with was one of his own design. What kept frustrating him was that he couldn’t seem to play the piece the same way it sounded in his head. No one else heard the mistakes, but he was a bit of a perfectionist.

  Or perhaps all perfectionist.

  Still, classical music wasn’t her favorite, even though she did enjoy his performances. She didn’t mind his practice sessions and when he composed wasn’t bad. Although if anyone else from his orchestra had moved in downstairs she would have left the building.

  “So if you remember that Emerson is my brother-in-law then why do you need to meet Vlad?”

  “Because I’m guessing Emerson grew up with him.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Childhood memories might skew his opinion.”

  “Yes.” She bit her lip. Beau might have a valid point. “What do you want me to do?”

  Never one to miss an opportunity, Beau’s reply came without hestiation. “Invite both of us to supper one evening. Does Vlad have a sister?” He sounded hopeful.

  Amusement bubbled. “You are a cad.”

  “I’m trying to meet women in a reasonable, sensible atmosphere. There’s nowhere nicer than your kitchen.”

  “He has two sisters. One is in America finishing her schooling. The other is actually back in Rurikstan. But we’re not certain for how long.”

  “And her name is?”

  “Molly Wellington.”

  Beau’s eyes narrowed as he ushered her into the lobby. “There’s a violinist by that name. She’s well known.”

  “Yes, she plays for a country star in America. Where she’s known more as a fiddler.”

  This time Beau winced. “It’s a shame when a great musician has to stoop to such levels.”