Shyla shrugged, handing him the brown paper bag with the delivery order. “Then I’m overdue. I’m taking one today.”
“Who’s going to take this to Washington Street?” Adesh demanded.
“You can take it,” Geet said, coming out of the kitchen. “It’s slow. I can watch the store, and mommy will be back soon.”
Adesh shook his head at his sister as if she’d betrayed him by conspiring with the enemy. He sighed heavily, snatching the bag. If the door was capable of slamming, it would have, but its slow track prevented such dramatic gestures.
They all watched him go, a little lost by the theatrics of the moment. Shyla asked Nick to give her a minute. Geet followed her back to the kitchen. “Thank you,” Shyla whispered, squeezing the other girl’s hand.
“No need to thank me, but I’ll definitely expect an explanation…with details. My brother’s so pissed off right now.” She rubbed her hands together. “Serves him right. He’s such a dick sometimes.”
Shyla tried to cup her mouth, but the giggle escaped just the same. “Geet, don’t talk about him that way.”
“Enough about him. I’m more interested in you. All this time, I pegged you for this innocent girl, but then this underwear model comes looking for you, and I wonder if you lead a secret double life.”
“Next you’ll be accusing me of stealing the state secrets of a small country.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.”
Shyla grabbed two juice boxes from the fridge before leading Nick to a far table, one she knew was out of the sightline of the kitchen window and away from Geet’s prying eyes.
Nick slid into the booth across from her. He laced his fingers together and looked around the small deli, taking in the brilliant photographs of the Rajasthan castles lining the wall. “I’m sorry to bother you at work.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t get me in trouble.”
She slid the small cardboard box to him.
“I missed these.”
“I had a feeling you really liked them.”
He punched the top with his straw. “You ever notice we drink them differently?”
“How so?”
“You hold it in your little hands so daintily and sip slowly. I just crush the box until it comes out of the straw.”
“Is daintily a real word?”
He brushed back his hair. “I’ll confirm later and get back to you. Anyway, I think it says a lot about us as people.”
“You think?”
“Oh yeah, it speaks volumes about our personalities. For instance, you’re graceful and patient, whereas I’m impetuous, impulsive, and sometimes a complete asshole.”
“You gathered all that from the way we drink juice boxes?”
“Amazing, isn’t it?”
“Nick—”
“I miss you.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
His eyes darted the room once more. “Nah, I wanted to see where my sandwiches came from.” The mischievous glint in his eyes matched his wicked smile.
“You’ve never been here?”
“No, I got a flyer in the mail. It had the magic words—fast, sandwich, and delivery. That’s all I needed to know.”
Shyla arched her brows and crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue, but he didn’t. “You’ve seen this shop from the street, though. At least you have for the past week.”
“Shit, you saw me?”
“Unlike Max Montero, you are not a master of covert operations. I will admit I didn’t realize it was you at first. You’re lucky I didn’t douse you with pepper spray.”
Nick chuckled. “I would have deserved it.” His knee knocked against hers. She would have thought it an accident if the movement hadn’t been so lengthy. “Sometimes my masculine tendencies lean toward stupidity. You’ve been on your own for so long and in my life for a short time, but I worried about you getting home safely.”
“That was sweet—strange and a bit stalker-like, but sweet.”
Nick glanced at his watch. “How long do you get for your break?”
“I don’t know. This is my first one, and I never asked.”
“Everyone here seems extremely friendly. I bet you love it.” The sarcasm in his tone, coupled with the nervous drumming of his fingers on the table, chipped her attempt at cool passivity.
She wanted to take his hand, but she held back. She’d missed him terribly. It wasn’t just his laugh, his charisma, his seducing masculinity, or all the special things associated with Nick Dorsey, but also the way he made her feel about herself as if she was special, interesting, even tempting.
“I’m sorry Adesh was rude to you.”
“I can deal with it. I’m having a more difficult time that he was rude to you.”
“It’s just his personality. I don’t let him boss me.”
“You don’t have to make excuses for him. I recognize a dueling challenge when I see it.”
“I don’t follow.”
Nick cocked his head and arched a brow at her. “You don’t? It’s obvious he has a massive crush on you, and therefore he hates me and the idea of you with me.”
“I’ve told him I’m not interested.”
“Well that’s the thing about unrequited love, sweetheart. It only requires one participant.”
“Is there a reason you’re so interested in Adesh?”
He licked his bottom lip. “I’m making an observation. And just to be clear, my interest solely revolves around you. Although, I may be the best person to sympathize with his plight. I’m certain we will never be on friendly terms.”
“Why are you here?”
He moved his hand toward her, a slow inch at a time. She set hers down, and he covered it, caressing the back of her hand. Shyla’s heart let out a silent plea, asking her to jump into his arms. But her brain cautioned her to stay seated.
“I read your pages. It was hard to read.”
“That bad, huh?” Shyla casted her eyes down in disappointment.
He tilted her chin gently. “Oh no, they were very good. I mean the subject matter was difficult. I’m identifying with your character. She’s led a harsh life.”
“So you liked them?” she asked, holding her breath.
“Yes. I made some minor changes. Just suggestions really, but I enjoyed what you wrote. I am confused about how this is a love story, though.”
“It is.”
“When does the male hero come in? It’s certainly not the fucker she married.”
“It’s not that kind of love story. It’s the love between a mother and child.”
“I gotcha, makes sense.”
“I think my break is over.”
“Shyla, I want to help you finish the book. I think I need to.”
In some ways, what he said made her very happy, but in others, it saddened her. Was his intention to finish the book or be with her? “You want to finish the story?”
Nick took his free hand and ran it over his hair. He drew a deep breath. “No, not just that. I’ve been thinking about what you said. About forgiving myself. I’ll be honest, I’m not there yet, but I’m trying.”
“I really hope you can, Nick.”
“Shyla, when you came into my life, I thought I didn’t deserve you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Her voice was quivered sharpness, and she regretted how it gave away the full breadth of her emotions.
Nick tightened his hold on her hand. “In a way, the fact you were going home justified letting you inside my world. I rationalized a temporary reprieve in my extremely scheduled life was acceptable. That even a man like me could justify bliss when it came with brevity.”
“And now?”
“The more I know you, the more I want to know you—you are a craving that refuses to be quenched.” He tilted his head, mouthing the words again as if they came from someone else’s mouth.
She swallowed, sipping the remainder of her drink. “Yeah, I don’t have the pretty words like you do, but I feel the same
.”
“Let me explain something to you, sweetheart. Something I rarely talk about outside of group. I figured it would be easy to quit my addiction, but the journey is…grueling. I question if I can ever become that man again. The people I might hurt if I choose a path of destruction for my life. Addiction runs in my family. My mother was hooked on liquor and abusive men. My grandfather was a gambler. I’ve maintained a routine that’s gotten me through each day. I wasn’t prepared for you to come into my life and knock me on my ass.”
Shyla gazed at their enjoined hands. She wanted to interrupt him. To scream at him to take back his words since she didn’t see him as someone who would hurt her. There was nothing malicious about the compassionate, giving man who sat across from her. She bit her tongue, though, because it was apparent Nick needed to say this and to have her listen.
“In other ways, I think you are the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time…maybe longer than long. Maybe ever.” He hesitated until she caressed her thumb against his wrist. “I’m sorry for the things I said to you. You’re here for three more months. I want to resume what we had or maybe start over. I want that time with you, if you’ll let me have it.”
“It’s yours, Nick.”
Chapter 20
Nick opened the door to the girl who managed to usher sunshine into his life. The sad, hesitant expression on her face surprised him, but the sexy innocence of the white dress with its thin straps caught him completely off guard. As did her hair, loose for once, tumbling down in soft waves over her shoulders. No, the dress wasn’t what aroused him. It was the girl who graced it.
“What’s wrong, Goddess?” he asked, taking her hand and leading her inside. He shut the door and leaned against it, pulling her closer to him.
“I wasn’t going to come.”
His heart beat a rapid pace in his chest with her simple sentence. He cleared his throat in an effort to make his voice even. “Why not?”
“I didn’t think you wanted me to.”
“And what would give you such a foolish idea?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“You texted me today and said not to bring food. We didn’t talk about other plans last night so I wasn’t sure exactly what you meant.”
Nick placed a hand against each of her cheeks and lowered his head so they were at eye level. “That’s why you’re upset?” She bit her lower lip, as if she was embarrassed by her feelings. Although Nick hated her discomfort, he sort of loved she was as fucked up for him as he was for her.
“Listen to me,” he said, rubbing her arms. “I didn’t mean not to bring yourself over. I want you here every night. I thought that was clear, but let me convince you, anyway. A day without you is a day in the dark.”
She smiled slightly, and he kissed her dimple as soon as it appeared. He tried to think of some other words, some sappy sonnet worthy of what he felt for her, but he couldn’t. His mind blocked any coherent contemplation when he glanced at the hint of cleavage peaking through the neckline of her dress. Fortunately, his body was quite capable of communication. He pulled her into a deep kiss, lifting her off the ground and embracing her so tightly she gasped.
He moved to set her down and utter some apology, but she tugged at his hair, a simple act that made him completely weak. He put her down, but just long enough to discard her dress. He undid the top buttons of his shirt, throwing it over his head in a one-armed frenzy. He took a moment to nourish his eyes with her soft, sleek body—warm skin, large heaving breasts calling out to him, and voluptuous curves that caused his hands to twitch. She was a Goddess, his Goddess, and tonight he planned to worship her.
Her face shifted downward, her arms crossing to cover the very beauty he sought.
“Would you deny a peasant an opportunity to view a work of art?”
“Umm…no”?”
“Then don’t.” Nick moved her arms away.
He slid his hands down her side, the warmth of her skin on his fingertips. He lingered over her hips, trying to memorize their graceful slope. His moved forward, a hungry predator ready to feast. She moved back with his every step, her sexy mouth curved into an inviting smile, until she squeaked when he picked her up. At first, she seemed surprised, but her nails dug into his shoulders, her thighs tightened over his waist. He caressed her legs from ankle to hip and back again. The fourth time, he moved his fingers underneath the silky fabric of her panties, tracing the outline.
She moaned into his mouth, commanding his dick to show respect with a full salute.
“You have to put me down,” she said.
“Why?” he asked, brushing his lips against her neck.
“Because you can’t open a condom in this position.”
He laughed. “Watch me.” Her legs shifted, but he held her in place. “A little help, Goddess.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Reach into my back pocket.”
For once, Nick was prepared. He’d been aching for her all day, and although taking her against the wall had never occurred to him, he did have the foresight to place protection in his back pocket.
Nick lowered her so she could reach. She leaned forward against him, reaching into the left pocket first. It wasn’t in there, but Nick didn’t correct her. Only a foolish man would tell a girl to stop groping his ass.
“It’s not here.”
“That’s because it’s in the other pocket, but you can look for it as long as you want.”
She giggled, slapping his ass before grasping the condom. She held it against his mouth. “Hold this for a minute,” she said. He bit the packet between his teeth, nipping her finger playfully in the process. She managed to unzip his pants. She slid her hands over his length from root to tip while he continued to work ankle to hip. She’d never been this bold before, always allowing him to lead, but he loved this new side of her. They just looked at each other, each slowly exploring the other’s body while their eyes remained locked.
“Condom. Now,” he said, as the gold foiled package fell from his lips. Luckily, the space between them created the perfect basket to catch it. She picked it up and ripped it open between her teeth.
Her expression was full of emotion. Nick saw both fear and frailty, but even more so, there was aggressive ferocity in her eyes. “I’ve never put it on before.”
“Just slide it down, baby.”
Nick sighed with relief in being freed from his undergarments, which suddenly seemed to have shrunk around his massive erection. She rolled the latex barrier. Her fingers traveled down once more as if to check for leaks.
Her legs were like a vise grip, her arms held him tightly, and with the wall pinning her, he had no trouble freeing a hand. His traced her slit with his finger before penetrating her. He slid his fingers inside Shyla’s tight folds. Her legs shook with his touch.
His pinched the soft, sweet-smelling skin of her neck with his teeth. The bite wasn’t deep enough to leave a mark, but contained just the right sharpness to make her moan and remember his presence there. He contemplated the moment for a split second…how desperately he wanted to both pleasure and possess every delicious inch of her. She tilted her head back, encouraging his access. She placed his cock between her legs, tightening her legs around him, her body begging him for relief. Relief he also longed for.
He didn’t thrust as much as he propelled. Their breathy sighs giving away to savage grunts. Nick grasped a fistful of her hair, uttering Shyla’s name like a vigilant prayer against her ear. When she said his, he almost lost it, but he held on waiting for her finish. Her fingernails dug into his shoulder with her climax. He followed her there. He didn’t let her go when they’d finished. Instead, he looked into her eyes again, their heavy breaths filling the space between them.
* * * *
Shyla leaned on him a few minutes after they parted. Partially, to continue the intimacy, but mostly because she didn’t trust herself to walk on wobbly legs. He steadied his hands on her hips until
she stood on her own. And then he headed to the bathroom to wash up and discard the condom.
“Why didn’t you want me to bring anything?” she asked when he came out.
“I made us dinner tonight.”
She sniffed the air and winced with the pungent aroma. He did the same, his happy expression turning anxious.
“Shit,” he said, pulling on his jeans and running to the kitchen.
Shyla reached for her dress, but decided to put on his white oxford shirt instead. She loved it when Nick wore long sleeved button-down shirts. He looked like an old-time actor. Surprisingly, he hadn’t broken any buttons the way he had ripped it off his body. It came a few inches above her knee. She hugged it around her, inhaling his scent before folding her dress.
She reached the kitchen in time to hear Nick’s slew of obscenities. He fanned the air around him with a dishtowel. He opened the small window in the kitchen. A smoky pot sat in the sink, its contents charred beyond repair.
“I thought you didn’t cook.”
“I don’t. Isn’t the evidence obvious,” he said, throwing a spatula in after the pan and running cold water.
“I’m sorry.”
“You should be. It’s your fault.” A naughty grin played upon his face as he snapped the dishtowel against her bottom.
“My fault?” she asked, pointing a finger at her chest.
“You’re too damn distracting, beautiful girl.”
“What were you making me?”
He walked toward her until his body was against hers. The fact he was shirtless almost made her suggest they go hungry.
“A feast worthy of a Goddess.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, one that will nourish her so she’d have the stamina required for this evening’s vigorous activities. A meal worthy of royalty, albeit created by a peasant.”
She peered over at the blackened orange substance in the pot and back at him. “It looks like macaroni and cheese.”
He laughed. “It was. I got veggie burgers, too, and salad. They’re still in the fridge.”
“I love macaroni and cheese. I’m sorry it got ruined.”
“It’s not. I have enough to make another batch, and I didn’t start on the burgers yet. I wanted to make something from scratch. At least one thing for you.”
Unwanted Girl Page 17
