Red Hot Lovers: 18 Contemporary Romance Books of Love, Passion, and Sexy Heroes by Your Favorite Top-Selling Authors

by Milly Taiden

  Cold seeped into her pores to the point she felt chilled. Her spine went stiff and she held herself immobile, listening to Grace’s words. Words she delivered with such a disdainful look Ari had to check herself to keep from hitting Grace. This was the second time in less than a week that Grace approached her about leaving Nick to be happy without her. She was starting to wonder what the hell was going on that she might not know.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She heard herself getting hyped up. Her voice got louder and her face heated. She was having a hard enough time biting back the words she really wanted to yell. Like what the fuck was her problem?

  She lifted an arched brow high. Derision covered her perfectly made up face. She twisted her lips in a tight smile. “Of course I know. I’m the one whose son was heartbroken when his wife left him for no reason.”

  Ari curled her hands into fists, biting the nails deep into her palms. “This is none of your business, Grace.”

  “If you’re not going to do what you need to as a wife, then let him go. Let him be happy with someone else.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” She snapped.

  “You and your complete and utter selfishness. Not doing what you could to give my son the family he wanted so badly,” Grace spat.

  Ari couldn’t believe her ears. Grace had come to her house, to tell her to stop from getting back with Nick. This was getting out of hand. “You have some nerve. I’ve always known you didn’t like me.”

  Harley entered the room, growling the moment she saw Grace. Thankfully, Ari wasn’t the only one who had issues with Grace. Harley had never been fond of her either.

  Grace opened her eyes wide. “Like has nothing to do with this. It’s about my son’s happiness. You need to put your career to the side and work on this marriage. Try harder at it this time and maybe it can work.”

  She shook her head, shoving her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “Oh, I think like has a lot to do with this. You must think I’m really stupid. From the moment Nick brought me to your home, it was obvious you felt I wasn’t the right woman for him.” She took a step away from Grace to keep from hitting the older woman. “At first it was the fact my parents didn’t have the money your family did. I let that slide because you seemed to truly love Nick and I do too.” She inhaled deep. “Then you started putting pressure and making comments about us.” She stopped by the door and turned to face Grace again. “No. About me. About my lacking skills as a wife. You have never wanted me with Nick. I get that. This is not about what you want, Grace. Nick is my husband. Our actions and problems are nobody’s but ours. And like it or not, whatever we decide to do has nothing to do with you.” She jerked the door open. “Please leave before I do something we’ll both regret.”

  Grace strolled to the entrance, head held high and stepped across the threshold. “Let him go if you can’t make him happy. He deserves to be happy. You’ve hurt him enough. Besides, he’s already been seeing someone else. Someone who wants to give him the children and family he wants.”

  Ari slammed the door closed at Grace’s back. Fuck being polite at that point. Her chest constricted. Grace’s words played a loop in her head. Nick was seeing someone else? Why hadn’t he said anything? Nick wasn’t the type to cheat. He’d never been that way. God. What if— She’d have to ask him. How much truth could there be to Grace’s words when all she’d ever wanted was to see Nick with someone other than Ari?

  During their time in Kevin’s office while they’d been locked in, they’d opened up like they never had in their five years married. He’d said there had been no one else since she’d been with him. That there never would be. Still, Grace sounded so sure. Someone who would give him the family he wanted. Replaying the words brought a new flood of pain to her chest. She wouldn’t be that someone. Ari knew the probability of them having children biologically was gone.

  If he was seeing someone else, then there would be no point in rehashing the past. Tears burned the back of her eyes and clogged her throat. Her chest felt ready to cave from the pain clawing at it. If he was seeing someone else, then there would be no future for them. And no matter how much he said he wanted to work things out, he’d already given up.

  ***

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Ari listened to the thunder outside, hoping it wouldn’t pour while she was on her date with Nick. He waited for her in the living room. He promised she’d enjoy the place they were going to, but that it was laid back so not to worry about dressing up. Her stomach burned. She was glad she’d see her doctor the next day. The pain and discomfort she felt lately was worrying her. She eyed her jewelry case. Nick had worn his wedding band again. She’d noticed it the moment she opened the door. It warmed her heart to see it on him. She picked up her rings and slipped them on her finger. They felt good there. Right.

  She had been debating for hours whether to ask him about what Grace said. They’d never lied to each other. She didn’t want to start rebuilding their relationship with that, which could just be something Grace made up, in the way. She rubbed her palms on the side of her black strapless jersey dress. Seeing as Nick had worn his rings, she couldn’t believe he’d degrade their marriage by seeing someone else while trying to talk her into working things out. Nick wasn’t a player. He’d never given her that impression when they were in college, and she doubted he’d start now.

  Nick stood when she entered the living room. His gaze roamed her body with appreciation. She had lost weight after their separation, but she’d kept some of the curves he’d loved so much. Having a Hispanic background helped give her body the guitar-shape Nick described her as having. With the smaller waist, wider hips and larger breasts, he’d loved groping her when they’d been on better terms.

  “You look great.”

  She slipped a long lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Thanks, but you did say casual.”

  He pointed at himself and smiled that flirty way he did that made her palms sweat. “Does this look dressed up to you?”

  A bubble of laughter raced up her throat. “Nope. This is Nick at his most comfortable.”

  He’d worn old cargo shorts with one of his favored vintage tees. This one was of a Superman logo. He’d paired it all with some black trainers, showing off his muscular calves.

  They took his truck to what felt like a further section out of the city. “So where are we going?”

  “A guy I hired recently has a brother with an authentic Italian restaurant.”

  “Oh?” She loved Italian food. Hell, until recently she’d loved all food. It was unfair she’d been so sick or she would be able to enjoy that they were going somewhere new.

  “Yeah,” He gave her a sideways glance. “Apparently they have the best seafood ravioli.”

  “Oh, God!” She groaned. She loved seafood ravioli.

  “Don’t make those noises or I’ll turn this car around and forget all about dinner,” he joked.

  She ran a hand over his thigh and lowered her voice to a seductive whisper. “You can’t expect that. You know I love food.”

  “Sweetheart…” He gulped. His thigh muscles shifted under her palm as she moved closer to his cock.

  “Maybe…” She leaned closer, rubbing her breasts on his arm. He glanced at her again, his eyes bright with arousal. “We should skip dinner.”

  “Christ, Ari. We promised to spend time together to work on our communication,” he said in a low, rough voice.

  The heat in her belly expanded to warm her blood and make her pulse throb. “I know, but I want you.”

  She wouldn’t lie to him. She’d always want him. No other man had that effect on her. Just being near him made her hormones dance with need.

  “I want you too, but we are in a new stage. Communication,” he said with a frown. He didn’t look any happier than she did over the fact they weren’t getting freaky in the car.

  She leaned back in her seat. “You’re right. Sex was never the problem.”
r />   “Thank god for that!” He choked.

  She laughed at the way he gripped the steering wheel. He looked ready to tear it off the truck.

  The restaurant was a small place. It was the first level of a two story building in a corner lot. They had to park down the street in order to find a space. The area had many small businesses and popular among the locals. The sweet sound of children laughing and families talking packed the sidewalks. Zigzagging through rows of cars and minivans, they finally arrived at the dimly lit restaurant. Inside, the atmosphere was the opposite from the raucous laughter from the streets.

  They sat at a booth for two. Though the restaurant was packed with couples, both young and old, it was clear this was a place for a date. She grinned at the tiny white tea light candle in the center of the table, right next to the pack of disposable napkins.

  “You know,” she giggled, “this place reminds me of the Garage Diner.”

  “Wow. I can’t believe you remember that spot,” he said with a cheeky smile. “It was so run down. That was the nicest place I took you that I could afford when we were in school. I refused to use my parent’s money and swore I could handle all expenses on my own. With my job.”

  “You did so great, Nick. Always out to prove you could do things on your own. And you did. It wasn’t the fact it was run down that made me remember.” She grabbed a napkin and started tearing tiny bits of the corners. “I loved going there with you. We had fun. We ate and laughed and talked and just had a good time. It’s why it’s one of the things I’ll always remember and would never want to forget.

  “We did have fun.” His warm hand enveloped hers on the table. “We’ll have fun again. I can make sure of it.”

  “Oh, Nick.” She sighed. “You aren’t Superman. You can’t fix everything by yourself.”

  “I never considered myself Superman.”

  “I think you did.” She glanced at his clean-shaven jaw and wanted to lick him. “Tell me that’s not what made things harder for you when I couldn’t get pregnant. You couldn’t fix it and it made it difficult for you to handle.”

  His shoulders tensed. “Maybe. It did make me frustrated that I didn’t know how to make things better for you. I have faith that we can work through this.”

  “I don’t know, Nick.” She gulped down the knot at her throat. “Things have been hard for us for the past few years.”

  His dark brows dipped in a confused scowl. “Are you saying you don’t want to work things out?”

  She waited until the waiter took their order before answering.

  Pricks of insecurity tore through her. He leaned back on the seat and watched her. What if what his mother said was true? “It’s not that. Grace came by to see me today.”

  He sighed. “Look. Whatever she said, she doesn’t mean bad. She’s just worried.”

  “I understand that. She loves you. You’re her only child. She said something that…” She pulled her hand out of his grasp and watched the vein on his cheek flex. She wasn’t good at going around in circles, so she blurted out the words. “She said you’re seeing someone.”

  “She said that?” He asked with a tone of disbelief.

  “Well, I wouldn’t make it up, now would I?” She snapped. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. Like he didn’t believe her. She wasn’t used to Nick questioning what she said.

  “I’m not saying you made that up, she said something similar to me. I just don’t understand why her words are making you so…,” he answered and placed his hand over hers on the table again.

  “So what? I may as well tell you the entire story. She came to tell me to leave you alone so you can find happiness if I can’t be the wife you need. If I can’t put us before my career.”

  “You’re making a big deal out of this. She’s just worried. Maybe you took things the wrong way.”

  Say what?

  She squeezed her teeth tight and yanked her hand back. The waiter placed their food on the table. Her appetite all but forgotten, she answered him and tried not to raise her voice to call attention to their booth.

  “Nick, she said if I wasn’t going to make you happy, to let you go. She said you were seeing someone else. She said my career should come secondary to our marriage!”

  His brows dipped, showing his confusion. “So, let me see if I understand this. The fact that she told you your career should come second to us made you angry?”

  “That has nothing to do with anything. Are you or are you not seeing someone else?” She asked through gritted teeth.

  “No. Kris and I are only friends and colleagues,” he answered and took a sip of his water. “You, better than anyone, should know I wouldn’t be trying to get back with you if there was someone else. I just don’t get why my mom telling you to put your career to the side for us make you angry?”

  She gripped one of the paper napkins in her grip until her knuckles had turned white. It was clear they weren’t seeing things the same way. “Nick, I’ve worked damn hard for my business. Damn hard. And I thought you of all people would understand that.”

  He shook his head. “I understand. I am willing to put my job to the side to focus on us. Are you?”

  Thunder rumbled outside. The sound of people running took her attention for a split second. Then came the scent of rain.

  “That’s so unfair!” She itched to get out of there. No longer enjoying the intimacy of the restaurant. She was uncomfortable with how many people kept glancing their way. “You know your business is in a different place than mine. I’m still building it up. You’re established. Different levels.”

  “Is that all it is? Or maybe you’re not willing to take the extra step to make our relationship your priority.” His gaze bore into hers. She saw the insecurity in him.

  “I am doing that. It’s not as easy as giving everything up that I have been working hard on for years. I’m not sure that’s all there is to it.”

  He leaned forward, holding her captive with his frown. “You trusted me during the earthquake. You listened and allowed me to take charge. Did you doubt me then?”

  “No. Of course not. This is different.” She rubbed a hand on her temple.

  “You only need to trust me. Trust us.” He shook his head. “I don’t think you do. This isn’t going to work if I’m the only person trying, Ari.”

  She scooted out of the booth, unwilling to argue with him in the place that was clearly meant to make couples enjoy alone time. She rushed out of the restaurant, and into the pouring rain, not once looking back.

  “Ari!” Nick yelled her name, but she didn’t stop.

  Cool rain drops coated her clothes, seeping down to soak her skin. The material of her dress clung to her body. She couldn’t stop. She didn’t run. She just needed to get away. From Nick. From the fact that maybe some of what he said was true. Her hair plastered to her skull and she had to squint to make her way down the street to his truck. She was scared of putting her career to the side and focusing on them only to mess that up again. What if she was the problem?

  She reached his truck and breathed hard, facing the passenger door. Thunder shook the ground. She was soaked from head to toe. Shivers rolled down her back. Sharp anxiety tore through her limbs at the thought of messing up the second chance at fixing her marriage.

  A moment later, Nick grabbed her, turning her to face him, drops still showering on both of them. The street had grown silent in the downpour. Everyone had rushed into the inside of a business to keep from getting wet.

  “You could have fallen and hurt yourself out in the rain,” he chastised, seeming more worried than angry that she’d left. “You can’t be taking off like that just because you don’t like what I said. The whole point is to talk about what’s bothering us.”

  “It’s not that.” She struggled with her words.

  “What’s the problem, then?” He asked, cupping her cheek in his hand.

  The tears in her eyes mingled with the raindrops. Her throat went dry, and she swallo
wed hard. Grief over the very real possibility of messing up their relationship made her voice wobble. “I’m scared.”

  “Of what?” He caressed her trembling lip with his thumb. “Talk to me.”

  She gulped. Her heart jackhammered in her chest, pushing forth the trepidation she had tried so hard to hide. To ignore.

  “Of Grace being right. That I’m not being the right woman for you. What if I put this job and everything to the side, and our marriage still fails?” She glanced down at his lips, then back up to his beautiful eyes. “What if I fail? The likelihood of us having children is pretty non-existent. I don’t want to go through all that stuff again, Nick. If we do this, it has to be about us. Not children. That you want to be with me. Only me.”

  “I do only want you. I have only ever wanted you. There will never be anyone else for me. No one will ever come close to how I feel about you. If we feel the need in the future, we can always adopt.”

  She gripped his shirt and tried to stop the wobble in her voice. “I don’t want to fail you.”

  He unlocked the truck and let her into the passenger side. Out of the cold rain. There she’d said it. She was afraid of losing him a second time because they might not really be meant to be. She took slow breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. The terror that had shown itself at the restaurant was still alive and kicking in her chest.

  Nick ran around the front of the truck and rushed inside, immediately turning on the truck and heat to stop her shaking. It wasn’t so much the rain that had her shaking, but her internal struggle with her fear.

  “Look at me,” he ordered.

  She shifted to look at him. The pure determination in his gaze jolted her back to the place she’d been at the day before. That hope-filled place where she fully believed everything could be okay between them. The weight of his gaze warmed her insides better than the car’s heat.

  “I don’t care what my mom says. I only care about what you think. Are you willing to try to make our marriage work?”

  She nodded, knowing that she couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t try. That the love she felt for Nick would kill her if she lost him again. “I’m willing. It’s just…what about babies?”