He heard the chorus of past lovers and wannabe girlfriends telling him he had intimacy issues. No shit he had intimacy issues. How many times had he looked into a woman’s tear-filled eyes and told her, “I’m sorry, but I’m no good for you. I can’t give you what you need, what you deserve.” He wasn’t proud of this. He knew it was a weakness. A major flaw in his character and the cause of his own loneliness and heartache, but he couldn’t shake it. The fear was greater than his desire to stand up to it.
As much as he loved being with Nikki, he knew his patterns, and he promised himself that he wouldn’t subject her to his bullshit. Suddenly the Antarctica expedition sounded better and better to him. Plenty of daylight, breathtaking landscapes, a chance to document the retreat of the glaciers and make a statement. And not a fashion statement this time. Thinking about it gave him a rush.
But then Nikki came out of her bedroom and with one look thoughts of the ice shelf melted from his mind. So did any thoughts about flowers and his brother. With one glance, all he could think about was Nikki.
“Nikki Norris, you are a gorgeous woman.” Part of him wanted to take her right there in her living room—that was how hot she looked. She wore a smart strapless royal-blue dress that showed off every curve and slit up the back, giving him a glorious view of her never-ending legs. She must have bought that dress especially for tonight, because it was all about the new Nikki. And man-oh-man, it fit like it was made for her. He wanted to take her out for a night she’d never forget. Especially since he had no idea how much more time he’d have to spend with her before her ex came back and took her away from him.
“Shall we go?” He extended his arm and felt his body respond when she touched him. She was that electric.
“Where are you taking me tonight?”
“You’ll see. I have a few special stops in mind that I think you’ll like.” They stepped out in the hall and he held up a finger. “Wait right there.” He ducked into his apartment and returned to the hallway holding a picnic basket he had made up especially for them from Eataly.
“We’re going on a picnic? Really?”
“You might say that.”
It was a beautiful summer night, and he took her down to Millennium Park with its giant steel stage overlooking the sprawling lawn. The Grant Park Orchestra was hosting a special tribute to Frank Sinatra. “Summer Wind” was playing when they arrived. The singer impersonated Ol’ Blue Eyes to perfection. She squeezed his arm in delight.
The lawn was a lush velvety green, and Nikki’s eyes sparkled for him as he reached into the basket and spread out a blanket for them to sit on. The lake was to the east and the magnificent Chicago skyline surrounded them as far as the eye could see. Frank belted out “Strangers in the Night,” followed by “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
Nikki turned to him and smiled. “You have no idea how much I love this. I’ve always wanted to come here, but Matthew…”
She must have noticed the disappointed look on his face because she let her voice trail off. He didn’t want to think or talk about Matthew tonight.
“Really,” she said a moment later, “this is perfect. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.” He kissed her enticing lips before he opened a bottle of champagne and brought out some cheese and grapes. The two sat out under the warm evening sky listening to “New York, New York” and “Night and Day.” Nikki nuzzled up against his chest, her soft, flowing hair pressed against his cheek, and the scent of her perfume intoxicating him.
He couldn’t remember ever feeling this good around a woman. To see her enjoying the concert so much, and enjoying him, made his heart swell. Holding her in his arms felt so right to him. He could have stayed with her like that forever. He didn’t even know when this shift happened, but he knew beyond a doubt that he was getting in deep, deeper than he’d expected, deeper than he’d ever gone before.
The sun started to set as the concert ended with “My Kind of Town,” and Dallas stood up and offered Nikki his hand, helping her to her feet. She wore a pair of killer strappy sandals that made him want to drool.
“I hope you’re hungry?” he said.
“Oh, you mean that wasn’t dinner?” She pointed to the basket.
“Just you wait.”
For their next stop he took her to NoMI at the top of the Park Hyatt hotel. The maître d’ showed them to a dark and cozy corner table. Dallas thought Nikki had never looked more beautiful, sitting with another glorious view of the city over her shoulder, the candlelight casting a soft glow all around her. The photographer in him wished he had his camera with him.
“You having a good time tonight?” he asked.
“What do you think?” She looked at him with the eyes of a woman who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted. Her confidence was soaring, and he found that beyond hot.
Under the table, her leg was entwined with his. She must have slipped off her shoe, because her felt her bare foot inch up his leg. Up, up, up she climbed, reaching his thigh before she teased his crotch. The warmth beneath her toes and the ball of her foot resting on his cock shot sparks through his body. He reached under the table for her foot, massaging her heel as her toes gently rocked back and forth right over the tip of his head.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me, Nikki Norris?”
She leaned in and placed her elbow on the table, her chin balanced on the back of her wrist. “No. Why don’t you tell me.”
He smiled. She was getting bolder. He could see it happening right before his eyes. He liked this side of her, and wondered how this new Nikki would show herself to him sexually. He also liked to think he had something to do with this change in her.
The waiter came by for their order and Dallas released her foot, clearing his throat while she stifled a laugh from behind her menu.
“Would you like me to order for you?” he asked.
“That would be great. Thank you.”
Dallas started them off with a foie gras appetizer, followed by poached pear salads and rack of lamb. He couldn’t take his eyes off her during the entire meal. He couldn’t have even said what they’d talked about, but he knew he found her captivating.
“That was the most amazing dinner I’ve ever had,” she said, leaning in to kiss him as they left the restaurant. “I don’t want this evening to end,” she said when they stepped outside.
“Nikki Norris, we’re just getting started.” He took her hand and led her half a block over to a horse-drawn carriage.
She placed her hand on the muzzle of the regal white Arabian. “Really?” Her eyes lit up as she turned and looked at Dallas.
“Really.”
The Arabian whinnied, and Dallas held out his hand, helping her into the carriage. He climbed in and settled next to her, soaking in the warmth from her body.
“This is so romantic.” She beamed for him. “I love this.”
“I’m glad.”
He felt her squeeze his biceps, her other hand resting on his thigh. It was enough to get him aroused, and he was grateful to be sitting down.
The horse whinnied again as they traveled along the city streets, the sounds of hooves clomping against the pavement. He never thought of himself as a romantic, and honestly, he thought he was immune to all this cheesy stuff, but Nikki made him question that. With his arm around her and her head on his shoulder, he realized something: So this is how it happens. This is how people fall in love.
…
Nikki had been simmering all night long, heating up by degrees as their date progressed. Dallas made her feel like she was the most engaging, enchanting woman he’d ever encountered, and even if it was an act, or if he was doing it to try to boost her self-confidence, it was working. Something new was definitely stirring inside her, and she couldn’t wait to get him back to her place.
Standing in the hallway, she reached up and stroked his perfect face, the subtle whiskers just rough enough beneath her fingertips. She lost herself for a moment
looking into his dark eyes. God, he was a handsome man.
He cupped his hand over hers, turning his head to kiss her palm. She trailed her fingers down his chest and grabbed hold of his necktie, gripping it in her fist. “Follow me.” She unlocked her front door and slipped inside, still leading him by his tie. He was right behind her with his big, strong hands planted on her hips and his hard-on pressing into her backside.
Her heart raced as she turned to face him. “You were so good to me tonight, Dallas. Now it’s my turn to be good to you.” She loosened his necktie, pulling one end through his collar so it came away in her hand with a sharp snap that made her all the more excited. As she kissed his mouth, exploring him with her tongue, she slowly unbuttoned his shirt. She heard him sigh and it urged her on, moving from his mouth to his neck, right up by his ear, and that garnered an even deeper sigh. Kissing her way down his neck and chest, she paused for a moment, flicking her tongue against his nipple as he moaned, running his fingers through her hair. Right there in her living room she teased him with gentle licks across his stomach, his muscles quivering as she unfastened his belt, unzipped his pants, and slid them down his hips. Commando once again. He was hard and oh so ready for her.
In the past, this was never something she would have initiated, something she would have desired.
As she took her time kissing his thighs and then his inner thighs, his body flexed with anticipation. Looking up into his dark eyes, she leaned forward and tasted the salty slickness along his head. With her tongue she circled all around the tip of his cock before she dragged her wet lips and tongue down the base of him, making his hips rise up to meet her. He groaned, and she grew hotter than ever.
Again, she took him with the tip of her tongue, her lips pressing down on him as her hand moved up and down his shaft. She looked up at him, smiled, and licked her way down the underside of him again while her hand circled the crown of his penis.
“Oh Nikki, you’re good,” he murmured.
Cupping his balls in her hand, she lightly flicked her tongue against them before she gently took one in her mouth and then the other, her tongue still stroking them with a steady rhythm.
“Nikki—you’re driving me crazy.”
The need for her in his voice stirred her own fire. With her mouth still on his balls, she moved her hand up and down his cock, her thumb swiping back and forth across his wet head. His balls pulled up tight to his body and she released him, this time moving to the tip of his cock and slowly taking him a little deeper into her mouth. His pelvis tilted closer still to her, while his fingers caressed the back of her head.
“Nikki Norris… My Nikki Norris.”
Hearing him say her name in such a breathy voice urged her on as she moved in closer, taking him deeper and deeper until she had him at her mercy, his moaning and groaning so raspy and animal-like, it turned her on even more. With one hand working up and down his long throbbing shaft, going faster and faster, her mouth enveloped the very spot that made his body tremble, her tongue teasing and licking until he said, “You’re gonna make me come if you keep that up. And I’m not done with you yet.”
She smiled up at him with her eyes as she released him from her mouth. “I’m not done with you yet.”
She slithered out of her dress and led him into her bedroom while she discarded her bra and panties along the way. Pressing her palms flat against his shoulders, she gave him a deep, soft kiss on the lips and whispered, “Lie down for me.”
He did as she asked and kept his eyes on hers as she climbed up the length of his body, straddling him across his groin. As soon as their bodies touched, they both let out a gasp of excitement. She loved the feel of his naked cock pressing up against her clit as she started to rock back and forth on top of him.
“Nikki,” he said in a breathless whisper. “I left my condoms over at my place.”
“Should I be worried?” She reached behind her and ran her fingers lightly over his balls.
“I’m clean, but what about…”
“I’m on the pill.”
He reached up and cupped her face. “Are you sure about this?”
She felt his cock pulse beneath her. “Oh yes. I’m sure. Let me feel you inside me. I want to feel you come inside me.”
She guided his hard cock to her, and sank down, feeling the throb when he hit just the right spot. She rocked her hips, slowly at first, going forward and backward before she found her stride in a circular, rolling motion. She cried out.
“That’s it, Nikki, grind on me.”
He reached up and caressed her breasts, making the sensations rippling through her body all the more intense. They were moving together now, the sound of skin slapping skin as he propelled her further and further to the edge. She reached for his other hand and guided it to her clit. She ground her hips around and around, pressing on his fingers, moving them up and down over the spot where she needed it most.
“I’m gonnna…” She gasped. Her back arched, hips flexing, and her insides clenched down with all the force she had.
He thrust harder and faster as a second wave of pure ecstasy washed over her. His fingers gripped her hips tighter, and he threw his head back against the bed. She came again as she felt his release explode inside her.
Chapter Fifteen
Dallas held her in his arms moments later after Nikki collapsed on top of him. She panted hard. Her silky soft body pressed against his, her shoulders, back, and arms glistening with sweat.
“Nikki Norris, what have you done to me?” he said, stroking her hair. He felt so connected to this amazing creature in his arms. It was like they were one. He’d never experienced anything like that before. When they kissed, it was as if they were sealing a promise. And the way they touched each other, like they were reaching into each other’s souls. He couldn’t get over it. He’d never had this reaction to sex before, not ever.
And suddenly he realized why. They didn’t just have sex. No, they’d been making love—and he’d never done that before. The whole time, they’d kept their eyes locked on each other; their kisses were deeper, more intense. There was a level of trust he felt coming from her. All this time he’d been encouraging her to let go, and here he was the one who had let loose and gone to a whole new level. Something just happened between them, and he didn’t know where to go with it. She had overwhelmed him and captured him whole.
For the guy who said he didn’t want to be tied down, Dallas already dreaded the thought of leaving her bed, not to mention the day her ex would come back and he’d have to say good-bye to her. That was on his mind when he finally fell asleep with her still in his arms.
The next morning he woke to the sound of thunder roaring outside the bedroom window. Her head was on his chest, his arms looped around her waist. He heard a soft, delicate snore coming from her, and he found it adorable. Part of him could have stayed in her bed like that forever, holding her, watching her. It was a sense of contentment that he’d never known before.
And it scared the hell out of him that he could get used to it, come to expect it. And worse yet, ultimately admit he needed it. Needed her.
He looked at the clock on her nightstand. Christ, it was almost ten o’clock. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in so late. Half his day was gone. He felt warm all of a sudden, and acutely aware that his arm had fallen asleep beneath her. A million pins and needles prickled his skin and fingers. The room heated up like a furnace, and he wanted to kick off the covers. In an instant he’d gone from feeling comfortable and content to anxious and irritable.
He had a long list of things he was supposed to do that day. Get his car washed, take one of his cameras down to the repair shop, cull through the shots from the week before and send his selects to the magazine. He had a ton of Photoshop work to be done on the approved shots from the week before that. He had clothes to pick up from the dry cleaner’s, a suit that needed altered. He should probably get his oil changed, too. He had all this shit to do and he couldn’
t afford to lie here in bed with this woman all day. Although irrational, he was angry with Nikki—like this was all her fault.
He started to ease out from under her, but she began to stir. When her lashes fluttered open, she smiled up at him. “Good morning, handsome.”
“Morning.”
“Did you sleep okay?” she asked in her sweet, sexy morning voice. A voice he knew he could so easily get used to hearing each and every day.
He nodded. “You?”
“Hmmmm.” She situated herself on his chest. Great, she wants to cuddle now. A crack of lightning lit up the room, followed by a rumble of thunder.
“Listen,” he said, pulling back the covers, “I’m gonna get going if that’s okay.”
“Huh?” She lifted her head and looked at him.
He freed himself from her embrace and sat up. “Yeah, I—I’ve got a ton of things I need to do today, and I’m already getting a late start.”
“Oh.” She sat up, too, and he could tell she was confused, even a little wounded. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked.
“No. No. I’ve just got a lot of things I need to do, that’s all.”
“Oh. Okay.” She didn’t sound convinced.
He hurried out to the other room and gathered up his clothes. Stepping into his pants, he looked at that bouquet of roses from the ex. Another branch of lightning flashed through the room along with a fierce clap of thunder. He wanted to dart out and disappear across the hall, but he knew that would kill Nikki, and he couldn’t be cruel to her. As he buttoned his shirt, he looked over by the kitchen and noticed that she had four blue bins lined up against the wall: one for paper, one for plastics, one for aluminum, and one for glass. Son of a bitch. She was doing this for him. She was recycling.
He walked back into the bedroom and found her sitting the middle of the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest.
Despite the turmoil churning inside his head, she looked too good, too inviting, and his body wanted nothing more than to climb back into bed with her. Hold her and kiss her and make love to her all day long. Shit, man. He caught hold of his emotions. Do not get sucked in by her. It won’t last. You’ll regret it. You’ll only end up hurting her more. Get out of here now while you still can.
Love Thy Neighbor Page 12
