WindSwept Narrows: #5 Sophie Addison

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Sophie Addison

  WindSwept Narrows

  Book Five

  Karen A. Nichols

  Copyright 2012 by Karen A. Nichols

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Karen Nichols. Copyright, Karen Nichols. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter One

  Nick stood and stared like he was twelve. He wasn’t going to try and deny it. The woman had all the right curves. And his body was having reactions that should have been controllable at his age.

  “How the hell…do you manage to be completely covered from head to toe…”

  “I love it,” Alice turned from side to side, admiring the silver blue costume. Her hair was braided tightly down the back of her head and the little comm badge twinkled above her left breast. “Chloe wore it last year. Emily is going as Zoe from Firefly…we kinked her hair this afternoon. Okay…I’m ready…” she looked over at Nick.

  They entered the large downtown convention center, his hand firmly holding to hers to avoid losing her in the crush of people, each staring at another to glimpse all the costumes.

  Nick led her to the huge side room with the karaoke floor set up where a large group of their friends had already staked out several tables, pulling them together. Nick had no idea who half the costumes were, or were supposed to be.

  Mac wandered to the stage, checking the sound and watching the women assemble. He saw his friend stride in from the outer room, following his gaze to the woman wearing the black outfit and sitting next to the Lara Croft.

  “You’re drooling,” Mac mentioned casually, taking in the rakish looking outfit. “General Disney rogue?”

  “Yep…goes with my rakish charm and smoldering glance,” he wiggled the brown eyebrows expressively. “The Baroness…looks part Asian.”

  “These are girls…they delight in misdirection and make-up,” Mac told him. “That’s Sophie Addison…Logan’s new admin…” He looked at Nate suspiciously. “But somehow, I think you already knew that.”

  “Can’t put one over on you, boss,” he said with a chuckle.

  “She also plays WoW with me and Cass…and you…” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Only…I’m guessing she doesn’t know you,” Mac leaned back on the heavy table.

  “It’s all about the timing,” Nate Cooper told him with a confident nod, adjusting his simple black felt mask and his palms clasp behind his back. “My plan is coming together very nicely.”

  He wandered for an hour before locating her again. She was leaning back in a chair near one of the wide panoramic windows, one leg bent; the other stretched out in front of her. Her elbows rested on the arms of the chair, palms dangling off the ends. He watched from the safe perch at the bar, two separate men approached and received a polite shake of her head. Nothing more, her gaze returning to the damp, sparkling lights spread across downtown Seattle.

  Now and then the dim lighting caught on the simple black framed glasses she wore, her finger up to push them along her nose.

  “I can’t tell if you’re enjoying the costume ball or not, Baroness, but you definitely appear distracted,” Nate said quietly, his hands on the back of the other chair at the small table. He wasn’t aware that he was holding his breath as she turned in his direction. He was fairly certain the microphone they spoke through put enough distortion in his voice that she wouldn’t recognize him. The long, dark brown hair waved and curled over her shoulders, accented by the deep brown of her eyes.

  “Always try and believe at least six impossible things before breakfast,” she answered in a soft ramble.

  “What has you so distracted?” So far, so good. He wasn’t being dismissed.

  “I was actually plotting some travel plans for my father,” she answered simply. “Nothing sinister or dramatic, even.”

  “But you are enjoying the event…” he asked casually, hopefully.

  “The charity balls are always for good causes, never raise nearly enough money and provide adults the chance to remember what make-believe was like in their lives.” She said easily, glancing around at the people. “I love the imagination it takes for some of the costumes. Gives one hope that some adults still enjoy play.”

  “Would it be possible to grant this lowly rogue a dance?” He stood up, his palm extended.

  “Flynn…from the Disney cartoon,” she said carefully, dark eyes going from the sturdy boots, over the rustic cargo pants and rakish shirt and vest. The shock of pale amber hair that kept creeping to rest on one eyebrow of the same pale shade helped toward the rakish appearance of the rogue behind the black mask.

  Nate felt his breathing begin again when the leg that had been straight, bent and her palm left the arm of the chair to fit comfortably into his. She stood up slowly, walking with him toward the dance floor.

  “I have this insatiable curiosity…that will probably net me trouble…” he began slowly.

  “But I’m thinking it goes quite well with the rogue in you,” she returned easily, his hand firm on her waist as he guided them to the soft music. She kept her eyes on his. He had a very charming smile that made her relax.

  “How did I win out over the guys you sent packing?” Nate watched the thick dark lashes blink, as if she hadn’t thought about it.

  “Hmm…their lines and their costumes…one was that boorish cretin from Beauty and the Beast. The other something from the sixties…suit, vest and tie, Madmen, I think…I don’t like that show,” she answered with a shrug. “It thrives on liars and back stabbing and I strongly dislike both.”

  “How did you come to settle on the Baroness? Did you like the movie?”

  “It was amusing,” she admitted. “Smart dialogue, witty chatter and nicely sarcastic with sufficient explosions to keep your attention. The costume,” Sophie relaxed a little, allowing him to gather her closer. “The costume happened because I was in a very bad mood when I went looking…and wanted to beat the crap out of something. The costume fit the mood.”

  “Bad day at the office?” Nate asked casually.

  “No…no I generally have very nice days, though I’ve only been there a couple weeks. It’s a good place with….with a mission statement that belongs in the world, not just one little place,” She shook her head. “Did you ever meet someone and just know…instantly…that they crawled out from under a rock?” She smiled at his instant laughter. He was cute.

  “Not often…I have to guess that girls tend to meet that type more than a guy would,” Nate said with a nod of understanding. “Sounds like a prime human resources problem.”

  “I know,” she answered, her head leaning gently against his. “I dislike being unable to solve my own problems. If he
continues to be annoying, I’ll speak with his boss, first. I know Cade wouldn’t approve. It’s just…it feels wrong to be unable to stop someone from crude comments and leering at you just because you’re female.”

  “I think you enjoy being female,” Nate said cautiously. “You might have selected the costume in a mood, but you wouldn’t be able to carry it off without enjoying being a confident, kick-ass girl.”

  Sophie lifted her head, peering at him for a long minute. “That’s a very intuitive statement.”

  “Hey…us modern guys read a lot,” he relaxed when she laughed, a low husky sound that sent lightening through him. “Guys stare. I think it’s written in the DNA we’re cursed with…but manners, in decent males, preclude you from crossing that invisible line. It’s difficult to accept when a girl tells you she’s not interested…you just have to accept it as honesty and move on.”

  “And girls are cursed being curved in all the right places to make guys stare,” she didn’t stop the smile at the tint of red in his cheeks.

  “I am unable to deny that statement. Communication sometimes begins silently,” Nate said thoughtfully. “A look, an attraction…something in common…shared values.”

  Sophie stared at the edge of his mask, her lips pulled into a taut bow. “I think I needed to hear that expressed in words…too many think it all revolves around their libido.”

  “So tell me, Baroness…if one of the guys you turned down comes to break in, do I have to be polite?” Nate moved her palm to his shoulders and circled her waist, swaying and moving them to the new song that began.

  “I’m sure they believe you’ve thawed me out.”

  “How about some dinner?” He accepted her nod, turning them just as one of the men approached from the side. Nate moved them quickly through the people, his palm dropping down to take her hand. “I understand they have some pretty good cooks for this thing,” his eyes scanned the black stretch fabric of her outfit when the chiming began.

  Sophie opened a pocket on her thigh, lifting the slim phone with a smile, pressing silent and putting it away.

  “Not important?”

  “My father,” she said with a grin. “If I don’t answer, he’s to assume I’m having a good time and don’t need rescued,” she watched the bright smile break out over his features, a twinkle in the dark blue eyes.

  “It’s always good to have an escape plan,” he nodded with a chuckle, sliding her a tray and plate. They ended the line with similar large cups filled with ice and water as he led her through the people to an empty table near the window. He was surprised that they had selected very similar types of food. Next to no meat and tons of fruits and vegetables.

  “I think I was born making escape plans,” she admitted with a low chuckle, digging into the crunchy Caesar salad mixture. “You don’t care for meat much either?”

  “I’m a sucker for a good chicken recipe…and bring out seafood of any kind and I’m doomed,” he admitted in a low voice, enjoying her laughter.

  “I could live on calamari and cheesecake,” she admitted with a wrinkled nose. “Your secret is safe with me.” She lifted a slice of cucumber she’d drenched in balsamic vinegar, biting down thoughtfully. “Did you come to the event with your parents?” She winced immediately when she saw his fork stop midway to his mouth and then lower to the plate. “I…umm…” Sophie didn’t move as he leaned over the table.

  Chapter Two

  “I’m over eighteen, Baroness,” he told her softly. “I’m even permitted out after midnight without a chaperone.”

  “I’m sorry…it’s just…you don’t look old enough to…”

  “I accredit outstanding genetics from Danish relatives,” he answered, returning to his food, his lips tilted in a smile. He had suspected Sophie Addison was far from boring.

  “Mine are probably from the other side of the globe…a smattering of Korean and some olive skinned ancestors in Spain, I think,” she said casually. “I’ve seen photographs…beautiful gypsies a couple generations out.”

  “They passed their beauty on to you, Baroness,” Nate complimented easily, a frown creasing his forehead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

  “I’m not…” She shrugged dismissingly. “I think I’ve heard those words since I could understand their meaning. It bothers me that people believe that your exterior is more important than anything else in your life.”

  “Did you ever use it to your advantage?”

  “I’d be a liar if I said no,” she answered slowly. “I lost a great deal of that before I was eleven, thankfully. Seeing how…I didn’t like school much. I used to wish I could take all my true friends away from it and start my own school. Someplace safe and…and happy,” she tipped her glass over, draining the water.

  “Refill?” Nate stood up, his palm out for her cup when she nodded.

  “Thank you, Flynn…” Sophie stared at the plate, absently eating the rest of her salad. Her eyes rose slowly when the small plate was slid across the table with a fork, her refilled ice water returned and ignored. “Ohhh…you’re good…”

  He used the fork, stabbing through the soft cherry covered cheesecake, holding it out to her. The color of her lips easily matching the topping. He put the empty fork into the cake for her.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m not sure too many people actually enjoy that time of their lives,” Nate shrugged, leaning back and watching her. No jewelry; no polish on her nails and the only makeup made her eyes appear even larger than normal and a dark, sexy red lipstick that fit the costume.

  “I didn’t realize how crazy I was making my father until a couple years later,” she shook her head slowly.

  “Just you and your dad?”

  “My mother died when I was a little past two. I don’t remember her…we have pictures…my father told me she was lovely inside,” she sighed, looked over at him and took the last bite of cheesecake. “I think she participated in every charity out there…she’d be disappointed that very little has changed in the world.”

  Nate lifted her hand from the table. “Will you be here when I get back?”

  “Restroom break? I’ll tag along…to the other side,” she added hastily, finding it fun to have someone to hold hands with. Maybe that was one of the things she missed out on growing up.

  “I’d ask where the opening is on that thing, but I’m not sure I could handle the answer,” Nate commented, grinning when she only winked.

  “Girl secrets,” Sophie told him as they parted at the signs. She stared for a long minute at the woman in the mirror as she left the restroom. Too much time spent wondering just who she was inside. She didn’t see him when she stepped into the large open space, glancing around at the various costumes and smiling. Everything from movies to cartoons to games was represented tonight.

  Nate dragged ten fingers through the straight amber hair, the standard shock falling over his forehead. Never stop to talk to people when you have a girl waiting for you, he grumbled to himself, scanning the crowd. He caught sight of her near one of the second story windows. He was close enough to hear, but couldn’t get through the people quickly enough.

  “We aren’t on resort property now,” came the dark comment.

  Nate watched her turn sharply, her palm up in a wide and fast arc to connect with the man’s face.

  “Touch me again and I’ll cripple you,” came the furious hiss, aware of the sudden silence around them.

  Nate recognized the guy as one of Cade’s trainees for the hotel management program. He hastily stepped between them, his back to Sophie.

  “I think you should go,” he said quietly. “Before we call security and have you removed,” he turned his shoulder to him, offering his arm to her. “Baroness? Let’s find some quiet music.”

  “Thank you, Flynn…I think that would be nice.”

  He listened to her rapid breathing, his palm slipping around her waist and leading her away from people staring. “Are you okay?”


  “He…aaauuugghhhh…”

  “I’m guessing his hand went where it wasn’t invited?” He met the wide flaring eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes. Nice right cross…how’s your palm?”

  “Stings…but it was worth it,” she declared, a sullen pout on her lips.

  Nate grabbed a large bottle of water as they passed a refreshment table and handed it to her. “This’ll help, Baroness.”

  “Oh…” She wrapped her palm around it. “It does…you’ve…umm…”

  “Been in a few fights? I’ve had my share…” Nate stared over at her as they casually walked around the large ballroom. “Not for the same reason as you, but…high school…college…so how’d you handle the high school thing?”

  “Middle school…from about twelve on…I hung out with people who used their brains, not their…their meanness to hurt others,” she answered quietly. “I got to know nice, smart people…shy people who others pretended were invisible…” She opened the bottle and took a long drink before offering it to him. “A boat rocker, I think they used to call it…it mostly disappeared in college.”

  “Some of us get smarter…some continue being idiots. That the guy from where you work?” Nate asked, even though he already knew the answer.

  “Yes. His name is Fender, William…you know what worries me more than his annoyance to me? What about the waitress and other girls younger than I am? What if he pulls the line of…if you want to keep your job…” She stepped away from him near the window and paced. “I will deal with it on Monday. Did you say we could dance?”

  Nate held his palm out to her, guiding her toward the quiet lounge that had been set up, a variety of old slow music playing.

  “What was your major in college, Flynn?” She liked looking into his eyes, the pretty blue sparkling beneath the occasional light they passed under.

  “Computers…really, anything tech,” he told her honestly. “Take it apart, rebuild it…make it better…programming…”