His gaze skimmed over the dress and he let out a whistle. “You’ll look amazing in that.” He started rolling up the sleeping bag. “Do you need me to take you?”
A lump lodged in her throat. She hung the dress in the coat closet. “I’ve got that covered.”
Grant stopped what he was doing. “Oh?”
“Yeah, I’m going with Tristan.” She bent down to scratch Sarge’s chin. His mouth pulled back to show two little fangs in what she was now sure was a happy kitty smile.
“Tristan. The dick.” His tone held more than a note of contempt.
With a quick nod, she gave Sarge a final scratch and went to the kitchen to mix up the ingredients for a toning face mask. She had no reason to feel guilty. Grant was leaving Miami. He’d told her he wasn’t in the market for a relationship that very first night they’d met.
Sure, she had a huge physical attraction for Grant, but if they weren’t right for each other in other ways, why pursue a relationship with him? Her living in rural New York would be like watching a Kardashian negotiate farm life. Fish out of water didn’t even begin to describe it.
As much as he wasn’t doing anything for her at the moment, maybe Tristan was her man. Maybe she’d be a good influence on him and help him find his manners. Or, at least, maybe she’d just use their date tomorrow night to impress upon him why she was the best choice for the London promotion and keep things professional. In any case, she was going to pull out all the stops to make sure she looked fabulous. She poured oatmeal and yogurt into a plastic bowl then squeezed a teaspoon of honey into the mixture and finally an egg white. “I’ll be in my room.” She grabbed the bowl and a jar of coconut oil to use as an extra intense hair conditioner and strode toward the hallway.
Grant looked up from his task of sorting out several types of rubber worms. At least, she hoped they were rubber and not the real thing. “Follow the Fleet comes on the Nostalgia Channel in ten minutes. Sure you don’t want to watch?”
Pausing, she considered forgoing the spa treatments. “That’s one of the few Fred and Ginger movies I haven’t seen.”
“It’s pretty good. Fred and Ginger actually play professional dancers in this one.” He closed the silver latches on the tackle box. “Can’t you eat while you watch?”
Glancing down at the concoction in the bowl, she chuckled. “This is a face mask. I was going to do some beauty treatments. There’s probably enough in here for you, too.”
She waited for him to shoot her a smug look and joke that beauty treatments would be redundant on him (true), but instead, he looked at her as if she was a complete dolt. “You don’t need anything like that.”
“Thanks for saying so. Tell you what. As long as you don’t mind me sitting here with my hair wrapped in a towel, I’ll be back in a little while. Go ahead and start without me.”
After a quick shower and a shortened version of a facial, she combed coconut oil through her hair, covered it with a towel turban-style, then quickly dressed in a tank top and shorts.
She found Grant on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn on his lap. “What did I miss?” she asked.
“Not much.” He patted the cushion next to him and pointed at the TV. “Look who that is.”
Taking a seat beside Grant, she glanced at the screen. “Lucille Ball. I didn’t know she was in this. Is that San Francisco?”
He nodded and offered her popcorn.
She took a handful. “That’s on my top ten list of places I want to visit someday. What about you?”
Leaning his head on the sofa cushion, he drew a deep breath. “Hmm. No big cities for sure. I guess the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite.”
Niki couldn’t imagine having a similar evening with Tristan. Would she ever feel as comfortable with him as she did with Grant?
She doubted Tristan was the one. But clearly, Grant couldn’t be.
Tomorrow night could be a turning point for her and Tristan, if she let it. He was seemingly interested. She’d be dressed to the nines and looking her absolute best. That could be her Cinderella moment, when his manners would finally match his lovely accent, and she’d suddenly develop an attraction to him.
Too bad she just couldn’t manage to conjure up any excitement at the thought.
Chapter Six
Grant turned the shower faucet hotter and let it run on his neck and shoulders to alleviate the stiffness there. Could be from the softball practice the day before and not from the tension of watching Niki prepare for her date with Mr. Wonderful for the past two hours.
The girl who was usually pretty rigid about saving her money for her own place—except when it came to cat treats—had apparently splurged before she’d gotten home and had her fingers and toes done at a salon. Although he had to admit that the metallic blue polish she’d chosen set off her blue eyes beautifully. She’d also bought a pair of sexy silver sandals. When she’d modeled them for Grant, he’d found the look incredibly hot. A damn pair of shoes turned him on, for God’s sake, as long as they were on Niki.
Would that idiot Tristan even notice all the trouble she’d gone to for him?
His neck muscles tightened again.
Relax.
Niki wasn’t his girlfriend.
And Andrea Clemson had sent him a message that she had several showings lined up since he’d dropped the price on his house, so there could be an offer coming any day now. Soon enough he’d be far away from Miami and from Niki. He wouldn’t have to hear her sing show tunes in the shower anymore, or watch the adorable way she licked ice cream off a spoon. No more smelling her amazing perfume or tripping over the toys she bought for Sarge.
After drying off, he went to his room to dress and finish packing for his camping trip. That done, he zipped up his backpack and headed to the kitchen for a few last-minute supplies. With any luck, he could escape without running into Niki. The thought of seeing her all dolled up for another guy made him want to throw something. Hard.
Sarge meowed at his feet, reminding him to leave Niki a note about the cat’s feeding instructions. Before he could finish that task and get out the door, he heard Niki approaching.
Don’t look at her.
“What do you think?”
He swallowed hard then turned to face her. God, she was stunning. Her dress was close to the shade of her eyes and cut low enough to emphasize her ample cleavage, yet high enough to show off her incredible legs. She hadn’t overdone her makeup. It was subtle, highlighting her cat-shaped eyes, high cheekbones, and plump lips.
It took him a moment to find his voice. “You look…gorgeous.”
She gave him that beautiful smile. “Aw, thanks.” Her phone rang from inside her silver clutch. “Excuse me.” Stepping away, she answered. “Hey, what’s up?”
Watching her, he instantly recognized the way her lips flattened to a thin line and how that sparkle in her eyes dulled. Something was wrong. Could it be her Aunt Bev? The woman had to be close to ninety.
“But… Sure, I understand,” she said. “Yeah, of course.”
Grant waited a full minute or so after she disconnected, giving her time to pull herself together because she looked annoyed. He packed a couple cans of baked beans into his bag. “Anything wrong?”
Niki cleared her throat. “Tristan had something come up. He can’t make it tonight.”
That son of a bitch. “What excuse did he give you?”
She shrugged. “An issue at the club that only he could fix.”
“That’s not okay, Niki. You went to a lot of trouble for this date.” For a man who didn’t appreciate her.
“You’re right, but at least I won’t be sitting at home. There’s still my family dinner to go to.” But she wasn’t wearing her party face anymore. “I ought to get going. I’ll have to explain to everyone why the guy I told them about won’t be coming after all.”
Turning his wrist, he glanced at his watch. “When are you supposed to be there?”
“In about forty-five minutes. Why?”
“I can be ready in fifteen minutes. If you want…” he let his voice trail off.
Her eyes softened. “You don’t have to, Grant. Weren’t you going camping?”
“The fish will be there next month.” Without waiting for her affirmation, he went to his room to change.
Right on time, they arrived at The Citrus Room restaurant. Lucy and Dex were already there, seated at a large round table, as was her Aunt Bev and several other family members.
The candlelight that provided most of the room’s illumination gave it a warm, romantic glow. Arched windows on one wall provided a view of a courtyard filled with citrus trees strung with white fairy lights. The table linens were a similar shade of red as the exposed brick wall. An Asian man in his seventies played a baby grand piano in a corner, which lent even more elegance to the place.
Bev took both of Niki’s hands. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look lovelier, dear. Nice to see you again, Grant.”
From across the table, Dex eyed him with a puzzled expression on his face.
Grant slipped away from Niki and went to greet Lucy with a kiss on the cheek and shake his friend’s hand. “Hey, how are you?”
“Good. Surprised to see Niki on your arm.” Dex lowered his voice. “Lucy said she was bringing her boss, and that it was a first date sort of thing for them.” Beside him, Lucy nodded and squinted at Grant, obviously eager to find out what had happened.
Grant glanced at Niki, who still hadn’t made it past her aunt. “He bailed at the last minute.”
“That snake,” Lucy snarled. “He’d better hope he never meets me.”
The men exchanged a knowing nod. Pretty much.
“So you filled in when he stood her up?” Lucy lifted her water glass in Grant’s direction.
Dex nudged his arm. “Thanks, bro.”
Niki joined him and took a seat next to her sister. “Thanks for what?”
Grant sat beside her. “For…reminding him to change the batteries in his smoke detector.”
Niki folded her arms over her chest and looked from one man to the other, clearly skeptical.
“Ah, look who’s here.” Dex gestured toward the entrance, where Niki’s folks had just walked in with two high school-aged boys in tow. The distraction proved a success.
Niki went to greet several other family members who arrived shortly after.
Lucy leaned closer to Grant. “I’m so relieved that you were there to head that one off.”
“Me, too,” Dex chimed in.
Maybe Grant was missing something. “What are you talking about?”
“Her boss,” Lucy supplied. “Another asshole who let her down. I’m so thankful that she has a friend like you to pick up the pieces after yet another guy left her in the lurch. It just confirms my thinking that she shouldn’t get involved with anyone for a while.”
“Absolutely,” Dex said.
He wondered if they’d hate him if they discovered how he really felt about Niki. Glancing in her direction, he found a teenage boy standing near her parents, ogling her as she greeted guests. Grant elbowed Dex. “Who’s that high school kid?”
Dex smirked. “The one with his eyeballs glued to Niki’s chest? That’s her stepbrother’s friend, Jacob.”
Niki met Grant’s stare and bugged her eyes out. He shot her a puzzled look and shrugged, and she practically growled in response. She shot a pointed glance at Jacob and then widened her eyes at him again, mouthing “help me.” Ah.
“Would you excuse me?” Standing, he took a drink from his water glass, straightened his jacket, and crossed the room to Niki. He gave her mom a kiss on her cheek. “Nice to see you again, Michelle.”
“Thank you,” her mother said. “Good to see you, too.”
“Thanks for coming,” Jack said. “This is my son, Eric, and his friend, Jacob.”
Eric shook Grant’s hand, but the other teen barely acknowledged Grant; he was too busy watching Niki’s every move.
Grant took Niki’s hand. “Want to check out the courtyard?”
“Yes!” She was halfway to the glass doors almost before the word had left her lips. The instant they stepped outside, she sighed. “God, thank you for getting me away from Jacob. I kept making excuses to get away from him, but he would find a way into the next group I joined every time.”
“My pleasure.”
She glanced up and her lips formed an O. “This is gorgeous out here, enchanting.”
His eyes never left her. He hoped she didn’t realize he was being kind of Jacob-like himself. “Yes, it is.” Familiar piano music drifted outside from the restaurant. “Recognize the song?”
She stilled, then smiled. “It’s from Top Hat.”
“‘Cheek to Cheek.’ I think more people know it today because Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga remade it, but I’ll always hear Fred singing it to Ginger.”
“Heaven,” Niki sang. “I’m in heaven…”
“May I have this dance, Ginger?” He offered his hand, hoping for a dance with her, just the two of them, this one moment together.
“That would be lovely, Fred.” Her eyes were luminous as one corner of her mouth tipped up in a grin. She stepped into his arms as if it was where she belonged. When she pressed that sensuous body to his, the spark of heat between them flared to a flame.
They slipped behind a couple of trees, away from the window, and moved together to the music. Instead of their usual attempt at movie-star moves, he held her close, and they swayed in time to the music. Underneath the stars and the twinkling lights in the trees, they were the only two people in the world.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to go camping.” Her voice was so soft that he had to lean closer to hear. The heat of her breath landed on his neck and took him right back to the night of the wedding, all the erotic memories of the two of them.
“I’m not.” He should have wanted to kick himself for leading her on, but he only seemed to be able to focus on the feel of her in his arms.
She skimmed her hand over his shoulder, the simple touch driving him crazy. “What are you thinking about?”
Breathing in her scent, he didn’t even hesitate. “How much I want to kiss you right now.”
Her lips parted ever so slightly as she tangled her fingers in his hair. “Great minds…”
Which was all the encouragement he needed. He covered her mouth with his, tasted the sweetness of her tongue.
“Niki!” a male voice called.
She broke away, leaving him gasping.
Grant clenched his jaw when he saw Jacob in the doorway, glaring at him.
The teenager’s expression softened when he shifted his gaze to Niki. “Your mother was wondering where you went,” Jacob said. “She wants to talk to you. What should I tell her?”
Cheeks flushed, Niki brushed past the kid and headed inside without a word.
Grant wiped a hand over his face and waited for Jacob to go back into the restaurant. When the kid didn’t, Grant took a step toward him. “Something wrong?”
Jacob puffed out his chest. “May the best man win.”
Grant couldn’t help but laugh. “There’s only one man out here.”
The teen fisted his hands at his sides. “You sure about that?”
Glancing into the restaurant, he saw Niki and her mother speaking to an older couple he didn’t recognize. Niki’s stepfather appeared to be looking for someone, maybe Jacob. The teen was probably a good kid, just one with lots of testosterone suddenly coursing through him.
Grant held back a chuckle. He could hardly blame the kid for finding Niki irresistible. Gesturing toward the door, he said, “After you.” As the boy passed him, Grant leaned forward. “If you’re interested in a woman, try looking her in the eye instead of at her chest, ace. She’s about ready to call the cops on you.”
Jacob had the grace to look embarrassed, which told Grant that all was not lost as far as the kid was concerned. The teen went inside and thankfully found something on his phone alm
ost as interesting as he had Niki.
Hours later, Grant drove home, still high from kissing Niki. He let her out of the truck and followed her into the house, knowing it was a bad idea but hoping all the same.
“That was fun. Especially once Eric’s friend stopped stalking my breasts. I wonder what caught his attention?” She slipped off her sandals then strode down the hall toward her room, stopping before she got to her door. She turned to face him, so many unsaid words in her eyes. So many questions. “Good night,” she said softly.
“G’night.” He stood there in the hallway, rooted to the spot, just staring at her closed door for a long moment. Soon enough, she’d fly off to Europe, and he’d be back up north. Damn it, he really wanted to knock on her door and tell her not to leave. But that was probably his libido talking.
Truth was, he had no right to think of her in terms of relationship material. He didn’t want one and she…well, her family didn’t think she ought to have one right now.
After he got ready for bed—alone—he grabbed the motorcycle magazine on his night table and flipped through the pages until he found an article to read. Hopefully tonight he’d dream of something besides Niki for a change.
…
Niki sat at a table in the empty VIP lounge at Heatwave with her laptop open to a party supply site that had the perfect tablecloths for the Fourth of July event. Ordering the eight she’d need for the lounge would put her close to the top of the budget Tristan had given her, since she’d already bought flag banners, party poppers, sparklers, and prizes for the various games she had planned. She’d have to find cheaper linens in order to have enough money left over for the flower arrangements her boss liked.
“Ah, there you are.” Tristan came over. “Is it safe, or are you still upset with me for canceling last night?”
She reflected on the wonderful time she’d had with Grant, and that kiss they’d shared. In contrast, the thought of kissing Tristan felt about as appealing as sucking face with Sarge. “I’m fine, Tristan,” she said coolly to her laptop screen.
He made a show of wiping his brow. “Phew. I was afraid you’d be cross, but it really wasn’t my fault. Our liquor vendor can be such a diva.”
The Best Man's Proposal (The Hamilton Sisters) Page 10
