“Mr. Morgan,” Hula called out.
“In a minute,” he hollered back, not taking his eyes away from Nixie as she slid into the backseat of the cab.
“Mr. Morgan!” Hula repeated more firmly.
“Hold on!” he cried, staring transfixed as the cab pulled away. He bit his lip to hide a smile as a small wrist shot out the window and Nixie waved to him. He lifted his hand and waved in return.
“Nicholas!” Hula practically screamed.
He spun and marched into the house with a huff of agitation. “What? What is so important?” He didn’t see her in the kitchen so he strode into the living room. “What…” He trailed off in disbelief as soon as he entered the room.
“You’ve been robbed, Mr. Morgan,” Hula said sympathetically.
Nick stared around the room in shock. Half of the items that normally littered the area were missing in action. Many, many expensive things. “How could she?” he whispered, heartbreakingly dumbfounded.
Chapter Five
Nixie sat at her kitchen table running the past twenty-four hours through her head. She could barely believe the things that had happened. Stuff like this didn’t happen to her. Taking a calming breath, she tried to compose herself. She was probably getting herself all worked up over nothing.
Just like every other guy she’d slept with, Nick would wake up and realize what a klutz she was. He’d get over his initial attraction and see that she was no Miss December…but things with him had felt so right. No one else had ever made her feel the way Nick did. She was totally and completely head over heels for the guy.
She fingered one of the buttons on her shirt. When Nixie had gotten home, she’d passed on the option of changing and had instead sunk into a kitchen chair to think. Now, she lifted the shirt to her nose and inhaled the scent of Nick’s musky aftershave.
The sound of the phone ringing startled her, making her jump and drop the shirt guiltily from her fingers. Leaning precariously back on two legs of the chair, she reached to the wall and snatched up the phone. “Hello?”
“Nixie? It’s Nick.”
She was so startled to hear his voice that she lost her balance. With a surprised yelp, Nixie toppled backwards, her chair tipping to the floor. The phone dropped out of her hand, the plastic cracking loudly against the ground, then skidded away from her.
She scrambled on her hands and knees after it. She quickly brought it back to her ear and breathlessly asked, “Hello? Are you still there?”
“Yes,” said Nick’s smooth, sensual voice. “What was that noise?”
“Oh, that?” She gave an embarrassed titter. “I fell out of my chair.”
“Surprised to hear from me?” he asked.
Nixie frowned at the phone. His voice sounded almost…cold. “More like delighted,” she admitted carefully. “What happened to your meeting?”
“Cancelled it,” he said shortly.
“Oh, Nick,” she said. “I thought it was important.”
“It was, but…” He trailed off, pausing. “I had to see you.”
Nixie’s heart filled with joy. “That is so romantic.”
“Yeah.” He sounded almost scornful. “Whatever.”
Nixie’s frown returned and she went to comment, but he cut her off. “Open the door,” he ordered. “I’m outside.” A second later there was a knock on her kitchen door.
Nixie sat up straight on the cold linoleum floor trying to peer out of the window of the door. She could barely make out his form as he shifted his weight impatiently on the stoop. “Hey,” she cried in surprise. “How did you find my house? I didn’t tell you where I lived. Did you use some super-secret, rich guy private detective to track me down or something?”
“No,” Nick said listlessly. “I opened a phone book.”
“Oh.” She was slightly disappointed at the unexciting means by which he found her. “Well…I guess I shouldn’t leave you waiting out there.” She hung up the phone then quickly began running her fingers through her hair, trying to look more presentable. Opening the door, she pasted a big, wide smile on her face. “Hey,” she said delicately.
Nick’s features seemed to instantly soften at her greeting, but a moment later, his sullen expression returned. “I want my things back,” he demanded, pushing into the house.
“Oh,” Nixie replied, feeling slightly startled. “Of course.” She turned and headed back toward her bedroom, motioning for him to follow. She fingered the top button of her shirt. “I didn’t get a chance to wash it,” she apologized.
Nick stood in the doorway of her bedroom and stared in disbelief as she began unbuttoning her shirt. At the second button, he stopped her. “I didn’t mean the shirt,” he said contemptuously. He eyed it thoughtfully. “Though I do want that as well. It’s an Armani.”
Nixie gasped and looked down at her shirt in surprise. “You gave me an Armani shirt to lounge around the house in?”
Nick ignored her question and repeated his demand. “My. Things.” He stressed each word harshly, aggravation evident in his voice.
Nixie’s hand flew to her neck, her fingers grazing the heart locket. “You want the necklace?” she asked, slightly confused.
“No. Not the damn necklace,” he snapped. “I want my things!”
Nixie cringed at his angered tone. “Nick, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said meekly.
“Oh, don’t play dumb,” he spat. Marching across the room, he got right in her face. “I’ve had about all the acting I can take from you.” His eyes flicked to the bed behind her. “Sit down.” The statement was a harsh demand.
Nixie eyed him apprehensively. She wasn’t afraid of him, not really. She was just fearful something had happened that was going to ruin what little chance she had with him. With a baffled sigh, she followed his order and climbed onto the bed. She scooted up so her back was resting against the headboard, trying to put a little distance between them to hopefully quell his agitation. “Nick,” she asked cautiously. “What’s wrong? You seem…irritated.”
From his back pocket, Nick produced a pair of handcuffs that he quickly fastened to her left wrist. Looping it through a section of the headboard, he then fastened the other side to her right wrist.
He moved swiftly and Nixie was too stunned to put up much of a fight. When he took a step back, she stared at him in indignation. “Nick, what the hell are you doing?”
“Exactly what you did last night. I’m going to root through your bedroom to see if there’s anything of interest.”
“The same thing I did?” She gave a disgruntled snort. “I don’t recall handcuffing you to the bed.”
Nick, who had wrenched open the top drawer of her dresser, spun to look at her. His eyes darkened in lust as he watched her struggle against her restraints. His expression slowly turned to pity then fast as lightning was back to anger. “No,” he practically snarled. “What you did was worse.”
“What I did?” Nixie asked huffily. “What exactly did I do?”
Nick slammed her drawer shut with a resounding bang. “You seduced me. You made me…” His voice cracked and he had to swallow before continuing. “You had sex with me while your cohorts came in and cleaned the place out. You helped rob me. You used me for…for what, a few lousy bucks?”
“First off, nothing you own costs a few lousy bucks, and second, what the hell are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about! I was conveniently robbed the night I shacked up with you. Coincidence? I think not.” He yanked her closet open and began tossing her possessions around, searching for anything that belonged to him. “So I’m going to violate your privacy like you did mine.” To prove his point, he grabbed a container of shoes and emptied it on the floor.
Behind him, Nixie gave a pathetic little sob at seeing her things being tossed around so carelessly by someone she’d thought might care about her, even if just a little.
Nick’s handsome face looked almost ugly in his rage. “It’s too l
ate for tears, honey.”
Nixie bit back another snivel, not wanting to give him the benefit of seeing how much his actions were hurting her.
* * *
Nick made sure to maintain the unyielding snarl on his face, but inside, he was shaking like a leaf. He felt horrible for the way he was behaving, but he knew the moment he dropped the angry act, he would fall apart. He couldn’t fall apart in front of Nixie. His pride wouldn’t allow it. As it was, he’d almost rushed to her side and begged for her forgiveness when he’d heard the shallow little sob that escaped her throat. He had to fight to keep himself from crumbling.
She’d done him wrong. She’d used him. She’d fooled him into thinking there was something between them when he was vulnerable from a recent break up. She didn’t care that she’d taken his heart and crushed it under those spiked heels of hers.
“I want you to know I think you’re the biggest asshole on the face of the planet.”
Statements like that made it a lot easier for him to stand his ground. Nick’s lip curled up. “The feeling is completely mutual.” He couldn’t keep the smug grin off his face at the startled look he received for his statement. Good. It was about time she realized that those cute little looks weren’t working him over anymore.
Nixie’s eyes narrowed into the most adorable…no, the most annoying glare he’d ever seen. In return, Nick slid into an arrogant, conceited smirk before he turned his back and began rifling once again through her lingerie drawer just to spite her.
“You…you are such a vain…snob.” Nixie spat the words angrily. “You are so wrapped up in yourself.” She gave an ineffective tug at the cuffs. “At least when I broke into your place, I made sure you got a few orgasms out of it.”
Nick turned slowly to stare at her, incredulity written on his face. “That is what you’re worried about? Nearly my entire living room is missing and you’re pissed because I didn’t stop to worry about whether the woman who took everything was sexually satisfied?”
“I didn’t take anything!” Nixie shrieked.
Nick ground his teeth painfully together. “I really, really hate being lied to.”
“I’m not lying!”
Nick strolled over to the side of the bed and stared down at her with a scathing look. “If I give you what you want, will you shut up so I can finish searching the place?”
“What I want?” Nixie asked in confusion.
Without a word, Nick climbed onto the bed and made his way over to her side. Bending down, he kissed her forcefully.
Nixie gave a cry of surprise and pulled back. “What are you––”
Nick cut her off with another kiss, the pressure of his mouth on hers strong enough to bruise. He heard her squawk of outrage, but didn’t remove his lips from hers.
He felt her teeth sink into his bottom lip, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he swung his leg over both of hers, straddled her lap, and swallowed up her rage and anger. He took her fury and returned his own back into her. He kissed her with what almost felt like desperation. He thought that maybe if he kissed her passionately enough, she’d realize what she could have had, perhaps even regret betraying him. He wanted her to ache with need just like he did every time she crossed his mind.
Nick felt a surge of satisfaction when her lips softened against his and she opened her mouth to him. He grabbed her face in his hands and swallowed up her whimper of pleasure.
Her tongue flicked out and she ran it gently along his bottom lip. “I’m sorry.” She whispered against him before drawing his lip into her mouth, sucking lightly at the tender flesh she’d bitten only a minute ago.
Nick groaned in arousal and felt his resentment slipping away. He didn’t care what she did, how many rooms she wiped clean as long as she kept touching him. “I want you so much it frightens me,” he said in a quiet undertone. “I can’t think around it.”
Nixie wiggled, trying to press her body to his and having a hard time of it due to her restrained hands. She whimpered pitifully before begging. “Fuck me, Nick. Please, please. Just take me.”
* * *
Nixie would have been embarrassed to find herself pleading for him to touch her, but she desperately needed it. She’d get down on her knees and beg him if it would mean getting what she wanted. She needed Nick like she’d never needed anyone in her life. He was an addiction.
At her desperate plea, Nick moved until he was kneeling between her legs. He gazed at her with those astounding blue eyes and stated the obvious. “You want me.”
She nodded fervently in answer.
Nick’s hands slid her skirt up around her waist and he lowered his mouth to her. “Say it,” he said, his breathing hot against her intimate parts. “Tell me you want it.”
“I want it,” she whimpered.
Nick slid his tongue along her, lapping at her sensitive flesh. “You want this very badly,” he informed her.
Nixie gave a cry as he nibbled softly at her skin, his tongue swirling in a careless pattern. “Yes,” she agreed. “Yes…yes…” Biting her lip, she grunted. “I want you in me. Now. I need it.”
Nick seemed more than willing to oblige her. He scrambled off the bed and frantically began climbing out of his trousers.
“Hurry.”
Nick rewarded her with one of those deliriously wonderful grins. “You think I’m not trying?” He struggled out of his boxers and tossed them to the side, not even bothering with his shirt. He quickly returned to her, positioning himself between her knees, but soon found that the cuffs limited their movement.
Nixie couldn’t slide down far enough to give him the room he needed. She squiggled and squirmed before finally huffing. “Just let me loose. It’s not working like this.”
Nick shook his head stubbornly. “No…can’t trust you…”
Nixie sent him a dirty look, but he couldn’t see it due to the fact that he was still trying to find a way to get them properly positioned. “This isn’t working.”
Nick gave a weary sigh and moved away from her. “This isn’t working,” he agreed. He sat down next to her and took in a few deep breaths, surveying the situation. After a moment, he said, “You’re going to be on top.”
Nixie raised an eyebrow skeptically. “How’s that gonna work?”
Nick slid closer to her. “Turn over and climb on top.”
Nixie rolled her eyes. “This would be so much easier if you’d just let me go, but whatever.” Very gingerly, she climbed to her knees and turned to face him. When she spun, the handcuffs dug uncomfortably into her wrists for a second, but she managed to get turned over and onto his lap without too much effort or discomfort.
Nick gripped her thighs in his hands and pulled her down onto his lap. “Now ride me.” He demanded it, his tone conveying that he expected no argument. She didn’t plan to give him one.
With a little assistance, Nixie managed to get him into place, and in one fluid motion, she impaled herself on him.
Nick let out a low, deep groan from underneath her.
She knew exactly how he felt. With a soft sigh of satisfaction, Nixie began moving on top of him, driving him deeper inside of her. Her head fell back and she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out in ecstasy.
Due to the handcuffs, she was forced to stay pinned tightly against Nick’s chest. Her breasts were crushed firmly against him, her nipples tingling with each thrust as they were rubbed along his shirt.
Nick’s arms were around her back, holding her to him just as much as the cuffs were. His breathing was sporadic and labored as his hips thrust upward to meet hers.
Unable to hold back, Nixie began whimpering, noises that sounded almost like sobs escaping her throat each time their bodies crashed together. She heard the springs on the bed protest as they rocked simultaneously against each other.
Nick gave a grunt and his hands slid down to her hips, yanking her down onto him as far as she could go. The headboard smacked against the wall with a crack, drawing a chuckle from him.
/> His laugh was infectious and Nixie giggled in response. She didn’t remember a time in her life when she’d ever been happier. It didn’t matter that Nick thought she was a criminal. As long as he continued to see her, things would be okay. She was happy just to be around him. It was absolute pleasure to feel his lips as they grazed over her throat. She loved the sensation of his arms around her, the possessive way his hands slid along her skin. She loved his smile, his laugh…she loved him. She gave a small gasp and her eyes widened at this realization. She couldn’t love him. It was impossible. They barely knew each other.
Nick groaned her name into her shoulder and just the sound of her name on his lips made her body tighten in pleasure.
She finally gave in and accepted the fact that maybe she was in love. When the mere sound of his voice sent her pulse skyrocketing, there had to be something there.
While she was coming to terms with this insight, Nick brought his right hand up and ran it slowly along her throat. He then slid it leisurely downward, his hand exploring skin that was slick with sweat. His palm slid steadily, descended over her belly, and finally settled between her legs. He began gently stroking her clit with his thumb, rubbing her until stars practically danced in front of her eyes.
Nixie picked up her pace, rocking on top of him as quickly and vigorously as she could. A minute later, a hoarse cry was torn from her throat as orgasm washed over her in wave after wave of pleasure. She heard Nick’s holler of fulfillment, but was still too busy riding out her own to fully concentrate on him.
After what felt like an eternity, their frantic rhythm slowed and Nixie sluggishly returned to her senses. She sat on top of him gasping for air with her limbs trembling weakly. She collapsed against him, settling into his chest while they both struggled to catch their breath. She lay there for a long time just letting him hold her loosely in his arms, his body still resting inside of her.
Nick nuzzled her ear, leaving a small kiss before whispering. “I need you in my life.” He ran his cheek along her jaw, snuggling against her body. “I wouldn’t be able to survive if you were to leave.” He sighed, the sound almost weary. “I tried so hard not to, but I need you. I can’t explain it, but I do.”
Stealing the Billionaire's Heart Page 5
