Hot For Nick

by Hot for Nick (lit)

  "What are you saying? This guy's still running around town building things?" He held the receiver in a steely grip. "And of course, you can't find any of the men that worked for him. Right?"

  "We ran background checks on every new permit buyer. They're all on the up and up." The sound of a cigarette lighter being fired came through the line before Savage spoke again. "I don't believe this guy’s building anything now. Too broke I would assume."

  "Who sold him the steel, the concrete?" Nick lit a cigar and angrily puffed on the expensive tobacco. "Somebody knows who he is. I only know one person who could have got this thing rolling and I...."

  Nick's abrupt silence brought a comment from Savage. "You're not telling me the whole story. I can't really find this guy if you hide shit from me."

  Nick puffed on his cigar several times and laughed. "Can't tell you, Savage. I still don't believe it."

  "Let me guess. Shelby?" Savage wasn't laughing now. "What do you really want me to do, Nick? I can't see sending her up the river."

  "She doesn’t figure in this part of the situation.” Nick snuffed out the cigar in an ashtray. "This guy has cost me everything I care for and he's going to pay."

  "Sorry, Nick. Wish I could do more."

  "There's one more thing. Hire the best PI you know and keep Shelby out of trouble. Today. Right now."

  "You've got it, pal." Savage didn't end the conversation with his usual raw joke, but with a serious comment. "She’ll be safe as a baby in her cradle.”

  Later, while thinking about Savage's words, the urge to see Shelby remained overwhelming. Nick couldn't take a full breath without making sure she was okay. All that damage to her car meant a mad dog trying to hurt her and he had made wise ass comments about it.

  He realized now that that he no longer cared about what had brought them to the current situation. He only cared about keeping Shelby safe. Until the crazy bastard that did this was identified and arrested, he would stick to her like a second skin.

  He had to resign himself to being lonely the rest of his life, but that didn't mean he had stopped loving her. He would never get Shelby out of his blood.

  Chapter 13

  Shelby stared at her toes, wondering why she had bought another pair of summer shoes when Thanksgiving loomed three weeks away. Over in one corner, a helter-skelter pile of shopping bags and boxes reminded her she’d been on another impulse buying spree. A chronic kind of thing with her nowadays.

  She wondered idly if she’d ever meet anyone like Nick again. Or, if she could ever date again. No, that was out of the question. Besides, if anyone else knew the facts of the tumultuous relationship she’d shared with Nick, they’d have her committed.

  But she didn't have time for confinement, not with six jobs going and dozens of people depending on her. Then there was the Gualdoni project. The beautiful complex now finished only waited for the final walk-through. For all the heartache it had brought her, she saw the beauty of the strong, sprawling elegance built of brick and stucco. Matt and the crew had put in hours of overtime and ignored the open battles of ego between her and Nick.

  She had used Matt shamelessly, calling him each time before pulling into the parking area of the site. If he said Nick had arrived there or he expected him anytime soon, she found an excuse to drive on by. Now, the day she had longed for had arrived, the moment she would walk away from the site for the last time.

  Thinking far ahead, she had picked up brochures for tropical vacations, but scoffed at herself. Being in those romantic places without Nick would be unbearable. Maybe she would go skiing in Switzerland. No, she needed Nick to keep her warm.

  Bullshit. She swung her feet off the desk and went to the window to stare out for several minutes. For one thing, she had to find a release for her growing tension other than snapping at slow sales people and balky gas pumps.

  Kate had escaped so far by being quiet. Shelby had been half listening to the muffled conversation coming from the reception area, but quickly tuned in to the commotion outside her door.

  Curious what the problem might be, she stood and opened the open the door, stopping cold.

  Kate and Mark carried on a hot argument which had become physical. Mark leaned over Kate, gripping her hair in his fist while Kate struggled to get free. Shelby saw red and rushed to assist her secretary.

  "Get the hell out of here, Mark." She made no attempt to hide her disgust. He straightened and smiled, reminding her of a grinning rat.

  Kate jumped to her feet and stood between her man and Shelby. "We were just talking. He didn't mean anything."

  Shelby had her hand on the phone, still eyeing Mark with contempt. "When you leave this time, you're not to ever come back."

  Mark laughed a wheezing sound and grazed Kate's jaw with his knuckles before stretching his thin lips in a smile aimed at Shelby. "You're tough, ain't you, Ms. Rand?"

  "Tough enough. I meant what I said."

  "Yeah, I know you did." He grabbed Kate's purse and rifled the contents, pulling out a jumble of bills before tossing it back at her.

  Shelby wanted to throw something heavy at his head. She found him disgusting and not the least bit frightening. She didn't flinch when he directed his angry gaze back to her.

  He shook his finger at Shelby, and then strolled out of the reception area, taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

  In the following seconds of heavy silence, she wanted to rail at her weak-kneed employee but managed to speak calmly.

  “Kate, why do you take the manhandling?”

  "I love him, Shelby. You love Nick."

  "Not that much." Shelby shuddered. "Never that much." She leaned over to pick up some papers that had fallen from Kate’s handbag. “You know Mark can’t come back here. I don’t like hurting your feelings, but he isn't welcome here.”

  Kate shook her head and straightened her desk with trembling hands. “I know. He won’t be back.”

  Shelby wanted to hug the abuse victim but kept her hands to herself. “If this is going to be a problem between us, tell me now.”

  “Not at all.” Kate managed a weak smile. “I respect your decision.”

  Shelby smiled wryly, thinking it deplorable the woman didn’t respect herself.

  Before sitting down at her desk, she picked up the phone and filed a “No Admittance” report with security, barring Mark from her building. Mark would never be a problem for her again.

  While she sat in her office and waited for the time to meet Nick, somber thoughts consumed Shelby. She didn't intend to be one of those women that weep and moan over their man dumping them. Where had it been written that she had to be the one left holding a bleeding heart? Reaching for her lipstick, she determined that when she walked away from him that night, he would be the one hurting.

  She ran the rose colored lipstick over her lips a final time and sprayed her breasts with perfume, then removed her panties to drop them into her briefcase. Her phone rang and she ignored it. After the twelfth ring, she pushed the talk button.

  Nick had wanted to know where the hell she’d been and had sounded pissed when she yawned. After a lengthy tirade about keeping her appointment for the walk-through and how he waited in the cold damned rain, she had laughed and hung up. He had to be steamed. Too bad. She would make him steam even more before letting him go. Nick would get a send off he’d never forget.

  * * * *

  By the time she drove into the parking lot at the complex, Shelby's nerves twisted in a jangled knot, yet her blood hummed with expectation of unspeakable pleasure. Sexual pleasure.

  "Shel." Nick walked down the entry hallway toward her, carrying a clipboard fat with pages of checklists. He looked like his temper might be up.

  "Nick?" Her gaze swept up his long legs and toyed with his crotch. "I'm here."

  After giving her a look of pissed off disgust, he turned and waved at Matt who came in the doorway, swiping at his rain-soaked hair.

  "Let's get started, Shel. These men ha
ve other places to be and they showed up on time."

  She grinned at Matt and hugged his waist. "You pissed at me too, Matt?"

  Her longtime friend chuckled and shook his head. "Who, me? Hell no."

  "See, Nick? You're the only one with other places to be." She lifted her rain-dampened hair from her shoulders and shook the curls loose. "Let's do it."

  She laughed when Nick caught her arm roughly and escorted her down the hall. Oh yes, he pissed at her. That’s the way she wanted him. Blood up and emotions running high.

  The walk-through began with Nick and Matt in the lead and Shelby strolling behind. Her gaze strayed lovingly over Nick's broad shoulders that couldn’t be hidden under a gray suede jacket. She loved his style, the way he wasn't afraid to wear an amethyst colored shirt with his faded Levi's. He had too nice a rear to hide even if the Levi's hugged his gorgeous tight butt like an old friend. She smiled when he glanced over his shoulder as he felt her lingering study.

  She waited until Matt seemed involved with a personal phone call before torturing Nick a little. She leaned over to brush at her shoe, making sure he could see the bare cheeks of her backside. To add emphasis, she wiggled her hips while straightening her mini-skirt.

  Nick seemed to have grown armor around his sexuality and she curtailed her seduction as the tour wound down to the verbal acceptance of the job. The finality of it struck when Matt and Nick shook hands and the acceptance had been signed. Matt hugged her and laughed.

  “Okay, kiddo. I’ll see you at the next job. Stay out of trouble.”

  She grinned and shrugged. “Don’t worry about me, Matt.” She lowered her gaze from Nick’s Mediterranean features and scuffed her toe on the marble floor. He remained quiet while her heart thundered in her chest. “So, Nick. It’s over.”

  “You think so?” He walked off to get the keys from the watchman.

  "Yeah, isn't it?" She swiped at her windblown hair. "No need to walk me to my car."

  "Right." He went back to talking to the guard.

  "I'll say goodbye now."

  "Yeah. So long." He turned away from her and walked the guard to a side door, locked it and looked her way again. "I thought you'd be gone by now. Anything I can do?"

  She wanted to scream at the dumbest man on earth. "No, I’m just leaving, saying goodbye."

  He shrugged lightly but grinned at her. "Thanks for everything, Shel. Sure there's nothing I can do for you?"

  Her scowl deepened when she lifted her hands in a sign of resignation. "No. Absolutely nothing. I'll see you."

  Of course. How dumb was she? He hadn’t mentioned jail lately, but he probably still thought she belonged behind bars. And her, the biggest fool of all time, stood in the chilly night, wearing no panties for a man that considered her a low down thief. She turned and ran from the entry hall out into the dark cold courtyard. Pure anguish hit when she remembered her clipboard. Damn. She'd left it somewhere on the second floor. A shiver racked her body when she noticed her breath on the cold damp air. As much as she hated to, Shelby ran back to get her belongings.

  She trembled in the chill sweeping in through the courtyard. It was darker than she remembered and she found the gloom unsettling. Well, darn. Being afraid of the dark had always been a never-ending battle for her, one she fought alone. Not even Nick knew about her fear.

  When she got to the door, it resisted stubbornly, making her more aware of her vulnerable situation. A woman alone, no coat, no bravery and no panties. God, would she ever learn? At last the door swung open and she ran inside the building.

  Walking back through that cavern made her nervous, but that clipboard contained data vital to her records. She hit the elevator buttons and turned to peer into the semidarkness behind her.

  She didn't turn around when the soft whoosh of the opening elevator doors broke the silence, but instead backed through the open doors and into a pair of strong arms. Her shrill scream shattered the quiet of the building. The man’s arms tightened around her and dragged her to the back of the car. She bucked and kicked in desperation but couldn't break his hold.

  Familiar husky tones touched her ear and she struggled to hit him in her fury. “Damn you, Nick.” She couldn't believe it when the devil laughed and made a growling sound against her ear. He held her tight, as if he attempted to soothe her frightened heart. "I'm a real jackass, baby. But I never gave a thought to your being scared of me."

  She stopped struggling and rested against his warmth and strength and counted her blessings.

  He held her tight, nuzzling her neck while warming her with his body. "But not too scared to come back to me."

  She saw her opportunity to render him a begging puppy coming back around. Her voice took on a honeyed quality. "I knew sex would be the appropriate going away gift. You know, the gift that keeps on coming."

  He slipped his hand under her sweater and let the weight of her breast bounce in his palm a couple times. "What do you mean, going away gift?"

  In the overhead light, his eyes glistened like wet lapis and his lower lip looked especially delicious. She trembled, but this time she shivered with pleasure. "You know. The big adios send-off every man wants but rarely gets."

  He didn't say anything for several minutes, but pressed his palm to her flat stomach and moved his hips against her backside. "Hate to tell you this, baby, but you seduced me for nothing. I'm not going anywhere."

  "You're not leaving? Why not?"

  He nibbled the length of her pulsing throat and then whispered. "Can't leave you, baby. You're in my blood."

  She leaned back to smile into his eyes. "And you're a real glutton for punishment."

  She wondered which of them should be called glutton while his hand moved under her skirt.

  He exhaled roughly against her shoulder. "Now, let's see what's under this cute little skirt."

  "Same thing that's always been there. Just better now."

  His hand slid between her smooth thighs and pressed to her warm crotch. "Hmmm. Feels like a sweet little fuzzy kitten."

  "Yes, I hear it purring."

  Pressing her belly with his wide palm, Nick slid several fingers into her silken slit and groaned. "Oh yes, honey. This is better. How did you manage that?"

  She laughed. "I told it no one would ever bother it again."

  Nick let her skirt down and spun her to face him. "Tell it to get ready for an invasion."

  "You tell it. We're not on speaking terms any longer."

  He caught her face in his hands to kiss her passionately, holding her to the wall while plundering her mouth. He slid his mouth from hers and suggested, "Let's go to my place and break in the new comforter."

  "Then you feel sure I'm willing to flop on my back with no problem?"

  He grinned and pulled her between his legs. "Of course."

  She smiled and gestured to the opening door. "You're right."

  They hurried from the confining elevator and down the dimly lit hallway to the courtyard door. He locked it behind them after they stepped outside. For a brief time, they stood in the rain to kiss and touch, but soon ran for the warmth of his car.

  He opened the passenger door and they tumbled inside, laughing and kissing, settling in the wide front seat.

  They kissed and touched with frantic hands, tasted eagerly with feverish kisses. She gave in to his silent demand that she surrender, reaching down to release the buttons of his Levi's. He pushed her skirt above her hips and tugged her sweater up over her breasts.

  "Damn, Shel. You're the sweetest looking woman I know."

  She slid her fingers into the fly of his shorts and pulled his full member out.

  "This sweet woman is wanting every inch of this, big boy."

  He laughed and slid forward, meeting her up thrusting hips and she took him in completely. She moaned in helpless delight, clamping her tightness about him. She patted his rear and murmured coyly against his lips.

  "Nicky, just so you know, I'm not using birth control."

 
He didn't miss a stroke, driving into her with renewed strength. Not saying a word for a moment, he bit her lip playfully before sliding his mouth from hers, speaking words that seeped into her mouth like sweet wine.

  “Fine. I’m ready for a couple of kids.”

  "A couple? You're planning on a long stay."

  "Where else would I want to be?" He looked into her eyes while moving slowly against her. "I have to be where the beautiful lady with the sweet kitten is."

  Her laugh had been cut off by a gasp of pleasure when he cupped her rear and thrust into her, holding her close to his heaving chest until her flickering little fire burst over them, igniting her world.

  After the earth stopped tumbling, Shelby sighed and stretched under his weight. She knew he was the stuff that made her world and she could do nothing to change the situation. He touched her cheeks and mouth with soft kisses and groaned when she tried to sit up.

  "I still think we should go initiate that new comforter on my bed."

  A loud rumble of thunder followed his comment and she slapped his rump. "That means you've been evil. Having sex in a car."

  "What other kind is there?" He brushed a curly sprig of hair from her cheek.

  "Nick." What he had said about children rattled in her mind and she couldn't beat around the bush. "Are you planning on having kids?"

  "You mean, by myself?"

  "Don't be a jackass. With a woman of course."

  "Sure. Aren't you game?"

  He had to be yanking her chain again. If so, she wasn't going to play. She sighed and rubbed his butt. "Let's go to my place. The bedroom's warmer."

  Chapter 14

  Nick had called himself every gutter name in his extensive vocabulary after his rainy night romp with Shelby. Not that he regretted the time spent with her. Oh no, man she had been a shot in the ass and a transfusion to his anemic life. No, he didn't regret one breath of time he spent with her. But he did hate his weak-kneed way of handling the inevitable. She had done things to him that had proven she cared zip for him. Oh, sure. She liked having sex with him, but that only meant she liked having sex with him.