While she drove to Nick's place, she thought how ridiculous she probably would look to him. What she planned rivaled anything a man-crazy floozy ever did in a grade B movie. A touch of worry dimmed her fervor. What would she do if he drove her away? Biting her lip, she decided she wouldn't accept that. Nick simply had to want her.
When she drove away from her building, at this late hour no one she knew would shame her for being a pushover for a cold-hearted beast in wolf’s clothing. What the hell? She had raised more than a few eyebrows and had survived. Her heart thumped with joy, a steady reminder that she would soon be holding her love in her arms.
By the time she parked in front of Nick's place, her confidence had eroded somewhat and it melted a bit more in the elevator. The doors opened onto his floor and she stepped out into the hallway. She belted the coat closer about herself, striding toward number 601. The tremble in her hand as she pressed the doorbell re-affirmed her fear he would refuse her.
What was he doing? He may not be home. She would not press that damned button again. In deep dejection, she turned to leave. Her heart leapt in her chest at the sound of the lock being turned to open the door.
* * * *
Nick swallowed a mouthful of Sangria, and then set the glass on the windowsill. What a fool, losing the woman that had become the driving force of his existence.
He stared out at the falling snow. “Oh, that’s really great,” he muttered.
It had been snowing the first time he saw Shelby. Dressed in her spiky fur hat and long coat, she could have been mistaken for a Cossack princess.
He needed desperately to stop thinking about her. His nerves jangled and the rhythm of his heart beat out of whack. Riddled with anxiety and guilt, he cursed himself. “She had every right to walk out on you, man.”
He’d been enslaved to her from the first moment, and the Gods of fortune had touched him, letting Shelby love him.
He drummed his fingers on the windowpane and followed the antics of a young couple running up the street, throwing snowballs at each other. He smiled with derisive humor. “Ah, sweet uncomplicated love. How soon the roof caves in.” He laughed at his lovesick meanderings, taking a final look at the peaceful white scene on the street below.
On the way to his bedroom, he paused to pick up his favorite photo of Shelby. The imp in her sparkled through her eyes and that hair never ceased to wilt all his resistance to anything she wanted. He touched his fingertip to her smiling lips and exhaled tiredly. “Put it down, fool. You had your chance.”
In his bedroom, he lay on the bed, turning onto his back to stare at the ceiling. He wondered if Shelby slept. Savage had called to assure him she had gotten home safe and his comments had been slightly encouraging. She had been pretty pissed but had thought about him. Whatever it took, he had to win her back and he damned well wouldn’t settle for anything less. He loved her and she loved him. Case closed. His loud moan of despair bounced around the darkened room.
When the doorbell rang, he sat up, debating if he would answer the damned thing. It had to be the other tenant on the floor, filled with good cheer again from the nearest bar. Damn. There it went again. He got out of bed and followed the ugly sound into the living room.
He didn’t bother grabbing a shirt. The guy ringing the bell wouldn’t notice if he opened the door stark naked or dressed in a buffalo robe. Prepared to bark at the late night caller, Nick unlocked the door and swung it open.
His heart exploded like a Roman candle and he couldn’t speak. How could he when his emotions spun out of orbit and bounced off the moon? Heaven had come to him, pure temptation and looking at him with love and desire. His woman wanted him. When he did find his tongue, the words rang insignificantly and completely incoherent in his ears.
“Shel.” He couldn’t believe he’d been given another chance. “Come in, baby. Why didn’t you use your key?”
* * * *
He looked nervous and gazed at her with such sweet tenderness; Shelby knew her heart had morphed into a lacy love letter, bursting with indescribable love for him.
When he held his hands out to her, she moved back one step and smiled at him. “I wasn’t sure you’d want me back.”
Like a flame out of control, he reached out to pull her into his strong embrace. He cupped her face in his hands to look into her eyes. “That’s like saying I don’t need to breathe.”
Joy flooded her heart while she hugged him with possessive strength. She smiled through a mist of tears and touched her belt. “In that case, I’ll come in.”
Pulling her into his entryway, Nick shut the door, and wrapped her in a hard embrace. “Come with me, beautiful.” He lifted her up to press against his chest and smiled into her eyes. “I’m so glad you dropped by.”
She rubbed her nose against his and laughed with a release of soft pleasure. “I’m so happy you want me here, Nick.” Happy didn't come close to describing the thrill of delight racing in her body. He held her, touched her and showered her with gentle devotion in his gaze and caress.
Letting her down to stand before him, Nick tilted his head and inhaled roughly. “I’ll take your coat.”
She shivered with expectancy. “Please do.”
Taking her time, she released the knot in her belt and opened her coat wide. The abrupt loss of warmth sent her nipples into rigid peaks. Had he staggered back a step? Had he gulped for extra air? Didn’t matter, not when he appeared positively awestruck.
His gaze traveled over her with dark, unspoken promise. “Well, I’ll be damned. Angels do make house calls.”
“I’m here to make your fondest wish come true.” The coat dropped to the floor and she stepped into his arms, knowing she would never be cold again.
He tipped her face up to close his mouth down hard on hers, his kiss almost one of hot desperation. Under his seeking mouth, her lips softened, softly expressing what she felt for him. His tongue tasted of sweet wine and the scent intoxicated her. Breaking the kiss, his gaze flared with desire and passion spun through his words.
“My wish has been granted.” His strong arms surrounded her like a force field, shielding her from everything hurtful. The words he spoke were firm, emotion filled, ending her doubt and fear.
"Before I take another breath, I have to tell you that I know what a fool I am. I lost my mind for a while." His mood remained somber when he met her steady gaze. "I'm not fit to crawl behind you, baby. I don't mind begging. I love you and I'm asking for one more chance. Let me try again, Shel?"
Removing his hand from her breast, she shook her head at him. “Not until we get some ground rules for this game set in concrete.”
Warm expectation glowed in his eyes. “Lay them out on the table, beautiful.”
"I have to know you’re sure of me, that you know I love you beyond everything else."
His voice held steady and resonant with conviction. "I love you beyond everything else and past forever. I’ve never been surer of anything or anyone as I am your love for me. “
“No more guns.”
“Not even a cork gun.”
“No more handling things on your own.”
“I swear.” He groaned and released the top hook of her bustier. “Shel, I know you love torturing me, but this is inhumane.”
She allowed his fingertips to rest on her breasts. “I think you have been a good boy and can be trusted from now on.”
He caught her in a hard embrace and kissed the mounds of sweet warm flesh peeking over the lacy top of her fine undergarment. “Now, I have to know.”
“Anything, my darling.”
He tilted his head to one side and looked at her breasts with a hungry glint in his eyes. “Do they really taste like Kailua and orchids?”
“Even better, so I’ve been told.”
“I’m jealous of the lucky bastard who told you that.”
Her lips hovered close to his, and her voice wavered a bit. “Don’t be, darling. He is long gone.”
He kissed her roughly
and murmured against her mouth. “I don’t want you thinking about him anymore. I’m taking his place. Permanently.”
She laughed and caught his fingers in hers, letting him lead her into the bedroom. She loved his method of flinging pillows far and wide to clear a space for her. He scooped her up to place her on the wine colored velvet and followed her down to the plush comfort.
She hugged his waist and held him tightly when he lay down with her. For a long time, they simply held one another, kissing softly, drawing pleasure from the touch of a hand, a soft caress.
Shelby scooted flush against him and put her arm around his neck, whispering her fondest wish to him.
“Make me the happiest woman in the world, you tiger you.” Her fingers plucked at the string tie in the waist of his lounge pants. “This angel wants her bad man.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have always loved books, reading a passion early in my life. I read everything the famous and not so famous authors wrote. I was a die hard historical romance only fan until I found contemporary to be just as satisfying to read. I began the rocky journey to publication blind to all the rules and terribly afraid of rejection. With the help of patient critique partners and surviving more than a few disappointments, my first full-length novel was accepted for publication.
I live in the Mid-West, and enjoy being near my two adult children and my wonderful wildflower garden. I will never stop being delighted by the notes sent by a reader commenting on my work. Hearing from readers is important to me. I want to write stories that stay with you for a long while. I do it all for you
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Hot For Nick Page 16
