by Silver James
“Mine.”
The word whispered across her lips and the tip of her tongue licked his seeking to taste the word. His mouth opened for her and still nervous yet exhilarated, she used her tongue to explore his lips, his tongue. He shifted beneath her and she recognized his desire swelling against her hip. Peni sucked in a breath and in doing so, trapped his tongue in her mouth. Nick groaned, tightened his arms around her, and had her stretched on the couch beneath him in the next breath.
“Don’t you people have shopping to do?”
Chapter 7
PENI STARTLED and squeaked as she tried ineffectually to push Nick off.
“I would tell you to get a room, but you already have this beautiful villa. However, these babies are not gonna feed or change themselves. Stores don’t stay open all night. You need to be gettin’ yourselves out and about.”
Mortified, Peni peeked up at the matronly housekeeper but relaxed only marginally at the twinkle in Poppy’s eyes and the knowing grin on her broad face. “I…shoes,” she murmured and buried her face in Nick’s chest. First, it was because it was there and a handy hiding place but mainly, it was because she wanted to breathe in the clean, sexy scent of him. He smelled of citrus and the sea and something a little darker—more… Unsure of the word she was looking for, she gave up and admitted the first thing that came to her mind—primal.
She knew little of sex, or of men from personal experience. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t like to learn, at least from Nick. Nicholas. The name rolled off her tongue whenever she whispered it to herself and she could almost taste it. Taste him. Peni pressed her face deeper into his chest and felt his arms tighten around her, surrounding and supporting her at the same time.
“Speakin’ o’shoes, Miss Peni, I got just the thing until Mr. Nicholas takes you shoppin’.” Poppy put the babies in the Pack n’Play before digging around in the large bag she’d deposited on the counter. A pair of glittery flipflops appeared in her hands. “They might be a bit off on the size but no one can tell.”
Thirty minutes later, both babies had been fed and changed. Wearing the soft Pashmina wrap over her silk tank—something Poppy had insisted Peni use after a whispered, “Be sure to go to that foundation boutique in Naples”—she and Nick headed toward the main resort building. The twins were strapped into their stroller and Luca was babbling away. They saw only a handful of people—other guests or employees—but Peni leaned closer to Nick each time.
He liked that. On one level, anyway. Nick enjoyed the way she turned to him but hated that she was so skittish. Her fear was almost visceral. He’d started out pushing the stroller but after the second encounter, he’d traded places with her. That put him in a position to draw her closer and stand between her and anyone else. By the time they reached the main building, she’d relaxed and they’d fallen into a rhythm.
It wasn’t until he approached valet parking that he had what he considered a “headdesk” moment. He’d arrived in a Jaguar convertible. Not exactly a vehicle for “Dad of the Year.” He couldn’t stow the twins in the trunk like luggage. Not even he was that stupid. Why hadn’t he thought this through before this impromptu excursion? Peni had finally relaxed and appeared to be enjoying herself. He was not going to disappoint her, but if he’d preplanned, he could have traded the Jag for a… A what? Minivan? Would he lose his man card if he drove one?
“Mr. Nicholas.” A familiar voice interrupted his introspection.
“Uncle Nino?”
“Gabriel has a message from your cousin.”
Crap. Had something happened to Dom? There was no way he was leaving Peni alone. Not right now. Not until she had her new ID and a place somewhere she’d be safe.
“I have the big golf cart. I will take you to Gabriel, yes?”
Nick replied with a grim nod of his head. After some finagling to get Peni settled with the twins in her arms and the stroller in the back, he swung into the front seat next to Uncle Nino. A few minutes later, they stopped in front of the bungalows where McBain Securities and Gabe’s office was located. The old man’s eyes were crinkled in a smile and he waved one hand toward the circle drive. A black SUV sat waiting, the back doors open, and it contained two infant car seats. Gabe strolled up as Nick unloaded the stroller. Poppy appeared and she helped Peni with the babies as Gabe clapped Nick on the shoulder
“Your cousin sends his regards and mentioned he’s already passed out cigars.”
“What the fuck?” Nick was already reaching in his pocket. He peeled a fifty off the roll and handed it to Poppy. “Put that on my tab.”
Gabe just laughed while Uncle Nino tsked. After a breath, Gabe added, “He requested that you call him on a secure line at some point to fill him in. Says he’s got some intel but won’t divulge it to me.” He rolled his eyes at that.
“Speaking of…” Nick led Gabe away from the group, keeping one eye on the two women and Uncle Nino as they secured the twins in the car seats. He lowered his voice. “Peni’s new ID and papers? What’s the status?”
Gabe also watched the Keystone-Cop-like routine going on at the SUV. “Workin’ on it, man. I can’t touch some of my usual…outlets. Vasile has deep pockets.”
“Shit.”
“May hit the fan. I’ve confirmed it was his pitbull who attacked Peni in Naples. I understand the necessity for this excursion but dude, keep a low profile if you can. The vehicle’s armored.”
“Good.”
“You licensed?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Need more firepower?”
Nick laughed at that, catching Peni’s attention. Her brows knit a moment as she looked perplexed and he had the insane urge to kiss the crinkles away. When she offered a tentative smile, his eyes homed in her mouth.
Chuckling, Gabe gave him shoulder nudge. “I’ll take that as a no. I figured your cousin’s boss might stash some goodies in the back.”
Neither spoke for a moment then Gabe voiced the question Nick had been asking himself. “Man, are you sure falling for this gal is smart?”
“Nope.”
“Not smart or not falling?”
“Yeah.”
“Ah. Gotcha. Yeah, good luck with that.”
****
THE BABIES were asleep before they crossed the causeway to the mainland. Peni’s head swiveled from side to side as she absorbed the sights. Nick, on the other hand, was replaying that “guy-speak” conversation he’d just had with Gabe. He’d never been clever, but he’d always been smart. He didn’t do relationships, didn’t get enmeshed in any long-term hookups. One, his job pretty much precluded that. Even before becoming a free-lancer he was deployed more often than not and dropping everything on a moment’s notice to head out on a mission just added more complications.
Two, what the hell was love anyway? Tina Turner’s song immediately started playing in his head. Yeah, what did love have to do with it? He glanced in the rearview mirror checking for any tails they might have picked up, and his gaze rested on each twin for a moment. A spot in his chest warmed—emotionally if not physically. Kids were complications. So was their mother. Nick decided he needed to push Gabe to work faster on new IDs. Maybe he’d even drop a hint in Dom’s ear to see what his cousin’s boss could do.
“Nicholas?”
He cut his eyes toward Peni. “Yeah?”
“I think you must have a very nice cousin.”
His snort of laughter turned into a fit of coughing. With his luck, Dom had the frickin’ car bugged. He was pretty damn sure the GPS had been activated. “Yeah, no. We’ve competed our whole lives. This is just his way of one-upping me.”
Her brows crinkled over the bridge of her scrunched up nose. She was adorable when in deep thought—or confused. Sleepy. Surprised. Okay, she was pretty much adorable all the time. Except when she was scared. The look on her face when she was frightened just pissed him off.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“We’re the only two males in the current crop of
cousins. We might as well be brothers because the sibling rivalry is fierce.”
“He must be very rich.”
“Yeah…ah…” He clamped his jaw shut. “Look, sweetheart. The SUV probably came from his boss and I can’t talk about his job, okay?”
Her eyes rounded as her brows now arched higher on her forehead. “Is he a spy or something?”
A flicker in the side mirror demanded his attention. A motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic and traveling at a high rate of speed. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel before he consciously relaxed them.
“Or something, babe. I need you to scrunch down a little.” The windows were tinted and bullet-proof. The SUV was armor-plated but in the war zone, he’d seen military vehicles with the same defenses blown to hell and back.
She paled. “What’s wrong?”
“Hopefully nothing but there’s a reason I’m here and it’s not just to fly you to safety.” He checked all his mirrors and changed lanes. The motorcycle continued to whip around cars, seeming to accelerate as if to keep the black SUV in sight. He looked ahead checking for exits in case they needed to make a quick one. He wasn’t familiar with Naples but the on-board navigation system would give him options.
Nick tensed again and Peni held her breath. She’d peeked back through the front seats to check on the twins. Luca and Luiza both slept peacefully, but she’d caught sight of the zooming motorcycle. She braced as it got closer, running up on the driver’s side. She didn’t breath again until the motorcycle and its rider zoomed past and weaved across two lanes of traffic several cars ahead.
“You think Mr. Vasile has found me again.” She made it a statement but was surprised her voice remained steady.
“No, sweetheart. Not exactly. His lapdog—”
“Lapdog?”
“Cezar.”
She laughed, the sound a wry one. “I would not call Cezar a lapdog. He is too big and mean and he bites.”
“Matter of opinion. Anyway, Vasile knows you’re somewhere around because Cezar found you once. They would have covered all the transportation hubs immediately—at least if they were smart. That’s what I would do and it’s one of the reasons Gabe called me. I can fly you out with no name on the passenger manifest. Not exactly kosher but doable.”
“Kosher?”
“Legal. FAA wants to know who’s flying around US airspace. Thing is, I can just list names. I don’t need photo IDs. Understand?”
“I think so.”
“Hold on.” With only that warning, Nick cut in front of a car in the next lane and continued down an exit ramp into Naples. He didn’t speak as he took a series of turns, backtracking occasionally. He found no suspicious vehicles and no sign at all of the reckless motorcyclist.
“Anyway, let Gabe and me worry about that stuff. Today, we’re going shopping for you and the twins.”
****
PENI WAS HESITANT at first. She’d window-shopped with friends, even being bold enough to try on some of the fashionable outfits she admired. She was fairly positive Nick was only there to protect her and ensure she spent money she didn’t have. She did her best to remain practical but somehow, each time they left a store, she had more items than she’d handed to the cashier. At their third stop, she finally coerced a confession from the clerk. The older woman’s eyes were soft with some emotion Peni couldn’t identify.
“You’re a lucky young woman,” the clerk said. “Your husband clearly adores you.”
She blinked at that. “I…he…” Coherent words wouldn’t form.
“He told us that you’re very practical and frugal, but he’s determined to completely restyle your wardrobe since nothing fits you now.” The woman offered a knowing smile and patted one hip. “I have four children and two grandchildren. After my first baby, I knew I’d never see my size five wedding dress again and that’s exactly how it should be. I think it’s very romantic that your husband wants to spoil you with all new clothes.”
The woman paused and peeked out the door of the dressing room before she leaned closer. In a conspiratorial whisper, she added, “And he’s out there getting directions to the most darling baby boutique in Naples.”
Chapter 8
PENI SPENT the rest of the afternoon watching Nick in between trips to the dressing rooms of several high-end boutiques. She observed the way he held the fractious Luca or made funny faces at Luiza to tease a smile from the sober baby. He added more clothes and shoes to her wardrobe—especially when she wasn’t looking.
By the end of the day, he was far more proficient with transferring the twins in and out of their car seats than she was. Of course, at this point, she was convinced there wasn’t a thing this man couldn’t do and do perfectly. She hadn’t missed the covetous looks other women had cast his direction. If he was aware of them, he pretended not to notice. She—and the babies—held his complete attention.
When he smiled, her insides did little quivery things and she had to remember to breathe. He was handsome, with his dark, Greek looks. His eyes were brown—not hazel as she’d first thought—but that word came nowhere close to describing them. When he was angry, they looked like chips of frozen coffee. When he played with her children, the color reminded her of hot fudge swirled with melted caramel. And every once in awhile, when she caught him looking at her, they were a color she couldn’t describe—like brown glass with hints of the sun shining through it. They were hard, assessing, before warming to a soft patina that reminded her of a tiger’s eye ring she’d once seen in a jewelry store.
Nicholas was a man of many contrasts. He was at once relaxed and alert. He was funny and teasing with deeper meaning to the words he spoke. He was far more than the handsome cover model who strode with such self-confidence through a crowd that they parted for him. The women wanted him and the men wanted to be him. But Nick? Nick was simply himself.
The day was quite a revelation. When they returned to Barefoot Bay and Casa Blanca, a man who appeared to be casually dressed but who put Nick immediately on alert met them at valet parking.
“Mr. Karras. Ma’am.” He nodded in her direction but didn’t look at her. His focus remained on Nick. “I trust you had a good day, sir?”
Nick remained at her side, tense and coiled like a snake ready to strike, though his expression revealed nothing. “My wife enjoys spending my money.”
She started to protest but his arm tightened around her waist. Instead, she smiled brightly at the man. “My husband enjoys spoiling me.”
The man nodded and gestured toward a golf cart that pulled up, driven by a second man. “We’ll see you both back to your villa, Mr. Karras. Then Mr. Rossi and Mr. McBain would like to speak with you.” His eyes flicked toward her. “In private, sir.”
She stilled and didn’t realize she’d forgotten to breathe until Nick brushed his lips across her cheek and whispered the reminder to do so in her ear.
A second cart arrived and the many bags and boxes that had accrued during their shopping spree were off-loaded from the SUV. With his usual competence, Nick retrieved the twins and he handed Luca, in his carrier, to her. Moments later, they were settled in the first cart and whisked back to Villa Caralluma. Poppy met them at the door and, with Luiza on one hip after Nick surrendered the baby to her, supervised the off-loading and distribution of what the vivacious housekeeper called “pirate treasure.”
Before leaving, Nick brushed his lips across her forehead and gave her a squeeze. “Just keep breathing, sweetheart. I’ve got this. Whatever it is.”
And then he was gone.
Poppy didn’t give her time to fret. The woman bustled about insisting that Peni show off each item of clothing added to her wardrobe before they were hung up in the closet or folded carefully into a bureau drawer.
It was more than an hour before Nick returned and she couldn’t get a read on his mood from his expression. Poppy explained about the covered dishes in the refrigerator and took her leave. Peni didn’t know what to do so she stood, feel
ing shy and awkward, in the kitchen.
Nick settled one hip on a barstool and opened his arms. “C’mere, sweetheart.”
When she didn’t move, he went to her and gathered her in. He wouldn’t think about the way her curves fit his planes. He wouldn’t consider how natural it felt to have her sheltering beneath his arm as he kissed the top of her head. “It’s all fine, Peni.”
“Is it?” Her voice was muffled against his chest.
“Yeah, it is. There’s been a small glitch in getting your paperwork finalized. We won’t be leaving here as soon as we’d anticipated but that’s okay.”
“It is?”
“Yes.” He moved her away so he could see her face. “Look at me, babe. You’re safe here. And these are some pretty luxurious digs. We’ll play in the ocean. Get a tan. Eat some good food. Enjoy the twins. In a week or so, you’ll have a new identity and a new life on one of the islands. Gabe is arranging everything.”
“But how can I afford this?” She was the one who pushed completely away. She twirled a slow circle while waving at everything around them. “I have thirty-five dollars in cash, Nicholas. I have two babies. I have nothing else. Mr. Rossi, he doesn’t do things like this because he is a rich philanthropist. All the clothes I own you paid for.”
As she paused for breath, he shoved his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans to keep from reaching for her and bit back his first retort. And the second. Doing his best to see things from her point of view, he finally said, “And you’re worried what I’m going to ask for in the way of payback.”
She reacted like he’d slapped her, and he wanted to bite his tongue off, even though he spoke the truth as she saw it. He snagged her hand before she could run from him and gently but inexorably reeled her back into the safety of his arms. He ushered her to the couch and settled them both on it, but he twisted so he could hold both her hands and see her face.
“I will always be honest with you, Peni. For as long as we’re together, I’ll give you the truth. Okay?”
She nodded, wide-eyed and frightened, but she didn’t speak.
