Nick grabbed his bag and walked to the Camry, opening the driver’s door and stooping down. When he stood, he had Carlie’s keys in his hand and held them out to her.
She accepted them, her unease growing. “My keys were in there, not locked up? My house key is on here. What if someone went inside?”
“Spoken like a hunted person.” He raised his eyebrows. “I do trust the people I work with, Carlie.”
Did he think she questioned his judgment? Then again, she supposed she did. Over the past couple days, Nick had convinced her of his sincerity. She knew she could depend on him. However, everyone else in town was suspect.
Without replying, she led the way across the yard and up the porch steps. To her relief, the door was at least locked, though that didn’t mean surprises didn’t await them inside. She unlocked the deadbolt and the main lock, exhaling deeply.
“Wait.” Nick’s hand covered hers. “I’m sorry. You’re right to worry.”
She looked into his dark eyes, noting the compassion in them. “I do trust you, Nick, but I have to be careful.”
“I understand.” His fingers caressed the back of her hand, sending zaps of pleasure up her arm. “That’s why I’m going in first to make sure it’s safe.”
“You don’t have to do that. I should take care of myself.”
“No. Taking care of you is my job.” He handed her his bag and opened the door, stepping past her. “Wait here.”
Not certain sitting back and minding him like a good little woman was in her best interest, Carlie entered behind him. Then again, she needed to be practical. Nick was a better fighter. If someone waited in the house, she’d probably only be in the way. As much as she hated to admit her helplessness, it was best to follow his orders.
She shut and locked the front door and set Nick’s bag on the couch. The closed curtains cloaked the room in ominous shadows. Seconds ticked by with no sound from the rest of the house.
“Nick?” she called, wondering what took him so long. There was only the kitchen, dinette, one bedroom, and bathroom to search. “Are you okay?”
Hard footsteps vibrated through the floorboards, and Nick appeared in the entryway from the hall leading to the bedroom. “It’s clear.”
“Thank goodness. I was starting to worry.” Carlie knew she couldn’t get used to his protection, nice as it was. Nick owed her nothing, and she was already so indebted to him, she didn’t know what to do about it. “I appreciate this, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to fight my battles.”
Nick crossed the room and stopped in front of her. He cupped her neck gently in his hand and pulled her into him, pressing his forehead against hers. “What if I’ve decided this is our battle?”
His minty breath jangled her nerves. His lips were so close, all she had to do was lean in a bit more. He claimed he wanted to take on her problems—wanted to be a team. She wanted him.
She licked her lips. “I’ve been on my own a long time.”
He inched his mouth a little closer and his fingers lightly trailed over her neck and down her spine. “So have I.”
Her heart pounded wildly, thudding so hard she was sure he must have felt it. Everything in her screamed out to take his mouth in hers, but she’d played the foolish girl ruled by her passion with Ryan. It landed her in this mess.
She backed away slightly so their heads no longer touched. “I’m tired of being by myself, but it’s not easy to depend on others.”
“I agree.” He swallowed hard, jiggling his Adam’s apple. “That’s why I think we should make a deal.”
The way his lips moved when he spoke made Carlie wonder what other wonderful things they could do.
No. I can’t think of that. Focus.
Despite the pep talk, the smell of his cologne threatened to overwhelm her senses. What she wanted to do was push him onto the couch and take advantage of him. Unfortunately, she didn’t know if she really liked him that much, or if the feelings were stirred up because he saved her life and protected her now. She’d heard intensely dangerous situations stimulated sexual desire. Was that what was going on? She didn’t know how to tell.
And she wasn’t sure it mattered.
“What deal are you talking about?” Her voice was breathy in her ears.
He gripped her shoulders and pushed gently. Carlie stepped back, trapped between the wall and his body. Walking forward, Nick pressed his chest against hers. With feather-light fingertips, he caressed her neck and jaw line, careful of her bruises. Goose bumps formed along her arms while her insides melted like warm honey. He was so tender and considerate, she wanted him more than she thought possible.
“The deal,” he said softly, tilting his head and closing in on her, “is that we both let go a little, give up some control.”
“I like being in charge.” He was so close that her lips brushed against his. “I’ve had to be careful for so long.”
“We’re not so different, Carlie. And you can probably tell I’m a man who likes to be in control.” He puckered slightly, sliding his mouth across hers for the briefest moment. “That’s why we compromise and both give up a little bit. We might gain something even better.”
She tried to think, tried to reason. He overwhelmed her, thrilled her. Giving up some control to be with him didn’t seem so bad. “I want you.” Carlie leaned forward, no longer caring if things moved too quickly.
His hot mouth was open and inviting. Carlie dipped her tongue inside greedily. Nick stroked her sides, and she barely noticed the discomfort when he brushed across her bruised ribs. She wanted all of him, wanted him to give up control and take it all from her at the same time. Sliding her mouth from his, she kissed his neck and shoulder, using her teeth on the sensitive skin there.
Nick moaned in her ear, a raspy, masculine sound. She hadn’t been with anyone for a while, but her body knew what it wanted. It wanted Nick. She caressed his chest and abs before finding the bulge in his pants. She cupped him softly, thrilled to know he felt the same passion she did, desperate to feel more of him.
“Oh, Carlie.” His voice was deep, guttural. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me.” He slid his hand down her stomach and beyond, rubbing the seam of her slacks. Carlie wondered if he could feel how wet she already was through the fabric.
He took her hand and guided her to the couch. Carlie followed, though she squirmed with anticipation.
He threw his bag on the floor and pushed her onto the cushions. “Lay back.”
She had no choice but to obey. As soon as she did, Nick knelt on the ground, his hand returning to her crotch. He rubbed the seam against her, and Carlie thought she would explode.
“Nick, please.” She knew she begged, knew she had given up control. And she didn’t care. He made her hot and desperate. “Please give me more.”
He undid the button on her slacks and yanked down on them. Despite the flare of pain in her stomach, Carlie arched her pelvis to help him, and he jerked them to her mid thigh. Before she even had time to settle on the couch, Nick slipped one large finger beneath the elastic of her panties and found the core of her need. He alternated between flicking her sensitive clit and swirling his fingers around it.
Rocking forward on his knees, he crushed his mouth into hers, rasping his tongue across her lips and then nibbling on them. His finger dipped lower, teasing at the verge of her entry. She twisted, wanting him inside her more than she’d ever remembered wanting anything.
He pulled his mouth away and looked at her with a dreamy expression. “What do you want?”
“Please,” she whispered, barely a sound, mostly a moan. “Please.”
A smile split his face. With his other hand, he pushed her sweater up out of his way, revealing her small breasts in their plain white bra. “You’re so beautiful, Carlie.” He kissed her stomach, licking upward until he reached her breasts, biting the tight nipples beneath the fabric.
Carlie caressed his hair, unable to reach much of him from his position on t
he floor.
He peeked up at her, biting down once again and sending zaps of electricity from her chest to the liquid heat between her legs. His fingers still teased, caressing and rubbing. Everything but entering.
She closed her eyes, overloaded with sensation. “You have complete control of me,” she panted.
Chuckling, he dipped a finger into her, filling her, stretching her.
Carlie clenched down against it as her muscles pulsated and contracted. A second finger joined the first, and Nick plundered her as far as his fingers would reach, only to pull out again and surge back in.
“Yes, yes, please, please.” She’d never begged in her life.
Nick’s thumb slipped through the folds of her slick heat to find the source of her pleasure, flicking it faster and faster while his fingers plunged in and out.
Carlie clamped down, holding her breath as wave after wave of lightning flooded her body. “Yes.” It was the only coherent word she could form as her pleasure crested and tremors took over.
Her body convulsed one more time and Nick withdrew his fingers, smiling as he laid his head on her stomach. “Was that worth losing a little control for?”
Panting, she was unable to answer right away. Her tremors dissipated and her heart rate slowly returned to normal. “Totally worth it.”
“Good.” He moved back up her body, rubbing his chin over her skin until he reached her mouth. He kissed her softly, his supple tongue dancing a tango with hers that turned her on again, despite the prior belief she was spent.
“I need to return the favor,” she said into his mouth. “The deal is we both give up control, not just me.”
Nick stood, and Carlie reach for his hard length. He sucked in a deep breath and undid the button of his jeans. Carlie eased his zipper down and slipped her hand inside the opening.
A pounding on the front door cut through the otherwise silent room, startling Carlie.
“Go away,” Nick groaned softly.
Carlie put a finger against her lips, shushing him, and swung her legs off the couch, pulling him next to her. She curled against his side, ignoring the twinges of pain. If it was someone looking to kill her, they wouldn’t have knocked. Anyone else could wait until later.
She latched onto his ear, sucking the lobe powerfully while she stroked her hand down his stomach. She tucked her fingers inside the top of his underwear, tickling the curly hair there.
The person outside pounded again.
“Don’t make a sound,” she breathed.
The pounding didn’t stop. “Carlie! Open up!”
“Crap.” Carlie leaned away from Nick, meeting his eyes. “It’s Shelley.”
“No, no, no.” He shook his head. “Please tell me you’re kidding. Not now. You can talk to her later.”
“Carlie!” The pounding got louder. “I spoke with Muhammad. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry. Is Nick in there? Open up.”
Nick flopped his head against the couch. “She’s not going away, is she?”
Carlie shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Didn’t you call her and tell her what happened?” She paused. “Well, an excuse anyway?”
“Damn.” He shook his head. “I didn’t think about it. I called Muhammad yesterday morning, then hung signs on the front door of the shop while you bathed. I just didn’t think to call her.”
Groaning, he stood and pulled Carlie to her feet, wrapping his arms around her. His erection pressed into her stomach and he nuzzled his mouth against her neck, sending shivers through her.
“Guess I’ll go into the bathroom until I get myself under control.”
She couldn’t help but find humor in the situation, since it had been his idea. “Maybe you shouldn’t have given up control yet.”
“Not funny.”
“You’re right.” She gave his crotch one last, loving stroke. “How about I owe you?”
“Big time.”
The doorbell rang. “Carlie? Please let me know you’re okay!”
“I’m coming!” she yelled.
Nick growled. “I was trying to.”
She couldn’t stop her mouth from twitching. “I promise I’ll make this up to you.”
He headed toward the bathroom. “I’m holding you to that.”
Chapter Twelve
Carlie buttoned her pants and waited for Nick to turn the corner into the hallway before unlocking the door.
“Took you long enough.” Shelley brushed past her as if she owned the place. “What were you doing?”
Hoping the bruises made it hard to see her blush, Carlie shut and relocked the door. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Never mind. I’m just glad you’re okay. When I showed up at the shop and saw the sign hanging on the door, I didn’t know what to think.” She crossed to the window and pulled open the blinds, filling the shadowed room with sunshine. “Muhammad said you were in a car accident. I tried to call, but your phone is off.”
“Nick must have my phone.” Carlie felt guilty for not thinking about her friend. She wondered how many people worried about her over the years when she disappeared without a word. “I’m really sorry, Shelley. I should have called. I’m fine.”
Shelley turned from the window and faced her. A soft gasp escaped her throat. “What…the…hell?” She rushed over and grabbed Carlie’s chin, forcing it up similar to the way Nick had before. “Those are finger marks. That didn’t happen in a car accident.” Her eyes glanced to the side and narrowed before meeting Carlie’s again. “Nick did this? I’ll kill him!”
Barely catching the back of her shirt when Shelley attempted to storm from the room, Carlie yanked her back. “Calm down. It wasn’t Nick.”
“Fine.” Shelley put her hands on her hips, jerking her head to toss long black hair over her shoulder. “Who do I need to kill?”
Unable to help herself, Carlie smiled. It felt good to have people care about her. “No one. Nick took care of that—almost literally from what I remember. This won’t happen again.”
“It was Stephen, wasn’t it?” Shelley’s upper lip curled and she crossed the room to flop inelegantly onto the couch. “What’s that asshole’s problem? Couldn’t handle it when you ditched him for a real man?”
“Something like that.” Carlie nodded. It would be best to change the subject before Shelley got too curious. “So, you talked to Muhammad? I thought you hated him.”
Shelley waved her hand through the air. “I don’t hate him. I hate that he takes advantage of you, and you let him get away with it.” She shrugged. “When you didn’t answer your phone, I went to Compassion For All to see if he’d heard from you.”
Carlie sat on the couch, overwhelmed with guilt at worrying Shelley. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. It’s been a rough couple days.”
“I imagine it has.” Shelley hugged her gently. “That explains why you never called and told me how the date went. I thought I’d hear from you yesterday, and I’ve been curious.”
“As far as the date, dinner was nice.” Carlie tried hard not to think about what Shelley interrupted on her couch and how much ‘nicer’ things would have become, given more time. “We went to a Chinese restaurant Nick’s invested in, and we danced in the dining room. It was romantic.”
“And did you guys...” She arched a perfectly-shaped eyebrow.
“Kiss?” Carlie strived to keep an innocent look on her face and think about nothing but their first kiss when he tucked her into bed.
Shelley pouted her lips out and cocked her head to the side. “My, my, my. On the first date? I can’t believe you, Carlie. I said flirt not fu—”
“I didn’t say I did that!”
“Oh, your face told me.” She winked. “You wouldn’t even kiss Stephen, and you’ve known him for months. Nick must be special.”
“Well...” Carlie gestured to her face. “Turns out I was right about Stephen.”
She grimaced. “Of course. Jerk. How bad do you hurt?”
“Actually, I fee
l better than I thought I would.”
Shelley glanced toward the hallway and smirked. “A little of that man’s medicine must go a long way.”
“You’re horrible.” Even if she was right.
“You already knew that.” She laughed and Carlie joined in.
“It was pretty intense, for a first date. I think it must count as more than just one.”
Shelley shrugged. “I’ve heard other girls say no sex until the third date.”
Which was probably three hours together at the most each time. Nick spent a lot more time than that with her, not to mention being in the life and death situation together and him saving her. “I think we put in the time for more than three dates.”
“I never follow that rule anyway. Life’s too short to wait.” Shelley smoothed her hands against her hair, a small grin around her lips. “Ah, there’s nothing like first lust.”
Carlie couldn’t help but be a little offended. “I hope it’s more than simple lust.”
“One can always hope, I suppose.” Shelley patted her leg. “Tell me what happened. Start when I left the shop, and don’t leave anything out.”
Carlie was more than happy to fill her friend in on the events of the last few days. However, she’d skip the details of what they’d been doing when Shelley knocked on the door.
***
Nick finally regained control of his hormones. Holy shit. He’d never wanted someone so bad and been denied like that, but he reminded himself Shelley was Carlie’s best friend. If it was anyone else, he’d march back out there—erection and all—and demand she get the hell out until they were finished.
His only consolation was Carlie promised to make it up to him. Plus, he did get the satisfaction of pleasing her. He grinned at himself in the mirror. Carlie’s husband sounded like a selfish asshole. He only married her out of duty and probably never did anything to make her eyes roll into the back of her head. Nick felt it was up to him to teach Carlie the spicier side of lovemaking.
He tried to tell himself this was part of the job—he was getting close to Carlie as a S.A.T.O. agent, just following orders. It was a lie, though, and he knew it. Thinking back to the few women Nick had been with over the years, no one ever made him feel the way he did now.
Killer Romances Page 174
