Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series)

by Cynthia Gail

  “Any time you’re coming to Margaret’s, count me in.”

  Charles. Beth didn’t know anyone named Charles. She hadn’t been able to see the man Jonathon spoke to, but she knew that voice, and she knew her mind would obsess over the mystery until she finally figured it out.

  Or maybe it was just a distraction allowing her to ignore the anxiety building over accepting Nick’s invitation to stay the night. The ride back to his home seemed to take forever.

  She’d felt his gaze throughout dinner and tried to ignore the exhilaration sweeping through her every time she met his eyes. Exercising strict self-control, she’d kept her focus on Jonathon as much as she could. Even when Nick started rubbing her shoulder, which should have soothed her nerves, she’d had a hard time keeping her mind on the conversation.

  A flutter went through her lower belly as they entered Nick’s garage. Beth hoped he felt the same anxiety she did. He probably didn’t. Why would he? Look at him. He was every woman’s dream.

  She could feel her heart begin to race as she stepped down from the Jeep and followed him inside the house. Although she felt small next to his tall frame, she couldn’t help reveling in amazement at his broad shoulders and taut chest she wanted so desperately to see.

  Nick led her through the kitchen and into the entryway, where he took off his coat and hung it in the closet. She caught the momentary quiver of his fingers as he took hers and buttoned it onto a hanger before placing it next to his.

  Stepping into his embrace felt like the most natural thing in the world. His arms wrapped around her with a firm, yet gentle touch.

  “Thank you for a wonderful day. I loved seeing Sergeant’s Gate with you.”

  The statement must have been rhetorical or maybe she’d lost track of time before answering. Because the next thing she knew, he leaned down and touched his mouth to hers.

  Nick tightened his grip on her waist and lifted her off her feet. A moment later, they were in his bedroom and everything in the outside world disappeared.

  Their eyes met as his tongue began a sensual sweep across her lips. No signs remained of the nervous hesitation she’d seen in the hallway. With a gentle nudge, he tilted her head and took the kiss deeper, demanding complete submission.

  By the time he drew back, Beth could hear the echo of her own heartbeat racing. Her skin prickled and her clothes felt too tight. She raised her hands to his chest and quickly began unbuttoning his shirt. When she reached his waist, she gave a desperate tug, and the tail came free.

  His muscles jumped as her fingers slowly trailed up the center of his chest, then out to his shoulders, edging the shirt down until it fell to the floor.

  “You have the most amazing hands,” he murmured as she felt his at her waist, raising the hem of her shirt. She shifted back so he could lift it over her head, then lowered her gaze back to his chest.

  “I believe you mentioned that the first day we met.”

  Her fingers splayed and ran from his collarbone to just above the belly button, then back up again, through a thin scattering of dark hair that tickled her palms. She kissed one of his nipples, and flicked it with her tongue.

  “I was right.” His voice held a ragged edge.

  When the rest of their clothes disappeared, Beth lifted on to her toes, winding her arms around the back of his neck, and eased his mouth down to hers again. She pressed into him, feeling her breasts tighten as they slid against the textured surface of his hard chest.

  Nick pulled her onto the bed with him. Lying side-by-side, he kissed her with an excruciating slowness that made her insides scream. It was maddening. He caressed her back in long, gentle strokes. Their tongues tangled in a controlled rhythm until she couldn’t take the torture any longer and caught his between her lips, slowly withdrawing until she finally released. His eyes popped wide and he grinned.

  Beth drowned in the feel of his fingers as they quickly slid over her waist and down to her hips, where they firmly brought her close. She couldn’t stop her fingers from digging into his shoulders as the exquisite pressure sent a shudder through her core.

  She gasped as he moved her against him, all of her attention focused on the ache that was quickly becoming unbearable. She wanted him, now.

  Just when she thought she might fracture into a million pieces, he turned her onto her back. His mouth left hers, only to reappear at her ear where he grazed the earlobe with his teeth.

  She could smell the heated musk rolling off his skin as his lips kissed their way down her neck and continued to the center of her chest. She could barely hold on as the onslaught of sensation continued.

  Nick took one nipple into his mouth, as she felt his leg slide between her thighs. When she arched into him, the combination of his tongue and the pressure returning to her center brought a whimper to her throat. She tried to hold back, but quickly gave in as the pleasure soared.

  Nick moved to her other breast where his tongue swirled and nipped. His free hand cradled her hip, holding her against him so perfectly. She strained to get closer and dug her fingers into his skin, not able to stop her reaction to the frenzy he created.

  Suddenly his leg was gone and his mouth left her skin.

  “Nick?” She started to reach for him, but he held her in place.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Damn him, he was chuckling. And the smile he sported was just a little too arrogant. He reached over her and she heard the nightstand drawer open and close.

  Oh. She’d been so wrapped up in the moment she hadn’t thought.

  Nick was immediately back at her side and rolled on top, settling between her thighs. Poised at her core, she watched his eyes close and the lines grow tight on his face as he slowly slid into her welcome body.

  The friction instantly set off a ripple of ecstasy that pulsed through her as his steady strokes drove deeper with every thrust. Her legs wrapped around his waist and held tight until the wave had passed.

  Her hands came to his face, and she kissed him with the same urgency that had instantly begun to rebuild. Nick answered with a groan, plunging deep with his tongue. His body drove faster. Her legs held tighter. Just as another climax began, she felt him grow rigid with his own release and the pulsing combination sent her reeling into oblivion.

  After a moment, Nick moved onto his back, taking her with him where she blissfully settled close at his side. With her head laid in the crook of his arm, she admired the muscular form of his chest again and let her hand graze from side-to-side.

  In the comfortable silence that continued, she could hear the steady beat of his heart and feel a soft breath across her forehead. He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each fingertip one at a time, then her palm. She yawned and snuggled in closer.

  She was wading through darkness, when suddenly a soft glow appeared in the distance. Not knowing where else to go and coming too far to turn back, she kept moving forward.

  Beth started when she heard a soft whisper coming from the light. “Go back.”

  She looked around and all she could see was the never-ending darkness. The path she’d come from had turned to a solid black void. A shiver ran up her spine as she picked up the pace.

  “Don’t come here, Beth. You don’t want to know.”

  The voice was a little louder, yet still hollow. A cold breeze ran across her face.

  “You don’t want to know, Beth. Turn around.”

  The closer she got, the clearer the words became. She knew that voice. Despite the warning, she had to know the face it belonged to.

  “Don’t come here, Beth.”

  She ran full speed toward the glow suddenly growing larger.

  “Beth!”

  She was near the end. So close, she could almost touch the light. In just a few more feet . . .

  CHAPTER 9

  Beth sat straight up in bed. She drew in a deep breath, her racing heartbeat drowning out the silence. Her hands trembled in confusion. This wasn’t her bedroom. She l
ooked around. The only light came from a soft red glow reading 12:15.

  “Beth, what’s wrong?”

  She jumped at his touch, then recognized Nick’s voice and relaxed.

  “Mr. Wilkens,” she mouthed. No sound came out.

  Feeling Nick’s strong arms come around her, she let her body lean into his and tried to make sense of it all.

  “You were having a dream.” Nick lay back down, trying to draw her with him. She refused to move. “Come here, let me hold you. It was just a dream.”

  The tension in her forehead grew. Why would Mr. Wilken’s voice be warning her? Trying to stop her. Telling her she didn’t want to know.

  Suddenly, her mind flew back to their evening at Margaret’s and she heard those words.

  As soon as the bank closes on Saturdays.

  Come see me again before Christmas. This time with no business.

  Beth shivered. Her stomach twisting at the realization Nick hadn’t kept his promise. That’s why Jonathon had stepped away from the booth. Why he’d seemed edgy after the conversation.

  Swallowing hard, she fought back the urge to cry. How could this be happening? How could Nick betray her confidence? He’d been so sensitive and caring. And she’d been naïve enough to believe him when he agreed not to interfere.

  So much had happened this week. She’d allowed herself to let go of all the fears and insecurities she’d been holding on to. Nick had passed all her tests.

  It hadn’t been easy to say yes when he’d asked her to stay the night. She’d never been casual about sex, but had wanted to be with Nick in ways she still couldn’t explain.

  And the night had been wonderful. More than she could have imagined. She could still remember the way he touched her.

  The stinging in her eyes grew stronger and her nose began to run.

  She was a fool to believe he was different. Her feelings hadn’t mattered. In the end, he’d done what he thought best and probably assumed she wouldn’t find out. And she wouldn’t have.

  She needed to leave. Now. She leaned away from Nick, got out of bed, and quickly began scanning the floor for her discarded clothes.

  “I need to go.”

  She always felt better in her own house where she could think everything through—alone in the peace and quiet. She couldn’t stay here. She wouldn’t be able to think straight.

  “Beth, talk to me.”

  “I have an early morning. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t handle a confrontation right now. She needed to sort out her feelings first. Her hand shook as she picked up the second shoe.

  He caught her wrist just as the first tear slid down her cheek.

  “Beth. Please don’t leave. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  Holding her clothes with one hand against her naked chest, Beth stared into his beautiful face. She could read the concern and bewilderment. He looked just like he had Wednesday night when he’d found her buried in storage files.

  The night she’d given him the first piece of her heart.

  Nick didn’t know what to do. His mind was spinning, trying to figure out what had gone so wrong that Beth would leave in the middle of the night. He’d never been affected by a woman crying before. In his experience, they usually weren’t real. But seeing the tear roll down Beth’s cheek tore at his chest and made him let go.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you to stay last night. I thought . . .” He picked up his boxers and slid them on. Running his hand through his hair, he began to pace.

  “Hell, I don’t know what I thought. Since I met you, I haven’t been able to think straight about anything. You drive me crazy, even when you’re not with me. Crazier when you are. Today, at Sergeant’s Gate—”

  “Nick,” she interrupted.

  Standing with both arms wrapped around the clothes she held tightly to her chest, he saw the pain in her eyes. It stilled his breathing.

  He shot to his closet and took out a black silk robe.

  “Here. Put this on, and we’ll talk. If you still want to leave, I won’t stop you. Please, don’t shut me out.”

  Beth didn’t speak but laid her clothes on the edge of the bed and quickly slid on the robe, wrapping it tightly at her waist. She looked broken.

  “Would you feel more comfortable in the living room?”

  She nodded and strode past him. Nick quickly slid on the jeans he’d worn the night before and followed her, flipping on lights as they went. Beth settled on the far side of his couch and folded her legs underneath.

  He wanted to hold her, but knew better. He should pace. He always thought more clearly when he moved. Instead, he sat on the opposite side of the couch and turned to her.

  She seemed fragile, nestled into the corner of such a large piece of furniture. He lifted a cashmere throw off the back of the couch and gently handed it to her. On the verge of breaking out in a sweat himself, her clutched fingers were pale and cold against the dark robe.

  He didn’t know what to say and then decided that apologizing again might help her relax.

  She spoke first.

  “Charles. The man your grandfather ran into last night. I recognized his voice yet couldn’t figure out who he was. I don’t know anyone named Charles. It bothered me all through dinner. I tried and couldn’t get it out of my head.”

  “This isn’t about me asking you to stay last night?” Sweet relief ran through him and he began to relax.

  “No. I stayed because I wanted to.” Even in the dimmed lights, he could see the usual blush rise on her cheeks.

  “I woke up because I realized who Charles is. And now everything makes sense.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Charles is Mr. Wilkens.” She pinned him with her eyes.

  It didn’t take long for Nick to see the big picture. Emptiness filled his chest and he fought to hold a neutral expression on his face. He could only remember parts of his grandfather’s conversation with the man, but enough had been said for Beth to jump to conclusions he couldn’t deny.

  “I’m sorry,” was all he could say at this point. He had no idea if she would believe him. She probably wouldn’t. He’d known calling his grandfather had been wrong.

  “Sorry for what? Sorry for lying to me when you had no intention of keeping your promise?” Her voice was soft, but didn’t waver. She didn’t even blink as a fresh tear escaped. “Sorry for making me believe you were different, that you cared about my feelings and respected what I wanted?”

  “It’s not like that, Beth.” Nick slid to the middle of the couch and reached out, then quickly withdrew his hand. He didn’t want to smother her before he had the chance to explain.

  “I don’t need someone taking control of my life or my business. Or trying to fix things I can do myself.” She paused. “You promised.” Her words were barely a whisper.

  His chest grew tighter as more tears began to fall. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to do any of those things.”

  Nick didn’t know how to explain. His excuse was just that. A flimsy excuse for doing what he had wanted to do from the start. And even though he hadn’t meant to, she was right. He’d tried to take control and fix things. Not because he didn’t think she could do it on her own—because he had this irrational urge to take care of her. To protect her. This need was unlike anything he’d felt before.

  “Then why?” she asked.

  Nick rose and walked to the French doors that opened to the back terrace. As much as he didn’t like feeling this way, he couldn’t stop. So, he came back to the couch and told her everything.

  “The audit was my fault. When Lauren came to see me Thursday, she made a sideways comment about you. I knew she had to be the anonymous complaint. It was her way of lashing out at me and I had to fix what she’d done.” He sighed. “I told myself I owed it to you and that overrode my promise not to interfere.”

  Beth’s eyes began to soften. “So, why didn’t you tell me when I came to see you?�
�

  “I’d already made the call. I didn’t give myself time to rethink the decision. The moment she left my office, I picked up the phone. I knew you’d still disagree, and I had to do it. I needed to take care of you.”

  Beth stood up and faced him. “I don’t need to be taken care of, Nick. I’m a big girl.”

  “I know.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “You’re the most amazing woman.”

  “I wouldn’t—”

  Nick put a finger to her lips. “Don’t argue. I know you’re strong. And more than capable of handling everything on your own. And you’re smart and funny. I watched you yesterday with the children and their parents. You were so caring and sensitive.” He slid a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “You’re beautiful and I love your smile.”

  “That doesn’t mean—”

  “I know I didn’t have any right to interfere. But I felt so helpless when I knew the whole thing was my fault to begin with.” He prayed she would believe him. Didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t. “I’m sorry.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and eventually felt her body begin to relax. She stayed silent for what seemed like forever. He was afraid to let go. Afraid she might bolt the moment he did. When she finally eased back, he loosened his grip.

  Beth lifted on to her toes and drew his head down so he was looking her straight in the eyes. “Don’t do it again, Nick. This isn’t going to work if I can’t trust you.”

  He nodded, and then kissed her before she had the chance to say another word.

  When Beth woke the next day, she lay cuddled against Nick’s body with her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her. Neither one of them had had enough energy to move once they’d gone back to bed earlier that morning.

  She could hear his raspy breath as his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. Not wanting to wake him, she tugged the sheet more securely to her chin and enjoyed the warmth his body radiated. Then she closed her eyes and replayed the events of the night before.

  Being with Nick was an emotional roller coaster. Mostly due to her own insecurities. When he’d explained his reasons for interfering, she’d almost felt sorry for him. If she were in his shoes, she probably would have reacted the same way.