“Yes. Yes, and no. We are on Maui, but when I heard you were going to be here, I was hoping you would be up for a lunch. Ben and I have some business early next week.”
Out of all of her friends from those days, Jeffery was the only one who had not blamed her for walking away or for Oliver’s death. Since leaving the business, he had become very successful at selling his brand, including a crazy reality show.
“This isn’t going to be on the show?”
“Darling, the show ended about two years ago. You really are out of touch. It’s just that it’s been longer since we’ve seen you and we want to see you.”
“Okay. I am free a lot next week because Jensen is actually going over to your island for a visit. Text me the particulars, and we can set something up.”
“Sounds great. Going out?”
“I am out.”
“Oh, and what kind of beautiful men are there? Describe them for me.”
She chuckled. “The only two I’m going to see are completely committed to my friend Serenity and each other. They wouldn’t have eyes for you.”
“You need a life, Nicola.”
“You need to butt out, Jeffy.”
He gasped. “You promised never to use that name.”
She laughed again. “I love you. Text me.”
“Love you, too.”
She was just stepping out of the car when Serenity came running out of the house and practically slammed into her. The attack hug took Nicola by surprise, causing her to stumble back into the car. Serenity Jones was small, but she was mighty.
She hugged her friend back as fiercely as Serenity hugged her. She was the only person in the world that Nicola completely trusted, and vice versa. Well, until Serenity had found Adam and Mick.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Nicola said with a laugh, as she untangled herself from Serenity.
Just a shade over five-foot-four, Serenity looked like the girl next door. Big brown eyes, blonde locks, along with that dimpled smile, she fooled everyone. Nicola knew there was a world class and quite devious mind that operated in her cute head. The darkness that she had seen in her all those years ago when they’d first met was no longer there. Now, only joy sparkled in her eyes. Her whole body practically glowed with it.
“God, you look happy.”
“That’s because I am,” she said.
She glanced back at the house and blinked. For once, the guys weren’t standing there.
“Where are the guys?”
“They’re out back on the lanai drinking beers. Rice is cooked, and salad is made. Mick said he would wait for our special guest.”
“Oh, how fancy. I’m a special guest.”
She looped Nicola’s arm with hers. “So, how was the trip?”
“Long and boring. Jensen was a pain, but that is nothing new.”
“One of these days, you are just going to drop that man, and he isn’t going to know how to function.”
She shrugged. “Truth is, he has barely spent any time in my presence. I think he might be getting ready to fire me.”
“Really? That’s odd.”
“You just can’t think of anyone wanting to fire me, but believe me, it happens.”
She smiled. “No, just something the guys said. But, before we go in there and talk to them, I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“We’re pregnant.”
For a long second, Nicola’s mind blanked. Then, delight spilled through her. “Oh, I am so happy for you, girl.” She pulled her back into her arms for a hug. “You are going to be the best mom.”
“I am, and well, I have double the help, so it will be easy.”
Nicola shook her head as she pulled back. “I’ve never seen you so happy or confident. It is beautiful.”
“Oh, no,” Serenity said. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“What did I say?”
“Nothing, just you made me even happier.”
The screen door opened to reveal Adam. He was the epitome of what a blond surfer would look like, with a hint of danger. He was in a tank top and board shorts.
“She’s crying again,” he yelled back to Mick. He smiled at Nicola and kissed her on the cheek. “She cries all the time these days.”
“How long have you known?” Nicola asked.
“Three days,” Serenity said as she sniffled.
“Three days and you just told me?”
“I wanted to tell you in person!”
Nicola sighed as Mick appeared in the doorway. Dark to Adam’s light, he had black hair and chocolate eyes.
“Has she stopped?” he asked with a grin, and another kiss on the cheek for Nicola.
She looked at her friend. “Sort of.”
“She’s been driving us crazy about telling you. Every day she has given us an hour and a minute update of your arrival,” he said.
She chuckled. “Well, I’m happy for all of you. And I hear that I get shrimp truck shrimp tonight.”
“That you do,” Mick said as he slung his arm over her shoulders. “I made it extra spicy since I know what you like.”
He held the door open for her and waited as Serenity followed her in.
“I was just on the phone with Jeffrey.”
“Jeffrey Smyth?” Serenity asked.
“Yeah. He and Ben are here on the islands.”
“Wait, you know those two?” Adam asked.
She nodded. “Jeffrey and I came up at the same time in ice skating.”
“Are they filming here?” Serenity asked.
“No. Apparently their show went off the air two years ago.” Serenity shrugged. She’d spent her childhood in front of the TV, so she avoided it now. “They’re flying over from Maui to see me. Apparently, they were trying to hunt me down and got hold of Mom. Now I have no way to avoid lunch.”
“Oh, stop it. You love those two.”
She sighed. “Yeah, but I have a bad feeling about this. Like they are in search of something.”
“I take it Jensen is on his way to Rough ‘n Ready?” Mick asked.
“Yep. Maybe he can find himself a sub to work his irritation out on.”
“What do you mean by that?” Adam asked as he set a glass of her favorite red blend in front of her.
She looked at Serenity. “Seriously, now I might have to fight you for both of them.”
“You are avoiding the question,” Adam said with a smile.
“I mean that he has been cranky. We flew from London to New York. We stayed for two days, then on to LA for one. Now here. He hasn’t had time to let loose; going to the club and finding a willing sub usually works for him.”
He studied her for a long moment.
“What does that look mean?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I think his irritation might be closer to home.”
“Now what the bloody hell does that mean?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but Serenity stepped in. “Did you want to give me some ideas on a nursery?”
She dragged Nicola down the hallway to the opposite end of the house.
“What are you doing, Serenity?”
“Avoiding a discussion you don’t want to have.”
As they stepped into the half empty room, Nicola shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“And let’s leave it at that,” Serenity said. “So, the guys are going to add another room, and move this stuff there. Or, do you think we should have the baby room over by us?”
“You aren’t as smooth at deflecting as you think you are.”
She smiled. “Yes, but you love me, so you will let me get away with it.”
Nicola tried to look stern, but she broke down. “You suck.”
“No comment.”
Nicola chuckled. “I still want to know what he was talking about.”
“You won’t like it.”
“That’s what I do. I deal with the parts of life that people don’t like. And, you also know that if
you don’t tell me, I will get it out of Adam. Those two are so easy to squeeze information from.”
Serenity rolled her eyes. “That’s why I wouldn’t let them talk to you. They want to tell everyone I’m pregnant.”
“They don’t care who the father is, genetically I mean?”
“Nope. They’re excited, that’s it. They say it will be both of theirs.”
“Well, they are good at sharing,” she said.
Serenity stared at her for a second then snorted. “Yeah. They are good at that.”
“So...”
“Okay, but don’t bother me about it later. Deal with Adam.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“You were never in the scouts any more than I was.”
“Stop stalling, Jones.”
“Okay. It wasn’t that big, but Adam thinks that Jensen has a thing for you.”
She frowned. “Really? I think he would rather I just didn’t exist lately. He’s been very difficult.”
“See. I think he’s crazy.”
“What made him think that?”
“When you were dealing with that tabloid reporter last year, he said Jensen sounded in awe.”
She rolled her eyes. “That all has to do with what I can do for him.”
“Exactly.”
“He was weird about me coming over here tonight.”
“What?”
“He was questioning me about Adam and Mick, like we were going to have an orgy.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yeah. I think it was because I made plans without him. I think he sees Adam and Mick as his friends or something. Like if they spend time with me, then they are cheating on him.”
“Weird.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Mick called out.
“You remember I told you I’m stealing him, right?”
“Just try, woman,” Serenity said, slipping her arm around Nicola’s. “And let’s eat. Mama needs some food.”
Several hours later, Nicola had just slipped into her rental when her phone buzzed. She was going to ignore it until she realized it was from Rough ‘n Ready.
“Hello.”
“Nicola, this is Micah.”
“Hey, Micah. Is there a problem?”
“No. Not really. I was wondering if you think Wulf knows you’re a member here.”
“No. There’s no way. Why?”
“He was acting weird tonight.”
“How?”
“Just that he seemed preoccupied, and he didn’t end up with a sub.”
“What?”
“He’s still here and has spent time with several women, but he hasn’t taken anyone to a private room.”
“Oh, that doesn’t mean anything. Jensen can be picky.”
“Okay. Just wanted to make sure you knew I didn’t tell him anything.”
“Micah, I know better than anyone you know how to keep a secret.”
“Well, from everyone but Dee.”
“Your wife knows you were my first Dom?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
He chuckled. “My wife is a different kind of woman. If anything, she wants to ask you questions.”
Nicola chuckled. “I always said it would take a very special woman to tame Micah Ross, so I’m not surprised. Call if there are any issues. I’m about to head back to the house right now.”
“Will do, night.”
“Night.”
She hung up and started the car, waving her hand out the window to signal to Serenity that she was leaving. She pulled out onto the street, then waited at the light at Kam Highway. It was late, past eleven, and she was exhausted. Thankfully, it was cool enough to have the windows down in the car. Fresh air would keep her awake.
As she drove down Kam Highway, she marveled at the beauty. Even in the dark, it was easy to see why Hawaiians loved their home. It was amazing during the day, but the air at night was so sweet. It almost made her want to live here all the time, but she was a woman made for snow.
She’d just passed the lighthouse when she saw a car speeding up behind her. She didn’t like this road that much to begin with, but she really hated when people drove too fast on it. Ignoring the person, she continued to drive. Then, they flashed their brights. It figured. She was about to hit the most twisty/turny part of the road. The driver slowed down, but as her heartbeat evened out, he sped up again, getting closer to her. Tightening her hands on the steering wheel, she paid no attention to the way her stomach twisted into a knot.
They continued on like that, the bastard slowing down then speeding up closer to her. About the time she was ready to scream, he turned off onto the road that headed to Koko Head State Park.
She was rattled, but she made it back to the house in one piece. When she walked inside, her legs were shaking. After kicking off her sandals, she forced herself to walk up the stairs and to her bedroom. Liquor had never been Jensen’s thing, but she also didn’t believe in tempting the addict. She kept a bottle of whiskey in her room.
She found it, grabbed one of the glasses, and poured two fingers of the liquid. She downed it in one long swallow. She poured herself another glass, but this time she sipped. With uneasy legs, she walked out onto her balcony. She was kind of a ninny. The fact that some asshole decided to play games shouldn’t scare her so much. Still, it reminded her of her skating days and the obsessive fans she and Oliver had dealt with. They obsessed over their relationship, the ups and downs. Add in the fact that they were the ranked number one skating couple in the world, it made for a lot of crazed fans.
Sitting in one of the two chairs on the lanai, she closed her eyes. That was a lifetime ago with a girl who still believed in fairytales and happily ever after. When she opened her eyes, she was steadier. That girl might be gone, but she was pretty damned satisfied with the woman she had become.
3
Jensen woke the next morning, his head pounding and his cock stiff. He’d barely slept. Every time he fell asleep, Nicola had been there in his dreams—her enticing body and seductive voice keeping him awake for hours. He glanced down at his erection and grimaced. What the fuck was wrong with him? Last night should have been easy. Just some fun time in a room, but every woman had left him cold.
Now, he wished he had that problem. There was no denying the tented sheet or the raging hard-on that acted as it’s pole. So, instead of finding a willing woman, he had spent the night dreaming of Nic. His fantasies were getting out of hand. Hell, it had been so vivid, he was sure he could smell her scent on his sheets. He licked his lips. Fuck. He didn’t need reality when he could still taste her from his dreams.
Fucking bloody, bloody hell.
The woman was driving him mental. He had never been this obsessed with anything in his life. Scratch that. Heroin. That had been the one other instance that he hadn't been able to deal with his fixation.
What the fuck was he supposed to do about a woman who he couldn't have? Ever. Usually, he didn't become enamored. He had always believed he didn't have the gene that people talked about. Those people who fell in love, loved being in love, wanted to be in love. No, he was different. He had a friend liken it to a drug addiction. Jensen had already had that in his life. No. He wanted nothing to do with it. Or her.
There was that other side of it too. She worked for him. He would not disrespect her that way. He didn’t want to give her up because she made life as a Wulf livable. And not just for him. She managed all of them so well, including his mother. That right there was more than any of them had hoped. He had to deal with her and he kind of liked having her around. He rolled his eyes and swung his legs over the side of his bed. He was a bloody mess.
He glanced toward the door, but knew he needed to do something about the hard-on before even attempting to get dressed and going down for breakfast. With a sigh, he pushed himself up and off the bed. He padded barefoot into the bathroom. The cool tile felt good beneath is feet. He still wasn't sure if it had been a good idea
to buy the house, but he did like it. His brother had said it would be best to have a home base, and his sister had said she could use it for vacation. Neither of those two would probably spend much time there. The light, airy feeling usually left him feeling calm.
He turned on the water and stepped into the shower. He bit back a scream. It felt like ice pelting his flesh. Damn. This was worse than he had expected. Still, it was what he needed.
As he stood there, letting the water slide down over his body and icicles form in his blood, it didn't do anything for his erection. He glanced down. The one-eye bastard stood at attention, soaked with cold water.
“Fuck.”
He wrapped his hand around his cock and started to stroke it. He was painfully aroused, beyond just that morning erection. Each day seemed to get worse, but this morning the situation had gotten ten times worse than yesterday. The fact that he could still function enough to stand erect amazed him. No matter how he stroked himself, he didn't gain any relief. None. At this point, he was sure if he took an ice bath, it wouldn’t subside.
Grimacing, he realized what he needed. Or rather who. His eyes slid closed and she immediately appeared there. Her hair was down, spilled over her shoulders like silk. Water slid down her breasts, dripping from her nipples. Jensen could almost hear that little sigh she had. She released it in pleasure, usually over some kind of chocolate treat, but every time she did, his cock stood at attention begging for her caress. That sound had haunted his dreams more than once. Now, he used the memory of it to aid his release. Faster and faster, he stroked his hand up and down his shaft. Pressure built as he imagined her there in the shower, kissing her way down his stomach to his cock. Her hand, her mouth on him. The image of those full lips wrapped around his dick as she looked up at him with her ice blue eyes pushed him over the edge. He came, groaning with relief as he allowed pleasure to wash over him.
Long moments later, he leaned against the wall as he let the water clean the cum off his body.
He had no problem with masturbation, and as an adult, he had no issues with guilt. Still, he felt...unfulfilled? No, he had come, but he wasn't truly satisfied. No. This was something else, entirely. It was as if the fantasy was no longer doing it for him. That his obsession with Nic was now leaning into unhealthy territory.
A Little Harmless Faith Page 3
