MadLoving

by N. J. Walters

  Dressed in jeans and a tight black T-shirt, his brother looked as though he’d been up for hours. Rabb raised one dark eyebrow. “Not a good one from the looks of you. Thought you’d be in a better mood this morning.” He came in and went straight to the coffeepot. Rabb took down a mug, at home here as much as he was in his own place, and helped himself to some coffee. “What’s the matter? She still here?” He tilted his head toward the bedroom.

  “No.” Nevar leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “And that’s the problem.”

  A slow smile curved Rabb’s lips. The bastard was enjoying himself. “Well, well, well. Not ready to let the little darlin’ go yet.”

  “No.” He forced himself to relax and reached for his mug. It was either that or punch his brother. He loved the guy, he really did, but just not at this moment.

  “That good, was she?”

  “Rabb.” The warning in his voice was clear. Allison was much more than a one-night stand and he wouldn’t allow anyone to talk about her that way.

  “Relax.” Rabb whacked him on the back as he walked by, jolting Nevar. Coffee sloshed over the side of his mug and onto the floor.

  Nevar swore and set his mug down quickly. Thankfully, the coffee wasn’t hot enough to leave a burn. He pointed at the kitchen cupboard behind his brother. “Paper towel is in there.”

  Rabb grinned, but dutifully got out the roll of paper towel, ripped off a sheet and dropped it onto the floor to cover the spilled coffee. “So, what are you going to do about the situation?”

  “I’m going to find her.” The thought of not seeing Allison again left an emptiness in the pit of his stomach.

  Rabb bent down and wiped up the mess. He took his time and dropped the wet paper towel into the garbage when he was done. “She didn’t leave her number?”

  “No.” Nevar raked his fingers though his hair. When he thought about her note, he wondered if he was right, if she felt anywhere near what he had. What was between them was something special.

  “Well, what do you know about her?” Rabb pulled his ever-present notebook and pen out of his shirt pocket and turned to a clean page. “I’ll help you find your missing lady.”

  And this was why he hadn’t smothered his younger brother when they were kids and he was still bigger than Rabb. No matter how much they ragged on one another, Nevar knew he could always depend on Rabb to be there for him, and he knew his brother felt the same.

  “Her name is Allison Lewis and she works at a school somewhere in the city. College. She works in the admissions office.”

  Rabb wrote it all down. “Got it. I’ll get on the computer and see what I can find.”

  Nevar knew it wouldn’t take long for Rabb to find her. He was a genius when it came to all things computer, able to ferret out details on whatever it was he needed to know.

  As he poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, he wondered what Allison was doing.

  * * * * *

  “You did what?” Barb’s voice made Allison cringe and she held the phone away from her ear. She curled up on her daybed and pulled the comforter over her. Outside the city was sunny and alive. She felt sick to her stomach over what she’d done.

  After she apologized to her friend for not meeting her last night at the club, Allison told her everything that happened last night. Barb had been speechless, but only for a moment.

  “I know it was wrong. But I panicked.” That was an understatement. She’d gathered her clothing and sneaked out of Nevar’s bedroom like a thief in the night. She’d grabbed her purse, wrap and shoes and creeped downstairs and called a cab, all the while looking over her shoulder, half expecting Nevar to come pounding down the stairs any moment.

  She’d been disappointed when he hadn’t. Which was crazy. Last night couldn’t go anywhere. “It was a one-night stand,” she reminded not only Barb, but herself.

  “Bullshit. A guy who only wanted a one-night stand would have bundled you up and sent you home in a cab himself, not made you something to eat and curled up on his sofa so you could talk for an hour before going back to bed and going to sleep. Are you crazy?”

  When Barb put it like that it did sound that way. “But I only met him last night.” Everything had happened so fast.

  “So what? You might have jumped the gun in sleeping with him, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a connection there. You need to call him and apologize for running out on him like that. Give him a chance to tell you he wants to see you again.” Barb paused in her tirade. “Better yet, tell him you want to see him again. Don’t wait for him to ask.”

  Allison smiled in spite of her anxiety. That was what she liked best about her friend. She was straightforward and damn the consequences. “You’re right.”

  “Of course, I’m right. I’m always right.” Barb wound down slowly and gave a deep sigh. “Seriously, Allison. If you really like this guy, don’t be afraid to give it a shot. Better to try and fail than to not try at all.”

  “I know you’re right.” She’d known it the minute she’d left and cursed herself for allowing her fear to rule her. “I’ll do it now.”

  “Call me back after with details.”

  “Maybe.” At this point all she’d promise was she’d call him.

  Barb sighed. “That will have to do, for now.”

  They chatted a few more minutes, with Barb giving her another pep talk, before they said goodbye. The second her friend ended the call, Allison searched for Nevar’s phone number. It wasn’t listed.

  That wasn’t going to stop her.

  She searched for the club next, knowing they’d have a number she could call. At least she could leave a message. That would be better than talking to him. Wouldn’t it?

  “Coward,” she muttered. When had she turned into such a wimp when dealing with men? She didn’t give herself time to think and quickly dialed the number to the Hatter’s Club before she changed her mind.

  It was just after noon, but there should be someone there. They’d probably take deliveries during the day. If not, they probably had an answering machine and she could leave him a message.

  The phone rang three times. Her stomach was in knots. It started to ring again, but the sound was cut of halfway through. “Hatter’s.” The voice was male and deep, but not the one she wanted. Not Nevar.

  “Umm, is Nevar around?” She picked at a loose thread on her comforter.

  “Who’s calling?”

  She threw back the comforter and sat up straight. Time to find her backbone. “This is Allison Lewis. I’ll try him again later.” That was probably better than leaving a message with someone she didn’t know.

  “I met you last night.”

  Allison stood and began to pace. This had to be Nevar’s brother. “I remember. Listen, I’m sorry to bother you at work. I’ll try him later.”

  “No, hang on. He’s around somewhere.”

  The silence on the other end of the phone seemed to go on forever. Allison’s bare feet made no sound against the floor as she paced the small confines of her apartment. She’d showered and changed when she’d arrived home earlier and was comfortable in yoga pants and a T-shirt. She’d tried to nap, but every time she closed her eyes all she could see was Nevar.

  “Allison?” Nevar’s deep voice washed over her and seeped into her skin.

  “I’m sorry,” she blurted. Better to get her apology over with. “I shouldn’t have run out like that earlier this morning.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have, but I understand.”

  “Do you, because I’m not sure I do?” Allison perched on the edge of her daybed, wishing she were outside in the bright sunlight instead of inside where it was darker.

  “You panicked.”

  “I did.” She flopped back onto the mattress and sighed. “I’m not sure why I did. No, that’s not quite true.” She closed her eyes. It was easier to talk to him with her eyes shut.

  “I don’t have one-night stands. And you’re—” She broke off not qui
te sure how to phrase what she wanted to say.

  “I’m what?” he growled.

  “Handsome. You’re so handsome and obviously successful. There are beautiful women in your club every night.”

  “And you think I make a habit of picking them up?” Anger tinged his voice. This was going all wrong.

  “No, I don’t think that. Not at all.” She flung her arm over her eyes. “I’m making a mess of this.”

  “Talk to me, Allison.” His tone softened and she rolled onto her side, suddenly wishing he were right in front of her. They’d talked easily last night after they’d foraged for their late-night snack.

  “I guess it all seemed to be too much, too fast. I don’t jump into bed with men after just meeting them. Even when I’ve been in relationships it hasn’t been that intense.”

  “I felt it too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Listen, why don’t you come over to the club so we can talk.”

  “Now?” Allison automatically checked the time, not that she had to be anywhere in particular.

  “Why not? I want to see you. We could stay in and talk or go out for a coffee or something.”

  Allison checked with her gut. What did she want? Did she want to give a relationship with Nevar a chance? The answer was an overwhelming yes. She grabbed her courage, took a deep breath and plunged forward. “Yes. I’ll be there within the hour.”

  “I can’t wait to see you.”

  Her skin tingled. “I can’t wait either.”

  Nevar hung up the phone knowing he’d had a close call. She was as skittish as a doe on the first day of hunting season.

  “So is she coming over?” Rabb hovered in the doorway, unabashedly listening to his conversation with Allison.

  “Yeah.” He’d sensed her confusion. Hell, he was off balance too. The last thing he’d expected when he’d started his shift at work last night was that he’d end up meeting a woman who made him think about settling down.

  Only time would tell if they were right for one another, but he wanted to try, wanted to explore the possibility.

  “I’ll finish what I’m working on and clear out. I can take my paperwork upstairs.”

  “Thanks, Rabb.”

  His brother shrugged. “No problem. You seem to really like this woman. That hasn’t happened in a long time.”

  “Allison is…special.” He didn’t know how else to put it.

  Rabb pushed away from the doorjamb and walked toward him. “If she’s special don’t let her go. Don’t do what I did.”

  Nevar gripped his brother’s shoulder and squeezed. His brother rarely talked about the mystery woman he’d lost his heart to years ago. Heck, he didn’t even know her name. All he knew was somewhere in Rabb’s past there was a woman he’d let go of and forever regretted.

  “No way to know what will happen, but I want to give it a shot.”

  Rabb checked his watch. “I’ve got a phone meeting with a supplier in twenty minutes. I’ll head upstairs now and get set up.” He grabbed his laptop and papers from the desk.

  “Rabb?” Nevar hated seeing his brother hurting but knew there was nothing he could do about it. Hell, he didn’t even know the woman’s name. Rabb had never shared it. “Thanks.”

  Rabb shrugged. “No problem. Whatever I can do.”

  His brother exited the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Allison was coming. Not only that, but she’d called him. He hadn’t had to go looking for her. That gave him hope that she had feelings for him too, feelings that went beyond the sexual spark that surged between them.

  Not that he minded the sexual spark. Hell, last night had been a first for him. He’d had Allison several times but it hadn’t been enough. He could have fucked her another couple times at least. It hadn’t been easy to play the gentleman and not be on her every second of the night.

  His dick rose in agreement. He glanced down and grinned. The woman certainly did have a lasting effect on him.

  But it was more than that.

  Allison had a quick mind and laughed easily. They’d discovered they both loved watching old mystery movies and basketball. She read several of the same authors he did and they’d debated which books were their favorites. She was also close to her family. Sure, she’d moved away from home, but her love for them was there in every word she spoke.

  He understood family.

  Leaving the office, Nevar made his way into the club. Everything was quiet. The staff wouldn’t arrive for a couple hours yet. That meant he and Allison would have the place to themselves.

  He went behind the bar and quickly started putting the things together he needed to brew a pot of tea. He’d make her some tea and they’d talk.

  He slowly grinned. He just didn’t need tea, but something more. Nevar fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed the first name on the contact list. “Hey Mom. I need a favor.”

  Chapter Seven

  Allison straightened the short-sleeved, hip-length russet-colored tunic she wore over her jeans. She’d opted for casual rather than dressy, sporting flats instead of heels. This is who she was so it was better Nevar realized she wasn’t a fashionable woman. She preferred jeans and casual clothing when she wasn’t working.

  She clutched her purse strap and stared at the large red-and-black door that announced the entryway into Hatter’s. It seemed so different with the sun shining and the only noise came from cars and people on the street. There was no music, no bustling crowd.

  It was just a door.

  She raised her hand and knocked.

  It opened before she could knock a second time, and Nevar stood before her. He looked as good as she remembered. No, that wasn’t quite true. He looked even better. He too was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. The shirt was dark brown and clung to his shoulders and torso like a second skin. His dark eyes trailed over her from head to toe, making her shiver even as her skin heated.

  “Come in.” God, his voice. He had the sexiest voice she’d ever heard.

  He stepped back and held out his arm, inviting her into his club, his domain. The place was well-lit and just as she remembered—the huge oak bar off to the right, the booths with their red seats and the cute, round tables.

  Allison gripped the strap of her purse and took a deep breath. They’d talk like two mature, sensible adults. There was nothing for her to be nervous about.

  “I’ve got tea set up over here.” He put his hand on the small of her back. The heat of his skin seeped through the material of her top and sent little tendrils of pleasure rocketing through her.

  She wound her way through the empty tables toward the dance floor, stopping a few feet away. A lone table was set up in the middle of the space and a single spotlight shone on it. A red-and-white tablecloth was spread over it, along with a gorgeous tea service, complete with pot, cream, sugar and plates. But that wasn’t all. A vase with brilliant-red tulips stood in the center and was surrounded by a half-dozen china plates, each filled with a different delicacy. There were cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and several other varieties of squares she couldn’t readily identify.

  “What’s all this? The Mad Hatter’s tea party?”

  He gave a deep laugh. “It’s more of a family tradition.” Nevar held out one of the chairs. She hooked the strap of her purse over the back of the chair and then sat. He picked up the teapot and poured the steaming liquid into the fragile cup as though he’d done it a hundred times.

  “I don’t understand.” Why the elaborate setup?

  Nevar lifted one of the delicate china plates and filled it with two cupcakes—one chocolate and one vanilla—and several squares before placing it in front of her. Bemused, she watched as he filled another plate for himself and sat in the chair directly across from her.

  “In my family we always have tea when we discuss important issues. We grew up having tea parties whenever the urge took my mother or whenever there was a family matter that needed to be decided.” He picked up his teacup, which loo
ked so incredibly fragile in his large hand, and took a sip. “I wanted you to understand that this is important to me. You’re important to me.”

  Wow! If she hadn’t already been charmed by him she certainly would be after that pronouncement. When was the last time a man did something just to let her know he thought she was special?

  Allison had to really think about it. It was probably her high school boyfriend when he’d spent twenty dollars at the local fair just to win her a cheap stuffed animal. A long, long time ago.

  She picked up her tea and tasted it, not surprised it was a mellow brew that went down smooth. Nevar wouldn’t have it any other way. She set her cup back down on the china saucer and the clinking sound it made was loud in the otherwise silent room. “You wanted to talk.”

  Nevar propped his elbows on the table and studied her. She stared back, forcing herself not to look away from his intense gaze. It was certainly no hardship to look at him. The spotlight was only partially illuminating him, leaving part of him in shadows.

  “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  Not exactly what she’d expected him to say and it took her aback. She thought about her own parents. They loved one another, but she didn’t think it had been love at first sight. It was more that they had things in common and had come to care deeply for one another. All of her relationships had starting with liking and gone from there.

  She started to shake her head, but then changed her mind. She wasn’t sure if what she felt for Nevar was love, but it was definitely something. “I don’t know.”

  “Fair enough.” He drank some more tea and she watched the strong column of his neck ripple as he swallowed. “My parents do. Ask either of them and they’ll tell you they knew from the moment they laid eyes on one another that they’d found the person they were supposed to spend the rest of their life with.”

  Allison’s throat tightened and her chest ached. “That’s beautiful.”

  A gentle smile eased over Nevar’s face. “It is beautiful.” He gave a deep laugh. “Doesn’t mean they don’t fight on occasion, but anyone who sees them together can’t help but see the love they have for one another.”