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“Yes.” She rubbed his scruffy jaw, already missing him. “Now go get ready for work.”
He reluctantly slid away and she watched him go. Her brief melancholy disappeared in a laugh when he pumped a fist in the air before heading into the bathroom.
Grinning, she did a fist pump of her own.
Chapter Four
That evening, Alana returned to Kink as promised. When things between her best friend and some random guy got hot and heavy, she left Kelly to her business and aimed for the dance floor.
She probably had an hour to wait before Nicky showed— if he showed— so she might as well pass the time dancing. Watching her best friend fuck some stranger wasn’t exactly her idea of fun, and she certainly wasn’t out to score some action. What she wanted most was to see Nicky again, to watch his eyes light up at the sight of her as when they’d met for lunch. How strange. She’d spent one night with him and today, even waiting until lunchtime to see him again had seemed too long.
And the hours since? A lifetime.
She smiled, remembering their kiss goodbye. He hadn’t palmed her ass or shoved his tongue down her throat like Ramon used to do. He’d kissed her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Maybe he felt as she did, that any hours spent apart increased the likelihood their dream would end. Any minute now she’d wake up to realize her life didn’t consist of anything more than The Edge and waiting for Ramon.
Before she’d even stepped onto the dance floor, she heard an unwelcome voice.
”Baby, you came back.”
Her heart picked up speed. Uh oh. She turned her head, startled to see Ramon lounging against the arm of the couch beside her. He clearly needed the support.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Each word was slurred. “Aren’t you gonna dance with me?”
Panic tickled her throat as the strobe lights of the club seemed to shine directly in her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been relaxed and anticipating Nicky. Now she couldn’t breathe. “Where’s Caycee?”
For an instant, she had the horrifying thought he’d say “Who’s Caycee?” Then she’d know she’d imagined last night completely. Nicky hadn’t been here with her.
They hadn’t been together outside and she hadn’t made love to him all night in his very plush bed. He hadn’t pored over her photographs with appreciation in his eyes at lunch and they hadn’t embraced like long- term lovers when parting for the afternoon.
She hadn’t been given a chance to redeem herself. She was Alana, the unlovable bitch, and she always would be.
“Yo!” Ramon lurched close enough she could smell the beer on his breath. “You ignoring me?”
“Where’s Caycee?” she repeated a little desperately.
His lip curled in disgust. “Who knows?”
Thank God. She hadn’t dreamed any of this. Nicky was real. How he made her feel was real.
“Women like her live to dick a man around. But not you.” He leered. “You give it all up, don’t you?”
Not to you. Never again. “Why don’t you go sober up?”
“C’mere, sweetness. Give me a little of that brown sugar.” When his hand closed around her breast, she didn’t think. She bunched her fist and swung her arm, her blow landing right on his chin. His yelp of pain was immediately followed by a demented squeal.
Alana’s eyes widened as Caycee hustled over. She cradled Ramon’s head against her ample chest and glared accusingly at Alana. “I know you’re heartbroken he’s moved on but how could you strike him?”
Obviously Caycee had missed her lover’s boob grab. “You two deserve each other,” she muttered, prepared to stalk outside to wait for Nicky rather than remain anywhere near these two.
But when she turned away, she looked straight into the face that had dominated her thoughts all day long.
“Nice job, killer.” Nicky’s voice wrapped around her as warmly as the arms he linked around her waist. “I was going to step in when things got dicey,” he aimed a narrow- eyed glance at Caycee and Ramon, who were cooing to each other like wounded birds, “but you don’t need my help.”
Alana cupped his cheek and brought his gaze— and his mouth— front and center.
The relief that poured through her when his lips touched hers was overwhelming.
“Wrong answer.”
