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He smelled warm and spicy and masculine. As they walked quickly toward the building, icy snow pellets dotted her coat. She turned up her collar and shivered. Neither of them was wearing gloves. When they entered the lobby and were enfolded in warm air, she inhaled the scents of fresh gardenias and furniture polish.
They bypassed the registration desk and walked down a long, carpeted hallway. The decor was understated and elegant, with no expense spared. It had been a very, very long time since Nikki had found herself in such sophisticated surroundings.
Their table was waiting for them. A single white orchid bloomed alongside a lit hurricane lamp. The restaurant was already swathed in holly and gold ribbons. The smells wafting from the kitchen promised culinary delights.
When Jake helped Nikki out of her coat, the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck made her shiver. He draped the coat over one of the extra seats and held her chair as she sat down. Then he took his place on the opposite side of the table and stared, his gaze hot and hungry.
“Don’t,” she said.
“Don’t what?” His eyes danced, though he didn’t smile.
“Don’t look like you’re going to gobble me up. It’s disconcerting.”
“I’d forgotten how beautiful you really are.”
“I’m older and five pounds heavier, and I have stretch marks.”
Now his beautiful lips curled upward in a sexy grin. He shrugged. “I know what I see, Nik.”
“Can we eat right away?” she asked, unable to look straight at him. It was as dangerous as peering at the sun. Everything inside her heated and churned. “I don’t want to be out too late.” Was she reminding herself or him?
“Of course.” Jake lifted a hand and summoned the waiter. “My friend is famished. We’d like to order, please.”
“Yes, sir. As you wish.”
Nikki glanced blindly at the specials. “I’ll have the prix fixe menu,” she said. “Bruschetta. Shrimp bisque. The chicken piccata.”
The dignified older man nodded. “And for dessert?”
“I’ll decide later if that’s okay.”
The server turned to Jake. “And you, sir?”
“I’ll order the other choices, so we can try them all. A house salad, the sweet-potato puree and the pork tenderloin.”
Soon, Nikki and Jake were alone. Again. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “This feels awkward.”
Jake nodded solemnly. “Very. Shall we discuss Emma now or later?”
“Let’s get it over with.” She clasped her hands on the table and took a deep breath. “Have you thought about who you want to be in her life?”
His response was instantaneous. “I’m her father,” he said firmly. The possessive words sent a thrill through Nikki. They had made a baby together. “That’s who I am and who I want to be,” he said. “But I understand that I’m new to this game. I don’t want to step on your toes or cause a problem for you.”
Too late. Nikki kept her dark humor to herself. She cleared her throat, acknowledging the butterflies in her stomach. Though she spoke prosaically, she wanted to crawl across the table and drag his lips to hers. “I’m glad. A girl needs her father. How often do you think you might be available? I know you live a long way from here, and you have a busy travel schedule.”
“It’s the twenty-first century. We have jets and Wi-Fi conversations. I’ll make time for Emma, I promise. I want to know her. I want to know her well.”
Nikki found herself on the brink of tears. She realized in that moment that she hadn’t known for sure Jake would claim his fatherhood. The fact that he had made her wildly emotional. “I’m so glad,” she said, her throat tight. “I suppose we can work out the details later.”
“I suppose we can.” He reached across the table and took one of her hands, stroking his thumb across the back of it, giving her goose bumps. “Now that we’ve settled the big topic, let’s talk about us.”
“Us?” Her heart raced.
His tight smile held a hint of determination. “I ran away from you twice, Nikki. Once in Atlantic City, but even worse when you were almost eighteen.”
They both winced. By the time Nikki’s birthday rolled around that June, she had lost her innocence, but not because of Jake. Her world had been in ashes. Law-enforcement vehicles in her driveway. Uniformed men and women inside her house, boxing up her father’s office. Opening the safe. Confiscating computers.
“I wish I could have spared you all the awfulness,” he said, the words gruff and raw. “You were in so much pain. It broke my heart.”
