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She tapped his hand. “We had a deal.”
He mouthed to the bartender he’d be paying, and the man gave him a casual nod and moved back to the sleek computer. “Maybe you can buy me a drink another time.”
She slid off the stool, tossing her credit card in her purse. “I doubt it. You had your chance.”
The bartender came. Cole signed the check and got off his stool. His heart thumped in trepidation. What if she walked out of his life without a last name or a phone number?
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I’m walking you out. Making sure you get to your car okay.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, at first to guide her out of the establishment, but then, he didn’t move it, and she didn’t make any effort to cease the contact. A wave of possessiveness crashed through him as if his hand belonged there.
What the hell did they slip in my drink? A drug to put him under her spell? Not because her looks didn’t warrant his interest but as they stepped onto the sidewalk, interest became a banal world to describe the turmoil within.
He slid his hand upward, and soon, her spine tensed up. Even through the soft fabric, he felt her warmth, and if he were a gentleman, he’d stop while ahead and give her space. Space for what? They both wanted it. He was more upfront about it, but someone had to be.
He continued tracing a path up her back until he reached her shoulders, and squeezed them, then kneaded her shoulder blades, prompting her to come to a halt. She turned to him, flecks of sexual hunger gleaming in the rich cocoa irises. His gut clenched, an invisible punch of desire hitting him over and over again.
“Nikki,” he said her name and stroked his finger down her cheek, then outlined her jaw. Her pink lips parted in response. Tender, delicious and so very kissable. How come he hadn’t noticed her sexy bow-shaped mouth earlier?
She angled her shoulders a degree closer to him, the hint he needed to act on the fire burning him inside. Aroused, he bridged the gap and pulled her into his arms, loving the feel of her against him. He lowered his head, capturing her lips with his, and found no resistance when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
She touched his chest, the warmth of her hands seeping through the fabric of his shirt. He pulled her even closer, sending his common sense into a spiral and setting them into a perfect mold. His cock throbbed against her, blood rushing to the tip.
He heard the clunk of high heels, knowing a couple of women must have walked by and no doubt widened their eyes at the sight of them. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to stop exploring her mouth, teasing her tongue with his. Each time the rhythm of the passionate kiss began to wane, he intensified the pace, and she followed his cue, matching his urgency. He didn’t know if they shared one kiss or a dozen, but it didn’t matter. This exciting, surprising woman belonged in a big bed with her shapely legs around his torso. The thought kicked his arousal up a notch, and he slid his fingers down her back, gliding them over her curvy hips until he rested both hands on her lush ass.
The contact brought her even closer to him, nestling his hard-on in between her legs, and a low groan floated up his throat. Damn. They couldn’t fuck here with people possibly passing by. Taking her to her car was an option, but as much as he longed to be inside her, he knew a quickie wouldn’t do it.
When he wrenched his mouth from hers, his heart drummed wildly, his breath coarse. “Let’s go to my hotel.”
She blinked a couple times, catching her own breath, then her gaze swung from his to the area around them. A flicker of embarrassment touched her eyes, and she stepped back, lifting her hand in denial. “I…” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Sorry, I can’t do this.”
“Hold on, let’s talk. Can’t do what?” Sex in public? Sex with him? Shit. She’d said she had kids and he assumed she was divorced or a single mom. What if she was married? An invisible rope knotted around his throat.
“I… God, I’m sorry.” She glanced at him with a hint of apology, then dashed in the opposite direction, striding away from him as if he’d just offered to buy her soul.
2
“Good morning, honey,” her grandmother said when she crossed the lobby of Great Escape Retirement Community. “How are you? Luke brought the boys to see me yesterday on their way to lunch. I thought that was nice.”
Nikki inched closer and hugged her grandmother, who still wore her robe and non-slippery shoes from aquarobics class. She bit back a smile—her grandmother knew she wasn’t supposed to come to the lobby wearing a swimsuit and a fluffy robe, but she couldn’t bring herself to point that out. “Yes, he mentioned he might.”
“Henry is taller than David. But don’t worry, when they asked me, I told them they’re the same height,” Sue Brady said, winking at her granddaughter.
Nikki sighed with relief. She would have heard by now if the boys had a tiff because of a temporary height difference. “Thank you. I’m sure David will catch up. They’re identical otherwise.”
“Me too. So, had a good weekend?”
Nikki clenched the handle of her tote. “Same as usual.” The lie quickened her pulse, though it’d been three nights since she’d kissed the hot stranger outside Splurge. Every time she remembered the feel of his strong hands on her ass pulling her into his muscly, hard body, desire pooled between her legs and she found herself changing her underwear.
“Nikki?” her grandma called, bringing her back to reality.
Nikki flushed. Shit. She shared a lot with her grandmother, but this—she couldn’t. “I-I gotta go, Grandma. I’ll check on you later.” She kissed her forehead, and before she protested or said something outrageous like she’d lost weight and needed to eat more, Nikki dashed to the elevator.
Today she couldn’t entertain the dirty thoughts she had all weekend. Real life called her. When she reached the third floor of the imposing main building, she dropped her tote under her desk as usual, flicked her screen on and removed her blazer, sliding it on the chair.
Routine.
Discipline.
