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“He pursued me pretty relentlessly, also like you. He met me after class, walked me to my car, and took me on dates. He even met my parents.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin, facing him head-on. “You’d figure a guy willing to pick you up at home and meet your folks is a good guy, right?”
“Obviously not.”
She inclined her head. “We went out all senior year. It got pretty serious, at least for me. He was my first,” she admitted softly.
Oh, hell. Faith had been his first, and he knew how long he’d held on to hope when there was none. He reached for Kate’s hand, and she didn’t pull away.
“Where was he from?” Nick asked.
“Massachusetts. He lived on campus. Went home for holidays and stuff. I should’ve realized I wasn’t getting the same things in return. I hadn’t met his folks, and he never invited me to his home, but he always had what sounded like a legitimate reason. I figured I’d meet them at graduation.” She pulled in a deep breath. “Except he broke up with me a couple of days before commencement.”
Nick studied her expressive features. Clearly, that pain hadn’t gone away after all these years, and he doubted it was because she still had feelings for the guy. “Did he say why he ended it?”
Her harsh laughter took him by surprise. “He sure did. He had a girlfriend at home. One he was serious about. I was his hookup on the side, someone who kept his bed warm while he was away at school.”
“That bastard.” Nick’s blood boiled at the story. He had a sister, and he’d kill any guy who used her that way. For Kate to have gone through something like that? He clenched his fists in his lap.
Kate met his gaze. “It was a long time ago,” she said.
“Not so long that it didn’t leave scars,” he reminded her, his gentle tone in stark contrast to the anger pulsing through him on her behalf.
“I don’t know about scars. It made me wiser, though.”
“And way too skeptical.” But at least now he understood what motivated her reluctance to get involved.
“Maybe,” she said, taking him off guard.
“Are you finished?” He gestured to her empty plate, and she nodded.
She started to pick up the place settings to help him clean.
“Leave it. I’ll get it later.”
She must have read the seriousness in his voice because she listened without arguing. He rose from his seat, and she did the same. Without a word, he walked into the living area and picked up his phone he’d left on the table, turning on music.
As Adele crooned around them, providing the right mood music for Kate to sway in his arms, he held out his hand. She tipped her head, obviously not understanding what he planned because she came easily. He clasped her smaller fingers in his and drew her against him, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close so there was no mistaking his intent.
Or his need.
He waited in silence, their bodies gliding in place until she finally relaxed in his arms. That was when he sprang his next offensive. “Give me a chance, Kate. I want you. Tonight.”
***
Kate felt somuch smaller in Nick’s arms, protected but also cherished, a dangerous feeling when want was very different from the emotional need he effortlessly pulled from inside her.
Still, as their dance continued and he waited for her answer, her arousal grew. He wanted her. She desired him. Two adults who knew the score. She’d already contemplated sleeping with him tonight. And when he rocked against her, all sensual seriousness, she melted.
Give him what he was asking for or walk away and never know what could be? Phrased that way, after the effort he’d made, her answer was simple. But before she could tell him, he spoke.
“Don’t let some asshole from ten years ago keep you from opening your heart now.”
Oh my God, he was talking about hearts, causing hers to thump harder in her chest. She couldn’t read too much into his words, which any English teacher would know could have varying meanings. All Nick really wanted was for her not to deny the physical attraction that was so stark between them. He was seducing her into his bed. That was what she needed to both respond to and keep in mind.
“What’s it gonna be, sweetheart?”
Chapter Six
Kate met hisgaze, lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him, giving him both an answer and herself. Nick let her take the lead, and she pressed harder against him, her chest pressing against his. She speared her fingers through his hair to keep him right where she wanted him, and she deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue against his.
