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Nick nodded. “Well, mostly. He does have a small apartment above his studio, but he prefers the space here. He likes to be able to separate himself from his work.”
Holly's jaw dropped as she stared at Nick in disbelief. How had she gotten it all so wrong? “Oh...” She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I thought... I mean.” She stopped and covered her face with her hands. "Oh boy! I feel so stupid right now.”
“Don’t worry about it, Holly. I realize it’s not a usual living arrangement, and honestly, we’ve been here so long we don’t even think about it anymore or how it looks to other people.”
Holly smiled gratefully at Nick. Despite the discomfiture, she felt like a physical weight had gone from her shoulders now the guilt had been lifted.
“There is one thing I object to, though,” Nick said, mischief sparkling in his bedroom eyes.
“What?” Holly whispered, her breath catching in her throat at the intensity of his eyes.
He wasn’t gay!
“If there’s any way I can make it up to you, I will.”
“Well,” Nick replied, his eyes dropping to her lips. “I figure you owe me a kiss now, too. It only seems fair.”
Holly’s mouth dropped open in surprise, but her heart skipped a beat as Nick leaned closer, his hand cupping her cheek. She could feel the warmth radiating off of his body as he moved closer, the delicious hint of his spicy cologne that smelled like Christmas making her head spin.
He gave her plenty of time to object. Not that she had any intention of doing so. Still, Holly couldn't quite believe this was happening, but at the same time, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Holly looked up into Nick's eyes, her heart racing. She could feel the desire burning in his gaze, and she knew that she wanted him just as badly.
Without another word, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers in a soft, gentle kiss. Holly's eyes fluttered shut, and she leaned in to meet him, melting into his embrace, her hands coming up to rest on his broad shoulders. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before, so different from the rush of passion she had felt with Jaxon. This was something deeper, more profound, and it added to her confusion.
Their kisses grew more heated, more passionate, as they explored each other's mouths with reckless abandon. Pressing her body tighter against his, Nick responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in close. Holly could feel his hardness pressing against her belly and her heart pounded in her chest. She wanted him so much.
You wanted Jaxon too, the voice in her head screamed. And don’t forget Kris. You weren’t exactly pushing him away, either.
As if thinking his name conjured him up, Kris’ sneering voice cut through the haze of desire that had settled into Holly’s bones. “Well, I see you didn’t waste any time.”
She jumped guiltily away from Nick, running a hand through her mussed hair, and ignoring the profound sense of loss that made her ache as she put some distance between them.
She cleared her throat and excused herself before Kris could make any more unsavory remarks. “Um, I think I’ll have an early night. Goodnight.”
Nick’s eyes burned into hers, making her tummy flip, and she could feel them boring into her back as she hurried away.
Or maybe that was Kris giving her the evil eye. She didn’t look back to find out.
The truth was that while it was a relief to know that Jaxon and Nick weren’t involved - regardless of her embarrassment at her faux pas - it also meant that she had opened herself up to a world of temptation that she wasn't sure she was ready to handle.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A good night’s sleep did Holly the world of good.
Although the dreams she’d had. Phew! Those were definitely X-rated.
She had expected to toss and turn all night, fretting about everything, but exhaustion had won out, and now she felt refreshed, and things were more in perspective.
Okay, so she’d kissed two different men. Well, three if she included Kris, but Holly wasn’t entirely sure that counted. But they were all adults, and they were all single, so there wasn’t any subterfuge going on. Holly knew plenty of people serial-dated with neither a qualm, nor the barest hint of exclusivity, so she had nothing to feel ashamed of, even if it was out of character.
Besides, she’d always been a good girl in the past, and look where that had gotten her.
Holly climbed out of bed and felt a wave of anticipation wash over her as she got ready to face the day. She couldn't deny that the thought of exploring something more with either Nick or Jaxon was tempting. But she also knew that it could complicate things, and she didn't want to risk damaging their friendship. Maybe it was best to just leave things as they were. It wasn’t as if she had a lot of time here, after all, and yet whatever she left behind after any kind of dalliance had the potential to adversely affect the men who would be remaining here together.
Going about her morning routine, it was impossible not to think about those men, no matter how good her intentions. They’d caught hold of her imagination - and other parts of her anatomy - and held her in thrall.
Jaxon exhibited a touch of wildness and unpredictability, proven by how he’d offered her - a complete stranger - a bed for the night. But he was also exciting and passionate. He made her feel alive and exuberant. Something she hadn’t felt in far too long.
Then there was Nick. By contrast, he was stable and dependable, but also gentle and caring. He instilled in her a feeling of peace that was totally cathartic. They were so different, and yet Holly found herself torn between them.
