AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nodding, I fan my face. “We’re in over our heads.”
“Possibly and certifiably.”
Sobering up, I take a deep breath and ask the question plaguing my mind. “Are we making the right decision by going with them, babe? Are we better off ignoring all this craziness—”
“No.” Not a second of hesitation from her. “All great romances start off with a weird kismet encounter; this could be ours.” At my half smile, she winks and proceeds to throw her sundress on. “Besides, I’m starving, and free food sounds amazing right about now.”
And just like that, the tension drops from my shoulders. She’s right. It’s just two cute guys offering to treat us to a meal while we get to know them. Moreover, we aren’t going alone.
We have each other. My girl knows karate, and I can throw a decent right hook. Dad took his time teaching me well before moving to Spain early this year with Mom for work.
“Shit! We have five minutes before they rush in to get us.” Frantic and almost falling over herself, Crissy slides into a pair of sandals and fluffs her hair while I roll my eyes.
“Call down, chica.” A small snicker escapes me as I grab my frayed denim cutoffs and shimmy them up my hips. My bikini stays on as I’m not quite sure if we’re getting into the water later, and I grab the white, off-the-shoulder flowy crop top she bought me for this trip. It’s cute and leaves a strip of bare skin over my midsection that I hope Nick will enjoy.
“Two minutes.” This time it’s Evan that gives the reminder.
Rushing over to the sink, I take my hair and with a few flicks of my wrist place it into a messy bun at the top of my head. With no time for makeup, washing my face with a bit of water will have to do.
Chapstick finishes my look, and with thirty seconds to spare, I open the door. “Ready?”
Nicholas rushes forward and takes my face in his warm hands. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
“Do you enjoy making me resemble a tomato?” Heat blooms, and he licks his lips. “Never mind, don’t answer that,” I grumble and walk past him with my bag thrown over my shoulder. Not that I get far; four steps and he’s on me, walking beside me with my bag in his possession and my hand safely encased in his.
“What are you in the mood for?” he asks, pulling me just a bit closer. “There’s a few good places near the—”
“The Pier House?”
Tilting his head to the side, Nick stops to look at me. “Been there before?”
“You can say that.” Looking back, I find Crystal and Evan not that far behind. They’re talking—well, more like she’s rambling, and he is smiling.
Nick places a finger under my chin to turn me back around. “Your attention always stays on me, Mimi.” Between his honeyed voice and electric touch, my clit pulses with a foreign yearning. “Need those stunning greys on mine. Understood?” I nodded. “Good, now please answer my question. Been here before?”
“I’m somewhat local-ish.”
“You’re from Myrtle Beach? But I’ve never seen you before?”
I mimic his pose, looking at him with wide innocent eyes. “Are you a local, Nick?”
“You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?” A shrug is my response. He’s making comments that speak of a future we’ve yet to discuss. A future I find myself wanting. “I’m fucked,” he grumbles under his breath, and this time when he pulls me closer, I find my chest pressing against his. Nick’s soft lips skim my forehead before he takes in a deep inhale, filling his being with my scent. “Yup. I’m utterly fucked.”
“Should I apologize?” I’m not one bit sorry. Having this effect on him is empowering. A turn-on.
“Never.” Another inhale and kiss. “And I’m a transplant, babe. This is my home base between contracts with the organization I work for.”
At once, I stiffen in his arms. “Like in the mafia?”
“What the hell?” Nicholas releases his hold and gently pushes me back with his hands on my shoulders. His upper body is shaking, bottom lip caught between his teeth as he tries to hold in his laughter. “What gave you—why would you think that?”
“You said organization, and I remembered a docu-series I watched on—”
“Seriously, could you be any cuter?” His laughter is loud and boisterous. It comes from deep within his gut and shakes us both. “Woman, I am the furthest thing from someone in organized crime. I’m a doctor, sweetheart. I work with a charity that takes medical care to remote parts of the world—places where what we take for granted doesn’t exist.”
“Really?” Jesus, that makes him sexier. A man that helps saves lives for a living is hot.
“Yes.” His answering chuckle tells me that he sees what his confession does to me. My nipples stiffen under my top, and I not so subtly rub myself against his muscled form. Feels so good.
