From This Moment On

FromThisMomentOn

Marcus&Nicola–TheSullivansBook2

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Forthirty-sixyears,MarcusSullivanhasbeentheresponsibleolderbrother,steppingintotake

careofhissevensiblingsaftertheirfatherdiedwhentheywerechildren.Butwhentheperfectly
orderedfuturehe’splannedforhimselfturnsouttobenothingbutalie,Marcusneedsonereckless
nighttoshakefreefromitall.

NicolaHardingisknownthroughouttheworldbyonlyonename—Nico—forhercatchy,sensual

popsongs.Only,whatnooneknowsaboutthetwenty-five-year-oldsingeristhathersex-kittenimage
istotallyfalse.Afteraterriblebetrayalbyamanwholovedfamefarmorethanheeverlovedher,she
vowsnottoletanyoneelsegetcloseenoughtofindoutwhoshereallyis...orhurtheragain.
Especiallynotthegorgeousstrangershemeetsatanightclub,eventhoughthehunger—andthesinful
promises—inhisdarkeyesmakeherwanttospillallhersecrets.

OnenightisallNicolaandMarcusagreetosharewitheachother.Butnothinggoesastheyplan

when,insteadofsimplytanglinglimbs,theyfindadeeperconnectionthaneitherofthemcouldhave
anticipated.Andeventhoughtheybothtrytofightit,growingemotions—andsizzlingattraction—keep
drawingthemclosertogether.

Closeenoughforthemtowonderifstealingonemoresecretmomenttogethercaneverbeenough?

ChapterOne

MarcusSullivanwasamanonamission.
Twentyminutesagohe’dlefthisbrother’sengagementpartyandheadedstraightforthebellyofSan

Francisco’sseedyMissiondistrict.Dancemusicpoundedoutintothestreet,loudenoughthatthecrowds
waitinginlinewerealreadydancing.

Leatherandpiercings,tattoosandfluorescenthairweren’tpartofMarcus’susualcrowd.Butthemen

andwomeninlinewithearringsthroughtheirnosesandeyebrowslookedhappy,atleast.

Marcuswasplanningonbeingahellofalothappierinacoupleofhours.
Hewalkedpastthelonglineanddespitethefactthathewaswearingasuitandtie,thebouncertook

onelookathimandopenedupthelatchontheropetolethimin.Marcuswasalargeman,andalthough
hedidn’toftenusehissizetointimidatepeople,hewasn’taversetousingwhatevertoolshehadathis
disposalwhenheneededthem.

Thebeatthrobbedthroughhimashesteppedthroughtheblackdoorwayintothecrowdedclub,butthe

loudmusic,theshakinglights,didn’tcomeclosetoobliteratinghisthoughts.

Thatwasn’twhyhewashere.Hewasn’theretoforgetwhathe’dseen.
No,hedidn’twanttoforget,wouldn’tlethimselfmakethatmistakeagain.
Marcuswasheretomakeupfortwowastedyears.Twenty-fourmonthsago,he’dmetJillinthecity

onahotAugustnightatacharityeventherfirmwashosting.Assoonashe’dseteyesonhercoolblonde
beauty,heknewhe’dfoundthemissingpuzzlepieceinhisotherwisewell-orderedlife.InJill,he’dseen
hisfuture:marriage,kids,Estatedinnersathiswinerywiththeperfectwifebyhisside.

Only,ashe’dlearnedthatafternoon,ithadn’tbeenperfectatall...

MarcuscouldhearmoaningevenasheturnedhiskeyinthelocktoJill’sapartment.Itcouldhave

beenamovieturneduptooloudforthedirtyparts,butMarcusknewbetter—hadknownbetterfor
months,ifhewasbeinghonestwithhimself.

Hepushedopenthedoorandmovedthroughhisgirlfriend’sapartment,themoaninggrowing

louderwitheverystephetook.

“Oooh,that’sit!Rightthere!Justlikethat!”
Jillhadalwaysbeenascreamerinbed,buthe’dneverrealizedjusthowfalseitsoundeduntilnow,

whenhewasgettingatasteofhershowfromthecheapseats.

Hishandstightenedintofistsasheturnedthroughherkitchenandheadeddownthehalltoher

masterbedroom.

He’dlongagoaskedhertomoveuptoNapatoliveathiswinerywithhim,butshe’dalwayshada

reasontoputitoff.Thelatestwasthathercurrentapartmentwasararefindbarelyablockawayfrom
herfinancialplanningcompanywithitsfrequent4:40a.m.wake-upcalls.Shetoldhimhecouldstay
overwheneverhewanted.

Marcushadneverfeltathomeinherapartment,everythingacoldshadeofwhite,mirroredand

glasssurfacesthatsmudgedattheslightesttouch.Buthe’dwantedafuturewithherandhe’dassumed
makinggoodonthatfuturemeantbending,compromising.

HowmanyweekendshadhecometothecitytoseeJillwhenitsuitedher?Howmanytimeshadhe

changedhisentirescheduleonlessthanamoment’snoticetobethereforherwhensheneededhim?

Toomanytimes.
Butnever,notonce,hadheeverwalkedinonalivepornshow,starringhisgirlfriend.
Shewasridingtheguylikehewasabuckingbroncoandshewasthestarrodeorider.
Hesawthenakedskinandlimbs—hell,hecouldn’tmissthemfromthebedroomdoor—butitwas

asifhewerewatchingthemfromaclinicaldistance.Likeatriple-Xcablechannelthathad

accidentallyflippedoninahotelwhenhewasn’tinthemood.

“Whatthe—?”TheguyunderhisgirlfriendlookedatMarcuswithalarm.Clearly,hehadn’tbeen

expectinganyonetowalkin.

ThatwaswhenJillshiftedslightlytolookoverhershoulderathim.Hereyeswidenedinwhatwas

supposedtobesurprise.Butheknewherwellenoughtoseethroughit.Atleasthe’dthoughthe’d
knownher.

Howmuchoftheirrelationshiphadbeenalie?
Jillmovedtopullasheetoverherandherlover.Marcuswatchedthemslideapart,watchedthe

guyreachoverthesideofthebedtopullonhisjeans.“I’llgetoutofhere,”theguysaid,butJillheld
hishandandmadehimstayonthebed.

“No,Rocco,youdon’tneedtoleave.”
Rocco?Hisclassicallybeautifulgirlfriend,thewomanhe’dbeenplanningtomarryandstarta

familywith,thewomenhe’dplannedtosharethehelmofSullivanVineyardswith,wasdoingaguy
namedRoccowithanasty-lookinggoateeandpiercings?Ithadtobesomesortofsickjoke.

TheguylookedbetweenJillandMarcus,goingalittlewhiteashisgazelingeredonMarcus’sfists

andthewayhisshoulderstookupthebulkofthedoorway.

Jilldroppedthesheetandslidonasilkrobethathadbeendrapedoverachairinthecornerofher

room.ShemovedtowardMarcus.“Weshouldgotalkinthelivingroom.”

Somehowsheslippedpastwithouttouchinghim,butMarcuscouldsmellsexonher.Hecouldsmell

someotherguyonher.

Hewantedtopoundhisfistintotheguy’sface.ButJillhadengineeredthis.Starttofinish.
He’ddealwithher,instead.
MarcusmovedbackthroughthehallwaytothelivingroomwhereJillwaswaitingforhim.
Shedidn’tlookguilty.And,forthefirsttime,hedidn’tthinkshelookedbeautiful,either.Yes,she

wasstillclassicallypretty,tallandslim...buttherewasanuglinessstampedacrossherfacethathe’d
neverlethimselfseebefore.

“I’minlovewithRocco.”
Asapologieswent,itsucked.
Inhissilence,shecontinuedwithadefensive,“YouandIbothknowourrelationshipwasn’tgoing

anywhere.”

Finally,hisresponsecame.“Yousaidyouneededtime.Igaveyoutime,enoughtimetocheaton

me.WithRocco.”

Jill’seyeswidenedatthebarelyrepressedfuryinhisvoice.He’dneverspokentoherlikethat

before,hadneverbeenthekindofmanwhoraisedhisvoicetomakeapoint,whooptedtobeabullyto
gethisway.He’dgottenwherehewasbyworkinghardandbeingsmartandreasonable,withsome
Sullivancharmthrowninwhenheneededit.

“Look,”shesaidwithanirritatedsighasifhewastoblameforthemesstheywerein,“thisthing

betweenus,itwasgoodforawhile,butifwe’dreallybeeninlovewewouldbemarriedbynow.”

Heraisedaneyebrowandcalledheronit.“YouknowIwantedtogetmarried.”
Sheshookherhead.“Ifyoureallywantedtomarryme,youwouldhavesweptmeoffmyfeetandI

wouldn’thavebeenabletoresist.Butyouwerealwayssobusywithyourbrothersandsisters,always
helpingyourmotherwithsomething.”Finallybeinghonest,shesaid,“Itriedtoloveyou,Marcus.I
reallydid.ButIwantsomethingmore.Somethingbigger.Somethingexciting.Iwantsomeonewhoputs
mefirst.”Hereyeslitasshesaid,“IwantwhatIhavewithRocco.Nottositbyyoursideandwear
pearlsatyourwineryevents.Andnottoalwaysbelastplaceinyourlife.”

Marcusstaredatthewomanhe’dassumedwouldbehiswife,themothertohischildren.Thepearl

necklacehe’dgivenherwasstillonherneck.Itwastheonlythingshe’dhadonwhileshe’dbeen

screwinganotherman.

HewantedtoripthepearlsoffJill’sneckandwatchthemscatteralloverthefloor.
Instead,hesaid,“I’llsendmyassistantformythingsnextweek.She’llcontactyoutoarrangea

convenienttime.”

“See?”Jillcameathimnow,herfingerpointedathischest,herrobegapingopenacrossher

chest.

He’doncelovedherbreasts,thoughttheywerejustasclassicallybeautifulastherestofher.Now,

theydidnothingforhim.Lessthannothing.

“ThisiswhyIcan’tbewithyou.Whereareyouremotions?Whereisyourpassion?Iswearyou

caremoreaboutyourdamngrapesthanyoudoforme.AndIsureashellknowyoucaremoreabout
yourbrothersandsistersthanme.Thisisyourchance,Marcus!Don’tyousee,ifyouleavenow,ifyou
can’ttellmethatyou’llatleasttrytoputmefirst,you’lllosemeforever?”

Thatwaswhenherealizedthatdespitehisanger,despitehisfuryathercheating,hedidn’twantto

fightforJill.

IthadtakenMarcustwoyearstorealizethathedidn’tactuallyloveher.
He’dsimplylovedtheideaofher.
“Goodbye,Jill.”

Thesongswitchedfromahard-drivingbeattoaslowermelodyandrhythmasMarcusresurfaced

fromhisdarkmemories.HehadplannedtopickupJillforChaseandChloe’sengagementpartyearlier
thatevening,buthe’dgonealone.Whatanidiothe’dbeen,waitingtwoyearsforJilltomakeuphermind.
Waitingforhertobe“ready”tocommitallthewaytohimandthelifeheenvisionedforthem.

Marcusknewloveexisted.He’dseenitbetweenhismotherandfather.HesawitineverylookChase

gaveChloe,ineverytouchbetweenhisbrotherandhisnewfiancée.

Still,thatdidn’tmeanMarcuswasuptotryingforitagainanytimesoon.Agoodlongbreakfrom

emotionwaswhatheneeded.Fromhisplans.Onedayhestillhopedhe’dfindawomanwhowouldmake
himagoodwife,agoodpartner,agoodmothertothechildrenhewanted.

Butnotrightnow—orfortheforeseeablefuture.
Tonight,hewasonlyinitforpleasure.Foralongnightofmindless,emotionlesssexwithsomeone

whodidn’twanttoknowhishopes,hisdreams.Awomanwhodidn’twanttoknowabouthisfamilyany
morethanhewantedtoknowabouthers.

Hell,ifneitherofthemevenlearnedeachother’snames,thatwouldbeperfectlyfinewithhim.
Couplesgroundagainsteachotherinthedarkspacewheresweatandalcoholandsexwereall

comingtogether.Marcusmoveddeeperintothedarknesstostandonariseoverlookingthedancefloor
andscannedthecrowdwithaclinicaleye.

***

NicolaHardingstoodinthewindowofherpenthousesuitelookingdownonSanFrancisco’sUnion

Squareandwatchedthepeoplewalkingbelow.

Shewasyoungandsingle.Sheshouldbeouttherewiththem.Sixmonthsago,shewouldhavebeen

eatingdinneratsomeglitzyrestaurant,surroundedbypeoplewhowereflatteringherandtryingtomake
herlaugh,tryingtomakeherlikethem.Butshe’dlearnedthehardwaythatitwasn’thertheywere
interestedin.

NicolaHarding,wholikedMonopolyandbuildingsandcastles,wasaninconsequentialnobody.They

allwantedapieceofNico.Theywantedtosaythey’dhungoutwithapopstar.Theywantedtotake
picturesofherontheircellphonestotexttotheirfriends.

Shesteppedawayfromthewindowandturnedbacktothehugesuite.
Itwastoobigforoneperson,butherrecordlabelthoughtputtingherupinaplacelikethisfora

videoshootandconcertwastreatingherright.Noonewouldeverknowhowaloneshefelt,onesmall
personinanoversizedsuitethatcouldhavehousedherentirefamilywithroomtospare.

Andthetruthwas,ifshewereastrangerreadingherpress,shecertainlywouldnevercomeupwith

thewordalonetodescribeherself.Partygirlwouldbecloser.Because,somehow,everysingleevent
foundherphotographedwithanotherfamousman.She’dwakeupinthemorningandturnonhercomputer
tolearnthatshewassystematicallyscrewingherwaythroughnotonlytheTop40charts,butthrough
Hollywood,too.

HerrecordlabelandPRpeopleandmanagementteamhadtoldher“anypressisgoodpress”enough

timesthatshe’dstoppedprotestingherinnocencetothem.Besides,sheknewtheydidn’tbelieveher,not
afterseeingthepicturesthathadleakedovertheholidayslastyear—horriblepicturesthatstillseemedto
turnupwhenevershethoughttheywerefinallyburied.

Afterworkingnearlytwenty-fourhoursadayforyearstotrytogetpeopletolistentohermusic,

she’dbeenoverjoyedtoseeherworkpayoffwithherfirstnumberonehitlastsummer.Although
everyonehadwarnedherthatthebusinesswouldchewherupandspitheroutifshewasn’tcareful,she’d
believeditwasdifferentforher,thatshewassmartenoughtosurroundherselfwithgoodpeople.

Untilthedayshetrustedthewrongone.
Kennyhadbeensocharming,sosweetatfirst,thatshe’dfallenforhimhook,line,andsinker.But

he’dusedemotionslikebarterandshe’dsoonrealizedtheonlywaytokeephimhappy—andtobesure
hestilllovedher—wastogiveintosomeofthethingshewantedhertotry.

Stupidgirl.
Athousandtimessincethen—no,morelikeamillion—she’daskedherselfhowshecouldhavebeen

sonaive.Naiveenoughthatwhenhe’dsoldhisstoryofwildnightswiththepopstar,completewith
picturesthathe’dbeensecretlytakingofheronhiscellphone,she’dactuallybeenshocked.

Well,she’dlearnedherlesson.Bigtime.
Shewouldneveragaintrustthateasily,especiallygood-looking,persuasivemen.
Nicolacaughtaglanceofherselfinsweatpantsandatanktopinthefull-lengthmirrorontheliving

roomwall.Somepartygirlshewas.Afteragruelingdayofrehearsingdancemovesforthevideothey
wouldbeshootingonFriday,herbigplansincludedwatchingaLaverne&Shirleymarathononcable
underthecovers.

Thedoorbellrangandsherealizedshe’dforgottenabouttheicecreamshe’dorderedfromroom

service.Onanightlikethis,shesimplydidn’thavetheenergytocarethatthehotelstaffmemberwould
seeherwithoutanymakeuponandimmediatelygetonTwitterandtelltheworldaboutit.

Noquestionaboutit,chocolateicecreamwasherlasthopetonight.
Sheopenedthedoor.“Hi.”
Theguylookedather,thenactuallylookedoverhershoulderfortherealNico.Finally,helooked

backather,hisfeaturestwistingtowardrecognitionashestared.“I’vegotyourroomservice,Nico.”

Shesteppedasidesothathecouldwheelinthebigtray,eventhoughshecouldeasilyhavejustpicked

upthecontainerontop.

“It’sjustthebrandyouaskedfor.Aquartofit.”
“Thanks.”Shetookthepenhehandedhertosigntheroomtabandfelt,likelaserbeams,theguy’s

eyesonherbuttinthesnugsweatpants.She’dbeenfeelingthoseeyesfromoneguyoranotherforthepast
tenyears,eversinceshe’dwokenuponemorningwithbreastsandhips.

Shedidn’tevenmindtheleering.Whatshemindedweretheassumptionsthatcamewithit,thatjust

becauseshehadtheT&Athatguysdrooledover,itmeantshewasgoingtohopintobedwiththem
indiscriminately.

Shewasn’taslut,nomatterwhattheworldthought.
Shewenttohandhimbackthepen,buthewastoobusyoglingherchesttonotice.
Nicolaalwaysmadeitapointtobenicetothestaffanywhereshewasstaying.Itwasn’tthatlongago

thatshe’dbeenwaitingtablesandcleaninghotelroomswhileshewaitedtobe“discovered.”

Tonight,shewasalloutofnice.
“Here.”Shejammedthepenintotheguy’spalm,thenwenttothedoorandhelditopenforhim.
Hemovedslowlytowarditandshewascountingthesecondsuntilhewasgonewhenhesaid,“You

allalonetonight?”

Seriously?Shehadtodealwiththisgarbagejusttogetsomeicecream?
“I’vegotplansalready,thanks.”Henodded,butshedidn’tlikewhatshesawinhiseyes.“My

boyfriendwillbeupinaminute,”shelied.

“Well,ifyou’relookingforcompanylater...”
Hewasacrossthethresholdbythenandshedidn’thesitatetoslamthedoorinhisface.Afterbolting

it,shemuttered,“Jerk.”

Theicecreamcontainerwasstartingtosweatonthebigsilvercart,butshewasn’tinthemoodforit

anymore.

Itwasn’tfair.Thewholeworldthoughtshewasatotaltrampwhenthetruthwasthatshe’dhadsex

withagrandtotaloftwoguys.Bradfromtwelfthgradeinthebackseatofhisdad’scar.AndthenKenny,
becauseshe’dthoughttheylovedeachother.

Evenworse,neitherofherpreviouslovershadbeenallthatgreat.Brad,shecouldforgive,becauseit

hadbeenthefirsttimeforbothofthemandtheirlocationhadbeenterrible.ButKenny,she’dfinally
realized,simplyhadn’tcaredaboutmakingherfeelgood.He’dbeenallabouthimselftheentiretimeand
she’donlyfedintoitbyconstantlytryingtopleasehimsothathe’dlovehermore.

Atleastifshe’deverhadanythingapproachingrealpleasure,maybeshewouldn’tbesobitterabout

herreputation.Maybethenshecouldjustownit.Maybethenshewouldactuallyfeellikethesexywoman
sheportrayedonheralbumcoversandmusicvideos.Maybethenshewouldn’thavemadeher
choreographer,Lori,staysolongwithhertonight,longpastwhensheshouldhaveletthewomanleave
forherbrother’sengagementparty.

Allofasudden,acrazyimpulsehithersquareinhersolarplexus:sinceshewasnevergoingtoshake

offherreputation,whatifshewentouttoearnitinstead?

Nicolahadalwaysbeenimpulsive,fromthetimeshewasalittlegirl.Herreportcardssaidthesame

thing,yearafteryear:“Nicolaisabrightgirl,butsheoftenactswithoutthinking.”

Okay,shethoughtasshetossedvariousarticlesofclothingontothebedandtriedtofigureoutjustthe

rightlookforwhatshewantedtoaccomplishtonight,soshe’dlearnedherlessonabouttrustingjerks.
And,ofcourse,onedayshewantedlove.Reallove.Truelove.

Butshewastiredoflivinglikeanun,sickoftryingtoconstantlyconvinceeveryonethatshewasn’ta

wildpartygirl,whentheyallthoughtshewasanyway.

Forjustonenightshewantedtoknowwhatallthefusswasabout.Shewantedtofindamantoshare

herpassionswith,arealmanwhowasexperiencedenoughtotakehertoaplaceshe’dneverbeenbefore.

Herheartbeathardasshestrippedoffhersweatpantsandtanktopandslippedintoashort,strapless

leatherdress.OnewrongmoveinanydirectionandtheT&Ashewassofamousforwouldbepopping
outfortheentireworldtosee.

But,suddenly,Nicoladidn’tcareanymore.Anythingwasbetterthanthisbone-deeploneliness.
Soshe’denduponthecoverofanothertabloidmagazine.Bigwhoop.Itwasn’tlikeithadn’t

happenedbefore.Andshe’dsurvived.

Mostly,anyway.

ChapterTwo

Marcuswasknownforhispatience.Afterhelpingtoraisehissevensiblings,he’dlearnedtowaitout

tantrums,fistfights,eventears.

Tonight,hewasalloutofpatience.
He’dbeenwatchingthedancersforlongenoughtoknowthathewasn’tgoingtotakeasingleoneof

themtobed.Noneofthewomenwho’dwalkedinthroughthethickredcurtaininthepastthirtyminutes
hadbeencontenders,either.

Until,suddenly,thecurtainparted…andshewalkedin.
Marcusfeltlikeafisthadslammedstraightintohisgut.
Thewomanwasyoung,mid-twentiesprobably,andsodamnbeautifulitalmosthurttolookather.

Herblackleatherdressleftnothingtohisimagination,fittingherlikeasecondskinwithwidecut-outs
thatrandownthesideofherinsanecurves.

Shewastheone.
Asshestoodinthedoorwayandslowlyscannedthecrowd,everyeyeintheroomwasonher.She

wasmagnetic,hadthatspecialsomethingthatmadeitimpossibletopullyoureyesawayfromher.

Andthenhereyesmethis,illuminatedbyabeamoflightinthedarkroom,andalthoughMarcus

hadn’tdrunknearlyenoughatChase’sengagementpartytobeunsteadyonhisfeet,onelookatthoseclear
blueeyeshadhimfightingforbalance.

Whatwaswrongwithhim?
Heneededtoremember,atalltimes,whattonightwasabout.Sex.Pleasure.Notemotion.Nota

relationship.Itwasokayforcertainpartsofhisbodybelowthewaisttoreactlikeamatchhadbeenlit
fromnothingmorethanlookingatthewoman.Everythingelsewasoff-limits.Hewasn’tlookingfora
womantorespect.

Andhedefinitelywasn’tgoingtofallinlove.
Marcuslethisgazemovebackdownthewoman’sbarely-thereleatherdress.Itdidn’tlooklike

respectwasgoingtobemuchofanissue.

Thedangerouscurvesbegantoshiftbeneaththethinlayerofleatherandherealizedshewasmoving.

Straighttowardhim,neveroncebreakingstride,eveninimpossiblyhighheels.

Marcusliftedhiseyesfromhermade-for-sexbodyandcouldn’tmissthechallengeinhergaze,alook

thataskedifhewasmanenoughtohandleher.

He’dcomeheretonighttofindawoman,topropositionher,toclaimherforoneno-holds-barred

night.Lookedlikehewastheonewhowasabouttobepropositioned,instead.

He’dalwayslikedhiswomentallandslim,notbarelycominguptohischestlikethisone.Avoicein

hisheadtoldhimshewaswaytooyoungforhim,youngenoughthatifthiswereanyothernight,he’d
walkawayfromhernow.Hell,ifthingshadgoneashe’dplannedforthepasttwoyears,hewouldn’t
evenbehere.

Buthewas.
Hewasn’tplanningonwalkingawayfromwhateverthiswomanoffered.Notuntilfirstlight.
Anddefinitelynotuntilhe’dhadhisfillofthosecurves.

***

MyGod,hewasbeautiful.
Talkaboutbigandstrong—ifthisguy’sbroadshouldersandgorgeousfaceweren’tenough,hestood

outfromtherestofthescummycrowdinhispressedshirtandslacks,clearlynotgivingadamnthathe
wasdifferentfromthemall.

Hewastheone.
Thehassleofgettinginsidewithallofthepeopleclamoringtotakepicturesandhavehersign

autographsforthemhadalmostbeenenoughtomakeherhopbackintothetaxiandgohideoutinherhotel
again.Whathadshebeenthinking,comingouttoaclubtofindaman?Especiallywhensheknewdarn
wellthatpicturesofherandtheguywouldsurfaceontheInternetwithinhours.

Butshehadn’tknownwhereelsetolook,hadn’tbeenabletothinkofanywhereelsetogo.Andshe

justdidn’tcareaboutthepriceoffametonight,abouttheinevitableramificationsofwhatshewasdoing.
Notwhenalong,lonelynightwasallthatwaitedforherinherhotelsuiteifsheturnedtailandran.

Beyondthankfulthatshehadn’tchickenedoutatthelastsecond,Nicolawaspracticallylickingher

lipsassheapproachedhim.

Itwaspureinstincttotryandmakeherselflookmoreattractivetohim.She’dpushedoutherbreasts,

swayedherhipsthatextralittlebit.Yes,sheoftensilentlybemoanedhavingtousehersexualitytoget
thingsoutofpeople,butwhenitworkedthiswell,whatwasagirltodo?

Andshereallywantedtonighttoworkout.Especiallynowthatshe’dfinallyseenthemanshe

absolutelyhadtohave.

Shewaitedforhimtosayhername,forthatflickerofrecognitiontoriseinhiseyes.Butwhenneither

happenedafterseverallongseconds,itfinallyoccurredtoherthathemightnotknowwhoshewas.

Or,shethoughtwiththecynicismthathadtakenrootdeepwithinher,maybehewasjustfakingit

becausehethoughtitwouldpiqueherinterestinhimifheseemedaloof.

“Hi,I’mNicola.”
Herrealnamepoppedoutbeforesherealizedit.Shehadn’tgonebyanythingbutNicoforsolong

withanyonebutherparentsthatthenamefeltstrangeonhertongue.

Kindofgood,too,though.
Shewaitedforhimtocorrecther,tobesurprisedthatshehadn’tintroducedherselfasNico.Instead,

hesimplyrepeatedhername.

“Nicola."
Hislow,roughvoicehadhershivering,thrillbumpsactuallyrisingonherarmsdespitetheswampy

heatoftheclubfromallthemovingbodies.

Shestudiedhimforlongenoughtoconfirmthattherewasn’tashredofawarenessinhisdarkbrown

eyes.Nothingatallthatresembledthewaytheguyatthehotelhadlookedather,likehewasdyingtosay
he’ddoneabigstar.

Hadsheactuallyrunintotheonepersononearthwhohadnoideawhoshewas?
Itfelttooluckytobetrue.
Ofcourse,herluckwouldonlyholdoutsolonginapublicplace.Fromthemomentshe’dwalkedin,

everyone’seyeshadbeenonher—andnowthetwoofthem.Normally,shewouldn’tcare.Shewasused
tostaring.

Butshesuddenlywantedmorethanjustanightofhotsexwithagorgeousguy.
ShewantedtoexperienceitasNicola.NotNico.Whichmeantsheneededtogetthemoutofthereas

soonaspossible,beforeanyonecameupandaskedforanautographorapicturewithher.

“I’mnotinthemoodtodancetonight,”shebegan,beforerealizing,“Idon’tknowyourname."
Shelikedthewayhereachedoutandbrushedalockofhairoutofhereyes,likeditevenmorewhen

hesaid,“MynameisMarcus.AndI’mnotinthemoodtodance,either.”

Shesupposedtherewerelotsofthingstheycouldbothsaytoeachother.Thingslike,Shouldweget

outofhere?orWhydon’twegobacktomyhotel?But,amazingly,Nicolarealizedthosewords,those
questionsandanswers,weren’tnecessary.

Everythingthey’dneededtosaytoeachotherhadalreadybeensaid.
Inonelook.

Inonetouch.
Herskinburnedwherehe’dtouchedher,hisfingertipsrougherthanshe’dthoughttheywouldbe,

givenhisclothes.She’dfeltcallusesandstrengthinthatonebrushacrossherskin.Thethoughtofbeing
touchedlikethat—withthosehands—onevenmoresensitivepartsofherbodyhadheatbloominginside
ofherinplacesthatneverusuallygotthathot.

Followingtheinstinctthathadbroughtherthisfar,Nicolaturnedwithoutanotherwordandbeganto

movebacktothedoorthroughwhichshe’djustentered.Amomentlater,Marcus’slarge,warmhandwas
onthesmallofherbackashefollowedher.Sheoftentraveledtoeventswithherbodyguard,amanwho
wasevenbiggerthanMarcus.Butshe’dneverfeltsosafe,soprotected.

Andneverthistingly,headtotoe.
Thesizzlingwarmthfromthespotonherlowerbackwherehewasholdinghishandagainsther

quicklyspreaddownherhipsandacrosstoherstomachandbreasts.

Themusicwasstillplaying,louderthanbefore,perhaps,butallshecouldhearwasthebeatingofher

ownheart.AllsheknewwasthatshewantedthisnightwithMarcusmorethanshe’dwantedanythingina
verylongtime.

Inthebackofhermindsheknewthatwhatshewasdoingwasstupid,notjustbecauseofthepictures

thatwouldsurfaceofherwitha“mysteryman,”butbecausesheshouldn’tbeleavingaclubwithaman
sheknewnothingwhatsoeverabout.Forallsheknew,hewasasadisticmurdererouttrollingforhisnext
decapitationvictim.Butthewayhewastouchingher,socarefullyandyetwithsuchassurance—along
withthewayhe’dgentlystrokedherface—madeherwanttotrustherinitialinstinctsabouthim.

Fortunately,justasagroupofpeoplestartedpointingatherandtalkingexcitedly,ataxipulledup.

Marcusopenedthedoorforherandsheletherhairfallinfrontofherfacetohideherprofilefromthe
driver,justincasehetookonelookatherandblewhercoverasaregularperson.

Hergutchurnedassheslidinside,thentighteneddownhardashersoon-to-be-loverjoinedheronthe

rippedleatherseatandsherealizedjusthowbighereallywas.Comparedtomostoftheanorexicsingers
andactressessheknew,Nicolahadneverfelttinybefore.ButsittingnexttoMarcusmadeherfeel
shockinglysmallandfeminine.

Hewassobig,hadsomuchpresence,shesworetherewasn’tenoughoxygenleftinthecarforher

andthedrivertopullfrom.

“Whereto?”thedriverasked,givingthemablanklookintherearviewmirror.
Thestranger’svoicebrokethespellthathadpulledhertowardMarcusfromthatfirstglance.
OhGod,whatshewasdoing?
Yes,shewantedhim.Desperately.
Yes,shewaslonely.Terribly.
Butneitherofthosethingswereenoughreasontoactlikeanidiotortoputherselfinadangerous

position.Afterall,lookwhathadhappenedwhenshe’dtrustedherinstinctswithKenny.Whathe’ddone
hadn’tonlyhurther,ithadendeduphurtingherfamily,too.Shecouldstillhardlybelievehermotherhad
lostherpositionontheschoolboard,thatthecommunityhaddaredtoaccuseherofnotbeingagoodrole
modelfortheotherparentsbecauseshe’dobviouslymadehugemistakesinteachingherowndaughter
rightfromwrong.

Nicolaputherhandonthedoorhandle,readyingherselftoescapeouttheotherside.“I’msorry.I

can’tdothis.Idon’tknowyou."

Hedidn’ttrytostopher,didn’tputahandonhertokeepherfromopeningthedoor.Instead,hepulled

hiscellphoneoutofhispocketandhandedittoher.

“Callanyoneinhere."
Unabletobelievewhathewasoffering,sheleftthedoorajaraninch.“Seriously?”
“Callthemallifyouhaveto.Askthemaboutme.Askthemanything.”

Surelyhewaskiddingaround.Whodidsomethinglikethis?Justhandedovertheircellphoneand

saidtocallanynumberonittodoabackgroundcheckonhim?

“Youreallywantmetosurprisedialsomeoneinyouraddressbookandsay,‘Heythere,I’msomegirl

yourfriendMarcusisleavingaclubwith.Couldyoutellmeallabouthim,please?’”

“Iwantyoutofeelsafewithmetonight,Nicola."
God,everytimehesaidhername,shegottheshivers.Whatwoulditbeliketobelyingbeneathhim,

nakedandfilledwithhimwhilehesaidit?

Oh,howshewantedtofindout.
Thetaxidriverclearedhisthroatandlookedpointedlyattheminhisrearviewmirror,butMarcus

clearlyhadnointentionofbeingrushed.

Beforeshecouldreconsider,shetookthephoneanddialedthemostrecentlycalledperson,someone

namedMary.Itwasprobablyhiswife,Nicolathoughtcynicallyasthenumberrangahandfuloftimes.

Afterseveralrings,awomanpickedup.“Marcus,Iwishyouhadn’tleftthepartywithoutsaying

goodbye.”

SurprisedatavoicethatclearlybelongedtoanolderwomanratherthanaloverwaitingforMarcus

tocomeoveranddoherlatertonight,Nicolafinallysaid,“Um...hi.Thisisn’tMarcus.He—”

Shefeltlikeanidiotsittinginthebackofacabtryingtofindtherightwordstosaytoacomplete

stranger.AllwhileMarcuswatchedherwiththosedarkeyes.

“HejustgavemehisphoneandsaidIcouldcallyou.”
Therewasabriefmomentofsilencebeforethewomanshe’djustdialedsaid,“Ismysonallright?”
Hismother?Thatwasthelastpersonhe’dcalledbeforecomingtotheclub?
Nicolawasstunnedsilentforamoment,beforerealizingsheneededtoreassurehismother.“Yes,he’s

fine.Perfectlyfine.”

Marcuswasleaningbackagainsttheseat,hisarmsfoldedacrosshischestashewatchedherfumble

throughthisunexpectedconversation.

Alltheseyears,she’dnevermetanyoneelsewhospokewiththeirparentsasmuchasshedid.

Especiallynotaman,probablybecausetheythoughtitmadethemseemlessmasculine.

Nicolafoundherselfreactinginexactlytheoppositeway.Amanwholovedhismotherwonalotof

pointsinherbook,andinsteadofseeingMarcusaslesssexy,orassomekindofmama’sboy,aglimmer
ofrespectbegantoformforthebeautifulstrangersittingbesideher.

“Good,”hismothersaidwithobviousrelief.“I’mgladhe’sfine.”
Nicolaknewsheshouldsimplyapologizeforbotheringthewomananddisconnect.Instead,shefound

herselfsaying,“Mary,canIaskyouaquestionaboutyourson?”

Shecouldhaveswornsheheardasmileacrossthelinefromthisridiculouslypatientwomanwho,for

allNicolaknew,gotcallslikethiseveryFridaynightfromthegirlsMarcuspickeduptofoolaround
with.

“Yes,youmay,althoughI’dverymuchliketoknowwhoI’mspeakingwith.”
“Oh.Sorry.MynameisNicola.”Forthesecondtimeinonenight,shewasgettingtobethegirlshe

usedtobe,ratherthanthepopstarshe’dbeenplayingforthepastseveralyears.

“Nicolaisalovelyname.”
“Thankyou.”Nicolatriedtoregainherbearings,butitwasreallydifficulttodowithMarcuslooking

downatherwithhiseyesneveronceleavingherface.

“WhatwouldyouliketoknowaboutMarcus,Nicola?”
OhGod,sheshouldn’tbeaskinghismotheraquestionlikethis,butifshehungupnowshe’donlybe

leftwithdoubts.Doubtsshedidn’twanttohaveifsheandMarcusweregoingtobealonetogetherand
nakedinahotelroominalittlewhile.

Shelookedupintohiseyesandheldhisdarkgazeasshesaid,“WillIbesafewithhim?”

“Oh,”hismothersaid,“well,that’scertainlyanunexpectedquestion.”
Nicolacouldfeelherhandtremblingslightlyassheheldthephoneupagainstherear.“Whyisthata

strangequestion?”

“Marcusismyoldestson,”hismothergentlyexplained.“Hehelpedmetakecareofhisbrothersand

sisterswhenmyhusbandpassedawaymanyyearsago.Iloveallofmychildren,butwithoutadoubt,heis
oneofthemosttrustworthymenI’veeverknown.”

Nicola’sheartshouldn’thaveswelledathismother’swords.Sheshouldn’thavecaredthattheman

sittingnexttoherwasagoodson,agoodolderbrother.Allthatshouldhavematteredwasthatshewas
physicallysafewithhimandthathewouldn’tdarehurthernowthatshe’dspokenwithhismotherand
alertedhertowhatwasabouttogodown.

Andyet,shecouldn’tmanagetopullhergazeawayfromhis—orstopherselffromfeelinganyof

thosethings—asshesaid,“Thankyoufortellingmethat.”

“Itwasmypleasure,Nicola.”
“I’msorryIbotheredyousolate,”shesaidsuddenly,hatingthatshe’dworriedhismotherwithher

out-of-the-bluecall.

“It’snoproblematall,althoughIwouldlovetospeakwithMarcusforamoment.”
“I’llgivehimthephonerightnow,Mary.Andthankyou.”Nicolaheldthephoneout,hardlyableto

believeshewassaying,“Yourmotherwantstospeakwithyou.”

Thisnightwasn’tgoingatallthewayshe’dthoughtitwould.Well,themeetingaridiculously

gorgeousguyinaclubpartwasrightontrack,butcallinghismomtobereassuredthatshewasn’tgoing
toendthenightinabodybag...thatjustdidn’thappeninherworld.Inanyone’sworld,actually.

Theconversationwithhismothermadeherfeelalmostasifshe’dmethimatsomefamilygathering,

ratherthanataseedyclubdowntown.

Shewatchedhimlistentowhateverhismotherwassaying.Aslightfrownmovedacrosshisface

beforehesaid,“Yes,tonight.Beforetheparty,”andthen,“Don’tworry,Iwill.Goodnight.”

Heslippedthephonebackintohispocket.“Doyoufeelbetternow?”
“Yourmomseemsreallynice,”shesaid,ratherthananswerthequestionthatsuddenlyseemeda

thousandtimesmoreloadedthanithadtenminutesago,especiallyaftertheawkwardphonecallshe’d
justmadetohismother.Sheshiftedontheseat.Toolate,sherealizedhershortleatherdresshadridden
upnearlyhighenoughtoflashMarcusabighugechunkofbarethigh.

“She’sgreat,”hetoldher,evenashiseyesmovedtotheskinhecouldn’tpossiblymiss,thenbackup

toherface.

Hisjawwastight,hisexpressionfullofdesire...andsomethingelseshecouldn’tquitedecipher.It

was,shefinallydecided,almostasifhewaswarringwithhimselfoverwantingher.

Justasshewaswarringwithherselfoverwantinghim.
Thetaxidriverinterruptedthem.“Areyougoingornot?”
Marcuslookedather.“Nicola?”
Ifhe’dsaidhernamedifferently,ifthere’dbeenanypressure,anydemandsbehindit,shemightstill

havesaidnoandgottentheheckoutofthere.

Buthisquestionwasgentleenoughtohavehersuddenlymakinguphermind.“Idofeelbetter.Much

better.I’mreadytogowithyounow.”

Hereachedacrossherlaptocloseherdoor,thentoldthedriver,“TheFairmont.”
Hermusclesinstantlytensedagain.Hereshe’djustconvincedherselfhewasn’tsomecreepystar-

stalker.Hadshebeenwrong?DidheknowshewasstayingattheFairmont?

Obviouslysensinghersuddendiscomfort,heturnedtoherandsaidinalowvoice,“Idon’tlivein

SanFrancisco.TheFairmontisthebesthotelintown.”

Shenodded.“Itis.”

Hegaveherastrangelookandsherealizedshe’dalmostgivenherselfaway.Marcusclearlyhadno

ideawhoshewas,didn’tknowthatnoonehadcalledherNicolainhalfadecadeatleast.Iftheywentto
herhotel,he’dfindoutthetruthassoonastheypulledupinfrontofthebuilding.

Tryingtothinkquicklywasdifficultwhensittingthisclosetohimsenthersynapsesflyingoffina

billiondifferentdirections,butshefinallymanagedtosay,“Isthereanywherewecouldgothatisn’ta
hotel?”

“Yourplaceisofflimits?”
Again,shenodded,hopinghewasn’tgoingtoaskherforanexplanation.Shedidn’twanttooutright

lietohim,didn’twanttohavetomakeupsomeexcuseaboutroommates.Shedidn’twanttotellhimshe
wasn’tfromSanFrancisco,either.

Itwasaheckofapositiontobein,shesuddenlyrealized.Hereshewasonthevergeoftakingoffall

herclotheswithsometotalstranger,butshedidn’twanthimtoactuallylearnanythingaboutherapart
fromhowshelikedtobekissed.Sure,he’dfindoutsoonenough.Assoonashewentbacktohishome—
whereveritwas—hewasboundtoseeherfaceonsomemagazinesomewhere,probablynexttohisfrom
whateverpictureshadbeentakenofthemattheclub.

Butforonenightshedidn’twanttohavetoliveuptobeingNico.
Instead,shewantedthechancetoseewhatNicolaliked,whatNicolawanted,whatNicoladesired.

Thenagain,shesupposedshealreadyknewatleastoneanswertoeachofthosequestions.

Sheliked,wanted,anddesiredMarcus.
Andnowthatshewasthisclosetothepromiseofrealpleasurewithhim,shecouldn’tstandthe

thoughtoflosingthatchance.

Assoonassheconfirmedherplacewasn’tanoption,hepulledhisphonebackoutandtexted

somethingtosomeone.Whenitbeepedinresponseafewsecondslater,hegavethedriverastreet
address.Itdidn’ttakeabrainsurgeontofigureoutthathehadafriendintheareawithaplacetheycould
use.

Shesmiledathim.“Thankyou.”She’dalwaysbeenatactilepersonandwithoutthinking,sheputher

handonhisarmtoemphasizeherwords.Hishard—andbig—bicepstwitchedbeneathherfingertipsand
shejumped.Butbeforeshecouldpullaway,hecoveredherhandwithhis.

OhGod,whatwasshedoing?Whatmadeherthinkshecouldactuallydothis?Whatmadeherthink

shecouldgohomewithatotalstranger?

Maybeifshe’dhadmoreexperiencewithmenshecouldhaverolledwithitbetter.Butshecouldn’t

evenhandletouchinghisarm,forGod’ssake!Howwasshepossiblygoingtodealwithseeinghim
naked?

Ortouchinghiminother,muchmoreintimateplaces?
NicolabelatedlyrealizedMarcuswaslightlystrokingherhandwithhisfingers,asifshewasawild

animalthatneededtobecalmedbeforeitbolted.Afteronlyahandshake,andnowthisgentlecaressing,
shewasn’tsurehecouldevertouchherinawaythatdidn’tsendhercellsintoJell-Ooverdrive.Andyet,
atthesametime,hisgentlecaresseswereincrediblysoothing.

Eachstrokeofhisfingersoverhersseemedtosay,Iunderstandthatyou’renervousandthat’sokay.

I’mgoingtotakegoodcareofyoutonight.JustasIdidn’trushyoutomakeadecisiontoleavewith
meinthecab,I’mnotgoingtorushyouintoanythingyou’renotreadyforinbed,either.

Slowlyrelaxingagain,sheletherselfscootalittleclosertohim,closeenoughthatitwaspureinstinct

toleanherheadagainsthisbroadshoulder.Thistime,shefelthimtensebeneathhertouch.Butbeforeshe
couldfreakoutaboutdoingthewrongthing,hewaswrappinghisarmaroundhershouldersandpulling
herintighter.

Herbodywantedtobeclosetohissobadlythatwithoutanyconsciousthoughtorplanning,shefound

herselfturningsothathercheekwaslaidagainsthischest,thesteadybeatofhisheartsoundingagainst

herear.Nicolafoundherselfsmilingagainsthischestattheintimacyinherentinthewayhe’dpulledher
closeronagroanofobviousneed.

Intimate.Whydidshekeepthinkingthatword?
Hewasastranger.Thiswasgoingtobeanightfulloffun,hotsex.Nothingmore.
Apartofherwantedtoaskhimabouthismother,tofindouthowmanysiblingshehad,butsheknew

better,knewshehadtotampdownthatdesire.Tonightwasaboutaphysicalhookup.Notanemotional
one.Hopefully,ifthingswentreallywell,she’dfinallyexperiencethehotsexshe’dneverhadbefore.
Besides,ifshesathereandquizzedhimonhisfamily,allthesizzlewasboundtogooutoftheirinitial
connection.

AsthedriverslowlywoundthroughcitytraffictowardtheaddressMarcushadgiven,Nicolasilently

counseledherselftoremembertokeepherboundariesinplaceduringthenextfewhours.Nomatterhow
goodsexwithMarcusendedupbeing—andshecouldalreadytelljustfromthewayheheldherinhis
armsinthebackofthecabthatithadthepotentialtobegreat—shecouldn’tmakethemistakeof
connectingpleasurewithlove.

Shedidn’tknowMarcus.Hedidn’tknowher.Aslongastheymadesuretokeepthingstotallyonthe

surfaceandallaboutpleasure,onenightshouldn’taffecttheirfutures.

Only,thetruthshedidn’twanttoadmitwasthatshealreadyfeltaffected,simplybyhowgood,how

warm,howsafe,shefeltinthecircleofhisarms.

What,shefoundherselfwondering,woulditbeliketohaveamaninmylifewhowouldbethereto

holdmelikethiseverynight?

ChapterThree

Nicolaslippedintosleep,herbreathinggoingslowandeven,herpreviouslytensemusclesloosening

againsthis.

Sweet.
God,shewassosweet,fromthesurpriseinherbigblueeyeswhensherealizedshe’dcalledhis

mother,tothefreshscentofstrawberriesinherhair,tohersoftcurvesinhisarms.

Andnow,she’d—veryunexpectedly—fallenasleepinacompletestranger’sarms.
WhateverhismotherhadsaidtoNicolamusthavereallyrelaxedher,tothepointthatshewouldlet

downherguardthismuch.Andthetruthwasthathecouldtakeheranywhererightnow,couldhaveher
boundupandgaggedbeforeshecouldwakeupenoughtofighthim.

Thethoughtofthathappeningtoher—thethoughtofwhatkindofguyshecouldhavegonehomewith

—hadhisheartpoundinghardinhischestandhishandmovingtostrokeherhairagain.Moretosoothe
himselfthanher,thistime.

Shemadeasoftsoundinhersleep,burrowinginclosertohimlikeakitteninsearchofwarmth.
Hecouldn’thelpbutbestruckbythefactthatnothingabouthisdayhadgoneasplanned,including

this.Theyshouldhavebeencheckingintoahotelbynow,gettingreadytostripoffeachother’sclothes.
Instead,theywerepullingupinfrontofhisbrotherSmith’shouseinSanFranciscoandhewasputtinghis
fingertohislipsashepaidthetaxidriver,tolethimknownottowakeSleepingBeauty.

Asgentlyashecould,heliftedNicolaintohisarmsandoutofthevehicle.Hereyelidsflutteredas

shetriedtocomeawake.Lookingdownather,hefinallynoticedthedarksmudgesbeneathherlong
eyelashes.Theclubhadbeentoodarkforhimtoseetheevidenceofherexhaustion,butnowhecouldn’t
denythatasmuchasapartofhimwantedtowakeheruptomakegoodontheimpliedpromiseofhotsex
thatthey’dmadetoeachotherintheclub,hecouldseehowdesperatelysheneededthissleep.

“Shhh.”Hecouldn’tresistpressinghislipstoherforeheadandkissingherlightly.“You’resafewith

me.”

Hereyelidsopenedthen,herprettyeyesfuzzywithsleepasshesoftlysaid,“Iknow."
Herfulllipsthathe’dbeenachingtokisssincethemomentshe’dwalkeduptohiminthecluband

introducedherselfmovedupintoalittlesmilebeforehereyesclosedagain.

Almosttothefrontdoor,Marcushadtostopandregainhisbearingstokeepfromstumblingwithher

inhisarms.NotbecauseNicolawastheleastbitheavy.Forallhergorgeouscurves,shewasatinything.

Itwasthetrustinhereyesthathadhiskneesweakening.
Jesus,thethingshe’dbeenplanningtodowithhertonight…
Guiltknockedstraightintohisgutashispreviousvisionsofstrippingheroutofherdresscameat

him.Hell,hewasstillhavingthosevisions—visionsthatwerefarmoreexplicitnowthathewasactually
holdingherandbreathinginherscent.

Astrangerwasn’tsupposedtoaffecthimlikethis.
Astrangerwasn’tsupposedtofallasleepinhisarms.
Astrangerwasn’tsupposedtotrusthimwithanythingmorethanherbody,herpleasure.
Sincetheageoffourteen,afterhisfatherhaddied,Marcushadbeentheoneeveryonecouldcounton.

He’dknownhismothercouldn’tdoitonherownand,overnight,he’dassumedtheroleofthemanofthe
houseforhissevenyoungersiblings.Sure,he’dhadhisfairshareofwomenuntilhe’dmetJill.He’d
thoughtJilllikedhisfamilyandthatsheunderstoodhowmuchtheystillneededhim.Instead,she’dbeen
threatenedbyhisconnectiontothem.

Howhadhenotseenthatbefore?
Inanycase,tonightwassupposedtobehisnighttocutloose.Toshakeoffthosetrappingsof

responsibility.

Lookwherehe’dendedup,instead,withtheresponsibilityofprotectingayoungbeautyforanight

fromhisowndangerousdesires.

Hestareddownatthewomaninhisarms.Awake,hercharisma,herstrengthofwillandpurpose,had

beenbreathtaking.Asleep,hecouldonlyseesweetvulnerability.Regardlessofhisoriginalintentions,
herswasavulnerabilityhenowhadnointentionoftakingadvantageof.

Finallyclimbingthelaststepstothefrontdoor,Marcusunlockeditandsteppedinside.Hismovie-

starbrotherhadawholehostofhousesaroundtheworld,notsomuchbecausehewantedtoshow
everyonehowrichandimportanthewas,butbecausehelikedtofeelathomewhenhewasfilminghis
movies.Consideringhe’dshotseveralinLosAngeles,NewYork,andSanFranciscoduringthepastfew
years,itmadesenseforhimtobuyaplaceineachcity.

MarcushadnevercalledinafavorlikethisfromSmith.Notbecausehisbrotherwouldcare.The

truthwas,Smithwouldloveforone—ormore—ofhissiblingstostayinhismansionhighonthehill,but
allofthemhadenoughpridetowanttoearntheirownway.Evenifitmeanthislittlesister,Sophie,was
livinginatinyapartmentinanot-so-greatpartoftownonherlibrarian’ssalary.Marcuscouldn’tkeepup
withthenumberoftimesSmithhadtriedtogettheirsistertomoveintohisplace.Butshe’dbeenfirmin
sayingno.

Afterthetexthe’dsentSmithafewminutesago—Ineedtouseyourplacetonight—Marcusknew

he’dbehearingfromhisbrothertogetthedirtonwhy.

Andwho.
Steppingpastthefoyer,Marcuslookedoveratthestairwayleadinguptothebedrooms,butsomehow

itdidn’tfeelrighttotakeNicolaupthere.Abedwouldbetoointimateandhedidn’twanthertowakeup
inthemiddleofthenightandassumethatsomethinghadhappenedbetweenthem.

Fortunately,Smith’scoucheswereasplushandcomfortableastheycame.Movingintotheliving

room,MarcuslaidNicoladownonthelongcouchandslippedoffherhighheelsandthelittlepurseshe
hadwrappedaroundherwrist.

Eveninhersleep,sheseemedreluctanttoletgoofhimandhefoundhimselfkneelingwithhersothat

shecouldliedownandstillhaveherarmsaroundhisshoulders.Shesighedwithpleasureasshe
immediatelycurledupintoaballonherside,herfacetowardhis,herfulllipsturningupslightlyatthe
corners.

Whatwoulditbeliketokissthatmouth?
Marcushadtoworkreally,reallyhardtoshovethethoughtaway.
Thoseplans,thosefantasies,hadtobeerased.Hewasnowontapforaquieteveningwatchingovera

beautifulgirlwhosescentandsoftcurveshewouldn’tbeabletoforgetforaverylongtime.

Hecoveredherwithablanketthatwasthrownoverthecouch,thenlookedaroundforapillow,but

therewerenone.Hecouldgoupstairstogetoneoffabed,butconsideringthewayherhandhadsought
outhis,hehadafeelingshemightwakeupifhemovedcompletelyaway.

Hemovedsothathewassittingonthecouchbyherheadandshiftedhersothathislegsbecameher

pillow.Sheseemedunsettledagainforamoment,herfreehandpressingagainsthislegassheclearly
wonderedwhyherpillowwassohard.

Withoutthinking,hecapturedthathandwithhisfreeone.Sheimmediatelysettledintohim,curling

intoaneventighterballonthecouchbeneaththethickblanket,remindinghimagainofthewildkittens
thatheoftenfoundsleepinginpatchesofsunathiswinery.

Hewantedhersobadlythatitwasdifficulttorelaxatfirst.Everybreathshetookstokedhislibido

higherasherheadshiftedonhislap.Hewasgladshewassosoundlyasleep,otherwiseshe’drealizethat
histhighmusclesweren’ttheonlyhardthingshewaslyingon.

Callingonhissteelwillthathadrarely,ifever,lethimdown,heforcedhimselftomovehisgaze

awayfromhertothehugelivingroomwindowsthatoverlookedthelightsofSanFranciscoandthebay.

Marcushadbeeninotheractors’housesovertheyearsandhewasalwaysstruckbyhowmany

pictures—andevenpaintings—theyhadofthemselves.Almostasiftheywereafraidtoeverletanyone,
includingthemselves,lookawayfromthefacethathadmadethemfamous,justincaseitwasforgotten.
Smithwastheexactopposite.Notonlyweretherenophotosofhim,therewerenopersonalphotos
anywhereinthehouse.

NoneoftheSullivansspentmuchtimeinfrontofthemirror.Notevenhissisters,exceptLoriwhen

shewasworking.Herjobasachoreographermeantsheneededtokeepacarefuleyeonherlines,her
movements,herexpressionsasshedanced.AndeventhoughMarcus’smotherhadbeenamodelwhenshe
wasyounger,hecouldn’trememberhereverwastingmuchtimewithmakeuporhair.Raisingeightkids
wouldmakeitprettydamnhardforanyonetofindthetimetoprimpandbevain.

Inanycase,Marcuswasn’tparticularlyinterestedinanychangesSmithhadmadetohispart-time

home.Notwhenitalreadyfeltlikehe’dtakentoomuchtimeawayfromNicola.

Hischesttightenedagainashelookeddownatherprettyprofile.Recognitiontriedtojoginhismind.

He’dbeensostruckbyhisattractiontoherrightfromthatfirstglancethathehadn’tbeenabletothinkof
anythingelse.

Butnow,ashegotthechancetosimplystareather,hefoundhimselfwonderingifhe’dseenher

somewherebefore.

No,hedecidedamomentlater.Itwasimpossible.
Nicolawasn’tawomanhecouldeverhaveforgotten.
Hestareddownatherforalongwhile,memorizingthecurveofhercheekbones,thesweepofher

eyelashes,thewayhereyebrowsarchedandpeaked,herslightlypointedchinthatfithersoperfectly,the
sweetcurveofoneear.

Thesofthairsatherhairlinewereseveralshadeslighterthanhercurrenthaircolorandhewondered

whyshefeltshehadtochangeanythingaboutherselfwhenshewasalreadyperfect.Oneday,hefound
himselfthinking,he’dliketoseewhatshelookedlikewithhernaturalhaircolor.

Whatwashethinking?Hewasn’tgoingtoseeheragainaftertonight.
Histhoughtscycledbacktohisex-girlfriend,tohowfurioushe’dbeentofindJillwithRocco.Then

again,ifhewasbeinghonestwithhimself,he’dbeenangryandfrustratedforlongerthanthat.Forweeks,
months,asJillmademoreandmoreexcusesforwhyshewasn’treadytogetengaged,asshecancelled
oneweekendtogetherafteranother,asshecommittedtoseeinghisfamilyatvariouseventsandthen
backedoutatthelastminute.

He’dassumedhe’dbefuriousatJillallnightlong.ButsincemeetingNicola,hehadn’tthoughtabout

Jillonceuntilnow.And,amazingly,withNicolasleepingonhislapandherhandsinhis,Marcus’sanger
wasonaslowsimmerratherthanarollingboil.

Sexwassupposedtobehismedicinetonight,notsoft,sweetNicola.
Andyet,insteadofbeingevenmorefrustratedbytheturnhiseveningofmindlesssexhadtaken,a

smilewasonhisfaceasheleanedbackagainstthecouch,closedhiseyes,andfellasleep.

ChapterFour

Nicolawassowarm.Shefeltsosafe.Saferthanshe’dfeltinyears,whenshe’dstilllivedinher

parents’houseratherthaninhotelsthroughouttheworld.

Butshecouldtellwithoutopeninghereyesthatshewasn’tinherchildhoodbed.Forone,herbed

didn’tsmelllikeleather.Herpillowwasn’tmadeofhardmuscle.Andtherehadn’teverbeenanyonewho
hadheldherhandssogentlyinherbed.

Sheswallowedhardassherealizedwhatmusthavehappened.She’dpropositionedagorgeousman

atanightclublastnight…andthenshe’dpromptlyfallenasleeponhim.

OhGod,howstupidhadshebeen?Hadsheactuallythoughtshewastakingcontrolofherlifeby

goingtothatclubtopickupastranger?

Inthecoldlightofdaythatshehadn’twantedtothinkaboutlastnight,shefacedfacts:Afterleaving

Marcusthismorning,shewasgoingtohavetodealwiththefalloutfrombeinghookedupwithastrange
maninthepress.

Theironythatshehadn’tactuallydoneadarnthingwithhim—notevenkisshim—wouldn’tmatterto

anyone.

Andyet,assheliftedherlashesjustenoughtolookdownatherself,shesawthathe’dlaidherdown

onasoftleathercouchandcoveredherwithathickblanket.Shewiggledhertoes.Asurprisedsmile
movedontoherlipsassherealizedthatwhilehe’dleftherdresson,he’dobviouslythoughttoslipoffher
heelssothatshe’dsleepmorecomfortably.

Shecouldn’trememberthelasttimeastrangerhadtakensuchgoodcareofher.
Sure,peoplewerealwaystryingtodoherfavors,butninety-ninepercentofthetimeitwasbecause

theywantedsomething.

Marcushadn’ttakenasinglethingfromher.Instead,he’dgivenherthebestnight’ssleepshe’dhadin

ages.

Ithadbeensixmonths,atleast,sinceshe’dsleptreallywell.Itdidn’tmatterhowsoftthesheetswere,

howexpensivethemattress,thebedalwaysfelttoobig,andshecouldn’tseemtostoptheracinginher
head.She’dwrittenatonofsongswhensheshouldhavebeensleeping.Shesupposedhermusicwas
gettingbetterthanever,butatthesametimeshecouldfeelherselfedgingcloserandclosertoburnout.

Howshe’dlongedtohaveaclearhead.Andhowamazingitwasthatherchancetorechargehad

comeinsomestranger’shousewhilelyingonaman’slap.Amanwhomsheknewnothingaboutbeyond
hisfirstname,thefactthathismotherwasnice,andthathewasagoodolderbrother.

Thatwaswhenshefelthisthighmusclesshiftbeneathhercheekandrealizedheknewshewasawake.

Allatonceshefeltthewayhertonguewasstickingtotheroofofhermouth.Nodoubt,inadditionto
havingterriblemorningbreath,shealsohadtonsofmascarastucktoherface.

Nicolabadlyneededtogotothebathroomtocleanupbeforeshelethimseeherindaylight...and

beforeshefacedhimandapologizedfornotbeingthesexdemonshe’dprettymuchpromisedshewould
bethenightbefore.

Pushingthesoftblanketoff,shequicklysatupandfoundherfootingontheplushrug.Shedidn’tsaya

wordtohimasshehurriedoffinthedirectionofwhatshedesperatelyhopedwasthebathroom.

Itwouldbereallyembarrassingifsheendedupinacloset.Soembarrassing,infact,thatshe’d

alreadydecidedthatifsheguessedwrong,she’djustlockherselfintoitanddieofmortificationin
private.

Fortunately,luckwasonhersideasshepeekedinanopendoorbetweenthelivingroomandtheopen

kitchenandfoundalargebathroom.

OhGod,shethoughtasshecaughtaglimpseofherselfinthemirror,shelookedlikeawitch.Notone

ofthoseprettyones,either,thatcouldputalovespellonanymanshelookedat.Nope,shewasdefinitely

morelikeoneofthoseeviloneswhofedprettyprincessesshinyredapples.

Hermakeupmusthavemeltedagainsttheheatofhislegsandherhairwasstickingupalloverthe

place.Ifonlyshe’dthoughttobringhersmallbagintothebathroomwithher,thenshecouldhaveatleast
fixedherlipstick.Asitwas,allshecoulddowaswasheverythingoffherfacewiththebarofreallynice
smellingsoap.

Nicolahadn’tgrownupwearingmakeup,butonceshe’ddecidedtopursuemusic,ithadbecomea

given.Shestillwasn’tcrazyabouthowitfeltonherskin—whichwassensitiveenoughthatshenowhad
everythingcustomblendedsoshedidn’tgetarash—butsheknewitmadeherlookolder,moremature
andsexy.Withouthermakeup,shecouldpassforeighteen.Ifherpopmusiccareereverhadbeenabust,
shefiguredshecouldhavegoneundercoverinhighschools.

Turningonthetap,sheclosedhereyesandcleanedoffherface.Oncethatwasdone,shesquattedto

seeiftherewouldbeamiracleofatoothbrushandtoothpasteunderthesink.Yetagain,herprayerswere
answered,andafewminuteslaterhersmile,alongwithherskin,wassparklingclean.Allthatremained
washerhair,whichshefingercombedwithalittlewater.

Shelookedatherselfinthemirrorandgrimacedatthewayherfresh-facedlookclashedwithher

leatherdress.Whatshewouldn’tgivetobeabletochangeintojeansandaT-shirtrightnow.

And,oh,whatshereallywouldn’tgivetobeabletosneakoutofthebathroom—andthehouse—

withouthavingtofaceMarcusagain.

Herheartwasbeatingwaytoofastbythetimeshesteppedoutofthebathroom.Shetiptoedoutinto

thehalluntilshecouldseethecouchifshecranedherneck.Butitwasempty.

Tensecondslater,shefoundhiminthekitchen.Hisbackwastoherandfromtheloudsoundscoming

fromtheroom,shequicklyguessedthathewasgrindingcoffeebeans.

Shedidn’twanttosneakuponhim,buttherereallywasnowaytoannounceherpresenceapartfrom

yellinglouderthanthegrinder,whichshewasn’tgoingtodo.Movingslowlytowardhim,farmore
cautiouslythanshehadthenightbeforeintheclub,shewaitedontheothersideofthekitchenislandfor
himtoturnandnoticeher.

How,shewondered,washemanagingtolookasgoodthismorningashehadlastnight?Fromthe

back,hisclothesbarelylookedworn,andhisdarkhaircertainlywasn’tstickingupallovertheplacelike
hershadbeen.

Hefinishedgrindingthebeansandturnedtoher,lookingasifhe’dknownallalongthatshewasthere.

Helookedevenmoregorgeousthismorningwithadarklayerofstubbleacrosshisjaw.

“Seemedlikecoffeewouldbeagoodidea.”
Shenodded,tryingtosmile,butshewassonervousherlipsfeltallwobbly.“Thanks,”shefinallygot

out.“Coffeewouldbegreat.”

Hiseyesheldhersforalongmoment,almostasifhewereassessinghowshewasfeeling.“Iturned

theheatupabit,butIthoughtyoumightbecoldforawhile.”Heliftedasweatshirtfromthecounter.“I
knowit’stoobig,but—”

Shegrabbeditbeforehecouldfinishhissentence.Itwasasifhe’dheardhersilentprayertocoverup

herskimpydress.Afewsecondslater,shelookeddownatherselfintheridiculouslybigsweatshirt.The
bottomofitwentpastherkneecapsandtherenopointineventryingtorollupthesleeves,theywereso
long.

“I’llfindyousomethingelse.”
Pushingtheexcessfabricupherarms,sheshookherheadandfinallyfoundhersmile.“No.It’s

perfect.Thankyou.”

Shecouldn’treadhisexpressionashestaredbackather,butfinallyhenodded.“You’rewelcome.”
Ashemovedbacktotheexpensivecoffeemakerinthecornerofthegranitecountertop,shecouldn’t

stopthinkinghowsweetitwasofhimtobemoreconcernedaboutherbeingcold,ratherthantakingthe

opportunitytostareatherchestintheridiculousleatherdress.

Knowingsheneededtogetherbraintofocusonsomethingotherthanhowgorgeousandsweet

Marcuswas,sheturnedawayfromhimandmadeaslowperusalofthehousewhereshe’dspentthenight.

Itwasnice.Really,reallynice.Although,shequicklynoted,therewasnothingallthatpersonalabout

iteither,almostasifitwerejustanextendedversionofoneofherfancyhotelrooms.

Marcusmusthavenoticedhertakingitallin,becausehesaid,“Mybrotherownsthehouse.”
Shecouldfeelaflushmoveoverherskinathiswarm,somewhatroughvoice.Itwasavoiceatodds

withhispolishedclothesandthefactthathewasclearlyasuccessfulbusinessman.Shelikedthatdeep,
rawedgeverymuch.Toomuch,giventhewayherbodywasrespondingtoafewsimplewords.

Thedarkshadowonhisjawshouldhaveseemedoutofplace,too,but,somehow,itdidn’t.She

rememberedthecallusesonhisfingertips,musingthatcallusesandbusinesssuitswereadichotomyshe
couldn’tmakesenseof.But,oh,howshesuddenlywantedto.Fartoomuchthanwaswiseforamanwho
wassupposedtostartandendasaperfectstranger.

“It’sverynice,”shereplied.
Andthenithither.Whatifhisbrotherwasabouttowalkinontheircozylittlecoffeescene?Odds

wereprettydarnlowthathewouldn’trecognizehereither.

Forthethousandthtimesinceshewokeup,shewonderedwhatshecouldpossiblyhavebeenthinking,

goinghomewithMarcusfromtheclublastnight.Ithadseemedokaywhenitwasjustthetwoofthem,
whenshecouldconvinceherselfthatfinallyfindingpleasurewasmoreimportantthananythingelse,but
somehowknowinghisbrotherwasgoingtocomedownthestairsanyminuteandfindherthereinher
totallyinappropriateleatherdressandbarefeetmadeherfeellikeshe’dmadetheworld’sbiggest
mistakeleavingherhotelroominthefirstplace.

Shestartedbackingawayfromthecounter.“Ishouldleavebeforehe—”
“Don’tworry,Nicola.”Marcus’ssayinghernameinthatsinfullyseductivevoiceofhishadher

stilling,therestofhersentencefallingaway.“He’soutoftownforwork.It’sjustyouandme.”

Hearingthatshouldhavemadeherfeelbetter.Butitdidn’t.Becauseshehonestlywasn’tsurethat

beingalonewithMarcuswassuchagoodidea.Notwhenshefeltsooff-kilteraroundhim,notwhenher
tonguewastiedupinknotsalongwithherstomachwhentheyhadn’tsomuchaskissedlastnight.

Justthinkifthey’dactuallyhadthewildandcrazysexshe’dbeenplanningon.She’dbedyingright

now.

Dying.
Clearly,one-nightstandsweren’therthing.And,suddenly,itseemedimperativethatheknowthat

abouther.

“I’veneverdonesomethinglikethisbefore.”Shemadeherselflookupfromtheshinyblackgranite

she’dbeengrippingfordearlife.Unclampingherfingersfromtheedge,shesawthedampimprintofher
handonthesurface,atelltalesignofjusthownervousshewasfeeling.

“It’sbeenawhileforme,too."
UnexpectedjealousyhitheratthevisionofMarcusstandinginthiskitchenwithanotherwomanthat

he’dpickedupforaone-nightstand.Shehadnoclaimonhim,norighttothattighteningofherchest.

Butshefeltitanyway.
Especiallysinceshecouldplaceamillion-dollarbetonthefactthatshewastheonlywomanwho

hadeverdozedoff...beforethey’devenhadtheirfirstkiss.

“Ididn’tmeantofallasleeponyoulastnight.”
Hislipsfinallymovedupintoasmallsmile.He’dbeensoseriousuntilnowthatshewasbeyond

surprisedtoseethecornersofhismouthtwitchinanupwarddirection.Thosebutterfliesthathad
gatheredinherbellyatherfirstsightofhimintheclub,sobigandstrong-looking,startedflyinginevery
directionathissmile.

Shestillwantedtokisshim,ofcourse,butsuddenly,shewantedtoseehimsmile,too.Wantedtosee

hischocolate-browneyeslookatherwithlaughterandknowthatshewasresponsibleforit.

“Youwereclearlyexhausted.”Hewasn’tsmilinganymore,buthisgazewaswarm.Giving.He

handedheracupofcoffee.“Ididn’tmindbeingyourpillowforthenight.”

Thatsamesweetfeelingthathadcomeoverherwhenshe’dlearnedwhatagoodsonandbrotherhe

wasstolethroughheragain.Nicolawassureanyotherguywouldhavebeenangrywithherrightnow,
wouldhavebeenexpectinghertodroptoherknees,unziphispants,andmakeupforwhatshehadn’t
givenhimlastnight.ButMarcusseemedmoreconcernedabouthowshewasfeelingthanhewaswith
beinglefthighanddry.

Ifhe’dbeencomingatheraggressivelydemandingado-over,shewouldhavekickedhimstraightto

thecurbandbeenoutoftheresofasthisheadwouldspin.Instead,shewastryingtofindherfootingin
thisstrangenewworldwhereshe’dfinallymetsomeonewhodidn’tseemtowantanythingfromheratall.

Notherfame,whichheclearlydidn’tknowabout,andnotevenherbody,whichshe’doutright

offeredtohimlessthanadozenhoursago...verbally,atleast.

“Youwereareallygreatpillow.”
Thistime,thesmilehegaveherhadhersmilingback.Shewasn’tabigbelieverinthingsshecouldn’t

see,taste,hearortouch,butinthatmomentshecouldhaveswornaninvisibleribbonreachedoutbetween
themandwrappeditselfaroundthemboth.

Nolongerquiteasreadytorun,shesatononeofthebarstools.“Please,sitwithme."
Lastnightshehadn’twantedtoknowanythingabouthimbeyondwhetherornothecouldmakeher

screamwithpleasure.Butsincetheyhadn’tevengottennearfirstbaseduetoherstrangelynarcoleptic
behavior,shedecidedtogiveintoherurgetofindoutmoreaboutthemysterymanwho’dheldherhand
whileshesleptsoundlyforthefirsttimeinages.

Marcushesitatedforseveralseconds,andjustwhenshethoughthewasgoingtorefuseherinvitation,

hepickeduphiscupandwalkedtowardher.

“So,Itakeityoudon’tliveinSanFrancisco,either?”
Heshookhishead.“NapaValley.”
“I’vedriventhroughitacoupleoftimesandtheareaisreallybeautiful.”Sheleftoffthefactthat

she’dbeentheretoplayacoupleofprivategigsforsomehigh-profileNaparesidents.Shesippedather
coffeeagain.“ButI’mnotmuchofawinedrinker.”Sheshrugged.“Ineverknowwhattoorderwith
what."

Ifshewerebeingstraightaboutwhoshewasandwhatshedid,shewouldhavetoldhimthatevena

lightbuzzmadeithardforhertokeepholdofhercontrol.Andwithsomanypeoplesurroundingherall
thetimeaskingherquestions,comingatherwithcontractsandoffers,shehadtoworkdoubletimeto
remainfullypresentandlucid.Whichwaswhysherarelydrankanythingatall.OnlywithKennyhadshe
madethatmistake.Andhowshe’dpaidforit.

“Areyouinthewinebusiness?"
Henodded,thensaid,“Youdon’tlivehere,either,doyou?”
Shehadn’tmissedthefactthatwhilehe’dansweredherquestion,he’dquicklychangedthesubject

afterward.

Itwasareminderthatthiswasjustsmalltalkbetweentwostrangerswhowerenevergoingtosee

eachotheragain.Sheshouldn’tbeupsetthathedidn’twanttotellherwhereheworked.Hewasprobably
afraidshe’dhunthimdownandbecomeabignuisance.Nodoubtplentyofgirlshadtriedtolatchonto
himovertheyears.

Besides,shewasn’texactlygung-hoaboutsharingabunchofdetailsaboutherlifewithhim,wasshe?
Nearlyasvagueashe’dbeen,shesaid,“I’mfromateeny,tinylittletowninupstateNewYork,but

I’vealwayslovedthewestcoast.”

There.Thatwasperfectlyimpersonal.Theywerebothbehavingliketworationaladultswhohad

almostmadethemistakeofhavingaone-nightstand,buthadsomehowslippedoutofthenightunscathed.

Sheshouldbehappy.
Butshewasn’t.
Becauseforafewwonderfulminutesthepreviousnight,she’dreveledinirrational,unfettereddesire

andanticipation.

Rationalsuckedbycomparison.
Sheswiveledonherstooltofacehimmoredirectly.“I’mstillreallyembarrassedaboutcallingyour

motherlikethat.”

Thelastthingsheexpectedwasforhislaughtertorumblethroughtheroom.
Itwassuchabeautifulsound—richanddeep,ifabitrusty—thatshehadasuddenvisionofcapturing

itliketheseawitchhadAriel’svoiceintheLittleMermaidmovie,inalittlelocketshecouldwear
aroundherneckandtakeouttoreplaywheneversheneededapick-me-up.

“Trustme,”hetoldher,“I’msuresheenjoyedtalkingwithyou.Agreatdeal.”
“Whatareyougoingtotellher?”Shequicklyclarified,“Aboutme,Imean,andthequestionIasked

heraboutyou.”

“Ifyouweresafewithme?"
Herbreathleftherinawhooshanditwasallshecoulddojusttonodasthesensualtensionbetween

themjumpedupanotch.

Butinsteadofdroppingit,shesaid,“Iwassafewithyou,”barelyaboveawhisper.Almostbeforeshe

realizedit,shewasreachingouttotouchhishand,onlyinchesaway.

Shewishedshe’dbeenawakeforlongenoughtoreallyappreciatehisholdingherhand.Instead,

she’dsleptthroughsomeofthemostwonderfulmomentsofherlife—Marcus’shandsholdinghers,his
warmthcradlingher.

Now,asthesunlightstreamedinthroughthelargekitchenwindowsofhisbrother’shouse,shepulled

herhandbackbarelyaninchbeforeshewouldhavemadecontact.

“Whatdoyouwantmetotellher?”
Sheliftedhereyesfromhislargehands,handsshestillcouldn’tstopwishingwereholdingher,

caressingher,anddespitethewarmsuncomingin,ashiverwentthroughherasshelookedupathim.

“Maybe,”shesaidslowly,“youcouldtellheryoumadeanewfriendlastnight.”
“Anewfriend.”
Asherwordscamebackatherinhisdeliciouslylowvoice,shethought,Iwishitwereactuallytrue.

Iwishweactuallywerefriends.Andmore.Somuchmore.

Shelickedherlipsandhiseyesfollowedthepathofhertongue.Whenhisgazemethersagain,the

heatfromthenightbeforewasbackinspades.

Sheknewhehadtoseeitinhergaze,too.Apartofherthoughtsheshouldtrytohideit,butnothing

hadchangedbetweenlastnightandthismorning.

Shewasstillsenselesslyattractedtohim.
Suddenly,shewonderedwhyshewassointentonpushinghimaway.Marcuswasgorgeous,thebest-

lookingmanshe’dmetinforever.Okay,solastnighthadn’tworkedout,butshewasintownforseveral
more.

OhGod,shewasterribleatthis,didn’thavethefirstcluehowtopropositionMarcusforthesecond

timeintwenty-fourhours.Lastnight,she’dbeenabletoplayofftheloudmusic,thedarklighting,her
leatherdressandheels.Butsittinghereinakitchendrinkingcoffeeinanoversizedsweatshirt...shehad
noneofthosesexytrappingstohelpherfindherway.

Thethingwas,shealreadyknewshe’dregretitlikecrazyifshewalkedawayfromMarcuswithout

eventrying.

Onenight.Shedeservedonenightwithaguylikethis,didn’tshe?Justbecauseshe’dblownlastnight

byfallingasleep,didn’tmeansheshouldgiveup.Ifthathadbeenhowshe’dapproachedthemusic
business,sheneverwouldhavegonebeyondplayingopenmicsatcoffeeshops.

Ofcourse,she’dhavetotellhimwhoshewasifheagreedtoanothernightwithher.Heck,sheknew

sheneededtotellhimanyway.Howunfairwoulditbetohimifhewalkedoutofhereandgotacallfrom
oneofhisfriendsorfamilyaskinghimwhyhe’dbeenholdingoutonthemaboutbeingNico’snewest
flame?

Notlookingforwardtothatpartoftheconversationonebit,shedecidedtoleadwith,“I’mgoingto

beinthecityforafewmorenights.”Shepickeduphercupagainandgulpedtherestofthecoffee.

Hisexpressionwasunreadable.Shedidn’thavethefirstcluewhathewasgoingtosaytoher

proposition.Butsheknewsheneededtomakeitanyway,orforeverbrandherselfacoward.

Herthroatfelttightanddryasshesaid,“I’vegottogetgoinginafewminutes,butIwaswonderingif

maybeyou’dliketotryandgettogethertonight?"

Shesworeshesawheatflareinhiseyes,theheatneitherofthemhadbeenabletobank.Ohplease,

please,pleaselethimsayyes!Becausenowthatshe’dputherselfoutthere,nowthatshe’dadmitted
whatshewanted—him!—shecouldn’tstandthethoughtofnotgettingit.

“Howoldareyou,Nicola?”
“Twenty-five.”Shetriednottosayitdefensively.
“I’mthirty-six.”Hepushedoffhisstoolandpickedupbothcoffeecupsasheheadedforthesink.“I

shouldn’thavebeeninthatclublastnight.”Hisshouldersweretenseasheexplained,“Iwasangryabout
somethingandIthoughtIcouldgetoveritbygoingtoaclubandtakingsomeonehomeforsex.”

Itwasthefirsttimeeitherofthemhadusedtheword.
Sex.
Onesyllable,threelittleletters,sizzledbetweenthem.And,oh,itmadeherwanthimmorethanever,

eventhoughhewastryingtousethewordtobackawayfromher,tryingtosetupreasonswhythey
couldn’thavetheirnight.

Herparentshadalwayssaidwhatastubbornchildshe’dbeen,andnothinghadchangedforherasan

adult.Ifanything,herexperiencesinthemusicbusiness,dealingwithalmostconstantrejectionandhaving
tobouncebackfromit,hadonlymadehermorestubborn.

“Ihadmyreasons,too,”shetoldhim.Only,thosereasonshadchanged.Lastnighthadbeenallabout

gettingsomethingeveryonealreadythoughtshehad.

Thismorningshedidn’tcareaboutanyoneelse,didn’tgiveafigforwhatabunchofstrangersthought

abouther.NowherreasonswereallaboutwantingMarcusentirelyforherself.

“EvenifIweren’ttoooldforyou—”
Nicolacuthimoff.“We’rebothadults.”
Helookedather,headtotoe,andsheknewhewastakinginthetoo-bigsweatshirtthatwentpasther

knees.Despitethefactthatsheknewshelookedreally,reallyyoungwithnomakeupon,sheliftedher
chinandsaid,“YouthoughtIlookedplentyoldenoughlastnight.”

Hisjawtightened.“Lastnightwasamistake.Andifyouhadn’tfallenasleepitwouldhavebeena

trulyhugemistake.”

Wow.Thathurt.
Shehadtoturnawayfromhimonthestoolandscootoffsothathewouldn’tseejusthowbadhis

wordshadmadeherfeel.She’dthoughtshewasaproatlettingrejectionjustbouncerightoffher.Turned
outshehadalongwaytogo,ifonlyafewwordsfromMarcuscouldmakeherfeellikecrumblinginside.

“Nicola.”
Shedidn’tturnaroundtofacehimwhenhesaidhername,didn’tstopheadingforthecouchwhereshe

hopedhershoesandpursewere.Shestrippedoffthesweatshirtwhileshewalked,wantingnothingmore

thantojustleave,togettheheckoutofthehouseanddrownherselfinwork,theworkshe’dbeen
drowninginforthepastsixmonths.

ShewasjustbendingdowntopickuphershoeswhenMarcusbeathertothem.
“It’snotyourfault.Nothingthatdidordidn’thappenisyourfault.”
Sheheldoutherhandandwilleditnottoshake.“CanIhavemyshoes,please?”
Forafewseconds,shewasn’tsurehewasgoingtogivethemtoher,butthen,hefinallyhandedthem

over.

Shemadesuretheirfingertipsdidn’ttouchasshetookthemfromhim,thensatdownontheedgeofthe

coffeetabletoslipthemon.Somehowshewasgoingtokeepittogetherlongenoughtosweepoutofthe
houselikeawomanwhocouldn’tcarelessifonemanfoundherattractiveornot.Therewereplentyof
otherswhowantedher.Oneday,whenshewasfeelingstupidandrecklessagain,shewouldfindoneof
them.

“You’rebeautiful,Nicola.”
She’dbeencertainnothinghecouldhavesaidwouldhavestoppedherfromstompingoutofthere.
Nothingbutthat.
“Whenyouweresleepinglastnight,Icouldn’tstopthinkinghowbeautifulyouare.Icanhardly

believeyoucamehomewithmelastnight.”Heranhishandoverhisface.“Ishouldn’tbetellingyouthat,
butit’ssodamntrue,Ican’tletyouthinkotherwise.LastnightItoldmyselfIcouldsleepwithastranger
andnotworryaboutyourfeelings.”Hiseyescaughthersandheldthemfast.“Idon’tknowalotabout
you,butyoudon’tfeellikeastrangeranymore,Nicola.”

Aflickerofhopelitinherchest.“Neitherdoyou,”shesaidsoftly.
Thistime,whensheinstinctivelyreachedoutforhishand,sheletherselfmakeitallthewaythere.

Sheslippedherfingersthroughhisandthatcontentmentshe’dfeltwhenshe’dwokenuponhislap,with
herhandsinhis,filledheragain.

“You’reright,wedon’tknoweachotherverywellyet,butIalreadyknowyoumakemefeelgood.

AndIalsoknowyouweretheperfectgentlemanlastnight.”Shepulledherselfuptostandinfrontofhim,
herbreastscloseenoughtohischesttoalmosttouch.“Ifwegavethenightonemoretry,thenmaybethis
timewecouldseewhatit’slikewhenyou’renottheperfectgentlemananymore?”

Desireflaredevenhotterinhiseyesthanithadbeforeandshecouldfeeltheevidenceofitagainst

herlowerbodywhensheshiftedevenclosertohim.

“Ijustgotoutofarelationship.I’mnotlookingforanotherone.”
Ah.Sothatwaswhathadhimgoingtotheclublastnighttopickupsomehotthing.
“I’mnotlookingforarelationshipeither,”shetoldhimfirmly.“IswearI’mnot.”Sheputhishandon

herhips.“Justonenighttofeelwhatit’sliketobetouchedbyyou.”Shewentuponhertippy-toesinher
heelstogainanextrainchandbeabreathawayfromhismouth.“Justonenighttoknowwhatit’sliketo
bekissedbyyou.”

Shecouldalmosttastehiskiss,knewhowmuchhewantedtoleanintoherandtakewhatshewas

offering.Hereyeswereclosingandshewaspuckeringupwhensuddenlycoldairrushedacrossherashe
quicklyletgoofherandsteppedaway.

“Itwouldbebetterforbothofusifwedidn’tgothere.”
Angerandembarrassmentcaughtherintheirgrip.“Youdon’tknowenoughaboutmetoknowwhat

wouldbebetterforme!”

And,frankly,shewastoopissedoffnowtowanttotellhimaboutwhoshereallywas.He’djusthave

tofindoutthehardway,byturningonhiscomputeroropeningamagazineandseeingthepicturesinfull
Technicolor.

“You’reright.”Amusclejumpedinhisjaw.“AllIknowisthatyou’rebeautiful,andthatyou’retoo

young,toosweet,formetoeventhinkaboutdoinganyofthatwithyou.ImadeamistakelastnightandI

won’tcompounditnow.”

Young.
Sweet.
Mistake.
Shewasgoingtothrowup.
Hereshe’dthoughtshewasgoingtoregretnotgettingupthenervetoaskhimtobewithherforthe

night.Whatanidiotshe’dbeen,howsureshemusthavebeenthathe’djumpatthechancetobewithher
again.

BecausewhenwasthelasttimeanyonehadturnedNicodown?
Well,shewasn’tafamouspopstarrightnow.Shewassimplyawomanwhowantedaman.
Amansheevidentlycouldn’thave.Becauseallshewastohimwasaway-too-young,far-too-sweet

mistake.

Turningfromhim,shepulledhercellphoneoutofherbagandcalledforacab,givingthedriverthe

addresssherememberedMarcussayingthenightbefore.Afterhangingup,shewassorelytemptedto
stormoutofthehouselikethelittlegirlhethoughtshewas.Lordknew,itwouldbesomuchharderto
holdherheadhighlikeamaturewomanandtakeherlumps.

Butthatwaswhatshewasgoingtodo,damnit.
Turningbacktohimwithafakesmile,shepolitelysaid,“Thankyoufornottakingadvantageofme

lastnight.”

Thatmusclejumpedinhischiseledjawagain.“Youdon’thaveanythingtothankmefor.”
Sheshruggedandthedevilshedidn’tcareaboutrestrainingmadehersay,“SureIdo.Icouldhave

wokenupinsomeguy’sbedthismorningravishedandexhausted.InsteadI’mstilljustaspureasthe
drivensnowandwellrested.”Sheliftedthecornersofhermouthupevenhigherintothesmileshedidn’t
evenbegintofeel.“Thankstoyou.Theperfectgentleman.”Sheheldoutherhand.“Goodbye,Marcus.”

Helookeddownatheroutstretchedhandbeforefinallymovingtowardhertograspitinhisown.
Uh-oh.Sheshouldhavethoughtthathand-shakingthingthroughbetter,shouldhaverememberedthat

everytimetheytouchedherbodywentupinflames.

Becausehehadanuncannyknackofreducingherinsidestoapileofashes.
“Holyhell,”hesaidinalow,rawvoice.“Ishouldn’twantyouthismuch.”
She’dbarelybeguntowrapherheadaroundhiswords,whenhewaspullingherintohimand

crushinghermouthbeneathhis.

Thekiss—theirfirstkiss—wasbeyondanythingshe’deverexperienced.Everyounceofhisdesire,

everyounceofhisfrustratedneed,everythinghewasdenyinghimselfbylettinghergo,pouredfromhis
mouthtohers.

Hedidn’ttastehergently,didn’tlearnthecurvesandcontoursofhermouth.Instead,hetookwhathe

wanted...andgavehersomethingshe’dneverreallyknownshewantedbefore.

Nicolalikedtobeincontrolofeverything,especiallyinthewakeofKenny’sbetrayal.Forthefirst

timeinaverylongtime,shegaveupthatcontroltoamanwhoknewexactlywhattodowithit.

Histongueownedhers,histeethcapturedherlowerlip,andsheheardherselfgaspingandmoaningas

ifthroughalong,narrowtunnel.

Andthen,justasquicklyashiskisshadtakenherover,itwastakenaway.
“Damnit.Ididn’tmeantodothat.”Hisexpressionwasfrustrated.“Youneedtogo,Nicola.Now.”
Sheblinkedathim,tryingtoclearhervision,abouttotellhimtheirfirstkisscouldn’tpossiblybethe

endwhenitwasthemostgloriousbeginningshe’deverknown.Butthenshegotagoodlookathisface,
sawthewayhiseyeswerecompletelyshuttered,totallyclosed.

Andsheknewtherewasnopoint.
Hewasdonewithher.

ChapterFive

Marcuscouldn’tstopthinkingaboutNicola.
Fromthefirstmomenthe’dseenherattheclub,he’dthoughtshewasgorgeous.Sexyashellinthat

leatherdress,herbarelegstonedandsleekinherheels.

Butwhenhe’dturnedaroundinthekitchenandseenherwithnomakeupon,hercheekspinkwith

whatheguessedwasembarrassmentathavingtospeakwithhiminthelightofday,hisheartmayhave
actuallystoppedbeatingforafewmoments.

Whatabeautyshewas.Andsoyoung-looking.Despitethefactthatshe’dtoldhimshewastwenty-

five,guiltroiledinhisstomachatwhathe’dalmostdonewithherthepreviousnight.

“Marcus,howdoesthatsound?”
Helookedupatthemenwhowerewaitingforhisdecisionaboutthenewcorkstheywere

consideringforhislatestvintage.Outofthecornerofhiseyehesawhisassistant,Ellen,frowningathim,
obviouslyconfusedbyhisunusuallackoffocus.

“Thematerialsthey’reusingsoundquiteclosetowhatwe’vebeenlookingfor,”shetoldhim.She

liftedupheriPadsothathecouldseeherspreadsheet.“Ofcourse,weshouldreviewtheirdocumentsand
mynotesfurtherbeforewesignanycontracts.”

Ellenhadstartedworkingforhiminthetastingroomandhe’dquicklyrealizedthat,whileshehadan

excellenttouchwiththecustomerswhocamebytotryhiswines,shewastoobrightandquicktobe
wastedthere.Yetagain,shewasprovingherworthtohim.

“Yes,”Marcusagreed,“thespecificationslookgood.We’llreviewthemfurtherandgetbacktoyou.”
Hisphonebuzzedandhelookeddownatit,hopingforamomentthatitwasNicolaeventhoughhe

knewthatwasimpossible.Hehadn’tgivenherhisnumber.Andhedidn’thavehers.

He’ddonethatonpurpose,knowingeventhefaintesttrailwouldfindhimheadingstraighttowardher.
Especiallyafterthatkiss.
Jesus.Thatkiss.
She’dtastedsogood.Afainttasteofcoffee,ahintoftoothpaste,butnoneofthatcoulddisguiseher

ownsweetessence.

What,he’dbeenwonderingeverysinglesecondsincethen,wouldherskintastelike?Notjustonher

face,hershoulders,herbreasts,butbetweenherlegs,while—

HissisterLori’sfacepoppeduponhisphoneandherealizedhe’dbeendoingitagain:losingthe

threadofeverythingbutNicola.

“Excuseme,Ineedtotakethis,”hetoldthegroupbeforepushingawayfromthetableandwalkingout

intothehallway.

FamilyalwayscamefirstforMarcus,justasJillhadaccused.Ifoneofhisbrothersorsistersorhis

motherneededhim,hewoulddoanythinghecouldtobethereforthem.Evenbeforehisfatherhaddied,
astheoldestthere’dbeenaninstinctiveweightofresponsibilityonhisshoulders.Ofcourse,afterhis
fatherdiedthatweighthadgrowninfinitelyheavier.

“Hi,Naughty,”hesaid,usingthenicknameChasehadgivenLoriyearsago.
Hecouldalmostseeherexpression,thatfaintlyirritatedlookshehadwhenevertheycalledherthat.

Despiteherproteststhatshedidn’tlikeit,Marcusknewbetter.Loridefinitelylikedpeoplethinkingshe
hadalittleedge.EspeciallysinceshewouldhavehatedbeingcalledNicelikehertwinsister,Sophie.

“Areyoustillinthecity?”
“I’mjustabouttofinishmylastmeeting.”
“Great!”
Lori’senergywaspalpableeventhroughthephone.Dancingwastheperfectcareerforher,

consideringshehadmoreenergythattwopeoplecombined.She’dbeenaterrorasatoddlerandpre-

schooler.Areallycuteterrorwhoknewjustwhentoturnonthesmilestogetwhatshewantedorthe
waterworkstogetoutoftrouble.

“DoyouhavetimetocomebyandseemeatmyvideoshootbeforeyouheadbacktoNapa?”
“Iwouldn’tmissit.TextmeyourlocationandI’llleavenow.”
Ellenhadthingswellcoveredhere.Andconsideringhecouldn’tconcentrateworthadamntoday,the

meetingwouldbebetteroffwithouthim.

Hangingup,hewalkedbackintotheconferenceroom.“Ineedtoleaveearly,butasyoualready

know,Elleniswellversedinwhatwe’relookingforandcantakeitfromhere.”

Shebeamedathim,clearlypleasedthathehadenoughfaithinherabilitiestoleaveherinchargeof

thenegotiations.Heshookeveryone’shandandsaidasilentthankyoutoEllen.You’rewelcomewas
evidentinherreturningsmile.

Loriwasjustthepersonheneededtosee.EventhoughSmithwasamoviestar,shehadn’tgottenthe

jobworkingonthepopstar’svideothroughherconnectiontohim.She’dworkedhardtogetthisgigall
byherself,andMarcus,alongwiththerestofthem,wasincrediblyproudofher.

HeandLorihadalwayshadaspecialrelationshipandhewasgladshe’daskedhimtocomewatch

herwork.

ItwastheperfectwayforhimtoforgetallaboutNicola.

***

Nicolaliftedthewaterbottletoherlipsanddrainedit.They’dallbeenworkinghardtodayin

preparationforthefilmingthatbegantomorrow.Shootingavideowasnevercheap,butassoonasthe
camerasstartedrollingthecostswentupexponentially.Nicolaandtherestofherdancersneededtobe
readytothenthdegreebythetimethedirectorwalkedintotheroomFridaymorning.

Yesterday,she’dthoughtshewasgoodtogo.
Buttodayhadbeenadisaster.
Shecouldn’tfocus.Notafterthecallthathadcomeinfromherpublicistjustaftershe’dleftinthe

cab.NicolaalwayshadSandrainformherofanypicturesshesawcirculatingofherandwhateverstarof
theweekshewassupposedtobedatingsoshe’dbepreparedtodealwithquestions.

ThismorningSandrahadcomestraighttothepoint.“I’vejustseenpicturesofyouleavingaclubwith

someguyIdon’trecognize."

EventhoughNicolahadexpectedthis,herhearthadprettymuchstopped.Especiallybecauseshe’d

beentooupsetaboutherbatteredprideatMarcusturningherdowntoactuallygetaroundtotellinghim
whoshewasandtomentionsomeunexpectedpressmightbecominghiswayintheverynearfuture.

She’dscrewedupbigtime.Anditwasevenworsebecauseshehadn’tevengottenthepleasureshe

wantedtogoalongwithit...justthesmashedpride.

Shehadtoask,“Howbadarethey?”eventhoughshereallydidn’twanttoknow.
“Fortunately,”Sandrahadsaid,“they’reamateurpics.Bothofyourfacesaretooblurryforanyoneto

botherrunningthem,butyoumightwanttobemorecarefulinthefuture."

Nokidding.Afternarrowlydodgingthebulletlikethat,shehadvowedtobethemostcarefulperson

ontheplanetfromnowon.

Andyet,astheyranthroughthecomplicatedchoreographyagainandagain,shestillcouldn’tstop

flashingbacktohernight—andmorning—withMarcus.

ThelyricstoOneMomentweren’thelpingatall.

Allittookwasonemoment

Onelookinyoureyes

Onetasteofyourlips

Toknowthatyouweretheone

Theafternoonshe’dwrittenthesong,she’dbeenlisteningtoColePorter’sFromThisMomentOn.

Everythinghadstillbeensunshineandbutterfliesinherlifeandshe’dbeensoluckysofarthatshe’d
believedtruelovewasjustanotherbeautifulgiftwaitingaroundthecorner.She’dwrittenOneMomentas
anodetothatfutureloveandhadevenincorporatedsamplesfromtheclassicColePortertune.Herlabel
hadlovedit,callingitfreshandcatchy.IthelpedthattheyalsoownedthelicensestotheclassicCole
Portersongsandhopedsalesofthosesongswouldtakeoffaswell.

Ofcourse,onceeverythinghadbustedapartwithKenny,shehadn’twantedtorecordthesong.She’d

feltlikeafoolforeverbelievinginonemoment,inonekiss,inonetouchthatcouldchangeeverything.
Butherlabelinsisteditshouldbeherfirstsingle.Andsheknewtheywereright,thatshecouldn’tlet
Kennyandwhathe’ddoneremovethejoyshegotfromhermusic,soshe’drecordedthesong,putting
everyounceofherheartandsoulintoit.

Buteventhoughshe’dhurdledthatfirsthugebumpmonthsago,todayshefoundherselfhittinganew

one.

Shecouldn’tstopthinkingofMarcuseverytimetheygottothechorus.
Shecouldn’tstopseeinghisface,couldn’tstopfeelinghishandsholdinghers.
Andshecouldn’tstopreelingfromhiskiss.
Herdancershadbeengivenathirty-minutecoffeebreakbeforecomingbacktoputinanotherhouror

sototryandpullittogether.Sheknewhowfrustratedtheyallwerewithher.She’dneverplannedon
beingadancer,hadn’ttrainedatitliketheyhad,butshe’dalwaysenjoyedmovingherbody,andhad
pickedupahandfulofprettygoodmovesovertheyears.

Notthatanyonewouldknowitfromwatchinghertoday.
EvenLori,herfun—andextremelypositive—choreographerseemedfrustrated.
ThesoundofLori’slaughterdrewNicola’sattentionacrosstheroom.Earlierintheday,Lorihad

askedifshecouldinviteherbrothertoobserveforabit.Nicolahadbeenapublicfigureforlongenough
thatshewasn’tparticularlyconcernedaboutonemorepersonwatchingher.

ShecouldseehowmuchLoriadoredherbrotherbythewayshelitupwhileshewastalkingtohim.

NotthatLoriwaseverun-lit,ofcourse,withareadylaughandawickedglintinhereyes.

“Goodnews,”Lorisaidasshewalkedbackacrossthelargedancestudiowithasmile.“Mybig

brotherisheadingovernow.”

“Great,”Nicolasaid,tryingtosoundenthusiasticdespitehowlowshe’dbeenfeelingallday.
ButLoriwaswaytooperceptive.“Seriously,Nico,youshouldtellmeifyoudon’twanthimhere.I

canseehimlater.”

Nicolashookherheadandforcedherselftosmilewider—andmoreconvincingly.“Ireallydon’t

mindatall.”

Theotherwomanfrowned.“Iseverythingokay?”
“IknowI’vebeensuckingtoday.Sorryaboutthat.”
LorireachedoutandputherhandonNicola’sarm.“No,you’redoinggreat.Butyouseemkindof...”

Shepaused.“...well,sad,Iguess.”

Nicolaknewbetterthantotalktosomeoneshewasworkingwithaboutherpersonallife,butLori

seemeddifferentthanmostofthepeopleNicolaworkedwith.Nicer.Morehonest,somehow.

KindoflikeMarcus.
Eventhoughsheshouldkeephermouthshut,shefoundherselfsaying,“Imetaguylastnight.”
Lori’seyeswidened.“Ahotguy?”
Nicolawasgladforanotherchancetosmile.“Yes.Veryhot.”Shefeltcompelledtoexplain,“But

nothinghappened.Exceptformefallingasleepbeforeweevenkissed.”

“Oh,”Lorisaid,clearlycaughtoffguard.“How’dhetakeit?”
“Great,actually.Hemademecoffeethismorning.”Andthentoldhershewaswaytooyoungand

sweetforhim.

“Coffee?That’sall?”
Shesighed.“Actually,hekissedme.Justonce.”
“And?”
“Anditwasawesome.”
“Awesomeisgood,right?”
“Notwhenit’salsogoodbye,”Nicolatoldher.
Lorilookedconfused.“Wait,sohekissedyouandthenyouweredone?”
“Yup.Andforsomereasonthewholethingismessingwithmyhead.I’mreallysorry,Lori,I’mnot

usuallylikethis.EspeciallyoversomeguyIjustmetandwillnever,everseeagain.”

WhenLorididn’tsayanythingforseverallongseconds,Nicolabegantopanic.Whathadshebeen

thinking,sharingallofhersecretswithsomeonewhowasstill,forallintentsandpurposes,astranger?
Hadn’tshebeenburnedhardenoughtoknowbetter?

“Look,Ishouldn’thavesaidanything.”
Beforeshecouldfinishhersentence,Loriwasthrowingherarmsaroundherandsaying,“Isogetit.

Guyssuck.”Shelookedalittleguiltywhenshepulledback.“There’ssomethingIshouldhavetoldyou
beforenow.I’mrelatedtoSmithSullivan."

“Oh.Wow.”NicolahadmetSmithatafewindustryeventsinthepastcoupleofyears.Something

joggedinhermemoryandsheasked,“Ifyou’rehissister,thendon’tyouhavelikeadozensiblings?”

Lorilaughed.“Notquite.Thereareeightofus.AlthoughI’msureitfeltmoreliketwelvetomy

mother.”

Nicoladidn’tunderstandsomething.“Whydidn’tyouwantmetoknowthat?”
“I’dhateforanyonetohiremebecauseofwhoheis.”
“Iwouldneverdothat.”
“Iknowthatnow,”Loritoldher.“I’msorryIwasn’tmoreforthright.”
Afterlastnight,Nicolawasthequeenofnotbeingforthright.“Don’tworryaboutit,Lori.It’sreally

nobigdealwhoyou’rerelatedto.”

Lorigrinnedandthensaid,“Iftheguyyoumetlastnightdidn’tgethowfreakingawesomeyouare—

andhowluckyhewasthatyouevenlethimkissyou—thenhedoesn’tdeservetobewithyouanyway.”

Nicolafoundherselfblinkingbacktears.Peoplewerealwaysnicetoher.Becauseshewasastar,

becauseshehadpowerinanindustrythatthrivedonpower,becausetheywantedsomethingthatthey
thoughtshecouldgivethem.

Butpeoplewereveryrarelynicetoherjustbecause.
ThedoorbelltothestudiorangandNicolaassumedherdancerswerebackfromtheirbreak.She

stoodupandwalkedovertothebarreonthemirroredwalltostretchbeforetheybeganagain.

HerheadwasdownoverherkneecapwhensheheardLorisquealwithjoy.“Yay,you’rehere!”
NicolasmiledandwasabouttoliftherheadtotakealookatthemanLoriclearlyidolized,whenshe

heardavoicethatresonatedthrougheverycellinherbody.“Sothisiswherethemagichappens,huh?”

OhGod.
HowcouldLori’sbigbrotherbeMarcus?
Andwhoknewthatitwouldturnouttobeareally,reallybigdealwhoLoriwasrelatedto,afterall?

ChapterSix

No.
Noway.
Marcusstiffenedbeneathhissister’shugashemadeeyecontactwiththeonlyotherpersoninthe

room.

Nicola.
Whatthehellwasshedoinghere?
Hecouldtellfromthewayshewasdressedinacut-offtanktopandtightshort-shortsthatshewasa

dancer.Itwasjusthisluckthatshe’dturnedouttobeoneofLori’sdancers.

Only,whatshouldhavebeenbadluck...wasn’t.
Becausenomatterhowmanytimeshe’dtoldhimselfthatwalkingawayfromherthatmorninghad

beentherightthingtodo,hehadn’tyetbeenabletomakehimselfbelieveit.Notwhenhisbodywas
utterlyatoddswithhisbrain.

Andnotwhenhe’dwantedtotaketheironekissandturnitintoanallday—andallnight—tangleof

nakedlimbsandheat.

He’dknownhowbeautifulhershapewaslastnightinthatleatherdress,butshewasmuchcloserto

nakednow,withonlythethinnestlayersofcottonandSpandexcoveringherbeautifulcurves.

And—ohJesus—wasthatabeadofsweattrailingdownbetweenherbreasts?
LoripulledbackinhisarmsandheforcedhimselftodraghisgazeawayfromNicola.Hisbabysister

lookedupathim,studyinghimmorecarefullythanusual.

“Wereyourmeetingsokaytoday?Youlookalittletense.”
Heworkedtokeephisattentiononhissisterratherthantheshockinglybeautifulwomanbythewallof

mirrors.“Theywerefine.”

Lorifrownedathiscurtresponse.She’dalwaysbeenfascinatedwiththewineindustryandheusually

sharedthedetailsofhisbusinesswithher.Notjustbecauseshewasinterested,butbecauseshehadgood
ideas.Ifshehadn’tbeensuchagreatdancerandchoreographer,he’dhavehiredherstraightoutof
college.

“Something’swrong.”Shedidn’tsayitasaquestion.“Later.I’llmakeyoutellmelater.”Andthen

shedroppedoneofhishandsandusedtheothertopullhimtowardNicola,who’dbeenwatchingthem
warily.“Comehere.Ican’twaittointroduceyoutoNico.”

Nico?
Somethingflashedinhismind,ahintthatheshouldknowsomethinghe’dbeenmissingsincelast

night,buthewassooff-kilterfromseeingthewomanhe’dbeenreluctantlyfantasizingaboutallday,that
hecouldn’tmakeheadsortailsofit.

“Nico,thisismybrotherMarcus.”
Nicola—Nicodidn’tsoundquiterighttohim,eventhoughhissistersaiditwithsuchconfidence—

wasgrippingthewoodenbarreinfrontofthemirrorsotightlyhecouldseeherknucklesturningwhite.
Herfacewasonthewhiteside,too,andshewasn’tdoingadamnthingtoerasethehorroronherfaceat
seeinghimagain.

Guilthithimsquareacrossthechest.She’dputherselfouttherebyaskinghimforanothernightand

he’dturnedherdowncold.Apartfromthekiss,whichhadbeenanythingbutcold.

Andnow,herehewas,barginginonherdancinggigforabigpopstar.
Seeinghimhadtobetheverylastthingshewanted.
Loriwaslookingbetweenthetwoofthemwithanutterlyconfusedexpression.Knowinghe’dbetter

breaktheice—andfast—beforehissistercluedintojusthowwrongthingswere,heheldouthishand
andsaid,“It’snicetomeetyou.”

Nicolastareddownathishandforalongmoment,beforelookingbackathimwiththosebigeyesthat

hadbeenhauntinghimallday.Hermovementswerejerky,almostrobotic,asshefinallypushedaway
fromthebarreandputherhandinhis.

“Hi.”Sheclearedherthroatassheyankedherhandaway.“It’snicetomeetyou,too.”
Thesilencehungheavyandthickbetweenthembeforeheasked,“So,howlonghaveyoutwobeen

workingtogether?”

Lorishothimanotherstrangelook.“YouknowI’vebeenworkingonthisvideoshootforthepast

coupleofdays.”

Okaythen,Nicolamustbeoneofhernewdancers.Butbeforehecouldaskanyotherquestionsortry

tomakesmalltalktosetNicolamoreatease,alargegroupstartedcominginthroughthedoors.He
recognizedmostofthemasmenandwomenLorihadworkedwithinthepastandtheyraisedtheirhands
ingreeting.

“Gotanyvinoforus,Marcus?”
Hesmiled,butitdidn’tfeelrightonhisface,notwithNicolastilllookingathimlikehisappearance

wastotallyandcompletelyunwelcome.

“I’llmakesurethere’sacasewaitingforyouguysattheend,”hepromised.HeturnedbacktoLori.

“Lookslikeyou’regettingbacktoit.I’llgetoutofyourway.”

Sheputherhandonhisarm.“Iwantedyoutostayandwatch.”ShelookedatNicola.“It’sstillokayif

hehangsout,isn’tit?”

Nicolalickedherlips,lookinguncertain.Andthenshesmiled,aliftingofherlipsthatlookedabout

asgenuineasthesmilehe’djustgiventhedancers.

“Ofcourse.”Herlipsmovedintoawidersmile,almostagrimace.“Heshouldseethemagicyou’ve

created,Lori.”Finally,shelookedbackathim,theirgazeslockingtogetherandholdingforalongmoment
beforeshesaid,“Yoursisterisamazing.”

Nicolawassobeautiful—soincrediblyvulnerableasshestoodthereinfrontofhim—thathehadto

focushardjusttogetoutthewords,“Iknow.”

Theystoodlikethatforwaytoolong,staringateachotherwithoutspeaking.Atlast,Lorisaid,“Come

sitoverherewherenoonewillaccidentallykickyouintheface.”

SomeoneturnedonthemusicasheandLoriwalkedawayfromNicola.“Ididn’tthinkyou’dactthat

wayaroundher,”shehissed.

Marcusmirroredbackhissister’sfrown.HadNicolatoldhissisteraboutmeetinghim?Aboutgoing

backtoSmith’shouseandfallingasleeponhislap?

No.Loriwasn’tcapableofholdingsomethinglikethatinside.Shewouldhavecalledhimhoursago

todemandtoknowwhathewasdoingfoolingaroundwithsomeonesheworkedwith.

“Nicohastodealwithpeoplestutteringandactingweirdaroundheralldaylong,justlikeSmith

does.IaskedyoutocomebecauseIknewyou’drollwithherfameandwouldn’tmakeabigdealoutof
it.”

Partwaythroughgettingchewedoutbyhisbabysisterforthewayhe’dacted,alightbulbwentonin

Marcus’shead.

“Nicolaisthepopstaryou’reworkingfor?”
Lorilookedathimlikehe’dlefthisbrainsouttofryonthesidewalk.“HernameisNico.Andyou

knowshe’stheonewhohiredmetoworkonhervideo.Whyareyouactingsoweird?"

Marcussuddenlyrealizedwherethathintoffamiliarityhadcomefromthenightbefore.Lorimust

haveshownhimpicturesofNicolaaftershewashiredtoworkonthevideo,butallhecouldremember
wasalotofmakeupandasparklingbodysuit.

Thankfully,Lorididn’thavetimetowaitforhisanswerbecauseoneofthedancerswascallingoutto

herforguidance.Shootingonelastdisgruntledlookathim,hissistermovedbackontothedancefloor.

Nicola’sbackwastohim,buthecouldseeherfacereflectedinthemirror.Godhelphim,hecouldn’t

keepfromstaringather.Herhairwaspulledupinaponytailandhecouldtellhowhardshe’dbeen
dancingbythedamptendrilsthatwerecurlingaroundherface.

Allofthedancershadincrediblebodies,butforMarcus,thecurvyshapeofNicola’shipsandbreasts

threatenedtomakehimrockhardinthemiddleofthestudio.

Hereyesmethisbrieflyinthemirrorandshequicklyloweredherhead.LorimovedtoNicolaand

putahandonherarm,leaningintosaysomething.Nicolashookherhead,thenmovedintoposition.

Aheartbeatlater,LoriturnedthesongonandNicolawentintoaction.
Shewassobeautiful.
Marcuswasmesmerizedasshesangalongwiththesurprisinglygreatsonganddancedinthecenterof

hertroupe.Nowondershe’dbecomeastar—hedidn’thaveaprayeroftakinghiseyesoffher.

Herememberedthewayshe’dcommandedtheattentionofeveryoneinthenightclubsimplyby

walkingintotheroom.Nowheknewitwaspartlybecauseshewasfamous,butevenifshe’djustbeena
regularwoman,peoplewouldhavestoppedandstared.

AshercurvesshiftedandgrazedthethinSpandexbarelycoveringherskin,hecouldn’tstophimself

fromwonderingwhatshe’dlooklikenaked,inhisbed.

Asifshecouldreadhisthoughts,Nicolasuddenlystumbled,knockingintoamaledancer,andLori

quicklyshutoffthemusic.

Heknewheshouldleave,thathewasthrowingheroff.Buthewasn’tgoinganywhere.
MarcusSullivandidn’tbelieveinhidingfromhismistakes.Hell,hisrelationshipwithJillwasthe

onlytimehe’devertriedtoconvincehimselfthatsomethingwrongwasright.Heshouldhavetrustedhis
gut,buthe’dbeensofocusedonwhathewantedtosee,insteadofwhatwasactuallythere.

HeknewexactlywhatwasbetweenhimandNicola,sparksthatlitandsizzledsobrightandhothe

wasstillsingedfromtheironeandonlykiss.

He’dbeenafooltoturnherdown.
Hewasn’tgoingtobeanevenbiggerfoolbywalkingawayfromheragain.

ChapterSeven

PleaseleavewarredwithPleasedon’tgoinsideNicola’shead.
FrommomenttomomentshevacillatedbetweenwantingMarcusgoneandneedinghimtobesomuch

closer.Nowondershe’dbarelybeenabletoconcentrateonrehearsing,withherbrainandbodypulledin
twototallydisparatedirectionstheentiretimehewastherewatchingherwiththosedark,hungryeyesshe
knewshe’dneverbeabletogetoutofherhead.

Whentheywerefinallydoneforthenight,thedancersquicklyscattered,leavingheralonewith

Lori...andMarcus.

Nicolahadgottenoverhernervesalongtimeago.She’dhadto,ifsheeverwantedtogetanyone’s

attentionwithhermusic.ButMarcusmadeherincrediblynervousinawayshe’dneverbeennervous
before.

Shovingtherestofherthingsintoherbigdancebag,shewasjustsaying,“Thanksforworkingusall

sohardtoday,Lori.I’llseeyoutomorrow,”whenaknockcameatthedoorandaguywearingaMel’s
Dinershirtwalkedincarryingseverallargebagsfulloffood.

Loriclappedherhands.“Thesearethebestburgersandfriesintheworld,Nico.Marcus,youordered

them,didn’tyou?”SheturnedtoNicola.“Youcanstaytoeatsomething,can’tyou?”

NicolalookedatLoriinalarm.WhatwasMarcusdoing?Hadheforgottenthathe’dturnedherdown

flatthismorning?Couldn’thefeelhowawkwardthiswasforher?

“I’dloveto,butIthinkI’dbetterjustcallitanight.Besides,youtwoprobablyhavesomecatchingup

todo,sothanks,but—”

“Stayfordinner,”Marcussaid.“Please.”
Marcus’slowwordspulledatNicola,sohardthatshecouldalmostfeelherselfleaningtowardhim.

Ithadn’tbeenarequest,notquiteacommandeither.Butwhateveritwas,ithadturnedherbraintomush.
Justashisonekisshadstolenhercontrolthatmorning.

Afewmomentslatershefoundherselfsittingwiththematthesmalltablebythewindow,unwrapping

aburgershecouldn’tpossiblyeat.NotwithMarcussoclosethatherbellykeptclenching.

“Sowhatdidyouthink,Marcus?Isn’tNicoamazing?”
Nicolafeltlikeshewasblushingwithherwholebody.Duringrehearsal,she’dtriedtokeepeye

contacttoaminimum,becauseeverytimesheaccidentallylookedathimshelostherfooting.Asthey’d
goneoverandoverthesong,shehadn’tbeenabletoreadhisexpression,couldn’ttellifhewas
impressedwithher...orifhethoughthersong—anddancing—sucked.Shetoldherselfshedidn’tcareif
helikedit.Thirty-six-year-oldmenweren’tnecessarilyhercoreaudience,afterall.

“Didyouwritethatsong?”
“Idid.”
Hismouthmovedupintoasmallsmile.“You’reverytalented."
Nicolaletoutthebreathshehadn’trealizedshe’dbeenholdingjustasLori’sphonestartedbouncing

aroundonthetabletop.Whoeverwascallinghadherjumpingupandsaying,“Sorry,guys,thiswilljust
takeasec."

NicolacouldseefromthelookonMarcus’sfacethathewasn’thappywiththenameandfacehe’d

seenflashacrosshissister’sphone.Truetoherword,Loriwasbackafterbarelysayingtwowordstothe
caller,butshewasflushedandclearlyflustered.

“I’mreallysorry,butIcompletelyforgotaboutsomethingIpromisedI’dtakecareoftonight.Willyou

beallrightwithoutmeuntiltomorrow,Nico?”

Nicolacouldtellsomethingwaswrongandshedidn’twanttoaddanyextrapressuretoLori’slife.

“OfcourseIwill.Don’tworryaboutitforanothersecond.”

Lookingrelieved,Loriturnedtoherbrotherandsaid,“Marcus,couldyoumakesureNicolagetsback

toherhotelokay?”

“Ofcourse,”herepliedattheexactmomentthatNicolasaid,“I’lljustgetacab.”
ButLorididn’tseemtoheareitherofthemasshegaveNicolaaquickhuggoodbyeandapologized

againforneedingtoleavesosuddenly.Nicolapickedupherburgeranddroppeditintothetrashas
Marcusfollowedhissistertothedoor.

Nicoladidn’tmeantoeavesdropontheirconversation,buttheyweren’texactlydoingagreatjobof

keepingtheirvoicesdown,soshecouldn’thelpbutoverhear.

“Ithoughtyouweren’tseeinghimanymore.Didn’tweagreethatheisn’tgoodforyouandthatyou

candobetter?”

“I’mnotseeinghimanymore...andit’scomplicated.”
“AtleastcallmewhenyougetbackhometonightsoIknowyou’reokay.”
“I’mabiggirl,Marcus.Idon’thaveacurfewanymore.”
Hewastheperfect,protectiveolderbrother.Nicolacouldfeelherselfmeltingmorewitheveryword

outofhismouth.Becauseeventhoughsheshouldbemakingsureherguardwasallthewayup,seeing
howconcernedhewasabouthissistergottoherinaseriousway.

Whenhecamebackover,runninghishandthroughhishair,shehadtoask,“Iseverythingokay?”
Heshookhishead.“Idon’tknow.ShesaysIworrytoomuchabouther,butIcan’thelpit.”
Certainthatshewasboundtodosomethingreallystupidifshehungaroundhimanylonger,Nicola

said,“I’mnothungry,soI’lljustcatchacabbacktomyhotel.”

Butbeforeshecouldturnandleave,heaskedher,“Whydidn’tyoutellmewhoyouwere?”The

hungerinhiseyeswasstillthere,butsowasahintofangerthatshecouldn’tpossiblymiss.

Hatinghowoff-kiltershefeltaroundhim,sheknewshesoundeddefensiveasshereplied,“Ididn’tlie

toyou.MynameisNicola.”

“YoushouldhavetoldmeyouwerealsoNico.Whydidn’tyou?”
“Youwouldn’tunderstand."
“Tryme.”
Shedidn’twanttoexplainherselftohim,butshealsoknewshewasbeingstubbornand

unreasonable.Hehadapointthatithadn’tbeenfairofhertokeepherfameasecretfromhim,especially
ifthepicturestakenofthetwoofthemintheclubhadbeengoodenoughtoprint.Andforsomereasonshe
wantedhimtounderstand.

“Foronenightitseemedexcitingjusttobenormal.”Tobemyselfagain.“Ialmostnevermeet

someonewhodoesn’tknowwhoIam.”

“Nico.”
Shedidn’tlikethewayhesaidherstagename,didn’tliketheideaofMarcustreatingherlike

everyoneelsedid.

“MynameisNicola.AndIreallyneedtogonow.”
Thelastthingsheexpectedhimtosayassheturnedandheadedforthedoorwas,“Iwaswrong,

Nicola.”

Asmartwomanwouldn’thavestopped.Asmartwomanwouldhavejustkeptwalkingthroughthe

doorandcaughtacaboutsidetotakeherbacktoherbig,lonelypenthousesuite.

Sothen,Nicolathoughthelplessly,whatwasitaboutMarcusthatalwayshadherdoingthefoolish

thing,instead?

Shouldn’tsheknowbetterthantoturnbacktohimandsay,“Whatwereyouwrongabout?”
Despitethefactthathehadn’tmovedanyclosertoher,thewayhelookedather,withnoneofthe

reservefromthismorning,hadherfeelinglikehe’djustpulledherintohisarms.

“Abouttonight.”
Allofthedesires,thehopes,she’dbeentryingtoshovedownandawayimmediatelypoppeduptothe

surface.

Tryingonelasttimetosaveherself,shesaid,“Whataboutallofyourreasonsfromthismorning?

WhatabouthowyoungIam?Whataboutthecolossalmistakeyou’resogladyoudidn’tmake?”

“I’msorryforwhatIsaidthismorning,”hesaidfirst,andthen,“Iwantonenightwithyou,ifyoustill

wantonewithme.”

Hiswordswereacaressoverherskin.Hehadn’tansweredherquestion,andsheknewtheirage

differencemuststillbeanissueforhim.Butjustasshewasn’tabletowalkawayfromhim,itseemedthat
hecouldn’twalkawayfromher,either.

“YouknowIstillwantyou.”
Thewordshadbarelyleftherlipswhenhecapturedherhandanddraggedherbodytightlyupagainst

his.“ThankGod.BecauseI’vebeendyingtokissyouagainallday."

Thenextthingsheknew,hismouthwaspressinghardintohers,histonguesuddenlythereinher

mouth,tastingher.Noonehadeverkissedherlikethis,likehewantedtopossessher,bodyandsoul.She
forgottobenervous,forgotthatuntilMarcus,ithadbeensixmonthssinceshe’dkissedanyone,andeven
beforethatshe’dhardlyhadmuchexperiencewithkissing.

Shedidn’tneedtoworryaboutanyofthatwithhim,sherealizednow.Hewasentirelyand

completelyincharge.Allsheneededtodowasfollowhislead.

Ifthewayhiskisswasmakingherfeelwasanyindicationofwhathislovemakingwoulddotoher,

shewasbeingledstraighttowardecstasy.

ChapterEight

Handinhand,theyheadeddownthestairstothelargeparkinggaragebeneaththedancestudio.Apart

fromthemomentwhenshegotintohiscar,hedidn’tletgoofherhand.

Utterlylostinthefeelofhisthumbrubbingsensuouscirclesontheinsideofherpalm,itwasn’tuntil

theywerealmostatthehotelthatNicolarememberedtosay,“There’saspecialentrancearoundtheside
thatIusuallyuse.”Shereachedintoherbagforherkeycardswithherfreehandandhandedtheextraone
toMarcus.“Whydon’tyoudropmehereandI’llmeetyouatmyroom.I’minthepenthousesuite.”

Hishandstiffenedinhersandsherealized,toolate,thatshe’dprobablyjustinsultedhim.
“Itisn’tbecauseIdon’twanttobeseenwithyou,”sheexplainedsoftly,hatingwhatshehadtosayto

makehimunderstand.“Ifpeopleseeuswalkintogethertonight,ifsomeonetakesapictureofyouandme
together,theymightthinkwe’rea—”

Shepausedbeforesheusedthewordcouple.Notbecauseshecouldn’tstandthethoughtofit.But

becauseshesuddenlylongedtobeapartofacouplewithMarcussobadlythattheforceofthatwanting
stunnedher.Evenmorethanthestrengthofherdesireforhimalreadyhad.

Hervoicewasbarelyaboveawhisperasshefinishedwith,“TheymightthinkyouandIaregoingto

betogetherformorethanonenight.”

Already,sheknewonenightwouldn’tbeenough.
Whatwaswrongwithher?
SheandMarcushadbeentotallyclearwitheachotherfromtheoutset.Tonightwasaboutsex,nothing

butphysicalpleasure.

Andyet,theremindersmadenodifference.
Becauseshe’dalreadylearnedenoughabouthimviahismotherandsister—andthetimeshe’dspent

inhisarmsthenightbefore—toknowthatherheartwasaheckofalotmoreinvolvedthanwasgoingto
begoodforher.

“Youhadnoproblemwalkingoutofthatclubwithmelastnight.”
Wantinghimtounderstand,shesaid,“Youknowhowyouwereupsetaboutsomethinglastnight?

Well,sowasIandIactedwithoutthinking.Ishouldn’thavegonetotheclublikethat.AndIdefinitely
shouldn’thaveleftwithyou.”Itwasfinallytimetocomeclean.“Therewerepicturestakenofthetwoof
us.”

Sherefusedtolookawayfromhim,eventhoughhisreactiontothatwasexactlyasshe’dexpected.He

wasn’tatallhappyaboutit.

Beforehecouldaskquestions,shesaid,“Mypublicistcalledandtoldme.Iknewpeoplehadtobe

snappingpicturesontheirphones,butfortunatelythelightingwasreallybadinsidetheclubandthey’re
tooblurryforanyonetowanttorun.”Shepulledoutherphoneandshowedhimthepicturesshe’dbeen
emailedearlierthatdayasproof.“Heretheyare.”

Marcuswasdangerouslysilent,silentenoughthatsheforcedherselftosay,“Iunderstandifyoudon’t

wanttodothisanymore,ifthisisalltoocomplicatedforyou.”

Hiseyesmovedfromthepicturesonthephonebacktoherface.Hestilldidn’tlookhappyaboutthe

situation,butthehunger,thedesireforherwasstillthere.Hewoundhisfingerthroughalockofherhair
andpulledhertowardhimwithit.

“Itisn’tanymorecomplicatedthanthis.”
Hismouthwassohotandsweetandperfectthatwitheachslowslideofhistongueagainsthers,she

almostforgotmoreandmoreofherhard-woncaution.EventhoughthiswasthespecialVIPentrance,
someonecouldwalkbyandlookthroughthewindshieldtoseethemmakingoutinthecar.

Whenhefinallypulledawayandsaid,“I’llmeetyouinyourroom,”herhandwasshakingasshe

openedthedoor.Herlegswereshaky,too,andsheneededamomenttoregainherbearingsbefore

walkinginsidethehotel.

***

MarcushadneverunderstoodhowSmithputupwiththiskindofnonsense.Privateentrancesand

callsfrompublicistsaboutpicturesthathadleakedandenteringbuildingsundercoverjustwasn’tnormal.

Hepulledaroundtothefrontentranceandashegavehiskeystothevalet,hecouldn’tquitebelieve

thathewassneakingaroundtogetitonwithabeautifulpopstar.

Hedidn’tlikehownotcomingcleantoLoriaboutalreadyhavingmetNicolahadfeltlikelying.And

hedidn’tlikethewayNicolahadhandedhimherhotelroomkeyandtoldhimtomeetherinthepenthouse
suite.

Butthen,hewasn’texactlycallinghissistertocomecleanorgettingbackinhiscarandleaving,was

he?

Hellno.Hemighthavehispride,buthewasn’tcompletelystupid.
AndonlyatotalidiotwouldturndownasecondchancetobewithNicola.
Hewasjustheadingoutofthehotel’slargereceptionareawhenhesawacrowdofwhatlookedlike

collegefootballplayerssurroundingsomeone.Theywereclearlydrunkandeventhoughhewantedtoget
uptoNicolaassoonaspossible,somethingtoldhimtogocheckthingsout.

Veeringoffcourse,hewasalmostatthegroupwhenheheardhervoice.Chillsranuphisspineasshe

toldthem,“Giveagirlsomeroomtobreathe,guys.”

HereadrightthroughtheplayfuledgeinNicola’svoiceandheardtheterrorthathadcreptin.
“Allofyouneedtobackoff.Wayoff.”
Acoupleofguyslookedoverathimandmadethemistakeofdismissinghimassomeoldguyinasuit.

SeveralofthemhadtheircamerasoutandtheywereputtingtheirhandsonNicolatogethertoposefor
pictureswiththem.

“HeyNico,takeoffthatbigsweatshirt,wouldyou,soeveryonecanseehowhotyouare?”
Marcuspushedintothegroupsohardandfastacoupleofthecollegekidsknockedoverlikebowling

pins.“Getyourhandsoffher,”hegrowled.Whentheydidn’tmovefastenough,hegrabbedthembythe
shouldersandshovedthemaway.

“Whatthehellareyou,herbodyguardorsomething?”
Marcus’shandwasalreadyinafistwhenNicolagrabbedhisarm.“Yes,heis.AndI’mafraidI’m

lateforsomething.Nicetomeetallofyou!”

Shedraggedhimawayfromthegroup.“Goodtiming,”shesaidunderherbreathastheymadea

beelinefortheelevators.“Theyweregettingalittleannoying.”

Annoying?That’sallthosebuffoonsweretoher?
Forgettingthattheyweresupposedtobegoingupstairsseparately,hesaid,“Theyweren’tjust

annoying,theywereoutrightdangerous.”Hewantedtorunhishandsoverherbody,makesurenothing
hadhappenedtoher.Morethanthat,hewantedtotakehersomeplacesafeandmakeherstaythere,outof
harm’sway.

“Theyweren’tdangerous,”shesaid,dismissinghisconcerns.“Theycouldn’thavedoneanything

reallybadinthemiddleofthehotellobby.”

ButMarcuscouldthinkofadozendifferentthingstheycouldhavedonetoher,includingwaysthey

couldhavekeptherfromcryingoutforhelp.

“Howcouldyouhavegonetothatclubalonelastnight?Whatifabunchofdrunkshadcorneredyou

onthestreet?Orbythebar?”

“Honestly,thatkindofstuffdoesn’thappenallthatoften.Iusuallyremembertoputonsunglassesand

ahatsothatpeoplecan’trecognizemethateasily.Besides,”sheaddedinasuper-softvoice,“ifIhadn’t
gonetotheclub,Iwouldn’thavemetyou.”

Hewantedtomakeherpromisetobemorecarefulinthefuture,butbeforehecould,alargefamily

gotoutoftheelevatorandanearsplittingsquealsoundedassoonasthechildrensawher.

“OhmyGod,it’sNico!”

***

Theboyandhissister,whocouldn’thavebeenmorethansevenoreight,threwthemselvesatherand

shecaughtthemastheyimpulsivelyhuggedher.Atthesametime,theirmotherstruggledtogetahuge,
heavystrolleroutoftheelevator.

Marcusmovedquicklytohelpherbeforethedoorclosed,andwithherarmsstillaroundthechildren,

Nicolawatchedhimsaysomethingsoothingtotheharriedmotherthathadhermouthcurvingupintoa
smile.ThatsoftspotinNicola’schestgrewevenbiggerforthisbeautifulmanshewasabouttotake
upstairstodoverynaughtythingswith.

“Mom!WeneedyourcameratotakeapicturewithNico!”
Justthenthebabyinthestrollerstartedcrying.Consideringtheirmotheralreadylookedlikeshewas

attheendofaveryfrayedrope,itwasclearthatthelastthingsheneededwastolookforhercamera.

“I’vegottodealwithyoursister,”shetoldthem,alreadyreachingintounstrapthebabygirl.
Nicolahadalwayslovedchildrenandhersecrethopeshe’dneversharedwithanyonewastohavea

bigfamilyofherown.She’dbeenaheckofababysitterasateenager.Itwaspartlywhyshefelther
musictranslatedsowelltochildren.Shegenuinelylikedthem,ratherthanjustputtingupwiththem.

ShewasabouttoreachoutforthelittlegirlwhenMarcusbeathertothepunch.“Wouldyoulikeme

toholdher?”heofferedtothemother.

Consideringtheboyandgirlwerewhiningnowabouthowhorribleitwouldbetonothavetheir

picturetakenwithNico,afterassessingMarcusinhisprofessionalsuitandhisobvioustrustworthiness,
thewomansaid,“Okay,ifyouwouldn’tmind,itwilljustbeforasecondortwo.I’mprettysuremy
cameraisdownundereverything.”

Marcustookthetearfullittlegirl,whostoppedcryingassoonasheliftedheruptohisface.“Well,

aren’tyouaprettylittlething?”

Themotherbeamed.“Iknow,she’sgorgeous,isn’tshe?”
Henodded,neveroncetakinghiseyesfromthebaby’stoothlessgrin.“What’syourname?”heasked

thebabyasifshecouldanswer,andshehappilyrepliedwithagurglingmountainofspitbubbles.

Withoutmissingabeat,heusedherbibtowipeoffthespit...andNicolastartedfalling.
Shewasn’tsurehowlongshestoodtherestaringopenmouthedathowgoodMarcuswaswiththe

baby—hewasnowmaneuveringherasifshewasaminidiaperedairplane,evenmakingthenoisestogo
alongwithit—untilthekid’smothersaid,“Foundthecamera.”

Nicolasnappedtoattentionasiffromoutofadeepfog.Thekidswerenowstandingoneithersideof

her,smilingforthecamera.

OhGod.Shecouldn’tpossiblybefallingforhimalready.Shehardlyknewhim,didn’tknowwhathe

didforaliving,orwhathedidforfun.

But,acontrarylittlevoiceinherheadtoldher,don’tyoualreadyknoweverythingthatmatters?

Thatheloveshisfamilyandisgoodwithchildrenandhasbeenkinder—andgentler—toyouthan
anyoneelseeverhas?Nottomentionthewayyougoupinflameswhenhekissesyou....

“Saycheese!”
Nicolasmiledforthecamera,thesamesmileshe’dgiventhousandsoftimesoverduringthepastfew

years.Butwhenthewomanturnedthevieweraroundandsaid,“Lookathowcuteyouallare,”shewas
shockedtorealizeitwasn’tthesamesmileatall.

InsteadofNicothepopstarsmilingbackather,itwasNicola,awomanwho’djustbeenflattenedby

unexpectedemotion,lookingutterlybewilderedbywhathadjusthither.

Wantingdesperatelytoresetbacktonormalagain,sheturnedhercompletefocusonthekids,asking

themtheirnames,whatgradestheywerein,iftheyhadafavoritesong.Sheaskedtheirmotherifshe
couldhavetheiremailtosendspecialconcertticketsoverforhershowonSaturdaynight.

Finally,Marcusputthebabybackinherstrollerandgentlystrappedherin.Thefamilyleft,calling

goodbye.Shewavedbackatthem,gladforthemovementtohidehowunsteadyherhandswere.

Marcuspushedtheelevatorbuttonagainandfollowedherin,hishandonthesmallofherback,justas

ithadbeenthenightbeforewhenthey’dwalkedoutoftheclub.Shewasimmediatelyenvelopedbyhis
heat,alongwiththatsenseofsafetyshe’dfeltfromthefirstmomentshe’dmethimintheclub.

Shepressedthebuttonforthepenthousesuiteandwhentheelevatordoorsclosed,hesaid,“Youwere

greatwiththosekids."

“Ilovekids,”sheadmittedtohim.“They’resohonestabouttheirfeelings.”
“Honestymeansalottoyou,doesn’tit?”
ShethoughtaboutKenny,abouthowhe’dbetrayedhertrust.“Itmeanseverythingtome.”Realizing

howseriousaturntheirconversationhadtaken—andthatifshewasn’tcarefulshe’dbecryingonhis
shoulderabouthowbadithurttobeliedto,shesmiledandsaid,“I’veneverseenababytaketoanyone
sofast.”

Hedidn’tdeflecthercompliment,butsimplysaid,“I’vespentalotoftimewithbabiesoverthe

years.”

She’dwantedtoaskhimabouthisfamilylastnightinthetaxiafterspeakingwithhismother,butshe

hadn’tletherselfbecauseshe’dbeenafraidofbuildingaconnectiondeeperthansexwithhim.Well,she
wasalreadyscrewedonthatfront,wasn’tshe?Howcoulditpossiblyhurtmuchmoretodrillthescrew
inalittledeeper?

“Loriadoresyou.Itakeittherestofyourbrothersandsistersdo,too?”
“Wewatchoutforeachother.”
“Itsoundslikeit’smostlyyouwatchingoutforthem,”shepointedout.
“Doyouhaveanysiblings?”
“Twoyoungerbrothers.”
“Letmeguess,”hesaid.“Theybothdriveshinynewcarscourtesyoftheirbigsister.”
Shehadtolaughatthewayhe’dturneditaroundonherandpointedoutthatshedidjustthesame

thingwithherownfamily.“IknewIshouldn’t,butIjustcouldn’thelpmyself.”

“WhenLoriandSophieturnedsixteenIthrewthemoneheckofapartyatasafariplacenearNapa.”
“Completewithelephantsandzebras?”
“Alligatorsandpythons,too.”
“NowonderLorilovesyousomuch,”Nicolateased,butthen,beforeshecouldstopherself,she

added,“AlthoughI’mprettysureyouwouldn’tneedtospendadimeonherandshewouldloveyoujust
asmuch.”

Hissmileslowlyrecededatherverypersonalstatement,onethatincludedmultipleusesoftheword

love.

Wow.Waytoplayitcool.
Not.
Thankfully,thedooropenedtothepenthousejustthenandshewasabletohideherflamingcheeks

fromhimastheywalkedtoherhalfofthetopfloor.Shepulledherkeycardoutofherbagandopenedthe
door.

SheappreciateditwhenMarcusdidn’tmakeabigdealoutofhownicetheroomwas.Italwaysmade

heruncomfortablewhenpeopleallbutaskedwhathernetworthwas.

Thethirtyminutessincethey’dleftthedancestudioseemedlikehoursagonow.Shefeltawkwardand

unsureofherselfagain.“I’mallickyfromrehearsal.Ishouldprobablygotakeashower.”

Marcusshutthedoorbehindherandlockedit.Whenhelookedather,hiseyesheldnoneoftheir

earlierlaughterfromdiscussingtheirfamilies.

Now,therewasonlyheat...andsomuchdesireittookherbreathaway.
“Comehere,Nicola.”
Shedidn’tmoveamuscle.Shecouldn’t.“ButIshould—”
“Noshowers.Notyet.Notwithoutme."
Hepaused,lethiswordsregister,thepromiseinthem,thevisionofactuallytakingashowertogether,

ofbeingsoapedupandallwetwithhim,doingcrazythingstoherinsides.

Sheknewhemustbeabletoreadherreactiononherface,buthedidn’tsayanythingelse,hesimply

stoodrightwherehewasbythedoorandwaitedforhertocometohim.

Shecoulddothis.Ofcourseshecould.Justputonefootinfrontoftheotherandaslongasherheart

didn’texplodefrompoundingsofast,she’dbefine.

Withherlegsasshakyasthey’dbeenthatveryfirsttimeshe’dstoodupinfrontofathousandpeople,

shebegantheslowwalktowardMarcus.

ChapterNine

MarcuswasaheartbeatawayfrompickingNicolaup,throwingheronthebed,andtakingher.It

nearlykilledhimtoholdback,towatchherslowlymoveacrossthecarpetedfloortowardhim.

Shewasnervous,thesamewayshe’dbeenlastnightwhenthey’dgotteninthecab.Shehadsuch

incrediblesexappeal—thevideorehearsalconfirmedthatsheclearlyknewhowtousehersexualityto
whipheraudienceintoafrenzy—sohernervesdidn’tmakesensetoMarcus.Butsecondslater,heforgot
allaboutneedingthingstoaddup.

Whocaredaboutanythingbutgettingheroutofherclothes?
Hehadtoreachforher,hadtograbahandfulofhersweatshirtinhisfistandleandowntotakeher

sinfullyseductivemouthwithhis.Shemoanedagainsthismouthandheyankedhersweatshirtup.He
pulledbacktoliftitupandoverherhead.

NothingbutthinSpandexandcurvesawaitedhim.
“MyGod,you’rebeautiful.”
Sheblinkedupathim,herbigblueeyessofternow,morearousedthanworried.“Thankyou.”
Hadn’tsheheardathousandtimesoverbynowhowbeautifulshewas?Ifnotfromherfans,thenfrom

themenshe’dsharedherbedwith?Andyet,thewayshe’dsaid“Thankyou”hadbeensopure.Sohonest.

Asifhewerethefirstloverwhohadevertoldhershewasbreathtaking.
Againandagain,shesurprisedhim.First,whenshe’dsleptonhislapallnightlong.Andtheninthe

morning,whenshe’dwalkedintoSmith’skitchen,herprettyfacecleanofmakeup,lookingyoungand
freshandridiculouslyinnocent,despitetheleatherdressshestillwore.Andjustafewminutesagowhen
she’dbeengenuinelyinterestedinthosekidsdownstairswho’dwantedherautograph.

Theleastimportantsurpriseofall,herealizednow,wasthefactthatshewasafamouspopstar.
Hehadexpectedtowanther.Buthehadn’texpectedtolikeherthismuch.Inthewakeofbreakingup

withJill,hehadn’texpectedtofeelanythingforawomanbeyonddesire.

Growingthreadsofemotiontuggedonthetenuousholdhehadonhiscontrol,threateningtosnapit.

Marcusknewthathe’dbetterdosomething,andquick,togetthenightbackontrack.

Backonhistrack.
He’dalwaysbeendominantinthebedroom,enjoyingtakingcareofawoman’spleasureatleastas

muchashisown.Jillhadn’tlikedgivingupcontroltohim,though,andduringthetwoyearstheywere
together,theirsexlifehadbeenalmostcompletelyvanilla.

Hewasreadyforadifferentflavor.Andbasedontheheatthathadbeenbetweenthemsincethevery

firstmoment,hehadagoodfeelingthatNicolawas,too.

“Fornearlytwenty-fourhoursI’vebeenimaginingyouwithoutanyclotheson.”
Sheshiveredagainsthimashecuppedherstunningfaceinhishandsandkissedher,longandslow,

takingthetime—finally—tolearnthecornersandcrevassesofhersweetmouth.Shetrembledwhenhe
dippedhistongueintothecornerswhereherupperandlowerlipscametogether,thengavealowmoanas
henippedherlowerlipbetweenhisteethandsuckeditinside.

Withoutgivingheranywarning,hemovedhishandsfromherfacetothebottomofherthintanktop

andpulleditupoverherhead.Shestartedtocoverherbreastsandhestoppedherhandswithhis.

“No."
Hereyesweredilatedandherbreathwascomingfastasheslidhisfingersthroughhers.
“Idon’twantyoutohideyourselffromme."
Fromwherehewasholdingherhands,hecouldfeelherswiftintakeofbreath—alongwithherrapid

heartbeat.

“TakeastepbacksothatIcanlookatyou.”
Hecouldseehowuncertainshewas,butitonlymadehimmoredeterminedtopushpastit.Hecould

scentherarousal,knewhowmuchshewantedhim.Heneededtoknowhowshewouldrespondtohis
naturalsexuality,totheinnatedominancehe’dcontrolledfortoolong.

“Now,kitten.”
Hereyesflaredwithsurprise—andheat—attheendearmentevenasshetookastepback.Butas

Marcusmadehimselfletgoofherhands,Nicolablushedfuriously.

FromwhathecouldrecallofseeingflashesofheronTVandpicturesonmagazinecovers,heknew

sheoftenworenexttonothingonstage.Andyet,ifhedidn’tknowbetter,hewouldswearshe’dnever
gottennakedwithanotherman.Shewasthatshy.

“Showmehowbeautifulyouare,Nicola.”Hedidn’tunderstandwhythiswassohardforher,but

sinceitobviouslywas,heinstinctivelysoftenedhisvoice.Hewasgentle,soothing,asheurgedher,
“Showmehowmuchyouwantthis.Howmuchyouwantme.”

Thesilencethrobbedbetweenthemforalongwhileuntil—finally—shedroppedherhandsfromher

chest...andthehitoflustthatknockedintohimnearlytookhimdowntohiskneesonthecarpetedfloorof
herpenthousesuite.

Butevenashewasonthevergeoflosinghismindoverherbeautifulbody,herealizedthatshewas

shaking.

“You’renotscaredofme,areyou?”
Sheshookherhead.“No.”Butthewayshedroppedhergazefromhisandloweredherheadgavehim

anentirelydifferentanswer.

“YouandI,”hesaidashemovedclosertotipherchinupwithhisfingertipssothatshehadtolookat

him,“wewon’teverlietoeachother."

Again,itwasn’taquestion.Itwassimplyatruththathadtobe.
Whenshenoddedheragreement,heaskedagain,“Areyouafraidofwhat’shappeningbetweenus

tonight?”

“I’mnotafraidofyou.Ijust—”Shemadeamovetore-coverherbreastswithherhandsandwhenhe

tooktheminhistostopheronceagain,sheonlyshookharder.

“Tellmewhyyou’rescared,kitten.”
Butinsteadoftellinghim,shesaid,“Whydoyoukeepcallingmethat?”
Despitehowbadlyhewantedher,despitethefactthathewasworkinglikehelltoreininthecaveman

inside,hefoundhimselfsmiling.“Becausethat’showyousleptonmylap.Likeacontentedkitten.”

Hereyessoftenedandhertremblingstopped.“Iwanttorubmyselfalloveryoulikeone,”she

whisperedshyly.

Ohyes,hewantedtofeelallthosesoft,smoothcurvesslidingagainsthim.Butifshedidthathe’dbe

agoner.Andshehadn’tyettoldhimwhyshe’dbeentrembling.

“Iwantyoutodothat,too,”hetoldher,“butfirstIwantyoutotellmewhat’swrong.”
“Ihaven’t—”Shestopped,tookadeepbreathbeforeadmitting,“It’sbeenawhileforme.”
Ah,thatexplainedwhyshewassonervous.“We’lltakeitslow,”hepromisedherinahuskyvoice.

“Slowandeasy.”

“Okay,”shesaidandthetrustinhereyesnearlyundidhim.“ButwhatifIwantfastandhard,too?"
Inaninstant,thethinthreadsofhiscontrolsnappedasheliftedherintohisarms.
Abed.Hejustneededtogethertoabedandthenhecouldstop,think,planwhathewasgoingtodo

withher.

Hewasalmosttherewhensheshiftedsothatherfacewassoftlypressingintohisneck.Hecouldfeel

herwarmbreath,andthenherlipsmovingalongthecordsthatrandowntohisshoulders.Butitwasthe
softlickofhertongueagainsthisskin,followedbyanipofherteeth,thatbrokehim.

Barelytwofeetfromthebed,hebenthisheadandtookoneofherbreastsinhismouth.
Shewassosweet,andsoresponsive.Hefelthisholdonsanityloosenasshemoanedhisnameandhe

hadtoshiftherweightsothatherotherbreastwasthereforhimtosuckleon,too.

Knowinghe’dneverexperiencedanythingaseroticasthewayherbodyrespondedtohistouch,

Marcusmadehimselfmovethosefinalfeettothebed,andloweredthembothsothathewassittingonthe
edgeofthemattress.Herfingerswereinhishairnow,herneckarchedbacksothatshecouldgivehim
betteraccesstoherbreasts.Heknewifhelefthertheretosquirmandwigglearoundonhislap,hewas
goingtoexplodebeforehewasanywhereneargettinginsideher.

HeliftedhismouthfromNicola’ssoftskinjustlongenoughtorepositionhersothatshewasstanding

betweenhisspreadthighs.Herlegswereunsteadyandheheldontoherhips,movinghersmallbutcurvy
frameintojusttherightplace.

Herhandsstayedinhishair,andthedesperatelittlesoundsshewasmakingashelickedandsucked

andnippedathersensitivefleshhadhimsuddenlywantingthenighttobesomuchlongerthanjusta
handfulofhours.

ChapterTen

Nicolahadneverfeltthisoutofcontrol.Herbrain,herbody,noneofitwasconnectedtogether

anymore.BetweenMarcus’skissesandhishandsonherskin...shelostholdofeverythingthatheldher
downtoearthasinonesmoothmoveheslidhershortsandthongoffsothatshewascompletelynaked.

Ashedraggedhermouthdowntohisforanothersoul-changingkiss,herhandsautomaticallywentto

hispantstostartunbuttoningandunzippingsothatshecouldgethimnaked,too.

Oneofhisbighandscoveredbothofhers.“Notyet.Notuntilyoucomeforme."
Stillholdingherhand,shewasmorethanalittleshockedwhenheslidbothoftheirfingersbetween

herthighs.

“Tellmehowitfeels,”hesaidinalowvoice.
“Good.”Shecouldbarelybreathe.“Sogood.”
Herthighswereshakingandheheldhersteadywithhisfreehandashehadthemrubtheircombined

fingersoverherarousedflesh.

“Marcus."
Shegaspedouthisnameasjoltsofpleasurezippedthroughher.Hiseyesflaredwithlustasplit

secondbeforeheleanedforwardandcapturedoneofherbreastsinhismouthagain.Shewhimperedher
pleasureashehadthempressingharderandhardercircleswiththeirfingers.Shewasrightthere,shewas
soclose,sheheldherbreathas—

“Justmyhandnow.”
Shebarelyregisteredhiswordsbeforehewaslettingherhandgo.
“Comeforme.Iwanttoseeit.Iwanttofeelyouexplode.”
OhGod,shewantedto,andhisnaughtywordshadherclenchingonhiminamini-orgasm.Shewasso

close,buttheclosershegotthemoreherlegsshook.Shewantedtorelaxalltheway,tostopbeingsoshy,
tofullygiveintoallthewonderfulthingsMarcuswasmakingherfeel,butonethoughtkeptstoppingher.

IfsheembracedthiswildnesswithMarcus,didthatmeanshereallywasthewildslutKennyhad

paintedhertobe?

Asifhe’dfeltherhesitation,Marcusmovedhishandfrombetweenherlegs.Sheopenedhermouthto

protest,butbeforeshecould,hewasliftingherfromthefloorsothathewaslyingbackonthebedand
shewasstraddlinghimonherknees.

Hishandsstrokedherbackandsherealizedthathewasgoingtobetruetohisword.
Slowandeasy.
Andthatwaswhensherealizeditdidn’tmatterwhattheworldthoughtofher.Rightnow,inbedwith

Marcus,allthatmatteredwaswhatshewasfeeling.Allthatmatteredwastheintensepleasurethathe’d
alreadygivenher.

Bendingovertokisshim,hertonguemethiswildly,herdesperationmakingthekisssointenseitwas

onthevergeofbeingrough.

Somewhereintheirkiss,sherealizedhe’dslidhishandbackbetweenherlegs.Alow,pleasured

moanescapedherassherealizedthispositionmadeiteasierforhertorockagainsthishand.

“More,”shebegged.
“Notyet,”hetoldher,butshecouldtellfromtherawtenorofhiswordsthathewantedtogiveher

morejustasmuchasshewantedtoreceiveit.

Sheliftedherheadupsothatshecouldlookintohiseyes.“Please,Marcus.”Shefeltasobofneed

riseupinherassheworkedtodrivehimdeeper.

Shewatchedhimwarwithhimself,amusclejumpinginhischiseledjaw,andthenhefinallygaveher

whatshewanted.Andasherinnermusclestightenedonhim,hewhispered,“Kissme,”abreathbeforehe
tangledthefingersofhisotherhandinherhairandtookhermouthwithhis.

Ahundredwonderfulsensationsblurred,andashemovedhisfreehandtocupherbreasts,shefeltit

coming.Pleasureasbigasatidalwave.Sobigshedidn’tthinkshecouldhandleit.

No,sheknewshecouldn’thandleit.
Shebroketheirkissandwasputtingherhandsflatonhischesttotryandpullaway,whenhisvoice

brokethroughherpanic.“Nicola.Lookatme.I’mrightherewithyou.”

Shesomehowmanagedtofocusonhimaswaveafterwaveofpleasurestartedtobreakoverher,

throughher,insideofher.

Andwhenhewhispered,“Letgoforme,”thewayhewaswatchingher,asifhe’dneverseenanything

asbeautiful—asmesmerizingandmagical—inhisentirelife,wasthefinalkeythelockonherbody
neededtobreakallthewayapart.

***

NeverinhislifehadMarcusbeenwithawomanthismadeforpleasure,whocamewithsuchwild

abandon.

Sweetlord,heneverwantedittoend.Heneverwantedtoforgetthewayshepulledawayfromtheir

kisssothathersweat-slickenedbodycouldbuckandarchoverhisasshecontinuedtorideouther
release.Heneverwantedtoforgetthedesperatelittlesoundsshemadeasshekissedhim,gaspsthat
turnedintomoans.Heneverwantedtoforgetthebeautifulsoundsofherbeggingformoreofhistouches,
hiskisses,forhimtotakeherallthewayovertheedge.

Buthealreadyknewhewouldneverforgetthosesounds,theincrediblesightofthemostbeautifulgirl

intheworldlosingherselftopleasureinhisarms.

Finally,shestilledabovehim,hertautmusclesnowlooseandpliant,herheaddroppingtohischest.

Shewaspantingandhecouldfeelherlungsworkinghardtopullinairasshelayacrosshim.Eventhough
hewasstillfullyclothed—androckhard—helovedthewayshecurledandnuzzledagainsthim.

Still,he’dhavetoletherrecoverfromthatorgasmanothertime.Becausehewasn’tevencloseto

beingfinishedworshippingher.She’dhavetherestofherlifetorecoverfromtonight.Theybothwould.

Fromnowuntilthesuncameup,shewashis.
Givinghernowarning,heflippedherontoherbackandroseoverherstunninglybeautifulnaked

body.

Sheblinkedupathim,hergazemomentarilyfuzzy.Butthenshesmiledandsaid,“You’rewearingtoo

manyclothes."

Herhandsmovedfromaroundhisnecktothebuttonsofhisshirtassheworkedtoundothem.Thesoft

touchofherfingersskimmingacrosshischesthadhisheartpoundingevenfaster.Hertonguecameoutto
lickherupperlipassheconcentratedonundressinghimandhecouldn’tpossiblyhavestoppedhimself
frombendingdowntotasteit.

Assoonashistonguetouchedhers,sheopenedhermouthforhimandthatsimpleneedtotasteher

tonguebecameanothersoul-destroyingkiss.

Hecouldhavekissedherlikethatforever,hadthesoundoffabricrippingnotsurprisedhiminto

pullingback.She’drippedhisshirtapartandwherethebuttonshadn’tbeenabletocomeundonefast
enough,thecottonhadactuallyshredded.

Thenextthingheknew,shewasdroppinghisrippedshirtfromherclenchedfistsandrunningher

handsoverhisabs.Herhandsonhisbareskinweregood.Sodamngood.Butheshouldhaveknownit
wasgoingtogetevenbetter,becauseasplitsecondlater,sheleaneduptonipathischest.Hismuscles
twitchedbeneathherteethashertonguecameouttolavethesmallbite.

“I’veneverwantedanyonelikethis,”shewhisperedagainsthischestasshepressedonenaughtykiss

afteranotheracrosshisskinwhileherhandsmovedlower.

Hesuckedinabreathbetweenhisteethassheclosedherpalmaroundhim,firsttentatively,growing

bolderasshefelthimthickenevenfurtherinsideherwarmclasp.Grittinghisteethagainsttheintense
pleasureofhercaresses,hemadehimselfremindher,“Slowandeasy,sothatIdon’thurtyou.”

Hergazeflewtohis.“Youwouldneverhurtme.”
Hertrustinhimlandedstraightinthecenterofhischest,inaplacehe’dthoughtwasclosedoffforthe

foreseeablefuture.Itwasthesameplacethathadreactedwhenshe’dfallenasleeponhislap,whenshe’d
appearedshyandfresh-facedinthekitchen,whenshe’dbeenlaughingwiththeboyandgirlwholoved
hermusic.

Hedidn’tknowhowshewasdoingit,howshewasmanagingtogetinunderhisskin,hisbones,all

thewaydowntoaheartthatknewbetter.HeshouldhavebeenlookingatherasNicothepopstar.He
shouldhavebeenremindinghimselfthatshewasgoingtomoveonaftertonightandforgetabouthim
amidstherworldofflashbulbsandadoringfans.

Shedidn’tneedhim.Notpastthisonenight,inanycase.
Marcuswouldneverforgivehimselfifheendedthenightneedingher.
Morethanalittleangrywithhimselfforanendingthatwasstartingtoseemmoreinevitablebythe

second,heabruptlymovedawayfromthebedtostepoutofhispants.Heneededafewsecondsofnot
touchinghertogethisbraintostartfunctioningproperlyagain.

Hereyeswidened.“You’rebeautiful,Marcus.”
Heknewhehadagoodphysiqueandplentyofwomenhadlookedathimlikethisbefore,butithad

neveraffectedhimsostrongly.Maybebecausenoonehadeverlookedupathimwithsuchwonder.

Orsuchtrust.

***

Nicolacouldn’tdoanythingbutstare.
Hisbody,hismuscles—hisincrediblybeautifulface—madeamockeryofanysculptureRodinhad

evermade.

Andeventhoughshe’dknownhewasbig,withouthisclothesonhewashuge,hismusclesripplingas

ifhedidmanuallaborforaliving.

Somewhereinthere,sherealizedhe’dslidacondomonandwassaying,“JustbecauseI’veputthis

ondoesn’tmeanwehavetodoanythingthatyou’renotreadyfor.”

She’dlovedfollowinghisleadtonight,butnotifitmeanthewasgoingtoleaveoutofsomestrange

senseofhonorbecauseshe“wasn’tready”tobewithamanlikehim.Shedidn’tlikehowhewasstill
standingbesidethebed,hishandsinfistsasifhewastryinghisbestnottotouchheragain.

Nicoladidn’twaitanothersecond—couldn’triskwaitingforhimtochangehismind—beforemoving

offthebedtojumpintohisarms,herarmsaroundhisneck,herlegsaroundhiswaist.Looseningherarms
alittlebit,sheletgravityhelphersinkdownontohim.

“No,Nicola,notlikethis.Notyet.”
Buthisbodywassayingtheexactoppositeofhiswordsashishandscamearoundtocupherbottom

andhishipsstartedmovinginaslowmotionguaranteedtoeasemoreofherinsideofhim.Shegasped
andherheadfellbackasshelockedheranklestightertogetherbehindhishipstotryandpullhimin
closer,deeper.

“AmIhurtingyou?”Hisraw,roughwordsreverberatedagainstherneck,histeethscrapingagainst

herpulsepointbeforeshecouldanswer.

Shewantedtotellhimno,hewasn’thurtingher,becausesheknewthatwaswhathewantedtohear.

Butshe’dpromisedtotellhimthetruthtonight.Sheliftedherheadtolookintohiseyes.

“Alittle.Butit’sagoodpain.Iwantmoreofit.Moreofyou.”

Beforehecouldtellhertheyneededtostop,shepressedhermouthtohisandkissedhim,hertongue

wildagainsthis,thelittlebitofpainreboundingbackintoshockingpleasure.

Soon,shewaslyingonthebedbeneathhimagain,sweatdrippingdownfromhischestontohersashe

workedtokeephimselfstillaboveher.Theirmouthscameapartandshelookedupathim,marvelingyet
againathowgorgeoushewas,hismuscular,tannedchestimpossiblybeautiful,hisarmsstrong,hiships
narrow.

“Slower,”heraspedout.“Weneedtogoslower.”
Shewantedtheexactopposite.Shewasbeyondreadyforfastandcrazy.Shewantedtoknowwhatit

wouldbelikeforMarcustolosecontrolwithher...andtoknowthatshewastheonewhohaddonethatto
him.Shewantedtomakehimforgeteverything—everythingexcepthowmuchheneededher,wantedher,
hadtohaveher.

Becausethatwashowshefeltabouthim.
Andshedidn’twanttobetheonlyonewhoneeded,wanted,cravedlikethat.
“Idon’twantslow,”shetoldhim.“Ijustwantyou.Allofyou.”
Shebuckedherhipsuphardintohis,forcinghimtogivehermore,andshecouldn’tholdinhergasp

attheshockingfullnessofhisbodyenteringhers.Orthefactthatwitheveryinchhemoveddeeper,she
feltlikehewasowningnotjustherbody,butapieceofhersoulthatshe’dneverknownwasavailableto
anyone.

“There’snogoingbacknow.”
“Idon’twanttogoback,”shewhispered.Howcouldshe,whenMarcuswashereveryfantasycome

tolife?

Butthatdidn’tmeanshewasn’tscaredknowingjusthowthoroughlyhewasgoingtopossessher.A

possessionthatwouldn’tjustbephysical,despitetherulesthey’dsetupfortheironenighttogether.

Shereachedforhim,putherarmsaroundhisneck.“Ilikeyou,Marcus.Ilikeyousomuch.”
Hebenthishead,kissedhersoftlybeforesaying.“Ilikeyou,too.”
Andthenhewasrearingupoverher,herhandsslidingfromaroundhisnecktothefrontofhischestas

hebracedhisweightonhiskneesandgrippedherhipstopositionhimselfbetweenherthighs.Shegasped
ashepulledoutandthenfilledherinonesmoothstroke.

Hiseyesweredangerouslydark.“Youlikethat,too,don’tyou?”
“Mmm.”Shecouldn’tanswer,couldn’tgetherlipstoformthewordsforhowmuchshelikedit,but

herbodywasdoingafinejobofansweringhim,rockingbeneathhislong,hardthrusts.

Shecouldfeelanotherclimaxbuilding,growing,takingherovercellbycellandtheoncomingorgasm

hithersoharditknockedalloftheremainingbreathfromherlungs.

“OhGod,Marcus.Please.Ineedyouhere.”
Herfranticwords,herunplannedplea,musthavebeenmagic,becauseinaninstant,allofthecontrol

thathe’dworksohardtoholdontowasgone.

Hepoundedintoherwithnoregardforhurtingher,withoutathoughttowhethershecouldwithstand

theforceofhislovemaking.

And,oh,howshelovedit.
Howshelovedtobeinthemiddleofthehurricanewithhimashespunthembothhigherandtighter.

Soundsechoedthroughthelargebedroom,hispraiseforhowbeautifulshewas,howperfect,alongwith
hermoans,gasps,yes,evenscreamsofpleasure.Andevenwhensheexpectedthepleasuretoend—it
couldn’tgoonforeverlikethis,couldit?—Marcuscontinuedtorockwithher,hishandmovingbetween
herlegs.

“Givemeonemore,”heurgedher,andshewaswonderinghowheknewtherewasalittlebitleft

insideofherstill,whenshefeltitwashoverher,anotherwaveofpleasure,lessintensethistime,butstill
sogood,shehadtoreachforhimandpullhimdownoverhersothatshecouldkisshim.

Theirkisswaslaziernow,slowerintheaftermathofallthatpassionandintenseneed,andsheloved

thewayhistonguestrokedagainsthers.

Alittlewhilelater,heshiftedthemsothathewasonhisbackandshewaslyinghalfonthebed,half

sprawledacrosshim.Somewhereinthereshefelthimshifttoremovethecondom,butthankfullyhewas
reachingforherandpullingherbackagainsthimahandfulofsecondslater,herheadonhischest,with
therestofherbodycurledoverandaroundhisveryhardmuscles.

Nicolacouldn’trememberthelasttimeshefeltthistired...orthisgood.Andyet,ifshesleptnow,

knowingitwasalloverinthemorning,herdreamswouldbeunsettled.Upsetdespitehowamazingher
nightwithMarcushadbeen.

Andthetruthwas,hadshebeenmoreawake,morelucid,sheneverwouldhaveasked,“Howabout

twonightsinsteadofone?”

Theperfectwaytheyfittogether,thewayhepulledhercloserandstrokedhishandoverherhair,was

heranswer.Nolongerneedingtostayawake,Nicolaletherselfrelaxallthewayintosleep.

***

Holyhell.
Marcusstaredattheceiling,thebrightlightsofdowntownSanFranciscoshininginthroughthesheer

curtainsonthewindows.

He’dalwayslovedsex,butwhathadjusthappenedwithNicolatonight...itwaswaybeyondgoodsex.
Hismindwasn’tjustblown,hisbodywas,too.
Andnow,shewantedanothernight.
Ofcourse,hedid,too.Howcouldhenotwantarepeatofthemostspectacularsexofhislife,with

whathadtobethemostbeautiful,mostresponsivewomanhe’deverhadthepleasureofmakingloveto?

Butthatwasjusttheproblem.
Itshouldhavebeenmindlesssex.Itshouldhavebeennothingbutpleasure,nothingbutcheckingoff

oneorgasmafteranother.

Nicolashiftedagainsthim,hersoftcurvesarousinghimwhenheshouldhavebeenlongpastthepoint

ofnoreturn,atleastforagoodthirtyminutesorso.

Maybeifhewasn’tthirty-sixyearsold;maybeifhehadn’tjustbeendeceivedbyawomanhe’d

thoughthewasgoingtomarry;maybeifhehadn’tjustbeenpartytosomethingsoextraordinaryitmade
hisgrointhrobwithrenewedneed...maybethenhecouldhavetoldhimselftheliehewantedtobelieve.

Butheknewbetterthantoeventry.
Becausetheundeniabletruthwasthatthenighthe’djustspentwithNicolahadbeenmorethanhe’d

bargainedfor.

Helikedher.Awholehellofalotmorethanhewascomfortablewith.Somehowallthevisionsof

herwiththosekidsattheelevator,hismemoryofthewayshe’dsleptonhislapandthenhadbeenso
sweetlynervousinhisbrother’skitchen,combinedwiththesexgoddessshe’dbeenallnightinbed,made
herseemlikehisversionoftheperfectwoman.

Ifonenightcouldtakehimthisfar,thenwhereonearthwouldhebeaftertwo?

ChapterEleven

Nicolawashavingthemostmarvelousdream.Shewasinadeliciouslycozybed,cuddledintoahard,

heatedwallofmuscle.Itwaspureinstincttoarchintothelargehandatherhip,inthehopesthatmore
wascoming.

RING!BUZZ!RING!BUZZ!RING!
Theloudsoundofacellphonejumpingonatabletopwasalmostimmediatelyjoinedbytheharsh

ringingofthehotel’sphoneonthebedsidetable,barelythreefeetfromNicola’shead.

Ohno!Shejumpedupinthebed,herheartpounding.
Howcouldshehaveforgottenabouthervideoshoot?
Shewasaheartbeatawayfromthrowingthecoversoffandrunningintothebathroomtotakethe

world’squickestshowerwhensherealizedthelargehandonherthighwasn’tadream.

Asthefinalvestigesofsleepclearedandeverythingcamefloodingbacktoher,shefoundherheart

beatinghardforareasonthathadnothingtodowithbeinglateforwork.

Shereachedforthesheetandpulleditupoverhernakedbody.Sheknewitdidn’treallymakesense

forhertodothatafterlastnight.Maybeitwashowflusteredshefeltwakingupsoabruptly.Maybeitwas
thatMarcuslookedimpossiblygorgeous,hisskintannedanddarkagainstthesnowywhitesheets.

Ormaybeitwassimplythatshewasn’tusedtowakingupinbedwithamanatall.
“I’mreallylateformyvideoshoot.Ican’tbelieveIforgottosetthealarm."
She’dmadeitapointtobeearlyforeverything,especiallysincethedebaclewithKennywhenher

reputationasawildpartygirlhadblownuparoundher.

Atherblurtedwords,Marcus’shandslidfromherskinandsheimmediatelymissedthewarmthofhis

touch.Heshiftedonthebedtositupaswell,onlyhewasn’tatallconcernedabouthisnudity.

Hewasbigandhardandforamomentherbrainforgotallaboutbusiness.Allshecouldthinkwas

howgooditwouldfeeltomakelovewithhimagain.

Andsheprobablywouldhavedonejustthat,hadhenotsaid,“It’smyfault.Ikeptyouuptoolatelast

night,eventhoughIknewyouneededtoworktoday.”

God,whydidtheirmorningsalwayshavetobesoawkward?Itdidn’thelpthatherphoneswouldn’t

stopringing.

“I’msorry,”shesaid,“IneedtogetthatrealquickjusttoletthemknowI’monmyway.”
Shegrabbedthephoneclosesttoherandsaid,“Hi.Sorry.”Shehadherfaceinherhandsasshesaid,

“Ioverslept.I’llbetherereallysoon."Shehungup.“ThatwasLori.Shesoundsreallyworriedabout—”

HerwordsfellawayasshenoticedthatMarcuswasn’tinthebedanymore,thathewasstandingon

theoppositesideoftheroomandhadalreadyputonhispants.Shewastheonewhoshouldhavebeen
dressedalreadyandheadingoutthedoor,butfromthelookonhisface,hewasclearlyplanningtobeat
hertoit.Shecouldalsoclearlyseefromhisstiffbodylanguagetotheregretonhisfacethathewanted
nothingmorethantowalkawayfromher,fromtheincrediblenightthey’dspenttogether.

Ofcourse,rightthen,shehadtorememberwhatshe’daskedhimbeforefallingasleepinhisarms:

“Howabouttwonightsinsteadofone?”

Nicola’sfirstreactionwastocringe,tofeellikeapatheticidiotforhavingaskedformoretimewith

him.Shepulledthesheetoffthebedtocoverherselfasshestoodtofacethemanwhohadbroughther
morepleasurethanshe’devenknownwaspossible.

Only,insteadoflettinghimleavebeforesheembarrassedherselfanyfurther,shequicklyreminded

herselfthateverythingshe’deverwanted,she’dgonefor.

Despitehowharditwas,howpotentiallymortifying,despitethehugepotentialhittoherpride,she

knewdeepinsidethatsheandMarcushadsharedsomethingspecial.Notjustthesex,butthosesweet
momentsofconnection,too.

Shewasn’twillingjusttoletitallend.Shewasn’twillingtoletherselfbepleasuredandleftlike

this.

Whichwaswhysherefusedtoletthenervouspaceofherheartbeatkeepherfrommovingacrossthe

roomtohim.Hiseyesdarkenedasshecamecloser,themusclesinhisrigidjawjumpingasthesheet
slippedfurtherdownonherchest.

Sheknewshecoulddropthesheetandgetwhatshewanted,thathisreactiontohernakedcurveswas

almostguaranteed.Anditwastempting,sotempting,tobeconsumedbyhisflamesofdesireallover
againthatshealmostdidjustthat.

Only,somethingheldherback—thatvoiceinherheadthatsaidshewantedhisdecisiontospend

anothernightwithhertobemorethanjustthefactthathewantedherbodybeneathhisagain.

Not,ofcourse,thatshecouldseeanypossiblefuturebeyondthenextfewdayswithMarcus.Hewas

allwrongforher—abusinessmanwhowassurelyinthemarketforawifeandkidsintheverynear
future.Andshewasallwrongforhim—apopstarwhowasonaplanemoredaysthanshewasn’t.

Andyet,therewasemotiontherebetweenthem.Evenintheclubthatfirstnight,somethingspecial

hadpulsedbetweenthemamidsttheloudmusicandstrangers.Goodorbad,theartistinhersimply
couldn’thelpbutwanttouncovermoreofit,justasshedoveintotheemotionsofeverysongshe’dever
written.

Whenshewasstandingbarelyafootfromhim,shesaid,“Ilovedlastnight.”Shemadeherselfhold

hisdark,incrediblyintensegaze.“Ilovedeverythingaboutbeingwithyou.”

Nicolamovedcloserbeforehecouldrespondandreacheduptofeatherherfingertipsoverthevery

sexystubblethatcoveredhisjaw.Justthatsmalltouchhadherfeelingasifelectricitywascoursing
throughherveins.

“I’mgoingtobeintownforacouplemorenightsforthevideoshoottodayandaconcertonSaturday

night."

Shewantedtopressherselfagainsthim,wantedtoputherlipsonhis.Butsheneededtofinishwhat

she’dstartedfirst,neededtomakesurethatshegotmorethanjustacouplemorestolenkissesoutof
Marcus.

Remindingherselfthatdirecthadalwaysbeenherbestoption,whetherinbusinessorsongwriting—

andhopingthatitwouldbethesamenow,withthemostbeautifulmanshe’deverknownstandingbefore
her—shesaid,“WhileI’mhere,I’dliketospendmoretimewithyou,Marcus.Nostringsforeitherofus.
Justmoreofthis."

Shewentuponhertoesandsoftlypressedherlipstohis,knowingshe’ddoneeverythingshecould,

thatshe’dbeencompletelyhonestwithhim.

Nowallshecoulddowaswaitforhimeithertoagree...orsaygoodbye.

***

Marcus’smindwasmadeup.
ThisthinghewasdoingwithNicola—hell,itwasn’tevenaone-nightstandanymore,since

technicallythey’dspanneditoutovertwonightsalready—couldn’tgoanywhere.

Yes,physicallytheywereperfecttogether.Hewasn’tgoingtolietohimselfandsaythathe’dever

hadaspowerfulaphysicalconnectionwithanyotherwomanintwentyyears.Whathadhappenedlast
nightwithNicolawentsofarbeyondanyresponsehe’deverhadtoawomanthathewasstillreeling
fromit.

Itwasnearlyimpossibletotryandforcehisbrain—andbody—beyondthatphysicalperfection,

especiallywhenshewasstandingthereinfrontofhim,sunlightstreaminginthroughthesheercurtainsto
outlinehercurvesbeneaththesheetshehadlooselywrappedaroundhernakedbody.

Buthealreadyknewthatacouplemoredayswithherwouldbetoodangerous,toopotent...andhe

didn’twanttobreakherheart.Notwhenheknewhowsweetshewas,howinnocent.

Hedidn’tunderstandwhyshelookedathimwithsuchtrustinhereyes,andsuchhope.Maybeitwas

becausehewasanoveltytoher,becausehisclean-cutbusinesspersonawasachangefromallthefamous
peopleshesurelyhungoutwithmostofthetime.Butgiventhatthingshadn’tworkedoutwithJill,who
he’dthoughtwantedthesamethingsoutoflifehedid,therewasnodoubtinhismindthatarelationship
definitelywouldn’tworkoutwithayoungpopstarwhowouldquicklytireofhimandwanttogetbackto
hernormalglitzylife.

Asmartmanwouldgetoutbeforehegotburned.AnduntilJill,Marcushadalwayspridedhimselfon

beingsmart,onmakingtherightdecisions,eveniftheyweren’teasyones.

Nicolawatchedhimcarefullyasthoughtspingedaroundinsidehishead.He’dlearnedtoreadher

wellenoughaftertwonightsandtwomorningstogetherandhecouldseethatshewasnervousabouthis
response.Afterall,yesterdaywhenshe’daskedhimforanothernight,hehadn’tlettemptationswayhim.
Notuntilhe’dseenheragainandrealizedthatonehotnightofsexwithherwasinevitable,asinevitable
asthefactthatitcouldnevergobeyondthat.

Herphonesallstartedringingagainandheknewitwastimetosaygoodbye.
Butinsteadofthewordsheplannedonsaying,thewordsheknewheshouldbesayingtoenditwith

heronceandforall,somehowhefoundhimselfreachingouttoputahandonherlowerbacktodragher
closer.

Shereleasedalong,pent-upbreathasheslidhisotherhandthroughhersofthairtocupherskull.At

last,heloweredhismouthtoherstotakethekisshe’dwantedforhoursasshe’dsleptsopeacefully,
sweetlyspoonedintohiminherbigbed.Shewoundherarmsaroundhisneckandsighedagainsthislips
asthesoftpressureoftheirlipsquicklyragedintoanout-of-controldanceoftonguesandteethand
moans.

Yes,theendwasinevitable,MarcusthoughtashedrankinNicola’spassion,herinnatesensuality.But

everythingthatcamebeforethatendpromisedtobesoincredible,somind-blowing,thateventhoughhe
shouldn’tlethimselfjustifywhattheyweredoingasjustacouplemoredays,hecouldn’tturnawayfrom
it,couldn’twalkawayfromher.

Notyet.
Heliftedhismouthfromhers,butdidn’tletgoofher.“I’vegottoheadbacktoNapatotakecareof

somethings,but—”Hehadtostoptopressakisstoherforehead,whichhadbeguntofurrowthemoment
he’dsaidhewasleaving.“—I’llcomebacktonight.”

Hersmilewasbrighterthanthesunandjustlookingatallthathappiness—happinesshewas

responsiblefor—suddenlymadehimfeellikehecoulddoanything,takeonanychallenge,ifitmeant
makingNicolathathappy.

Still,heknewhehadtoreiterate,“Nostrings.”
Hethoughthersmilemighthavedimmedalittlebit,butwhenshesaid,“I’mdefinitelynotlookingfor

arelationship,”hedecideditmusthavebeenhisimagination.

Evenashewonderedwhyshewasn’tgameforanythingmoreserious,hegladlytoldher,“Good.I’ll

keepyourkeyandcomestraightherewhenI’mdonetakingcareofbusiness.”Hepressedonemoresoft
kisstoherlipsbeforesaying,“You’dbettergetreadytogoshootthatvideo."

Asshereluctantlylefthisarms,neitherofthemrealizedhewasstandingonthesheetuntilitslipped

allthewayoffherbody.

Obviouslysurprisedbyhersuddennudity,sheinstinctivelytriedtocoverherselfwithherhands.

Marcusknewtheydidn’thavetimetofoolaround,thathervideoshootwaslikelyhemorrhagingmoney
everyminuteshewasn’tthere,buthewantedhertounderstandsomething.

“Whilewe’retogether,Iwantyourbodytobeasmuchmineasitisyours."

Shewasalreadyblushing,butathiswords,theflushspreadfromhercheekstoherchestandoverthe

swellofherbreasts.Foralongmoment,shestoodjustasshewas,tryingtohidehernakednessfromhim.
Andthen,onadeep,bravebreath,sheslowlyloweredherhandstohersides,andsaid,“Iwantthat,too.”

Knowinghewasteeteringonthesharpedgeofcontrol,hesaid,“Gotakeyourshower.”
Foramoment,itlookedasifshewouldtrytoarguewithhim.Buteventhougheverylastcellinhis

bodywantedtograbher,throwheronthebed,andtakeher,herespectedhercareerenoughto,instead,
turnfromhertoreachforhisshirt.

Heheardherpaddingacrosstheplushcarpetingtothebathroomandforcedhimselftopushawaythe

tasteofhersweetmouthstilllingeringonhislips.

“Marcus?"
Hesteeledhimselftoholdontohiscontrolforafewmoresecondsbeforeturningtolookatherover

hisshoulder.Shewasimpossiblybeautiful,standingintheshowerstall,herhandontheknobasshe
preparedtoturniton.

“Idon’tknowifIcanwaitfortonight.”
Thewatercameonamomentlater,andhisbrainwasinstantlyreducedtospeechlessmushashe

watchedhertiltherheadbacksothatthewaterpouredoverher.

Forgetstayingincontrol.Heneededheronemoretimebeforeheleft.
Secondslaterhisclotheswereoffandhewasputtingonacondomandclimbingintotheshowerstall

withher.“Tease,”hegrowled.

Shesmiledasshewrappedherhandsaroundhisneckandliftedherselfsothatshecouldwrapher

legsaroundhiswaist.“Youloveit.”

“Ishouldn’t,”headmittedinaroughvoiceashemovedthemsothatherbackwasbracedagainstthe

tiledwallandhecouldusehishandstocupherbreasts,swallowinghergaspofpleasurewithhiskiss,
“butIdo.”

Everythingshe’ddonesincehe’dmetherintheclubhadteasedhissensestothepointwherehis

controlhadshatteredmorethanoncewithher.Somewhereinthebackofhisbrain,avoicetoldhimhe
neededtobegentlewithherafterthewayhe’dtakenherthenightbefore,buthisbodywastoofarahead
tobestoppednow.

“Nicola,Ican’twait.I’msorry.”Hecouldhearhisvoiceasiffromagreatdistance,amanpleading

forforgiveness,butnotbeingabletostophimselffromtakingwhatheneeded,evenifshecouldn’t
possiblybereadytotakehimyet.

Butthenshewassaying,“Ican’twait,either,”anditwasasiftheGoswitchhadbeenflippedon,a

brightgreenthatblindedhim,thatmadeitimpossibleforhimtodoanythinglesstakeherfully.
Completely.

Herbodywelcomedhisasifshe’dbeenmadetosurroundhim.Shewasinsuchgoodshapeandso

strongassheheldontohimthathedidn’tneedtoholdherupatall,leavinghishandsfreetocoverher
breastsashishipsdroveintohers.Hismouthdevouredhersandshedevouredhimrightbackuntilshe
droppedherheadbackagainstthetileonagaspofpleasurethatechoedagainstthewallsoftheshower.

“Ohyes,please,justlikethat,”sheurgedhim.
Needingtogetcloser,needingtobeasdeepwithinherwetheatashecould,Marcusgrippedherhips

inhishandsandtookherashardashe’dwantedtolastnight,hardenoughthathopefullyhecouldmakeit
throughanentiredaywithouthavingtoshowupathervideoshootanddragheroffintoanemptyroomto
takeher.

Shesobbedhisnameasshecameand,God,howhelovedthewaysheclimaxedwithherentirebody,

everymuscletighteningassherodeitoutbeforegoingcompletelyloose.

Hewantedtobecompletelylucidforherorgasm,didn’twanttomissonesecondofit,buthejust

didn’thavethatkindofcontrolaroundher,andhehadtotakehermouthagaininanotherbruisingkissas

hefoundhisownrelease.Justasithadthenightbefore,hisorgasmseemedtosetoffanothersetofsparks
withinherbody,strongenoughthatshewaswhimperingagainsthislips,silentlybegginghimtohelpher
getoverthesecondpeak.

Marcusslidhishandbetweenherlegs.Hereyesflewopenasherbodyinstantlyrespondedtothe

directsensualcontactofhisfingertipsonthecenterofherarousal.

Heliftedhismouthfromhers,knowingjustwhatsheneeded,rememberingsoclearlyhowbeautifully

she’drespondedthenightbefore.

“Again,”heurgedher.“Comeformeagain,Nicola.”
Justashe’dhoped,hisgentlecommandhadhereyesclosing,herbreathhitchinginherchest,andher

bodygivingitselfovertoanotherhitofpleasure.

He’dseensomuchbeautyathiswineryinNapa,ahundredsunrisesandsunsetsoverthevinesthat

wereeachmorebeautifulthatthenext.Buthewouldgiveupeverysunrise,everylastsunset,forthe
chancetowatchNicola’sskinflush,toberighttherewithherasecstasytookherover.

Hemovedbothhandsbackbeneathherhipsashermuscleswentlaxandherarmsandlegsbeganto

slipfromaroundhim.

“I’vegotyou,”hesaidagainstherearashesatonthebuilt-inseatinthecornerandcradledherinhis

arms.

“I’mreallylate.”Sheliftedherhead,then,andsmiledupathim.“You’reabadinfluenceonme.”She

reachedfortheshampoobottlebeforeshecouldseethesurpriseonhisface.

Marcushadspentalifetimetryingtosetagoodexampleforfirsthissiblings,andthenhisemployees.

Andnowapopstaractuallythoughthewasabadinfluence?Not,ofcourse,thathecouldarguewithher,
consideringhe’djustmadeherincrediblylatetoshoothervideo.Ifhissisterknewhewastheone
responsibleforit,she’dkillhim.Theleasthecoulddowasmakesurehedidn’tdelayheranyfurther.

Hereachedfortheshampooandbegantolatheruphersofthair.
“Icandothatmyself,”sheprotestedhalfheartedly.
“Letmehavethepleasureoftakingcareofyou."
Shenodded,saying“Okay,”beforesherelaxedintohishands.
Sixtyveryefficientsecondslater,herhairwascleanandconditionedandhewasjustfinishing

washingthesudsfromthebarofsoapoffherbeautifulskin.Anotherminutelaterhe’ddriedheroffwitha
plushtowel.

Withasoftkissonherfulllips,hesaid,“Goknocktheirsocksoff.”
Butshedidn’tmoveoutofhisarms.Andshesuddenlylookedreallyuncomfortable.“Thisthingwe’re

doing—Iknowthissoundsreallyhorrible,butIjustwantedtobesurethatwe’rebothgoingtobereally
carefultokeepitjustbetweenus.”

Henodded,surprisedthatshefeltsheneededtoconfirmthat.“Ofcourseit’sjustbetweenus.”
“Good.”Shesmiledupathimalittleuncertainly.“Great!”
Shegavehimonelastsmileandthenshewasmovingfasterthanhe’deverseenawomangetdressed

andoutthedoor,leavinghimaloneinherhugepenthousesuite,wonderingjusthowinhellhewasgoing
tokeepfromcompletelylosinghismindoverher.

Orifhealreadyhad.

ChapterTwelve

EventhoughNicolahadneverflakedonameetingorbeenlatetoavenueforashoworinterview,she

knewbetterthantothinkherprevioustrackrecordwouldmatterevenalittlebittoday.

Peoplebelievedwhattheywantedtobelieveabouther.Andshewasprettydarnsurethateveryone

wasautomaticallyassumingshe’dbeenpartyingtoohardlastnighttoshowupforherownvideoshoot.
So,whileshewastemptedtoburstontothesetfullofapologies,sheknewbetter.Shehadtobe
completelyincontrolofherselffromthefirstsecondshesteppedontotheset.

“Hieveryone,”shesaidinaneasyvoice.“Sorryaboutthedelay,Ihadsomeimportantbusinessto

takecareofthismorning.”

Shedidn’tbothertotakestockofeveryone’sresponse,notwhenshewasverymuchafraidshe’dend

upblushingassherememberedthedetailsofthevery“importantbusiness."

ThepassionMarcushadsharedwithhersimplyblewheraway,somuchsothatshe’devenforgotten

tobewaryabouttrustinghim.Hehadakeytoherhotelroom,whichmeantthathecouldsnoopthrough
herthingstohisheart’scontentifhewantedto.Buteventhoughshe’dvowednevertotrustamanagain,
knewtherewasthepotentialthatmaybeshewasbeingstupidandnaiveagain,shejustcouldn’tsee
Marcusriflingthroughherthings.

Inanycase,shewouldn’thavetheheadspacetoprocesswhatshewasdoingwithMarcusuntilthe

videowasinthebag,sosheforcefullypushedhimoutofherhead.Asmuchasshecould,anyway,
consideringshestillfelttheimprintofhimalloverherbody.Hisbighands,hismouthonhers,his—

“Nico,perfecttiming!”
Lori’senthusiasticgreetingyankedNicolaoutofherforbiddenthoughts.“I’mreallysorryI’mso

late,”shesaidinaquietvoicemeantonlyforherchoreographer.

Marcus’ssisterwavedawayherapology.“Everyonehadsomuchtosetup,Isweartheyjustfinished.

Assoonasyou’redonewithwardrobeandmakeup,we’llwarmup,okay?”

NicolalovedthewayLorididn’tmakeabigdealoutofthings.Somanypeopleshe’dworkedwith

overtheyearswouldhaveheldthisoverherhead,wouldhavetriedtoinsinuatethatshewasatotalflake
andthattheyexpectednothingless.

“Soundsgreat.Thanks."
Shewasturningawaytogocheckinwiththedirector,whenshefeltLori’shandonherarm.“Iknow

we’reinahurryhere,butrealquick,IwanttoapologizeforrunningoutondinnerwithyouandMarcus
lastnight.”

Nicoladidn’twanttoadmitshehadn’tgivenLorianotherthoughtaftershe’dleft.Feelingterrible

aboutthat,sheasked,“Iseverythingokay?”

Lorishrugged.“It’llallworkoutonewayoranother,Isuppose,”washercrypticresponse.“I

wouldn’thaveleftifIdidn’tknowyouwereintotallysafehandswithmybigbrother.Didhetakegood
careofyouandgetyoubacktoyourhotelallright?”

Nicolahadneverhadtoworkquitesohardtoschoolherfaceintoacompletelyblankexpression.

Herbreathgotcaughtinherthroatassheopenedhermouthtotry,andsheneededtoclearherthroata
coupleoftimesbeforeresponding.

“Yes.Hewasgreat.”
Soridiculously,stupendouslygreatthatshehadalmostbailedonhervideoshootaltogetherjustfor

thechancetospendtheentiredayinhisarms.

Thedirectorwalkedoverjustthen,fortunately,andsavedherfromblushinganymorethanshe

alreadywas.Gladforthechancetofocusonbusinessratherthantheswirlingemotionsshefeltoverwhat
hadhappenedwithMarcus,shespentthenexttwelvehoursworkingashardassheeverhadinherlife.

Everyonemighthavebegunthedaythinkingshewasaflakypopstar...butbytheend,shevowedshe

wouldoutlastthemall.

***

Twelvehourslater....

She’doutlastedthem,allright.Butatwhatprice?
Afterdraggingherselfintotheelevatoruptothepenthouse,Nicolabarelyhadthestrengthlefttolift

herhandhighenoughtoslipherkeyintothereaderbesideherdoor.

Shestoodwithherheadagainstthewallandclosedhereyes.Justanotherthirtysecondsandthenshe

couldcollapseandnotmoveforanothertwenty-fourhours.

Thelockclickedandsheshiftedherweighttothedoortopushitopen.Shebarelycaughtaflashof

Marcussittingatthediningtablebehindhislaptopbeforehewaspushingawayandcomingtowardher.

“Nicola.”Hegrabbedherjustbeforeshecollapsed.“Jesus,whatdidtheydotoyoutoday?”
“It’snotthem.It’smystupidpride,”shesaid,eventhoughsheknewitwouldn’tmakeanysense.And

then,ohGod,itfeltsogoodtobeheldbyhim,thatshelosthertrainofthoughtaltogetherasshelethim
carryherovertothecouch.

Sheclosedhereyesagainsthischestandfinallygaveintoutterandcompleteexhaustion.

***

NicolawokeupdisorientedbutnotuncomfortableinMarcus’sarms.Hewassosweetthathe’d

tuckedcushionsbeneathhertorsoandherfeetwhileshe’dsleptlikethedead.Shelovedbeingwithhim
likethis,sowarmandsafe.Noonehadevermadeherfeelthiscomfortable,likeshedidn’thaveone
singlethinglefttoprove.Shedidn’thavetobe“on”withhim,orperformtoimpress.Shecouldjustbe
herself.Nicola,ratherthantheworld-famousNico.

“Whattimeisit?”Hereyesfeltgrittyandeverymuscleinherbodyhurtfromdancingandperforming

at110percentfortwelvehoursstraight.

“Late.”
Feelingterriblethatshe’daskedforthisextranightwithhim,onlytohavehimstuckbeneathheron

yetanothercouchwhileshesnored,shesaid,“I’malwaysfallingasleeponyou.”

Helaughedsoftly.“I’mstartingtowonderifIshouldtakeitasahint?"
Relievedthathewasn’tupsetwithherforbeingabigtease,shesaid,“I’llmakeituptoyou.I

promise."

Sheleanedforwardtopresshermouthtohis,hertonguestrokingagainsthisforasplit-second,before

hepulledback.

“You’retired.Tellmeaboutyourvideo,first.”
She’dmuchratherkisshimthantalkabouthercrazyday,butwhenhebegantomassageoneofherfeet

shecouldn’tdoanythingbutgroanathowmuchithurt...andhowgooditfeltatthesametime.Hishands
onherweresogentleandyetfirm,exactlyashe’dbeenwhenhewasmakinglovetoher.

Atsomepoint,sherealizedhe’daskedheraquestionaboutsomething,butittookherlongerthanit

shouldhavetorememberwhat.

“Theshootwentwell,”shetoldhim,notsurehowmuchhereallywantedtoknow.Hewasprobably

justbeingpolite,probablythoughtshewasoneofthosestarswhojustlikedtotalkaboutherselfwhenthe
truthwasthatshe’dratherdoanythingbut.

“Loricalledrightbeforeyoureturned.Shecouldn’tstoptalkingabouthowamazingyouare.”
Nicola’sstomachclenched,hardlyabletobearthepraise.“Ididn’ttellheraboutus,Iswear.”

Whateveruswas.

“Iknowyoudidn’t.Mysisterhasbeenexcitedaboutworkingwithyoufromthestart.Shetoldme

she’sneverseenanyoneasfocusedandhardworkingasyou.I’mnotatallsurprisedtohearit.”

Nicolawasalreadyfeelingoverlywarmfromthefeelofhishandmovinguptohercalfashebeganto

workouttheknotsinthemuscle,butatthepraise,herblushturnedintoafull-bodyflush.

“Mostpeoplearesurprised.”Theslightlybittercommentleftherlipsbeforeshecouldholditback.

Athisquestioninglook,sheexplained,“Myimageisn’texactlyabrainiacworkaholic.”Sheknewshe
mustbetiredtobetalkingsoopenlytoMarcusaboutthiskindofstuff.

Hefrowned.“Yourimage?”
Eventhoughsheknewsheshoulddropthewholeconversation,shesaidinstead,“Comeon,youhave

toknowallaboutpublicimages,consideringoneofyourbrothersisabigmoviestar.”

“Howdoyouknowaboutthat?”
“Don’tworry,”shesaidinasnottiervoicethanperhapssheshouldhave.“Ididn’tgosnoopingonline

aboutyou.”Heraisedaneyebrowassheexplained,“LoritoldmeyesterdaythatSmithSullivanisyour
brother.”NicolalookedcarefullyatMarcus.“MaybeifIhadbeenlookingforthefamilyresemblanceI
wouldhavelinkedthethreeofyoutogether."

“Ifyou’dknownIwasLoriandSmith’sbrother,youwouldn’thavelefttheclubwithme.”
Itwasastatement,notaquestion.“You’reright,”sheagreed,asbluntashe.“Iwouldn’thaveleft

withyou.”Shepausedabeatbeforeadding,“Andifyou’dknownIwastheinfamousNicoyouwouldn’t
haveleftwithme,either.”

Hisdarkeyesflashedwithsomethingshecouldn’treadatheruseofthewordinfamous,butbeforehe

couldrespond,sherealized,“Hey,thatwasSmith’shousewewenttothatfirstnight,wasn’tit?"

Marcussimplynoddedandasked,“Whyareyouinfamous?"
“Youreallydon’tknow?”God,shewishedshedidn’tfindthatsohardtobelieve.Buteventhoughhe

hadn’tknownwhoshewasthatfirstnight,he’dhadplentyoftimetodohisresearchsincefindingoutshe
wasNico.

“Ihaven’tgonesnoopingonlineaboutyou,either.”
Ouch.Itwasn’tparticularlyfuntohaveherownsarcasticwordsthrownbackather.Shewincedand

said,“Sorry.Iwasoutoflinewiththatcomment.”

“Yeah,youwere,”heagreedashemovedhishandupfromhercalftoherthightobeginmassaging

thatlarge,tightmuscle,“butI’msureyouhavetodealwiththatkindofstufffrompeopleeveryday,don’t
you?”

Shefounditreallydifficulttobelievethathedidn’tknowanythingaboutherstory.Thenagain,he

wasn’texactlyhertargetaudience,sowhywouldhe?

“Ido,”sheconfirmed,“butit’sanecessaryevil,justlikemyimage.I’vealwaysfiguredthataslong

asI’mabletoplaymymusicforpeople,thetradeoffisworthit.”

“What’syourimage,Nicola?”
Shoot,shewashopingtheycouldgetoffthiswholetopic,beforesheaccidentallytoldhimmorethan

shewantedhimtoknowaboutherselfandherpast.Sure,hecouldfindoutanythinghewantedtoknow
onlineinseconds,butabigpartofher—areallynaivepart,probably—couldn’tquitepicturehimsitting
downathiscomputerandscrollingthroughpappicturesandstoriesinPeoplemagazine.

Butnowthathe’daskedheradirectquestion,andwasclearlyinterestedintheanswer,shecouldn’t

quitefindawaytodeflectit.“Myimageisprettyobvious,”shesaidwithacrookedgrinshedidn’tquite
feel.“Sexy.”Shelickedherlips,beforeforcingouttheword.“Wild.”

“Icanseesexy,”hesaid.“Butwild?”Hefrowned,lookedaroundthenearlydark,veryquietsuite.“It

didn’texactlylooklikeyouwerehavingcrazypartiesupherebeforewemet.”

Sheshrugged.“Peoplebelievewhat’seasiestforthemtobelieve.”

“Suretheydo,”heagreed,“butonlywhenthere’sareasonforthemtobelieveit.”
Shehatedtalkingaboutthis,especiallytoMarcus,butshe’dpromisedhimshe’dbehonest.“Ihaven’t

alwaysmadethebestdecisions.”

Shecouldfeelhiseyes,warmanddark,onherasshestudiedherknee.
“Everyonemakesbaddecisionsatsomepointintheirlives.”
Shelookedupathim.“Haveyou?”
Hismouthtightened.“Nottoolongago,actually.”
Shecouldn’thelpbutbesomewhatcomfortedbythat.“Unfortunately,Imademineinfrontofthe

world.Thusthewildimage.”

“Couldn’tyouchangethat,ifyoureallywantedto?Ifyouletpeopleseewhoyoureallyare?”
Nicolahadactuallyaskedherselfthatquestionmany,manytimesduringthepastyear,everytimeher

stylistbroughtherskimpierandskimpieroutfitsthatwerebarelyafewstripsoffabric.Ifsheweretalking
tohermanagerandrecordlabelandpublicist,itseemedshecouldn’t.Noneofthemwereblindtothefact
thathercareerhadabsolutelyexplodedafterKennyhadbetrayedher.She’dendeduponthecoverof
morethanonemagazine,hadsuddenlybeenhotpropertyforlate-nighttalkshows.Herpopularityhadn’t
wanedsince.Infact,she’donlygottenbigger.

“Idon’tknow,”shesaid,andthen,“Maybe.”Anothershrug.“Mycareerhasneverbeenbetter.Maybe

wildisn’tnecessarilyabadthing.”

“No,wildisn’tnecessarilyabadthing,”heagreed.“Butitisn’tyou,isit,Nicola?"
How,shewonderedalittlehelplessly,didhealreadyknowhersowell?Whentheirbodieswere

comingtogetherlastnight,thismorning,whenhe’dbeenpullingeveryounceofpleasurefromher,hadhe
alsobeenreachingintoherhearttofindthetruthshe’dbeenhidingfromeveryoneelse?

Whenshedidn’tsayanything,hecontinuedtohammerherinhisgentleway.“I’veonlyheardonesong

sofar,butitwasgreat.Seemstomeyou’retalentedenoughtoletyoursongsspeakforthemselves.”

Allofthiswashittingwaytooclosetohome.Forarelationshipthatwasjustsupposedtobeabout

sex,itsurefeltlikeMarcuswasgoingawholeheckofalotdeeper.

Simultaneouslywantingtodeflecthisattentionfromher—anddecidingitwasn’tfairforhimtobethe

oneaskingallthequestions—shesaid,“Enoughaboutme.Duringourdinnerbreaktoday,Loriwastelling
meaboutyourwinery.Howdidyougetstartedwiththat?”

Insteadofansweringherquestion,hesaid,“Mysisterlikestotalk,doesn’tshe?”
Shegrinned.“You’reherhero.”Hersmiledslippedasshesoftlysaid,“Shetoldmethatyoubasically

raisedherandhertwin,alongwithacoupleofyourbrotherswhoarejustabitolderthansheis."

Lorihadalmostbeenoffhandaboutthefactthatherfatherhaddiedwhenshewastwo,leavingher

motherwitheightkidstoraiseonherown.Nicolahadimmediatelywonderedhowmuchoftheburden
hadfallenonMarcus’sshoulders.Lookingathim,knowingafteronlytwonightshowsteady,howstrong
hewas,shefeltthatshealreadyknewtheanswer.

Marcusshiftedherweightsothathecouldbetterreachherotherfoot.Shegroanedwithpleasureas

hebegantopressintothesensitiveskin.

“Toohard?”
“No,it’sjustperfect.”
Theairsizzledafterthewordperfect,takingherrightbacktothosemomentswhenhe’dbeen

poundingintoherandshe’dbeenbeggingformore,forharder,fordeeper.Sheknewhe’dbeenafraidof
hurtingher.

But,oh,whatlittlepainthere’dbeenthatfirsttimehadbeensoworthit.
“Myfatherwasabigbackyardgardener,”hesaidashebegantoworkhiswayfromherfoottoher

calf.“Myfirstmemoriesareofdigginginthedirtbesidehimasheplantedtomatoesandstrawberries.”

HerinsideswentallgooeyatthethoughtofMarcusasatoddler,jamminghisshovelinthedirt.She

triedtotellherselfthatshewasjustreactinglikethatbecauseshelovedbabies,butsheknewitwas
Marcushimselfthathadhermelting.Ofcourse,thefactthathewasgettingcloserandclosertoherthigh,
nearertothepartofherbodythatwasthrobbinginanticipationofhistouch,wasdefinitelycontributingto
heroverallmeltability.

“I’vealwaysadmiredpeoplewhohaveagreenthumb.”Shelookedatherown.“I’mafraidmineare

theblackthumbsofdeath.Plantsrunscreamingwhentheyseemecoming.”

Shelovedhisgrinashesaid,“Idon’tthinkmythumbsareanygreenerthanyours.It’sreallyjustmath

andscience.”

Hemadeitallsoundsoeasy,likehedidn’thaveanythingtodowithit,butshedidn’tbelievehim.

“That’slikesayingsongsarejustcombinationsofnotesandwords.”Sheshookherhead.“Theyare,but
I’vealwaysthoughtwhatmakesasongreallyspecialissomeindefinablemagicthat’seitherthereorit
isn’t.I’llbetyourgrapevinesarelikethat.”Shesmiledasmallsmile.“Andthatyou’rethemagicthat
makesthemgrowsowell.”

“I’veneverthoughtofitlikethat,”hesaidslowly.“Asmagic.”
Shewaswaitingforhimtodiscountwhatshe’dsaid,togobacktohiswholequantifiablemathand

sciencething.Instead,hiseyeswereintense,filledwiththathungerthathadherbloodracing.

“Youknow,Ithinkyoumightbeontosomething.”
Inaninstant,themagicthathadexistedbetweenthemfromthatfirstmomentintheclubleaptbackto

lifeasifsomesexfaeryhadjustflownoverwithherwand.

ChapterThirteen

“Putyourarmsaboveyourhead,Nicola.”
Sheswallowedhardathislow-pitchedcommand.Aftertakingashallowbreaththatdidn’tevencome

closetofillingherlungs,sheleanedintothepillowbehindherbackandslowlydidasheasked.

Onceherhandsandarmswereoutoftheway,hereachedforthezipperoftheloosesweaterLorihad

loanedherattheendoftheirverylongday.“Doyourememberwhatweagreedonthismorning?”he
askedherasheslowlydrewthezipperdown.

“Yes,”shesaid,thesoundmoreabreaththanaword.“Iremember.”
“Good,”hesaid,andthen,“Tellme.”
OhGod,thatbreathingthingwasgettingharderbythesecond,especiallywithhishandsbrushingover

herbreastsashepulledthesweateropen.

“Whilewe’retogether—”Shetookashakybreath.Sheknewshedidn’thavetosayit,butsomething

insideherwantedto,wantedtopleasehim.“—mybodyisasmuchyoursasitismine.”

Hiseyesflaredwithapproval...andsomuchdesireittookwhatwasleftofherbreathaway.“Take

yoursweaterandtanktopoffandthenliebackwithyourhandsaboveyourheadagain.”

Apartfromthemassage,hehadn’tevenreallytouchedheryet,andshewasalreadysoakedbetween

herthighsfromnothingmorethanhissexycommands.Perhapssheshouldn’tstillbesurprisedather
reactiontohisgentledominance,tothefactthatherbodyclearlylovedit,butshewas.

“Haveyoueverbeenspanked,Nicola?”
Hereyesflewtohisashisshockingquestionyankedherfromhermusings.“Spanked?"
Herpulsebegantoflutterevenmorewildlyatthethoughtofbeinglaidoutoverhislap,baredtohim

fromthewaistdown,hisbighandcomingdownoverherskin.

“No.”Sheshookherhead.“Ofcoursenot.”
Hismouthcurvedupatthecornersatherreaction.Butinsteadofsayinganythingmoreabout

spanking,hesaid,“WhatdidIaskyoutodo?”

Shesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadn’tyettakenoffhersweaterortanktop.Shewastornforasplit

secondbetweenleavingthemonandriskingaspanking—afloodofarousalshotthroughheratthe
shockingthought—ordoingasheasked.

Fearoftheunknown—andofherownsurprisingdesires—hadhermovingquicklytodoasheasked.
Whenshewasnakedfromthewaistup,shelaybackagainstthepillowandstartedtoliftherarms.

ButeventhoughMarcuswasmorethanalittlefamiliarwithherbreastsbynow,shewasstillshyabout
baringherselftoamanlikethis.

“You’redoingbeautifully.”
Hissweetwordscombinedwiththewarmthinhiseyeshadherfinallyliftingherarmsallthewayup.
Sheexpectedhimtotouch,tofondle,totaste.Instead,hesimplylookedather,forsolongthatshe

almoststartedbegging.Finally,hesurprisedherbypickinguphersweaterandtyingitaroundherwrists.

“TrytomoveyourhandssoIcanseehowtightthatis.”
Hisvoicewashusky,richwithdesire.Shemovedherarmsandfoundthebindingtobesoftagainst

herskin,andyet,sheknewshe’dhavetoworkquitehardifshewantedtobesetfree.

Twodaysago,shewouldhaveswornshewouldneverletherselfbeputinapositionlikethis.She

shouldbepullingfree.Butshedidn’twantto,didshe?

Asifhewereprivytothesilentquestionsshewasaskingherself,Marcussaid,“Tellmewhatyou

need,Nicola.Tellmewhatyouwant.”

Heputhishandsonherwaist,histannedskindarkagainstherpalebelly.Sheshiveredathowsmall

shewascomparedtohim,attheknowledgethathecoulddoanythinghewantedtoherrightnow,thatshe
wascompletelyhelplessagainsthisstrength.Thosethoughtsshouldn’thavemadehermorearoused.But,

shockingly,theydid.

“Ifyouwon’ttellme,I’lljusthavetoguess,”hesaidbeforeleaningoverherbaretorso.Hishair

tickledtheundersideofherchinashepressedhismouthtohershoulderforjustlongenoughthatshewas
searedwithhisheatbeforehesatback.

Shewasn’tusedtovoicinghersexualneeds,buttheywerestrongenoughthatsheforgotallabout

keepingherhandsaboveherhead.Shestartedtoreachforhimbeforerememberingherhandswere
bound.

ByMarcus.
Obviouslyseeingtheflareofdesireinhereyes,hesaid,“That’sright,kitten.You’reallminetoplay

withrightnow,aren’tyou?”

Seriously,forallthatsheportrayedasexbombfortheworld,shewasafeminist.Girlpowerwasher

thing.Sheshouldbefreakingoutrightnow.

Notpracticallycomingatthethoughtofbeingallhistoplaywith.
“Thisisn’t—”Shedidn’tknowhowtotellhimwhatshewasfeeling,butsomehowsheknewitwas

importantthatshedid.“Ishouldn’tbefeelinglikethis.”

“Tellmewhatyou’refeeling."
Hislowvoicethatrumbledoverher,throughher,madeherwanttogiveupallhersecrets,allher

desiresthatshehadn’tevenknownwerethere,waitingtobeuncoveredthiswholetime.

“Thisisn’tme.Idon’tlikebeingbossedaround.”
Shesworehealmostsmiledandstrangely,insteadofbeingangeredbyit,insteadoffeelinglikehe

waslaughingather,itmadeherfeellikemaybeshewasn’tsoweirdafteralltobelikingthesethingshe
wassaying—anddoing—toher.

“AmIbossingyouaround?”
Shewasabouttosayyes,whensherealizeditwasn’tpreciselytrue.“Youtellmetodothings,”she

whispered,unabletolookathimnow,feelingmoreshythansheeverhadbefore.“Ishouldn’tdothem.”
Shecouldfeelhowhotherfacewas.“Ishouldn’tlikedoingthem.”

Hisfingersslidbeneathherchinandgentlytippedherfacebackuptohis.“Ilovewatchingyou

respondtome.IlovewatchingthemostbeautifulwomanI’veeverseentremblewithdesireinfrontof
me.Ilovehearingyoubegmetotouchyou,tokissyou,totakeyou.”

Everythinghe’djustsaid,theroughqualityofhisvoiceashesaidit,hadhershiveringwithlust.But

still,shefeltsheshouldtryonelastprotest,onelastbidforsanity.“ButI’mtheonewhousuallytells
peoplewhattodo.”

“Haveyouthoughtthatmaybethisisthebreakyou’vebeenwaitingfor?”hesaidsoftly.“Thatthisis

thechancetoletsomeonetakecareofyouforafewhours,insteadofhavingtotakecareofeverything
yourself?”

Herbrainfeltfuzzywithdesire,butevenso,whathewassayingmadesense.
“Touchmenow,Marcus.Kissme.”Shepaused,gatheringupallhercourage.“Takeme.”
Thenextthingsheknew,shewaslaidoutflatandMarcuswasoverher,hislargebodypressinghers

intothecushions.Hemadesureherboundhandsremainedoverherheadwithoneofhiswhiletheother
movedbetweenherlegsattheexactmomentthathecoveredherbreastwithhismouth.

Shearchedintohistouch,theirconversationabouthowmuchhelikedtellingherwhattodoandhow

muchshelikeddoingit—nottomentionthemassagebeforethat—morethanenoughforeplaytoprimeher
foreventheslightesttouch.

“Givememore,Nicola,”heurgedher,hiswordshotashefeatheredkissesacrossherchestsothathe

couldtakethetipofherotherbreastintohismouth.“Giveitalltome.”

Histhumbmadedeliciouscirclesofpleasureoverherandshepressedherhipsintohishandoverand

overagainasherorgasmshookthroughher.

Almostincoherentwithexhaustionfromtheextremepleasure,shewasonlyvaguelyawareofMarcus

unwrappingthesweaterfromaroundherwristsandmovingtoremovehisclothes.Throughhalf-closed
lidsshewatchedhimgotothebathroomandthenreturnwithacondomon.Herarmsweren’tbound
anymore,butshesimplydidn’thavethestrengthtomovethem.

Andthenhewaskneelinginfrontofthecouchandshiftinghersothatherbackandshoulderswere

bracedagainstthecushions,butherhipswerehangingofftheedge.Beforeshecouldtakehernextbreath,
hishandsgrippedherbottomandhesurgedintoher,takingherbody,makingherirrevocablyhis,owning
herasnothingbutmusiceverhad.

Needingtofeelhishardmusclesbeneathherfingertips,shereachedforhim.Windingherarmsaround

hisneck,shepulledherselfupsothatherbreastswererubbingagainstthedarkhairsonhischest.Her
mouthfoundhis,greedyforhiskisses—kissesshe’ddreamedofalldaylong,evenasshe’dtriedto
convinceherselfthatshewastoobusytothinkofhim.

Hekissedherbackjustashungrily,asifhecouldn’tgetenoughofher,andthenhewasgroaning

againstherlips,fillinghersocompletelyshehadtofightforbreath.Whenhebroketheirkissandthe
soundofhispleasurereverberatedintheroom,Nicolawaspitchedovertheedgeyetonemoretime.

StraightintoMarcus’swaitingarms.

ChapterFourteen

MarcuswasgettingtoousedtowakingupwithNicolacurledupinhisarms.Whenhewasmaking

lovewithherandshewascomingathimwithallherhungerandpassion,healmostforgothowsmallshe
was.Butashespoonedherbodyinthebigbed,hewasremindedalloveragain.Shewasholdingoneof
hishandsoverherbreastsandhehadtodigdeepforacontrolthathadbeenmissingpracticallysincethe
momenthe’dmether.Hewouldnottakeherbeforesheevenwokeup.

Hetightenedhisholdonher,pulledhercloserintohim,evenasheforcedhimselftofacetheinsanity

ofwhathewasdoing.

Heshouldn’thavespentmorethanonenightwithNicola.EvenonenightonSmith’scouchwhileshe

sleptonhislaphadbeentoomuch.Hedefinitelyshouldn’tbelookingforwardtoanentiredaywithher,
shouldn’tfeellikeakidinacandystoreatthechancetoseethewayherskinglowedinthesunlight,to
waitwithheldbreathforhertolaughagainandfillhissoulwithherjoyandbeauty.

Andhesureashellshouldn’tbedreadingsayinggoodbyetoherwhenshegotonhernextplaneto

anothertown,anothershow.

Hewassofocusedonsteelinghimselfagainsteverythingheshouldn’tbefeelingforherthathewas

caughtoffguardbytheslowslideofhertongueagainstoneofhisfingers,andthenanother,andanother.

Jesus,wasshereallygoingtolickherwayupeachfinger,oneatatime?
Holyhell,shewas.
ThankGodhe’dputsomecondomscloseenoughtothebedforhimtoeasilygrabone.Hatingtotake

hishandsfromherforanylongerthanheabsolutelyneededto,hebrokethewrapperopenwithhisteeth
andquicklysliditon.

Therewerenowordsbetweenthemasheputhishandsonherthighandshiftedherhipssothathe

couldslideintoherheat.Herbreathleftherinahardwhooshashepulledhertightlyagainsthischest.

Thiswaswhathe’dmissmost,herealizedasheslidhishandoverherbreastsandfeltherheart

beatingstrongandfast.Notjustherincrediblebody,notjustherpassion,notjustthewayshewas
seeminglyalwaysreadyforhimtotakeherlikethis...buthowpure,howsweetshewas.

TheunexpectedfloodofemotionsforNicolahadhimlosingholdoftheshredsofcontrolhestillheld.

Knowinghebarelyhadthirtysecondsleftbeforeheexploded,heslidhishanddownfromherbreasts.
Shegaspedashisfingersslippedandslidoverherandthenshewaspushingbackintohiminwildjerky
movementsthattoldhimitwassafetoletgo,becauseshewasalreadythere.

Together,Nicolahelpedhimgreetthedaywithmorepleasurethanhe’deverknown.Andasher

climaxdrewhisout,hecouldnolongerdenythetruth:Shenowheldapieceofhisheart.

Whetherhewantedhertoornot.

***

NicolalookedatMarcusoverthesmallroundtablebythewindowwherethey’djustdevoured

pancakesandsausagesandahugebowloffruit.Howwasit,shewondered,thateatingbreakfasttogether
couldfeelasintimateasmakinglove?

Probably,shetoldherself,itwassimplythatshehadn’tsharedaleisurelymorning-afterlikethiswith

amaninaverylongtime.Ever,really,consideringKennyhadalwaysbeentoohungovertowakeup
muchbeforenoon.

AlthoughMarcusworkedinthewineindustry,shecouldn’tpicturehimdrunk.Itwasjustonemore

thingabouthimthatmadeherfeelsafe.

Suddenlywantinghimtoknowhowmuchsheappreciatedhim,howmuchshewasenjoyingtheir

stolen,secrethourstogether,shesaid,“Iknowhowmuchyoumusthavetodoatyourwinery.”She

reachedforhishandacrossthetable,thrillbumpsmovingupherarmswhenhethreadedhisfingers
throughhers.“Thankyouforspendingthistimewithme.”

“There’snowhereelseI’dratherbe,”hesaid,andthen,“Whatdoyounormallydoonyourdaysoff?"
Shebitherlip.“Idon’tknow.Ihaven’thadmanysinceIstartedsinging.”Especiallythispastsix

monthsafterherheart—well,herpride,actually—hadbeenbroken,ithadbeeneasiertofocusallher
attentiononhermusicandhercareer.

“It’sthesamewithme.Likeyousaid,thevinesdemandalotofattention.”
Foralltheobviouswaysthattheyweredifferent,Nicolawassurprisedtorealizetheyweren’tat

oppositepolesonallfronts.

Shegrinnedathim.“Aren’twesad,twoworkaholicswhocan’tfigureoutwhattodowithabeautiful

dayoff?”

Hepulledherontohislap.“Icanthinkofagoodhalf-dozenthings."
Shegiggledashenibbledonherneck,ridiculouslytemptedtospendtheentiredayinbedwithhim.

Especiallywhenhewasbeingplayfullikethis.Sheturnedherfacetomeethisasheliftedhismouthto
hersandsankintothesweetestkissanyonehadevergivenher.

“HowaboutItakeyoutooneofmyfavoriteplaces?”
Marcushadstruckher,fromthefirst,asaveryprivateperson.Hisoffermeantevenmoretoher

becauseofthat.

“I’dlovethat.”Shehatedhavingtoremindhim,“Thethingsis,mostplacesIgogetprettycrazy.”
“Don’tworry,IthinkthespotIhaveinmindwillbeperfect.”Hebrushedhisfingeracrossherlower

lip,sendingshiversthroughher.“It’sveryremote.”

Hervoicewasbarelymorethanabreathasshesaid,“Remoteisgood.”Imagesofthosehalf-dozen

thingstheycoulddotoeachothersomewhereremotehadherbloodrunningevenhotterthanitalready
was.

Shewasabouttopressherlipsagainsthiswhenhemurmured,“IfIkissyouagain,wemightnever

leavethehotel."

“Okay.”
Asplit-secondlater,hishandswereinherhairandhewaspullinghermouthdowntohis.Starvedfor

himagain,shestraddledhiminthechairastheymadeout.

Itwasthefirsttimeshe’dbeenincontroloftheirlovemakingandjustasmuchasshe’dlovedobeying

eachofhissensualcommands,shelovedthistoo,lovedknowingthatshewasdrivinghimcrazywithher
mouth,withherhandsonhischestassheranthembeneaththelong-sleevedshirthe’dputonaftertheir
shower.Anincrediblysensualshowerthatshouldhavekepthersatedatleastuntilthesunwentdown.

Only,herneed,herdesireforMarcus,knewnorationalbounds.Fortunately,shethoughtwithasmile,

heseemedtofeelthesameway.

Shebroketheirkissandsaid,“I’llberightback.”
Slippingoffhislap,beforehecouldcatchher,shewenttogetacondom.Whenshereturned,shewas

pleasedtonotethesurprise—anddesire—lighthiseyesatthefactthatshe’dstrippedoutofherclothes.

Stillshywithhernakedness,itwasthepleasureinMarcus’seyesasshemovedtowardhimthatmade

herbold.Hereachedforherasshecamecloser,butinsteadofgettingbackonhislap,sheslowly
droppedtoherkneesbetweenhis.

“Nicola?"
Hisvoicewasraw,almosthoarse,ashesaidhernameandherhandstrembledasmuchwithdesireas

uncertaintyasshewenttounziphispants.

Hetookherhandsinhis.“Youdon’thavetodothis.”
Shemethisgazeheadon.“Iwantto.”Andshedid,wantingitsomuchitshockedher.
Prayingthathewouldn’tbedisappointedwithhertechnique—orlackthereof—withhishelp,she

managedtopullhispantsopenandhisboxersdown.Shereachedouttotouchhim,tostrokeherfingertips
downthesoftskincoveringsuchincrediblyhardheat.

“Thatfeelsgood.Sogood,Nicola."
Withoutthinking,shebentforwardandtastedhim.Onaloudgroan,hisfingerscametoherhair.She

knewhecouldhavetakencontrolofthings,couldhaveturnedthetablesonherandheldhertherewhile
hetookhispleasureinhermouth,buteventhoughshewasrealizingapartofherwouldbepleasedbythat
dominance,thistimearoundshewasgladthathewaslettinghertakethingsentirelyatherownpace.

Hisskinwascleanandsaltyallatthesametimeandsherealizedonetastewasn’tnearlyenough.But

beforeshecoulddoanythingmore,Marcusfinallytookcontrolandliftedherupfromherkneesto
straddlehimagain.

“Iwasn’tdone,”sheprotested.
Atthathepulledhermouthdowntohisandkissedherhard.Shewassolosttohiskissshewas

surprisedtorealizehe’dputonthecondomuntilhepushedintoher,sohardandfastshegaspedagainst
hislips.

Hestilledinsideher,asking“Nicola?”andsherealizedhewasstillworriedabouthurtingher.
Sherepliedfirstbyrockingherhipsclosertohis,thenbysaying,“Perfect.Absolutelyperfect.”
Andastheybothfoundthepeakandjumpedoffonemoretime,itreallywas.

***

Whentheywereabouttostepoutofherhotelroomashortwhilelater,shesteeledherselftodealwith

whatneededtobedealtwith.

“Whydon’tyougodownfirstandI’llmeetyoubythesideentrance?”Sheliftedherbaseballcapand

bigsunglassesoutofherbag.“I’llbewearingtheseandanoversizedshirt.”

Fifteenminutesagoshe’dbeenwarmandsafeinhisarms.Nowshewascoldlystrategizinghowto

getoutofthehotelwithoutbeingseentogether.Andshehatedit,hatedbeingabletoseethecontrastso
clearly.

“Idon’tlikedoingthingsthisway,Nicola.”
“Idon’teither,but—”Shesighed,shookherhead.“WhatdoyouthinkaboutSmith’slife?”
“He’sdonewellforhimself.I’mproudofhim.”
“Yes,butdoyouenvyhim?HaveyoueverwishedyoucouldbeonTVandhavewomenaskingfor

yourautograph?”

“Hell,no.”
She’dknownthatwouldbehisresponse.“Iknowyouhatehavingtohidelikethis,butyou’dhate

whatwouldhappentoyourlifeifwedidittheotherwayevenmore."

Marcusstaredatherforseveraltensemoments.“I’llmeetyoudownstairs.”
Shewatchedhimleave,thedoorclosingalittletoohardbehindhim,andshehadtoswallowpastthe

lumpinherthroat.Shehatedthathewasupset,butsheknewshehadtostandfirmwithhimaboutnot
lettinganyoneknowabouttheirrelationship.

Notbecauseshehadanymorefearthathemightbeusingherlikeherexhad.Marcusclearlyhadzero

interestinfameorbrightlights.Andshewasprettysurehedidn’tneedthemoneythatsellingtheirstory
of“sinfulnights”wouldbringin.

Unfortunately,herfearswereofanaltogetherdifferentsortnow.
Shewasverymuchafraidthatshewasgoingtomakethemistakeoffallinginlovewithhimifshe

wasn’tsupercarefulaboutkeepingabig,thickwalluparoundherheart.

Thethingwas,Nicolawouldhaveclaimedhimasherboyfriendinfrontoftheworldinaheartbeatif

shethoughttheirrelationshiphadanychanceofworkingout.Butsheknewbetterthantobelieveinthat

ChapterFifteen

Marcushadspentalifetimebeingfair.Afterbreakingupatleastathousandfightsbetweenhis

brothersandsisters,he’dalwaysassumedhewasskilledatseeingallsidesofaproblemandanalyzingit
withoutgettingemotionallyinvolvedoneitherside.

Sothen,whatwashisproblemwhereNicolawasconcerned?Shedidn’tdeservehisanger,his

frustrationoverthesneakingaroundstuff.Itwasn’therfaultthatshewasfamous.She’dgivenhimthe
chancetowalkawayfromthecomplicationsoffamethenightbeforeandhehadn’ttakenit.

Heneededtogetoverhimself,andfast,beforeNicoladrewintoherselfanymoreanddisappeared

completelyonhimlongbeforetheyeversaidgoodbyeonMondaymorning.Hecouldfeelherclosing
herselfoffmorewitheverymiletheycoveredinhiscarastheycrossedovertheGoldenGateBridge,
headingnorthintoMarin.Andthefactwas,hehatedlosinghisconnectiontoherevenmorethanhe’d
hatedhavingtobeingoddamnedstealthmodeleavingherhotelroomtogopickherupattheVIPside
entrance.

Hereachedforherhandandthreadedhisfingersthroughhers.“I’msorry.”
Hereyeswerebig,surprised,assheturnedherbeautifulfacetohis.“Marcus?”
“Willyouforgivemeforbeingajerk?”
Hewasglad,sodamnglad,toseeherfulllipscurveupslightlyatthecorners.“There’snothingto

forgive.”

Heliftedherhandtohislips,pressedakisstothepalm.“Thereis.Iwon’tdoitagain."
Hekeptherhandonhislap,pullingherclosertohim.Theyweretoofarapartinhiscar.She

belongedonhislap,curledupagainsthischest,wherehecouldstrokeherhair,wherehecouldkeepher
safe,whereshecouldrelaxandletgoofthestressofherhigh-pressurelifeforalittlewhile.

“Thatnightintheclub,”shesaidsoftly,“youdidn’tsignupforthis.I’mtheonewhoneedsto

apologizefornotbeingupfrontwithyoufromthestart.Ishouldhaveapologizedalongtimeagofor
lettingyoubelieveIwasjustanygirl.”

“Youcouldneverbejustanygirl.Andithasnothingtodowiththefactthatyou’refamous.”Hishand

tightenedonhers.“You’reveryspecial,Nicola.Very,veryspecial."

***

Didn’therealizehecouldn’tsaythingslikethattoherifhedidn’twanthertofallheadoverheelsfor

him?Lordknewthespectacularsexwasbadenough.Nowhewastellingherhowspecialshewas...

Worriedhewasgoingtosaysomethingelseevensweeter—andknowingdamnwellthewallshewas

tryingtobuildaroundherheartdidn’thaveachanceofholdingoutagainstmuchmore—shedecidedhis
familyseemedlikesafeground.

“Speakingofspecial,”shesaid,“I’dlovetohearaboutyoursiblings.Evenwithjustthreekidsinour

familyitwasreallyloudandcrazyinthehouseIgrewupin.”

“Loudandcrazyisdeadon,”heagreed,lightingupthewayhedideverytimehetalkedabouthis

family.

Onedayhewasgoingtobethemostspectacularfather.Husband,too.Shetriedtoignorethepangsof

longinginherchestatthoseunbiddenthoughts,alongwiththeshotofjealousythathitheroverthelucky
womanwhowouldsharethosethingswithhim.Butsomehow,evenknowingshewasbeingridiculousto
feelthosethingsforamanshe’donlyknownthreedaysdidn’tmakeherfeelanydifferently.

“Lorisaidshe’satwin.Aresheandhersisterreallysimilar?”Marcuslaughedatthatforlongenough

thatshesaid,“I’mtakingthattobeano.”

Stillgrinning,hesaid,“TheirnicknamesareNaughtyandNice.”

“ItakeitLori’sNaughty?”
“AndNice,a.k.a.Sophie,isaquiet,mild-manneredlibrarian.”
“Dotheygetalong?”
“Sure,”heagreed,“exceptforwhentheydon’t.”
Shemanagedtorememberenoughofwhatshe’dreadaboutSmith’slifeovertheyearstosay,

“They’retheonlygirlsinyourfamily,aren’tthey?”

“Yup.”
“ItmusthavebeenuglywhenLoriandSophiestarteddating.”
“They’vestarteddating?”
Helookedsoseriousthatshealmostbelievedhimforasecond.Laughing,shesaid,“Howmany

potentialboyfriendshaveyouhadtobeatup?”

“Enoughthattheyshouldstillbecelibate.”
Stilllaughing,shesaid,“Tellmeaboutyourbrothers.”
Afewminuteslater,herbrainwasreelingasshetriedtoputtogetherthefactthattherewasa

firefighter,aprobaseballplayer,amoviestar,aphotographer,andawhizwithcarsallinonefamily.

“YouSullivanboysmusthavekeptyourmotherbusygrowingup.”
“Stilldo.”
“Itmusthavebeensohardforyoutohavesomuchresponsibilitythrustonyou,justakidwhohadno

choicebuttostepintohisfather’sshoestotakecareofhisbrothersandsisters.”

Shecaughthisexpressiontoolatetotakeherwordsback.He’dlookedsoopenwhenhe’dbeen

talkingtoherabouthisfamily.Hiseyesweren’tcompletelyshutteredyet,buthecouldn’thidethepainher
wordshadbroughttothesurface.

“I’msorry,”shesaidsoftly,squeezinghishandwithhers.“Thatwasthoughtlessofme.I’mjustsorry

youhadtodealwithsomuch,soyoung.”

“No,you’reright.IdidfeellikeIneededtostepintohisshoes.AndIwantedto.Iwantedtohelp.”
“Howdidyourmotherdealwithitall?”
“Shewasalwaysthereforus.”
“Shesoundsamazing,”Nicolasaid,andthenthinkinghowshewouldhavefeltinhismother’sshoesif

she’dlostthemanshelovedandhadafamilywith,said,“Shemusthaveshedalotoftearsforhim.”

“I’msureshedid,butIneversawit.”
Shesqueezedhishandtighter.“Didyou?"
Marcuswassilentforamoment.“Doyouremembertellingmehowyou’rewillingtoputupwiththe

pressuresoffameifitmeansyoucanplayyourmusicforpeople?”Whenshenodded,hesaid,“Making
suremyfamilyishappyhasbeenworthanytradeoff."

“You’retheonewho’sspecial,”shetoldhimasherheartbrokeforhim,forallthathe’dheldinside

forsolong,andallthathe’dhadtobeforsomanypeople.Sheknewitwaswhyhewasthespectacular
manhewastoday...andyetshewishedthatithadallbeeneasierforhim.“Ilovehowcloseyouareto
yourfamily.Idon’tknowmanyotherpeoplewhofeelthatway.”

“Familyisimportanttoyou,too,isn’tit?”
“Very.”She’dalreadytoldhimhowmuchshelovedchildren.Nowshefoundherselfsaying,“I’ve

alwayswantedabigfamilyofmyown.Afamilylikeyours,withlotsofbrothersandsisterswhoallfight
andloveinequalmeasure.”

“Howareyouplanningtobalanceyourcareerwithhavingbabies?”
Nicolashrugged.“I’vealwaysfiguredifIwantsomethingbadenoughI’llfigureoutawaytomakeit

work.”

“Whatelsedoyouwant?”
Shegavehimawidesmile.“This."

Sheleanedoverandkissedhimhardandfastbeforelettinghimgetbacktothebusinessofdriving

themtotheirsecretdestination.

***

Hepulledoffthefreewayontoasideroadandastheterraingrewwilder,aftersomanydaysand

monthsspentinwindowlessstudiosandconcerthalls,sheturnedontheradiountilshefoundasongshe
liked,thengaveintotheurgetorolldownherwindowandstickherheadoutofitintothesunandwind
likeahappydogasshesangalongtothecatchyBanglessongaboutwalkinglikeanEgyptian.

Marcusneverletgoofherhandtheentiretimeandasshefeltpurejoymovethroughher,sheworked

todrinkitin,tosavortheincredibletasteofit.

TheyhitabumpintheroadandMarcuspulledherbackinside,herrearhittingtheleatherseatwitha

thumpandaburstoflaughtershecouldn’tpossiblycontain.WhenMarcusstartedlaughingalongwithher,
herentiresoulwassweptupinthejoyonhisface.

AsaWhitesnakesongcameonnext,shesaid,“Iloveoldiesstationslikethis.”
“Oldiesaresongsfromthefifties,nottheeighties,”Marcusargued.
Oops,shethought,realizingtoolatethatshe’djustinadvertentlypointedoutthedifferenceintheir

ages.“You’reright,”shesaidcheerfullybeforeturningofftheradio.

Afewmomentslaterhewaspullingintotheparkinglotofareallytinylittlestore.
“I’llberightback.”
Hereturnedwithalargeinsulatedbagslungoverhisshoulder.Shewantedtoaskwhatwasinside,

buthelookedsomuchlikealittleboywithahappysecretthatshedecidedtolethimkeepit.She’dseen
himserious.Intense.Sensual,ofcourse.Andcaring.Butthisplayfulnesswasanotherwonderfullayer.

Itwasn’tlonguntilhepulledoffontoareallyrough,reallynarrowdirttrackthatrequiredallofhis

concentrationtogetthemtothebottominonepiece.

She’dguessedthattheywereheadingouttowardthecoast,butthatdidn’tlessenhersurprisewhenhe

helpedheroutofthecar,slungtheheavybagoverhisshoulder,andsaid,“Closeyoureyes.”

Threedaysagoshe’dbeenafraidofevertrustinganyoneagain.ButtrustingMarcuswasasnaturalas

breathing.Shetookadeepbreath,closedhereyes,andwassurprisedtofeelhimliftingheroffthe
ground.

Hereyesflewopenandshefoundhimsmilingdownather.
“Youdon’tneedtocarryme,”shemadeherselfsay,eventhoughthetruthwasthatshewasgladtobe

backinhisarms,tofeelhisheartbeatingsteadilyagainsther.

“Ican’thaveyoutrippingonanybranches,”hesaidagainstherear.“Closeyoureyesagain.”
Sheshiveredathisgentlecommand,evenasadevilonhershoulderasked,“WhatifIdon’twantto?”
Thelookhegaveherwassohungry,sofullofsensualintent,thatherlipsactuallytingledthoughhe

hadn’tkissedthem.“Doyoureallywanttofindout?”

HerbrainscreamedYes,evenasfearoftheeroticrepercussionshadherclosinghereyesjustashe’d

askedherto.

Hechuckledasshewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandsnuggledinclosertohim.Allofhersenses

cametolifeashecarriedhersurelyandsteadilydownthenarrowpathbetweenthetallpines.Shecould
hearthebirdscallingtoeachotherfromthetreetops.Shecouldfeelthelightbreezebrushingoverher
skin,coolingherwhereMarcustouchedherandmadeherhot.

“Theairsmellssogood.”
Hekissedherforeheadinresponseandwithhereyesstillclosed,shetiltedherfaceuptohis,moved

herhandstothebackofhisheadandpulledhisfacedowntoherstokisshim.

Givingheronelastkiss,hesaid,“Ifyouaren’tcareful,you’llneverseeanythingbuttrees."

Hislowvoice,roughwithdesire,hadhermorethanalittletemptedtodojustthat.Butthenhewas

movingagainandsheletherselfbetakentotheplacehe’dchosenjustforher.Forbothofthem.

Theairaroundthemchangedfrompineneedlestosaltsprayashestoppedwalkingandslowlyputher

down,herbacktohisfront.

“Goahead.Openyoureyes.”
ShehadspentplentyoftimeonMalibubeachesthesepastyearsthatshe’dbeenworkingdowninLos

Angeles...butshewasn’tpreparedfortheincrediblesightthatawaitedher.

Theblue-greenwaterwassovibrantherbraincouldhardlybelieveitwasreal,thatithadn’tbeen

paintedjustforthem.Andthewaythesurfcrashedonthetall,craggyrocksthatroseuponeithersideof
thefine,whitesandofthebeachremindedherofthepartsofNewZealandshe’dmanagedtoseeduring
herpastshowsthere.

“Marcus,”shesaidwithwonder,“thisisbeautiful.”
Hisarmstightenedaroundherandhenuzzledher.“I’mgladyouthinkso.”
She’dbeengivenexpensivebouquets,fancydinners,evenjewels,butonlyMarcuswouldthinkto

giveherthesimplejoyofadayatthebeach.

Shehadtoturnintohisarms,hadtotellhimhowshefeltwithmorethanwords.Shekissedhimsoftly,

slowly,thensaid,“ThankyouforthebestdayI’veeverhad."

Thesunwasrightabovethemanditwasbarelynoon,butshealreadyknewnothingcouldtouchthe

joyshefeltfrombeingallalonewithMarcusinoneofthemostbeautifulsettingsintheworld.

Helookeddownather,hiseyesdarkwiththeneedsheknewhadtobereflectedinherown.“Areyou

hungryyet?”

Shewas,butnotforfood.Justforhim.Forthechancetosavoreveryoneoftheseprecioushourswith

themanwhowasstealingherheartonebeatatatime.

Sheshookherheadandkickedoffherballetflats.“Ah,”shesighedwithpleasureatthewarmsand

squishingbetweenhertoes.“Itfeelssogood."

Marcushadsatdownonanearbyrocktotakeoffhisshoesandsocksandrolluphispants,andshe

wassurprisedwhenhepulledherdownontohislapandkissedher.Justasabruptly,heputherback
downonshakylegsandgraspedherhandinhistobeginwalkingdownthelongstretchofcompletely
emptybeach.

“Youlikedoingthat,don’tyou?”
“Yes,Ilikekissingyou.”
“No,”shesaid,“liftingmeoffmyfeet.Carryingmearound.Pullingmedowntokissyouwhenever

yougettheurge.”Sheturnedtohimwithamockglare.“Ithinkitgoeshandinhandwiththetellingme
whatdostuff.”

Hedidn’tletgoofherhandasheliftedhistorunthebackofoneknuckledownhercheek.“Youlike

it,too.”

Hissurewords,theflat-outstatementthatsheenjoyedbeinghisplaythingforhimtomoveand

commandhoweverheliked,shouldhaveupsether.

Buttheybothknewthatitdidn’t.
Suddenlyfeelinglikeshewasonaboatthathadlostitsanchorandwasdriftingslowlybutsurelyout

intothemiddleoftheocean,sheblurtedtheonequestionshehadn’tbeenabletofigureouttheanswerto
inthetimethey’dbeentogether.

“Howdidagorgeous,successful,greatguylikeyougettothirty-sixwithoutawifeandkids?”

Quicklyrealizingshe’dcomeatitallwrongwhenhewentstiffbesideher,sheadded,“Imean,
consideringhowgoodyouareinbed,Iwouldexpectwomeninweddinggownstobeknockingonyour
doorallthetime.”

Thatearnedherasmallsmile.“ExactlyhowgoodamI?”

“Nowyou’rejustfishingforcompliments.”Shelaughed,thenadded,“Reallyfreakinggood.”
Thesurfcrashedbiggerandhigherthanithadbeforeandshemadeamovetorun,butMarcus

wouldn’tlethergetawayfromthecoldwaterthatcameupalmosttoherknees,baredinhershortjean
skirt.

“That’scold!”sheprotested.
“Ilikeseeingyouallwet.”
“Youhaveadirtymind,”shetoldhim,butthebreathinessinhervoicegaveawaythefactthatshedid,

too.

“You’reright,”hesaid,thatdark,hungrylookpinningherwhereshestoodinthesand,causingher

breathtocatchinherthroat.“Sohere’swhatmydirtymindwants,Nicola.Takeoffyourclothes.”

Shelookedupanddowntheemptybeach.“Areyoucrazy?”
“OnlywhenI’mwithyou.”Heraisedaneyebrow.“I’mwaiting.”
OhGod,shecouldhardlybreatheatthethoughtofstrippingdownhereforMarcus.
“Ifsomeonecomes—”shebegan,beforerealizing,“Nooneisgoingtocometothisbeach,arethey?”
“No,”heconfirmed.“It’scompletelyourstoday.”
Shehadspentenoughtimewithreallywealthypeople—worthaheckofalotmorethanapopstar

likeher—toknowkeepingahugestretchofcoastcompletelyprivatewasentirelypossible.

Shewasabouttoreachforthehemofhertanktopwhensherealizedwhathe’ddone.She’dasked

himapersonalquestionandinsteadofansweringit,he’dthrownheroffbyusingherownbody—andthe
endlessdesireshehadforhim—againsther.

Shesmoothedherhandsdownonherhips.“I’llmakeyouadeal.”
“Adeal?"
Sheliftedherchinandsaid,“Yes,”gladtocatchthehintofsmileplayingaroundtheedgesofhislips

atherdefiantresponse.

“Youhaveabeautifulbackside,Nicola.I’vebeenlookingforwardtoseeingitbentupovermy

knees.”

Shockingly,hewasn’ttheonlyone.
Tryingtopushthesenselesslyeroticvisionoutofherhead,shesaid,“Don’tkeepchangingthe

subject,”inhertoughestvoice.

Shewasrewardedwiththesweetsoundofhislaughter.“Suchafiercelittlekitten.”Hecaughther

fistsbeforeshecouldknockthemintohischest.“Goahead.Makemeadeal."

“I’lltakemyclothesoffifyou’llanswermyquestionaboutwhyyou’renotmarriedyet,orevenina

relationship.”

Thelaughterlefthiseyessoquicklyshealmostcriedoutattheloss.Andyet,eventhoughsheknew

thiswassupposedtobeno-strings,eventhoughsheknewsheshouldn’tbestrayingawayfromthesafe
zonewhereonlytheirbodieswereinvolved,sheknewitwasalreadytoolate.

Herheartwasin.Wayin.
ShewantedtoknowmoreaboutMarcus.Neededtounderstandhowhe’dcometobethemanhewas.
“Mygirlfriendcheatedonme.IcaughtherthesamedayIwenttothatclub.”
She’dknownthingshadgonebadlywithhisexfromcommentshe’dmadebefore,butcouldn’tstop

hereyesfromwidening.

“Shecheatedonyou?”
“I’veneverscrewedaroundonawoman.”
“No,”shesaidquickly,“Iknowyouwouldneverdosomethinglikethat.Ijustcan’tunderstandwhat

womaninherrightmindwouldcheatonyou.Youmustbesoangrywithher.”

“Iwas,”headmitted,“butthenIrealizedthatsheactuallydidusbothabigfavor.”
“How?”

“Weweren’trightforeachother.”
Eventhoughsheknewtheanswermightkillher,shehadtoask.“Didyouloveher?”
“IthoughtIdid.”
Ouch.Itshouldn’thavehurttothinkofMarcusbeinginlovewithsomeoneelse,butitdid.Alot.

Whichwaswhyittookherlongerthanitshouldhavetorealizehehadn’tactuallysaidhelovedhisex.

“Wait,youthoughtyoudid?Soisthatayesorno?”
Hefrowned,shookhishead.“No.IonlylovedthepersonIwantedhertobe.Butthatwasn’twhoshe

reallywas.”

“Iknowexactlyhowthatis,”shesaidbeforeshecouldcatchherself.
“Youdo?”
Sixmonthsfellawayinthespanoftwosimplewordsfromthesweetestmanshe’deverknown,and

sheknewifshetalkedaboutKennyshe’dprobablyendupcryingalloverhimandmakingacomplete
idiotofherself.

“Ido.”
Hetippedhishandbeneathherchinandmadeherfacehim.“Whoeverhewas,whateverhedidto

hurtyou,hewastheworld’sbiggestidiot.”

Thetearsshe’dbeenhopingshewouldn’tcryspilledout.“Iwasthebiggeridiotforbelievinghis

lies.”

“No,Nicola,”hesaidashegentlywipedawayhertearswiththepadsofhisthumbs.“Youcould

neverbeanythingbutbrightandbeautifulandabsolutelyperfectjustthewayyouare.”

Hismouthcoveredhersamomentlaterandthenhewasmakingherforgeteverythingbuthowgoodit

felttobeinhisarms...everythingbutthefactthatshewassoincrediblygladshe’dbeenthereatthenight
clubtohelphimoverhisbadbreakup,alittlebitatleast.

“Helpmetakemyclothesoff,”shemurmuredagainsthislips.
HiseyesglitteredashecoveredherhandswithhisandtheypulledoffherT-shirttogether.Herbra

cameoffnextandhetossedbothupontothedrysand.Herjeanskirtandpantiescameoffjustasquickly
andthenshewasstandingbeforehim,completelynaked.

Andsenselesslyaroused.

ChapterSixteen

“Doyouhaveanyideahowbeautifulyouare?”
Thebiggest,mosttrustingeyesintheworldlookedupathim.“Onlywhenyou’relookingatmelike

this.”

Marcusputhishandsonherhipsandpulledheragainsthimashismouthcoveredherswithoutany

restraintatall.Nicolakissedhimbackjustaspassionately,herhandsgraspingathisclothes.Only
breakingtheirkisslongenoughtopullhisshirtoverhishead,theywererightbackatitastheygothis
pantsandboxersoff.

Hismouthstillonhers,heliftedherintohisarmsagainandwalkedintothesurf.
AwavecrashedupontothemandNicolagaspedatthecold.“Areyoucrazy?”
“Whenyou’rewithmelikethis,”heanswered,“IthinkImustbe.”
Sheattackedhimwithherlips,plantingkissesalloverhisface,hisneck,hisshoulders.He’dnever

beenwithsomeonesounrestrained,soreadytogiveintoherjoy...andsowillingtoshareitwithhim.The
hourshe’dspentwithNicolahadbeenhappierthananyhecouldrememberbeforeher.

Yes,he’dbeentellingherthetruthwhenhesaidhedidn’tregretanyofthetradeoffshe’dhadtomake

onhisfamily’sbehalf.Buthewasgladhedidn’thavetomakeanyofthosetradeoffsnowsothathecould
putNicola—andhisfeelingsforher—firstthesepastfewdays.

“Iwantsobadlytomakelovetoyououthere,”shetoldhimasshelickedathisearlobe,“butwe

don’thaveanyprotection.”

Marcushadtoforcefullypushasidetheurgetobeinsideofherwithoutanythingbetweenthem.Ifthis

weremorethanalongweekendtogethertheycouldgettestedand—

No.Heneededtostayfocusedonhereandnow,onthefactthatNicolahadalreadygivenhimmore

pleasureinthreedaysthananymanshouldrightfullyexpecttohaveinonelifetime.She’dmadeitclearto
himthatshedidn’twantarelationship.

Justasclearashe’dmadeittoher,infact.
Thatwaswhenheshowedherwhathewasholding.“Iplannedahead.”
Sheshookherheadonasurprisedlaugh.“Howtheheckdidyougetthisoutofyourpocketand

unwrappedwithoutmynoticing?”Withoutwaitingforhisanswer,shegrabbedthecondomfromhim.
“Nevermind.JustputmedownsothatIcandothehonors.”

Notsurehe’dsurvivehavingherhotlittlehandsonhim,hewarnedher,“Don’teventhinkabout

teasingme,”asheputherbackonherfeetinthesurf.

Sheblinkedathim,allsexyinnocenceandpurewickedintent.“HowelseamIgoingtoknowif

you’reevergoingtomakegoodonallthosespankingthreats?”

“Oh,I’llmakegoodonthem,allright,”hetoldher,temptedtotakecareofherrightthenandthere,but

thenhertonguewascomingouttolickatherupperlipasshefocusedherattentiononhim.

“You’rethebeautifulone,”shemurmuredasshedroppedtoherkneesbeforehesawitcomingand

puthermouthoverhim.

Jesus,hecouldn’tbelievehewasoutintheoceanwiththemostbeautifulwomanontheplanet

pleasuringhimintheswirlingsurf.Thiswasn’thim,wasn’twhathislifewaslike,wasn’tanypartofhis
plans.

Forgethisplans,hethoughtasheslidhishandsintoherhairanddecidedtotakewhatshewasso

happilygivinghim.Allthewhile,evenasshenearlytookhimovertheedge,hewatchedhercarefullyto
makesurehewasn’thurtingher.Fortunately,hecouldtellfromthesexylittlesoundsshewasmakingthat
shelovedgivinguphersensualcontroltohim.

Waitinguntilhewasasplitsecondfromlosingit,hedraggedhimselfoutofhermouth.“Putthe

condomonme,Nicola.”

Hergazewasfuzzyassheblinkedupathim,butsheobeyedhimwithshakinghands.
Grittinghisteethagainstthesweettugofherhandsonhim,hemarveledatthewayshecompletely

gaveupherbodytohimwhentheyweremakinglove.Hewantedtobeasgoodasthetrustshegavehim,
wantedhertoknowshe’dmadetherightdecisionintrustinghim.

“Comehere.”Hewaitedforhertotakehishandsandstandupbeforehesaid,“Wrapyourselfaround

me.”Shejumpeduptowraphertonedlimbstightlyaroundhimandhecouldn’tholdbackhisconfession.
“Iloveholdingyoulikethis.”

“Youcan’tpossiblyloveitasmuchasIdo,”shesaidagainsthislipsashestartedwalkingdeeper

intothecoldwater.

“OhGod,”shegaspedasthesurfpushedoverherbottom,“that’sreallycold.”Herbigeyesflicked

uptohis.“You’regoingtohavetoworkreallyhardtokeepmewarm.”

“That’stheplan,”hesaid,andthenafterhemovedherevenclosertohim,“How’sthisworking?”
“Mmm,prettygood.But,”sheheldoutonearm,“Istillhavegoosebumps.”Hepressedfirstonekiss,

andthenhalfadozen,upherarm.“You’reonlymakingmeshivermore,”shesaidinahuskyvoiceandhe
liftedhismouthfromhersoftskin.

“Maybethis,then?”
Theireyesheldashetookherinonehardstroke.
“Oh.”Hereyelidsflutteredatthepleasureofcomingtogether.“Yes.Justlike—”Herwordsbrokeoff

onagaspofpleasureasheangledhishipstostrokeoverthemostsensitivepartsinsideher.

BeingwithNicolalikethiswasasnatural,asunstoppableasthetides.Therewasnoebbandflowto

hisdesireforher,onlyaconstantcrashingofneedandwantthatkeptdragginghimdeeperunderherspell.

Hereyesglitteredwithemotionasshelookedupathimandhecouldfeelthedangerouspullofmore

thanjustbodiescomingtogetherinthatmomentassheheldontohim,thesunilluminatingherstunning
beauty,thegoldenhueofhersmoothskin.

Forallhissensualdemands,Marcusknewdamnwellwhowasreallyincharge.Nicolahadowned

himfromthatfirstmomentintheclubwhenshe’dlookedintohiseyesandclaimedhim.

She’dhadhisbodyfromthefirst,buthe’dbeensosurehisheart—hissoul—weresafe.Thatno

womancouldpossiblytouchhim.

Sothen,whydidbeingwithherlikethistouchhimasnothingeverhadbefore?
Andwhen,hehadtohelplesslywonder,hadhotsexwithhisbeautifulpopstarturnedintomaking

love,outonabeachbeneathasunthatfeltlikeitwasshiningjustforthem?

ChapterSeventeen

Laughingtogetherastheyputontheirclothesoverwetskin,theywalkedhandinhandupthebeachto

sitonthesoftsandandplunderthecontentsofthebagMarcushadputtogetheratthesmallPointReyes
cornerstore.

NicolalovedbeingwithMarcuslikethis,sharingmealsandsittingtogether,theirlegstouchingas

theyateandkissedbetweenbites.Shewasfranklyamazedtofindthattheirpicnicwasinsomeways
evenmoreintimate—andscary—thanmakingloveintheoceanhadbeen.

Whenhe’dbeenholdingher,drivingherinsanewithhiskissesandcaresses,she’dbeensoclose,

barelyanotherkissawayfromspillingwhathadbeengrowingdeepwithinherheart.Butnow,shehada
feelingitmightnottakemorethanoneofhisbeautifulsmilestosendherallthewayovertheedge,way
pastno-stringstoturningintooneofthosegirlsshe’dteasedhimaboutearlier,wearingtheweddingdress
andknockingonhisdoor.

Somehow,despitethefactthatshewashavingthebestdayofherlife,despitehowsweethe’dbeen

whenhewastellingherthatherexhadn’tdeservedher,sheneededtoremembertokeepafirmholdon
herheartatalltimes.

“So,”sheaskedasshetoreanotherchunkofbreadoffanddippeditinthered-pepperhummus,“how

doyouknowaboutthisplace?”

“Thiswasmyfather’sfavoritebeach.”Shefollowedhisgazedownthebeachtoaprettycottage

perchedontherocks.“Hisbestfriendfromcollegeownedthathouseandthisstretchofsand.”Ashadow
passedoverhisfaceashesaid,“Joediedafewyearsago.Heleftmymotherthisplaceinhiswill,told
herhisbestmemorieshadbeenofallofusplayingonthebeachwhenwewerekids.Andthathehoped
ourgrandkidswouldplaylikethatoneday,too.”

NicolahadtomoveclosertoMarcus,hadtotakehishandsinhersandholdthemoverherheartas

thoughshecouldgivehersupforhisifitmeantshecouldtakeawayallofthepainhe’dhadtodealwith
atsuchaterriblyyoungage.

“Tellmeaboutyourfather.”
“Hewasgreat.Therewasneveradaywhenwedidn’tknowhowmuchhelovedus,howgladhewas

tohaveusall.Evenwhenabunchofuswerefightingandyellingandcallingeachothernames,hewould
sitbackandletusworkitoutuntilwereachedthepointofnoreturn.”

“Whatdidhedothen?”
Shewaspleasedtohearhimchucklesoftly.“He’dwalkintotheroomandsay‘It’sover.’”
“That’sit?”
Heshotheracrookedgrin.“Hewalkedsoftlybutcarriedabigstick.”
“Soundsalotlikeyou.”
“Iusedtothinkso.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Youdon’tthinkyou’regoingtobeagreatfather?”
“Iusedtothinkthat.I’mprettymuchoverthewholewifeandkidsthingrightnow.”
Therewasabsolutelynoreasonforhisstatementtohurther.Butthefactthatthepopstarhe’dbeen

boningcouldneverpossiblybeunderconsiderationforthatrolemadeherfeel—fortheveryfirsttime
sinceshe’dmethim—cheap.

Thesuddenpainthatslashedinpastherbreastbonemadehercarelessenoughtocallhimonwhat

he’djustsaid.“So,justbecausesomebitchyouweredatingcheatedonyou,you’regivinguponhavinga
family?”

Hiseyesflashedawarningthatshedecidedtoignore.Whatthehell,theholeshewasdiggingwas

alreadysobigshecouldprettymuchburyherselfinit.Whystopnow?Especiallyifshewasnevergoing
toseehimagaincomeMondaymorning.Shemightaswelltrytohelp...evenifMarcusreallydidn’twant

herto.

Yes,shedecided,itwasapurelyaltruisticthingshewasdoingbypointingthisouttohim.Itwasn’tat

allthathe’dhurtherandshewantedhimtopayforit.

“AllI’maskingisifit’soccurredtoyouthatmaybeyouchoseatotallyworthlesshotodatesothat

youwouldn’thavetofaceactuallymarryingherandstartingafamily?Sothatyouwouldn’thavetorisk
losingawomanyouloved,themotherofyourchildren,likeyourmotherlostyourfather?Youknow,so
youcoulduseyourexasthereasontohidefromlove?”Sheshrugged,triedtoactnonchalant.“Heck,
that’sprobablywhyyouchoseme,too.Becauseit’seasiertosleepwithatotallyinappropriatesinger
thereisabsolutelynochanceofhavingafuturewith.”

Thesilencewasthick,almostcold,aftershefinishedherpoint-by-pointanalysisofhislife.Suddenly,

sherealizedshe’dneverseenMarcuslookatherlikethisbefore.

Hewasangry.
Angrywithherforhavingtoldhimwhatshethought.
Finally,hesaid,“Whataboutyou?”Hiseyeswerenarrowed,hisjawtight.“Youcouldhaveanyone,

Nicola.Sowhydidyoudateaworthlessliarthatyouprobablyknewwouldenduphurtingyou?Isitthe
samereasonyouthinkyouneedtofillsomesexyimage?Thesamereasonyouhidebehindyourbodyand
yourprettyfaceratherthanlettingpeopleseehowsmartyouare?Andisn’tthatwhyyouchoseme,too,
becauseI’mfunforacoupleofnights,butwebothknowyou’dneverconsiderstickingitoutwitha
boringoldguyinasuitinamillionyears?"

Shehadn’texpectedhimtocomebackatherwiththat,withanyofit,andshetriedtotakeherhands

fromhis,butheheldthemfast.

“Youhavenorighttosaythosethingstome.”
“Don’tthrowstonesifyourowndamnhousecan’ttakeit,kitten.”
OhGod,shehatedhearinghimusethatendearmentnow,whenhewasangrywithher.
“Seemstomeyou’retheexpertonhiding,”hetoldherinalow,hardvoice.“Hidingfromthepress.

Hidinghowsmartandtalentedyoureallyare.Eveninthebedroom,thelastplaceintheworldyoushould
havebeentryingtohideyourselffromyourlover,Ihavetopusheveryoneofyourbuttonstogetyouto
dropyourwallsforasplit-second.”

Sheunderstoodthatshe’dupsethimwithwhatshe’dsaid,somuchthathewasactivelytryingtopush

heraway.Butthatknowledgedidnothingtodouseherpain.Ifanything,itonlymadeitworse.

Becauseshe’dstupidlytrustedhimnottohurther.
Sheyankedherhandsfromhisgripandgottoherfeetinthesand.“Fine!Youdon’twantmetohide

anymore,thenhowaboutIstoprightnow?"

Hestoodup,too,facingher.“Idareyoutotry.”
Asthegauntletcrashdownbetweenthem,sheblurted,“HowaboutIfaceuptothefactthatI’mstill

theworld’sbiggestidiotforbelievingthatwecouldactuallydothiswithnostrings.HowaboutItellyou
thatIknewbetterthantostartfallinginlovewithaguywhowouldneverwantmeforanythingmorethan
acoupleofdaysofhotsex.”Herbreathwascomingtoofastandhervisionwasblurringwithtearsasshe
yelled,“How’sthatforsmart?"

Shehadtoturnawayfromhim,couldn’tbeartolethimseehercry.Notnowthateverythingwas

ruinedandherperfectdayhadbeencrushedtosmithereens.

Andnotaftershe’dactuallygoneandconfessedherstupidfeelingstohimintheperfectwaytomake

surethathewouldnever,everreturnthem.

Not,sheknew,thathewouldhaveanyway.
“Ineedtogo,”shetoldhiminatightvoicethatshewillednottobreak.“Mycrewisgoingtobe

expectingmeatthevenueforsoundchecksoon.Ican’tbelateagainlikeIwasyesterday.”

Sheheadedtowardthepathbetweenthepinetreesthatwouldtakeherbacktohiscar.Inthesurf

whenhe’dbeenholdingherinhisarms,despitehowcoldthewaterswirlingaroundthemhadbeen,she’d
feltsowarm.

Butnow,evenwiththewarmsunbeatingdownonherback,she’dneverfeltcolder.

***

Itwasn’tjusttheshockofknowinghowdeepheremotionsforhimranthathadMarcusreeling.
Itwasthefactthatherehe’dbeengoingonaboutherneedingtotreatherselfasmorethanasex

object,whenthat’sthewayhe’dbeentreatingherallalong.Becausewhensheactuallyturnedthatbig
brainonhislife,toanalyzethedecisionshe’dmade,he’dlostitonher.

Throwingeverythingintothepicnicbag,hemovedquicklythroughthetreestofindherwaitinginhis

car.Herbackwasstraight,herhandswereonherlap,andshewasstaringstraightaheadashegotin
behindthewheel.

“I’msorry."
Hewantedtoreachforherhand,butheknewhowshe’dreact,thatthelastthingshewantedwasfor

himtotouchher.Theironywasn’tlostonhimthattheverythingshedidn’twantwasnowwhatheneeded
most—toreconnectwithhereveninthatonesmallway.

“I’msorry,too."
Marcuswassurprisedtohearhersaythosewordstohim.He’dbeenplanningtosaysomuchmore,

neededtoletherknowhowwronghe’dbeentohurtherlikethat,thathehadn’trealizedwhatasensitive
topichisfather’sdeathwas.

Butwhenhereyesmethis,flatandempty,heknewhewastoolate.
“Ishouldn’thavepressuredyoufortheseextradaystogether."
Hethoughthesawtheshimmeroftearsinhereyes,butwhenhelookedagaintheywereclear.And

stillsoflathisgutclenchedatthememoryofthepassion,thejoythathadbeentherejustminutesbefore.

“Youwererighttowanttoendthingsafterthatfirstnight.”Hermouthmovedupatthecorners,into

somethingnoonewouldevercallasmile.“Lessonlearned.One-nightstandsshouldsticktothenumber
intheirname.”

MarcushadalwaysbeenthesteadySullivan,theonewhoknewwhatdoinanysituation.However,

fromthefirstmomentwithNicola,he’dbeencompletelyoutofhisdepth.Moresonowthaneverbefore.
Buteventhoughhe’dknownallalongthattheirrelationshipwasgoingtoendintheverynearfuture,he
hatedthethoughtofitendingthisway.

“You’veneverbeenapopstartome,Nicola.You’vealwaysjustbeenyou.AwomanIwantedand

likedfromthestart.IfI’veevertreatedyoulikeyouwerenothingmorethanasexkitten,I’mtrulysorry.”

Shewassilentforaseveralverylongseconds.Finally,shesaid,“It’sniceofyoutosaythat."
Hewaitedformore,waitedforhertotellhimshethoughthewasmorethanjustsomeguyinasuit

whoknewhowtomakeherscreamwithpleasurewhenshecame,butshesimplypulledhercellphone
outofherbagandlookedatthetime.

“HowlongwillittaketogettotheWarfield?”
Suddenly,hefeltlikehewasbendingoverbackwardtotrytogethertolistentohisapologies,butshe

wasn’twillingtobendatall.

Hadn’thespenttwostraightyearsbendingoverforJill,doingwhateverhecouldtomakeherhappy?

Lookhowthathadturnedout.Ifhe’dbeentooboring,tooemotionlessforJill,thensurelyonedaysoon,
evenifheandNicolafoundawaytopatchthingsuptoday,shewouldsurelyendupboredwithhim,
too...andeventuallyhe’dhavetheextremenon-pleasureofwalkinginonherdoingsomeexcitingguywith
piercingsandagoatee,knowinghe’dbeenafoolonemoretime.

“Aboutanhour.”

ChapterEighteen

ThankGodshe’ddoneathousandshowslikethisone,Nicolathoughtasshewentthroughthemotions

ofsoundcheckingandjokingaroundwithherband.Shemighthavebeensmiling,laughing,butshefelt
hollow.Empty.

Andreally,reallysad.
ThethingsMarcushadsaidtoherkeptrepeatingoverandoverinherhead,soloudlythatsheactually

forgotthelyricstooneofhersongsandhadtostopinthemiddle,apologizetoherbandwithajoke,
pretendshedidn’tseethewaytheylookedather,ateachother,withquestionsintheireyes.

Oneslip.Shewasonlyeveroneslipawayfrompeopleassuminglatenightsanddrugsandwild

parties.

Ofcourse,shewasn’texactlyhelpingherselfbyplayingintothewildimagewithhervideos,the

clothessheworeonstage,thefactthatsheletherselfbephotographedwithpeoplewhosewildimages
wereearned,notsimplyimagined.

ItwasasmuchasMarcushadsaidtoheroutonthebeach,whentheywereangrilythrowingwordsat

eachother.

Sheknewthatwasalargepartofwhyshe’dbeensoangry.Maybeifshecouldhavetakenonebreath,

andthenanother,shecouldhaveletherselfadmittohim—tobothofthem—thatshewastiredofthesexy-
girlimage.Thatshe’dbeenwonderingmoreandmorewhyshewasbotheringwithit.Andthatshe
wantedtolethersongsstandforthemselves.

Justthepowerofhermusic,sinkorswim,withoutthesilentpromiseofsextosellthemtotheworld.
Butshehadn’ttakenthatbreath,hadshe?
Instead,she’dbarreledheadlongintothestupidest,mostidioticconfessionofherlife.
She’dtoldhimshewasfallinginlovewithhim.
No.
She’dyelleditathim.
Ofcourse,he’dsaidnothingaboutlove.Notthereonthebeach...andnotlaterinhiscar.
Shesatinherdressingroom,whichhertourmanagerhadsetupperherusualspecifications,making

thespacecomfortableandcozyforafewhours,andstaredintothelargemirrorwiththestripoflights
shiningdownaboveit.Theywerewaytoobright,highlightingallthepartsofhersoulshedidn’twantto
havetosee.

Tohiscredit,Marcushadcomebacktothecarandimmediatelyapologized.Butshe’dbeentooafraid

tohearwhathewassorryfor,terrifiedthathewasgoingtosay,“I’msorryyou’reinlovewithme.I
nevermeantforthattohappen.”

Sheturnedawayfromthemirror,unabletolookherselfintheeyeanylonger.
Heartbreakwassupposedtobeperfectforwritingsongs.Sheshouldbepickingupherguitarand

writingamasterpiece,channelingtheJoniMitchellinsideherselfandsingingaboutblueboysandbright
reddevilsshecouldn’tlivewithout.

Butshecouldn’tdothat.Nottonight,anyway.Notwhenitwasalltooraw.Notwhenshestillfeltso

stupid,sopainfullyfoolishtohavelostherheartsoquickly,socompletely,toamanshehadknownfrom
thestartwouldneverbeagoodmatchforher.

Onenightwasalltheyevershouldhaveshared.
Butasshesatinherdressingroomfeelingsorryforherself,itwasasiftheguitar,themirror,were

bothstaringatherfromoppositesidesoftheroomandcallinghercoward.

Theywereright.
Shewasbeingacoward.
Andshe’dbeenonefortoolong.

Finally,Nicolatookthatbreathsheshouldhavetakenoutonthebeach.Andthenanotherandanother

untilshefeltstrongenoughtomaketherightdecision.

Ignoringtheskimpy,shinyoutfitsherstylisthadlaidoutforhertowearonstage,clothesdesignedto

danceinandprovoke,shemovedoffherchair,pickedupherguitar,andturnedtofaceherselfinthe
mirror.

Thewomanwhostaredbackdidn’tlooklikeapopstarinfullmakeupandshimmeringskin-tightsilk

andSpandex.Forthefirsttimeever,NicolookedlikeNicola,ayoung,pretty,twenty-somethinggirlina
jeanskirtandT-shirtwhohadwrittensomesongsshewantedtoplayforpeople.

Finally,Nicolawasabletofindasmallsmile.
Sinkorswim,tonightwasthenightshe’dtakethatfirststeptowardhernewfuture.
Andeventhoughshewouldn’thaveMarcusbyherside,atleastshe’dalwaysknowshehadhimto

thankforhelpingtogiveherapushintherightdirection.

Hedidn’tloveher,buthe’dalwaysbeenclearaboutrespectingher.
Tonight,she’drespectherself,too.
Holdingherguitartoherbodyasifitwerealover—knowingitwastheonlylovershewouldhave

foralongtimetocome—Nicolasteppedoutintothehallwayandwenttofindherbandleadertodiscuss
thechangeofplans.

***

Justhoursago,Marcushadtoldhissisterthathecouldn’tcometoNicola’sconcertwithher,thathe

hadplansforthenightthatcouldn’tbebroken.Thelastthingintheworldheneededwastositbeside
LoriwatchingNicolaonstage.

He’dplannedongoingbacktohiswineryinNapa,backtohisnormallifewheresweet,sexypop

starshadnothingtodowithhisworldunlesstheywalkedintohiswinerywithanentourageand
demandedapersonaltour.HehadjustpassedtheWelcometoNapaValleysignthatgreetedvisitorstothe
world-famousregion,whenhemadeanabruptU-turnanddrovethe100milesbacktothecityasfastas
Saturdaynighttrafficwouldlethim.

Hesimplycouldn’tstayaway.Couldn’tpossiblyresistthechancetobeinthesameroomasNicola

forafewmorehours.

Andso,notonlyhadheflat-outliedtooneofhissiblings,butdespitehisstoryaboutbeingtoobusy

toattendtheconcert,herehewasstandingoutsidetheWarfieldinSanFranciscostaringupatasignthat
said,SPECIALGUESTFORONENIGHTONLY:NICO!

Inhiscaratthebeach,hispridehadtoldhimhewasbetteroffwithouther,thatheneededtoend

thingsbeforeshecouldendthemlaterandbreakhisheart.

Forgethispride.
Becausethememoryofthewayshe’dgottenoutofhiscarinfrontofthevenuethatafternoonhad

hauntedhimeverysecondsince.

“Itwasnicemeetingyou,”waswhatshe’dsaid.
Whatthehellwashesupposedtosaytothat?Thatitwasnicetohavemether,too,liketheywere

nothingmorethanacoupleofbusinesscolleagues?

Eventhoughheshouldhavebeengentlewithher,eventhoughhisonlygoalshouldhavebeentotryto

gethertolistentohisapologies,he’dgrowledhername,instead.

Hereyeshadflickedoverhimforabriefsecond,beforeshe’dpulledouthercellphoneandalerted

hercrewthatshewasoutfront.Momentslater,shewasdisappearingthroughthedoors,whichwere
lockedbehindhertokeepnotonlyherfansfromdisturbingherbeforetheshow...butalsotheguystaring
afterherfrombehindthewheelofhiscar.

“Heyman,youwantatickettotheshow?Nicousuallyplaysmuchbiggerplacesandthisonesoldout

intwentyminutes.Notgonnagetthechancetoseeherthiscloseanytimesoon."

Thescalper’swordsrippedathisalreadytorn-apartgutasMarcusstaredattheticket.Itwaswhyhe

washere,wasn’tit?ToseeNicolaonemoretime,todrinkherin,evenfromadistance,becausehe
alreadymissedherlikehell.

He’dbeenclosetoher,soclose.Andhe’dtakenhercompletelyforgranted,hadbeenlookingtoward

Mondayasaninevitableend.

Marcusboughttheticketandwassurprisedtofindthecrowdwasmadeupofnotjustkids,but

collegestudentsandmorethanafewpeoplehisownagewhohadobviouslycomenotaschaperonesto
youngfans,butbecausetheywantedtoseeNicolaplay.

Ashesatdown,heheardacoupleofteenagersdiscussingher.
“Iheardthatguyshewasdatingtotallyscammedher.Youknow,gotherhighandthentookabunchof

picturesandsoldthem.”

“Hetotallylookedlikeacreep,didn’the?”
“Totally.Iwonderwhysheevendatedhim?IfIwasasawesomeasNico,I’dholdoutforthebest-

lookingguyintheworldwhoworshippedme.”

Theirconversationmovedontotheguystheyhadcrushesonwhodidn’tknowtheyexistedand

Marcussatbacktoprocesswhathe’djustlearned.

Outonthebeach,she’dalludedtobeinghurtandbetrayedbyaformerlover.Andshe’dalreadytold

himthatshe’dmadesomebaddecisionsthathadlandedherwithawildparty-girlimage.

MarcusknewitwouldbesoeasytopulluptheInternetbrowseronhisphoneandfindouttherestof

thestory,butherememberedhowwaryshe’dbeenoncehe’dlearnedwhoshewas,thewayshe’d
assumedhe’ddoneaGooglesearchonher.

Whateverhelearnedaboutherpast,heneededtolearnfromherdirectly.
Thatis,ifshewouldevertalktohimagain.
Andwhywouldshe,hewonderedasthelightsdimmedandthecrowdbegantocheer.Hemightnotbe

lookingherupontheInternet,buthewassittinghereinthedarklikeacreepystalker,waitingtowatch
herperformwithoutherknowledge.

Hadherexdoneanyworse?
Marcusknewheneededtogetupoutofhisseatandleave.Buthe’dneverhadanyself-controlwhere

Nicolawasconcerned...andhestilldidn’t.

Forallthathe’dtriedtokeeptheirrelationshiptojustsex,ithadn’tbeen.Notevenclose.Hermusic

wassuchabigpartofwhoshewas,andheneededtoseeit,neededtounderstandit,neededtoknowthat
partofheraswellasheknewthecontoursofherbeautifulbody.

ThestagelightswentupslowlyandeveryoneshottotheirfeetasNicolawalkedonstage.Marcus’s

breathcaughtathowsmallshelookedbeneaththebrightlights,buthowsheownedit—andeveryonein
theroom—nonetheless.

HewassurprisedtoseethatshewasstillwearingherT-shirtandskirt.Fromthepictureshe

rememberedseeingofherwhenhe’dflippedpastthemusiccablestationswithhisremote,he’dassumed
she’dbewearingoneofherskimpycostumes,theoutfitsthatwerepartandparcelofthesuper-sexy
imagehe’drippedapartonthebeachjusthoursbefore.

“Hi,everyone.”
Thetwolargescreensoneithersideofthestageshowedhimhersmile.Shelookedstrong,butalittle

nervousatthesametime.Hethoughthesawhintsofsadnessinhereyes,buttherewasexcitementthere,
too.

Whatwasshedoing?
Butthen,suddenly,heknew,evenbeforeshesaidordidanythingelse:Hisbeautifulgirlwastaking

control.

“I’msogladeveryonecouldspendtonightwithme.TheMusiciansforLiteracyFoundationisreally

importanttome.”

Avoicecalledout,“Weloveyou,Nico!”
Shelaughed.“Iloveyou,too.”
Thewordsfellsoeasilyoffhertongueandheknewshemeantit.Herfansmeanttheworldtoher.She

didn’ttaketheopportunitytoplayhermusicforsomanypeoplelightly.

“I’minthemoodtoplaymyguitarandpianotonightandtakethisacousticforawhile.Isthatokay

withyouguys?”Fivethousandvoicescheeredherandhersmilelitupthedarkroom.“Awesome."

Shereachedouttotakeaguitarfromaroadieandslippeditonoverhershoulders.Marcusthought

howrightshelookedlikethat.

He’dsuddenlysawthathe’dbeenwrongoutonthebeach.Shehadn’tbeenhidingallofherself,just

onehalfofherself.Becauseshewasboththesexkittenfromhervideosandthisbeautifulgirlwhose
voicerangoutpureandstrongasshestrummedherguitarandbrokealloftheirheartswiththesimple
magicofhersongs.

Peoplesatbackdownintheirseats.Notbecausetheyweren’tthrilledwiththemusic,butbecause

theywantedtobeabletolistenmoreclosely,tobetterheareverynoteandnuanceofherperformance.A
performancethatheldthemallspellbound.

Betweensongs,shewasutterlydisarmingasshetoldthestoriesbehindherinspirationforthelyrics

andmadeeveryonelaugh.Andthen,whenshesatdownatthepianointhespotlightandbegantoplaythe
songhe’dheardathervideorehearsal—Allittookwasonemoment,onelookinyoureyes,onetasteof
yourlips,toknowthatyouweretheone—sheheldoutherentirehearttoheraudience.

Aheartforthemtohold...ortocrush.
Andashewatched,ashelistened,ashisheart—andsoul—drankherinamidstaroomfullof

strangers,Marcusknewhimselftobetheworld’sbiggestfool.

Thewomanhe’daccusedofhidingwasbraverthananyoneelsehe’devermet.
Ahellofalotbraverthanhewas.
IfMarcushadn’talreadyfacedthefactthathewasheadoverheelsinlovewithNicola,hewould

havefallenrightthen…alongwithfivethousandotherpeopleinthesold-outconcerthallinSan
Francisco.

ChapterNineteen

Astheapplausecontinuedafterherthirdandfinalencore,Nicolaquicklymoveddownthehallwayto

herdressingroom.Sheneededafewsecondstoherselfbeforeshewentoutinthegroupareatosayhello
tothefanswhohadpaidextratothecharityfortheprivilegeofapictureandachatwithher.

Hercrewhadbeenwithherlongenoughtounderstandthisneed,andalthoughtheysmiledatherand

gaveherthethumbs-up,theyletherpasswithoutconversation.

Sheclosedthedoorbehindherandleanedagainstit,finallylettingoutthebreathshefeltlikeshe’d

beenholdingfortwohours.

She’ddoneit,hadactuallystooduponthestagetheentirenightwithjustherguitarandpianoand

voicetoleadherthrough.God,ithadbeenincredible—although,shewassurprisedtorealize,apartof
hermissedthelightsandflashanddancing.

Allornothing,that’showithadalwaysfeltlikethingsneededtobe.Hadshebeenwrongthewhole

time?And,ifso,couldshepossiblyfigureouthowtowalkthelinebetweenflashandheartwithout
losingherfanbaseandgivingupthecareershe’dworkedsohardtobuild?

“Nico.”Aknockcameatthedoor.ItwasJimmy,thebodyguardwhousuallyworkedhershows.
Shetookabreathandopenedthedoorwithasmile.“Hi.”
Hewasfrowning.“I’mreallysorrytobotheryou.”
“Issomethingwrong?”
“Ijustwantedtoletyouknowthere’saguyoutsidewhodoesn’tseemtowanttotakenoforan

answeraboutcomingbackheretomeetyou.”

Hergutclenchedasplitsecondbeforeherheartfollowedsuit.“He’sprobablyjustacollegekidwho

dranktoomuch,”shesaid,eventhoughshealreadyknewbetter.

“Nope,”Jimmyconfirmed.“He’sanolderguy.Differentfromtheusualtypetryingtogetmetothink

heknowsyou.Lookslikeabusinessman.”

OhGod,Marcuswasoutthere.Didheknowshe’dbeenlookingforhiminthecrowdtheentirenight?

Thateverymanwithbroadshouldershadstoppedhercold,butnoneofthemwereeverhim?Finally,
she’dconvincedherselfthathewasn’tthere.Butnowitturnedouthe’dseenhershowandhewantedto
comebackstagetoseeher.

Buthavingjustgiveneverylastpieceofhershatteredsoulovertothecrowd,inthisstate,sheknew

exactlywhatshe’ddothesecondshesawhim:She’dbeghimtotakeherback.Evenjustforonehour,if
he’dhaveherthatlong.Andwhenmorningcame,she’dhateherselffornotbeingabletoholdontoher
pridewherehewasconcerned.

Sheshookherhead,startedtosay,“Ican’t—”
Jimmynodded.“Don’tworry.Iwon’tlethimbackhere.Ijustwantedtomakesureyoudidn’tleave

alonetonight,justincasehedecidestowaitaroundintheshadowsoutsideforyou.I’lltakeyoubackto
yourhotel.”

Shenodded.“Okay.”Shetriedtosmileherthanks,butshecouldn’tmanageit.“Iappreciateyou

lettingmeknowaboutthesituation.”

Hissmilewasgentle.“Youweregreatouttheretonight.Blewusallaway.”
Tearsprickledtooclosetohereyelids.“Thanks.I’mgladyoulikedtheshow.”Shegesturedtoward

thedressingroom.“IjustneedafewsecondsandthenI’llcomeoutanddothemeet-and-greet.”

“I’llletthemknowyou’reonyourway.”
Sheclosedthedooragainwithasoftclick,holdingherhandoverherheart.Justthinkingabout

Marcusoutbythestagedoorhaditbeatingsofast,toofast.Hewassoclose...

No.Sheneededtostopthinkingofhim,neededtogetonwithherjob.
Shedidn’tdarelookinthemirror,didn’twanttoseeherownhauntedeyes,asshegrabbedawater

bottleandheadedouttosayhellotoherfans.Tonightwasaboutthem,abouttheirgenerositytoavery
deservingcharity.Nicolawasn’tgoingtoletastupidlybrokenheartgetinthewayofthattruth.

Thirtyminuteslater,hercheekshurtfromsmilingsohard,butshewantedtohugeachandeveryoneof

herfans,becauseforalittlewhileshe’dalmostfeltnormal,likeshehadbeforeMarcushadcomeintoher
lifeandheldhersogently.

Beforehe’dkissedher,touchedher.
Beforehe’dshownhersomethingfarmorebeautiful—and,ultimately,farmorepainful—thansheever

couldhaveimagined.

Beforelove.
“OhmyGod,youwereamazing!”LoripushedthroughthethrongsofpeoplesurroundingNicolato

throwherarmsaroundher.

ShewasgladtoseeLori,ofcourseshewas,butthelinktoMarcuswaswaytoocloseforcomfort

andNicolahadtoworkevenharderthanshealreadywastoschoolherexpressionintoasmile.

“Thanks,”shesaid,wonderingifLoriknewherbrotherwasthere.“Ihadalotoffunoutthere

tonight.”

“IwishMarcushadbeenabletocome.Youwouldhaveanewbiggestfan.”
Nicolabarelyheldontohersmile.Ifhewereanyotherguy,maybeshewouldhaveletherselfconfide

toLorihowshe’dcompletelylostherheart.Girltalkwasjustwhatsheneeded,someonetodrinktoo
manyglassesofwinewithwhiletheytrash-talkedmen.

Instead,shesaid,“I’vereallyenjoyedspendingtimewithyouthisweek.”
Marcus’ssistergrinnedather.“You’renotleavinguntilMonday,right?”AtNicola’snod,Lorisaid,

“Onceamonth,thewholeclangetstogetherforSundaylunchatmymother’shouse.Pleasecomeandhang
outwithus.YoualreadyknowMarcus,butIknowhowmucheveryoneelsewouldliketomeetyouafter
I’vespentthelastweektalkingtheirearsoffabouthowamazingyouare.”

“Wow,that’sreallynice,”Nicolasaid,notwantingtobeabitchandruintheirbuddingfriendshipby

turningdownLori’sfriendlyoffer,“butIcan’tintrudeonafamilyevent.”

MisunderstandingNicola’shesitation,Lorisaid,“WeallgetthefamethingwithSmith.Ipromise

everyonewillbetotallynormal.Besides,”shesaidwithanobviousmatchmakinggleaminhereyes,“I
can’thelpbuthopeyou’llmeetoneofmybrothersandthetwoofyouwillfallinlove.HaveItoldyou
aboutGabe?He’safirefighterandmyfriendsarealwaystellingmehowhotheis.”

EverythingwasspiralingoutofcontrolsoquicklythatNicolacouldbarelyforceoutajoke.“Who

couldpossiblyresistafirefighter?”

Lorihuggedheragain.“I’lltextyoutheaddress.Iknowyou’rebusy,soI’lllettherestofyour

adoringfanshavesometimewithyou.Seeyoutomorrow!”

Maybe,Nicolathoughtasagroupofexcitedyounggirlssquealedatmeetingher,thislunchwasfor

thebest.She’dalreadybeenbraveenoughtostartchangingherimage,hadtakenthatfirststeptonightto
stophidingbehindhersuper-sexyexterior.

ButnotlettingMarcusseeherbackstagejustnowhadn’tbeenverybrave.
TomorrowatSundaybrunchshe’dfacehimonemoretime.She’dprovetobothofthemthatshecould

handleit,thatshewasbigenough,strongenoughtostophiding,andclearupanylingeringhurtfeelings.
Thatwouldleavebothofthemfreetomoveonwiththeirlives,thefewdaysthey’dspenttogetherineach
other’sarmsnothingbutadistantmemory.

Still,Nicolaknewshewouldn’tsleepmuchthatnight.Howcouldshewhenherbrainwouldbebusy

lookingatherrelationshipwithMarcusfromeverypossibleangle,eventhoughshealreadyknewthefinal
answer?

Endingitwasthebestthingforbothofthem.Yes,theycouldhavedoneitinacleaner,nicerway,but

atleasttheyweren’tfoolingthemselvesintothinkingtheycouldactuallyhavearelationship.

ChapterTwenty

Marcushadahellofanight.AfterdrivingbackuptoNapaaftertheconcert,he’dsatontheporchand

staredoutintothedarknessuntilthesuncameup.Therehadn’tbeenanypointintryingtosleep,notwhen
visionsofNicolawerealreadyhauntinghim.

Allnightlong,he’daskedhimselfthesamequestion:Howcouldhefixthemistakeshe’dmadewith

her?Everythinghe’ddonetohurther,topushheraway,tokeepheratarm’slength,toguardhisheart,
cameathimasthemoonshiftedtoletthesuntakeitsplace.

ThatmorninginSmith’skitchen,whenshe’daskedhimforanothernightandhe’dhurtherbytelling

herno,thatithadbeenahugemistaketoleavetheclubwithheratall.

Thatnightwhenhe’dfoundoutwhoshewas,andhadbeennotonlyangrywithherforkeepingher

famousidentityfromhimandmakingthemusetheprivateentrance,buthe’dalsodecidedboththose
thingsgavehimlicensetoselfishlyforceherbodypastthepointofnoreturn.

Thewayhe’dmadeherworklikehellthenextmorningfortheextratimetogether,whenarealman

wouldhaveowneduptohisfeelingsandsavedherthepainofanotherpossiblerejection.

Thepaininhereyesoutonthebeachwhenshe’dyelledathimaboutherbeingstupidenoughtobe

fallinginlovewithhim…andhedidn’thavethegutstoadmithewasfallinginlovewithher,too.

Marcus’sentirebodywastightandtenseashemadehimselfownuptoeachandeveryoneofhis

mistakes.

Forthefirsttimeinhislife,thevinesthatstretchedoutoverthehillsheldnobeautyforhim.Notafter

he’dheldthemostbeautifulwomanintheworldinhisarms...andhadbeentoostupidtorealizeheneeded
todoanythingandeverythinginhispowertoconvincehertolethimloveherthewaysheshouldbe
loved.

ThankGodNicola’sbodyguardhadn’tlethiminlastnight,hadfirmlytoldhim,“Sorry,man,she’s

busy.You’renotgettingintoseeher.”Marcushadn’tbeenrationalandwoulddefinitelyhavemadethings
worse.

Unfortunately,afteralongnightofthinking,hestillhadn’tcomeupwithaplanthathadanychanceof

working.Heknewhecouldn’thealwhatwasbrokenbetweenthemwithflowersorjewelry.

Hedidn’thavethewilltodomorethanputoncleanjeansandaT-shirtforhismother’sSundaylunch,

eventhoughheknewsomeonewasboundtocommentonthefactthatheclearlywasn’tatthetopofhis
game.Thatwasthethingaboutfamily—theywerealwaystherewithyoutocelebratethegoodstuff…and
topointoutwhenyouwerescrewingup.IfLoriknewwhathadgonedownwithNicola,shewouldkick
hisasssohardhe’dfeeltheimprintofherfootforthenextdecade.

Heopenedhismother’sfrontdoorandwalkedinside.Smithwaswalkingthroughtheroomwitha

coupleofbeersinhishand.“Hey,youlooklikeshit.”

“Nicetoseeyou,too.”Marcusreplied.Theclosestinageofallthesiblings,thetwoofthemhad

spentplentyoftimetalkingwiththeirfistsaskids.“Didn’tknowyou’dbeintown.”

Smithhandedhimabeer.“Wehavetoreshootacoupleofcityscenesthisweek.FiguredI’dgethere

adayearlyandseeeveryone.”Heraisedaneyebrow.“Wasprettysurprisedbyyourtextearlierthis
week.So,Jill’snotinthepictureanymore,Itakeit?Otherwise,youwouldn’tbeneedingmyplace.”

“Right,she’sgone.”
Smithgrinned.“Good.”Hisgrinwidened.“Sotellmeaboutthenewgirl.Aftertwoyearswiththeice

queen,Ihopeherreplacementwasseriouslyhot.Justaslongasyouchangedthesheetswhenyouwere
done.”

TherewasnoreasonforMarcustowanttoknockacoupleofSmith’steethoutofhismovie-starface.

Hisbrothercouldn’tknowhewasinadvertentlyslammingNicola.

“Therewerenosheetstochange,”wasallhewasgoingtosayaboutit.

Beforehisbrothercameathimwithmorequestions,heheadedforthebackyard,whereingood

weatherthelargetablewasalwayssetupforbrunch.Smith’svoicecameathimagainbeforehecould
makeittotheFrenchdoors.

“We’vegotaspecialguestoutside.Lorisaidyou’vealreadymetNico.Gorgeousgirl,isn’tshe?”
Holyhell.ThebeerbottleslippedinMarcus’sgripandhehadtofumbletokeepfromdroppingit.
MarcuswastornbetweenwalkingovertothetablewhereNicolawassurroundedbyhissiblingsand

draggingherofftolockherinthenearestbedroomtodowhateverittooktomakeherlistentohim—or
turningonhisheelandgettingthehelloutofthere.

Heknewheneededtoseeheragain,knewheneededtogetdownonhiskneesbeforeherand

grovel...butcouldhedothosethingsinfrontofhisentirefamily?

Marcushadn’tmadeitanyfurtherthanthethresholdbetweenthelivingroomandthepatiowhenhis

mothermadeabeelineforhim.

Herarmswerewarmasshehuggedhimandhervoicewassoftasshesaid,“She’slovely.”
Hedidn’thavetimetoschoolhisexpressionintoanythingbutsurprise.
Hismother’ssmilewassoftandunderstanding.“I’mgladtobeabletohavemorethanafewminutes

totalkwithNicolatoday.Thatimpromptuphonecalltheothernightwasmuchtooshortformetogetto
knowher.”

Ohno.Howcouldhehaveforgottenaboutthatcalltohismotherthenightthey’dlefttheclub?
Athisdumbfoundedsilence,hismothercontinued,“I’llhavetoadmitthatIwassurprisedwhenshe

arrivedwithLoriratherthanyou.”Sheraisedaneyebrow.“AndI’mevenmoresurprisedthatnoone,not
evenyoursisterwho’sbeenworkingwithher,seemstoknowaboutyoutwo.”

Noonewasbetteratgettinginformationoutofherkidsthanhismother.Amongherspecialtieswere

questionsthatsubtlypinnedyouinplace,thenforcedyoutospillyourgutswhenyou’dsworntokeep
yoursilenceonasubjectforever.

“We’renotactuallytogetherrightnow.”Itwasn’thotoutbuthewassweating.“Iblewit.”
Hismotherwatchedhimcarefullybeforehermouthcurvedupintoasmile.“I’vehopedforthisforso

manyyears,waitedforsomeonetocomealongwhomyoucouldfinallylovemorethanyourfamily,
someonewhowouldturnyouinside-outandtossyouoffyourpath.”Hismotherlookedpositivelygleeful
inthefaceofhismisery.“SomeonejustlikeNicolaforyoutoblowitwith.”

Dumbfounded,MarcuscouldonlywatchhismotherwalkawaywithasmileonherfaceasLori

yelledout,“Marcus,you’rehere!”

Finally,hegothisfeetworkingagainandheadedtowardthegroupoutinthemiddleofthebackyard.
Ahalf-dozenvoicescameathim,butallMarcuscouldseewasthatGabewassittingwaytoocloseto

Nicola.Heknewhisyoungestbrother’stype.NicolawasexactlythekindofwomanGabeandtheother
guysatthefirestationlikedtotakehomeforthenight.

“Gabe,”hesaid,“you’reneededinthekitchen.”
Hisbrotherlookeddoubtful.Gabewasnotoriousforleavingthekitchenlookinglikeatornadohadhit

it.Fortunately,heshiftedhisseatbackandstartedtogetup,butbeforehedid,heleanedovertosay
somethinginNicola’sear.ShelaughedandMarcus’shandsstartedtocurlintofists.

Hell,he’dpracticallyraisedGabefromababy.Heshouldn’twanttokillhimnowjustbecausehe’d

madeNicolalaugh,andlookedatheralittletoolong,withalittletoomuchinterest.

Fortunately,beforeMarcuscouldleapacrosstheyardtoflattenhisyoungestbrother,Chloewalked

overtosayhellowithahug.“IfeellikeIhaven’tseenyouinforever.”

Chasewasastepbehindhisfiancée.“We’rethinkingaboutcominguptothewineryforavisit

sometimesoon,”Chasetoldhim,pullingChloeclose.

ThetwoofthemhadfalleninloveathiswineryandMarcushadbeenamazedtowatchhisbrother

fallheadoverheelsforawomanhe’djustmet.Hehadn’tbeenabletounderstandhowsomethingsobig

couldhappensofast.

Butnowheunderstoodperfectly.
“Comeanytime.Theguesthouseisalwaysyours.It’sbeentoolong.”
Hemeantwhathesaid,buthecouldhearhowstiltedhiswordswereeventohisownears.
Zachwasonhiscellphoneontheothersideoftheyard,Ryanwasatthegrillflippingburgers,and

SophieandLoriwereonoppositesidesofthetableagain.They’dbeenatoddswitheachotherfor
months.

Marcushadalwaysbeentheonetobreakupthetwins’fights,toforcethetwoofthemtositdownand

actuallytalktoeachother.IfthiswereanormalSundaybrunch,hewouldhavedraggedthemoffbytheir
ponytailsanddonejustthat.

Buthecouldn’tfocusonanythingbutNicolatoday,couldbarelyrememberhowtoputonefootin

frontoftheotherorspeakwithoutsoundinglikeacompletefool.Nowthathe’dlethimselflookather,he
couldn’tpullhisgazeaway.Shelookedsobeautiful,soright,sittinginthebackyardhe’dgrownupin.

“Hi."
Sheblinkedathim,clearlywary.“Hi,Marcus.It’snicetoseeyouagain.”
God,hehatedthewayshesoundedsodistant.Justthewayshehadwhenshe’dtoldhimshewasglad

tohavemethim,thenwalkedoutofhislife.

Notpickinguponthestrainedatmospherebetweenthematall,Loricheerfullyexplained,“Marcus

camebytovisitourrehearsalacoupleofdaysago.”ShepattedGabe’sopenseat.“Comesitdown.”

Marcusdidn’tknowhowhe’dmanagetositthatclosetoherwithouttouchingher,withoutpullingher

ontohislapwhereshebelonged.Buthecouldn’tjustkeepstandingtherewithhisentirefamilylookingat
himlikehe’dlosthismind.

Hefeltasifheweremovinginslowmotionashecamearoundthetable.Nicola’seyeswidenedashe

approachedandhecouldn’tlookawayfromher.Hesatdownandwhenhisthighbrushedagainsther,she
jumpedoutofherseat.

“I’mgoingtogoseeifyourmotherneedshelpwithanythinginthekitchen.”
LoribeamedafterherasNicolahurriedoff.“Isn’tshesweet?IthinksheandGabearereallyhittingit

off.”

Smithshookhishead.“Idon’tthinkso,Lori."
Lorifrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?Theyweretotallyflirtingearlierandnowshe’susingMomasan

excusetogospendmoretimewithhiminthekitchen.”

“Marcus,yougotanytheoriesonwhysheleftinsuchahurry?”
Hetookalongswigfromhisbeer.ItwaseitherthatortackleSmithacrossthetable.Orgoinsideand

poundthehelloutofGabeforflirtingwithhiswoman.

Hell,he’dhappilytakeoneverylastoneofhisbrothersrightnowifitmeanthecouldworkthrough

someofthefrustrationcoursingthroughhimatbeingthisclosetoNicolabutnotactuallybeinginany
positiontotellherhowhefelt,howsorryhewasforruiningeverything.

Clearly,Smithhadputtwoandtwotogether.Anditdidn’tseemthathelikedtheideaofMarcus

hookingupwithNicolamuchatall.

Smithcouldgoscrewhimself.
Fortunately,Loriwasstillclueless.Hedidn’tthinkChaseandChloehadlinkedhimwithNicolayet,

buttheystilllookedworriedabouthim.

OnlySophiewassafetotalktorightnow.“How’sthenewprojectgoingatwork,Nice?”
Shemadeaface.“Don’tcallmethatinfrontofourguest.It’sembarrassing.Ihaveaname,you

know.”

“What’sthatagain?”Zachteasedashecameandsatdown,shovinghisphoneintohispocket.“Ikind

ofrememberitstartswithalettertowardtheendofthealphabet.”

ShepunchedZachinthearmbeforeansweringMarcus’squestionaboutherlatestresearchprojectat

theSanFranciscoCityLibrary.

“RemindmeagainwhyIthoughtitwouldbeagoodideatogetagranttopulltogetherabibliography

ofthegreatestlovestoriesofalltime.”Shesighed.“Ithoughtitwasgoingtobesoromantic.”

Clearlysurprised,Chloesaid,“Howcanlovestoriesnotberomantic?”
“Well,mostofthefamouslovestoriesarecompletelytragic,forone.”
“Oh,youmeanlikeRomeoandJuliet?”
Sophienodded.“Atthispoint,I’veprettymuchdecidednevertofallinlove.Notifdeathand

betrayalarewhat’swaitingattheendoftherainbow.”

MarcuswasaweektoolateforSophie’sepiphany.Especiallybecausehehadabadfeelingthatevery

secondthatpassedwithoutbeingabletoproperlytalkwithNicolapushedthemonestepclosertobeing
anotheroneofthoselovestoriesgonetragicallywrong.

Justashe’dknownshewould,Loriarguedwithhertwinmoreforthesakeofarguingthanbecause

shewantedtoberightaboutthisparticularissue.

“You’retheonewho’stragic,”Lorisaid,andthen,“Trustyoutoignoreallthereallygreatlove

stories,likePrideandPrejudice.”

Sophiescowledathersister.“AsfarasIcantell,thewaythingsendedinthatstorywasnothingbut

blindluck.”SheturnedherscowlintoasmileforChaseandChloe.“Likethetwoofyou.Istillcan’t
believeyoumetonthesideoftheroadinNapaandnowyou’regettingmarried.It’ssobeautiful.”

“Hearthat?”Chasesaidtohisfiancée,clearlybemused.“Ourrelationshipisnothingbutblindluck.”
“Iftheworstdayofmylifeturningintomybestisblindluck,I’lltakeit,”Chloesaidsoftly.
Theyallknewaboutherpreviousmarriage,howbadithadbeen,thatherexhadhitherandshe’dhad

torun.Marcusknewthat,bycomparison,hehadnothingtocomplainabout.

Still,he’dclearlybeenmessedupenoughaboutwhathadhappenedwithJilltocompletelyblowa

greatthingwithNicola.

SophiesighedwistfullyasChasekissedhisfiancée.“Whataboutyou,Marcus?Doyouhaveanything

newgoingonlately?”

***

NicolawalkedoutintothebackyardwithalargetrayofcutvegetablesanddipjustasSophieasked

Marcuswhatwasnewinhislife.ThankGodshewaswearingflats,otherwiseshesurelywouldhave
trippedoverherheelsandthefoodwouldhavescatteredallovertheneatlymowedlawn.Shesomehow
managedtokeepmovingtowardthetable.

“I’vebeenspendingtimeinthecitythepastfewdays.”
“Really?Whydidn’tyoucomebythelibrary,then?”
Rightthen,MarcusturnedhisgazefromSophietoherandwhatNicolareadinthemhadpanic

bubblingupevenhigherinsideher.OhGod,hewasn’tgoingtosayanything,washe?

Sheshookherheadathim,asasilentsignalthatsheprayedhe’dunderstand.
We’redone,remember?Done!
Hehadn’twantedtotellanyoneaboutherwhiletheyweretogether,hadbeenjustasonboardwith

hidingtheirtemporaryrelationshipfromeveryonethisweekasshewas.Therewasnoreasontoblow
everythingupnow,justbecauseitwasuncomfortablehavingtobeinthesameplaceforafewhoursafter
theirno-stringsflinghadendedbadly.

Finally,hesaid,“IhadsomeunexpectedthingstotakecareofinSanFrancisco.”
“I’llbetyoudid,”Smithmuttered,shootingalookatNicola.
Smithhadbeenperfectlynice—hadactuallybeenflirtingoutrageouslywithher—untilMarcushad

arrived.Sincethen,everytimeshelookeduphewasfrowningather.

Ohno.Hecouldn’thavefiguredoutthatshewasthewomanMarcushadbroughttohishousethat

night,couldhe?

Upuntilnow,she’dthoughttheonlyonewhoknewaboutthetwoofthemwastheirmother.Nicola

hadbeenstupendouslynervouswhenshe’dfinallymetMary.Fortunately,hismotherwasasfantasticin
personasshehadbeenonthephone.And,amazingly,shedidn’talludetoMarcusortheirobviousaffair
inanyway.Instead,shesimplysaid,“It’slovelytofinallymeetyou,Nicola,”thenwelcomedherintothe
houseasifshewerepartofthefamily.

Butnow,asNicolachewedonthefactthatSmithmighthavefigureditout,shecouldfeelherface

flamingassheputdowntheplatter.“There’smoretobringoutfromthekitchen,”shesaid,wanting
nothingmorethantoescapeagain.

Unfortunately,Lorisaid,“Noway.You’reourguest.Youneedtocomesitdown.I’llhelpMom.”
Nicola’sheartbeatwaswild—borderlinefrantic—assheeyedheremptyseatbesideMarcus,

knowingitwouldbesuperweirdifshetookadifferentchair.Theproblemwas,shewassoafraidshe’d
giveherselfawaybyaccident,soworriedshe’dlosecontrolandtouchhim…or,worseyet,giveintothe
desperateurgetokisshiminfrontofhisentirefamily.

Theywereallbeingsonicetoherrightnow,butiftheyknewthatshe’dhadaflingwiththebrother

theyalllovedandrespectedsomuch,theoldestbrotherwhohaddoneeverythingforthem,they’dnever
forgiveherfortrampingherwayintohislife.

Andthey’dneverforgiveherforhurtinghim.
“Scoot,gorgeous,”Ryansaidtoherashebroughtoverasteamingplatterofburgersandhotdogs.
Beforeshecouldgotakeherseat,Marcusgrowled,“Watchit,Ryan.”
Hisbrotherfrownedathim,clearlywithoutthefirstcluewhattheproblemwas.ButNicolainstantly

realizedMarcusdidn’tlikehisprobaseballplayerbrotherflirtingwithherorcallinghergorgeous.

Shewouldhavehadahardertimewrappingherheadaroundallofthesegood-lookingmeninone

familyifshe’dbeenabletofocusonanythingbutMarcus.Technically,herbraintoldherthatZachwas
thebest-lookingofthemall,withSmithnotfarbehind,whiletherestofthemwerestilljaw-dropping.But
toher,itdidn’tmatterhowperfecttheirfeatureswere.

Marcusoutshonethemallandshecouldhardlytearhereyesawayfromhim,eventhoughsheknewit

wasadeadgiveawaytoherfeelings.

Thankfully,theirmotherappearedjustthen,alongwithLoriandGabe.Thethreeofthemputtherest

ofthefoodonthetableandforafewmoments,everyonewasfocusedonfillingtheirplates.

EveryoneexceptMarcus...andher.
“WhatcanIgetforyou?”
Itwasthefirstthinghe’dsaidtohertodayapartfromthequick“Hi”rightwhenhe’dwalkedin.And

eventhoughhewasonlyaskingherifshepreferredhamburgersorhotdogs,herbody—andheart—
reactedasifhe’djustsaidthemostsensual,intimatewordsintheworld.

Howshewasgoingtomissthewarmthofhislow,slightlyroughvoice,asheheldher,ashestroked

herhair.

Ashemadelovetoher.
Herskinfelthot,herinsidesturningtogoobesidehim.“Ahotdog.Thankyou.”
Buthedidn’treachforthefood.Insteadhecaughtherhandbeneaththetablecloth.
Foralongmoment—waytoolongifshewantedtokeeptheirrelationshipasecretformuchlonger—

shewaslostinhiseyes,inthesweetcaressofhisthumbacrossherpalm.

Ittookeveryounceofthestrengthshehadleftafterhersleeplessnightaloneforhertomouth,“No.”

Marcusdeservedagreatlife,damnit,notthecircushe’dgetfrombeingwithher.

Shereinforcedtheshortwordbypullingherhandfromhisandreachingforsomeofthefood.She

hopednoonenoticedthatshecouldn’tstopherhandfromtrembling.

Onceeveryonehadafullplateandwasstartingtodigin,Marcus’smothersaid,“We’resogladyou

couldjoinustoday,Nicola.”Ifanyonethoughtitstrangethattheirmotherhadn’tcalledherNico,they
weretoopolitetosayanythingaboutit.“IhopeeveryonehasbeenontheirbestbehaviorwhileIwas
inside.”

“Everyonehasbeengreat.”Realizingshewasmumbling,shemadeherselfsitupstraighterandsmile

atMary.“Idon’tgettoseemyfamilyasmuchasI’dliketo.ImissSundayluncheslikethis.”

AsMaryaskedheraboutherfamilyandshehadthemlaughingwithstoriesabouttheprankssheand

hertwinbrotherswouldplayoneachotherwhentheywerekids,Nicolawasalmostabletorelax.

Theproblemwas,shewaspalpablyawareofthefactthatneitherMarcusnorSmithwerelaughing

alongwiththerestofthem.Itdidn’ttakelongforeveryonetorealizesomethingwasup.

“Marcus?”Loriasked.“You’renoteatingandyoulookkindof,well,notsogood.”Shescrunchedup

hernose.“Infact,Ican’tthinkofthelasttimeyoudidn’tshave.Areyoufeelingokay?”

“No,”Marcusreplied,“I’mnotokay.”
Sixfaces—ChloeandallthesiblingsapartfromSmith—wentslackwithshock.Clearly,thiswasthe

firsttimetheiroverlycapablebigbrotherhadeveradmittedtohavingaprobleminfrontofthem.

Nicolawasgladshehadn’thadmorethanacoupleofbitesofherhotdog,becauseitwouldhave

comebackupallovertheprettytablecloth.Hecouldn’tbeabouttodowhatitlookedlikehewasgoing
todo,washe?

Okay,yes,thetwoofthemhadafewmorethingstosaytoeachother.Butnotinfrontofhiswhole

family.

MarcushadjustturnedtofaceherandwasobviouslyabouttosaysomethingwhenSmithabruptly

stoodup.

“There’ssomethingIneedtoshowyouinthegarage,Marcus.”
“We’reinthemiddleoflunch,”Maryprotested,buttherewasn’tanyheatbehindherwords.Infact,

shesoundedstrangelypleasedwiththeturneventshadtaken.

“Sorry,thiscan’twait.”Smithstoodupandheadedforthehouse.“Marcusneedstoseeitrightnow.”
Foramoment,Nicoladidn’tthinkMarcuswasgoingtofollow.Butthen,onamutteredcurse,he

threwhisnapkindownandshovedhischairback.

Nicolaexpectedhismothertolookupsetatthewayhermealwasfallingtopieces.Instead,she

simplyraisedhereyebrowsatherothersonsandsaidinamildvoice,“Goahead.Iknowyouboysare
dyingtoseeit,too.”

Afewmomentslater,Nicolafoundherselfsittingalonewiththewomen.
“Sullivanmen.”Marysmiledather.“They’rereallysomethingelse,aren’tthey?”
TheunderstandinginMary’seyesnearlybrokeNicola,andnomatterwhatelsewentonheretoday,

sheneededMarcus’smothertoknow.“Youhaveabeautifulfamily.”

“Iknow,honey.I’msogladyou’reherewithustoday.”
And,amazingly,eventhoughthislunchhadbeenastrugglefromtheveryfirstmomentshe’dwalkedin

thedoor,Nicolarealizedshewas,too.

Becauseshehadn’tjustfalleninlovewithMarcus...she’dfallenforhisentirefamilywhileshewasat

it.

ChapterTwenty-one

“Whatthehellisgoingonwithyouguys?”GabeaskedasheandZachwalkedintothegarage,with

ChaseandRyanfollowingcloselybehind.

“Marcushasbeendoingourprettyyoungguest.”
MarcusgrabbedahandfulofSmith’sshirt.“TalklikethataboutheragainandI’llmakesureyoucan

onlydohorrorfilmsfromnowon.”

“Whoa,”Gabesaid,movingtoputhimselfbetweenhisbrothers.“Holdonasecond.”
MarcuswasonthevergeoflettingSmithgowhenhesaid,“Whatthehellareyoudoingwithsomeone

likeher?Isn’tshealittleyoungandsluttyforyou?”

Asplitsecondlater,Marcuswasthrowingthefirstpunch.Thetwoofthemeachgotacoupleofgood

slamsinbeforeZachandGabeworkedtogethertopullthemoffeachother.

“Youdon’tknowthefirstgoddamnedthingabouther.”
“Andyou’retellingmethatyoudo?Beyondhowwildsheisinbed,thatis."
“Iwarnedyou,”Marcusgrowled.
Smithhelduphishandsandtookastepback,“Look,I’mnottryingtopissyouoff.I’mjusttryingto

talksomesenseintoyou.”

“Holdup,”Zachsaid.“SomebodygivemetheCliffNotesversionofwhatthehellisgoingon.”
AlleyesturnedtoMarcusandhebitoutthewords,“NicolaandImetaftertheengagementparty.I

didn’tknowwhoshewasatfirst.”

Gabewhistledlowandlong.“TrustoldmanSullivannottorecognizeahugepopstar.So,whendid

youfigureitout?”

“WhenLoriinvitedmetothedancestudiothenextdayfortheirrehearsal.”Heranhishandoverhis

face.“IthoughtNicolawasoneofthedancers.”

“You’reanidiot.”
Zachwasright.Hewasanidiot.Whatthehellwashedoinginthegaragewithhisbrotherswhen

Nicolawasoutsideintheyardwithhismotherandsisters?He’dvowedthatthenexttimehesawher
he’dfixeverything.Instead,allhe’ddonewasmakeeverythingworse.

“I’vegottogotalktoher,”hesaid,butSmithgrabbedhisarm.Hard.
“Doyouhaveanyideawhatitwillbeliketodateher?”
“Idon’tcareaboutherfame.”
“That’seasytosaynow,”Smithsaid,“butwhataboutthefiftiethtimeyouguystrytogoout?You’ll

thinkyou’rehavingaprivateconversationaboutgrapesorsongsorwhateverthehellyoutwotalkabout
andsomeonewillsnapashotthatlookslikeyou’refighting.Thenextthingyouknow,theheadlinewillbe
thatyoucouldn’thackit,thatyouweretoodifferentfromthestart.They’lleventhrowinsomequotefrom
ananonymousfriendsayingNicolaalwaysknewyouwerewrongtogether.You’llwanttotrustherwhen
shesaysitisn’ttrue,thatshedidn’tsaythattoanyone,butyou’llstartwonderingifsheactuallydid.”

ItwasthemostSmithhadeversaidtoanyofthemaboutthetrialsoffame,butMarcusdidn’tcare

rightnowabouthowhardlifecouldbeforhishugelyfamousbrother.Allhecaredaboutwasthewoman
he’dhurtbybeingcarelesswithherheart.

“Iknowyouthinkyou’rehelping,butthisisbetweenmeandNicola,notyouguys,andnottherestof

thegoddamnedworld.”

ButSmithwouldn’tstayoutofhisface.“Listentome.Foraguylikeyouwholikeshisexpensive

wine,hispeaceandquietoutthereinthegrapevines,allthattroublethatcomeswithfamewilldriveyou
crazy.Fast.”Smithfrowned.“WhatIdon’tgetishowthehellnopicturesofyoutwohavesurfacedyet?"

“We’vebeencareful,”hesaidbetweenhisteeth.
“Youtwoareskulkingaroundincorners?See,it’salreadymessedup,man.”Smithgesturedtohis

brothers.“WeallgetthatJillturnedouttobeacoldbitchandNicoisahotrebound—adamnedgreat
rebound—butherlifeiswaytoomessyforastraight-aheadguylikeyou.”

Ryannodded.“Hatetosayit,buthe’sright,Marcus.Thepresswilldriveyouinsane.Evenplaying

baseball,they’reinmyfacewaytoooften.”

Surprisingly,Chasenodded.“Sheseemsgreat—muchsweeter,moreinnocent-lookingthanIthought

she’dbeaftersomeofthingsI’veheardabouther.”HepinnedMarcuswithhissteadygaze.“Butit
doesn’thelpthatshelookslikeshe’sbarelygraduatedhighschool.Everyoneisgoingtothinkyou’re
nothingbutadirtyoldman.”

OnlyGabebrokeintosay,“Holdupasec.AreyouinlovewithNico?”
“HernameisNicola,”Marcusshotathisyoungestbrother.
AndGabewasn’ttheonewhoneededtoknowthathewasinlovewithNicola.Noneofhisbrothers

weretheoneswhoneededtohearthosewords.

Theonepersonwhoneededtoknowexactlyhowhefeltaboutherwassittingoutinhismother’s

backyardthinkinghedidn’tloveherback.

Allbecausehe’dbeentoomuchofacowardtoownuptohisfeelings.
“Getoutofmyway,”hegrowledtohisfiveyoungerbrothers.
Noonesaidanotherword.Theyjustpartedrankstolethimthrough.
“Jesus,”ZachsworeasMarcuslefttherestofthemstandinginthegaragewiththeirmouthsopen,“I

can’tbelievethesixofuswereinheretalkinglikeabunchofgirlsaboutloveandrelationships."

“AtleastItriedtotalksenseintohim,”SmithsaidastheyfollowedMarcusoutinsinglefile.He

shrugged.“Butsincehe’sclearlyabasketcaseoverher,wemightaswellgetagoodseatfortheshow.”

***

“Nicola,Ican’tkeepdoingthis.”
Shelookedupfromtheconversationhe’dinterruptedbetweenthewomenwithextremealarmonher

prettyface.

Marcusknewshedidn’twanthimtoouttheirrelationshipinfrontofhisentirefamily,buthecouldn’t

keeppretendinghedidn’tknowher.Hecouldn’tkeepactinglikehedidn’tloveher.Andhesureashell
couldn’tstandtolistentoSmithtalkabouthersodismissively,likeshewasnothingmorethanahotpiece
ofass.

Marcuswantedeveryonetoseeherthewayhedid—asasmart,focused,brilliantartistand

businesswoman.Andatrulybeautifulperson,insideandout.

Sowhatifhedidn’tfitintoherworldandshedidn’tfitintohis?
Howcouldhegiveherup?
Shewasshakingherhead,hereyesdesperateasshesilentlybeggedhimtostoptalking.Buthe

couldn’tstopnow,knewhehadtogetitalloutbeforeanothersecondpassedwhereshedidn’tthinkhe
lovedher.

Hemovedtoher,pulledherupoutofherseat.
“No,Marcus.”Shelookedwildlyaroundathisfamily,whowerenowallassembledintheirseatsat

thetable,theirfacespresseduptotheinvisibleglass.Hell,knowingthem,theyallwishedtheyhadbowls
ofpopcorntomunchfrom.Buthedidn’tcare.NothingmatterednowbutNicola.

Andthefactthathewasgoingtoloseherifhedidn’tdosomethingquick.
“Don’t.Pleasedon’t.”
Maybeifhe’dgottenmoresleep,hewouldhavebeenabletoseehowseriousshewas,thathis

declarationwasthelastthingshewantedrightnow.Butinthatmoment,allMarcusknewwashowrightit
felttotouchher,tobeclosetoher.

“Iloveyou."
Shebackedawayfromhimandwouldhavestumbledonatreerootinthegrassifhehadn’tbeen

grippingherhandsinhis.

“Pleasedon’tdothis.Nothere.Notnow.”Herwordswerebarelyawhisper,butthebackyardwasso

deadlysilent,withnotevenabirdchirpingorabreezetosoundthroughthetrees,thateveryoneheardher
plealoudandclear.

“Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore.Iwasafooltoletyougo,toletyoubelieveIdidn’tloveyou,too.”
Nicolawastryingtopullherhandsfromhisandclearlywantednothingmorethantoescape.Buthe

couldn’tlethergo,notwithoutmakingherfacewhatwasbetweenthem.

Marcusknewtherewereamilliondifferentwayshecouldhavedonethisbetter,butrightnowthere

wasnothingleftforhimtodobutpullheragainsthimandkissher...infrontofhiswholefamily.

Herbodywasstiffagainsthis,hermouthtightandclosed.Butthen,theirconnectiontookoverdespite

thefactthatsheclearlywantedtofighthim,andthepassionneitherofthemhadeverbeenabletohold
backfromeachothercamecrashingthrough.Theykissedeachotherlikeithadbeenyearssincetheir
mouthshadtouchedinsteadoftwenty-fourhours.

Abruptly,Nicolashovedathischest,knockinghimawayfromher.Bothofherhandswereclamped

overhermouthandhereyeswerewidewithhorror.

Nicolaturnedinthegeneraldirectionofhisfamily.“I’msorryIruinedyourlunch,”shesaidina

brokenvoice,thenturnedandrantowardthehouse.

Marcushadneverputhisheartoutonthelinetoanyonelikethatbefore,onlytohaveitreturned

slicedanddicedintotinylittlepieces.HispridetoldhimtoletNicolago,thathehadn’tneededher
beforeandhedidn’tneedhernow.

Atleastthistimeheknewenoughtotellhispridetogostraighttohell.
Aheartbeatlater,MarcusSullivanwaschasingdownthepopstarwhohadstolenhisheart.

***

“Waitaminute,”LorisaidinthewakeofMarcus’sdeparture.“Whatjusthappenedhere?”
Hertwinsnorted.“Seriously,areyoustilltheonlyonewho’scompletelyclueless?Can’tyoupay

attentiontoanyone’slifebutyourownforthreeseconds?”

BeforeLoricouldturnaroundandjumpdownhertwin’sthroat,Zachsaid,“Lookedtomelike

Marcusjustcompletelyblewit.”Heshookhishead,lookinglessthanimpressed.“Man,thatwasmessy.”

“Itmightnotendupbeingquitesofunnywhenithappenstoyou,”hismothertoldhimwithapointed

archofoneeyebrow.

“Nochance,”Ryansaid.“Therestofusareperfectlycontenttoleaveloveoutofit.”
Knowingitwouldirkhissiblings,Chasesaid,“Notallofus,”thenplantedabigwetkissonChloe’s

lips.Shelaughedandkissedhimback.

“Ijustdon’tunderstand,”Lorisaid.“WhendidMarcusandJillbreakup?”
Speakingasifshewereaddressingatwo-year-old,SophietoldLori,“Iguesshefinallydumpedher

andnowhe’sinlovewithNico.”

“HesayshernameisreallyNicola,”SmithpointedoutandSophieshothimadeathglare.
“AsIwassaying,theonlyproblemisthatshedoesn’tseemtobeinlovewithhim.”
Gabe’sradiowentoffsuddenly,aloudshrillnoisethatcouldn’tbemissed,alongwithaquickburst

ofinformationaboutthesituationthattheyalllistenedinonasheturnedthevolumeup.

Hewasalreadystandingandpushingawayfromthetablebeforethefiredispatcherstoppedspeaking.

“Sorrytoeatandrun,especiallywhenwe’vejustgottentothegoodstuff.”

Marystood,too,andgavehimahugandkiss.“Afteralltheseyears,Ishouldbeusedtowatchingyou

leaveonacall.”Shereluctantlylethimoutofherarms.“Besafe,honey.”

“Don’tworry,”Gabereplied.“Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyourfavoriteson.”
“He’sright,”Smithjoked.“I’mgoingtostayhereandbejustfine.”
EveryonelaughedbutLori.AssoonasGabeleft,shesaid,“Ican’thelpfeelingresponsiblefor

everythingwithMarcusandNico.Imean,Nicola.”Herusuallybrightsmilewascompletelynonexistent.
“Imean,I’mtheonewhointroducedthemandthenleftthemtohavedinneralone.”Shebitherlip.“Or
whateverelseitwastheyendedupdoing.”

“Don’tfeelbad,Naughty.Evidentlyhemetherbeforeyouintroducedthem.”
LorilookedatChasewithhugeeyes.“Noway.HehadnoideawhoshewaswhenIintroducedthem

andshe—”Herwordsfellaway.“OhmyGod,Marcusmusthavebeentheguyshewastellingmeabout
thatdayatthestudio.Andthentheybothtriedtoactliketheydidn’tknoweachother.Nowonderhewas
soweirdthatafternoonandshekeptforgettingthestepsthatshe’dknownallmorning.”

Everyoneleanedincloser.“Whatdidshesaytoyouabouthim?”Sophieasked.
Suddenly,LoriseemedtorealizethatshewasspillingNicola’ssecrets.“Ishouldn’ttellyouguys.”
RyanandSmithgrinnedateachother,bothofthemknowinghowclosetheyweretogettingmoredirt

ontheiruntil-nowperfectolderbrother.“We’vealreadyseentheworstofit,Lori,”Ryansaid,followed
bySmithwith,“Maybewecanhelphimifweknowmore.”

Seeingrightthroughhersons,Marysaid,“Smith,Ryan,Ithinkwe’vealreadyseenandheardenough

abouttheirprivatebusiness.”

“Mom’sright,”Lorisaid.“Besides,allshesaidwasthatshemetsomeguythenightbeforeandthen

shefellasleeponhislapbeforethey’devenkissed.”

Zachlaughedoutloud.“Poorsapcouldn’tevenkeepherawake.”
Maryshushedherkids.“Enough.We’renotgoingtositheregossipingaboutyourbrotherwhenthere

aretablesthatneedclearingandplatesthatneedwashing.”

Aftereveryonehoppedtoattention,ChloesaidtoChase,“YourmotherissosweetthatsometimesI

forgetsheraisedeightchildrenonherownandknowsperfectlywellhowtohandleallofyou.”

“Shedidn’tdoitalone.Marcushelpedhermorethananyofus.”Hetwinedhisfingersthroughhers

andpulledherclosetohimbeneaththeshadeofalargeoaktree.“Hesacrificedatonforus.Hedeserves
ahappyending.”

Chloetiltedherfacetolookintohiseyes.“I’mbettinghe’llgetone.Really,reallysoon.”
“Howcanyousaythatafterwhatwentdownheretoday?”
“Women’sintuition.Nicolaisinlovewithhim.”Beforehecouldaskhowsheknew,Chloepresseda

softkisstohislips.“Awomaninlovealwaysrecognizesthesignsinanotherwomaninlove.LikeLori
said,suddenlyitallmakessense—thewaytheycouldn’ttaketheireyesoffeachotherduringlunch,the
wayhejumpedalloverGabeformakingherlaughandRyanforcallinghergorgeous.IguaranteeNicois
headoverheelsforyourbrother,whethershewantstobeornot.”

“GoodthingSullivanmenaresopersuasive,isn’tit?”
ChloewoundherarmsaroundChase’sneckashepulledhercloser.“Yes,”sheagreed.“It’savery

goodthing.”

ChapterTwenty-two

Marcuscameflyingoutofthehouse,onlytostopshortwhenhesawNicolastandingbesideLori’s

car.Nicolaknewthatifsheweresmart,she’dkeeprunningawayfromMarcus,awayfromeverythingthat
hurtsodamnbad.

Butshe’dcomeheretodaytofacehimdownonelasttime,hadn’tshe?Onlytopanicinfrontofhis

entirefamily.

“Yoursisterpickedmeupandbroughtmehere.Ican’tleavewithouther.”
“Don’tleave.”Marcusapproachedherslowly,cautiously.“Pleasedon’tleave.”
Shecouldstilltastethesweetnessofhiskissasshelickedherlips.“Ishouldn’thaverunlikethat.”

Sheswallowedhard,madeherselfsay,“NotwhenIknowweneedtotalk.”

Shesawreliefmixwithwarinessonhisfaceashecamecloser.“I’msorryifIembarrassedyouback

there.”

“It’sokay.”Anditwas,becausesheunderstoodthedesperationhe’dfelt.Howcouldshenot,when

shefeltittoo?

“No,Nicola.Youdeservebetter.Somuchbetter.”Hereachedoutahandtoher.“Givemeanother

chance.Please.”

Shewantedsobadlytotakehishand,togivehimthatchance.
Butshecouldn’t.Notwhensheknewitwouldonlyenduphurtinghim.
“Marcus.”Herthroatcaughtonhisname.“Istheresomewherewecangothat’smoreprivatethan

this?”

Henodded,hisjawtightashedroppedthehandshehadn’ttaken.Heledthemdownthesidewalktoa

shortpaththatcutbetweenhouses.Asmallchildren’splaygroundthatlookedlikeithadn’tbeenusedina
decadesatforlornlybeneaththeoldoaktrees.

“Weusedtocomehereandplaywhenwewerekids.”
HerheartachedforthechildMarcushadoncebeen...andforhowshorthischildhoodhadbeen.

Fourteenyearsoldwasfartooyoungtohavetoshouldertheresponsibilitieshehadtakenon.

“Yourfamilyisamazing,Marcus.”Shesatonacrackedbench.“I’msogladIgottomeetthemall.

Therewassomuchloveinyourmother’sbackyard."

Hedidn’tmovetositbesideher,butwenttohiskneesinthedirtbeforeher.Shelethimtakeher

hands,utterlyunabletopushhimawayonemoretime.Notwithherhands,anyway.

“Didyoumeanwhatyousaidonthebeach?Wereyoureallyfallinginlovewithme?”
Shemethiseyes,readhispaininthem,hissurprisingfearthatshemightnotactuallylovehim.She

shouldn’tadmitthatshestilldid.

Butshehadto.
“Yes,”shesaidsoftly.“Iloveyou.”
“ThankGod.”
“No,”shesaidquickly,“I’vedonealotofthinkingsincelastnight.”Sheswallowedhard,shookher

head,triedtofightbackthetearsthatwererightthere,waitingtofall.“IcanguesswhySmithwantedto
talktoyouinthegarage.Hewaswarningyouaboutme,aboutwhatitwouldbeliketodateme,forreal,
outintheopen,wasn’the?”

“WhatyouandIaredoingisnoneofSmith’sbusiness.”
“No,butI’llbeteverythinghesaidtoyouaboutthecircusofliveslikeoursistrue.”
“I’vealwayslikedthecircus.”
Shewantedtothrowherarmsaroundhim,wantedtokisshimforsayinghewouldgiveupeverything

forher.Butsheknewshe’dneverforgiveherselfforbeingsoselfish.And,ultimately,he’dneverforgive
hereither.

He’dalreadygivenupsomuchforhisfamily.Shecouldn’tlethimgiveupevenmoreforher.
“Icheatedlastnight,”sheconfessed.“Ilookedyouuponline.IreadallaboutSullivanWinery.Isaw

howmagnificentlyyou’vedonewithitandwhatanimportantroleyouplayinyourcommunity.You
deservetohaveawifewhocansupportyouinallthatyoudo,onewhocanbeanequalpartnerinitall.
Notsomeonewho’sonadifferentplaneeveryweektoanotherstate,anothercountry,anotherhemisphere.
Itdidn’ttakememorethanfiveminuteswithyourfamilytoseethatyou’renotlikeSmithorLorioreven
Ryan.You’renotabouttheparty.Youdon’tneedeveryonetowanttotakeyourpicture.Youdon’tneedto
useyourcharmandcharismatotryandimpresspeople.Whoyouareatyourcoreiswhat’simpressive,
Marcus,andyoudon’tneedabigstageoracrowdtoknowyourownworth.”

Heopenedhismouthtointerruptandsheputherhandoverhislipsbeforehecouldsaysomethingthat

wouldbreakherresolve.

“See,thethingis,Iknowmylifeiscrazyandacircusandeventhoughitsometimesdrivesmenuts

thatIcan’tgooutlikeanormalpersontogetacoffeeorgoseeamovie,Istillloveit.Idon’tjustwantto
singforalittlewhile.Iwanttobearoundtwentyyearsfromnow,stillwritingandplayingsongsthat
millionsofpeoplewanttolistento.”

“Youwill.”
“Thankyouforbelievinginmesomuch,”shetoldhim.“Despitethewordswethrewateachother

yesterdayonthebeach,you’venevertreatedmelikeadumbpopstar.You’verespectedmeandnowI
needtorespectyoujustasmuch.It’sjustanotherreasonwhyIcan’tdothistoyou,whyIcan’taskyouto
beapartofmyworld.”

“Shouldn’tthatbemydecision,kitten?”
Theendearmentnearlybrokeher,enoughthatsheadmitted,“Doyouknowthecraziestthingaboutall

ofthis?Iwantedtobetheonetohealallofyourheartache.Butinstead—”Shehadtostop,trytotakethe
breaththatwaslodgedinherthroat.“Instead,Iwastheonewhomadeitallsomuchworse.I’msosorry
forthat,Marcus.Somuchsorrierthanyou’lleverknow."

Shemadeherselfslipherhandsfromhisandstandup.“Wecan’tseeeachotheranymore.Ifyoucould

takemebacktomyhotelnow,I’dappreciateit."

Somehow,someway,shethoughtassheturnedherbackonhimtowalkaway,shewasgoingtokeep

fromsobbinguntilshewasalone.

Andthen,longafterhewasgone,somehow,someway,shewouldhavetofindawaytostop.
Marcusmovedbehindherandputhishandonthesmallofherback.Justashehadthatfirstnight.

“Everythingyousaidtomeoutonthebeachaboutchoosingwrongbecauseitwaseasierthanreally
lovingandriskingeverything,wasright.”

Surprised,sheturnedtolookhimintheeyeashecontinuedwith,“Ialwaysthoughtitwasmyfamily

whoneededme.ButI’vefinallyrealizedthatIneededthemjustasmuch.Ineededthemtoholdontowhen
everythingwassoscaryanddifficultanduncertain,whenthemanIlovedmostintheworldwassuddenly
goneoneday.ButwhenImetyou,IrealizedI’dfinallyfoundsomeoneIwaswillingtoletgoofthem
for."

“No,Marcus,”shesaid,shakingherhead.“Youshouldn’teverhavetoletgoofyourfamily.Youhave

enoughloveinyourheartforallofthemandthefamilyofyourownyou’llprobablyhavesoon.”She
madeherselfchokeoutthewords.“Iknowyou’regoingtofindsomeoneperfectforyou.Perfectforyour
life.”

“Ialreadyhave.”
Thetearsshe’dvowednottoletloosebegantofall.“Please,don’tmakethisanyharderthanit

alreadyis.NotwhenyouandIbothknownomatterhowmuchwewantthistowork,thatitneverwill.”
Shelookedupathimthroughhertears.“I’llneverregretbeingwithyou.Notwhentheywerethemost
beautifulmomentsofmylife.”Shetookadeepbreaththatshookthroughher.“Ichangedmyplanetoleave

tonightinsteadoftomorrowmorning.Ishouldgobackandpackupmythings.”

Sheturnedtowalkbacktohismother’shouse,whenhisvoicestoppedherinhertracksonemore

time.

“Webothknowyoudon’twantthis.Webothknowonekiss,onetouch,isallitwouldtakeformeto

changeyourmind.”

Gonewasthemanwho’dbeenpleadingwithhertolisten,toseethingsfromhisside.Inhisplace

wasthedominantloverwhohadthrilledhersomuch,madehershiverwithdesireandshowedherthe
mostincrediblepleasures.

“You’reright,Marcus,”sheagreed,makingherselfturntofacehimagain.“I’mpowerlessagainst

yourkisses.Ican’tresistthewayyoutouchme.”Shelookedintohiseyesandadmittedeverything,
purposefullygavehimafullyloadedarsenalofammotouseagainsther.“Ican’tfightthehungerinyour
eyeswhenyoulookatmeormyreactiontoit.Butisthatwhatyouwant?Formetobenothingbuta
warm,willingbodythatcan’tresistcomingforyou?”

Dominanceturnedtoangerinaheartbeat,andthenhewasmovingfast,hishandsonhershoulders,his

mouthpunishinghersashetookeverythinghewanted,everythingshewishedshecouldgivehim,but
couldn’t.

Ashe’djustpointedout,Nicolaknewitwaspointlesstotryandfighthiskiss.Eveninfrontofhis

familyshe’dbeenlosttoherneedforhim.Evenwhenhewasfuriouswithherfortryingtoleavewhenhe
wantedhertostay,evenwhensheshouldbefuriousrightbackathimforfinallytreatingherlikethesex
kittenhesaidshedidn’tneedtobeanymore,allshecouldfeelwashisheartbeatingagainsthers…along
withherloveforhimbeatingjustasstrong,evenasheusedherweaknessforhimagainsther.

Butjustwhenshethoughthewasgoingtoripoffherclothesandtakeherrightthere,upagainstthe

oldmetalslide,hepushedherawayandheldheroutatarm’slength.

“Thisisn’toverbetweenus.Notevenclose.”
Sheletherselftakeonelastlonglookathim.“Ithastobeover.”
Andthistimewhenshemadeamovetowalkaway,helethergo.
Only,evenafterhetookhertoherhotel,evenhourslaterwhenshewassettledbeneathablanketin

FirstClassandtheplanewasflyingawayfromSanFrancisco,sheknewbetter.

MarcusSullivanwasamanwhodecidedexactlywhathewantedandthenwentoutandtookit.And

forsomecrazyreason,heseemedtowanther.

Asshefellintoanuneasysleepontheplane,evenasshetoldherselfshedidn’twanthimtofightfor

her,herdreamsofMarcus—fullofhiskissesandcaresses,hishungryeyes,andhissweetwordsoflove
—wouldn’tletherhidefromthetruth.

ChapterTwenty-three

Ithadbeenfifteendays,sixhours,andtwenty-threeminutessinceshe’dlastseen—orheard—from

Marcus.

She’dbeenwrong.Hedidn’twanther.
Nicolaknewsheshouldbegladaboutit,happythatshewasn’tgoingtohavetokeepresistinghim.

Butshewasalong,longwayfromhappy...aboutasfarasshecouldbe,actually.

Hermanagerwalkedintoheroffice,wavingafax.“BillboardjustletmeknowthatOneMoment

debutedatnumberoneonthepopcharts!And—waitforit,you’regoingtoreallyfreakoutwhenyouhear
this—yourentiretourjustsoldoutintwohours!We’regoingtoneedtoadddates.Atonofdates.You
won’tbeseeingyourhouseforagoodyearandahalfifwe’relucky!”

Thiswaseverythingshe’deverwanted.Thehugesmashhit.Thebig,internationalsold-outtour.But

evenassheandJanehuggedandhigh-fivedandJanestartedtalkingamileaminuteabouthowbrilliant
Nicolahadbeentoshootanotherlast-minutevideoforOneMoment—justherandherguitaronan
otherwiseemptystage—andinsistthattherecordlabelreleasetheacousticversion,too,Nicolaknewthat
shewouldhavebeensomuchhappierifshecouldhavesharedthissuccesswithMarcus.

Shecouldalmostpicturehimtellingherhowproudhewas,sayinghe’dknownshecoulddothis.
Andthathelovedher.
Withoutwarning,onefattearspilleddownhercheek.Fortunately,hermanagerthoughtitwashappy

cryingandafterplantingakissonbothofNicola’scheeks,shegrabbedthephonethatwasringingoffthe
hookandspunoutoftheroomtogowheelanddealthemintoaheckofalotmoremoney.

Nicolawalkedovertothewindowandpressedherhandagainsttheglass,staringoutatthebusyLos

Angelesstreetsbelow.Threeweeksagoshe’dbeenstaringoutatthestreetsofSanFrancisco.

She’dbeeninsomanytallbuildings.Hadvisitedsomanybusycities.Theworldwasheroystermore

nowthanever.Itwasn’tthatitdidn’tmeanadamnthingwithoutlove—ofcoursehersuccessmeant
something.Andyet,lovemadeeverythingsomuchricher,somuchsweeter.Yes,sexwithMarcushad
beenmind-blowing,butjustknowinghisarmswerewaitingtoholdher,thatshecouldlayhercheek
againstthesteadybeatofhisheart...well,thatwasthekindofhappinessthatlastedforever.

Unfortunately,noneofthatchangedthefactthatallthereasonsshehadtoleavehimwerestilltrue.
Still,asNicolastoodinthewindow,shesilentlycursedherselffornotlettingthingswithMarcusat

leastlingerlonger.Whycouldn’tshehaveletherselfbehappywithhimformorethanahandfulofdays?

Nicolaturnedawayfromthewindowwithasigh,knowingexactlywhyshe’dforcedherselftogeton

thatplaneandleavehimforgood.

Nomatterhowhardtheymighthavetriedtohidetheirrelationshipfromeveryonearoundthem,

eventuallytheywouldhavebeencaught.ThecircuswouldhavepulledMarcusinandturnedhisperfectly
orderedlifeinsideout.Shecouldn’thavelivedwithherselfforhurtingsomeoneshelovedlikethat,
couldn’thavestoodhearingpeoplequestionhisjudgmentforgettinginvolvedwithher.

Andyet,atotallycontrarypartofherwishedtheyhadn’tbeenquitesogoodathidingtheir

relationshipfromtheworld,becauseatleastiftherehadbeenpicturesofthetwoofthemontheInternet,
maybetheywouldhavehadtodealwitheachotherinsomesmallway...ratherthanbeingabletocuteach
othercompletelyaway.

Shelookeddownatherwatchandrealizedshe’dnowofficiallymadeitthroughfifteendays,six

hoursandthirty-fourminuteswithouthim.Atsomepoint,thedaywouldcomethatshewouldn’tbe
countingminutesandhoursanymore.

Andatsomepoint,she’dstophopingthatshe’dhearhernameonhislipsagain,anout-of-the-blue

“Nicola”thatwouldhaveherlookingupathisshockinglybeautifulface,herheartracingwith
anticipationasshewaitedforhimtoissueanotheroneofhissensualcommands.

***

Damnit,settingeverythinguphadtakenmuchlongerthanhe’danticipated.Toolong.
MarcushadneverbeenbigonwatchingTVorreadingmagazines,butforthepasttwoweekshe’d

beengluedtothem.UntilhecouldbewithNicolaagain,heneededconstantreassurancethatthewomen
helovedwasokay.He’dbeenecstaticwhenhersonghadgonestraighttonumberoneandhertourhad
soldoutimmediately.Shedeservedallofthatandmore.

Somuchmore.
Lorihadturneduponhisdoorstepacoupleofnightsagowithaplantogetthembacktogether.She’d

beenbeyondpleasedwhenheinformedherthathewasalreadyonit,andnowwhileshedrovehimtothe
airport,theywerelisteningtoNicolabeinginterviewedontheradio.

“I’llbehonestwithyou,Nico,”theradiopersonalitysaid,“whenIfirstheardOneMomentit

soundedjustlikeanyothergreatpopsongthatmakesmewanttodance.ButthenIsawyouracoustic
videoandfinallyrealizedwhatheartthereisbehindthesong.Tellusaboutthat.”

“I’vealwayslovedwhatIdo,”shereplied,herslightlyhuskyvoicewashingthroughMarcus’sveins

likethefirstperfectcoolsipofwineonahot,dryday,“butIrecentlyrealizedthatI’veonlyletpeople
seeonesideofme.”

“Whatmadeyoudecidetoshowusthatothersideofyourself,theheart-wrenchingsinger/songwriter

thatyou’vebeenhidingallthistime?”

“Afriendwasn’tafraidtogetinmyfaceaboutit.”Shelaughedandhecouldpracticallyseehersmile,

herflashingeyes,evenacrosstheradiowaves.“I’mafraidIdidn’ttaketheadviceverywellatfirst,but
eventuallyIcamearound.Andthat’swhyIwenttorecordthesongagainthatway.Ilovethefull
productiononmysongs,Ilovedancingwithmycrew,butastripped-downversionofoneofmysongs
wassomethingI’vebeenwantingtodoforaverylongtime.”

“So,Nico,what’snextonyourplatetoconquernowthatyou’vegotthenumberonesingleinthe

countryandasold-outtour?”

MarcuscouldfeelLori’seyesonhimastheywaitedforNicola’sresponse.
“Love.”
Theinterviewover,MarcusturnedofftheradiojustasLoriexclaimed,“God,Marcus,she’samazing,

isn’tshe?”

“Sheis.”
“Howcouldyounothavefalleninlovewithher?”
Heshookhishead,knowinghissisterwasspeakingthecompleteanduttertruth.“Ineverhada

chance.”

Loricoveredhishandonthegearshiftwithherown.“Ireallyhopeyourplanworksout,bigbrother.”
Sodidhe.

***

Boise,Idaho

AttheendofthefirstshowonhertourinBoise,Nicoladidherfinalencore,aversionofOne

Momentthatbeganwithjustherinthemiddleofstage,playingguitarandsingingtheacousticversion
beforekickingintooverdrivewithaflashoflightsandsmokethathadeverybandmembercomingback
onstage...andherbodybeingcoveredalmostheadtotoeinshimmeringsparklesoflight.

Hercrewhadworkedwithhertoretoolhershowpracticallyeverywakingminuteuntilopeningnight

toincorporateherdancepopwithhernewacousticsegments.Ithadbeenutterlyexhausting.And
wonderfullythrilling.

Nicolahadwelcomedthework,haddrivenherselfharderthananyoneelse,partlyforthebonusof

beingtootiredtothinkaboutMarcusmorethaneveryotherminute.Ifthereactionthecrowdhadgiven
herallnightwasanyindication,ithadpaidoff.Bigtime.

Shewasdeterminedtoenjoyherselfatthecelebrationtonightwitheveryone.Eventhoughthemost

importantpersonhadn’tbeenoutthereintheaudience,she’dstillfeltasifhewerewithher,cheeringher
on,lovingherinawaynooneelseeverhad.

Butfirst,sheneededheadovertothespecialmeet-and-greetthattookplacebackstageafterevery

showsothatshecouldgivesomethingtoliteracyfoundationsineachcountysheplayedin.Despitethe
factthatshewasexhaustedbythetimethelightswentdownonstageandupfortheaudience,thecause
wasimportantenoughtohertopushthroughhertirednessforanotherhoureachnight.

Shewalkedintothecurtained-offarea,whereKatie,hertourmanager,immediatelyledherovertothe

firstgroup.Herskinprickledandheatedupasshemovedthroughthearea,butevenasshetookaquick
glancearoundtheroomtolookfortheonlypersononearthwhohadevermadeherfeellikethat,she
knewthattherewasnowayMarcuscouldbeinIdaho.Shewassimplykeyedupfromtheshowandher
imaginationwasrunningawaywithherverytiredmind.

Fromthecornerofhereye,shecouldseeJimmy,herbodyguard,frowningandtalkingintohisheadset

inatensevoice.Notsurewhatwashappening,buttrustingJimmytotakecareofit,shethrewherselfinto
chattingwithherfans,smilingintotheircameras,signingtheirCDsandiPoddevicesandconcertT-shirts,
neverlettingherselfforgetforonesecondthatshewasbeyondluckytobeinherposition.

ShehadjusthuggedayounggirlgoodbyewhenKatiecameuptoherwithafrown.“Jimmyneedsto

talktoyou.”

Thatpricklingfeelingcamebackasherbodyguardapproached.“ThemanfromSanFranciscois

back,isn’the?”

“Yes.Thecopsareontheirwaytocomepickhimup.”
Thecops?Shealmostlaughedoutloudathowabsurdthewholethinghadbecome.“Heisn’ta

stalker,”shesaidtoJimmy.

Herbodyguardlookedseriouslyconfused.“Heisn’t?”
“No,heisn’t.”Shetookadeepbreath.“Whereishe?Canyoubringhimhere?”
Jimmyfrowned.“Ifhe’ssomeguywho’sbeenforcingyouto—”
Sheputherhandonhisarm.“Please,Ineedtoseehim.”
Notlookingatallhappyaboutit,Jimmynodded.“I’llgogethim.”
Thirtysecondslater,whenMarcuswalkedin,closelyfollowedbyJimmy,Nicolahadthecrazy

thoughtthatshe’dbeenfantasizingabouthimsomuch,she’dconjuredhimoutofthinair.

Sheneededtotryandthinkstraight,neededtogiveherselftimetotakeafewdeepbreathsand

forcefullyslowherheartbeatdown.Shetriedtoprepareherselffortheurgetoleapintohisarms,but
nothingcouldhavepreparedherforthelookinhiseyes.

Purelove.
Andsomethingelsethatlookedlike…patience.
Sheknewhestillwantedher—thatmuchwasblatantlyclear,judgingbythesparksthatwereflying

aroundinthetwofeetofopenairbetweenthem—butatthesametimeshefeltasifhewassilentlysaying,
Iwillwaitforyoutocomearound.Howeverlongittakes.

Insteadofplayingitcool,herhandsmovedoverherheartandshecompletelyforgotthatKatieand

Jimmystoodclosebytomakesureshewasokayassheallbutgaspedoutthewords,“Whatareyoudoing
here,Marcus?”

Hedidn’tanswerforseverallongmomentsashiseyesrovedoverherface.Shewasgladforthe

chancetodothesamething,todrinkinthelinesthesunhadmadearoundhiseyesandmouth,tonotethat
whilehewasstillthemostbeautifulmanshe’deverseteyeson,helookedasifhe’dlostsomeweight
sinceshe’dlastseenhim.

Finally,hesaid,“There’salabeldesignerintownthatI’vebeenthinkingaboutusing.Thiswasa

goodchanceformetomeetwiththem."

Noneofthisfeltrealandshehalf-wonderedifshewassotiredshewasdreamingit.
“Itwasagreatshow,Nicola.Reallyincredible.Ican’twaitforthenextone.”
Thenextone?
Andthen,beforeshecouldgetherbrainorlimbstostartworkingagain,hewasgone.Allthreeof

themwatchedhimturnandleave.

Abeatlater,Katieturnedtoherandsaid,“Youlookreallypale.Here,sitdown.”
Nicolawasnofadingflowerandhadneverfaintedinherlife.
Buttonight,sheknewshe’dbettertaketheseatKatiewaspushingagainstthebacksofherknees.

Eitherthatorshewasgoingtogorunningoutofthevenue,callingMarcus’snamelikeadesperate
woman.

Sheknewbyheartthereasonsarelationshipwithhimwouldneverwork.Goodreasons.Soinstead

ofrunningafterhimonshakylimbs,sheforcedherselftotakeadeepbreath—andthenanotherdozen
whenthatdidn’twork—andtickthroughthosereasonsagain.

Lordknew,ifhewascomingbacktodothisanothernight,she’dneedeveryoneofherwallsupand

inplacetostaystrong.

Still,shecouldn’tgetitalltoaddup.HerloverhadflownallthewayuptoIdahotoseehershowand

hehadn’tjustgrabbedherinfrontofeveryoneandkissedherlikehehadathismother’shouse?

Whyhadn’thekissedher?

***

SaltLakeCity,UT

NicolawalkedoffstageafterherconcertinSaltLakeCitythenextnightandknewshe’dkilledit.

She’dtakeneachsongandyankedeveryounceofpassionandgutsandfunandjoyfromit.Andithadall
beenforMarcus.She’dsungeverylovesongforhim,hadmovedherbodyacrossthestageforhiseyes
only.

Justlikethepreviousnight,asshegreetedherfansshecouldfeelhimbackstageevenwithoutseeing

wherehewas.Ittookeveryounceofconcentrationtogiveheralltoherfanswhohaddonatedso
generouslytoliteracywhensheknewshe’dsoonbetalkingtoMarcusagain,butsherefusedtogive
anythinglessthanherbesttoeveryoneintheroom.

Andthen,therehewasagainandJimmyandKatiewerelookingbetweenthetwoofthem.
“ShouldIcallSecurity,Nico?"
“No,Jimmy.I’mfine.”
Betterthanfine,withMarcusstandinginfrontofheragain.
Katieasked,“Shouldweleaveyoualoneforafewminutes?”
OhGod,no.Alonewasabadidea.
Scratchthat.Itwasaterribleidea.
Ofcourse,allNicolacoulddowasnod.Andsay,“Please.”
Marcusdidn’twaitforhertoaskabouthowhe’dspenthisdayinSaltLakeCity.Hesimplysaid,

“There’sagreatbottlingfactorynearhere.IthinkI’mgoingtousethemforournextchampagnerelease.”

She’dgivenallofthissomethoughtthenightbefore—alldaytoday,too—andmadeherselfsay,“You

can’tkeepdoingthis.”

Hereachedouttobrushhishandacrossherforehead,whereherhairwasfallingoveroneeye.“I’m

havingagoodtimedoingthis.”

Herbodyinstantlyrecognizedhersweetlydominantloverashishandlingeredonherskinina

possessivewaythathaditheatingup,toptobottomandeverywhereinbetween.Shecouldn’tresist
turningherfaceintohispalmforasplitsecond,butthen,knowingtherewereanynumberofeyesonher
—andthateachofthemwaswonderingjustwhatinhellwasgoingonbetweenherandthegood-looking
strangerintheexpensivesuit—shemadeherselfdrawbackwhenallshereallywantedtodowascurlup
againsthimassheoncehad.

Loweringhervoicetomakesurenoonecouldpossiblyhear,shesaid,“Areyouplanningon

followingmearoundtheglobe?”

Hisgrinwouldhavestolenherheartiftherehadbeenanypartofithedidn’talreadyhave.“You’re

playingsomeofmyfavoritecities.”

ItwaspuretorturetoimaginehowgloriousitwouldbetoslipunderthecoverswithMarcuslateat

nightafterhershows,inabusorplaneorhotelroom.

“Iwon’tforgivemyselfifyourwineryfallsapartwithoutyouthere.”
Heraisedaneyebrow.“Idon’tthinkmymanagementteamwouldtaketookindlytohearingwhatyou

thinkofthem.”

“That’snotwhatImean!”shetoldhim,toofrustratedwiththegamehewasplaying—andhowmuch

shewantedhimtokeepplayingit,despiteknowingbetter—tokeephervoicedown.

“Youwerebeautifuluptheretonight,andsodamngoodyoublewmeawayalloveragain.”
Theonlywayshecouldkeepherselffromblurtingouthowmuchshelovedhim,howmuchshe

missedhim,wastosay,“It’snotjustthefame,Marcus.It’snotjusthowimpossibleourschedulesare.I’m
notgoodforyou.Ifyourcommunity,yourcolleagues,knewaboutme...”

“Ididn’tcheat,”hesaid,andjustwhensherealizedhemeanthehadn’tlookedherupontheInternet,

headded,“Butyourfanstalk.Andtheyloveyou.They’reonyourside.JustlikeIam.AndIloveyou,too.
Wewereallyoungandstupidonce.We’vealldonethingswearen’tproudof.We’vealltrustedpeople
weshouldn’thavetrusted.Yes,peopleareprobablygoingtobelievesomethingtheyreadorsaw.Lotsof
people,even.ButIcanguaranteeyouthatanyonewhoactuallymeetsyouandgetstoknowyouwillfall
asmuchinlovewithyouasIam.”

Shecouldalmosttastehiskiss,wasactuallydyingforit,whenhesaid,“IpromisedyouIwasn’t

goinganywhereandI’mnot.Butthisisyourdecisionjustasmuchasit’smine.”Hetookherhandinhis
andbroughtittohislipstopressakisstoherknuckles.“Goodnight,kitten.”

***

Denver,CO

“Don’ttellme,”shesaidwhensheandMarcusweretheonlytwopeopleleftinthemeet-and-greet

thenextnight.“There’sawineryinColoradothatyou’rethinkingofacquiring.”

“Actually,anoldcollegefriendlivesnearby.Ihadagreatdayvisitingwithhimandhisfamily.”
Hegrinnedatherandshecouldn’thelpbutgrinback.Alldayshe’dbeenlookingforwardtoseeing

him.

Andallday,she’dbeenhavingaharderandhardertimeconvincingherselfthatbeingwithouthim

wastherightthing.Marcus,shehadstartedtorealize,didn’tseemtocaremuchforwhatpeoplethought
ofhim.Ifhedid,hewouldn’tbebuyingtheVIPcharitymeet-and-greetpackageeverysinglenight.

Afteronlythreenightsofhangingoutwithhercrewwhileshechattedwithherfans,itwasalready

likehewasoneofthem,likehewassupposedtobeontourwiththem.Shewasstartingtosuspectthat
waspartofhisplan...andshewasmorethanalittleamazedatthefactthathe’dmanagedtopullthiskind
ofscheduleoffinthefirstplace.

Still,howlongcouldhecontinuewithit?
“Pleasetellmeyou’reheadedbacktoNapa,Marcus.Backtoyourreallife.”
“Actually,I’montheboardofalocaleventthat’stakingplacetomorrownight,soyes,I’llneedto

headbackforthenextcoupleofnights.”

Herstomachsankdowntoherkneecaps.“Good.Iknowhowmuchitwillmeantoeveryonetohave

youthere.”

Shewassurprisedtofeelhisfingersbeneathherchin,tiltingherfacebackuptohis.“Comewithme,

Nicola.I’vegotaplanecharteredthatleavestonight.Wecouldmakeitbackbymorning,spendthedayat
mywinery,attendtheevent,andI’lleasilyhaveyoubackatyournextvenueintimeforinterviewsand
soundcheck.”

“Marcus,I—”
Hismouthwasoverhersbeforeshecouldevenfigureoutwhatshewasgoingtosay.Hiskisswas

softandsweet,butshefeltasifherentireworldhadbeenupendedbyit.

“That’snotfair,”sheprotestedinabreathlessvoice.
“I’mnotplayingfairanymore.Iloveyoutoomuchtosticktotherules.”
Andthenhishandswereinherhairandherarmswerearoundhisneckandshewaskissinghimlike

she’dbeendreamingofkissinghimforweeks.Ifithadn’tbeenforthemanypairsofeyesburningahole
throughthem,shewouldhaveneverstoppedkissinghim.

Forcingherselftopullawayfromhislips,shesaid,“HowaboutIintroduceyoutomycrew?”against

hismouth.

“Ithinkthey’vealreadygotaprettygoodideawhoIam."
Shewasamazedtofindherselflaughingwithhimastheybrokeapart.
She’dbeensocarefultomakesureshedidn’tgiveanyone—eventheroadcrewshe’dgrowntotrust

overtheyears—anypotentialammotouseagainstherthatshe’dbasicallybeenlivinglikeanunforthe
pastsixmonths.

Now,shehadtowonderifthereasonshe’dcaredsomuchwhateveryonethoughtwasbecauseitwas

easiertousethepressasanexcuse,ratherthanriskgettinghurtagain.

Butmaybe,shewasjuststartingtothink,somethingswereworththerisk.
“I’mgoingtograbmythingsoffthebus,”shesuddenlytoldKatie,whowasstandingafewfeetaway.

“TurnsoutI’vegotaplanetoNapaValleywaiting.”

HertourmanagerlookedbetweenNicolaandMarcus,thennoddedherapproval.“Justaslongasyou

haveherbackforherinterviewatnooninDallasintwodays.”

Grinning,Nicolasaid,“YouguyscanworkouttheschedulewhileIgogetmystuff.”Shewashalfway

outthedoorwhenshelookedoverhershouldertoseeKatieandMarcuswiththeirheadstogetherover
theirsmartphones.

Butasshewalkeddownthehalltowardhertourbus,sheknewthatkissingMarcusinfrontofher

crewhadbeentheeasypart.

He’dtoldherthathercircuslifedidn’tscarehim.
Nowhewasactuallyshowingherthathemeantit.
Unfortunately,thebiggerquestionremained:Whatwouldhisworldthinkofher?Wouldtheywelcome

herwithopenarmsthewayshewassurehercrewwasalreadywelcomingMarcus?

OrwouldheryouthandbadreputationhurtMarcusinjustthewayshefeared?

***

ChapterTwenty-four

“MyGod,thisisbeautiful.”
ThesunwasrisingovertheSullivanWineryandthebirdswerejustcomingawake.Nicolalaughed

softlyasababybluejaypeekeditsheadupoutofitsnesttogreetthem.Astheystoodonhisporchand
lookedoutovertherollinggrapevines,Marcussilentlythankedhispropertyforputtingonitsfinestshow
forNicola.

They’dbothsleptontheplaneandeventhoughithadn’tbeenafullnight’srest,hefeltmorerefreshed

andalertthanhehadsinceNicolahadleftSanFranciscoalmostthreeweeksago.

“Thiswineryiswhereyoucametoheal,isn’tit?”
Noonehadeverlaiditoutsoclearlytohim...orhadhititsodirectlyonthehead.
Pullinghercloser,hetoldher,“ThefirsttimeIeversawthislandwasonahighschoolfieldtrip.It

wascrazy,butIsworeIsawamanwholookedlikemyfatherworkingthevines.AssoonasIgotmy
driver’slicense,Idroveupheretolookforhimagain.”

“Youweren’talone,wereyou?”
“Nope.”Hesmiledatthewomanheloved.“Mostofmybrothersandsisterscrammedintothecar

withme.Ididn’ttellthemaboutwhatIthoughtI’dseen,butIknewrightthenthatonedaythislandwould
bemine.AndthatI’dmakehimproud.”

Hewatchedherswallow,sawhereyesglitterathisstory.Hervoicewasraw,husky,assheasked,

“Howcanyoueventhinkofleavingthisfordaysandweeksonend?”

Heknewwhatshewasasking,thatshedidn’tunderstandwhyhewouldwanttobewithheronthe

road.

“It’sbeentwenty-twoyearssincemyfatherdiedanduntilyou,Inevertoldanyonehowharditwason

metotakehisplaceinthefamily.Ineverwantedtoadmitittomyself.Andnoonedaredpushmeup
againstthewallonit.I’msureotherssawit.Theyhadto.ButImanagedtokeepthemallaway."

Shehadturnedtohimandhedidn’tknowifsherealizedit,butshe’dtakenhishandsandwasholding

thembothoverherheart.

“Butnotyou,Nicola.Youwereshovingyourwayinfromthatfirstmomentintheclubandnomatter

howhardItriedtopushyouaway,youneverletmekeepyouout.”

“I’mannoyinglikethat,”shesaidinasoftvoice.“AlwayspushinginwhereIdon’tbelong.”
“Ilovethatyoupush,thatyoudecidewhatyouwantanddon’tletanyonegetinyourway.Nowonder

yourcareerisshootingthroughthestratosphereandtheywantyoutocomeplayshowsinTimbuktu."

Hewasgladtoseehersmileatthat,toseethedarkshadowbegintoslidefromherprettyeyes.
“Ididn’tcompletelylosemyyouth,buttherewerebigchunksofitthatjustdisappeared.”Heshook

hishead,tryingtoputwordstohisfeelingsevenashefinallyregisteredwhattheywere.“Idon’tregret
spendingsomuchtimewithmybrothersandsisterstohelpmymother.Theywereworthit."

“Soareyou,Marcus.”
Hepressedasoftkisstoherlipsandthensaid,“DoyouknowwhatmymothersaidtomethatSunday

atlunch?”

“Whatthehellareyouthinking,gettinginvolvedwithagirllikeher?”sheguessed,buthermouthwas

quirkingupononesideandheknewshewasteasing.

“Shetoldmeshe’dbeenwaitingformetofindsomeoneIcouldlovemorethanIlovedthem.”
“Itoldyoubefore,inthatoldplaygroundbehindyourmother’shouse,thatIdon’twanttogetinthe

wayofyourrelationshipwithyourfamily.”

“Notintheway.You’veshownmeit’stimetofinallycutthestrings,toletthemlivetheirlives.And

thatit’sfinallytimeformetolivemine.Allthistime,itwaseasierformetofocusonmybrothersand
sistersandhelpingmymotherandrunningthiswinerythanitwasformetofocusonmyownheart.”He

tuggedherevencloser.“Youoncetoldmepeoplebelievewhat’seasiesttobelieve.BothyouandI
believedsostronglythatwecouldn’tmakethisrelationshipwork,thatweweretoodifferent…didn’t
we?”

Shenodded.“It’ssaferthatway.”
“Iknowitis,butI’mfinallyreadytobelieveinthethingthat’shardesttobelieve,instead.”Hesmiled

downather.“Iknewwordswouldneverconvinceyouthatwecouldmakethiswork,thatI’dneedto
showyou,toproveittoyoubypushingjustashardasyoualwayspushedme.”

“Mycrewthoughtyouwerecrazy.Jimmywasgoingtocallthecopsthatfirstnight,youknow.The

second,too.”

Hegrinned.“Iknow.Butyou’reworththerisk,sweetheart.Anyrisk.Everyrisk.I’mgoingtoenjoy

joiningyouforasmanyofyourtourdatesasIpossiblycan,andIhaveaprettygoodfeelingthatyou’re
goingtoenjoythepeaceandquietofbeingherewithmeasoftenasyoupossiblycan.Ihavenodoubtthat
thisland,thebeautyhere,willfeedyoursoulthesamewayit’salwaysfedmine.”

“Howdoyoualwaysseethethingsinmethatnooneelseeverdoes?”
“ImetNicolalongbeforeIevermetNico,”heremindedher.“ForgetthestupidthingsIsaidtoyouon

thebeach.You’veneverhiddenyourselffromme.”

“Idon’tknowhow.EvenwhenItried,Icouldn’thidewhatyouweremakingmefeel.”Shepaused.

“Especiallywhenyouweretellingmewhatyouwantedmetodointhebedroom.”

Ah,itwasjustthelead-inhe’dbeenhopingfor.“Threeweeksago,Iplayedbythebook.Andyou

left.”Hepinnedherwithanunabashedlyhungrygaze.“TodayI’mnotgoingtoplayfair.AsfarasI’m
concerned,onceyougotonthatplanewithme,allruleswereoff.”

Herpupilshaddilatedandherbreathingwasalreadyspeedingup,bothbeautifulsignsthatshewas

becomingaroused...andthatshewantedthisasmuchashedid.

Knowingshe’dgreatlyenjoytheanticipation,hetoldher,“I’mplanningtousealltheweaponsinmy

arsenaltoconvinceyouthatwebelongtogether.I’mnotafraidtoplaydirtythistime.”

Shelickedherlips.“Ilikedirty.”
Hegrinnedatheranditwasasmilefullofwickedpromise.“Iknowyoudo.Mysweet,sexy,smart,

dirtygirl.”Hesweptherupinhisarmsandkickedopenthefrontdoortocarryherintohisbedroom.“I
wantyouinmybed.”

“Iwanttobethere,too.”Shecuppedhisfaceinherhandsandpulledhismouthdowntohers.
Needingtoconcentrateonkissingher,notclimbingthestairs,hestoppedhalfwayup,sittingdownon

thestairssothatshewasstraddlinghim.

Therewasnowaytheyweregoingtoactuallymakeitallthewayupstairstohisbedroom.
Notthistime,anyway.
“Liftyourarmsforme,Nicola.”
Heatflaredinhereyesatthesensualcommandhe’dgivenherthatfirstnight,andthenagainand

again.Sheslowlybroughtherhandsupandlethimslideherlong-sleevedT-shirtuphertorsoandover
herhead.

Herbrawaswickedblackandredlacewithasweetwhitebowinthemiddle.
“UntilImetyou,IalwaysthoughtIhadtobeoneortheother,thesexypopprincessorthesweetgirl

withtheguitar.Iwanttobeboth,Marcus.”

“Ifirststartedfallingforthesexgoddessintheleatherdresswiththeimpossiblyhighheels...andI

knewIwasatotalgonerwhenyoufellasleeponmylap.”Hemovedhishandstothesmallofherback,
thenaroundtocupherhips,andslidhercloser.“I’vealwayslovedbothsidesofyou.”Withoutskippinga
beat,hesaid,“Iwantyoutostandupandtaketherestofyourclothesoff.”

Hereyeswidened,butshequicklyscootedoffhislapandmovedastepdowntoslipoffherjeansand

thenherbraandpanties.

“Ithinkit’stimeforthatspankingI’vebeenpromisingyou,”hesaidasheputhishandsonher

stomach,thenslidthemuptobrushthepadsofhisthumbsoverherbreasts.“Alittlepunishmentfortaking
solongtocomearoundandseethatwecanmakethingswork.”

Hereyesglitteredwitharousalevenasshemadeasoftprotest.“WhatifIdon’tlikeit?”
Insteadofansweringherquestion,hesaid,“Turnaround,andholdontothestairrail.”
Hecouldseeherheartbeatpulsingthroughthesoftskinonherneckasshethoughtoverhisrequest.

Finally,shedidashebid,tauntinghimwithanaughtylookoverhershoulder.

Movinghishandoverherstomach,heheldhertorsoinplaceasheranhisotherhandovertheswell

ofherhips.

“Sopretty.Sosweet.”Hepressedakisstothesmallofherback.“Andallmine.”
Hishandcamedownamomentlater,aswatonherbehindthatleftafaintpinkmarkonhertanned

flesh.Shedidn’tcryout,buthefelthernipplesbeadagainsthispalmwherehestillcuppedherbreasts.
Amomentlater,hewasmarkingherothercheekwiththeflatofhispalm,andthistimehecouldn’tmiss
hermoanofpleasure,moansthatonlyincreasedinvolumeashemadecontacttwomoretimes.

Afewmomentslater,theswipeofhistongueoverherarousedfleshhadherbuckingintohismouth

whileherhandsheldontohishair.Hethrusttwofingersintoherandslickheatsurroundedthem,
throbbingandpulsingaroundhim.

“Iloveyou."
Marcusputhismouthbetweenherthighsandcoveredherwithhislips.Hecurledhisfingersinsideof

heruntilshewasgasping,arching,begging,cryingoutformore.

Helovedthewaysheheldontohimasshecameapartagainsthistongueandfingers.
Afewsecondslaterhewascarryinghertherestofthewayupthestairstolayherdowninthecenter

ofhisbigbed.Shemovedtoreachforhim,butheshookhishead.

“No.Justletmelookatyou.Ican’tbelieveIhavetheprettiestgirlintheworldinmybed.”
Sheblushed,butthistimeshedidn’ttrytohideanypartofherselffromhim.Notherbeautiful

body...orthebeautythatwasinsidealltheluscious,creamyskinandmind-blowingcurves.

Hestrippedoffhisclothesandputonacondombeforemovingoverher.Andthenherarmswere

aroundhisshouldersandherlegswerewrappedtightlytohishipsandheknewtherestofthenaughty
thingshewantedtodotoherwouldhavetowait.

Becauserightnowallhewantedtodowasmakelovetothewomanhe’dwaitedalifetimetofind.
“Loveme,Marcus,”shewhisperedastheirbodiescametogether.
And,oh,howhelovedher.
Notjustwithhisentirebody,notonlywitheverybeatofhisheart...butfromtheverydepthsofhis

soul.

***

ThemiddaysunwascominginthroughMarcus’sbedroomwindowastheysatnakedontopofhis

coverseatingthepicniclunchhe’dpulledtogetherfromthesparsecontentsofhisfridge.

Nicolahadneverfeltsoexhausted—orsohappy—andwithherstomachfulloffoodandherbodyfull

ofpleasure,sheyawnedandlaydowninoneofherfavoritepositions,herheadonhislapandoneofher
handsinhis.Sheneverwantedtostoplyingtherelookingupathisbeautifulface.

Butherlongtourhours—andthethreeroundsofincrediblyacrobaticsexthey’djusthad—hadher

yawning.

Hesmileddownather.“Yousuretireoutquickforayoungthing.Mysleepylittlekitten.”
“Funny,”shesaidonanotherhugeyawn,“Iwasjustabouttosayyouhavesurprisingstaminaforan

oldman.”ShehummedafewbarsoftheJoniMitchellhitMyOldMan,endingatthelineabout“keeping

awaymylonesomeblues."

Shelovedhearinghimlaughandhumalonginareallyoff-tunevoice.
Lookingupintohiseyes,sheknewitwastimetoadmiteverythingtohim.
“Ididn’tpushyouawayjustbecauseIwastryingtosaveyoufrommycircuslife.”Whenhishand

didn’tstillonherhairandhislegmusclesdidn’ttenseupunderher,sheknewitwassafetosay,“That
wasabigpartofit,butIwasalsoscaredoftrusting.Scaredoffalling.SohugelyscaredthatI’dbehurt
again.OnlythistimeIknewitwouldbesomuchworse,becauseIlovedyou.That’swhyIranthatday
afterlunchatyourmother’shouse,becauseIthoughtitwouldhurtlessthatway.Butrunningonlymade
everythinghurtmore.”

“Imissedyoujustasmuch,”hetoldher.“Although,Ican’thelpthinkingthatifyouhadn’trun,I

wouldn’thavegottenthechancetochaseafteryou.”

Justthatquickly—ashemadeherburnupatthewickedthoughtofbeingchasedthroughthevinesand

thencaughtinthemostdeliciousway—Marcuserasedanychanceofrecriminations,ofmakingherfeel
guiltyorselfishforwhatshe’ddone.

Andasheshiftedthemsothathisnakedbodywaspressedagainsthersandhismouthwasmoving

overhers,sheforgotallaboutfearandgaveintothemostnaturalemotionintheworld.

Pure,sweetlove.

***

SittinginthebackofalimowithMarcusthatnight,Nicolaworeafantasticdressthatmanagedtobe

classicandyetfunandflirtyatthesametime.Alldayshe’dlovedbeingwiththemansheloved,butas
thedriverpulledupinfrontoftheNapaValleymansionwheretheeventwasbeingheld,panicgripped
her.

“Thisisthebigmoment.Areyousureyou’rereadyforthis?Fornotbeingmysecretboyfriend

anymore?"

Insteadofansweringherwithwords,heputherhandsoverhisheart,thenleanedintokissher.
“Aslongasyou’rebymyside,I’mreadyforabsolutelyanything.”
Andasthedoorwasopenedforthemandflashbulbsstartedgoingoff,hiskisserasedwhatremained

ofherworries...leavingsweetsafetyandboundlesspleasureinitsplace.

Epilogue

Overthenexttwomonths,theweathercooledandtheleavesturnedcolor,fallingfromthetrees

throughoutNorthernCalifornia.MarcusrackedupthemilesonbusesandplanesasNicolaplayeddozens
ofdatesonthefirstlegofherU.S.concerttourandhecommutedbackandforthbetweenNapaValleyand
whateverpartofthecountrythewomanhelovedwasin.Forthefirsttimesincehe’dpurchasedthe
winerytenyearsearlier,heleftthebulkofthedetailsofthecrushtohisstaff.Ellenreceivedanenormous
promotionalongwiththematchingsalarytogoalongwithhernewduties.

ItwasearlyDecemberwhenNicolaandMarcuswalkedintothefirestation.Theentirefirecrewwas

there,alongwiththeirfamilies,tomeether.

Gabeshookhisbrother’shand,thenhuggedNicolaextralongandhard,knowinghowmuchitwould

botherhispossessiveolderbrother.Gabedidn’tbothertoholdbackhisgrinashesaid,“Thankssomuch
foragreeingtoplaythisconcert,Nicola.”

“It’smypleasure,”shesaidbeforeturningtohisbrother.Goinguponhertoes,shepressedakisson

Marcus’scheek.“You’rescaringthekidswiththatscowl.”

MarcusputhishandonherchinandturnedherfacetohisforarealkissthatsaidMineloudandclear

toanymanintheroomwhomighthavebeenconfusedastowhichSullivanbrothershewaswith.

Gabemadesurehisgrinstayedinplace,eventhoughsomethinginsidehischestwaspinchingtight.

Overthepastmonths,he’dgottenusedtoseeingChase,andnowMarcus,aspartofacouple.Their
motherwasbesideherselfwithjoyoverhersons’relationships.

Jackie,thegirlGabehadbeencasuallydatingoffandonforthepastfewmonths,waspractically

shakingwithexcitementatthethoughtoffinallymeetingNicola.She’dbeenanglingtobeinvitedto
Sundaylunchathismother’shousetomeetnotjustNicola,butSmith,too.Thethingwas,Gabejust
couldn’tseeheraroundhisfamily.Shewastooyoung,tooeager.Sure,Nicolawasyoungtoo,butthere
wasareasonsheandMarcusfitsowelltogether.Nicolawasfarmorematurethanothertwenty-five-
year-oldgirls.

EspeciallyJackie,Gabethoughtasshestartedtowardthem,starsinhereyes.
Gabeknewhe’dstrungheralongtoolong.Quicklydecidingthathe’dbreakitoffwithhertonight,he

wasn’tlookingforwardtohertears.Shewasacrier,whichwaspartlywhyhehadn’thadtheballsto
makeacleanbreakthesepastweeks.

“Howthehelldidyouendupwithheragain?”GabeaskedMarcusacoupleofhourslaterasthey

stoodtothesideandwatchedNicolacharmthepantsoffthetightlypackedcrowdwhohadpaidbig
buckstoseeherdoashortacousticsetinthefirestation’sparkinglot.Themoneythey’dbringintoday
withherhelpwouldgoalongwaytogettingthenewequipmentthatbudgetcutsweremakinghardto
comeby.

Ratherthantryingtotakeanycreditforit,Marcussimplysaid,“I’mtheluckiestbastardonthe

planet.”HenoddedhisheadinJackie’sdirection,wayupatthefrontofthegroup,clearlyinaweofevery
littlethingNicolasaidordid.“Whatabouther?”

Gabeshookhishead.“Justacasualthingthat’srunitscourse.”
Nicolahadjustfinishedhersetwhenthestationalarmranganddispatchrangoutoverthestation’s

loudspeakers,alertingthemtoanapartmentfire.

Gabeandtherestofthecrewimmediatelymovedtoputontheirturn-outsandheadedout,their

alarmsblaringtoclearthebusycitytraffic.

“Wow,thatwasintenseandthey’renotevenatthefireyet,”Nicolasaidafewminuteslaterwhenshe

andMarcuswerestandingtogetherinacornerofthestation.“Idon’tknowhowyourmotherdealswith
thissowell.Ifeellikeabasketcaserightnow.”

“ThisiswhatGabedoes.He’llbefine,”Marcusreassuredher.

Butfifteenminuteslater,afterthey’dsaidtheirgoodbyestothevolunteerswhohadsetuptheconcert

andwereabouttogetintoMarcus’scartoheadbackuptoNapaValley,anotherstationalarmwentoff.

“Allunitsrespondingto1280ConradStreet,beadvised,upgradingtothirdalarm.”
NicolalookedatMarcuswithhugeeyes.“That’sthefireGabewentto.Itsoundslikeit’sgotten

worse,notbetter.”

“Mybrotherisahellofafirefighter,”Marcustoldher.“He’snotthekindofguywho’deverdo

somethingdangerousorstupid.”

Only,astheystoodtogetherwhilethesirencontinuedtoblareanddispatchrepeatedthecall,bothof

themknewtherewereplentyofotherreasonswhyfirefightersgothurtinthelineofduty.

AndalltheycoulddowasholdontoeachotherandhopethatGabewouldbeallright.

~THEEND~

***

PleaseconsiderleavingareviewatBarnes&Noble.Thankyou!

***

ThenextthreebooksinBellaAndre’sSullivanfamilyseriesareoutnow!

CAN'THELPFALLINGINLOVE

(Gabe&Megan,TheSullivans#3)

IONLYHAVEEYESFORYOU

(Sophie&Jake,TheSullivans#4)

IFYOUWEREMINE

(Zach&Heather,TheSullivans#5)

Anddon’tmissthefirstbookintheSullivanseries

THELOOKOFLOVE

(Chase&Chloe,TheSullivans#1)

WatchforBook#6comingsummer2012

LETMEBETHEONE

(RyanSullivan’sstory)

***

PleaseenjoythefollowingexcerptfromBellaAndre’sbooks...

CAN’THELPFALLINGINLOVE

Gabe&Megan–TheSullivans#3

GabeSullivanriskshislifeeverydayasafirefighterinSanFrancisco.Butafterlearninga

brutallessonaboutprofessionalboundaries,heknowsbetterthantoriskhishearttohisfirevictims

everagain.Especiallythebravemotheranddaughterhesavedfromadeadlyapartmentfire...and
can'tstopthinkingabout.

MeganHarrisknowssheowestheheroicfirefightereverythingforrunningintoaburning

buildingtosaveherandherseven-year-olddaughter.Everythingexceptherheart.Becauseafter
losinghernavypilothusbandfiveyearsago,shehasvowedtoneversufferthroughloving-andlosing
-amanwithadangerousjobagain.

Only,whenGabeandMeganmeetagainanduncontrollableflamesofdesireignitebetween

them,howcanhepossiblyignorehercourage,determination,andbeauty?Andhowcanshedenynot
onlyhisstrongbondwithherdaughter…butthewayhissweetlysensualkissesarechallengingherto
riskeverythingshe’sbeenguardingforsolong?

Thiswinter,ifone-orboth-ofthemaren’tcareful,theyjustmightendupfallinginlove.

EnjoythefollowingexcerptforCAN’THELPFALLINGINLOVE...

GabeSullivan’scaptain,Todd,steppedintotheroom.
“How’reyoufeeling,Gabe?”
“Good,Captain.”
HemovedtositupstraighteronthebedandToddshookhishead.“You’refinejustlikethat.I

knowyourskullmusthurtlikehell.”Henoddedbacktothedoorway.“AreyoureadytoseeMs.Harris
andherdaughter,Summer?”

No,hethought,he’dbebetteroffneverseeingthoseeyesagain.
He’dthoughtaboutMeganandherdaughteronetoomanytimesforcomfort.Notjustbecausehe

wasreviewingtherescue,tryingtolookforwhathecouldhavedonedifferently,tohavegottenthemout
fasterandmoresafely—butbecausehehadn’tbeenabletoforgetherstrength,howhardshe’dfoughtto
stayconscious,andwhatafightershe’dbeeneverysinglesecondoftheharrowingjourneyfromher
burningapartment.

Still,heunderstoodthatfirevictimsoftenfeltcompelledtosaythankyoutothemenwhohadsaved

them.Especiallyinacaselikethis,wherethey’djustbarelyhelddeathatbay.

“Sure.”Hebegantonod,butasharpshootingpainstoppedhimhalfwayintothemovement.
Catchinghisgrimace,Toddsaid,“I’llaskMeganandherdaughtertocomebacklater.”
Hernamefither,Gabehadfoundhimselfthinkingonetoomanytimes.Meganwasprettyand

strongallatthesametime.ItwouldbebettertothinkofherasMs.Harris.Although,hehadtowonder,
wasthereahusband?Andifso,wherehadhebeenduringthefireandwhywasn’theherewiththem
now?

“No,”hesaid,“it’llbebetterifIseethemnow.”
She’dsaythankyou,he’dtellherhewashappytoseeherandherdaughterdoingsowell,andthat

wouldbethat.Nomorebeinghauntedbyhereyes,bythesurprisingstrengthshe’dshownhimasshe’d
crawledonthefloorofherapartmentanddownthestairs.

Acoupleofminuteslater,Toddwalkedbackinwiththemotheranddaughter.Ignoringthepainin

hishead,Gabesatuphigherandforcedasmileonhisface.

Andthen,hiseyeslockedwithMegan’sandhissmilefrozeinplace.
MyGod,hefoundhimselfthinkingbeforehecouldshovethethoughtaway,she’sbeautiful.
Thelasttimehe’dseenherfaceithadbeenthroughathickhazeofdarksmokeandtheknowledge

thatonewrongmovemeanttheirliveswereover.Hereyeswerejustasbigandpretty,herlimbslooked
asleanandstrongastheyhadwhenhe’dbeenhelpingtomoveheralongthefloor,butnowhecouldsee
thesoftnessinher,thesweetcurvesofherbreastsandhipsinherT-shirtandjeans.Hecouldn’tstop
staringatthestartlinggreenofhereyes,thesilkydarkhairfallingacrosshershoulders,andthewayher

prettyyoungdaughterwasacarboncopyofher,theonlydifferencetheirhaircolor,onedark,onelight.

Sheseemedjustasstunnedasheandforalongmoment,thetwoofthemjuststaredateachotherin

silenceuntilherdaughterranovertohimandthrewherarmsaroundhim.

Buy

CAN'THELPFALLINGINLOVE

foryourNook.

***

IONLYHAVEEYESFORYOU

Sophie&Jake–TheSullivans#4

SophieSullivan,alibrarianinSanFrancisco,wasfiveyearsoldwhenshefellheadoverheels

inlovewithJakeMcCann.Twentyyearslater,she’sconvincedthenotoriousbadboystillseesheras
the“nice”Sullivantwin.Thatis,whenhebotherstolookatheratall.Butwhentheybothgetcaught
upinthemagicofthefirstSullivanwedding,sheknowsit’slongpasttimetodowhateverittakesto
makehimseeherforwhoshetrulyis...thewomanwhowilllovehimforever.

Jakehasalwaysbeenamagnetforwomen,especiallysincehisIrishpubsmadehimextremely

wealthy.Buttheonlywomanhereallywantsistheonehecanneverhave.NotonlyisSophiehisbest
friend’soff-limitsyoungersister...hecan’trisklettinghergetcloseenoughtodiscoverhisdeeply
hiddensecret.

Only,whenSophieappearsonhisdoorstepasJake’severyfantasycometolife—smart,

beautiful,andshockinglysexy—hedoesn’thaveaprayeroftakinghiseyes,orhishands,offher.And
hecan’tstopcravingmoreofhersweetsmilesandsinfulkisses.BecauseeventhoughJakeknows
lovingSophieisn’ttherightthingtodo...howcanhepossiblyresist?

Buy

IONLYHAVEEYESFORYOU

foryourNook.

***

IFYOUWEREMINE

Zach&Heather–TheSullivans#5

Cantwopeoplewhohavebothswornofflovefindforeverineachother'sarms?
ThelastthingZachSullivanwantsistotakecareofhisbrother'snewpuppyfortwoweeks.

Untilhemeetsthedogtrainer,thatis.Heatherisbright,beautiful,andhecan'tstopthinkingabout
her.Unfortunately,shejustmightbetheonlywomanonearthwhowantsnothingtodowithhim.

HeatherLinseycan'tbelieveshe'sstuckworkingwithoneofthecity’stopdogs,auto-shop

tycoonZachSullivan.Especiallywhenhisfocusisclearfromthestart—notonlytolearnhowtodeal
withhistemporarypuppy...butalsotomakeHeatherhis.Havingswornoffloveatseventeenwhenshe
realizeditwasnothingmorethanapackoflies,shehasstucktohervownevertofallforacharming
man.

ButasHeather'sdeterminationtopushZachawayonlyfuelshisdeterminationtogetcloser—

andthesensualandemotionalconnectionbetweenthemgrowsmoreandmoreundeniable—willthe
biggestSullivanbadboyofalltemptherintobelievinginloveagain?

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IFYOUWEREMINE

foryourNook.

***

THELOOKOFLOVE

Chase&Chloe–TheSullivans#1

ChloePetersonishavingabadnight.Areallybadnight.Thelargebruiseonhercheekcan

attesttothat.Andwhenhercarskidsoffthesideofawetcountryroadstraightintoaditch,she’s
convincedeventhegorgeousguywhorescuesherinthemiddleoftherainstormmustbetoogoodto
betrue.Orishe?

Asasuccessfulphotographerwhofrequentlytravelsaroundtheworld,ChaseSullivanhashis

pickofbeautifulwomen,andwheneverhe’shomeinSanFrancisco,oneofhissevensiblingsisusually
upforcausingalittlefuntrouble.Chasethinkshislifeisgreatjustasitis—untilthenighthefinds
ChloeandhertotaledcaronthesideoftheroadinNapaValley.NotonlyhasChasenevermetanyone
solovely,bothinsideandout,buthequicklyrealizesChloehasmuchbiggerproblemsthanher
damagedcar.Soon,Chaseiswillingtomovemountainstolove—andprotect—her,butwillChloelet
him?

Chloevowsnevertomakethemistakeoftrustingamanagain.Only,witheverylovinglook

Chasegivesher—andeverysinfullysweetcaress—astheattractionbetweenthemsparksandsizzles,
shecan’thelpbutwonderifshe’smettheonlyexception.AndalthoughChasedidn’trealizehislife
wasgoingtochangeforeverinaninstant,amazingly,heisn’ttheleastbitinterestedinfightingthat
change.Instead,he’sgearingupforadifferentfightaltogether…forChloe’sheart.

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THELOOKOFLOVE

foryourNook.

***

GAMEFORLOVE

Inarelationshipbuiltonlies...theonlytruthistheirfeelingsforeachother.
Tofulfillhisgrandmother'sdyingwish,linebackerColeTaylormustfind–andmarry–agood

girl.FirstgradeteacherAnnaDavisfitsthebillperfectly.Theirdealissimple:Ifshe'llbehis
temporarywife,he'llgivehermorepleasurethansheeverimaginedwaspossible.

Only,loveistheultimategame-changer.

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GAMEFORLOVE

foryourNook.

COMPLETEBOOKLIST

ThefollowingBellaAndretitlesarealsoavailableinelectronicformatfromBarnes&Noble.

TheSullivanFamilyseries

TheLookofLove
FromThisMomentOn
Can’tHelpFallingInLove
IOnlyHaveEyesForYou
IfYouWereMine

LetMeBeTheOne(comingFall2012!)

BadBoysofFootballseries

GameForLove
GameForSeduction
GameForAnything

TakeMeseries

LoveMe
TakeMe

Stand-aloneNovels

CandyStore
Ecstasy
RedHotReunion
TemptMe,TasteMe,TouchMe

HotshotFirefighterseries

WildHeat
HotAsSin
NeverTooHot

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

BellaAndrehasalwaysbeenawriter.Songscamefirst,andthennon-fictionbooks,butassoonas

shestartedwritingherfirstromancenovel,sheknewshe'dfoundherperfectcareer.Knownfor"sensual,
empoweredstoriesenvelopedinheadyromance"(Publisher'sWeekly)aboutsizzlingalphaheroesand
thestrongwomenthey'llloveforever,manyofher20+titleshaveappearedonTop20bestsellerlists,
includingTHELOOKOFLOVE(TheSullivans#1),FROMTHISMOMENTON(TheSullivans#2),
CAN’THELPFALLINGINLOVE(TheSullivans#3),GAMEFORLOVE(BadBoysofFootball#3),
CANDYSTORE,andLOVEME.

HerbookshavebeenCosmopolitanMagazineRedHotReadstwice(GAMEFORANYTHINGand

WILDHEAT)andhavebeentranslatedintoGerman,Thai,Japanese,Italian,Spanish,French,Portuguese
andUkrainian.NEVERTOOHOTwontheAwardofExcellencein2011.TheWashingtonPosthascalled
her“OneofthetopdigitalwritersinAmerica”andshehasbeenfeaturedonNPR,Forbes.comandinThe
WallStreetJournal.

Ifnotbehindhercomputer,youcanfindherreadingherfavoriteauthors,hiking,knitting,orlaughing.

Marriedwithtwochildren,BellasplitshertimebetweentheNorthernCaliforniawinecountryanda100
yearoldlogcabinintheAdirondacks.

Foracompletelistingofbooks,aswellasexcerptsandcontests,andtoconnectwithBella:

VisitBella’swebsiteat:

http://www.BellaAndre.com

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