Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) (16 page)

“Nick?”

He stills, loosening his grip at the hint
of uncertainty in her whisper of his name. She cups his face and brushes her
lips against his, sharing the same electrified air. “You need to let me catch
my breath.”

Pain pierces his chest for losing control
of himself when she needs his gentleness. Scanning her face, he searches for
signs of fear. “Are you okay?”

Her fingertips singe his skin, trailing
down his temple and across his jaw. “I just wanted to get you out of your head
and back here with me.”

Guilt steals the oxygen in his
compressing lungs. Refusing to allow her to think this is just about sex, he
kisses her gently before resting his forehead against hers. “I’m here,
sweetness.”

“Good.”

“I’m sorry if I was too rough. I promise
it won’t happen again.”

Her eyes twinkle as she smiles, releasing
his lingering doubt. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

A growl rumbles in his throat as she
pulls him back down to her lips. He glides into her, slowly matching the rhythm
of her lifting hips. Even with his restraint, she responds to his surging
passion, her back arching to let him fill her completely. His body shakes,
losing the battle to control his pace, fearful of overwhelming this petite
woman, less than half his size, who trusts him with her body and her heart.

Her lips brush against his ear, her
ragged breath searing his skin as she whispers. “I know you love me.”

With her confirmation, he lets go,
plunging into her over and over, holding her tightly as she shudders and cries
out his name. All his pent-up fear and pain evaporate with his release inside
her. She belongs to him now. Everything he’s ever wanted but doesn’t deserve is
right here in his bed.

Her fingers stroke up and down his back,
feather-light touches winding trails over his relaxed muscles as he places
small kisses on her lips, unwilling to release her, not ready for her soft body
to be anywhere but under him.

“I know we need to talk, but you also
know how I like to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.”

He smiles at the mischief in her voice.
“I thought it was reading.”

“Not anymore.”

Rubbing his thumb across the lace of her
pink satin bra, he presses his lips against her ear. “This time I’ll slow down
and give you the attention you deserve.”

She lays her hand on top of his as he
cups her breast, the sparkle back in her eyes and her smile. “Are you talking
to me or to them?”

He grazes her earlobe with his teeth.
“Yes.”

Her head falls back as she laughs, giving
him perfect access to nuzzle her neck.

Muffled voices in the hallway interrupt
their lovemaking.

“I said wait! You can’t—”

“I want to see my friend! Shae? Are you
in there?”

He sits up at the pounding against the
wood as she wraps the sheet around herself. “What the fuck?”

The door flies open, revealing Carrie and
Max, both of them out of breath. A slow smile spreads across Carrie’s face as
she shakes her head. “Hell, Shae, no wonder you didn’t call me back.”

Nick can’t hold back his laughter. “It’s
nice to see you too, Carrie.”

* * * *

“You’re getting soft, Max. I can’t believe you let Carrie get away
from you.”

Leaning back in his chair, Nick props his feet on his desk.
Max’s two-hundred-sixty-pound, six-foot-six frame sprawls across the leather
sofa in his office. From the scowl on his face, he could use a drink as much as
Nick.

“Fuck you. If she was a guy, I would’ve laid her out. But what
was I going to do to a tiny woman who’s also Shae’s best friend? I told her to
stay put in the living room while I looked for you guys.” Max rolls his eyes as
he shakes his head. “The next thing I know she’s fucking running upstairs,
screaming for Shae.”

“Yeah, but it’s a package deal with the two of them, so don’t
cross her.”

A reminder more to himself than Max. Her antics prove her
concern for Shae’s safety with him, the hesitation she holds for them to be together.
Of Shae’s friends, Carrie’s been his lone supporter, and it would only take one
word from her for Shae to leave him. Compared to the other challenges in their
relationship, his love would not be enough to overcome her disapproval.

Max nods before pointing to the ceiling. “From the look of
things upstairs, I guess Shae’s staying.”

He was going to let her go. He really was. Unable to blame her
for panicking, for seeking escape from her terror, he fought against everything
in him not to chase her down, beg her to stay, let her be the joy of his
existence.

Yet, she came back. Completely. Of her own volition. With one
touch of her skin against his, her breathless whisper of his name, she belongs
to him again. And, he refuses to allow Juan or anyone else to jeopardize the
gift she gives him. “Yeah, and I want you to be the one to protect her. Don’t
put any of the other guys on her. She can’t leave this house without one of
us.”

“Then I’ll move Joseph and Oscar to you. I’ve also set up
additional security for the house and your office.”

“Good.” Nick nods, appreciative of Max’s efforts, always ahead
of him before he even has to ask. But this time, it’s not enough. Not for her.
“I mean it, though, no matter where she’s going or what she’s doing, you or I
go with her. I can’t take any chances with—”

“I know, Nick. I promise I won’t let anything happen to her.” Max’s
tone conveys reassurance rather than the irritation Nick knows he deserves.

He hates sounding like a dick. An expert in his field, no one
needs to tell Max how to do his job. But, for the first time since his mom was
alive, he feels fear, and he can’t shake the bad feeling in his gut.

Max rests his forearm on the top of his head. “I hate to say it,
but Carrie should stay here too.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing. I don’t want her to get
caught in the middle, if Juan tries something at Shae’s house. But I’m not sure
if we’ll be able to convince her.”

Even with his eyes closed, Max smirks. “Maybe Shae can work the
same magic on her she does on you.”

Nick slings a file at him, hitting his foot before it falls to
the floor, papers tumbling out onto the carpet. “Now you’re the one who needs
to fuck himself.”

Max’s laughter dies away at the knock on the door, and he frowns
before glancing down at his phone. “What the fuck?”

His irritation matches Max’s. The team knows better than to
disturb them in his office. “The guys didn’t ping you that Carter’s here?”

Max shakes his head. “Nope. Better watch out. It might be
Carrie.”

“She wouldn’t fucking knock.” He clears his throat before
calling out, “Come in.”

Shae stands in the doorway, looking from him to Max. His groin
tightens at her pink cheeks as she tucks her hair behind her ear in
uncertainty. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Marta was able to salvage some breakfast
if you guys are hungry.”

Max raises his eyebrows at him and laughs before hopping up, his
smugness back, knowing this disruption will go unpunished. “Hell, yes. I’m
starving.”

She gives Max a shy smile as he heads out of the room. “Thanks
for everything earlier. And, I’m sorry Carrie gave you so much trouble. She was
just worried about me.”

“She’s a pistol, but I like her. You too.” He pats her head
before closing the door behind him.

“Poor Max. He has no idea what he’s gotten himself into with me
moving in.”

God, he loves the sound of that. To always have her here, never
having to let her go. “He’s fine. It’s good for him.” He’s never figured out
how she can be so angelic and sexy at the same time. But he can’t resist her
standing in front of him, wrapping the belt of her pink and white dress around
her fingers. “Come here.”

Heat radiates through his body at her huge smile.
Fuck breakfast
. He drops his feet to the
floor and pulls her to him once she reaches his legs, her skirt billowing up as
she straddles him. “Did you guys have a good talk?”

“Yes, she’s calmed down now that she knows I’m okay.”

“Good. This is your home now too, and Carrie can stay as long as
she wants. But you’re not off the hook from earlier. I owe you some undivided
attention, remember?” Brushing her hair to the side, he trails kisses along her
shoulder. Her body shivers under his fingers. “You smell good. What are you
wearing?”

“It’s called
Maybe
.”

His lips curl into a smile against her delicate ivory skin. “Of
course it is.”

He glides the straps down her bare arms and dips his head,
flicking his tongue across the silky hollow between her breasts. A moan escapes
from her throat, contradicting her hands pushing on his chest.

“We can’t do this now. Carrie will come looking for us.”

Her breathy whisper wraps around his throbbing groin like
velvet. “Oh hell, then we better get going.” In one quick movement, he stands
up, wrapping her legs around his waist, making her laugh. “But don’t forget.
You’re mine later.”

She cups his face and meets his gaze, her eyes as bright as her
smile. “I’m yours now.”

Fucking shit.
This woman owns him. He lets her slide down his body and jump
back before he changes his mind about not laying her across his desk and
ripping off another pair of panties. Her small hand tucks into his, and he
allows her to lead him wherever she wants him to go.

* * * *

Shae gives Marta a small squeeze as she surveys the buffet
spread across the counter. “Thank you for putting this together for us. It
looks wonderful.”

“Is no good. Eat while fresh. Not warming up.” Marta continues
to mutter under her breath as she flutters around the kitchen, pulling out
trays from the oven and pouring glasses of orange juice. She turns away from
the refrigerator and gasps before poking Max in the stomach for eating off the
platter. “Too much bacon no good. You no eat too much.”

The first time they’ve all really been together since Juan’s
threats. Nick and Max heap food on their plates, taking the stress in stride,
probably an accepted understanding of living in their world. Yet, even Marta,
another potential victim, seems unfazed, more concerned about the quality of
the food and Max overindulging than the danger she faces. Maybe she’s used to
it, confident in Nick’s ability to protect her, trusting him to take care of
her.

Just like Shae wants. Yet a trace of doubt lingers. The ability
to ignore reality and act normally, enjoying a leisurely breakfast with these
people she’s growing to love, may be more than she’s capable of.

Nick’s hands slide around her waist, his chest warm against her
back, his smooth cheek pressed against hers. “Are you okay?”

If he always holds her like this, she will be. “Yes, I’m just
thinking how much I love the little family you’ve created.”

His lips brush her temple, a gentle reassurance he wants her
here, how she belongs with them. “I think the feeling’s mutual.”

He kisses her again before releasing her and handing her a
plate. “Where’s Carrie?”

“Her mom called. Some wedding issue came up. She started
swearing, so I sent her outside to talk.”

Max stops shoving bacon in his mouth and shakes a piece at her.
“How is it you two are friends, exactly?”

Before she can respond, Carrie throws open the patio door and
bursts into the kitchen. “I swear to God I’m going to elope if that woman
doesn’t stop coming up with these
fu
…” She catches
Shae’s eye and clenches her mouth before continuing, “Sorry! I mean, crazy
ideas.”

Shae tries to stifle a laugh, knowing Sheila’s enthusiasm
doesn’t match her daughter’s. Her mother desires an elegant, romantic ceremony,
while Carrie just wants the party. “What did she do now?”

“She found a website where you can have your shoes dyed to match
your bridesmaids’ dresses. Oh, my God! It’s not 1997!” She stares at her
buzzing phone and groans. “I’ve got to go.” As she walks past, she pats Nick on
the stomach. “Nice eight pack. Try going shirtless outside of bed sometimes
too.” Her arms wrap around Shae in a quick hug. “I love you. I’ll see you back
at the house.” Ruffling Max’s hair, she winks at him. “Sorry I jacked with you
earlier. Stay cool.”

Shae can’t help but smile as the
guys
watch, wide-eyed, as her friend jogs through the foyer and out the front door.
It will take a while for them to get used to the whirlwind that is Carrie.

“Damn, she wears me out.” Max blows out a long, low whistle
before he sits down and nods to her. “Did Nick tell you about May's, the
restaurant we went to when we were gone last week? You would’ve loved it. They
had Bananas Foster waffles and these huge, red velvet pancakes.” His eyes widen
as his fingers curl around the outside of his plate. “And these amazing crème
brûlée
crepes. I don’t even know how they made those. But
they were unbelievable.”