Authors: Paige Cameron
“Hi, honey. Are you hungry?” His wicked grin gave the simple question a double meaning.
“I’m starving for food, if that’s what you mean, but I’m dressed in jeans, and you’re very dressed up.” She let her gaze roam from his dark-blue jacket with white shirt underneath, to his slim waist encircled with a thin black belt, and his long legs covered in dark-blue slacks to match his jacket. Polished black shoes completed the outfit.
“I’ll have to fight off the women,” she teased him.
“Give me the once-over like that again, and no one else will see me. We won’t get out of this apartment.” He flashed his sexy smile at her. “Go change. I started to call and thought I’d surprise you. We’re going to the big city for a real dinner.”
Cassie’s heart lurched. “That’s not necessary. There’s a great steak house on the outskirts of Lovettville.”
“Nope, I’m going to take you to a seafood restaurant. A friend of mine owns it and several more in other states. He has the fish flown in fresh.”
She didn’t know what to say. She was being silly. It’d be like a needle in a haystack for Peter to happen to be at that restaurant on this particular night.
“What’s wrong? I thought you’d like to get away from Lovettville for one evening.”
“It’s a great idea. I was trying to remember if I had any dressy dresses left. I only brought the basics with me when I moved.”
“Anything will do. You’re fine as you are.”
“No. I have to look good to stave off all those other women.” She hurried toward her bedroom, but she saw the flash of doubt on his face. She hadn’t fooled him.
Darn
.
When she returned dressed in a green, billowy, short-skirted cocktail dress, Nick whistled and smiled broadly.
“You look great. The dress suits you and shows off those lovely, long legs. We’d better hurry before my other hunger takes charge.”
“Where’s Lang?”
“Puttering around the new house. He’s never quite finished.”
“Is he mad at me?”
“Not that I know of. Lang doesn’t get angry, but he likes to spend time alone and think about situations and people. I told him I’d like to surprise you by taking you to a fancy town restaurant.”
Nick was a good, steady driver. She sat back and tried to relax. The sun set over the mountaintop, spilling a cascade of colors, yellow, red, and bluish purple, across the high peaks and the sky.
He glanced at her. “Want to tell me what’s worrying you?”
“How do you know I’m worried?” Cassie asked.
“You have that little wrinkle in the center of your forehead. In the past, when you frowned like that, something was bothering you.”
“How do you and Lang know me so well? We spent part of a summer together, a few months.”
“You’ll find the men of our group are very observant, especially in regards to the woman we love.”
“I know so little about your group, as you call it. What makes you different than all the other men in this world?”
“Maybe we’re not of this world.”
“Right, you’re men from Mars.” She grinned at him. “Where’s your antenna?”
“I knew I forgot part of my outfit tonight,” Nick teased back with her.
“Well you can’t go back for it. We’re almost in town, and I am hungry.”
Nick reached out and brushed his hand along her thigh at the short hem of her dress. “Satin smooth. I’m hungry, too, but I’ll have to wait.”
Between the warmth of his hand slipping under her skirt and the flash of fire in his eyes, a sizzle went up her spine. Her pussy clenched with desire. His male scent filled the air as his fingers rubbed across the top of her leg.
“Don’t you need both hands on the wheel?” Her voice quivered as she asked the question.
He removed his hand. “You’re right. There’s traffic ahead. I wanted to remind you of our dessert, later.” His husky tone sent another shiver across her body.
“Perhaps, I won’t be hungry for dessert.”
The car stopped at a red light, and he turned briefly to look fully at her. “I’m sure you will be, by then.” The streetlights shone across his high cheekbones, the chiseled jaw, and the sensuous mouth. His light-blue eyes looked darker and deliciously dangerous.
“You are mine, honey, and Lang’s. The quicker you accept that, the less complicated your life will be. We’ll all be happier then, too.” The car behind honked. Nick grinned and drove on.
“What if I never accept you two? My mother married one man and has been quite happy.”
“Can you choose?” Nick turned and drove into the drive to a large restaurant.
The doorman opened Cassie’s door. She was thankful she didn’t have to answer. At least not yet.
A crowd of people sat or stood around waiting for tables. When Nick gave his name, the man called on his cell for someone.
“My friend is going to come out to speak with me. He’s seldom at this restaurant. He keeps busier at the two he has in California. After we see him, then we’ll have a table waiting for us.” He put his arm around her waist.
Thank goodness he did. Her legs went weak when she saw the smiling, blond-haired man making his way around the crowd and walking determinedly in their direction.
“Peter, it’s good to see you.” Nick removed his arm from around Cassie and shook his friend’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here tonight. I want to introduce you to my special lady. Peter Illingsworth, meet Cassie Venitia.”
“Hello, Cassie. We meet again.” He smiled. Cassie reluctantly put out her hand, and he squeezed it tight. Nick didn’t notice. He was looking in surprise at Peter, and then her.
“You know each other?”
“Yes. We met in San Francisco. A mutual friend introduced us.”
“What a small world. This is great. Won’t you join us for dinner?”
Cassie held her breath. She’d seen the anger burning deep in Peter’s eyes when he looked directly at her. But he was a chameleon. Nick would never see the real monster.
“I’d love to, but I have to take care of a few things first. What if I join you two for dessert? The cook is preparing something special tonight.”
“That would be fine. We’ll see you later, then,” Nick said.
Peter told his maitre d’ to take them to his special table. “See you two soon.” He looked directly at Cassie.
Her heart sank.
What do I do now?
Would Nick believe her any more than the one or two other people she tried to tell in the past? She doubted it, and now Peter had found her for sure.
When the food came to the table, she forced herself to eat and tried to pay attention to what Nick was saying. But the food stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t concentrate.
“Are you all right?” Nick asked halfway through the meal.
“I’m not feeling well. I hate to spoil this lovely evening you had planned, but would you mind driving me home?” Guilt rushed through her when she saw his concern.
“No, of course not. Let me pay the bill and we’ll be on our way.” Nick nodded his head at the waiter. He rushed across the room.
“What would you like, Sir?”
“My bill. My lady is not feeling well. Will you give my regrets to Mr. Illingsworth that we are not able to stay longer for a visit? Please tell him I’ll be in touch.”
“Certainly, Sir. I’ll be right back.”
But he must have called Peter. Cassie saw him taking long strides toward their table.
“Cassie, I’m so sorry you aren’t well. Is there anything I can do?”
“No.” She tried to smile. But the muscles in her face felt stiff and unable to respond.
The waiter brought the bill, but Peter took it first and tore it up. He waved his hand when Nick tried to protest. “You did not get to finish. You must come back when you are feeling better.” He smiled again at Cassie. “I want you to enjoy a special meal prepared especially for you and Nick.” He bowed. “I must go. I do hope nothing is seriously wrong with you.”
Nick took her hand as she stood. “I’ll see she takes care of herself.” He wrapped his arm securely around her waist. “Next time you’re in town, let’s meet for lunch,” Nick said to Peter.
“I’ll call when I return.” He waved and walked away.
Cassie leaned her head against the headrest in the car and closed her eyes. She felt Nick glance her way several times, but she didn’t look at him. The drive went on forever, it seemed.
The car slowed, and Nick parked. “You’re home, Cassie.”
She opened her eyes to see the back of her shop facing her.
“Shall I come in with you?” Nick asked. “I hate to leave you when you’re feeling sick.”
“I’m sure a good night’s sleep is all I need. I’ve been working on my jewelry late at night this week.”
His fingers brushed across her forehead, and a flicker of desire stirred inside her. “Why do I sense there is more to this evening than I think? Did you and Peter date? He’s notorious for dating, and then walking away suddenly. He’s left many women wondering what happened.”
“We dated a short time. I wasn’t interested.”
Nick grinned. “That must have been a new experience for him.”
“When did you two meet, Nick?”
“A number of years ago. I built his home.”
The irony of it all made Cassie want to laugh hysterically. She’d loved Peter’s home, sensed something about it, and yet at the end dreaded going there.
“I’ve been there. It’s lovely. You did a good job. Now I really must go in, and, at least for tonight, I need to be alone.”
Nick walked her up the steps and came inside to check her apartment. He tipped her face toward his. “I just wanted to be sure that everything was all right in here before I left. You call me anytime day or night, Lang or me, and we’ll come.” He brushed his lips across her mouth and then walked to the door. “I’ll call tomorrow.”
She listened to his footsteps as he walked down the stairs.
Part of her wanted to call him back, but she needed to think first.
What if I tell him and he doesn’t believe me? I have no evidence. Peter was careful to not leave bruises where they’d be seen, or he had a ready explanation of how the accident happened. Maybe he’ll go away now that he knows I’m involved with Nick. I’ll wait and see. This might all work out for the best yet.
Cassie undressed and got under the covers. The night had a cool nip to it. She huddled under the blanket and hoped it would all go away. Magical thinking, but it was all the comfort she had for now.
* * * *
Lang raised his head from the small wooden box he was working on to look at Nick. “You’re back early.”
“Yeah, the evening didn’t go as planned.”
“She didn’t like the fancy restaurant or you,” he teased, and then stopped and looked closer at Nick. “What is it?”
“I have an uneasy feeling. I’m not sure why. We went to Peter’s restaurant. He was there. I had heard he’d flown in. Anyway I introduced him to Cassie. They already knew each other.”
“Really, how?”
“Introduced by a mutual friend. She’s been to his house on the bay.”