Unexpected Mr. Right (18 page)

His voice did her in. She let loose and climaxed, her body soaring, exploding with bliss. His release followed right behind her, he groaned before collapsing on top of her. His weight made it hard to breathe but she didn't care. Having Nico this close felt too damn good to ask him to move.

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Nico lay in bed watching Tabby stand on the balcony, a plush robe covering her, binoculars held to her face looking out at the ocean. Her sexy curves beckoned him. Even with the robe covering her she looked sexy as hell, curvy, feminine and his. And this time he meant the forever kind. She didn't know it yet. He couldn't believe it himself but he knew it, felt it deep to the marrow of his bones.

After they made love another time he'd held her, fed her strawberries and talked to her. The conversation was light, about their day, her work, Luciano and Kaylee's wedding but it felt like so much more just because it came from her mouth. He studied her face, the way her eyes lit when she spoke about the wedding, the way she frowned when a topic she didn't like came up, the small dimple under the left side of her mouth when she smiled. Everything about her turned him on. Even more than that it touched his heart.

Strange but true. The man who never planned to fall in love had gone and done that very thing. And with a woman who he didn't know if she did or would ever feel the same way about him. She had these standards in her head that she thought she had to have. The why of it he didn't know but he sure as hell planned to find out. No way could he let her know how he felt until he did.

Nico wanted to laugh. Who would have thought he'd be sitting in bed contemplating how to win a woman over? How to get her to see him as the forever kind of man? Sure as hell not him. Not anyone else he knew. Especially not her. The funniest part is he wasn't scared. Not in the least. Of all the women he'd ever known, ever been with, no one got to him like she did. That told him something right there and he wasn't one to argue.

Suddenly getting tied down didn't sound like the crazy as hell concept he'd always thought it to be. Hell, he'd have a woman he could flirt with, pamper, and laugh with any time he wanted. Just like his parents. As long as he could make her believe him, make her that he was Mr. Right. The concept still amazed him. He wanted to be her Mr. Right. He might not be the prince charming kind of man she always thought she'd end up with but they belonged together. He wanted her and he would have her. He knew women. He'd find a way to make her see she finally found the one.

The next morning Tabby woke up in Nico's arms. The whole thing felt surreal. She was dating a man she never thought she would. A guy who wanted different things than her. This should feel wrong but for some reason it didn't. She felt more right than she had in a long time. Happy. Happy where she was in her life, not looking for something more than she had right now. Content.

After she finished site-seeing on the balcony last night, they'd showered together, made love again, then watched a movie in bed before falling asleep. They were comfortable together. Almost like an old married couple who'd done the same thing together every night for years. She liked it. She liked him. Maybe too much.

Nico had their breakfast served in their room. They ate on the balcony, talking before dressing and getting on the road to head home. He had to work tonight. She wanted to get a few things done as well. Time to leave their utopia and step back into reality. “What do you have planned this week?"

"I work a few nights and have to help Luciano with some last minute wedding plans.” He glanced at her veering onto the off-ramp. “Remember Friday Luciano's is closed for that pre-wedding dinner or whatever it is."

"Yeah, I remember. I can't believe their wedding is almost here. I'm so happy for her."

"I'm happy for both of them. I wasn't sure Luciano would ever walk down the aisle. Too much to risk. That whole ball and chain thing is scary for some men."

A twinge of shock sparked inside her. Why, she didn't know. She'd always known Nico never wanted to settle down. Did she think after the amazing weekend they spent together he would suddenly change his mind? Not likely. Just because he wanted them to be in a “relationship” didn't mean he would ever want the things she did. Confirmed bachelors rarely changed. And if they did she wondered how many of those relationships actually worked out?

Probably not very many. His words, though playful, reminded her to keep her heart closed. She couldn't risk handing it over to him. Not when she wasn't sure he wanted it. The pain would crush her. More than anyone had hurt her before.

"Well I'm glad they both came to their senses and realized how perfect they could be together.” Her words were meant to sound light. Letting him know what really went on in her head scared her. Hell, it would probably scare him even more. Luckily they pulled up at her apartment so she could make her escape.

"I know you have stuff you need to do and so do I so I'll just head in and let you get going. Thanks for a great weekend, Nico.” She kissed him swiftly, trying to be nonchalant, like his words didn't hurt her because she knew they shouldn't. He'd never lied to her. Hell, his words weren't even directed at them but at Luciano and Kaylee so why did she let it affect her so much? Because you're falling in love with him. He's starting to mean too much to you.

Tabby grabbed for the handle but Nico stopped her. “What's wrong, Slugger?"

"Nothing.” The reply slipped out of her mouth automatically even though it was a lie.

"Why are you trying to make a quick escape then?” His eyes pierced her like he could see straight down to her soul.

"I'm not."

"Well then, how do you explain trying to jump out of your own car? You're stuck with me for at least a few more minutes. Whether you like it or not I'm coming up at least while I wait for a cab. Unless after the weekend we just had together you're going to make a poor guy walk home."

Smooth move, Tab. “I think I'm a little tired from last night. My mind is playing tricks on me.” They locked her car and headed to her apartment.

"I think the night we had makes a little bit of memory lapse worth it. You were quite the wanton."

"Don't let it go to your head there big guy.” Teasing him made her smile, made the inside of her tummy feel achy. She enjoyed him so much. Everything about him. All the things she didn't think she'd like, the playfulness, the flirtatiousness. But then he did have a serious side too. One she saw more the closer they became. Seconds ago she'd been feeling down. He made her forget that quickly. Scary thought. This wasn't the time to lose her head.

"Why shouldn't I? Weren't you the one who said you weren't what was the word? Oh yeah, frisky. I think you're very frisky.” He moved toward her to give her a kiss. The phone rang giving her the perfect excuse to back up. She needed space right now. The intense weekend they had, coupled with their conversation in the car had her feeling like a ball of jumbled emotions. She needed to get things figured out.

"It's your cab,” she said glancing down at caller ID. She quickly picked up the phone and told the driver he'd be right down. Unable to hold herself back Tabby gave him a soft fleeting kiss on the lips before opening the door for him. “Thanks for a great weekend, Nico."

Five days had passed and she still hardly talked to him. First he thought he'd been imagining things, then he'd been confused, now he was just plain pissed. How could he think he knew women so well? Hell from what he'd witnessed the past few weeks, women didn't even know what they wanted so how could he? Nico dropped a box of wine bottles on a table. “I don't want to go out with you Nico,” he said in a mocking female voice. “Oh, maybe we can just be friends. Well, I guess we can be friends with benefits."

Roughly he pulled bottles from the box and set them on the table. “No wait, I agree with you, lets’ try to be in a committed relationship. Never mind, I think I'll give you the cold shoulder all week."

"Why are you talking like a woman, Nico?"

"Jesus.” Nico jumped at the sound of Luciano's voice. He ran his hand though his hair trying not to smile at how crazy he'd probably sounded. “Make a little bit of noise when you come in next time can you? A little warning would be nice so I can save face by not stalking around talking to myself in my girly man voice.” Pulling out a chair Nico sat down.

"Be right back. Looks like the conversation calls for a little bit of alcohol.” Luciano poured them each a shot of Tequila and sat down at the table.

"What's wrong?"

"Tabby has my balls, that's what's wrong.” Nico downed his shot.

"That wouldn't have you stalking around sounding like you need a pair of heels and a dress. You sure it's not an organ a little farther north?"

Yeah, didn't feel so good on this side of the conversation.

He'd liked it much more when he'd been the one getting Luciano to open up about his feelings. “Naw, that's not it.” It wasn't. Well at least he didn't think so. This whole situation had him so messed up he didn't know that the hell to think. He felt just as indecisive as her.

Yeah right. That wasn't really the case. He knew deep inside that Luciano was right. No other excuse made and sense. This started out about getting in her bed and now he'd been there. Multiple times. If that's all he wanted from her he'd be on his way by now. He wouldn't be stalking around confused over a woman. New territory for him since he'd become involved with her.

"This is all about sex then? Don't play yourself. That's bullshit and we both know it, cousin."

Aw, hell. Luciano was right. “Yeah, maybe I am starting to care for her. I think I'm falling for her, Lu.” The words weren't as hard to get out as he thought they would be. Still, hearing them out loud shocked him to the core. Sorting through the things in his mind, and for the first time in his life a woman had his heart and the shitty part is he wasn't sure she really wanted it. Hell he wasn't sure he deserved to give it to her.

"So what's the problem?"

"She can't seem to make up her mind. First she wanted nothing to do with me, then we could be friends, we eventually moved on to an actual relationship, now I can hardly get two words out of her."

Nico watched Luciano down his shot before he replied. “And it's all her fault? Are you sure you didn't send her any mixed signals along the way? When you got her to forgive you for the whole Cindy incident didn't you tell her you would just be friends?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Think about it Nic, maybe she's been a little confused too. You can't just put this blame on her. I think you've been just as big a part of all the flip-flopping back and forth, don't you?"

Nico glanced up at the chandelier above the table getting lost in the white glow of the lights. Shit. Since when did Luciano get so damn smart? Maybe love did that to a guy, let them see things they didn't before. But then, he wasn't so all knowing all of a sudden and for the first time in his life he was in love with a woman. Must have skipped him.

"See what I'm saying?"

"Yeah but why the silent treatment all of a sudden? We had a blast this weekend then all of a sudden she clammed up on me and we've hardly spoken since.” He spun the shot glass on the table, watching it wobble before becoming still again. This whole situation was fucked up. He'd never been so confused by a woman in his life. He didn't like it.

"See that's what you have to learn about women, Nico. There's a reason for everything. We might not know what we did wrong, once we find out we might not even understand how we were wrong, but know this,” he cocked a smile. “We're always wrong. We always did something we just have to figure out what the hell is was."

Nico mulled over what his cousin said, trying to wrack his brain for what he did but came up with nothing.

"Does she know how you feel?"

"No."

"Well that's probably part of it right there, Casanova. Tabby's run by her heart. It's in everything she does. I think you two would be great together, Nico, I really do. But you need to be sure. I don't want to see her hurt. If you are, tell her how you feel. She needs to hear it.” Luciano stood up and glanced at his watch. “We need to hurry and get things ready around here. Everyone will be here soon. Think about it, Nic, then talk to her."

This sucked. Her palms continued to sweat no matter how many times she wiped them. Her heart beat with quick, pounding thumps in her chest that couldn't be healthy. Tabby couldn't say why she was so nervous but as her cab got closer and closer to Luciano's her symptoms intensified. Tonight would be the first time she'd seen Nico after their fabulous, yet confusing weekend in Half Moon Bay.

She had no idea how to act. He'd called her multiple times but she hadn't said much, tried to keep the conversations short and to the point. She had to keep her emotions in check so she didn't get too close to him. Tonight would be a true test for her. Test my ass. Torture is more like it. The fact is, she missed him. She wanted nothing more than to run up to him, hug him and spend hours making love and talking. But she couldn't. She needed to keep her distance. Plus tonight was about Luciano and Kaylee. Their family. Their love. Their upcoming wedding. It had nothing to do with her.

That made her sad. Not that she didn't want Kaylee to have this time. She did. Seeing her friend this happy meant the world to her but still, she couldn't help but wonder, when or if her own time would ever come. She'd forgotten about it for a while but with the wedding fast approaching, and her new found, completely stupid feelings for Nico all her wishes started to resurface. Big mistake.

The cab pulled up against the curb in front of Luciano's. The sign read closed but she knew inside would be a whole clan of Valenti's, Kaylee, her mom and new step dad, and friends and family of both the bride and the groom. Most of all she knew Nico stood inside the building. She could feel him, knew he stood by the window looking out at her probably wondering why the hell she'd turned into a bitch again. She hated that. Didn't want him to see her that way but she couldn't help but put the defense mechanism in place to guard her heart.