music that thrummed around them.
Nate didn’t hide the arousal he felt for her. What was the point? If this didn’t work out, then there’d be no foul. His plans would carry on regardless. But if it did, if she was responding to him the same way he reacted to her, his plans for revenge against Charles Wilson would take a very interesting turn indeed.
Nicole knew she’d had too much to drink tonight, and she knew full well that she should call another taxi to take her home. After all, it was only Thursday and she still had work tomorrow. At least, she thought she still had work tomorrow.
Thinking about work made her head hurt and the idea of returning to the house tonight just tied her stomach in knots and reminded her again of her father’s low opinion of her. Earlier, she’d blocked out that reminder with a shot, and then another, egged on by a group of acquaintances she’d barely seen since she’d graduated from university and whom she could hardly call friends. Still, their lively and undemanding company tonight had been just what she sought. No questions, no answers. Just being lost in the moment. And right at this moment she was feeling very lost indeed. Lost in the undeniable attraction between two healthy young people in their prime.
Very little separated her and her dance partner and as her lower body brushed against him again, a classic Mae West line ran through her alcohol-clouded mind. She couldn’t stifle the giggle that bubbled up from inside.
“Care to share the joke?”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. There was no way she was sharing that little snippet.
“Then you have to pay a forfeit—you know that, don’t you?”
“A forfeit?” she asked, her lips spreading into a smile once more. “Surely you can’t punish a girl for being happy?”
“I wasn’t thinking of a punishment,” he said.
She should be laughing at the line he’d just uttered, she told herself, yet, for some reason, a wicked coil of lust tightened inside her.
“Oh?” she managed through lips that she suddenly felt the urge to moisten with the tip of her tongue. “What were you thinking of?”
“This,” he said.
She didn’t have time to think, or room to move had she even wanted to dodge him, as he lowered his lips to hers. Lips that were unexpectedly cool and firm. Lips that sampled, tasted and teased her own.
The tight sensation inside her spread, tingling through her body like a slow-building charge of electricity, sensitizing her hidden places, draining her mind of any awareness of her surroundings. All she could think of, all she wanted to think of, was the touch of his mouth on hers. Of the delicious pressure of his body as his hands on her hips gathered her closer.
They continued to move to the music—her pelvis rolling against his, her awareness of his arousal becoming a hunger for more than the illicit touch of bodies through clothing. A moan built deep in her throat, a moan she fought to keep inside as he lifted his mouth from hers.
She swallowed and opened her eyes. In this light it was difficult to tell what color his eyes were, but they were definitely unusual and their hooded stare captured her and held her mesmerized. Didn’t certain beasts of prey do the same? Was she about to be devoured? The thought didn’t upset her as much as it should. God, she had to pull herself together.
“So, that’s a forfeit, huh?” she asked, her voice thick with desire.
“It’s just one of many.”
“Intriguing.”
Intriguing wasn’t the word. His kiss had totally fried her synapses. It was all she could do to prevent herself from dragging his face down to hers again and repeating the experience. Once more with feeling, she thought, although she certainly hadn’t been devoid of feeling while he’d been kissing her. For that moment in time she’d forgotten everything. Who she was, why she was here, what she had left to look forward to.
She’d liked that. She’d liked it a whole lot. She wanted to do it again.
“Hey, Nic!”
One of her acquaintances, Amy, appeared at her side and her dance partner released her. She instantly rued the loss of contact.
Her friend shouted to be heard over the music. “We’re off to another club, you coming?”
Nicole’s usual prudence screamed “safety in numbers” at the back of her mind, but tonight she wasn’t in the mood to be prudent at all.
“No, I’m fine. I’ll get a taxi home later.”
“Okay. Hey, it was cool catching up again. Let’s not leave it so long next time.”
And then Amy was gone with the crowd she’d been hanging with.
“Are you sure you didn’t want to go with your friends?” her dance partner asked.
“No, I’m fine. I’m a big girl, I can look after myself,” Nicole answered.
“I’m pleased to hear it. I’m Nate, by the way.”
“Nicole,” she answered shortly, happy to keep their introductions brief as she threw herself back into the thrum and energy of the DJ’s latest sound selection.
She was distracted by the flash of someone’s camera, no doubt someone’s shenanigans would be broadcast on some social networking site tomorrow, but before long her focus was solely on the man in front of her. Boy, but he could move. Some guys just looked as if they were trying too hard on the dance floor but for him, movement came very naturally. And he was so good to look at, too.
His hair was dark, but not as dark as her near-black tresses, and his face was both masculine and had a refined elegance at the same time. And those lips—she was very keen for a repeat of what they had to offer.
“Do I pass muster?” he asked, one corner of his mouth twisting upward.
She smiled in response. “You’ll do.”
He laughed and the sound went straight to her toes, making them curl in delight. Was there anything about him that wasn’t gorgeous?
The crowd around them had begun to thin and Nicole started to become aware that eventually this night would have to end. At about that point she’d be feeling the pain of dancing in high heels for several hours, along with the aftereffects of too much to drink. She hated that reality had to intrude again, especially when she was having such a good time. Nate said something, but over the frenetic pulse of the music she didn’t quite make it out.
“What was that you said?” Nicole asked, leaning closer.
Mmm, he even smelled great—like a cool ocean breeze.
“I said, would you like a drink?”
She’d probably had quite enough for one night but an imp of mischief prompted her to nod her head.
“Here? Or we could head back to my place if you’d rather.”
She felt a frisson of excitement. Was he suggesting what she thought he was suggesting? She’d never done this before—gone back to some random guy’s house for a drink, at least not without a posse of friends with her. But for some reason she felt as if she could trust Nate, and then there was that amazing energy between them. She deserved to find out if those sparks were real, didn’t she? Wouldn’t it be some solace for the night she’d put up with?
“Your place is fine.”
Actually, anywhere but home was fine.
“Great.” He smiled, the action sending a sizzle of anticipation thrilling through her veins.
Sore feet and the prospect of a hangover were the furthest things from her mind as Nate took her hand and led her toward the exit. And if thoughts of “danger” or “risk” occurred to her, she brushed them aside. Tonight was a night for taking chances.