Ample Delights (5 page)

How could he be attracted to her?

She was as about as different from Jocelyn as night was from day.

* * * *

Nick wondered what was going through Terrah’s mind as she moved her fork over the greens on her plate. No way was she immune to the electric vibe between them. He ate an olive and wondered if she was as affected by him touching her as he had been.

“What are you thinking about?”

Terrah finished the bite she’d taken from her salad and pointed towards her plate. “I love the feta cheese mixed in with these greens.”

“Yeah, it works well. That’s what you were really thinking about?”

Her tongue swept across the full swell of her bottom lip, and Nick followed the movement before meeting her eyes.

“I was thinking about you and Jocelyn.”

“Why are you bringing her up?”

“If she’s your type…how in the hell can you be attracted to me?”

Nick grinned, appreciating her straight-to-the-point personality. “I am not attracted to Jocelyn.”

Nick knew Terrah didn’t believe him. He could see the doubt in those huge brown eyes that stared him down.

“Not attracted? She’s a
supermodel
.”

“And?”

“It looked like attraction in those pictures the whole world saw on television.”

“Have you ever slept with someone and regretted it the minute afterwards?”

Nick waited for Terrah to answer his question, wishing he hadn’t placed her foot on his leg. All of his blood had begun rushing to his cock the instant he’d started touching her. He wanted to kiss the small bump on her foot.

Hell, I want to kiss her everywhere.

“Well, Terrah, have you ever taken someone to bed and wished you hadn’t?”

Nick waited for her answer as she toyed with her fork.

“Of course…
once
.”

“That’s what happened between Jocelyn and me.”

“I get it.”

“That’s what your lips are saying, but your eyes are telling me something else. I think you’ve got this preconceived notion about me.”

Sooty lashes obscured her eyes from his as she glanced down.

“I don’t know you.”

“Not yet, but you still think you know what I’m about.”

“I think you’re a flirt.”

Nick chuckled. “I can be.”

“I think you’re used to women falling all over you.”

They both looked at their waitress, who stopped to pour more wine into their glasses.

“Terrah—”

“Thank you again for waiting around with my case. It would’ve been a pain to replace all of that makeup if it had gone missing.”

“No problem. I was going to wait at least twenty minutes for you to come for it. I would’ve made sure you got it back one way or another.”

Terrah glanced at her phone as it chimed. “And it appears my phone is no worse for wear.” She fiddled inside her purse and took out her wallet. “Dinner will be my treat—my way of thanking you for safeguarding what I consider valuable.”

“Terrah…” He waited for her to look up at him. “Put your wallet away now. I’m glad your cell isn’t broken and that you’ve got your case. I don’t want you to pay for dinner and you should know I was going to ask you out before the phone or makeup events happened.”

“You were?”

The incredulous look on Terrah’s face made him want to kiss her. He was beginning to think that it would be the only way to convince her of his genuine interest.

“You caught my attention from the moment I saw you today. I planned to talk to you after the photo shoot and ask you out.”

Nick dropped his gaze from Terrah’s wide eyes to her full bottom lip caught between her teeth. “You look surprised.”

“I am.”

“Why?”

Terrah gave him an impatient look as she finished sampling an olive.

“
Because
you’re Nick Tasso, an international supermodel!”

“And?”

Terrah gave him a rueful grin.

“Dinner dates can’t be hard for you to come by.”

“Charming dinner dates with a beautiful
, interesting
woman are harder to come by than you might think.”

“So you find me beautiful and interesting?”

“I do.”

“I’m flattered.”

“You don’t believe me.”

Terrah tilted her face with a little smile, and Nick admired her high cheekbones and flawless skin.

“I’m not sure.”

“Well, believe me when I tell you that I imagined the two of us sharing a meal like we are right now.”

“You did?”

“Why is that so hard for you to believe?”

“It’s unexpected. I’d assumed you were attracted to females who look like Jocelyn.”

Nick scoffed. “As I said before, I’m not.”

Terrah’s expression bordered on disbelief. “You’re
not
attracted to her? She’s gorgeous!”

“She’s got nothing on you.”

Not a damn thing.

Nick shrugged. “I’m serious.”

Seconds ticked by. He stared at Terrah until she broke eye contact.

“You
are
a charmer, aren’t you?” She shook her head with a grin as she ate more of her salad.

Nick set down his fork, frustrated by Terrah’s dismissive smile. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been shot down by a woman he was genuinely interested in.

“Terrah?”

She glanced up at him with one sculpted eyebrow raised.

“Jocelyn may be gorgeous to every other man in here, but she’s not my type…at all.”

“I hear you.”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

“Are my eyes giving me away again?”

Nick chuckled. “You think I’d pick her over you if I had to choose?”

“Most men would.”

“I think you’d be surprised.” Nick’s gaze skimmed over Terrah’s modest, but no less tempting display of cleavage. “Plus, Jocelyn couldn’t ever hope to make that dress look so damn good.”

Terrah glanced down at her dress in surprise. “Oh, really?”

The neckline had shifted, plunging downward to reveal a more tempting peek of flesh. Nick waited for her to fix it, but she looked up at him instead.

“Indeed.”

Terrah had the kind of body that garnered attention, even though he could see she was more of a conservative dresser. The soft canary hue of her dress popped against her beautiful, honey-brown skin and the fabric melded to her curves…curves he wanted to touch.

“Stop flirting with me.”

Nick watched Terrah adjust her dress, taking away his lovely view.

“I don’t think I can.”

“So I’m the lucky gal tonight, eh?”

“Excuse me?”

She speared a mini tomato with her fork and waved it at him. “I like to celebrate a successful shoot with homemade lasagne and a nice bottle of wine.
You
must like to celebrate with a one-night stand.” She rushed on as she set down her fork. “Well, I’m not going to sleep with you—”

“Stop.” Nick reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “Let’s get a few things straight, shall we?”

Terrah didn’t respond as she lifted her gaze from his hand on top of hers.

“I typically celebrate a successful shoot with a juicy burger and a beer. And Terrah?”

“Hmm…”

She seemed to shiver as she stared at him, and Nick imagined her having that same reaction as he pressed her into the sheets.

“Although it may appear otherwise, there is nothing going on between Jocelyn and me. I’m not attracted to stick-thin models.”

Chapter Five

“Okay.” Terrah cleared her throat, distracted by the intensity of Nick’s gaze as his eyes swept over her body. “You’re not attracted to tall, long-legged blondes and you weren’t hoping to seduce me into your bed as a way of celebrating a successful shoot. Got it.”

Nick laughed. “Good. I’m glad we got that cleared up.”

“You must think I’m rude.”

“Not at all.”

Terrah averted her face as she exhaled. “Well, I’ve just found it’s so much easier to be upfront and direct with people.”

“People, or men?”

“Both.”

“Understood and respected.”

She couldn’t focus with him staring at her. He was too much for her senses…beyond gorgeous, funny, easy-going, and a gentleman?

“Should we order dessert?” Nick asked, placing his napkin on the table.

“Mmm…I don’t think I can eat anything else.”

Terrah watched Nick signal their waitress, aware of other women checking out her dinner companion. She knew he could have a one-night stand every day of the week if he wanted.

The amazing thing about him was he seemed not to care, or even notice, when females threw glances his way. His undivided attention had been hers throughout the entire meal. Terrah observed their waitress fawning over Nick as he requested their check. The brunette hurried off and returned in a flash with the bill, handing it over to him with a flirty smile on her lips.

“Here you go,” Nick said, placing his credit card inside the leather pocket. He handed it back with a grin that clearly melted the young woman’s heart before turning to Terrah. “So, would you come back here for dinner?”

“Absolutely. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.”

“What about the company?”

His teasing tone did something weird to her pulse as she nodded.

“Present company included.”

Nick opened his mouth to speak, but stopped short as their waitress returned to the table with his credit card and the bill. He quickly signed his name on the slip of paper and gave it back.

Their waitress beamed. “Thank you. I hope you both have a lovely evening.”

Terrah and Nick both thanked her before she walked away from their table.

“Nick?”

“Yes?” he asked, slipping his card back into his wallet.

“Thanks again for dinner. This was fun.”

“It was my pleasure, Terrah. Shall we?”

Terrah nodded as he stood and came around to the back of her chair. She moved her legs from under the table to stand up and realised her sandal was still unfastened.

“Here—let me.”

He moved in front of her, knelt on one knee and proceeded to secure the strap as Terrah tried to ignore the frissons of awareness dancing up her ankle and leg. He stood again, offering his hand, and she took it as he helped her up. Terrah glanced down at their intertwined fingers and a tingle zipped through her. She tried easing her hand from his, but he held on tight, leading them through the restaurant toward the exit. Terrah glanced at Nick, grateful he released his hand from hers as he opened the door for her. They stepped outside the air-conditioned restaurant back into the humid night air, and Terrah shivered as a warm breeze washed over her chilled skin. It was embarrassing how fast her body reacted to his touch.

“Ahh…” Nick nodded. “Now it’s the perfect temperature out here. I love summer nights in New York.”

“Me too.”

“Should we live dangerously and take a taxi back to my hotel for your stuff?”

“It’s a gorgeous night for walking, but my feet would want me to say yes. Let’s live dangerously!”

Nick smiled. “We wouldn’t want to disappoint your feet.”

Terrah couldn’t help appreciating his muscled arm while he raised his hand and signalled an approaching taxi. He had oodles of sex appeal and the charm to go with it, and Terrah wished she could say she was immune.

But you’re not.

Her gaze ran over the slight bulge in the front of his jeans as he stuffed one hand into his pocket and opened the door of the cab for her. She slid into the seat and pulled the door closed as Nick got in on the other side. Her eyes dropped to his hard thighs, showcased nicely in his dark denim jeans. He seemed crowded in the back seat, his long legs bumping into hers as the taxi took off and merged into traffic. Another quick manoeuvre by the taxi driver sent her slamming against Nick.

She sucked in a breath as he shot out a hand to touch her knee. “Maybe we should’ve walked.”

Nick chuckled. “I’ve travelled around the world, but I always look forward to the wild cab rides when I’m back in the Big Apple.”

The only
wild
thing
happening to Terrah was the curious heat skittering up her knee and thigh from Nick’s touch. It took all of her concentration to respond at the appropriate times as he asked her questions about her work and upcoming projects. She inwardly breathed a sigh of relief when the cab finally came to a stop.

“Here we are.”

Her evening out of the
Twilight Zone
was about to come to an end. Nick opened her door and Terrah took his hand. She stepped out of the taxi, feeling a little disappointed. Despite her reservations, she’d enjoyed her dinner with Nick.

She picked up her pace and smiled at the doorman who held open the door for them. The hotel was teeming with activity. She could hear soft jazz music over people talking and relaxing in the deep-seated couches in the lobby area. Terrah followed Nick to the front desk and was once again reminded of his celebrity status. She lost track of the number of women who gave him a second or third look as they passed by.

Hey, ladies! He’s not only gorgeous, but intelligent, funny and charming.

“Here you go.” Nick handed over her favourite carry-all shoulder bag.

“Thank you.”

She lifted her bag up over her head and onto her shoulder before reaching for her case on the counter. 

Time to say goodbye. Do it first.

Terrah lifted her face to his. “Well, Nick—”

“I want to show you something before you go. Come with me?”

Terrah stared at him, wondering if he was about to prove her right after all.

He flashed a megawatt grin, as if he could read her mind. “It’s here on the main floor.”

How could she say no? “Okay.”

Nick took her free hand and guided her across the lobby into the hall. They passed two banquet rooms before he stepped inside an arched doorway. He led them past a darkened room, where the only source of light emanated from the gigantic aquarium set into the wall.

“Oh, wow!”

Nick nodded. “I couldn’t let you leave without seeing one of this hotel’s best features.”