Entangled Moments (Moments in Time) (6 page)

Chapter Eleven

The door announcer chimed to signal a customer entry. I knew
my colleagues would swoop on whoever it happened to be, so I didn’t bother
turning around. Since I’d had a lot of special treatment, I was trying to step back.
Not that they appreciated it.

Ignoring the shuffle near the entrance, I continued wrapping
a jewelry package for a customer who was coming to pick it up in two hours.

“I’d love for Miss Adams to serve me, please,” a male voice
said.

I wheeled around, and my knees buckled. I grabbed the edge
of a display case to steady myself.

Nick wore a black-and-white motorcycle jacket, his hair was wind-blown,
his eyes as bright as the gems around us. Tucked under his right arm was a
black helmet.

My mouth was a desert. I’d never seen him in anything other than
a suit. He looked incredibly sexy.

I watched as Amanda and the others stepped back to allow him
to pass, their faces shadowed with envy.

“Hi, Carlene.” Nick approached me. He gazed behind him at my
colleagues, and they quickly scattered themselves around the store, embarrassed
to be caught staring. “Can we talk?” he whispered, pointing at a random piece
in a display.

Abandoning my gift-wrapping, I stepped to the display and
unlocked it, as if I were about to show him something. My colleagues would
never keep their mouths shut if they knew about me and Nick. “There’s nothing for
us to talk about. You’re married.”

“It didn’t take place.”

My hand froze on the slim glass door, and hope flickered
inside me. “There was no wedding?”

“No.” He paused. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Give
me just five minutes?”

Julie walked by with a customer and gave us a brief glance.

“Not here.”

“Then let’s go someplace else. Somewhere more private.” He picked
up a pair of pearl earrings, as if he were considering buying them.

“Where?”

“The Lux Hotel.”

“I’ll be there at six.”

“Perfect. I’ll be waiting for you at the restaurant bar.” He
placed the earrings back, and less than a minute later he was gone, leaving behind
a trail of cologne.

I returned to work with considerably less focus.

***

The receptionist at the Lux, a twenty-something woman with a
straight bob and teeth so white they matched the walls, pointed me in the
direction of the restaurant.

I felt like a million dollars walking through the marbled
lobby, past men and women with monogrammed luggage.

Nick sat on a barstool, his back to me. He had changed into
a brown shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Whatever he put on, he looked hot.

With every step, my heart beat faster. What did he want to
tell me?

“Nick,” I said when I was close enough to be heard.

He swiveled around and flashed a dimpled smile. “Carlene,
you came.”

I laughed. “You did say it was important.”

He hopped from the stool and planted a kiss on my cheek, which
tingled after he pulled away. “You were hesitant when we spoke. I was afraid you
might change your mind.”

“I was at work.”

He placed a hand on my lower back and moved me forward. “I’m
sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Thank you for coming. How about dinner?”

I halted. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be seen
in public together.” For all I knew, he was still engaged. They might have simply
postponed the wedding.

“Don’t worry, I’ve reserved a private area of the
restaurant. Apart from the waiters, we’ll be alone.”

I nodded. He escorted me to a part of the restaurant that
was so well hidden, most guests probably had no idea it even existed.

We sat, and I turned to him. “What did you want to tell me?”
Better to know as soon as possible before I got my hopes up, only to have them
dashed again.

“Shall we order first?” He waved the waiter over.

I ordered a Greek salad, and Nick the steak and potatoes.

“Carlene,” he said. “I can’t get you out of my mind.”

I pressed my lips together and said nothing for a while. Those
words warmed my heart, but I had to be realistic. “What do you want me to do
with this information?” He would never leave a woman like Elizabeth for me.
Best to accept it and move on. Maybe it was a good thing I came to meet him, to
get closure.

“No woman has ever made me feel this way. I thought you
should know.”

His words reflected my own feelings for him. “But... Aren’t
you still engaged to Elizabeth?”

“No.” He cupped my hand with both of his. His heat warmed my
skin and reached into my very core. “Not anymore. It’s over.”

Electricity jolted through my body, but before I could
respond, the waiter brought our food. When he left, I pressed the fork into my
salad as Nick cut into his steak. “You mean...?”

“Yes. I called off the wedding the night before it was
supposed to happen. Elizabeth and I had been together for four years, but we
weren’t right for each other. I know that now. She was more interested in my
money.”

I laughed. “It was obvious when you came to buy the ring.” I
couldn’t help myself. I had to say it.

He nodded. “I couldn’t see how wrong she was for me until I
met you.”

“She was beautiful.”

He looked seriously at me. “That’s not enough. I don’t want
to stay with someone just because they’re beautiful. I want that special
connection. The kind you and I have. Besides, you’re even more beautiful,
Carlene. The first time I saw you, something inside of me changed.”

I inhaled slowly, breathing in his words. An involuntary
smile formed on my lips, and tears burned the backs of my eyes. “You mean that?”

“More than anything. I needed to see you. To see where this
leads.”

“Where does it lead?” I whispered, still unable to believe
what was unfolding.

“I need to spend more time with you to find that out. I know
you feel something for me too. I see it in your eyes. It was unmistakable at
the launch party.”

Was I such an open book? I looked down into my glass of
white wine.

Nick put his fork on his plate and placed a finger under my
chin, lifting it. “It’s Friday. Why don’t we do something crazy, spend the
weekend together? Here. We can have time to talk.”

“That’s crazy.” I wanted to say yes, to spend more time with
him, allow him to sweep me off my feet. “But we’re still strangers.”

“You still think that? After everything that’s happened? We
kissed. That should make us more than strangers, surely. But we can get to know
each other more if you accept my invitation.”

“I don’t know.” I bit my lip. Why the hell was I hesitating?
The man of my dreams was professing his love for me, and I was thinking twice?

“Come on,” he said, his eyes dancing, “spend the weekend
with me. Or just the night.” He paused. “You can walk away, if I don’t convince
you to stay in my life.”

Joy raced through me, leaving warmth in its path. He’d said
it. He wanted me in his life. I turned the words over in my mind. “I don’t have
anything with me...clothes. I’m not prepared.”

“You don’t need to be prepared. The best things happen when
you stop making plans and follow your heart. The first time we met, we never
planned to kiss. As for clothes, the hotel has bathrobes.”

A shiver trailed down my spine. Wasn’t this what I’d dreamed
of? Having him say words like these? Wouldn’t I be a fool not to take my
chance? “Okay.” I giggled. “Let’s do it.”

Chapter Twelve

Nick took me upstairs to a romantic suite with flowers submerged
in water-filled crystal vases with tea lights floating on the surfaces.

“When did you do all this?” I looked around, mesmerized. No
one had ever done anything so romantic for me. Then again, Chris had been my
only boyfriend, and he hadn’t been the candles and flowers kind of guy. He
showed me his love in other ways. A day spent rock climbing or paragliding was
his idea of romance. I’d never complained. I’d loved seeing him excited to show
me new experiences. When he’d been happy, I’d been as well.

“I wanted to create a nice and comfortable atmosphere for us
to talk.”

I stood at the door unsure of what to do.

Nick stepped close and removed my purse from my hands. He
hung it on the chair. “Please make yourself at home.” With a hand around my
shoulders, he led me to the couch and sat next to me. His thigh brushed mine, making
the heat rise in my body.

“This isn’t one of your hotels, is it?” I asked for want of
a safe topic.

“Actually, it is,” he admitted.

I’d walked past The Lux countless times. Who would have
thought it was owned by the man who would change my life? “It’s beautiful. I
read in the paper that you’re expanding to Asia.”

“That’s true. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”

“Have you ever been to Asia?” I asked, then cringed inwardly.
Of course he had been to Asia. He could afford to, and he was expanding his
business there. He would have wanted to see whatever it was that real estate
developers looked at before reaching a decision.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, as if it were the
most normal thing. Like we were a couple spending a quiet evening in. “I
studied in China, actually.”

“Really? So you speak Chinese?”

He chuckled. “Yes, I do speak Chinese and also Japanese.”

How sexy. I wondered how he sounded in a language other than
English, but I was too shy to ask him to say something. “You must love
languages.”

“They’ve helped me get my foot in the door. Now enough about
me. I want to know you. More than how you tasted when I kissed you.”

My cheeks heated and I smiled. “My life is not as exciting
as yours. I only speak English, unfortunately, and I dropped out of college before
getting my marketing and sales degree. I’ve never been anywhere outside the U.S.”

“That’s a shame. What country would you want to see one day?”

“I’ve always wanted to visit Greece.”

“Maybe you will one day.” Nick tucked a lock of my hair
behind my ear. “Why did you drop out of college, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I couldn’t afford it.” Why should I lie about that?

“But you’re doing so well without a college degree. You must
be proud of yourself. Lilliana speaks highly of you.”

“Really? She told you?”

“Every chance she gets. Why do you sound surprised?”

“I’m not. It’s just interesting, that’s all.”

Nick drew in a breath and removed his arm from my shoulders.
“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Wait a second.” He stood. “What kind of host am I? Let me
offer you some of these treats first.” He went over to a table laden with
fruits, mouthwatering miniature cakes, chocolates, and a bottle of champagne. “Do
you have any preference?”

“No, pick anything,” I said. Actually, I would have died for
those chocolate éclairs with the green frosting on the top—maybe peppermint.

He brought over a small plate with an assortment of sweets,
including the éclairs I had longed for, and two glasses of champagne.

I reached for an éclair and popped it into my mouth. Chocolate
and mint, definitely
.
It melted as soon as it landed on my tongue. “Delicious.”

“Glad you like it.” He took a deep swallow of champagne and
placed the glass on the coffee table. “So, I was about to ask you a question.”

I nodded, still chewing.

“Since the first day we met, have you thought of me at all?”

I swallowed the sweet in my mouth and licked my fingertips. “Have
you thought about me?”

“You really like to answer questions with questions, don’t
you? Or is it just with me?”

I laughed. “Really? I had no idea. Okay, I’ll go first.”
What was the point of beating around the bush? The man liked me or he wouldn’t
have brought me here. “I did. A lot. I was surprised to find you were a
celebrity.”

He shook his head. “I’m not a celebrity. I’m a normal
person. People like to exaggerate. I thought about you too. I couldn’t get you
out of my mind. I was afraid I wouldn’t see you again. When I saw you at Stalford,
I was pleasantly surprised.”

“You had a great way of showing it.”

“Pretending not to know you was wrong. I was just taken by
surprise and didn’t know how to react. Elizabeth—”

“Was the jealous kind. You mentioned that already. Anyway,
you’re forgiven.” I reached for another éclair.

“That makes me very happy. Since we have that sorted out,
will you forgive me for this as well?” He cupped my cheek with his warm palm and
kissed me full on the lips.

Fireworks went off in my head, and my skin prickled with
heat. “You’re already forgiven.”

“For this, too?” He moved his lips from mine and kissed my
forehead, my eyes, my cheeks, my neck.

Electricity charged through me. “Yes.” I moved closer and pressed
my lips onto his.

He nibbled on my bottom lip and kissed me deeper.

This was better than any chocolate. Our first kiss had
ensured we wouldn’t forget each other, but this kiss was something else.
Charged, electric, both passionate and tender.

As he moved his lips against mine and traced my tongue with
the tip of his, my world turned. I was drunk on him.

Nick wove his fingers through my hair, trailed my scalp with
his fingertips, setting it on fire. I had forgotten how good this felt. Or had
it ever been this good with Chris? I wasn’t sure anymore.

“I want you,” I whispered, without knowing how the words had
come from my mouth. I startled and pulled back, my whole body pulsing.
Please
don’t stop
, I thought. I couldn’t bear it if he left me hanging on the edge.

“I want you, too.” His voice purred like a new car’s engine.
He cupped the back of my head with his right hand and drew me in for a
passionate kiss that left me reeling. Then he caressed my closed eyelids, my
throat, and my ears with his soft lips.

As waves of desire swept me into the unknown, I felt
pressure on my nipples. Nick had one in his mouth and the other between a
forefinger and thumb. He had unbuttoned and slipped off my dress without me
even noticing.

I moaned. My nipples felt like they might burst, like
cherries ripe for picking.

Nick stopped and rose. Our eyes remained locked as he
undressed himself. Then he helped me out of my panties, and pulled me to my
feet.

Pressing hard against me, he guided me to a nearby wall and
before I knew it, he had lifted me up and my legs were wrapped around his
strong, firm waist, cradling him.

As his lips probed my mouth and he pressed me harder against
the wall, I pushed at his firm chest. “Condom?” No taking chances for me. Why
complicate my life further?

“Don’t go anywhere,” he said and walked into the bedroom. He
returned already wearing the condom. Easing me off the floor again, he
whispered, “anything else?”

I shook my head. Now that that was out of the way, I couldn’t
wait to have him inside me.

He wrapped his hand around the nape of my neck. Our eyes met
and he entered me with just his tip.

I moaned as the sweet spot between my legs pulsed with
longing.

“Want more?” he asked, grabbing my bum with both hands,
squeezing.

“Oh, yes!” I begged, trying not to scream.

“How much more?”

“All of it.”

“Say please.”

“Oh, please, I want all of you.”

He chuckled into my neck then heaved me higher up the wall
and thrust himself deep inside me. He squeezed my bum tighter and slid out and
then in, over and over again until I was lost in pleasure.

“You like that?” He flicked my collarbone with his tongue.

“Do you need...to ask?” I gasped into his shampoo-fresh hair.
I moaned, sighed, and even screamed as he drove me to the brink of ecstasy.

Together we rose and fell, and then I gripped his arms, dug
my nails into his skin, ready for the fall. Soon I exploded, arching my back
and pressing myself into him.

“That’s it, baby,” he whispered, as he thrust faster and
deeper into me. Then his muscles contracted and a deep-throated roar escaped
his lips. He thrust a few more times and stopped, still holding me tight. “My
goodness.” He kissed my lips. “That was fantastic.”

“Yeah,” was all I could manage to say. Every nerve tingled.

After a few more minutes in the same position that had
brought us so much pleasure, he eased me to the floor. Then he got a fluffy
white robe and helped me into it. “Is it safe to say we’re no longer strangers?”

“Yes.” I laughed. “It’s nice knowing you.”

***

“Tell me about your brother, the one you were lighting a
candle for,” I asked. Hours had passed, and we’d made love several times. I was
lying next to him in a queen-sized bed, his arms wrapped around my naked body,
our legs entangled. Talking about his brother could be a thorny topic, but I
wanted to know everything about him.

Nick stiffened, but he kissed the top of my head. “There’s
not much to tell. I only knew him briefly before he died.”

I lifted my head and gazed into his eyes. “I don’t
understand.”

“We didn’t grow up together.”

“So you met as adults, and then he died not too long after?
That’s horrible.” My heart went out to him.

He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. “Yes. He
was murdered by a deranged woman.” His jaw set.

I froze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

He sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “It’s all right.
But let’s not talk about painful topics tonight.” He rolled me over to my back.
“Tonight, let’s just enjoy each other.” He ran his palm along the length of my
body, brushing my breast, my stomach, my thigh. “Tonight, I want only you.
Again and again.”

I giggled softly as he kissed me, and we melted into each
other again, the conversation forgotten.

But before I drifted off to sleep in the arms of the man I now
knew I never wanted to live without, thoughts of his brother returned. Something
nagged at me.

He had been killed. Just like Chris.