Flirting with Sin (12 page)

Silence followed Ari’s confession, all his worries and doubts hanging out there like freshly washed underwear pinned on a clothes line.

“So you believe she loves you. What’s the issue?” Jack finally asked.

“Have you been listening to me? Yeah, I think she does, but so did Caro. And look what happened there.” The idea of failing another woman he loved—of not being enough for her—terrified him more than any mythical boogie man hiding under a bed. “Look, I’ve accepted I wasn’t responsible for her death. It was an accident. But that still doesn’t change the fact I couldn’t make her happy.”

“And it wasn’t your responsibility to, either.” Jack sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair. “Look, Ari. I loved Caro like a sister. But she was wrong for expecting you to abandon your dreams and passions so she could have hers. Her expectations were immature, insecure and selfish. No one should be held accountable for someone else’s joy. It’s too big a burden and an unfair, not to mention, impossible one.” He cocked his head to the side. “If all you’ve told me about Neveah is true, then you’re are seriously short-changing her. She’s not Caro. And for you to decide to give up on her and the future you two could have out of fear is not only cowardly, but stupid as fuck. Your Neveah deserves more, man.” Jack rose, his eyebrow arched high. “So what are you going to be, Ari? The princess or the knight in shining-fucking-armor?”

With a parting glance over his shoulder, Jack strode from the room, leaving Ari alone. Well, not so alone. His regrets and recriminations camped around him like bosom buddies.

He’d once called Neveah brave. It was past time he become the same person for her. Surging from his chair, he charged across the room, his cell in hand. Excitement and more than a fair share of trepidation vibrated inside him.

Still… He was going to be the knight, dammit.

She’d saved him.

Now he was going to save her right back.

“Y
ou sure you won’t change your mind?”

Neveah shook her head, smiling at her father. At another time, Charles Morgan’s wheedling tone, coupled with his narrowed, shrewd gaze would’ve had Neveah capitulating faster than a Jenga tower. But not today. “Sorry, Dad. But, if it’s any consolation, I’m going to miss seeing you every day.”

He waved a hand as if dusting off her words. “You’ll still come around for dinners. You have to. Or else your mother will worry.”

“Mom, huh?” She grinned. “I promise. After all, being a college student, I’ll need to bring over my laundry as well as bum free food.”

“That’s my girl.”

Laughing, Neveah kissed her father’s smooth
cheek.
In spite of the heaviness occupying permanent residence in her soul, happiness glowed within her. It seemed having her heart annihilated had helped her locate her backbone.

She’d left Castle Alainn the same day Ari had, unable to bear being in the hotel suite without his larger-than-life presence. Everything—the kitchen, the living room, her bedroom—carried memories of him and their time together. They seemed to mock her with her own stupidity. Falling for the sexy, unattainable lead singer of a world famous rock band. Jesus, could she be more cliché?

Yet, even with the hurt of unrequited love, she didn’t regret anything. Ari had given her more than heart break. He’d helped her dig deep and uncover a confidence she’d buried under years of low self-esteem. He’d gently but firmly forced her to stare in the mirror of her soul and really
see
herself—her worth and strength—for the first time in so long.

His gift was priceless. It had enabled her to return home, announce to her father she intended to leave the family business and return to college in January. She possessed a degree in Business Management, but the diploma had been for her father, not herself. This time she would return and pursue a course of study she loved—counseling. Experiencing firsthand the pain of loss, lack of identity and self-worth, she wanted to guide someone else out of their emotional hole.

After his initial surprise, her father had supported her decision. The truth had dawned on Neveah then. She’d underestimated his strength and love for her all these years.

So yes, her future gleamed as bright as the winter sun on a rare cloudless sky. And, one day, the throbbing in her chest cavity would dull to a tolerable ache. One day…

“Uh, Mr. Morgan?” Charles’ assistant, an eager, ambitious young guy fresh out of college, poked his head inside the office door. Underneath his golden spray tan, his skin had paled, and the whites of his eyes gleamed like a spooked horse. “There’s, uh,” he swallowed, the gulp audible, “someone in the lobby who has requested to speak with Neveah.”

She frowned. Today was her last day at the office. She’d reassigned clients and only had a few more emails to respond to before she’d entirely cleared her desk. Who could be here for her? She glanced at her father, who shrugged.

“Last minute deal?” he guessed.

“You wish.” She scoffed. Turning to the assistant, she smiled. “I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll walk out with you. I’m headed to a meeting anyway.”

She snorted. “I wonder what Mom would think about you calling lunch with her a ‘meeting.’”

Her father wagged a finger at her as he rounded the desk. “If you want a peaceful Thanksgiving next week, she’ll never find out.”

Chuckling, Neveah pantomimed zipping her mouth shut. She followed him out and headed toward the lobby. Late Friday morning with a holiday next week and a short month, the office hummed with activity. And she wouldn’t miss one bit of the hectic pace.

“Tell Mom I said—”

Shock slammed into her with the power of a runaway train on greased tracks. The thunderous roar in her ears deafened her to all else except the fierce pounding of her heart. She blinked. Blinked again. But the man standing in the middle of the lobby didn’t disappear.

Ari.

Joy, pain, and stupid, stupid hope poured into her numb body. The emotions nipped her heart and soul like a thousand bee stings prickling a limb denied of blood. God, the impact of him. He was as beautiful as she remembered. Hell, even more so.

Wind-tossed dark curls framed his cheekbones and jaw, the small hoop adorning his sinful mouth and the barbell piercing his elegant eyebrow glinted under the track lighting. A black V-necked sweater was molded to his strong chest and concealed the gorgeous tattoos she loved and had traced with her tongue, though the neck of the dragon peaked above his collar. Faded jeans hung low on his hips and, somehow, the loose fit emphasized the power of his thighs. And his eyes…

Jesus, his exotic, amazing tiger eyes focused on her, and their intensity stole the little bit of breath she’d managed to gain since his appearance.

Silence surrounded them, disturbed only by one or two whispers and the click and flash of camera phones.

Her father cleared his throat. “I take it you know him.”

Mute, she nodded. Her voice hadn’t come back online yet.

“Neveah.” Ari’s deep, melodic voice carried across the lobby. “I forgot to get something back from you when I left.”

Disappointment, sharp and lethal, sliced her open. How was she not bleeding from the cut? He’d forgotten something? And it’d taken him a week to figure it out? Why couldn’t he have just called or had some assistant come to do his dirty work? Why show up here in front of her soon-to-be former colleagues and father?

And Troy.

Her ex probably stood among the on-lookers, witnessing her humiliation. Son. Of. A. Bitch. Anger swelled within her, razing a path through the pain. Good. Anger trumped pain any day.

“Really?” Her tone was cold enough to give the fucking Abominable Snowman hypothermia. “And what would that be?”

He arched an eyebrow. “My heart.”

Well…damn. The exhalation of air from her lungs left her light-headed, the rage submerged under confusion and freaking hope again. His heart? What did he…?

Ari advanced on her, his long-legged, sensual stride eating up the distance in seconds. Pausing inches in front of her, he flicked a glance at her father, who hadn’t abandoned her side, then returned all his attention back to her. An emotion she couldn’t decipher brightened his gaze. But it sent flocks of birds to flight in her belly as if a shot had erupted in the air.

“You have two choices.” He cocked his head to the side. “One. Hold it for safekeeping because I don’t trust anyone else with it. Forgive me for being an ass who was so afraid of failing you, I didn’t realize I’d already let you down by walking away. And take me, take everything I am because it’s yours.”

Tears burned her eyes, and she squeezed them close. But a second too late. A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. A tender caress wiped the moisture away before a big, calloused hand cradled her jaw. Lifting her lashes, she met his gaze again.

Love. The emotion she hadn’t been able to recognize. It was love.

“And two?” she rasped, lips trembling.

His mouth twitched, then curled into smile so beautiful, so full of sensual promise and love, she choked back a sob.

“I’m still working on two,” he drawled. She laughed, and though it came out a bit water-logged, the sound contained all the joy nearly bursting her heart. “Come home with me, and we’ll figure it out together.”

She nodded. But just in case he needed to hear the words, she whispered, “Okay.”

“Okay,” he repeated. Tilting her head to the side, he brushed a kiss over her lips then pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you. I didn’t think it would happen again for me but, with you, I’ve discovered the impossible is not only possible, but probable.”

“I love you, too, Aristotle Sincero.” She threw her arms around him.

Applause and cheers exploded as he took her mouth in a heated conquering she shouldn’t have allowed with her father standing right beside her.

But hell.

It wasn’t every day a girl found out she was loved by a rock star.

Naima Simone would love for you to check out the other Noble Pass Affaire Titles by members of Chick Swagger—here’s a sneak peek at
Flirting with Fate
by Jerrie Alexander:

S
he had never seen Logan in a professional capacity. Her heart expanded with pride as he presented his plan to Liam and Alana. He was not only precise, he was personable.

“Ethridge is smart. He has good lawyers who protect him, and he’s proven he can outsmart the authorities. We intend to stop him from destroying anyone else’s retirement.”

Liam had been full of questions. He’d listened intently but had remained noncommittal the entire time. His gaze scanned the documents Logan had laid out on the conference room table.

Alana reached across the table and rested her hand on top of her husband’s. “All they’re asking for is our silence. It’s the least we can do.”

He looked up at Elle. “How’s
your grandmother?”

“She’s gone back to work. Moved into a smaller house.” Elle’s eyed filled with tears. “My brother and I are all the family she has left. Nan is a proud woman. She refuses to accept financial help from us.”

Liam smiled, patting Elle on the shoulder. “Your grandmother is fortunate to have you. We lost our grandson in a skiing accident last year. We’ve been considering selling the resort or turning it over to a management team.”

“Brandon Ethridge will try to use your grief to his advantage,” Logan said.

“It won’t work,” Liam said. “Not after hearing the truth about him.”

Elle and Logan said their good-byes, but she stopped at the door and returned to Liam. “This place wouldn’t be the same without you and Alana. Your charm and love for each other makes the castle warm and welcoming. I’ll bet your grandson loved being here and wouldn’t want you to sell.”

Elle hugged Liam and Alana and hurried out. Logan paused. His dark eyes sparkled.

“What?” Elle asked. Her heart expanded. Breath caught. His expression confused her. Was it pride, confusion, or affection radiating from his face?

“You’re amazing.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her.

Elle melted into him. Right there in the lobby without thought as to who might be watching, she slipped her arms around his waist and returned his kiss.

“Thank you.” She barely managed to force out the words. She’d really wanted to beg for more.

“My pleasure.” He turned her toward the restaurant. “I don’t know about you but I’m starving. I didn’t eat a muffin.”

A few minutes later, they had been seated, and bowls of steaming hot chili were sitting in front of them. According to the menu, this meal was guaranteed to defrost the body and warm the soul.

Elle wasn’t sure she could handle much more heat. Every cell in her body had fired, and only one thing was going to cool her off. Logan.

She reminded herself why she’d come to Castle Alainn.

Elle checked the nearby tables before she spoke. Privacy was critical. Luckily, everyone must have eaten earlier. Having a late lunch worked well to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard. “Surely you know someone who can unlock Brandon’s files. Someone not associated with law enforcement.”