Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One (7 page)

     I didn’t know him that well but in the short time I had
I felt some sort of connection to him; it was really weird. He made me feel
lighter and carefree, he was making me laugh, and I didn’t do that very often.
And heck, it was only lunch. It seemed like a small, beginners step. 

     “I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.” I
gasped breathlessly.

     Nic pulled into the parking lot of Manny’s. It was
actually called ‘Come Meat Manny’, but everyone just called it Manny’s.
Shutting off the engine he turned toward me and unexpectedly grasped my hand. I
froze.

     It wasn’t that I was necessarily opposed to contact
with others, I just wasn’t accustomed to it. The only people who touched me
were Mona and Carl.

     I made myself relax at the innocuous gesture and it was
like Nic had been waiting for just that sign. Turning my hand over he rubbed my
palm with his thumb. It felt nice, but it was sending some uncomfortable hot
flashes through me, as well as tingles to some very interesting places. I
shifted in my seat attempting to dispel it.

     Nic’s eyes were locked on mine and as I shifted the
green of his pupils darkened to a deep emerald. I stared in wonder at the
change and my throat constricted from the sensations his thumb was eliciting.
It made me recall this morning when we’d shaken hand and the tingly heat that
had fizzled up my arm. That too had left me feeling rather shaken in utter
astonishment.

     As Nic continued to stroke my palm breathing became
difficult and my lips parted to allow more air in and out. His gaze lowered to
stare at my mouth and his pupils dilated to take up almost all the green. He
had such beautiful eyes and a really nice mouth. Blonde stubble covered his jaw
and around his mouth giving him a sort of scruffy appearance that only
accentuated his good looks.

    
Was that stubble as soft as it looked?

     His skin was flushed under that stubble, and I noticed
his breathing was getting heavier. My face felt flushed too; actually, my whole
body felt like it was on fire.

     His body shifted in my direction and I jumped slightly
in surprise pulling my hand from his grasp. “It’s getting really warm in her.”
Was that my voice? I sounded like a smoker. I cleared my throat.

     “Let’s go eat.” The timber of Nic’s voice was low and
gravely sending shivers down my spine. Not a cooling one. 

     I fumbled for the door handle, finally got it open, and
tried to hop out, but instead got jerked back in.
Idiot
. I’d forgotten
to take my seat belt off. Nic was getting out his side so I think he missed it.
God, I hope so, how embarrassing.

     Unclipping the belt I twisted to jump out again but
found Nic standing in my open door. Sitting in this truck put us at eye level.

     “We’re the same height right now.” I stated lamely.

     He smiled but it looked strained. Was he feeling as
uncomfortable as me?

     “Would you do me a favor?” He asked.

     My eyebrows rose. “Well, that depends on if it’s weird
or not.” I responded carefully.

     Chuckling Nic’s hand reached up and tugged on my
beanie. “Will you take this off while we eat? You have such beautiful hair;
it’s a shame to cover it up.”

     I blushed at the compliment. I did wear my beanie a lot
and recognized that I used it as another way to hide, but since I was taking a
step out of my comfort zone… “I think I can do that, but I’m going to have
terrible hat head.” I joked.

     “Maybe then I’ll have better control over myself.” He
muttered.

     I gave him a quizzical look, but he just shook his
head. “Let’s go, this boy needs nourishment or will become incoherent soon, if
not already.” Reaching in he snagged me around the waist lifting me out. All I
got out was a small squeak and then my feet were on the ground.

     “Neanderthal.” I whispered loudly. I needed to get us
back to the friendly dialogue we’d been sharing before everything became
confused, and hormonally charged. I might be inexperienced but I knew hormones
had been zinging back there. It had been both exhilarating and alarming.    

     “Uhhgg,” he responded with a grunt. Putting his hand on
my back he directed me to the front door guiding me inside the diner.

     It was a little after two o’clock so the lunch rush had
passed leaving the place only half filled. Nic steered me over to a booth
against the wall. It felt like everyone there was watching us, or him. He was
so tall and had such striking looks.

     “I’m going to run to the restroom real quick. I’ll be
right back.” I proclaimed before speed walking toward the back of the
restaurant. Pushing through the restroom door I leaned against the sink and
took a deep breath to calm myself down. My emotions around Nic were starting to
get unpredictable. I’d gone from enjoying his company to panting breathlessly
in the truck with him. That had almost felt like a kissing moment back there. I
wasn’t ready for that. I merely wanted to make my first foray into friendship.

     I needed to get better control of my hormones. I
couldn’t let them run willy-nilly.

     Looking up in the mirror I saw that my face was still
flushed. Taking off my beanie I could see that, yes, I did have hat head.
Stuffing the cap in my purse I splashed my face with some cold water and then
patted it dry. Unfastening my braid I ran my fingers through it to comb it out
and then braided it again, but not as tight. Ice blue eyes stared back at me
from the mirror, eyes the same as my…

     I averted my gaze swiftly and took a deep breath. Not
going to go there. It was in the past.

     Leaving the bathroom I walked back to the table, but
faltered to a stop because there was a blonde girl leaning against the edge of
the table her back to me talking to Nic. I watched in disquiet as the girl bent
towards him touching his arm…my gut clenched uncomfortably…but then Nic leaned
back almost immediately and the girls hand fell away diffusing the discomfort.
I continued to stand there unsure of what to do. Should I interrupt?

     Nic’s gaze drifted my way and seeing me he smiled
waving me over. I forced my feet to move forward. The girl turned her head to
see who he was waving to and I felt an unexpected pinch in my chest at how
pretty she was.

     I stopped at the edge of the booth uncertain of whether
I should slide in or not. The girl was giving me a death glare.

     “Sit down, Carrie.” Nic motioned for me to sit down.
Clutching my purse and coat to my stomach I slid into the booth. He looked back
at the blonde. “Uhm…Missy was it?”

     The blonde girl switched her gaze back to Nic, an adoring
look upon her face. “Yes.” She leaned forward with her hands on the table and
the action pushed her breasts together to where they bunched up over her low
cut shirt. My eyes widened at the display and I looked at Nic to see his
reaction.

     However, he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking at
me, and my heart lightened that he wasn’t ogling the girls so obvious charms.
“Carrie and I were going to have some lunch so could you please excuse us.”

     I couldn’t draw my gaze from Nic’s to see what Missy’s
expression was, but her mumbled ‘
sure’
sounded despondent as she walked
away.

     “A friend of yours?” I asked.

     “Never met her before.” He answered. His gaze was
drifting over my hair. The braided tail had settled over my shoulder and was
resting on my chest.

     “She just came over and started talking to you?” I
asked incredibly. I could never be that bold. Did this happen to him a lot?

     “She seems to be a fan of lacrosse.” Leaning forward he
picked up my braid tail. His knuckle grazed my upper breast faintly, and I
inhaled abruptly at the tingle that shot through me. His gaze snapped up to
mine.

     “Are you sure it’s just lacrosse that she’s a fan of?”
I grinned through my roiling emotions. Nic was very attractive and I doubted
that she came over just because she liked the sport of lacrosse.

     The corner of his mouth lifted, but it didn’t seem like
it was an attempt at a smile. “She’s a groupie. I could have been any player
and she would have walked over here.”

     Again, I doubted that.

     “Your hair is beautiful. It reminds me of a midnight
waterfall. When you walked over here the sun caught it and I swear I saw blue
highlights shimmering in it.” His green eyes were getting darker again and my
breath caught. I looked down and watched his fingers stroke the ends of my
hair. “It feels like what silk should feel like, but silk doesn’t even come
close.”

     My hair had no feeling in it, they were nerveless hair
follicles, but each stroke sent a corresponding stroke down my spine. I
couldn’t control the shiver that skated through me. 

    
Control yourself girl!

     Taking a shaky breath I leaned back and my braid slid
through his fingers to land against my sternum. Nic’s eyes followed it and the
heat in them made my breasts swell and tingle. I shifted at the sensations
gathering inside me. God, I hadn’t realized he was so intense. He’d seemed so
casually relaxed and witty.

     Landon leaned back as well and his hand dropped under
the table. Shifting in his seat his hand did something below the table that had
him grimacing. My face heated and I looked away catching onto what he was
doing. Some guys weren’t as discreet about the act, adjusting themselves openly
so everyone could see.

     Thankfully, I saw a waitress coming our way. She was
maybe mid-twenties and with shoulder length brown hair. She walked up to the
table and smiled at Nic. The look she gave me was a little more circumspect. 

     “Hey there Nic, what can I get you? Do we want to start
with something to drink or are you ready to order?”

     “Hey, Tina.” Nic smiled cordially. “I want a large
chocolate milk and water. Carrie, what would you like?”

     “Can I get an ice tea with lemon?” I gave Tina a smile
and her smile turned less cautious.

     “Did you want to place your food order also? I know you
had practice today so you’re probably starving.” She asked.

     “Carrie hasn’t had a chance to look yet.” Nic
countered.

     “I just want a basic hamburger with no cheese or
onions, with fries.” I replied swiftly.

     “Well in that case, I’ll take the third pound burger
with cheese and bacon, an order of fries, and a bowl of your clam chowder.” Nic
leaned toward me. “Have you tried the clam chowder here? If you haven’t you
should, it is the best I’ve ever had. Thick and chunky with a hint of a kick to
make your lip sweat.” 

     I grinned at the description. “I’ve never tried clam
chowder before, but I couldn’t eat that plus my entrée.”

     Nic had a look of incredibility on his face. “Never had
clam chowder, it’s like my favorite of all soups. You have to try it. Tina,
bring her a cup.” He commanded good-naturedly.

     “I’ll tell the kitchen to put a rush on it.” Tina
chuckled and walked away.

     Nic’s autocratic behavior had me wanting to mess with
him. “You know, I could be allergic to seafood.”

     He narrowed his eyes at me as if reading my face.
“Nope, no seafood allergy. I’m betting you aren’t allergic to anything.”

     I raised an eyebrow. “You would be wrong. I’m allergic
to Neosporin.”

     He frowned. “Really, Neosporin?”

     I shrugged. “Whenever I’ve used it in the past it’s
only made the wound worse. But I’m okay using Triple Antibiotic. Go figure?”

     Nic leaned forward and grinned mischievously. “So
Carrie, you’re a prodigy. Getting into college at the age of sixteen,
seventeen?”

     I shook my head in amused exasperation. “You guys have
been hankering for my age since day one. Don’t you know it’s bad form to ask a
woman her age?”

     “That’s only if she looks older than twenty-nine. If
she looks younger than eighteen than it’s a mandatory question. Some
identification is required the way some high school girls are looking these
days.”

     I raised an inquiring brow at that interesting report.

     He shook his head and held up his hands. “Not me, but a
friend of mine almost had a close call about a year ago. She was sixteen,
looked twenty. Thankfully, her friend let it slip. If he’d taken her up on her
offer and it had gotten out he would have been kicked off the team. Not to
mention the legal ramifications.”

     I winced in sympathy. “Wow. Yeah I can imagine that.
Well, I’m eighteen…and a couple months so you’re safe.” I said cheekily. A
weird look crossed his face, and I suddenly realized what I might have been offering.
I could feel myself turning several shades of red. “Not that I’m implying that
you and I…I mean…I like you, you’re really nice, but…” My stuttering trailed
off in mortification. I was just making things worse thinking he was interested
in
that
, it was kind of presumptuous.

     Nic stared intently at me with an amused twinkle as my
rambling sputtered out. “You are too cute.”

     I gave him a mystified look at his brief
out-of-the-blue observation, but at least he wasn’t looking at me like I was a
dork. Mercifully, Tina stepped up to the table interrupting the disturbing
moment. She had impeccable timing. “Here are your drinks and your chowders. The
burgers should only be another ten minutes. Can I get you anything else right
now?”

     I shook my head as she distributed the food and drinks.

     “Thanks, Tina.” Nic said. She gave a wave as she walked
away. “God, this smells good.” He inhaled over his bowl and his stomach growled
loudly.

     I laughed. “It does that a lot.”

     He picked up his spoon with a smirk. “I’m a growing
boy,” was all he said before digging in.