"So what's your story, young miss? Are you after my Nicky for his money?"
Sabrina choked on her tea.
"No- I'm- I'm not after anything."
Mrs. Falcon narrowed her eyes and stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. Then she nodded.
"Right. I can see that you're not. I read the papers too, love. Just had to be sure."
Sabrina had no clue what to say to that. She took another sip of her tea. It was delicious.
"Try one of the sandwiches dear. Go on."
Her mouth was full of cucumber and salmon on toast when Mrs. Falcon dropped the bomb.
“This is a big day. He's never brought a girl home before. Not even any of his wives."
Sabrina nearly choked. She tried to chew and swallow as quickly as she could. She gulped some tea, even though it was still piping hot.
"Really?"
Mrs. Falcon nodded sagely.
"Oh, I went to one of the weddings. The one that wasn't in Vegas. But that was the only time I met the gel. It was over before the year was up anyway. He's always been like that. Women throw themselves at him you see. And he's always been obliging."
"Yes, I've noticed that."
"But you're different. He likes you. You aren't just a pretty face."
"I- thank you?"
Mrs. Falcon was peppering her with questions about her life and growing up when the doorbell rang. Sabrina nearly collapsed with relief when Nick's mother suddenly changed focus and clapped her hands together with glee.
"Oooh! They're here!"
Nick dashed by in the hallway, tell-tale crumbs on his face. His mother was right, he'd been sneaking scones.
"I'll get it!"
The sound of the door opening was shortly followed by the high-pitched squeals of several women.
For the next hour Sabrina was surrounded by all of Nick's aunts, cousins, and his mother’s best friends. Even the hairdresser showed up. The whole block was a Falcon compound. It was incredible.
It was a disaster.
With every moment, she was getting pulled deeper into his world. She could feel all the cracks in her heart being filled up with the sense of belonging, of being wanted.
Filling up with love.
Sabrina tried to enjoy it. She did her best. But she knew better than anyone how quickly things could change. How what you thought was safe, was yours to treasure, would inevitably be snatched away.
Life had taught her that time and time again, starting with the day her mother had left. No, not left. She’d died.
Leaving Sabrina with nothing.
Chapter 37
Nick
"Isn't this cheating?"
Nick waved to his mum and friends as he helped Sabrina into the waiting limo. She stifled a yawn as he sat as close to her as possible. He'd been longing to kiss her all day. Now was his chance.
"I think we've earned a little luxury, don't you love?"
She nodded sleepily and nestled against him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Nick froze and then forced himself to relax. He lifted one arm up and held her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It felt natural. He relished the feel of her snuggling so trustingly in his arms.
She had finally softened towards him.
He'd won.
Tonight he would take her. He’d be gentle, tender at first. But the second time, all bets were off. He'd be fierce, passionate, firm.
They would make love all night, that way she could sleep on the bus to Paris. Nick was stroking her hair as he leisurely contemplated all the things they would do once they got back to the hotel.
Filthy, naughty things.
But with her, they wouldn't feel dirty. He could tell. They'd just feel bloody right.
A tiny snuffling sound caught his attention. It sounded like… He turned his head to see if he was right.
Bloody hell.
Sabrina was sleeping like a babe in his arms. That adorable little sound had been a snore. He almost laughed. She was so cute, falling asleep when he had so many dirty things he wanted to do to her.
He leaned back against the seat and shook his head. They'd be back at the hotel soon. As much as he wanted to wake her up, he knew he wouldn't.
Damn, he'd forgotten to change their mode of transport! Gingerly he pulled his phone from his pocket and texted Marley.
Let's take the Chunnel tomorrow instead of flying. See if we can get a bus for the rest of the tour. Thanks, Mate.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket and kissed her sleeping head.
Chapter 38
Sabrina
Sabrina opened her eyes and sat up abruptly. She was in a strange room. It was luxuriously decorated with an enormous four poster bed. One bedside table lamp was lit, on the far side of the bed. There was a bandana draped over it to soften the light.
Nick's bandana.
Where the hell was she? Was she in his bedroom???
Nick strolled into the room wearing a bathrobe over his torn up jeans. He held a steaming cup of something in one hand and a book in the other.
She stared down at herself. She was also wearing a robe.
Oh god- he hadn't! Had he?
She peeked under the robe. Her clothes were still on. She heaved a sigh of relief.
Nick chuckled and sat down on the other side of the bed.
"Come on, love. Do you really think I'd molest you when you were sleeping like an angel?"
He turned toward her and caught the doubtful look on her face.
"Well, maybe you're right. Anyway, I resisted the urge. How do you feel?"
"What time is it?"
"Around eleven. You had quite a nap, little girl."
She blushed.
"I'm sorry. I just got so tired all of a sudden."
He smiled.
"Would you like some tea?"
She nodded. He handed her his cup. She took a sip.
"What is it?"
"Chamomile."
She started laughing as she handed it back to him. He looked offended.
"What?"
It was hard to get the words out but she tried.
"The great- Nick- Fa-Falcon- drinks cha-cha-chamomile!"
He growled and pounced on her, tickling her mercilessly.
"You think that's funny, do you?"
She was laughing even harder now as his fingers danced over her ribs, pinching her.
"Ye-yes I do!"
He stopped tickling her suddenly. They were tangled up in the bed. She was suddenly aware of how close his mouth was to hers. His body felt so warm... He stroked the side of her face while she caught her breath.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, Brina."
Her breath caught at the heady look in his eyes. Then suddenly she was staring at his lips. His sensual, soft looking, smiling lips.
And then he was kissing her.
She sighed as his lips slid across hers. He coaxed her lips open and then his tongue was inside her mouth, tangling playfully with hers. She kissed him back, tentatively at first but then eagerly.
Desperately.
He moaned and shifted, fitting his body to hers. They were straining, struggling to get closer to each other. Finally, he ripped his mouth from hers, leaving her feeling bereft. He was staring down at her tenderly.
"You have a habit of falling asleep on me, love."
She was trying to catch her breath beneath him.
"I'm sorry."
He grinned sensually and lowered his head to hers, stopping right before their lips met.
"Don't apologize. Let me see if I can keep you awake this time."
She moaned as he took her mouth in a devastating kiss. He held nothing back, but he wasn't in a hurry either. And he really, really knew what he was doing.
It was epic. It was Anthony and Cleopatra. Romeo and Juliet. Han Solo and Princess Leia.
This was the kiss on the beach as the waves crashed over the couple rolling in the sand.
This was a movie star kiss.
He was still kissing her as he reached between them to untie her robe and spread it wide. Then he was pushing her shirt up and grasping her breast with one hand. His palm felt hot over her breast, making her nipple stand at attention. He cursed and lifted his head, tugging her bra cup down over her breast.
Then his mouth replaced his hand. His lips closed over her tip. She gasped at the feeling of his hot mouth, licking and sucking at her nipple.
Dear God.
She moaned as he worshipped one breast and then the other, his arousal pressing insistently against her thigh. She could feel liquid heat pooling in her belly. And lower, centering between her legs. She wiggled beneath him, suddenly feeling restless and desperate for more.
She wanted more action.
And less clothes between them.
He seemed to sense her need because he reached for the button on her jeans. He was trying to tug them off when she started laughing. He lifted his head and glared at her. His gaze was hot and determined.
"You laugh?"
She nodded breathlessly.
He stood up and threw his robe off. He was bare chested, his low slung jeans showing his flat stomach and perfect body. Her eyes widened in appreciation. He saw her looking him over and grinned.
And then he pounced on her. She squealed as he wrestled her out of her robe. He tossed it aside dramatically. Then he yanked her t-shirt up and over her head. She watched as he stared down at her from the foot of the bed. He slowly pulled her jeans down off her body.
Her panties came off with the jeans too. Oops.
His eyes flared at the sight of her. She was almost entirely naked now, with just her bra still pulled down under her breasts. He slid his hands up her legs and started kissing his way up her body. He paused briefly at her junction.
She inhaled sharply as he placed a kiss between her thighs. He slid up until their bare chests were pressed together. It felt heavenly. He stared into her eyes as he reached beneath her and unclasped her bra, pulling if free.
She almost laughed at the triumphant look in his eyes. But she was too overwhelmed with sensations to do anything except feel. He started touching her then, his expression changing to one of blazing heat. He never stopped watching her as his hands found her clit and slowly, skillfully started to tease her to a fever pitch.