“He might throw a little fit.” She pretended that was what was troubling her, because there was nothing more off-putting than an insecure not-even girlfriend.
“Tell Millie I’m already booked.” He strolled to the kitchen and poured two glasses of wine.
“Those are some big . . . tips you’d be passing up.”
“I don’t need her tips if it’s going to cause trouble for you.” He grinned while handing her a glass.
She aimed to be more serious. “That’s not the point. Millie wants you, and my job is to keep our clients happy. So is yours, actually.”
“How happy?” he teased, but she didn’t quite laugh at that one. “Come on, Nik. I’m kidding.”
“I know.”
He poked her side. “You’re jealous?”
She batted at his hand, hoping not to slosh wine on herself. “Of Millie? Well, I suppose it’d be nice to have a rich old husband and live an easy life.”
Andy’s expression fell. “Really? That’s a dream?”
He’d taken her seriously?
“How long have you known me?” Her free hand landed on her hip.
A relieved grin spread across his face. “Long enough to know better.”
“Thank you.”
“So, while I appreciate the 411 on Millie, is that really why you came all the way over here on Christmas night, Nik?” He sipped from his wineglass.
She practically chugged hers, hoping it would calm her nerves. Wine had that effect on her, slowing everything down like she was drifting along a lazy river.
Andy’s eyes widened and he snickered. “We’d better sit.”
He led her to the sofa. After setting his half-empty glass on the coffee table, he sat beside her and stretched one hand along the back of the couch so that it was right behind her shoulder.
“Do you want me to guess?” he asked.
“No.” She finished off her wine, then opened her purse and pulled out a gift-wrapped box. “I hung the wind chimes in the living room already. I love them, you know. So, I got you a little something, too.”
She dropped the box in his lap, heat rushing up her neck to her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d given any guy who wasn’t a family member a real present.
The tightness in her chest eased when his eyes sparkled with appreciation.
“You didn’t need to get me anything.” His grin, however, proved that he loved that she had. He slipped his fingers beneath the taped edge of the wrapping and slit it open to reveal a digital level.
She watched his brows rise in confusion, so she explained. “For when you start doing remodeling projects.”
His grin broke into a full-fledged smile as he opened the box to inspect the tool.
“This is awesome, Nik. Thanks. I appreciate your encouragement even more than the gift itself.” He set the box on the table and looked at her. “In fact, I mentioned this idea to Avery this morning. She also thinks it’s a good fit. Now I need to figure out how to get started.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard.”
He shrugged. “Well, my schedule is still in flux. I guess I’ll know more after the new year begins.”
Ah, that. That reminder of why her being here kissing him probably wasn’t the best idea—or at least not the best timing.
“Why’d you kiss me the other night?” Yes, she went there. She might faint from embarrassment, but she couldn’t take the question back. And if there would be more of this kissing between them, she needed to understand the parameters.
He half shrugged while wearing that adorable grin. “Why’d you kiss me tonight?”
“I asked first.”
He laughed. “Why does any guy kiss a girl, Nik? I wanted to. I like you.”
“But why now? What’s changed?” She didn’t want to bring up his past rejection. She only wanted him to somehow prove that this wasn’t a seduction plan designed to secure his job. Not that any man would confess that motive. And not that she even suspected Andy could be that devious. Yet, if she was going to take a risk with her heart and career, she needed to feel sure.
“I guess I’ve changed. I’m not the same guy I used to be before.” He shrugged.
Anytime he remembered the accident, his face fell a bit. She hated that he felt so much shame. He needed to be reminded that, despite that mistake, he was a great guy then and now. “I hope that’s not true. I always liked you just as you were.”
That grin she loved reappeared, rewarding her. “As I did you.”
She suddenly felt extremely shy, sitting there in front of a fire, talking to a longtime crush about her feelings. People always thought of her as brave for her daring on the slopes, but this conversation required more courage than anything she’d done in a long time. “So then, what do we do now?”
He leaned closer. “I have a few ideas.”
Her heart bucked like a young colt dodging a rope. She had no idea how to be seductive or playful. Awkward was her default mode when it came to men, especially this man. “Do you?”
He nodded just before kissing her. Tonight, he tasted of wine and something spicy, but that sensation was replaced by a dozen others as his weight shifted, pushing her back into the cushions.
Nothing had ever felt as good as the weight of his body on top of her or the feel of his hands in her hair. He nipped at her lips before tracing the seam with his tongue. Her heart pounded, fearful that he’d wake from his daze and change his mind. That thought drifted away as he slowly ravished her mouth with long, lazy kisses.
Her body was overwhelmed by sensations—his scent, the heat of his skin and heavy breath, the silkiness of his hair. His fingers skimmed beneath her shirt and stroked her abdomen. He writhed against her, his movements occasionally punctuated by a rumbling moan in his throat. The scruff of his five o’clock shadow abraded her skin, but she wouldn’t complain. Not when Andy Randall was reduced to putty in her hands.
Putty might not be fair, considering the hard length of him pressing against her pelvis. Even fully dressed, their bodies ground out the slow, steady rhythm of desire.
“Nik.” His rough voice sent shivers racing all over her skin. “This couch is too small. Bed or floor?”
Bed or floor? Bed or floor. Bed or floor!
“Nik?” He kissed his way down the column of her neck.
“Bed.”
“You sure? The fire’s nice.” He stopped for a second, propping himself up on his elbows. His hair hung around his face, framing those eternally kind green eyes.
It seemed awfully bright in the living room, and she was more than a little self-conscious. Of course, she wouldn’t mind getting a better view of his amazing body. “Okay, floor.”
He whipped off his shirt and tugged hers over her head. Within a matter of minutes, they’d shucked everything but their underwear. She battled every timid hang-up that came into her mind and focused on the skin-to-skin friction of their hands and bodies. He cupped her breasts before bringing his mouth to one, making her body arch from taut anticipation and need.
His tongue circled her nipple while his other hand worked its way up her thigh, to the warm, wet center of her core. She heard herself whimper with pleasure, felt his answering smile. Hooking one leg around his hip, she savored every touch and traced her nails along his back. For years she’d imagined being in his arms, but nothing prepared her for the reality or the rush of emotion filling her heart.
His hot skin was sweaty when he finally ripped open the condom wrapper and thrust himself into her body. “Nik.”
She was ready to rock and roll, but he stilled—almost rapt—and swept some of her sweat-soaked hair from her forehead. Tenderly, he traced a line from her ear to her jaw, then brushed his thumb over her scar.
She turned her face in shame, but he kissed her temple and tipped her face toward him again. “Don’t hide this from me. It’s a part of you. An important part. It proves how resilient and tough you are. Be proud of it.”
Tears welled behind her eyes, threatening to ruin that near-perfect moment. No one had ever said anything like that to her or viewed that scar as something other than an ugly reminder of a bad accident.
Before she could say anything, he kissed her and started pumping his powerful hips, which sent her already shaky emotions careening out of control. She matched his strokes with the strength of her own, their long limbs entangled. The crackling fire did little to quiet the sounds of their lovemaking and only heightened the feverish sensation that tore through her body and ignited her heart.
She lost track of time, drifting in a sort of carnal paradise, until they shouted out a simultaneous release of all that energy and lust.
After a moment of rest, he rolled off her and flung his arm over his head, panting. I made Andy Randall pant. That thought caused her to giggle.
He turned his head, his face red from exertion. Still, that grin. “Laughter isn’t exactly what a guy likes to hear at this particular juncture.”
She turned on her side and kissed his chest. “Sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at myself. I can’t believe . . .” She didn’t know how to finish without sounding juvenile, so she waved her hand over the two of them. “This.”
He rolled on his side to face her, resting his head on one hand while stroking her waist with the other. “Any regrets?”