Reading Online Novel

Mercy(White Collared Part 1)(14)



Her cheeks burned. “I’m not . . . I mean . . . I haven’t. I’m vanilla too.”

He chuckled. “Nothing wrong with vanilla. After all, it’s the base for several other flavors.” With one hand on the car’s roof and the other on the handle, he said, “You know what? I’m suddenly having a craving for ice cream. Why don’t we stop on the way to your apartment and I’ll treat you to a scoop of vanilla?”

Ice cream sounded heavenly right now. “As long as it’s a double scoop of cookie dough, you’ve got yourself a deal.”

He raised a brow in amusement, showing a glimpse of out-of-the-office Nick. “Negotiating with me, Counselor?”

“Always.”

“Do you need anything from your bike before we go?”

“Yes, I should take my briefcase,” she answered slowly, anticipating a lecture. She turned around and moved to her bike, which was parked right behind her, unlocked her saddlebag, and then swung the strap of her briefcase over her shoulder.

“I can’t believe you drive that thing in heels and a suit.”

That wasn’t the reaction she expected. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing. It just seems difficult to do. But you must see something wrong with it or you wouldn’t have tried to hide it from me by pretending that Ford Fusion belonged to you in the firm’s parking garage,” he pointed out.

“Some people judge,” she said, shrugging as she slid into the passenger seat of his car.

He started the ignition. “And you thought I would?”

“Yes—no—I don’t know.”

The car headed west toward her favorite ice cream shop. “There’s nothing wrong per se with riding a motorcycle, but I can’t say it doesn’t concern me. Not from a professional standpoint, but as your friend. Those things are dangerous.”

Once again, Nick had surprised her with his attitude. He wasn’t a powerful tyrant at all. Today she’d seen several sides to him, and she liked them all.

“I’ve ridden for eight years, and I’ve never been in an accident,” she said, smoothing the wrinkles of her skirt and then adding, “It’s nice though.”

“What is?”

Several of the day’s scenes played like a home video in her mind.

Jaxon ordering the detective to bring her a chair.

Jaxon protecting her from the press.

Nick worrying about her health.

Nick troubled by her mode of transportation.

But she simply said, “Having someone care about me.”

He wrenched the steering wheel, swerving the car, the tires squealing in protest. Was there an animal in the road? She braced her hand against the door to prevent herself from tipping, a rush of adrenaline kick-starting her pulse into overdrive.

The Mercedes came to a complete stop, propelling her weight forward and then jerking her back. Before she could ask what the hell had happened, Nick unbelted and pivoted toward her, his blue eyes like the color of the sky at twilight. “I do care.” He cupped her cheek with more tenderness than she’d ever known. “Too much.”

His mouth drifted closer and closer until finally, finally, finally his soft lips melted over hers.

She surrendered, intoxicated by his taste. On his passion.

How many years had she dreamed of this? Of him taking her under his wing and guiding her through the maze of her future, both professionally and personally?

His tongue barely grazed hers when, all too soon, he broke from their kiss, leaving her wanting, her nipples stinging, needing to be touched, and her pussy ripening, preparing for Nick’s invasion.

A whisper of a moan escaped her, and she flicked the tip of her tongue over her wet bottom lip, relishing the reminder of Nick on her flesh. Then as she leaned in for more, a name sprung into her consciousness, flooding her with a tumultuous river of shame.

Tom.

Nick stroked her neck with the pad of his fingers. “Damn it, I’m sorry. I’ve told myself time and time again I wouldn’t touch you, but the more I get to know you, the harder it is for me to resist.”

She folded her trembling hands together on her lap to keep from reaching for him. “I’m seeing someone.”

“Of course you are,” he said, dropping his hand. “I should have known someone as beautiful as you wouldn’t be available.” He clicked his seatbelt and shifted the car into drive. “Please, forgive me. If you want to report me to Human Resources, I won’t stop you.”

“I won’t,” she said quickly. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

He pulled away from the side of the road and merged into traffic as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, confusion clouded her. She pressed her fingers to her swollen lips, looking for proof that she hadn’t imagined the kiss. A kiss she’d wanted more than almost anything in this world.