Stand Of Redemption(35)
“You could always tell him that Melanie’s pregnant,” Ria said, biting back her smile as Melanie choked on her food and then threw her a killing glare.
“I like you,” she said.
“I like you, too.” Ria smiled at Nicholas’s sister.
Melanie was a lot like Lacey; neither one of them had a fake bone in their bodies and wanted to kick everyone’s asses.
“Nick, bring her to my next fight.”
“I don’t enjoy cage fighting.”
The three people at the table stared at her in horror. Then they all broke into laughter.
Melanie leaned across the table. “You don’t know what you’re missing. You’re going to learn to love it.”
Ria doubted it but didn’t argue.
They finished dinner then Melanie and Zane stood to leave.
“I have to get him home for his beauty sleep. He has a fight tomorrow night.”
“Good luck,” Nicholas said. “I need to get Ria back. I’ll see you both tomorrow night after your fight.”
They parted company outside the restaurant, Melanie and Zane both staring at the limo.
“We’re in the wrong profession,” Melanie said, staring at the huge car with envy.
“At least we’re doing it legally,” Zane commented, taking Melanie’s arm to lead her away before she jumped into the expensive car.
“Wait, I want to ride…” Melanie protested.
“Your sister is a character,” Ria said as they got into the limo.
“Yes, she is,” Nicholas agreed. The painkiller he had taken after the fight was wearing off. He was tired and sore, wanting to go back to his apartment to take another hot shower.
“Nicholas are you attracted to me at all?”
His beat up face turned to her. “What?”
She cleared her throat. Lacey and Melanie weren’t the only ones that could be upfront. “Are you attracted to me? If you aren’t, that’s okay. I just want to know.”
“Ria, I’m not the right person for you.” Nicholas turned his face forward.
“I understand.”
Silence filled the car.
As soon as it pulled to a stop, she jumped out, not waiting for Mitchell to open the door.
“Ria, wait.” Nicholas tried to stop her, but she was too quick, dodging his hand.
She ran through the lobby and quickly pressed the elevator button.
“I…” Nicholas was behind her.
Damn the slow elevator!
“There’s no need for explanations.” She shrugged. “Please just go. I’ll tell Emiliano that the deal is off and to leave you alone.”
The elevator doors finally opened, and Ria went in, pushing the button for her floor, but she was too slow, and Nicholas came in before the doors could close.
“Don’t say anything to him. I made the deal with him, regardless that I’m attracted to you.”
Ria tilted her head, frowning. “You are attracted to me?”
“Yes. No.” Nicholas ran a hand over his hair. “What I’m trying to say unsuccessfully is that I am attracted to you, but I’m not going to do anything about it.”
“Why?”
The elevator doors opened.
Nick sighed impatiently, taking her arm as they walked beside each other to her apartment door. Ria opened it, and Nicholas came in behind her, shutting the door.
“Right now, we need to concentrate on getting you out of this mess and getting your mother back. I need to regain my title while not getting myself permanently damaged by one of Emiliano’s fighters.”
Ria fought her hurt feelings. Everything he said was true. She was causing enormous problems in his life. If he was hurt and never able to fight again, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.
“Nicholas, please listen to me. Walk away. These are my problems, not yours. You should never have become involved. You can’t blame yourself for me losing my job.”
“Shut up, Ria. Just be quiet.” Nicholas pulled her to him, his mouth covering hers.
He had promised himself not to touch her. He didn’t deserve to touch her with her brothers’ blood on his hands. She would hate him if she found out he was the reason she was in this position. He was just as responsible for Dragon’s death as Zane was. He could have stopped him from pulling the trigger. Dragon had given Ria and their mother freedom. With his death, they had lost it. All of this was going through his mind, but he didn’t stop kissing her.
His tongue parted her lips to enter her mouth. She tasted like the rich caramel pie she’d had for dessert. Nick groaned, pulling her tighter against him, as his mouth glided up to her ear, tracing the delicate shell with a tender caress, causing her to shiver with pleasure.
Her initial reticence disappeared. She wound her arms around his neck as her mouth tried to catch his. He gave it to her, stroking his tongue intimately against hers.