Straight From the Hip(66)
She managed a laugh. “Point taken.”
“It’s okay, Izzy,” Nick told her. “It’s your first day. You’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t want to get used to it,” she snapped, her good humor fading. She stood, then realized she had no idea which direction to turn. Dread swept through her, making her sorry she’d eaten anything. She was trapped.
No, she told herself, breathing steadily. Not trapped. She was fine. She would be fine. She was tough. Compared to what Heidi had gone through, this was nothing.
Someone else rose and took her arm. She knew immediately it was Nick.
“You’re killing my great exit here,” she told him.
“You ready to stalk out on your own?”
“Not really.”
He led her out of the dining room, toward the stairs. They climbed slowly and when they reached her room, she was shaking.
“I’m trying,” she said as she sat on the bed and waited for the trembling to pass. “I’m just so damn scared.”
“I know.”
She heard the sound of movement, then felt him take both her hands in his. From the angle and the way he rested his forearms on her legs, she guessed he was kneeling.
“Usually guys who get in that position are proposing,” she teased. “Gee, Nick. This is so sudden.”
“Not bad. You’re getting it.”
“I’m not,” she admitted. “Every other second, I’m terrified. I can’t live like this. I can’t.”
“Yeah, you can. You’re strong, Izzy. Stronger than you know. It’s just the first day. Try to relax. I want you to lie down. I’m going to teach you some breathing techniques. When you’re feeling better, you can call your sisters.”
She didn’t think breathing was going to be a whole lot of help. “Or we could just have sex.”
Nick stilled. “As tempting as that is, I think you need to heal a little more.”
“Are you trying to say the right thing or get out of doing it with me?”
Instead of answering in words, he leaned in and kissed her. His mouth was hot and hungry, claiming hers. She met him stroke for stroke, enjoying the wave of need and desire that crashed through her. Horny was a whole lot better than afraid.
He cupped her cheek with his hand, then sucked on her lower lip. Only when she was breathing hard did he pull back.
“What was the question?” he asked.
“I have no idea.”
“Good. Now lie back on the bed and…Sorry. I was going to say close your eyes.”
“Already doing that,” she said, touching the bandage. “Next?”
“HOLLISTER,” Nick said into the phone, still studying the computer screen.
“You have a lot of explaining to do. What were you thinking? You didn’t call us? Do you remember meeting our friend Dana? I swear to God, I want to have you arrested and your ass thrown in jail.”The voice was familiar, although he couldn’t place it. “Just my ass? Not the rest of me.”
“I see you’ve been hanging out with Izzy too much these days.”
The information clicked into place. “Hello, Skye.”
“She had the surgery.”
“I know.”
“She didn’t tell us she was going to do it and you knew. And don’t even think about saying it was her decision to make because even if I can’t come close to beating you up, I’m engaged to a former Navy SEAL. He could kill you with a Q-tip.”
Nick leaned back in his chair and smiled. While Izzy was his favorite, he liked all the Titan sisters. “Seems like a stupid plan to me. Why not use a gun?”
“Don’t think you can charm me, because you can’t. What were you thinking?”
“That it was Izzy’s decision to make. She didn’t want you to worry. She had the surgery and told you after. It happened and now you know.”
“Oh, I see. You’re going for rational. Tell me, Nick. Have you ever been in a relationship with a woman before? Did the rational approach ever work?”
“No.”
“Then try something else.”
“You’ve obviously spoken with her. You know she’s fine, but you’re always welcome to come to the ranch. You can see her for yourself.” He shifted the phone to his other hand. “Besides, if I remember correctly, getting Izzy to the point where she wanted the surgery was the entire reason for having her here.”
There was a long pause. “Okay. Yes. Maybe. Speaking of which, you need to bill me for the rest of her time there.”
“We’re good.”
“But all I gave you is a small deposit. You were going to bill me weekly.”