CHAPTER EIGHT
“STAND RIGHT THERE.”
Josie surveyed her handiwork and felt immense satisfaction at the picture Nick made. She’d stripped his shirt from his shoulders, unsnapped his jeans. He was almost too appealing to resist. Kneeling in front of him, she’d taken turns tugging his shoes and socks off. He even had beautiful feet. Strong, narrow. Right now those feet were braced apart while his hands clutched, as per her order, the shelving high above the berth where she sat. Her face was on a level with his tight abdomen and she could see the way he labored for breath.
She liked this game—she liked it very much.
Nick hadn’t said much once he’d agreed to her terms. The storm had broken shortly after they gained the main road, lightning splitting the sky with great bursts of light, the heavy darkness pressing in on them. They’d ridden to the boat in virtual silence, other than the rumble of thunder and her humming, which she hadn’t been able to stop. She put it down to a nervous reaction in the face of her plan. Nick’s hands had repeatedly clenched the steering wheel, but he hadn’t backed out, hadn’t asked her about her plans. At one point he’d lowered his window a bit and let the rain breeze in on him. She appreciated his restraint, though now she hoped to help him lose it.
He stared down at her, his expression dark, his hair still damp from their mad dash to the boat through the rain. For a moment, Josie wondered once again why he’d taken her to see his grandfather. He’d even suggested Jeb hire her, but she couldn’t go along with that idea. If she got entangled with the one person Nick was closest to, it would make it so difficult to bear when their affair was over. She needed to keep an emotional arm’s length, but with every minute that passed, that became harder to do.
Determined on her course, she blew lightly on his belly and watched his muscles tighten and strain.
“I feel I have to get this right, you know.” She stroked the hard muscles of his abdomen. “I don’t want to disappoint you, or myself.”
He made a rough sound, but otherwise he simply watched her as if daring her to continue. She smiled inside, more than ready to take up the challenge. She wanted to get everything she could from her time with him.
Using just the edge of one fingernail, she traced the length of his erection and heard him suck in a breath. Speaking in a mere whisper, she said, “You look uncomfortable, Nick. I suppose I should unzip you. But first, I want to make myself more comfortable, too.”
Leaning back on the berth to make certain he could see her, she watched his face while she hooked her fingers in the top of her dress and tugged it below her breasts, slowly, so that the material rasped over her nipples and tightened them. She inhaled sharply, feeling her own blush but ignoring it. “That’s better.”
Nick’s biceps bulged, his chest rose and fell. She cupped her breasts, offering them up, being more daring now that she could see how difficult control had become for him. She stroked her palms over her nipples and heard his soft hiss of approval.
“And back at the apartment, didn’t you mention something about wanting me to lift my dress?” She flipped back the edges of the flowered skirt until her panties could be seen. “Is this what you had in mind?”
Nick’s cheekbones were slashed with aroused color, and his eyes were so dark they looked almost black. The boat rocked and jerked with the storm, but he held his balance above her and smiled. “You’re so hot.”
“Hmm. Let’s see if we can get you in a similar state.” She eased the zipper down on his jeans and reveled in his low grunt of relief. “Better? You looked so…constrained.”
His penis was fully erect and the very tip was visible from the waistband of his underwear. Enthralled, Josie ran a delicate fingertip over it and saw Nick jerk back in response, muttering a low curse.
She peered up at him, loving the sight of him, his reaction. “You didn’t like that?”
He dropped his head forward, a half laugh escaping him. His dark, damp hair hung low over his brow. “That might not be the very best place to start.” He looked at her, his face tilted to one side, and he grinned. “You’re really pushing it now, aren’t you?”
“Your control, you mean? I hope so.”
“I meant your own daring. But have at it, honey.” Though his voice sounded low and rough, his dark eyes glittered with command. “This is your show. I can hold out as long as you can.”
“I’m so glad you think so.” And with that, she leaned forward and this time it was her tongue she dragged over the tip of him, earning a dozen curses and a shuddering response from his body.
Holding himself stiff as a pike, Nick squeezed his eyes shut and breathed deeply through his nose. He seemed to have planted his legs in an effort to control the need to pull away—or push forward. Josie thought he was the most magnificent man she’d ever seen.
“Relax, Nick.” She stroked his belly, his ribs, and his trembling increased. “It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed everything you’ve done to me. We both know I have. But I want to be free to do my own explorations.”
He didn’t answer and she grinned. “I think we need to get you out of these jeans. I want to see all of you.”
He offered her no assistance as she tugged the snug jeans down his long legs. They were damp and clung to his hips and thighs. Crawling off the berth, she knelt behind him and instructed him to lift each foot as she worked the stiff material off him. That accomplished, she pressed her face to the small of his back and reached her arms around him. Using both hands, she cuddled him through the soft cotton of his shorts and discovered how nice that felt. He was soft and heavy in places, rock hard and trembling in others. She bit his back lightly, then one buttock, then the back of his thickly muscled thigh.
“You’re so rigid, Nick. Try to relax.” She couldn’t quite keep the awe from her tone, or the sound of her own growing excitement. Her hands still stroked him, up and down, manipulating his length, until he groaned, his head falling back.
She let her nipples graze his spine as she slowly stood behind him. “I love your body.”
“Josie…”
“Shh. I’m just getting started.” She moved in front of him again, but this time she didn’t sit. She insinuated herself in the narrow space between where he stood and the edge of the berth and she simply felt him. All of him. From his thick forearms to his biceps and wide shoulders, the soft tufts of hair under his arms to the banded muscles over his ribs and his erect nipples. She explored his hipbones and the smooth flesh of his taut buttocks. She pushed his underwear down and he kicked them off. “Do you remember what you did to me in my kitchen, Nick?”
“Damn it, Josie—”
“Shh. You said it was my show, remember?” She kissed one flat brown nipple, flicked it with her tongue and heard him draw in an uneven breath. “Tell me, Nick. Do you like that as much as I do?”
He narrowed his gaze on her face. “I doubt it. You nearly come just from me sucking your nipples. Not that I’m complaining. It really turns me on.” His voice was low, seductive. “I’ve never known a woman with breasts as sensitive as yours.”
Damn him, he made her want things just by saying them. Her breasts throbbed and her nipples tightened into painful points. She decided she wouldn’t ask him any more questions. She could do better if he kept quiet.
“Maybe you’re just more sensitive in other places.” And that was all she said to warn of her intent.
She kissed his throat, breathing in his sexy male scent. “I love how you smell, Nick. It makes me almost light-headed. And it makes me want you, makes me feel swollen inside.” Her mouth trailed down, over his ribs to his navel. She heard him swallow as she toyed with that part of him, dipping in her tongue while her hands caressed his hard backside, keeping him from moving away.
“Brace your legs farther apart.”
He laughed, the sound strained. “You’ve got a bit of the tormentor in you, don’t you, honey? It’s kinky. I had no idea.”
“Be quiet.” But she blushed, just as he knew she would. She sat on the berth again, opening her legs around his, assuming a position she knew that would drive him wild. “I only want to try some of the things you’ve done to me. Why should you always be the one in control?”
“Because I’m the man,” he said on a groan as she fondled him again, exploring, fascinated by the smooth feel of him, the velvety skin over hard-as-steel flesh.
“You certainly are. Do you like this, Nick?”
“Yes,” he hissed.
She brushed her bare breasts against him. “And this?”
“Josie, honey…”
“And this?” Josie slid her mouth over him, taking him as deep as she could and his hips jackknifed against her as a deep growl tore from his throat. She loved his reaction, the way he continued to groan, to shudder and tremble and curse while she did her best to drive him insane. She’d had no idea it could be so exciting to pleasure another person in such a way. Before Nick, the thought of doing such a thing not only seemed incredible, but unpleasant.
With Nick, she felt as if she couldn’t get enough—and she made sure he knew it.
His breathing labored, he rasped out rough instructions, unable to remain still. He strained toward her, hard and poised on some secret male edge of control. Josie had never felt so triumphant in all her life, so confident of herself as a woman. She drew him deeper still, using her tongue to stroke, to tease. She made a small humming sound of pleasure when he broke the rules and released the shelf to cup her head in his hands and guide her.
But seconds later he stumbled away from her. Josie tried to protest, to reach for him, but Nick wouldn’t give her a chance. He toppled her backward on the berth, tore her panties off and shoved her dress out of the way. He lifted her legs high to his shoulders, startling her, frightening her just a bit. His mouth clamped onto her breast at the same time he drove into her, hard, slamming them both backward on the berth. He went so deep, Josie felt alarmed by the hot pressure, then excited. She cried out and wrapped her arms around him, already so aroused by his reactions, she took him easily, willingly. Within moments, she felt the sweet internal tightening, the throbbing of hidden places as they seemed to swell and explode with sensations. It went on and on, too powerful, too much. She bit Nick’s shoulder, muffling her shocked scream of pleasure against his skin.
He collapsed on top of her, still heaving, gasping, his body heavy but comforting.
They both labored for breath, their skin sweaty and too hot.
“Josie.”
He forced himself up, swallowing hard, and smoothed her wildly tangled hair from her face with trembling hands. “Josie, honey, are you all right?”
She didn’t want to look at him, didn’t want to move. It was all she could do to stay conscious with the delicious aftershocks of her release still making her body buzz.
“Josie.” He kissed her mouth, her eyelids, the bridge of her nose. Carefully he lowered her thighs, but remained between them, still inside her. “Look at me, honey.”
She managed to get one eye halfway open, but the effort was too much and she closed it again. Seeing him, the color still high on his cheekbones, his silky dark hair hanging over his brow, his temples damp and his mouth swollen, made her shudder with new feelings, and she couldn’t, simply couldn’t survive that kind of pleasure again so soon.
Nick managed a shaky laugh and kissed her on the mouth, a soft, mushy kiss that blossomed and went on until it dwindled into incredible tenderness, to concern and caring. He rolled, groaning as he did so, putting her on top.
“You’re a naughty woman, Josie Jackson.”
She smiled, kissed his shoulder and sighed.
“I didn’t wear a condom.”
Her eyes opened wide and she stared at the far wall, her cheek still pressed to his damp chest. His heartbeat hadn’t slowed completely yet, and she felt the reverberations of it.
“I’m sorry, honey. No excuse except that I went a little nuts and it was a first for me. Going nuts, that is.”
No condom. Oh God. She hadn’t even thought of that in the scheme of her seduction. Her body felt lethargic, a little numb, and she mumbled, “My fault,” more than willing to put the blame where it rightfully belonged. She had been in control this time, had manipulated the whole situation, and she was the one with no excuses.
Nick’s arms tightened around her and he nuzzled his jaw into her hair. “We’ll argue it out in the morning. Odds are, there won’t be a problem. Not just that once.”
She snuggled closer to him, her mind a whirlwind of worries, the major one being how she could ever let him go. For her, a baby wouldn’t be a problem. It would be a gift of wonder, a treasure, a part of Nick. But she knew how wrong it would be and she couldn’t help but shudder with realization. She’d set out to prove, to herself and to him, that their affair could remain strictly physical and she’d be satisfied. Instead, she’d proven something altogether different.
Damn but she’d done the dumbest thing. She’d fallen in love with Nick Harris, lady-killer, womanizer extraordinaire. Confirmed bachelor. Nick would probably never want a permanent relationship. And he might even see her forgetfulness with the condom as a deliberate ploy to snare him. So far, their time together had been spent on her wants, her needs, her demands. She’d gone on ordering him to show her a good time, on her schedule, without real thought to what he might want. But she knew; he wanted no ties, no commitments, a brief fling. She swallowed hard, feeling almost sick.
Now everything was threatened. If she hadn’t pushed things today, the mishap might never have happened.
She realized where her thoughts had led her and she couldn’t quite stifle a giggle. A possible pregnancy was far more than a mere mishap.
Nick lifted his head to try to see her face. “What tickles you now, woman? I hope you don’t have more lascivious thoughts in your head, because I swear, I need at least an hour to recoup.” The boat rocked with the storm and she could hear the rumble of thunder overhead. Nick held her closer. “I’m personally amazed that my poor heart continues to beat with the strain it’s been under.”
Josie kissed his collarbone. He didn’t sound upset with her. So maybe now was the best time to find out if he planned to blame her. She didn’t think she’d be able to sleep tonight if she had to worry about it. “Nick, I’m so sorry I forgot…myself. I should have been more responsible.”
His hands on her back stilled just a moment, then he gave a huge sigh, nearly heaving her off his chest. “It probably won’t even be an issue, Josie. But if it is, we’ll figure something out together, okay?”
“I wouldn’t want you to feel pressured. Or to think I did this deliberately.”
“Hey—” he brought her face close to his and kissed her “—you’re new at this. I’m the one who should have known better. I’ve never forgotten before, not that it matters now. But like I said, I’ve never felt quite this way before.”
She wanted to ask him what way, but only said, “You’re truly not angry?”
He smiled. “I’m not angry. Hell, I’m not even all that worried.” His hand smoothed down her back to her bottom and he rolled to his side, keeping her close. They were nose to nose, and he yawned as if ready to sleep. “And I don’t want you to worry, either. If anything comes of it, then we’ll worry. But in the meantime, don’t fret. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, but didn’t feel completely reassured. Nick had never mentioned anything permanent between them, no matter how she’d wished it, and a baby would certainly be permanent. He was right, though. Worrying now was ridiculous. A waste of energy.
“Why don’t you get this dress off, honey? You can’t be comfortable like that.”
She followed his gaze to where her dress was twisted around her upper arms and under her breasts. Her body was so numb with her release, she hadn’t even noticed the restriction. She untied the belt, popped open the one button and slid it off. Nick took the dress from her and tossed it from the bed.
“That’s better.” He pulled her against his chest and closed his eyes once again. “Now let me sleep so I can recoup myself. There’s the little matter of a payback for me to attend to, and I’ll need some strength to see that the job’s done properly.”
To Josie’s immense surprise, her body tingled in anticipation. She supposed she just had more stamina than Nick, because she was already looking forward to the payback.
NICK LOOKED AROUND the crowded room and wondered what the hell he was doing there. He’d get no time alone with Josie tonight. Every couch and chair was filled with an elderly person, and even standing room was limited. He’d barely gotten the door open and squeezed in past the loiterers.
He scanned the room, looking for Josie and trying to avoid all the prying eyes peering over the rims of their bifocals. It had been over a week since he’d seen her, a week since he’d given her control and she’d used it to drive him to distraction. But she hadn’t tried in any way to abuse that control. She hadn’t breached his privacy, crowded him in any way. He wanted to talk to her, damn it, but he doubted he’d get much private time with her here.
He headed toward the kitchen, hoping to find Josie there, and ran headlong into Susan. He caught her arms to steady her and accepted her severe frown. “Susan,” he said by way of greeting.
“I want to talk to you.”
He looked at her hands, which were behind her back.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Checking for concealed weapons. I want to make sure verbal abuse is all you have in mind.” He flashed her a grin, which only made her stiffen up that much more. Damn prickly woman.
“What are you doing here?”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “That was going to be my question to you.”
“I was invited!”
“And you think I snuck in through the bathroom window?”
Her face went red and she looked around the room, then took his arm and dragged him a short distance down the hall. “You’ve been seeing my sister some time now.”
“And?”
“And you’ve had ample time to decide if you’re serious about her or not. I don’t want you to keep toying with her.”
He thought of how Josie had toyed with him on the boat and couldn’t quite repress his grin. To avoid replying to her statement, he asked, “How’s Bob?”
Susan blushed. “He’s…fine, I guess.”
“You haven’t seen him lately?”
“I’m still angry because he lied to me, letting you work on my campaign when he knew how I felt about that.”
“Yes, you weren’t exactly subtle.” Before she could blast him, he added, “He cares about you, you know. He just didn’t want to disappoint you.”
“He lied to me.”
“Only so you wouldn’t go away. But I’m thinking it might have been better if you had. If you don’t care about him…”
She narrowed her eyes at him and almost snarled. “I didn’t say that.”
“Ah, so you only want him to suffer? This is one of those female games, meant to prove a point?”
She flushed, which to Nick’s mind revealed her guilty conscience. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I was planning to talk to him about it tonight. He’s here at the party.”
Nick felt his jaw go slack. “You’re kidding?”
“No.” Then she flapped her hand. “Josie insisted. She’s got some harebrained scheme to get me and Bob all made up.”
“Is it working?”
She chewed her lip. “I suppose. Josie already explained Bob’s reasons for the deception. In a way, even I understand them. And I hate to admit it, but you really are very talented.”
Nick’s grin was slow, and then he laughed full out, placing one wide-spread hand on his chest. “Be still, my heart.”
Susan looked like she wanted to clout him. “The thing is, I don’t know how to figure you anymore. Mrs. Wiley has been singing your praises ever since I got here. You’re doing her work gratis, aren’t you?”
“Our arrangement is private.”
“Hogwash. Mrs. Wiley is telling anyone who’ll listen what a dear boy you are.” Susan stepped closer, causing Nick to back up until he hit the wall. “Well, dear boy, I want to know what your intentions are toward my sister.”
Nick opened his mouth with no idea what he was going to say to Susan. Thankfully they were both sidetracked by his grandfather’s booming voice coming from the living room. When Nick looked in that direction, he saw his grandfather standing next to Mrs. Wiley. He looked happy and he kept whispering in her ear, making her smack playfully at his arm. Nick shook his head in wonder.
“Your grandfather is charming.”
“Ain’t he though?”
“He’s also very taken with Josie. He told me she’s been out to see him twice this week.”
That surprised him. No one had said a word to him, and his curiosity immediately swelled. What had they talked about? Him, no doubt. But what specifically? And where was Josie anyway? He needed to escape Susan’s clutches. She wanted explanations, but he had no idea what to tell her. His arrangement with Josie was private; it was up to Josie to explain things to her nosy sister.
He nodded toward his grandfather. “I should go over and say hello.”
“No need. He’s headed this way.” Susan gave him a searing look. “You and I will talk again later.” With that rather blatant threat, she dismissed herself.
“Well, boy, about time you got here.”
“I really didn’t expect you to show, Granddad.” Nick saw how Mrs. Wiley clung to his arm, and he couldn’t help but wonder what his grandfather had been up to. Not since Jeb had been widowed years before had he shown interest in any woman.
“Josie brought me. Which reminds me, I’ve been meaning to speak to you about her.”
Dropping back against the wall with a resigned sigh, Nick prepared himself for another lecture, but his grandfather wasn’t quite as restrained as Susan. The man had a way of making his feelings known on a subject and he didn’t cut any corners. Mrs. Wiley stood beside him, nodding her agreement at his every word.
“If you have half the brains in that handsome head of yours that I’ve always given you credit for, you’ll tie that little girl up right and tight and make sure she doesn’t get away.”
Attempting to ignore Mrs. Wiley’s presence—not an easy thing to do in the best of circumstances—Nick tried to stare his grandfather down. “We’ve had this discussion before, remember?”
“Damn right I do. But this is different.” Jeb’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t one of those other women. I like Josie.”
“Granddad…”
“So what’s it to be, boy? What exactly do you have planned here?” He raised his hand as if to ward off any insult. “I only ask because I hate to see you ruin things for yourself.”
Nick looked across the room and found so many eyes boring into him, he flushed. With the music playing, no one could hear their conversation, but he had the feeling every one of them knew he’d just been chastised, and why.
How the hell had he gotten himself into this predicament? And how could he tell his grandfather that he didn’t know what his plans were because he didn’t know what Josie’s were? She had insisted their time together be temporary, no strings, simple fun. Of course, he’d never betray her by saying so.
He ran a hand through his hair and silently cursed. He didn’t like being bullied, not even by his grandfather. “Right now, my plans are to find Josie and tell her hello. So if you’ll both excuse me…?”
He stepped away and heard Mrs. Wiley say, “Youth. They can be so pigheaded.”
Jeb laughed. “He reminds me of myself at his age.”
Mrs. Wiley cooed, “Oh, really?” There was a great deal of interest in her tone.
Nick finally found Josie in the kitchen. Once again, she took him by surprise with her appearance. He’d seen the sexy, femme fatale, the disheveled homemaker, the harried working woman…. Now she was the sweet girl next door. She wore a long tailored plaid skirt and flat oxford shoes. Her short-sleeve sweater fit her loosely.
She looked like a schoolgirl.
He grinned at the image and wondered what games he could come up with using that theme. She hadn’t noticed his entrance. She seemed preoccupied, though she wasn’t serving any particular function that he could tell. She stood at the counter, surveying the items Mrs. Wiley had laid out in a large display. Without disturbing her, Nick looked, too. There was an assortment of fancy bottled lotions, scented candles in various sizes, pink light bulbs and music meant to entice. He thought of the advertisement he had planned and felt good. He hoped Josie would be pleased.
He slipped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “Thinking of buying anything?”
She jerked against him and gasped. “Nick, for heaven’s sake, you startled me.”
He could feel her tension, her immediate withdrawal. His jaw tightened. Trying to dredge up an air of nonchalance, he asked, “What do you think I should buy?”
“You don’t have to buy anything. You didn’t even need to show up.”
She’d shown so much reluctance to have him there, he’d perversely insisted on attending. And to ensure success, he’d gone to Mrs. Wiley. He didn’t like being excluded from parts of Josie’s life. Usually, women tried to reel him in, not push him away. He didn’t like Josie’s emotional distance; it made him almost frenzied with need.
“Of course I’ll buy something,” he said while searching her face for a clue to her thoughts, but she was closed off to him. “Besides, I needed to be here to try to get a feel for the market I’ll be appealing to. And I think I’ve come up with just the thing.”
Slowly she started to pull away from him. He pretended not to notice. “Josie?”
Her smile was dim. “Tell me your plan.”
He kissed her nose, her cheek. He couldn’t be near her without wanting to touch her. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. “I don’t think so, not yet. I’ll run my idea past Mrs. Wiley first. If she likes it, I’ll let you know.”
“I hate it when you’re secretive.”
She sounded so disgruntled that he kissed her again. He didn’t want to stop kissing her, but he heard the sounds of the party in the other room and pulled back. Josie would be embarrassed to be caught necking in the kitchen. “How long do we need to stay here?”
If possible, she looked even more uncomfortable. “I’ll be here till late. I want to help clean up afterward.”
“I can help, too.”
“No!” She looked at him then backed away. “No, you should head on home. I don’t know how long it will take and there’s no reason to waste your entire night.”
Waste his night? His teeth nearly ground together as he pulled her close again. He tried to sound only mildly curious. Teasing. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
Her head thumped against his breastbone, which offered not one ounce of reassurance.
“Hey,” he said softly. “Josie?”
“The thing is,” she said, her face still tucked close to his throat, “I’m a little indisposed tonight.”
“Indisposed?” She was giving him the brush-off? Had she already found another man to experiment with? Anger and a tinge of fear ignited. He ignored the fear, refusing to even acknowledge it. “What the hell does that mean?”
He could almost hear her thinking, and it infuriated him. “Damn it, Josie, will you look at me?” It seemed so long since he’d seen her, anything could have happened. Her sister could have gotten to her, or his grandfather. Hell, it seemed all the odds were against him. His blood burned and he knew there was no way he’d allow her to go to another man. Not that he had any authority over her, but…
“I can’t have any fun with you tonight.”
She blurted that out, then stared at him, waiting. He had the feeling he was supposed to understand, but damned if he did.
Josie rolled her eyes. She turned her back on him and began straightening the items on the counter, even though they were already in perfect alignment. Nick thought she wasn’t even aware of what she did. He felt ridiculous.
“Honey, I’d really like an explana—”
“I’m not pregnant, okay?”
He stilled, letting her words sink in and slotting them with everything else she’d said so far. Realization dawned. On the heels of that came a vague disappointment that he quickly squelched. “You’re on your period?”
She gave him a narrow-eyed glare that could have set fire to dry grass.
“Josie, honey, for crying out loud, I’m thirty-two years old. I understand how women’s bodies work. You don’t have to act like it’s some big embarrassment.” He knew he sounded harsh, but in the back of his mind had been the possibility that she’d be tied to him, that he might have compromised her and in the process produced some lasting results. He’d never even considered such a thing before, and he hadn’t really consciously thought about it until now. But he couldn’t deny the damning truth of what he felt: disappointment.
“Well, then, given your worldly experience, I’m sure you understand that there’s no point in us seeing each other tonight.” She started to march away, but he caught her arm and swung her back around.
These overwhelming emotions were new to him, and he held her close so she couldn’t see his expression or wiggle away. “I’d still like to see you tonight.”
She forced her way back to look at him. “You’re kidding?”
“No, I’m not kidding, damn it.” He’d never had to beg for a date before. He didn’t like the feeling. “I can settle for a late movie and conversation if you can.”
She looked undecided and his annoyance grew. After what seemed an undue amount of thought, given the simplicity of his suggestion, she nodded. “All right.”
He propped his hands on his hips. Her compliance had been grudging at best and it irked him. “Fine. And in the future, don’t be so hesitant about discussing things with me. I don’t like not knowing what you’re thinking.”
He waited to see if she would question his reference to the future. Their time together, according to her preposterous plan, was limited. At first, he’d been relieved by her edicts. But now, whenever he thought of that stipulation, his body and mind rebelled. Every day he wanted her more.
“I’ll try to keep that in mind” was all she said. She picked up the tray of drinks and started for the door. Nick took one last peek at the display, decided his ad plan would be perfect and went in search of Mrs. Wiley. If everything worked out as he hoped, not only would Mrs. Wiley be able to expand her client list, Josie would also get some freed-up time.
Her dedication to the elderly who’d become her friends was admirable and he’d never interfere with her friendships. He wanted to support her in everything she did, everything she ever wanted to do. But now he wanted her to have more time for him, too. A lot more time.
The thought only caused a small prickle of alarm now. He was getting used to his possessive feelings. She would get used to them, too, despite her absurd notions of sowing wild oats. She could damn well sow her oats with him.
He caught up with her in the living room just as she finished handing out drinks, and when two older men scooted over on the couch to make room for her to sit, Nick wedged his way in, as well. The men glared at him and he smiled back, then leaned close to Josie to gain her attention and stake a claim. Ridiculous to do so when he was the only man in attendance under the age of sixty-five—besides Bob, who sure as hell didn’t count. He felt the need regardless.
“Your grandfather seems smitten with Mrs. Wiley.” Josie had leaned close to his ear to share that small tidbit of gossip. Her warm breath made him catch his.
“Smitten?”
“That’s his word.” She took his hand and laced their fingers together. “Mrs. Wiley went with me the other day to visit him, and when I was ready to leave, he asked her to stay. He said he’d call a cab for her when she had to go home.”
“That smooth old dog.”
Josie laughed. “I think he’s adorable. And a fraud. Do you know, there isn’t a thing in the world still wrong with his hip. He was limping around dramatically right up until he spied Mrs. Wiley, then he looked ready to strut.”
Nick laughed at the picture she painted. “His hip still gives him a few pains in the nastier weather, but he gets around good enough. As long as he doesn’t try climbing the stairs too often.”
“Mrs. Wiley told him he needed a condo like hers, instead of that big house. He’s been considering it.”
Shocked, Nick turned to look at his grandfather. Not only Mrs. Wiley had made note of him. He was surrounded by women, all of them fawning on him. But he kept one arm around Mrs. Wiley. Nick snorted. He’d never have swallowed it if he hadn’t seen it himself. “I do believe he’s fallen for her. In all the years since my grandmother died, back when I was too young to even remember, I’ve never seen Granddad put his arm around a woman.”
“Mrs. Wiley won’t take no for an answer.”
Nick stared at Josie’s upturned face, her neatly braided hair and her small smile. He decided it might be a good rule for him to adopt.
By the end of the evening he was the proud owner of new boxers he planned to gift wrap for Bob, and richly scented bubble bath for Josie. What she might have bought, he didn’t know. She’d kept her order form hidden from him.
He and his grandfather helped the two women clean up, and he presented his plan to Mrs. Wiley. She was thrilled.
“Advertising to the elderly in the retirement magazines! It’s a wonderful idea. I can travel to their residences and put on the displays, or they can order directly from me.”
“I checked around, and almost all of the retirement centers have a special hall for entertaining and events. We could call it Romance for Retirees. And each class of gifts will need a catchy name. Like I thought maybe the scented oils could be classified under Love Potions #99.”
Jeb laughed. “And the silk boxers and robes could be listed Rated S—for seniors only.”
Josie jumped into the game, her grin wide. “What about Senior Sensations for the candles. And the wines could be Aged to Perfection.”
Nick looked down at her, one brow quirked high. “You’re pretty good at this. You missed your calling.”
Pride set a glow to her features, and that look, so warm and sweet, caused Nick’s heart to thump heavily. He wanted to kiss her, to….
“Finish up the telling, boy, then you can see her home.”
Roughly clearing his throat, Nick brought his attention back to Mrs. Wiley and his grandfather. “I thought you might want to make the parties a monthly event, open to all newcomers. That way more people would be inclined to join in and some of the retirement homes might be persuaded to make it part of a monthly outing.”
Mrs. Wiley clapped her hands and gave him a huge grin. “That’s wonderful! I love it.”
“I can work up the ads later this week, then get them to you for approval.”
Mrs. Wiley put on a stern face. “I’m overwhelmed. And I insist on paying you something. I can’t possibly let you go to all this trouble for free.”
“‘Course you can,” Granddad insisted. “Let the boy do what he wants. He usually does anyway.”
“That’s right. Stubbornness runs in the family.” Nick looked pointedly at his grandfather, then continued. “I’m thinking there’s probably a lot of small, local publications where placing an ad won’t be too costly, along with the insurance and retirement periodicals that go out. I’ll call around on Monday and see what their advertising rates are.”
Granddad took him by the arm and started leading him to the front door. Josie followed along, grinning. “You do that, Nick. Get right on it, Monday.”
Mrs. Wiley was still thanking him when Jeb practically shoved him out the door. Josie cozied up to his side. “I think we need to get going, Nick.”
“I think you may be right.” As he finished speaking, the condo door closed in his face and he heard his grandfather’s laugh—followed by Mrs. Wiley’s very delighted squeal.