For The Love Of Nick - Jill Shalvis 13 стр.


Dont say a word, Danielle warned Nick, stepping out of the planter with no dignity and lots of water dripping off her. Not a single word.

Also dripping water and mud, Sadie shook her self-all over Danielle-then whined, craning her neck to catch one last glimpse of lover boy, her eyes bright and beaming his way.

Lover boy whined in return, and let out one sharp bark.

Nick steered clear of both the dirt and water, looking fit, perfectly dry andsuspiciously amused.

Danielle didnt know if she wanted to smack him, or crane her neck at him and whine, too.


ARENT YOU WONDERING? Nick asked as they came to a stop outside their rooms once again.

What she was wondering was, if his voice would ever stop sending a thrilling shiver down her spine. Wondering?

He spoke in her ear. If she enjoyed him as much as you enjoyed me.

Step back, she said, still dripping everywhere as she opened her door. Or Ill make sure you get as hot and wet as I am. His chest brushed her back, his jaw glided along her hair. Simple touch, but oh man, not such a simple reaction, as her knees actually knocked together. I mean it, she warned.

Are you really hot and wet? he asked silkily. How about creamy? Are you creamy, Danielle?

Because just the words made her pulse race, she ignored him and hauled Sadie into the bathroom, slamming the door.

Then stared at herself in the reflection, at her glowing skin, at her eyes which were more alive than shed ever seen them, and took a slow, deep breath.

Its really a shame he drives me so insane, she told herself. As she could get really, really attached to him.


NICK HAD NEVER BEEN issued a challenge he hadnt faced head-on, and that slammed bathroom door was a challenge if he ever saw one.

Given that, and also that Danielle had just turned on the shower-he sure hated to miss any fun-he reached for the door handle.

Not locked, good sign. He peered around the door to see a still fully dressed Danielle trying to coax a yawning Sadie into the shower.

Come on, she huffed and puffed as she shoved Sadie from behind. Youre a mess. Youve got toUgh! Giving up, she walked around and tried pulling Sadie instead, backing into the spray, closing her eyes as the water hit her full on.

Sadie merely grunted and applied opposite pressure, until with a little screech, Danielles hands slipped free and she stumbled back against the shower wall.

Sadie escaped.

Still under the spray, Danielle closed her eyes and shook her head.

Grinning, Nick toed off his shoes, and fully dressed, stepped into the shower with Danielle. Hey, you can wash me. From head to toe, if youd like. Following up on that promise, he slipped his arms around her and pressed close, thankful that the water currently hitting him in the face was at least nice and warm.

Youre crazy, she said, sounding baffled and grumpy, but she warmed his heart by slipping her arms around his neck. Completely crazy.

Yeah. He bent his head and nibbled at her neck. You taste good. His hands got busy, too, dropping her soaking clothes from her body, eager to be hot, wet flesh to hot, wet flesh.

Nick. She let out a little sound when he cupped her perfectly curved butt in his hands, gliding her over the unmistakable bulge straining his pants. A sound that suggested she was slightly less grumpy now. We cant.

His mouth ran over her throat to her bare shoulder, which he gently bit, making her clutch him tight. He liked the way she gripped him, as if she didnt want to ever let go.

We cant do this in front of Sadie.

You mean the dog who only a little while ago was doing the same thing? Nick gestured to the mat on the bathroom floor, where Sadie had passed out on her back, mouth open, eyes closed, snoring away. Dont think she really cares at the moment. Shes exhausted. His hands slid up her body and cupped her breasts, his thumbs rasping over her nipples. Lets get exhausted, too.

Her misty gray eyes filled with dreaminess and arousal, and she leaned into him, making Nicks heart surge right up into his throat. He wanted that expression on her face permanently, the one that said he was the center of her universe. To make it so, he reined in on the need ripping through him, slowed them both down, dragging out the passion, the hunger, the desperate need until they were panting with it. Only then, when shed come apart for him, over and over, did he slip into her body and take them both to heaven.


MUCH LATER, Nick ordered them room service. While they waited, Danielle opened her laptop.

Nick hadnt bothered with clothes, and while she waited for her Internet connection, she marveled at how utterly unselfconscious and comfortable in his own skin he looked, studying the room service menu, absently pushing aside a bag of doggie treats on the table.

The bag crinkled, and from a dead sleep on the floor, Sadie came to full attention.

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The bag crinkled, and from a dead sleep on the floor, Sadie came to full attention.

Nick looked at Sadie. Sadie looked at Nick-the two creatures in Danielles life whod not yet come to terms.

Nick fingered the snacks.

Sadie stood. Cocked her head. Stared at the treats.

Nick pulled one out, looked it over.

Sadie whined and moved closer.

So. Nick raised a brow at the dog. You like me now.

Sadie licked her chops, eyes glued to the treat.

Rolling his eyes, Nick tossed it to her. Youre so easy, dog.

Sadie inhaled the treat, licked her chops and whined again.

And unbelievably, Nick reached back into the bag and tossed her another one.

Danielle felt her insides go still, then sort of melt. Ted had been charming to all dogs. People, too, for that matter. But she suddenly realized it was a fake sort of charming, the kind that never quite reached his eyes. Added to that was the disconcerting fact that hed cared so deeply what others thought, especially about him.

There was nothing fake about Nick. He was confident, appealing and quite possibly the most easygoing, laid-back man shed ever met. He didnt care what others thought, of him or anyone else.

Why was that such a turn-on?

She was so busy thinking about this, thinking and staring at Nicks magnificent body as he leaned over the table studying the menu and his selection, that she nearly missed it.

Her Web site had been set up with a bulletin board, so that she could arrange for dog-handling jobs online. She also answered questions and offered advice, and posted the shows shed be attending.

Among her messages was an anonymous one, and it took her breath.

You can run, but you cant hide.

11

HAPPILY SATED BY SEX, Nick cruised the room service menu, contemplating how good life felt at the moment. I could eat everything on here, he said, and when Danielle didnt respond, he looked over his shoulder.

She sat, pale as a ghost, staring at her computer screen.

Danielle? He moved toward her. Whats the matter?

When she only shook her head, he sank to her side and turned her computer so he could read the screen. What he read made his insides cold. Ted?

He thinks Im running. She closed her eyes. I am running. Damn it. She scrubbed her hands over her face. I hate this. I hate being on the run, being scared. Im going to turn this around, Nick. Somehow.

You will. We will. Its too big to do alone.

Maybe I can just repay him for whatever he feels shes worth.

Nick knew enough about Ted to know that this problem wasnt going to be resolved that easily. I dont think money is what he wants.

Youre just saying that because you know I dont have any. She grimaced, then touched his arm. Im going to pay you back, Nick, for all youve done. Ill-

Now youre going to make me mad, he said mildly. Look, lets just see what Donald says. If it works out like you hope-

It will.

If it works out, he repeated, well go from there.

Theres that we again, she said, her eyes filling with that wariness he was getting damn tired of.

Get used to it, he wanted to respond, but as he didnt fully understand the we thing himself, he kept quiet.


THEY PULLED UP to Donalds new office, then parked and sat for a moment, studying it.

Well, Danielle said with false cheer, reaching for the door handle, not wanting Nick to see her nerves, but knowing they were all over her face. Here I go.

Nick put a hand on her arm. How did you meet Donald?

Uh Tired of having made poor choice after poor choice, she hesitated to tell him. Emma. We were at a show, but I really dont think shed

Dont you?

No, she said firmly, meeting his fathomless gaze. She thought she was doing the right thing. She really did. She wont interfere again.

Or would she?

Truth was, this industry was small, incestuous in that they all knew one another. It could come out in simple conversation.

Just be prepared, he said grimly.

They entered the building together. Danielle looked up at the tall, silent, almost unbearably sexy man at her side and marveled that he was there at all. With her.

What are you thinking? he asked, putting his hand on the small of her back as if touching her was the most natural thing in the world.

What was she thinking? Only that shed like him to touch her like that always. Nothing.

Uh-huh.

She looked up into a smile that made her stumble.

He tightened his grip until she caught her step. Thanks, she whispered, squeezing his hand. But, Nick? Someday I want to be there when you need me.

Surprise lit in his eyes, as if no one had ever offered that before. After a long beat he said, I just might hold you to that.


DONALD WAS STANDING at the receptionists desk when they walked in. The art director took a look at Sadie, definitely not shocked to see her, then looked up at Danielle.

He was a small, compact man, fit and tanned, wearing an expression tuned to not happy. Daniellewhat a surprise.

But it hadnt been a surprise at all, she thought, taking his proffered hand. I made an appointment.

Yes, I was just looking over my schedule. He glanced at his receptionist. Your name registered when I saw Sadie.

He wasnt thrilled to see her. Uncomfortable now, she glanced at Nick, who was watching Donald carefully. For a woman who prided herself on her newly-found independence, she didnt question her relief at having him with her. The last time I saw you, she said, you mentioned a possible commercial endorsement for Sadie.

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