Chapter Nine #3
“But why would she be interested in me?”
“Louie, you have a lot to offer. You’re smart and funny and kind.”
“I’m just a camera guy.”
Nick patted him on the shoulder. “Well, camera guy, Adele is checking you out as we speak, so my guess is she thinks you have a lot to offer. You do, you know. Now, don’t look over your shoulder.”
Louie looked over his shoulder, of course. “She really is checking me out.”
“Something tells me you’ll be just fine.”
So, Louie and Adele had a date.
And Nick couldn’t even manage to talk to Claire without someone interrupting. Once more, he tried to make his way over to her.
However, Michael, Eli and Lacey gathered at the front of the room. Lacey clinked her wineglass with a spoon.
“Excuse me, everyone,” called Lacey. “I know there have already been some nice toasts tonight to our friend Nick, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t say something as well.
” Lacey held up her drink. “Nick, on behalf of everyone at the Inspiration Network and Handymen, I’d like to congratulate you on your upcoming show, Nick of Time!
You’ve worked so hard, sharing your artistry and grit with the world, and you deserve every success. ”
Everyone raised their glasses. “Nick of Time!”
Eli spoke next. “Most of you know I’m not one for speeches, but I just want to say how good it’s been for Michael and I to be able to work with our kid brother. Nick, I know we drove you up the wall sometimes, although to be fair, that went both ways.”
Several laughs erupted in the crowd.
Eli continued. “Your show is going to be a huge success, and that’s because you’re the hardest worker I know. You’ve got real talent, and God only knows, you’ve always been better in front of the camera than we have. I want you to know how proud I am to be your big brother.”
As Eli hugged Nick, there were murmurs of “Aw,” and “How sweet.”
When Eli stepped back, Michael spoke. “Nick, do you remember what I said to you when we started our contracting business?”
“Uh,” said Nick. “That I was a big pain in the ass?”
“After that.” Michael rolled his eyes and laughed.
“I said anyone who put themselves in your hands was putting themselves in good hands. And you’ve proven it.
You’ve always given one hundred percent, if not more, and I know your viewers are going to love your new show.
It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to Handymen, but we’re excited for you.
I guarantee you already have a huge group of fans in this room.
I know we won’t get to see your cocky mug very much over the next few months.
” Michael paused, taking a breath. “And we’re going to miss you, little brother. ”
Nick’s eyes stung. This was really happening.
He was going to have to leave all these people that he loved and admired. Granted, some of the crew were in the midst of signing on with the new show, but some had passed on the opportunity.
And his brothers. He wouldn’t be working with his brothers anymore.
He was really going to have to fly the coop.
Nick glanced at Claire. She gave him an encouraging smile and a little wave.
Flying the coop didn’t seem so great, all of a sudden.
Hold it together.
Michael said a couple of other words, then Nick hugged it out with his brothers and Lacey, thanking them. They made him get up there to make a speech as well, but Nick couldn’t even remember what he said. He just stammered a lot. Still, there was a round of applause and lots of good wishes.
Little by little, people started to leave.
Nick hung around, wanting to help Claire with any cleanup, but also because he wanted to talk to her.
Luckily, for the first time that evening, the others seemed willing enough to disperse.
Fifty-odd people whittled themselves down to about twenty.
Michael, Emily, Eli and Bernie all headed out together.
Louie shyly traded cell numbers with Adele, then he left.
Pretty soon, it was just Nick, Claire, Lacey and Adele. The catering team was still there as well, boxing up the leftovers for Claire.
“Well,” said Lacey, “I’m going to head out, unless you need my help. I think the caterers are just about done.”
Claire nodded. “Thanks so much for arranging the food, Lacey.”
Lacey mussed Nick’s hair. “Anything for my big star here. I’ll see you guys Monday morning.”
Lacey headed out and the caterers did the same, just a few minutes afterward.
At that point, Adele turned to Claire, her eyes wide. “So…want me to stay?”
“It’s okay,” said Claire. “Everything’s taken care of. Thanks for coming, Adele.”
“You bet.” She kissed Claire on the cheek. “Have a good night, you two.”
Once Adele closed the door behind her, the house got very quiet, or so it seemed to Nick. He helped Claire collect the last of the chip bowls and glasses and they brought them into the kitchen.
Once they deposited everything in her dishwasher, they turned to one another.
Speechless, yet again.
Damn, he’d never been so at a loss for words around a woman.
She was just so lovely. No, not just lovely.
She looked fucking hot, to be perfectly honest. She’d worn her hair down, and the chocolate waves danced around her shoulders.
Her jeans were like a second skin, emphasizing every curve.
She wasn’t wearing one of her usual slogan T-shirts.
Instead, she’d put on a silky black blouse, one that hugged her breasts.
Although she’d been wearing ballet slippers earlier, she’d slipped them off when everyone went home.
She now went barefoot, but her toenails were painted a vibrant pink.
They were the sexiest feet he’d ever seen.
Claire didn’t wear a lot of jewelry, from what he’d seen so far, and tonight was no exception. Her only ornamentation was a silver bracelet that dangled around her slim wrist, and some sparkly earrings.
And her wedding rings, of course.
“I hope you enjoyed the party,” she said, her voice soft and sexy. He could just imagine what it would be like to have a voice like that whispering in his ear first thing in the morning as they snuggled in bed.
Naked, of course.
Anytime he pictured himself snuggling with Claire—and he’d begun to imagine it a lot—they were always naked.
“I did, thanks.” His throat was parched, and no matter how often he cleared it, it didn’t help. “Do you mind if I get myself some water?”
“Here, let me.” She filled a glass.
As Claire turned to hand it to him, she must not have realized he had already stepped closer. Their arms connected at an odd angle and the water splashed out of the glass, all over the front of his shirt.
It clung to his gut, as if he were a contender in a wet T-shirt contest.
“Ohmigosh. I’m so sorry.”
Nick plucked at his shirt. “It’s okay, really. I was kind of hot anyway.”
Claire looked at the wet patch and let out a strange laugh.
She was totally checking him out.
Interesting.
Grateful for that ab routine his trainer had given him, Nick reached for a couple of paper towels and dried himself off as best he could.
“I could get you another shirt, if you’re uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine, thanks. It’s just water. It’ll dry.”
“Of course. I’m sure you’d rather not dress up in my dead husband’s clothes.” She pulled a face. “I’m sorry. That was meant to be internal monologue. Ugh. I’m not very good at this.”
“Oh, yeah?” Nick chuckled. “What’s this, exactly?”
“You know.”
“I’m not sure I know. I might need you to spell it out.” He drew closer, so close her perfume teased him with its sweetness.
She swallowed. “Chatting up wet men.”
Another step closer. “I only see one man here.”
“You, then,” Claire said on a breath. “I’ve been trying to chat you up all night, and failing miserably.”
“Ah. I should probably let you know you haven’t been failing at all. You have all my attention.”
Her sparkly lips formed an ‘O,’ although no sound emerged.
“If all it took was a glass of water, Claire, I would have drenched myself some time ago.” He reached for her hand, softly stroking. She didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned in. It might have been by a fraction of an inch, but it was enough to make her feelings known. “Can I kiss you?”
Her brown eyes went black, her pupils completely dilated. “Yes.”
So Nick did. Wet shirt and all.
He gently cupped the back of her head, loving the feel of her hair in his fingers, and brought her close. Her lips were soft and tasted of coconut, probably from her lip gloss. Tempted beyond belief, Nick flicked his tongue against her full bottom lip, aching for a real taste.
Claire sighed and sagged against him, her body yielding. As she made another cute little noise of anticipation, she opened to him. Their tongues touched, seeking, probing. Discovering.
When she dug both of her hands in his hair, Nick almost shouted with joy.
Her breath became his, and his hers. Everything about her felt so right, even the way her cute nose knocked against his own.
Her skin was like silk. He wanted to slide his body against hers and find out how soft she was in other places.
Her hands traveled up and down his back, as if she wasn’t sure where she wanted to hold him. He kept one of his hands in her hair, resting his other hand on her hip. Fuck, those hips. Nick wanted to seize them and dig his fingers into her bare flesh.
In danger of losing control, he opened his eyes for a second.
Over her shoulder, Arthur stared at them from one of his framed photos on the wall.
Nick took a beat, regrouping. Claire was a woman who’d lost. He trusted her to know she was ready for a fling, or whatever this was, but he wouldn’t forgive himself if he didn’t make sure. He owed it to her to give her any space she might need.
He ended their kiss, even though he swore it took a year off his life.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“God, no. I just need to breathe for a second.”
He could see this going further, much further, if they let it.
God only knew he’d been fantasizing about it nonstop.
Kristy’s video replayed in his head. ‘I don’t know why Nick can’t get it up. I mean, look at me. I’m a fricking goddess. How am I supposed to encourage him? Hey! Maybe you guys could! Send him a message at HashtagNicksDick. He’ll love it.’
His cock moved in his jeans, but he didn’t trust himself.
What if the same thing happened again?
“Nick, are you okay?”
“I’m sorry. I spaced out. Claire, I think I should probably head home.”
“Oh.” She removed her hands from his body.
“Please believe me when I say this is not a rejection, not in the slightest. In fact, I’d really like to kiss you again. Maybe we could go out some time?”
“You mean, a date?”
“Yeah. Sure. A date.” It was just a date. Two people having a meal or grabbing a drink. Nothing wrong with that. And if it ended in another kiss, and maybe some heavy petting, awesome.
He just needed to make sure his equipment was working properly. After what had happened with Kristy, he couldn’t open himself up to that world of hurt again.
She smiled, thank God. He would not be able to live with himself if he left her feeling discarded. “I wasn’t sure if you were just looking for a hookup.”
He should want a hookup—a good, sweaty hookup—with Claire. It sounded as if she was okay with having no strings attached.
That was the perfect scenario for him. Hadn’t Lacey told him to enjoy himself just a couple of short hours ago? He’d been ready to do so. In fact, he’d hoped to end the evening precisely that way.
According to Lacey, he was the King of Funtown.
Only, for some strange reason, the idea of a hookup left him feeling strangely hollow.
It was just the dick thing.
Kristy’s video, and the backlash, had destroyed his confidence.
It had nothing to do with wanting to know Claire better. It had nothing to do with wanting to be there when she bared her soul, as well as her body.
He just needed to get his head on straight and make sure his little buddy wouldn’t let him down. “A date would be fun.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.” He cleared his throat. “That’s good. I’ll say good night then.”
Neither of them moved out of the kitchen right away, though. They just stood there, fingers entwined, like shy teenagers who’d just discovered necking.
They walked together to her door. Against his better judgment, Nick cupped her cheek, making it even harder to leave. “Have a good night, Claire. Thank you.”
Her voice was a whisper. “Good night, Nick.” When she kissed him on the cheek, her scent wafted over him again, making him regret his decision to cut their night short.
Was it too late to change his mind?
Go home, dumbass.
Before he lost all possession of his good sense, Nick let her go and walked back to his car. She waved from the porch, the light there making her hair shine, like an angel who’d just found her halo.
Fuck. Do you even hear yourself?
He waved back, his heart pounding, and drove away.