Chapter 16
Aubergine.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
I liked Bridget.
She was blonde, tall, with a killer body and a pretty face. Only twenty-two, she was bound for NYU where she wanted to major in fashion merchandising.
At the edge of the Moretti’s pool, she sat beside me while lazily kicking her long, perfectly tanned legs through the water. In her red bikini, she looked like she was ready for a Sports Illustrated photoshoot.
So, when I said I liked her… I really meant I absolutely fucking hated her.
Nicola had been with her for about three weeks, which might have been a new record for him. Most of the girls he brought to his house usually weren’t around for more than a handful of days before he got tired of them and moved on to a new one.
Then again, none of them had a body and face like this woman. The worst part was… she was nice.
Did I mention I hated her?
“But the coats this season?” she sighed dreamily, taking another sip of her fruity drink through a straw. “God. They make the most gorgeous coats, Aubergine. Mohair.” Her Long Island accent bled through as she waved a manicured hand at me, the long acrylic nails. “Have you ever worn mohair?”
I laughed. “Oh, I can’t afford that stuff.”
“Oh, girl.” She huffed. “I can’t afford it either. That’s what I have Nicola for.”
At the sound of his name, the water before us erupted. We both yelped as Nicola burst through the surface, sending a wave crashing over the edge of the pool.
He rose in what felt like slow motion. Water streamed down his tanned shoulders as he pushed his dark hair back with both hands. Droplets rolled down his tattooed chest before disappearing beneath the waistband of his swim trunks.
Every damn time, the man still managed to steal the air right out of my lungs. The blazing sun above us had nothing on this man.
Bridget splashed him with a kick of her foot, apparently not as appreciative of the spectacle. “Stop that, Nicky!” She whined. “You’re gonna get chlorine in my drink!”
“I heard my name,” he replied with an easy grin as he leaned down to kiss her. “Had to make sure nobody was talking shit.”
She giggled before smacking his shoulder when his hand wandered lower and I had to stop looking. “Stop, you big perv. All I was saying was that you’ve been a very nice credit card.”
“Oh yeah?” He looked at her flatly. “Is that what I am?”
She ignored the question and looked at me. “So we’re going to this big party tomorrow night, right? And this asshole tells me...” She dropped her voice several octaves in an awful impression of Nicola. ”You have to look nice. Not like the Nanny. Like... really nice."
Nicola immediately pointed a finger to interject. “Let me be clear about something. Fran Drescher is hot. But I need, like, Princess Diana vibes. Classy, you know? It’s a big family thing.”
Bridget crossed her arms. “Well, if you want me to look nice, you’ve gotta buy the nice dress.”
“I’ve already bought you nice dresses. Plural. Lots of them. Wear one of those. ” His smile tightened, and without losing a beat, he pointed at me. “Otherwise, I’ll just bring Abby.”
Oh. Yeah. Throw me into the middle of your relationship, Nicky. That’ll end well.
Bridget narrowed her eyes at him before suddenly brightening. “Hey, did you meet Aubergine’s boyfriend yet?”
My head snapped toward her. “H-hold on. I never said he was my boyfriend.”
Nicola blinked. “...Boyfriend? Who has a boyfriend?”
“Aubergine. The girl sitting right here.” Bridget said, pointing at me like he was stupid.
He looked at Bridget, then back at me. “What–” He shook his head once. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, you know what? You might know him.” She took another long sip of her drink. “Real tall guy, Richard? He and I went to school together. I introduced them two weeks ago at that big pool party and apparently…”
She elbowed me playfully. “This sly little thing has been talking with him ever since!”
She pressed a hand to her chest, looking proud of herself. “God, I’m basically a matchmaker.”
Nicola still hadn’t spoken, and looked like someone had just informed him his entire family was dead.
After she placed down her drink, Bridget twisted to face me. “Hey! We should all go on a double date!”
Before I could answer, Nicola lifted one hand. Not abruptly. Not angrily. It was just to make Bridget stop talking.
His brow creased. He stared at me, still bewildered. Then, without seeming to realize he was doing it, drew toward me.
My knees, still dangling in the pool, brushed against his thighs as he leaned forward, planting a hand on either side of me.
“What is she talking about, Aubergine?” he whispered.
Bridget frowned as her eyes darted between us. “Did you not listen to me, just now? It’s Richie Gallo.”
He didn’t acknowledge Bridget, and his burning eyes never left mine.
“You’re dating Richie Gallo?”
“We’ve been on three dates,” I answered quickly, thrown by the accusing, dark edge in his voice. “Nothing serious.”
“Oh, please.” Bridget laughed. “Look at you! You’re blushing just talking about him.”
Nicola actually looked at Bridget then, annoyed. He jerked his chin toward the house. “Can you give us a minute?”
Bridget stared at him with parted lips. He was still only an inch from my face, his body encapsulated mine. She took that in, then slowly rose to her feet. Visibly offended, she stormed off.
I was too afraid to break eye contact with Nicola. He'd scarcely ever been this close to me before.
The second she disappeared inside the house and slammed the door shut, the backyard felt strangely quiet and small. I hoped he couldn't hear my heart racing.
Nicola climbed out of the pool. He stood directly beside me, blocking out the afternoon sun.
“I don’t remember you asking me if you—”
"Asking?” The word exploded out of me. “Don’t start with that bullshit, Nicola.”
“What? You don’t have siblings.” He jabbed a thumb against his own chest. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m your brother. And you check with your brother before you start fucking around with guys.”
Brother. That’s right. I was just the annoying little sister in his eyes.
That was all he was ever going to see me as.
I moved to my feet, glaring up at him.
“I’m not fucking him, Nicola. And even if I was? You don’t get to judge me for it, you hypocrite. Fucking around is practically your full-time job!”
He raked both hands through his wet hair before pressing his palms together like he was trying very hard not to lose his temper. “Richie Gallo is a fucking idiot.”
“You aren’t my brother.” I jabbed a finger into his bare chest. “I’m twenty years old.”
I poked again. “And I can date whoever I want."
“Oh yeah?” He edged forward and my hand retracted as he loomed over me. “So you’re gonna demean yourself, now? For a moron like him?”
I laughed in disbelief. “Are you one to fucking talk?” My voice lowered into a whisper. “Bridget has the mental aptitude of a piece of toast. And I actually think she’s the smartest one of the latest bunch you’ve been with.”
His lips twitched– not quite a smile.
“Richie isn’t a good person,” he said seriously, and didn't let himself get distracted.
“Well, I like Richie. He bought me dinner. And he listens. Unlike someone I fucking know.”
“Oh.” Nicola nodded mockingly and folded his arms. “So that’s all it takes?”
“Let me repeat myself, because you aren’t getting this. You aren’t my brother. And you aren’t my father." I took a big step backwards.
"And you sure as hell aren’t my boyfriend.”
Something changed in his expression at that word, a quick flash of surprise, before it was smothered by fury. “You trying to say something, Aubergine?”
“Oh my God.” I scowled.
This man. He was so unbelievably, painfully… clueless. It made me want to scream into the cosmos.
I yanked my shorts over my swimsuit before pulling my tank top over my head. Then I grabbed my purse. I looked at him one last time.
“You’re a smart man, Nicola. Or so you tell me on a daily basis. Figure it out.”
I stormed off.
PRESENT DAY.
Nicola’s phone began to vibrate.
I groaned, blinking awake into a nearly pitch-black room.
Couldn’t we just get one full night together? Was that really asking so much?
With a sigh, I reached across him, grabbed the phone from the nightstand, and placed it onto his chest.
“Nicky. Your phone.”
He let out a sleepy grunt, accepted it, and hit the green button without even looking at the screen.
“...Yeah," he said when the phone went to his ear.
I rolled onto my side, staring at the shadowed wall while he listened.
“Was it the Ferraros?” he asked. A pause followed.
“Then find out. Call me in the morning.”
Silence followed and I waited.
Any second now, he would throw back the covers, change into his suit and disappear into the night.
Several seconds passed and nothing happened.
Instead, I heard the quiet tapping of his thumbs against his phone screen.
I glanced over my shoulder.
He fired off a quick message then tossed the phone back onto the nightstand.
“Do you need to leave?” I asked quietly, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.
Nicola looked at me for a long moment. Whatever he had seen on my face made his entire demeanor soften.
He reached for my shoulder and gently rolled me onto my back before sliding both arms beneath me.
His weight settled over mine as he rested his head in the valley between my breasts.
Without thinking, I slipped my fingers into his hair, absentmindedly combing through it.
“Mike can hold the fort down,” he murmured, his eyes still closed.
My hand stilled. “So you’re... staying?”
He reached behind himself, tugging the comforter back over us before settling against me again.
“Keep going with your fingers.”
I smiled into the darkness and resumed stroking his hair.
Within minutes… his breathing had evened out.
Sunlight spilled through my bedroom, warming my face.
I squinted against it before becoming aware of the solid body curled behind me.
At some point during the night, we switched positions.
I told Nicola I couldn’t breathe anymore, I mean, he was literally sleeping on top of me. He compromised by rolling over and cemented himself against my back.
One of his arms was draped around my waist while slow, absent circles traced along my forearm.
A full night together. Me and Nicola.
He stayed.
My heart felt impossibly full and I never wanted to leave this bed.
“Good morning,” I whispered, rolling over until we were face-to-face.
“Hi, Abs.” His voice was thick with sleep. His eyes drifted lazily over my face. Warm. Ridiculously content. And they were looking only at me.
The back of my fingers brushed along the rough stubble on his jaw. “It’s coming in already.”
“It’s the curse of having thick, luscious hair.”
I sputtered a laugh. “What a difficult life you’ve led. And you’ve remained so humble through it all.”
Nicola grinned and pitched himself forward enough to kiss me. His arms slipped around my waist and drew me closer. I followed his urging and rolled on top of him until I straddled his hips.
What started as a soft, sweet greeting quickly turned heated. Both of us were breathless.
His cock was prodding my thigh through his soft pants. Experimentally, I reach behind me and placed my palm firmly over it. Nicola’s lips pursed, and I wondered if he was aware his hips were grinding against my hand.
Our eyes met. “Is it okay?”
He seemed surprised by the question and smiled faintly. “It’s you, Abs. I trust you.”