Come Hot (Club Silken #2) - Jerrie Alexander Page 0,19
parking spot, and we’re on the freeway, my curiosity gets the best of me. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Sure. We’re having a picnic at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.”
“I’ve read about it but never been. It’s like a secret garden.”
“It’s quiet and private. I chose that corner of Lincoln Park so we could eat in peace.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve packed our lunch.” I can barely contain my surprise. Aside from the fact I’ve never been to the Lily Pool, Nick is the last person I would expect to go on a picnic.
“It’s all taken care of and in the trunk.” He glanced over at me. “It’s Italian food. You’ll love it.”
I study his profile. He’s just too hot from all angles. “Have you decided if you’re interested enough in someone like me to invite me into your life?”
“Like you?” He snapped the words out and then held up his hand. “What’s wrong with being ‘like you’?”
“My life has always fallen into the vanilla category. I’m nothing like the beautiful women I saw at Silken.”
“I have a feeling you’ve been putdown so often, you believe that shit.”
“It’s a legitimate question.”
“Can we table this for ten minutes?” The muscles in his jaw twitch.
“Of course.” He’s actually mad at me.
Nick drives into the park and through the winding roads to the back. He parks, pops the trunk, and then comes around to help me out. I take his hand and the second I’m standing he pulls me into his arms.
“You’re beautiful, smart, and so full of life I can’t stop thinking about you. I can be sitting in a meeting and you flash through my mind. My dick reminds me of just how your body feels pressed against mine, how you melted into me in the hall, and how responsive you are to me. I try to push you to the back of my mind, but it doesn’t work. Now grab the small basket and follow me.”
I snap, “Yes, sir.” My words were probably a little too aggressive because Nick just shakes his head.
“Why do I have the feeling you and I are either going to be fighting or fucking most of the time?”
My laugher surprises both of us. I can’t hold it back so I don’t try. He grabs my free hand and tugs me down the path, laughing along with me. I feel as if we’ve just moved past some invisible barrier.
We climb a set of cement stairs, beautifully landscaped on both sides, turn onto a narrow path, and end in a sheltered area surrounded by flowers of pinks, reds, and different shades of blue. The soft scent is intoxicating. “It’s beautiful here.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Nick sets down the large straw basket and takes the smaller one from me. He removes a red and white, checkered tablecloth from the one I carried and spreads it out in the grass.
“It’s very secluded here.” I kick off my sandals and take a spot on the edge of the tablecloth.
“There’s not a lot of traffic at this end of the park.” He places the containers from the bigger basket on the tablecloth, kneels, and opens the lid. The amazing aroma wafting into the air makes my stomach growl. His finger slips under my chin and lifts.
Under his gaze my heart beats faster. It’s like he can see inside me.
“You will make the decision whether or not you want to venture into my lifestyle. I’ve already imagined every soft, luscious inch of your body under my tongue. Just say the word.”
I squirm under his intense gaze. “I’m hungry.”
He surprises me with a laugh. “That wasn’t the response I was hoping for.”
“Food first, and we’ll see about that ‘word’ later.” I lean over the small basket and remove a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Nice.”
Nick sets out paper plates and silverware. “It’s good to know where I am on your list of priorities.”
He’s teasing and I like this side of him. My body is so in tune with his that when he gets close, my skin warms and my breasts ache.
Nick opens and pours the wine. He gives me a glass then holds his out in a toast.
“To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” I lift my glass to his and take a small sip. I’m reminded that starting all over, fresh, is exactly what my plan has been since I walked out of my counselor’s office for the last time.
The entire spread looks delicious. An Italian salad,