Come Hot (Club Silken #2) - Jerrie Alexander Page 0,6
always tell the truth. You’re as beautiful as I remembered.” Nick slips my hand into the crook of his arm, and my stomach turns into a raging storm. The heat from his body wakes up all my neglected hormones.
Morgan calls everyone to the front to receive our instructions, ending my conversation with Nick. Father Benjamin stands facing us and walks us through our parts. We practice the routine a couple of times. With each trip down the aisle, I feel Nick’s muscles tighten. I want to ask him why he’s such a nonbeliever in marriage but decide against it. His reasons are none of my business.
We wait out front while Zack and Morgan finish speaking with Father Benjamin. The wedding couple exits the church with smiles that stretch from ear to ear. I swear they’re both glowing. A strange emotion swells inside my body. It’s one I’ve never felt. An empty spot in my soul fills with envy. Not in a negative way. My friends deserve all the happiness in the world. It’s the realization I’ll never feel that kind of love that brings a little sadness. Nobody in my family knew how to love.
We group together in the parking lot and Zack asks, “Who’s ready for some good food?”
“I am.” Chels and I answer at the same time.
Slider backs up a step. “I hate to bail on the party but I need to be at Gallants tonight. I may have to work the door.”
“What’s the problem?” Nick asks.
“The doorman let in a couple of minors last night. I gave him a few days off to decide if he wants the job and is willing to follow the rules.”
Zack turns to Nick. “The ladies rode with me, so I guess you can follow us.”
I feel a hand on my back and hear the words, “Kayla, why don’t you keep me company?” I look up into Nick’s eyes and know I can’t refuse. I’ll blame it on not wanting to embarrass him.
Morgan’s eyes gleam, and she answers for me. “That’s a great idea. It’ll give him someone to talk with.”
I roll my eyes at her and she smiles as if she solved all the world’s problems. Looking up at Nick, I nod. “I’d love to. Where are you parked?”
“Next to Zack.” Nick guides me in the direction of a bright red sports car. “That explains why Zack brought his SUV. He was chauffeuring three beautiful women around.” Nick reaches around me and opens my door.
This time I roll my eyes at no one. “Thank you.” I slide into his car and check out the dashboard. Inside and out, this thing looks like it belongs on the race track. I buckle up and wait until he’s seated and secure before I speak. “This wasn’t necessary.” I wave my hand back and forth between us. “I didn’t ask Morgan to pair us up.”
His eyelids lower and his lips thin. “Collusion never crossed my mind.”
“Then why did you ask me to ride with you?”
“What red-blooded man wouldn’t want a beautiful woman to keep him company?”
“If that’s a pickup line, it needs updating.” I have no doubt Nick has dozens of women lining up to ride in his car. He’s big and beautiful in a manly sort of way.
“Fuck me,” Nick mutters, and flips on the turn signal, and pulls into a drugstore parking lot. He parks as far away as he can from the front door, kills the engine, and turns to me. “What is your problem with me? Did I offend you the night you got the call to go home?”
He doesn’t know the caning scene was a trigger and unleashed a flood of horrible memories. I ran to the bathroom to get away from the red streaks on the woman’s back. I planned on returning to him after I calmed down, but I received that call from the last person on earth I wanted to hear from. I gather my courage and turn in the seat to face Nick.
He’s scowling. “Just tell me how I became the enemy?”
The doctor told me there’d be days I had to face my demons. “I’m sorry.”
“What the fuck for? I feel like I should be apologizing to you, but I don’t know what I did.”
He catches my gaze and holds it. I’m captured by brown eyes with tiny slashes of gold in them. I feel lightheaded. “Even when you’re pissed, you’re hot.”
Nick blinks a couple of times then throws his head back and laughs. He doesn’t