Page 11 of Naughty or Nice?

I’m suddenly aware of the fact that we’realone.

That everyone else in The Tavern has trickled out one by one over time. The last man waved at Nicholas a few minutes ago as he headed toward the door and stepped out into the winter cold.

It’s just the two of us remaining, drinking to the backdrop of Christmas tunes. I find myself acutely aware of how warm the barroom feels. Even more aware of how my belly flutters for some inexplicable reason and of how I can’t stop smiling anytime Nicholas looks at me.

The more wine I sip, the harder it becomes to stay composed.

To remind myself I was out for one drink and one drink only.

I’m supposed to be moping. Grieving the death of my relationship with Nate.

Sure, IsaidI was coming out tonight to prove I didn’t need him, but deep down, it was more so a coping mechanism. Some distraction I could use to pass the time ’til my flight tomorrow.

Yet as I sit on the bar stool across from Nicholas,his father, I’m incapable of pulling away. I’m invested in our conversation, seeking more of our exchange.

I’d stay here all night if he didn’t close.

Nicholas checks the time on his watch as if reading my mind. “Damn, I was supposed to close thirty minutes ago. I didn’t mean to keep you this long, darling. I’m sure you want to head out.”

“Oh. Right. It’s getting late.”

“If you wait a few minutes, I can give you a ride.”

I sit idly by as Nicholas launches into a quick cleanup of the bar counter, washing the last few glasses and locking up the backroom and cash register.

“Do you mind turning off the stereo?” he asks from over his shoulder. “I’ve just got a couple more things.”

“Sure.”

I slide off the barstool and cross the room to cut off the music playing. Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” has started again for the third time tonight. I press the button I believe is the ‘off’ button, only to somehow turn up the volume.

“Oh, shoot,” I mumble, fiddling with the controls. “Which one would it be?”

“It’s tricky. None of the buttons are labeled. Here.”

Nicholas comes out from behind the counter, all six foot two inches of him. His stride is quick and assertive as he approaches and then overtakes me with his large stature. I’m left breathless as he reaches over me, his thick, hairy arm grazing mine reaching for the controls. I go still, a hot wave crashing over me.

“It’s this button to cut it off,” he says, his voice so damn husky and smooth.

It does things to me. Makes me flustered as I glance up and find him already peering down at me.

We’re so close, we’re touching.

We’re standing up against each other, with my back to his front. My head tilted up toward his and his bowed down toward mine. His arm’s outstretched over mine, our hands an inch apart.

Nicholas seems to notice all the same things I have in the exact same moment.

His large hand wraps around mine. Warm tingles surge through me at his touch.

Yet I don’t pull away. I don’t look away as he slowly turns me so that I’m facing him. Neither of us utter a word as we become aware of the inevitable.

We know what’s going to happen before it does.

In the second that follows, I close my eyes and brace for his kiss. His lips that are warm and inviting as soon as they touch mine.

CHAPTER 4

Kendall