Free Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) by Nikki Belaire Page B

“You
lied?”
    “No, it’s the truth. Marta made this for you.”
    Inside the white box, tissue paper covers a popcorn ball,
caramel apple, pink frosted cupcake, and an oversize chocolate brownie. “It’s
to thank you for helping her with the menu for the church bazaar.”
    A lump rises in her throat. Marta’s generosity reminds her of
the hobbies she misses with her mom. Maybe they can bake together sometime.
“She’s so sweet. I don’t know what to say.”
    “Just enjoy them. That’s what she wants.” He brushes her cheek
with the back of his hand. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
    Jolts of pleasure shoot through her body. “Me too.”
    “Shit!”
    Covering her mouth with the wine glass, she tries to hide her
laughter as he grabs a pot and lifts it off the stove. Waves of white foam roll
over the top, sizzling as they drip off the bottom and hit the hot surface
below. He dumps the noodles into a colander in the sink and wipes the sweat off
his forehead with the back of his hand. “Marta makes it look so easy.”
    Stirring the marinara, he tells her about his mom’s recipe for
chicken parmesan. “It’s one of the few things I know how to make, so I hope you
like it.”
    After a grating a small bit of cheese, he makes two plates and
places them on a black wooden tray. She grabs the wine bottle and their glasses
and follows him outside. The wood and glass table sits just a few yards from
the lapping waves, offering a better view than any restaurant. Orange and pink
streak the sky as the sun sits low on the horizon. A lone seagull circles above
the water before flying inland.
    She takes a bite, the tangy, sweet sauce different than she’s
used to. “This is really good. Your mom would be proud.”
    He smiles at her. “I wish she was here to meet you. I know she
would love you too.”
    Heat prickles her cheeks at his bittersweet comment. Her heart
aches for him, but it doesn’t erase her anxiety from yesterday. She can no
longer pretend this is just a simple date. Unable to smile back, she plunges
in. “I was really worried about you this morning when you didn’t show up.”
    Winking at her, he reaches out to take her hand. “I‘m glad you
like me enough to worry about me.”
    “I’m serious. After what happened with Juan, I’m not sure what to
think about your job.” She pushes the food on her plate around in circles with
her fork. Her hands tremble, and she drops the utensil, startling at the harsh
clatter. “Are you in the—?” She can’t bring herself to say the actual word.
    His body stiffens. Several moments pass as they sit in silence,
except for his fingertip tapping on the edge of the table. Her hearts pounds,
fearful she’s ruined everything with her need to know, scared of what she’ll do
when she learns the truth.
    He takes a deep breath and leans forward. “I’m involved in a
variety of business ventures designed to build wealth for my partners and the
companies I invest in. But I want you to know that I keep my business and my
personal life separate. My relationship with you doesn’t have anything to do
with my work.”
    No indignant denial. No offense at her implied accusation. An
answer without the answer. But now she knows the truth. She clenches her skirt
before pressing it down, unsure of what to say next, uncertain as to why she
doesn’t force herself to stand up and walk away. Make herself leave this
beautiful home and amazing man who immerses himself in a dangerous world where
she doesn’t belong.
    He gently squeezes his fingers around hers. “What else do you
want to know? I can tell something is bothering you.”
    “Did your father kill your mother? Is that why he isn’t here?”
    Nick sighs. “Yes.” After blinking a few times, he stares at his
plate. “I can’t remember a time when she didn’t have bruises or some kind of
injury. He made her life fucking hell, and I was too young to do anything about
it. Then, one day she was gone. He said she left