Free Unexpected Consequences by Mia Catherine Page B

as Nick thanked her and told her they were fine.
    “So what about other guys?”
    “There haven’t been many.”
    He realised they hadn’t discussed it. “Anyone at the moment?”
    “No. You?”
    “No. No one for me either.”
    “Good,” she said with a smile. “So, tell me. Have you ever been in love?”
    He chuckled. “You get right to the point, don’t you, Bright Eyes?”
    “Why beat around the bush? We’re a bit past that, don’t you think?”
    He became serious when thinking back to a very different part of his life. “No. I’m not so sure I believe in love.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “Let’s just say I haven’t seen a whole lot of it in my life.” He wasn’t sure how to explain without telling her the whole story, and he had no desire to relive it.
    She nodded and rubbed her thumb over his hand, seemingly in acceptance of his answer. A woman who doesn’t push? Wasn’t sure such a thing existed.
    “So what about you? Any great loves in your life?”
    She scoffed and shook her head. “Hardly.”
    “You weren’t in love with Carl?”
    “No. It was never love. Infatuation, maybe… Curiosity. I was young. He was… He was my first.”
    He was struck by the honesty in her admission. She was so open, so willing to tell him anything he wanted to know, and more. For the first time in his life he wished he could do the same, but circumstances being what they were, he couldn’t. Perhaps it was better that way. “No one else?”
    “Nothing serious. I mean I’ve dated, but no real connection with anyone.” She looked deeply into his eyes—a look he felt in the pit of his stomach. “Until now.”
    He couldn’t help but smile. She was certainly special, and as far as he could tell, the only thing wrong with her was that she was willing to be with a guy like him. In every other way she was perfect.
    Nick briefly allowed himself to forget everything else going on in his life. He forgot the plan, forgot his bosses, and forgot what he’d be forced to do in a very short time. For now, he just wanted to spend this time with Kelsey, the most beautiful and wonderful woman he’d ever known.
    “Oooh,” she said as she picked up one of the ribs. “This is really good, isn’t it?”
    He looked up, just about to answer when he saw her lift the thin piece of pork to her full, pouty lips. His mouth went dry when she slipped the full bone into her mouth and slowly slid it out, the suction removing every drop of barbecue sauce with a subtle slurp.
    “I love ribs. I haven’t had them in forever. They can be awfully messy, though.”
    Thankful the jeans she’d given him to wear were looser than the ones he normally chose, he felt himself harden and strain against the firm denim. She knew exactly what she was doing, and seemed to revel in his reaction.
    She began sucking the sauce from her fingers, one by one. “Their barbecue sauce is good here, isn’t it?” He hoped she didn’t expect an answer as she popped the last of her fingers out of her mouth.
    “Huh?” He couldn’t speak.
    “Looks like you enjoyed it.” She pointed to his mostly empty plate. “You’ve got some sauce on your fingers, though.” She lifted his hand to her mouth and began slowly sucking on each of his fingers, dragging each across her lips as she released them.
    “Shit, baby. Are you trying to kill me?”
    “No.” She rolled her tongue around his thumb. “Just a preview of what I have planned after lunch.”
    “Uh, yeah, about that.” He sat up, trying to break the trance she had him under while willing his erection to subside. If he didn’t do it right now, he wouldn’t be able to stop her advances. He wanted her too much.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “I’m sorry, Bright Eyes, but something has come up and I gotta take off.”
    “What?”
    He clasped her hand between his. “I’m sorry, but there’s something I have to do. Believe me, there’s nothing I want more than to spend the rest of the day with