Nic (12 page)

Nic looked at the parrot, who continued his foul-mouthed tirade.

“That’s Perry. I’m pretty sure he has Tourette’s syndrome,” Mindy said.

It took Nic a second to register what she’d said. When he did, he threw his head back and laughed. “Tourette’s?”

Mindy had the grace to look embarrassed. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility. Animals tend to have a lot of the same issues that humans have. They have feelings. They dream. They have worth, though a lot of people don’t believe so.”

The flutter in Nic’s chest turned into a full-on drumbeat. He rubbed the spot and wished more than anything that Mindy wasn’t human. Her heart obviously held a lot of love for her menagerie. He could see it in the way she looked at them, the way she spoke about them. No doubt her capacity to love would extend to any relationship she had.

Longing, deep and fierce tugged at him. He had to get away from this line of thinking. It would only end in heartache and disappointment. He glanced at the lizard. “What about him? What’s his story?”

Mindy scratched Hannibal under the chin. “That’s George. He had an unfortunate accident that involved Hannibal.” The cat purred at the mention of its name. “But they’re friends now. Mostly.”

“Are you keeping them for any particular reason?” he asked. It was normal for humans to have pets, but this was more than that.

Mindy frowned. “I don’t understand the question.”

“Why are they here?” he asked.

“Because they had nowhere else to go, and with Isabel gone there’s even more room for them to roam,” she said.

Of course she did. Nic sank back down on the couch. “Who’s Isabel?” She was probably the animal scent he couldn’t place.

Mindy handed him a beer, then sat in the chair across from him. Hannibal settled on her lap, but Nic noticed the cat didn’t take its good eye off him.

“My sister.”

“I’m sorry. Is she dead?” he asked as delicately as he could. He didn’t want to dredge up painful memories.

Mindy laughed. “No, she’s just-” she paused as she searched for the right word, “-eccentric. She ran off to New Orleans a few weeks ago to find herself.” Mindy rolled her eyes. “Or something like that.”

“Ah.” Nic could tell there was more to the story, but he didn’t press. “So how did this all start?”

“As you know, I work at the animal clinic in Breakbend,” she said. “I’m also a full-time student at Clarkston Greenburg University. I’ll finish at the end of this year.” Mindy took a sip of her beer.

“What’s your major?” he asked.

“Veterinary medicine. I prefer to work with animals. People can be confusing,” she said, then sucked in her cheeks, as if doing so would draw the admission back inside her mouth.

Her ambition was admirable and her love of strays enduring. Thus far, the only
flaw
he’d found was her humanity.

“I’m surprised you found time to go out to the bar with that kind of schedule,” he said.

Mindy brushed her shoulder-length hair back and suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I normally don’t. Anytime I have free time, it’s spent studying.”

Nic couldn’t smell her wonderful scent over her collection of critters, so he couldn’t tell if she’d lied. “What brought you to Sticks?” he asked, though he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

What if she knows what he is? What if the innocent act is just that—an act?

Mindy’s brown gaze slipped away and she stopped petting the cat. “About the other night...I should apologize. I’m not normally like that. I’m sorry if I—” She paused. “Gave you the wrong impression.”

Good to know
, Nic thought. His relief was palpable, but she still hadn’t answered his question. “Have you ever been to the bar before?”

Pink blossomed in her cheeks and spread down her neck. “No,” she said. “A good friend told me about it.”

Nic’s brow rose. “Some friend,” he chided, his voice harsher than he’d intended.

Mindy’s eyes widened in alarm, then her gaze locked on him. “It’s not like that. Celina is a good friend. She warned me not to go.”

“But you went anyway?” He made it a question.

Mindy stiffened in her seat. “I’m twenty-five. I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”

Nic held up his hands. “Darlin’, you’ll get no argument from me.” Images of their carnal encounter flashed through his mind. Nic’s body responded in an instant. He put his beer down and shot to his feet. “I forgot to check something in your car.” Self-preservation drove him to the door.

“I’ll set the table while you do that.” Her voice petered out and she looked embarrassed.

“Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” Nic stepped outside. He hated that he’d made Mindy feel uncomfortable in her own home. It seemed like every time he opened his mouth, stupid came out.

He mentally cursed, then strode across the lawn toward her car. Nic fiddled around with the wires for ten minutes. Long enough for him to pull himself together, then he slowly walked back to the house.

Mindy wasn’t in the living room and neither was her cat. She’d covered Perry’s cage with a sheet, which quieted him down. George sat in an aquarium tucked in the corner that Nic hadn’t noticed when he’d first come into her home.

“I’m in here,” she said. “Did you fix it?”

“Fix what?” Nic asked, forgetting that he was supposed to be out checking something on her car. The house smelled like beef, along with the alluring scent of Mindy. He followed the sound of her voice into a small room off her kitchen.

Candles flickered on the table between two blue placemats. She’d positioned a roast at one end and potatoes and a salad at the other. His beer was sitting next to the roast.

“Take a seat,” she said. “I hope you’re not a vegetarian.”

The thought made him smile. She had no idea what a carnivore he could be. “Smells good.”

* * * * *

Mindy’s hands shook as she passed the knife to Nic. “You want to do the honors?” She hated that she was so nervous.

He didn’t hesitate. Nic took the butcher knife and quickly carved the roast. He lifted a couple of slices and placed them on her plate.

“Thank you,” she said.

Mindy was still having a hard time believing that he was really in her house. She hadn’t expected to ever see him again, but she was grateful that she did. It proved that she hadn’t been wrong about their connection. There
was
something simmering between them. Something elusive, but tangible nonetheless.

Nic served himself, then waited for her to pass the vegetables. He didn’t take many. The roast covered much of his plate.

“Can we start over?” she asked. “I know that’s kind of a weird request, considering everything that’s transpired, but I’d really like to begin again.”

Nic looked up from his food and smiled. “I’d like that, too.”

Mindy grinned. “My name is Mindy MacDougal.” She held out her hand.

He took it gently. “Nic La Croix.” Heat simmered in his blue eyes, leaving her breathless.

“So, Nic,” she said, “tell me about yourself.”

Some of the heat faded and his expression became guarded.

Unease settled into Mindy’s stomach. “You aren’t married, are you?”

Nic shook his head, sending his shaggy, light brown hair bouncing. “No. I wouldn’t have... What I mean to say is, I wouldn’t have been at the bar alone if I were attached in any way. What about you?” he asked. “Do you have anyone special in your life?”

Mindy played with her fork. “No, not for a while now. There really hasn’t been time. What with school and all.”
And looking after Izzy.
She placed her fork on the plate and picked up her beer. Mindy took a sip. The drink burned down her throat. “So are you from around here?”

“No,” he said. “But I’ve been here for the past eleven years.”

“Almost makes you a local,” she said.

His eyes crinkled when he laughed.

Mindy loved the sound. It was deep, throaty, and infectious. From the creases next to his eyes, Nic looked like he laughed a lot. It made her want to say something funny just so she could hear him laugh again.

“You said you were a mechanic,” she added.

Nic nodded. “I work on the Fortier estate. They have a big garage there.” He watched her closely when he said the name.

Mindy wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he must’ve been satisfied with what he saw because he seemed to relax. “I’m aware of the place, but only because I think Celina mentioned it before. You said Fortier, right?” she asked.

“Yes,” Nic said.

“Is the family any relation to the software mogul?”

“One and the same,” he said.

“Ah, good for you,” she said. “Thought the name sounded vaguely familiar. I don’t really keep up with high-society news.”

Nic took a deep swallow of his beer. “Has Celina ever been out to the estate?”

Mindy shrugged. “I don’t think so, but I honestly wouldn’t know.”

“I thought you said she was your friend,” Nic said.

Mindy’s stomach tightened. “She is, but we don’t do everything together. She’s actually Izzy’s best friend. We’ve always hung out together, but it’s only recently that we’ve grown close.”

“I understand,” he said.

Did he? Did he really?

“Listen, about the other night.” Mindy hated to bring the subject up again, but she thought it was necessary to clear the air.

Nic held up his hand. “Mindy, you don’t have to explain,” he said. “I don’t normally do that kind of thing either.”

She exhaled loudly, then laughed. “I guess we both were swept up in the moment.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” he muttered. “I definitely got carried away.” This time his blue eyes sparkled.

Memories of his rough hands gliding over her skin, his firm lips devouring hers, flittered through her mind. Mindy picked up her napkin and dabbed at the gathering moisture on her forehead.

“So,” she said. “Have you always been a mechanic?”

“No, but I’ve always enjoyed tinkering on anything with a motor in it. Fixing cars began as a hobby and quickly became a profession,” he said. “Does that bother you?”

Why would his vocation bother her? Mindy was genuinely confused by the question. “No, should it?”

Nic shrugged and put his fork down. “You just struck me as the kind of woman who prefers suits.”

Her brow furrowed. “That’s only because you don’t know me very well.” Did he really think she was so shallow? She looked at him. Maybe he did.

Mindy hadn’t meant to give Nic that impression. Of course, it was hard to make a good impression, when you were flat on your back, half naked, sprawled across the bed of a pick-up truck.

He fidgeted in his seat. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It was just an observation,” Nic said.

“Well, you’re wrong,” Mindy said. “I’ve had to work for everything I’ve achieved.” She’d had no choice, since Izzy’s antics had bankrupted their parents. “I’m not interested in social climbing. I want to be a vet because I love animals, not because I have dreams of marrying a fellow doctor.”

“Got it,” he said.

They continued making small talk throughout the rest of the dinner. Despite the rough start, Mindy found herself truly enjoying Nic’s company. When the meal was done, he helped her clear the table and wash the dishes.

After they were dried and put away, Nic said, “I’d better head out. Thank you for the lovely meal.”

“Thanks for fixing my car,” Mindy said.

“It was the least I could do,” he said.

He didn’t owe her anything, but Mindy didn’t want him to leave yet. “I picked up dessert.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a chocolate cake.

Nic paled. “Sorry, I’m allergic to chocolate, but thank you.”

Mindy was all out of excuses to keep him there, so she walked him to the front door.

* * * * *

Nic’s gaze roamed over her face. This was it. Once he walked out that door, they probably wouldn’t see each other again. It was the right thing to do. They were two different species. All that was left was to step out onto the porch.

He stared at Mindy. Throughout the whole meal, all he could think about was kissing her. His eyes locked onto her lips. They were full, rosy and just begging to be explored.

Nic slowly touched her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. He brought her knuckles to his mouth and pressed a chaste kiss to the back of them. He watched Mindy’s breath catch and her pulse jump beneath her skin.

He tugged her hand, bringing her closer to him. “I want to kiss you,” he murmured. “But I’m afraid if I do, I won’t want to stop.”

Mindy moistened her lips.

Nic groaned and closed his eyes. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? How
tempting
?” he asked. “I can hardly keep my hands off you. I should leave. It wasn’t my intention to come over here and seduce you again. I really did want to make up for my bad behavior last night.” He released her and turned to make good on his word.

Mindy caught his arm. “Don’t go.”

Nic almost didn’t hear her above the blood raging in his veins. “I need you to be sure.” It was a plea and a prayer.

“I’m sure,” she whispered.

“Why you?” He leaned his forehead against hers.

Mindy laughed. “I’ve been asking myself the same question since last night.”

Nic slipped his hand around her neck and slowly lowered his head, giving her plenty of time to move away—to escape him.

She didn’t. Instead, Mindy’s lips parted in welcome.

Nic seized her mouth, capturing her in a fierce kiss. The taste of her melted across his tongue. She was pure ambrosia. He followed the tantalizing flavor, exploring her depths thoroughly, wanting more. The room spun as he deepened the embrace.

Mindy’s fingers fluttered over his chest, coming to rest above his pounding heart.

Nic’s body hardened and his hands fisted in her shirt, bunching the sweater’s material. Her skin heated. With the rise in temperature came the delicious, musky aroma of hot moist woman.

He broke the embrace, his ragged breath ripped from his chest. “Tell me to leave now and I might be able to go,” he rasped. It was a last-ditch effort to save himself. To save her innocence from his dark world. “I’m not strong enough to walk away on my own.” The confession scorched his soul.