Authors: Emma Hillman
that was all. He was nice, but then she’d already known that. He was a gentleman and
she loved him for it really. He didn’t want her, she’d only imagined it because she’d
dreamt of him the night before. Dreamt of his mouth on hers, of his hands on her skin.
She shook her head and yelped when the room whirled. “Shit!”
Footsteps echoed just before someone knocked on the bathroom door. “Are you
okay in there?”
“Yeah!”
“Are you sure? What happened? Do you need help?”
She looked down at herself and the uniform pooled at her feet. “No!”
“Leah, come on, tell me the truth.”
“I’m telling you the truth. God, are you always this stubborn?”
He laughed, the sound doing things to her insides even if they were separated by
a door. “Yeah. Are you sure you don’t need my help? I don’t hear water splashing.”
“Argh!” She hurried to the tub and quickly turned the taps on. “Happy now?”
“I don’t know, are you naked?” She started. He hadn’t just asked her that, right?
It was her dream again, it had to be. “Leah? Are you naked?” His voice had dropped an
octave or two, the sound so husky goosebumps appeared on her arms.
“Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
18
“This.” She waved her hand in the air before remembering he was in another
room altogether. “I don’t understand.”
“I guess I…I like you.”
“Oh.” Well, that did it. She was dreaming again!
“Is that all you have to say?”
She could hear the amusement in his voice so she replied, her voice shaky even
in her dream, “I like you too. I’ve always liked you. You were my fantasy.”
“I was? Or I still am?”
She licked her lips, her gaze focusing on the water splashing against the sides of
the tub. “You still are.”
“Fuck.” She heard him curse. “Can I come in, Leah?”
She looked up then and saw her reflection in the mirror. Pale, dimply skin. Large
breasts encased in serviceable white cotton. Soft belly barely contained by the matching
panties. She was so out of his league it wasn’t funny. With a wry smile at herself, she
said, “No.”
19
He’d tried to change her mind but the emotions running through her voice had
made it clear she wasn’t going to give in. And just hearing her mumbled excuses had
made him think of Mia, understanding Leah was going through the same thing. She
clearly didn’t think he could be interested in her. He wondered what he would have to do
to make her see the light.
After all, he’d been going to that coffee shop at least once a day for the past
three weeks, always talking to her and making her smile. He loved her smiles, so
genuine and warm. He wanted to get to know her better, knowing somewhere deep
inside him that he was looking for someone to replace Mia. Leah looked so much like
her he couldn’t help but be drawn to her. He wanted to take her in his arms, feel her
breasts against his chest. He wanted to see her naked. He wanted to take her hard,
listen to her moans of pleasure as he pounded inside her. He wanted her, plain and
simple. Now if only he could get her to trust him.
Hearing a noise, he looked up and froze. He’d gone back to his erstwhile
position, half-lying on the floor as he waited for her to take a bath. He’d brought her here to cool down after all. She’d been so dizzy he’d been genuinely worried about her.
Maybe he should have taken her to a doctor or the ER after all. But no, here she was,
her wet hair trailing down her back, darker than it usually was. He watched as she
flicked one curl behind her ear and groaned. “I didn’t know you had curly hair.”
She started. “Oh, Nick. Uhm, yes, I just like to straighten it.”
“I see.” Shit! She even had curly hair, just like Mia!
20
“I didn’t think you were still here.”
“I told you I’d stay until I was sure you were fine.”
“So you did.” She bit her lower lip, her gaze unfocused. She was only wearing a
ratty old robe and she fidgeted, wondering whether she could hurry and change or if
that would just look weird. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, thanks,” he replied, wondering if she was naked underneath the thick cotton.
“Do you want to get changed?”
She nodded. “If you don’t mind waiting some more.”
“I’d rather help you, but if I have no choice I’m fine staying here.”
She blinked, taken aback by his comment. “Help me?” she repeated under her
breath but he heard her.
“Help you get changed. Are you naked under that thing, Leah?”
Gulping, she involuntarily took a step back. “Why are you doing this? This isn’t
funny!”
“What is?” He frowned at her, wondering whether he should get up and go to her.
She looked so skittish however, he was afraid he’d scare her off permanently.
“Why are you acting like this? Saying those things? I know you’re not in my
league and yet you…you…”
“Flirt with you?” he helpfully suggested.
“Yes!” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “It’s not nice what you’re doing!”
“You don’t like men flirting with you?” He sounded incredulous.
“No, yes, I mean…Argh! I don’t like you making fun of me.”
21
“I’m not making fun of you!” This time, he pushed on his hands until he was
standing upright, his body taking too much space in the crammed room. She shook her
head, unable to respond. “Don’t you believe me?” He stepped towards her, forcing her
to look up so she could gaze into his eyes. “Leah, why do you think I’ve been making
fun of you? I thought I’d made myself pretty clear.”
She licked her lips. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been coming to the place where you work every day. I’ve made sure we’ve
talked and laughed. I’ve complimented you. I’ve even, I admit it, slipped an innuendo or
two into our conversations. Isn’t it clear that I’d like to take this further?”
She gasped and grabbed the doorjamb at her back. “No way.”
“Yes, way.” He grinned. “Although that makes me sound like a teenager. So,
what do you say?” He grabbed her right hand in his and pulled her closer. “Wanna give
this a go?”
“Give what a go?” she whispered, her heart stuck in her throat. This didn’t
happen to her. This was too good. She was dreaming again, damn it!
“Us. I’d like to take you out on a date tonight.”
“You would?”
“Yep. So, what do you say?” He interlaced their fingers together, and lowered his
head until she was sure he was going to kiss her.
She freaked out and slammed her left palm against his chest, pushing him away
from her. “Are you crazy?”
He staggered a little before righting himself. “What’s wrong with you?”
“You can’t go out with me!”
22
“Why the hell not?” His eyes had turned a dangerous teal color, his features like
she’d never seen them before.
“You…you’re Apollo Hamilton! I’m Leah Pearson. I’m a waitress by day and law
student by night. I’m-” She waved at herself as if to explain her point. “Trust me, we
can’t be a couple.”
He stared at her in silence for a moment before saying, “You know you’re talking
crap, right?” She gulped. “Who are you to tell me who I can or cannot date? If I say I
want to be with you, then it’s my decision!” His voice rose. “If I say I want to kiss you,
fuck you till you’re screaming my name, then you can believe that what I’m saying is
true!”
Fuck her till what? Her insides clenched at the thought. Oh hell, back on track,
stupid! “Why don’t you calm down while I get changed and we can-”
“No.” He pulled on the hand he was still holding and only let go once they were in
her bedroom. “I’m tired of waiting for you, Leah. Now you’re gonna get dressed and
then we’ll go out. On a date,” he said, his voice terse. “And we’ll have fun and if I’m
lucky, we’ll go back to my place afterwards and have some more fun. Got it?”
“You’re crazy,” was the only thing she could find to say.
He nodded. “Totally. But you should consider yourself lucky you’re not naked and
on your back right now with the way I’m feeling.”
“You mean…” Her gaze veered to the bed in the corner.
Nick groaned. “Fuck, Leah, I’m not made of stone!”
Okay, that was it, she thought, she’d travelled to another dimension. “Are you
sure you want to do this?”
23
“For the hundredth time, yes! What do you want me to do? Kiss you to prove it to
you?” Actually that was a good idea, Nick thought as he watched her eyes widen at his
suggestion. “Okay then!” Leah squealed. He’d pushed her against the wall, his body
trapping hers. He grabbed her hands and pulled them up until they were resting on his
shoulders. “Hold on to me,” he said, his voice a husky whisper.
So she did. And she was grateful for it once he’d lowered his head and skimmed
her lips with his. She hadn’t been kissed in forever, and god had she missed it. She
hadn’t realized how much until his tongue slipped into her mouth, tangling around hers
in a heady caress. She moaned and found herself standing up on her toes, her breasts
crushed against his chest. She wanted more. She wanted all of him. Now. Oh god, yes,
she exulted when he pressed himself closer, his erection digging into her stomach.
He sucked on her tongue, the sensations he created making her limbs go weak.
Her thighs clenched, and an ache blossomed inside her. She felt empty all of a sudden,
yearning to be filled.
The kiss ended abruptly, and she was once more on her feet. She pushed
against the wall at her back for support, wondering how long it’d take her to get back to
normal.
“How’s that for proof? Do you believe me now?” Nick asked, his hand moving
down to readjust himself through his pants. “Do you?”
* * * *
24
She’d managed to push him out of the room so she could get herself ready. He’d
watched her exit her bedroom minutes later, her hair in disarray and her face flushed.
But she was wearing a dress that skimmed her curves and dipped low in front. His eyes
almost bugged out at the sight. Fuck, she wasn’t making things easy! “Leah, you look
great.”
“Thanks!” She speed-walked past him and banged the bathroom door behind
her.
He sighed and sat back down. Guess she wasn’t finished with getting ready.
Unbelievably enough, she emerged only minutes later. Her hair was still wet and curly,
but it suited her. Her eyes were now rimmed with mascara, her mouth a groan-inducing
red. “Hell.”
She froze. “Do I look that bad?”
He shook his head, fighting the urge to go to her and kiss that lipstick off her
face. He’d always been a killer for red lips. “No, you look that good.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Thanks.” She seemed to think about it for a second before
adding, “Really?”
He grinned and sauntered towards her. His hands palmed her hips before
drawing her forward. “Yeah.”
She felt his erection against her belly and let out a deep sigh. He really wanted
her. He really did. He wouldn’t still be hard if he didn’t want to get naked with her. If he didn’t want to have sex with her. What had he said earlier? Oh yeah, and get her to
scream his name. Phew, hot flash. She mentally fanned herself. “Thanks.”
25
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re welcome, baby. Do you mind if we stop by
my place first? I need to change.”
“Oh, where are you taking me?”
He hid his grin at her apparent acceptance of their date, turning around to grab
her purse. “A nice restaurant on the beach. You’ll see. Do you like seafood?”
“I love it.”
“Perfect, so do I.” He grabbed her hand in his and led her to the front door. “Are
you feeling good enough for this, Leah? Tell me the truth. You’re no longer dizzy or
overheated?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. Well, I wouldn’t say I’m no longer overheated, but
probably not for the same reason.” Wondering how he’d take her declaration, she
looked up at him and waited.
He laughed, pleased she was getting into the spirit of things. “I hear you on that
one,” he said, dropping a quick kiss on her lips. “I feel quite hot myself.”
“That’s because you are,” she replied as she followed him out of her apartment.
“You’re hot as hell, Nick.”
“Wait until I’m inside you to say that, baby,” he whispered into her ear as she slid
the key into the lock, his words making her do it at least three times before she finally
managed to close it properly.
* * * *
26
They’d stopped at his condo for a few minutes, Leah staring at the view of the
ocean whilst Nick changed into a dressy suit. He’d come out of his room looking so
much like a runway model, breath had left her. “Wow.”
“You like?” He’d turned around once so she could also get the back view.
“You look amazing,” she’d truthfully replied, once more shocked by how good he
looked. Especially in comparison to her. Shaking her head to rid it of those depressive
thoughts, she’d let him lead her outside, his white Escalade waiting for them.
Sitting here at an upscale restaurant in the Marina, Leah wondered if she hadn’t
hit her head and dreamt all of it. But no, Nick was sitting opposite her, his hand holding
hers on the table separating them. She glanced at their fingers, one set tanned, one not,
looking so incongruous it was almost funny. “I can’t believe I’m really here,” she said to