“You’re one to talk. What about all the little traps you set.”
“Me? I do not set traps, do I?”
“Please. You so love playing with their tiny male minds, respect by the way. Dropping oh so casually into conversation how many doctorates you have. That you’re an Elemental Mage. All your charity work. And that you own your own business. Building it up single handedly. Expounding on all your world domination plans for your empire. And how you’re working towards getting your masters belt in a multitude of martial arts.”
“Oh, my Goddess, I’m an asshole braggart?”
“Please, if a man had achieved everything you have by your age, he’d be singing his own praises from the top of every mountain. No, you’re exceedingly matter of fact about your achievements. Which just pounds many of those weak willed jealous idiots egos into dust. What about Nico? How did he react to the fabulousness that was you as you dropped all your little bombs?”
“Once we got over his over-protective macho big brother act, he was full of praise and very supportive.”
“Sounds like just the type of guy who’ll always have your back.” Darcy rose, smoothing down her skirt, noticing for the first time the splatter of blood on her t-shirt. It reminded her of the Rorschach tests she’d done ad nauseum in her early childhood. Hmmm, did that look like someone’s head exploding, or someone being disembowelled? Either way, cool.
She had things to do and places to be, problem was that off key twanging in her web was still riffing away, threatening to give Darcy a headache. She hated matchmaking. Everything about the endeavour was just so emotional. Emotions were stupid, beyond stupid. Look what had happened to her when she acknowledged them, melded and mated, it was embarrassing, and yet wonderful. And damn it, she wanted that for Gigi.
“You know. Maybe he’s not just holed up on that boat of his recuperating. Maybe he’s busy getting it seaworthy. Perhaps the call of the treasure hunting life has proven too strong. Pity, I know the Great-Greats will miss drooling over his tight ass. Hey, you could cater the bon voyage party. Small solace, but ker-ching, right?”
“You’re leaving?”
“I have a surly Valkyrie and a know-it-all Goddess to wrangle into doing my bidding.” Darcy was about to do one of her trademark exits, all sass and snap but something caught her eye, holding her attention. Now that was weird. “What the hell is that dress doing to Canary?”
“Cuddling?”
“Hah, right. If I were you I would definitely be wiping down that counter with bleach once they’ve finished… cuddling.” And with that Darcy twirled, skirt snapping outwards, heading for Gigi’s Transportal.
Following Darcy’s departure Gigi stared out the large picture window at the sparkling blue seas and the seagulls riding the wind currents overhead. Her apartment suddenly quiet and very empty. And this… this was going to be her life, her very long life, sitting here alone in her apartment, with nothing but her growing Chocolate and Cookie Empire to keep her warm at nights.
Merciful Lady, even her magical construct pet poison testing bunny and her steel wool fugly bridesmaid dress would be out performing her in the sex stakes. Because, if she couldn’t have Nico Yanez, and she really, really wanted him, then there wouldn’t be anyone else for her, ever.
Nico… was well Nico. It had been so easy with him. Talking about nothing and everything. Sharing cooking duties. Testing out new recipes together. Squabbling over clean up duty.Planning catering events. And snuggling into all that heated hardness of him following a bout of mind blowing sex.
And he got her, all of her. One time, during sex, he’d mumbled a compliment about her marketing skills, her intelligence, and how gorgeous her ass was, all in one breath. Gigi had never come so hard in her life.
And she felt the same way about him. Yes, he was gorgeous. But she admired his strength of will, his determination to protect everyone around him, and Nico’s ability to deal with her eccentric family, without hurting their feelings. Plus, bonus, he genuinely appeared to care about them.
She was a goner, it was official. Nico Yanez was and would be forever the only man for her. But he didn’t believe in love. Though, yes, Darcy did have a strong argument, he loved his siblings, and if he was capable of loving them, then maybe, he might fall for her. No fall, was the wrong word, cursed by love, but in a very good way.
Was she really going to do this? Confront him? Try and convince him to keep seeing her? She had to try, even if he was leaving the Sanctuary to return to his former treasure hunting career, they could work something out. Meet up in pre-arranged Ports. But if she didn’t try, then she would be the one cursed by a broken heart until the day she died.
First, though, Gigi had to shower, find the perfect outfit, and maybe drink a gallon of coffee, that whiskey had gone straight to her head.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nico stepped back to admire the gleaming brass rail he’d just finished polishing. Ouch. Stretching carefully, his scapula still not happy with him, but it was getting there. The damn fairy figurine had chipped some bone and despite his accelerated healing capabilities, his surgeon had been pretty stern about Nico taking things easy for a couple of weeks to help promote a full recovery.
But he couldn’t sit still.
The moment he’d stepped back on his boat about a hundred things had irritated him. The tarnished railing. The decking that needed sanding and re-staining. The anchor chain in dire need of cleaning. So he’d discarded the sling provided by the hospital and gone to work.
Very aware he was procrastinating. He should be knocking on Gigi’s door, stating his case of why they worked as a couple. Finishing with a flourish by declaring his love, but assuring her that he knew she wasn’t there yet, but with time, maybe. Reassuring her that he’d never stand in the way of her dreams and ambitions.
Perhaps she’d be willing to date and if he was lucky, add some sex into the equation. They’d certainly seemed to be compatible, and Gigi had said it herself, sex was a great stress reliever. Though he decided he’d word it a little sexier and Gigi-centric than that. Perhaps equating it to the hot fudge chocolate sauce that was required to make a sundae perfect.
Yeah, his approach definitely needed work.
Except Nico was all out of work. The railing had been the last job on his list.
Ducking below deck he grabbed a quick shower, donning a clean pair of black jeans and matching t-shirt. Rubbing hishair dry with a towel he couldn’t help but grimace at the mess of chaotic black curls, when had it gotten so long? Maybe he should stop by the hair salon first? No, no more procrastinating. Dragging a comb through it and pushing it out of his eyes. Now second guessing whether he should shave or not. What had it been, three, four days? His thoughts interrupted as the bridge leading to the boat emitted a soft creak. Someone had just stepped onboard.
