“Yes, she’s right,” Nicky conceded. “The reporters will be there, I’m sure. But not too many, I’d think. And it will be pretty relaxed.” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “You can even wear jeans.”
I perked up. “Seriously? You’re sure?”
Nicky laughed. “I knew that would seal the deal. Yes, because we’ll be walking in the muddy fields and looking at all of the plots they have there. It’s only a semi-official engagement, since it’s last minute. I told them yes, conditionally. I thought you’d have to check your schedule at Honey Bee.”
“I’m free.” I tucked my legs beneath me in the hard, wooden chair. “I told everyone at the office not to expect me before Monday. I’d love to visit the gardens with you.”
“I guess that means you won’t be free to spend the afternoon with me, then.” Daisy gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. We’ll have to postpone all of our, ah, mischief for another day.”
“Maybe you could come have lunch with me at the office one day next week,” I suggested. “We can have something brought in, and I can show you what I do there.”
Daisy considered. “It doesn’t sound as fun as a day of shopping or visiting art galleries or as an evening of bar hopping, but sure. Tell me when, and I’ll come over.” She smirked. “It’ll be interesting to see how the working class lives.”
“You should give her a job.” Nicky crumpled up his napkin and tossed it at his sister. “It would be good for Daisy to have something constructive to do.”
“And on that note, I’ve got to go.” Daisy pushed back her chair. “I’m tired, and I promised a few friends that I’d meet them tonight at a new club that’s opening up.”
“Have fun.” I stood up and hugged her. “Thank you for coming with me today. I had a good time.”
“I did, too.” She sounded mildly surprised at the truth of this statement. “I’ll talk to you soon, Ky.” She bent to kiss her brother’s cheek. “Thank you sharing your fish and chips, Nicky. Bye!”
In typical Daisy fashion, she blew out the door just as she’d blown in. Nicky watched her go with a mix of amusement and concern.
“Well, Ky, I officially feel old now.” He shook his head. “What is it about my younger sister that makes everyone else seem staid and boring?”
“She’s putting on a show for you.” I picked up both my plate and Nicky’s to carry them into the kitchen. “This whole mess with Roc hurt her more than she’s letting on. I think that’s why she came over today—she pretended it was to see me, but I’m pretty sure she was lonely and feeling blue.”
“No one told her she couldn’t continue to see him.” Nicky gathered the trash from our dinner and stuffed it into the paper bag. “It was her choice.”
“Maybe it wasn’t.” I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. “Maybe it was Roc who went away. I think whatever happened between them might have really hurt Daisy.”
“They didn’t know each other very long—they’d only just met,” Nicky pointed out. “How could it be anything that serious? Her pride might be injured, but I doubt she’s got a broken heart.”
“I guess.” I turned back around to face the sink, running water over our plates and silverware. “Still, we should keep an eye on her. Let’s invite her over for dinner more often, or see if she wants to come and watch a movie here with us.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nicky came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist and coaxing my head to the side so that he could kiss my neck. “But I don’t want to think about my sister right now, and I definitely don’t want to talk about her anymore.” His hands roamed up over my ribs, one palm cupping my breast.
“Oh, is that so?” I pretended to be indifferent to his touch, even as my heartbeat sped up. “What do you want to talk about, then?”
“I don’t think I want to talk about anything.” His lips wandered down to the juncture of my neck and shoulder. “I think I want to let my body do all the communicating I need.”
I giggled. “You’re giving me goosebumps. And watch out. My hands are wet.”
“Hmmmm.” He managed to get one hand up under my shirt to pinch my nipple. “Is any other part of your body wet?”
I shivered. “It’s possible that one particular part of me is getting that way.”
“That’s promising.” He let his other hand, the one not currently playing with my boob, drift down between my legs. “Let the washing up wait.”
“But I’m almost done.” I rubbed at one plate, swallowing hard. “Can’t you be a little bit patient?”
“When it comes to you? Absolutely not.” He turned me until I faced him, my soapy hands pressing into his chest. “As a matter of fact, I don’t think I can even wait long enough to go upstairs.”
Before I could react, Nicky lifted me to the counter, hiking up the skirt of my dress, spreading my thighs and stepping between them. He slid his fingers into my hair and held my head, tilting me back so that he could possess my lips, thrusting his tongue into my mouth.
“I want you so much,” he murmured. “It’s crazy how much I need you.”
My breath was coming in short gasps. “I can feel that.”
