I can only make out parts of the conversation, but when Nick hangs up the phone he looks at me with a grin. “Kaleb found Tito. He’s gonna bring him to the warehouse to meet me tomorrow.” I gulp hard.
After everything he and my father put me through, Tito is a dead man. Nick is not going to let him walk away unscathed, and to be honest, I won’t either.
Chapter 34
Maya
After we got home from my interview, Nick insisted we go to Sapphire this evening to unwind before things really get serious with the undercover gig. Last time I applied this much makeup Emma was here to help, but since she is off tonight, I’m stuck trying to make myself look like I belong in the company of Nick and his friends.
I’m more nervous now than the first time we went. I want everything to be perfect.He’s had his finger in your asshole, for fuck’s sake. I’m sure he doesn’t care if your eyeliner isn’t perfect.
But I do. Technically this isn’t our first official date since he took me out to eat, but it’s the first time I’ve had to dress up to go anywhere with a man. He said he’s got a surprise for me, and I can’t wait to see what it is. I check the time—I have five minutes to be dressed and in the foyer. Shit.
I walk to my room and hold up the tight blue minidress that fits more like an extra layer of skin than clothing. It surely doesn’t leave much to the imagination. I should thank Sasha for spilling the beans on Nick’s favorite color. I snicker to myself. Guess all that sucking up didn’t work for her.
I slide into the silver stilettos and take one last look in the mirror. Here goes nothing. Nick is waiting for me in the foyer holding a glass of champagne. “Congratulations, cupcake.”
“For what? I didn’t do anything.” I’m so confused.
“For bagging the most eligible asshole in the United States.” Leave it to Ethan to spoil the punchline.
“Fuck off, dickhead, I’m trying to have a moment,” Nick says.
A moment, a lifetime, I’ll give him an eternity if he keeps looking at me like he is.
“My bad. I’ll be in the car.” Ethan rushes out the door.
“Now, where were we?” Nick steps in and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Those lips are like the smoothest of silks and the sweetest of honeys. I can’t get enough.” He kisses me again, this time deeper.
We aren’t leaving the house if he keeps this up. I pull back. “What are we celebrating?”
“You. On a job well done.” He trails a few soft kisses down my neck.
“I haven’t even started yet,” I whisper almost breathlessly, my knees threatening to buckle. He has the most profound effect on every one of my senses.
“I’m talking about how far you’ve came from the girl I pulled out of the river. You’re so incredibly smart, brave, and strong. And for that, you deserve to be celebrated.” He pulls back to look me in the eye. “There’s a reason I ended up on that road that night. Some things are just meant to be, even in the worst circumstances. You’ll never reach the bottom again as long as there is air in my lungs to pull you back up.” He then holds his glass up for a toast. “Cheers to the most beautiful woman, who did in fact, bag the most eligible asshole.”
My heart swells in my chest and I choke back a tear. “Cheers.” Our glasses clink and we take a drink. “Nick, I don’t know how to thank you…”
But he cuts me off. “I can think of a few ways to show your appreciation.” He grabs my ass and squeezes hard, giving me the look of an apex predator that’s ready to pounce.
Bring it on.
The music is thumping inside Sapphire. It’s really busy for a Wednesday night. It wasn’t like this when we were here during the week last time. Nick grabs us a round of drinks from the bar, and we head to Vade’s private section. It’s just Ethan, Vade, and Lucas. Thankfully no Marcus or Sasha. I’m not bothered by him, but it would make things really awkward with Nick. Sasha can kick rocks.
“Rivers, come on, let’s go dance.” Ethan grabs my hand and tries pulling me towards the floor. “Booty Wurk” by T-Pain blares over the speakers.
“No Ethan!” I yell. “I can’t.” He starts laughing and dancing next to me anyway.
“Naw, we ain’t doing this shit again.” Nick grabs me by my waist and pulls me close to him. “You’re dancing with me.”
I can’t dance to fast songs, but as if the universe heard my pleas, the song changes over to “Love on the Brain” by Rhianna. Nick grabs my waist and pulls me close to him, burying his head in my neck, obviously not worried about who sees us.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders, leaning into him taking in the smell of his aftershave. How is it possible for someone to smell so damn good? Everything about him makes my brain go fuzzy. One hand travels down my backside, giving it a firm squeeze, while his other hand traces up my neck, pulling my mouth to his.
His tongue parts my lips, sensually stroking mine in slow strokes. We sway side to side, his hips grinding into mine. I push back when I feel his hardness. I’m ready to go right fucking now.
He pulls back, temporarily breaking our kiss. “Are you ready for your surprise?” He softly nips at my earlobe. “You can say no. You always have a choice, cupcake.”
