Nicole struggled to move off his lap, but when she put her weight on her injured foot, the pain intensified. Stumbling, her shoe fell off in the process, and she sank back to his lap. “I can’t seem to stand.”
“How badly are you hurt?” His voice held a hint of concern.
“I can’t put pressure on my foot. I don’t know... it might be broken.”
Mr. Remington’s large hand slid down her leg until it hooked over the heel of her sore foot. His touch was so tender. So warm. Tremors of unexpected delight danced across her skin. She quickly silenced a traitorous sigh before it exited her mouth.
“Let me take a look.” He bent, inspecting it closer.
His hot breath caressed her skin. Goosebumps rose over her body from her neck, clear down to her toes.
She froze. It wasn’t just the pain from her bruise torturing her now, but the way his gentle fingers brushed over it.
He straightened. “It’s going to be a nasty bruise, but I don’t think it’s broken.”
Nicole forced a smile. “Thanks, but I should be leaving—” She moved to stand again, but his arms tightened around her waist.
“Sweetheart, you shouldn’t step on your foot now. It’s starting to swell.”
Her heart flipped from the nickname he’d given her. And why was his voice so stimulating when he said it? The pain must be affecting her hearing, too.
“But, I can’t stay on your lap all night.” From the mere idea, her face grew hotter. “I don’t even know you.”
“How about we change that right now?” His eyebrows lifted. “I’m Mick Remington. And you are...”
The woman that’s going to destroy you!
As much as she wanted to say those words, the sound of his deep, yet soothing voice brought odd sensations trickling over her. Her throat turned dry, as did her mouth.
She refocused on her mission and licked her parched lips. “I’m Nicole.” She couldn’t tell him her last name. He’d know exactly who she was related to. Quickly, she used her mother’s maiden name. “I’m Nicole Stanley.”
His gaze did a quick sweep around the room before landing back on her. “Are you here alone?”
“I’m not supposed to be.” She swallowed hard and began her lie. “But my date stood me up. I was on my way out the door when I was pushed onto your lap.”
He ran his hand softly over her knee, stirring the heat inside her up another level. They were way too close for her comfort.
“I really feel awkward sitting on you like this.” She motioned her head toward the empty space next to him on the booth’s seat. “Would you mind if I scooted over there?”
He gave her another devastating grin that lifted the right side of his mouth higher than the left. Dimples creased in both cheeks. Why did he have to have such an adorable feature about him? Regardless, she must stay focused on her goal.
“I would mind because I think this is very cozy, but I wouldn’t want to make you uneasy in any way,” he said.
Shifting her on his lap, he slid his hands underneath her legs and eased her onto the empty space beside him as if she was as light as a feather. He kept her injured foot propped on his thigh.
Nicole sucked in a breath and heat rushed over every inch of her body. Silently, she cursed her reaction to this gorgeous man. She prayed she wouldn’t be fighting him and her traitorous body all night long. There was no way she could endure that much torture.
