For a moment, silence reigned, except for Rolf’s stressed panting. The dog leaned into her, and Jannie reached a shaking hand to grasp a soft, pointy ear.
Nick moved to her other side.
Blake clenched his fists, then unclenched them. “Well. I see you have a new fuckboy.”
Jannie felt an arm clamp firmly around her shoulders. She felt hard muscle and heated skin, and realized Nick was still shirtless.
“Turn around and walk out that door like a good boy before I change my mind about not breaking your goddamned fingers,” he said. His voice was steel-wrapped ice.
Blake looked Nick up and down. “Who the hell areyou?”
“You already know who I am. Her new fuckboy. Now, get the hell out.”
Blake opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it as recognition dawned on his face.
He snapped his fingers and pointed. “You’re that guy. From the convention.”
“Very good. I am.” He motioned with his chin toward the door. “See yourself out. Bother her again, and you will deal with me.”
Blake glared at Jannie. He might be fit, but he knew he was no match for Nick and didn’t hide his resentment.
She glared right back, making a note to call a locksmith as soon as possible. “You need to go now, Blake.”
Blake slanted a dirty look at Nick, who stared right back at him, dark eyes blazing. “You heard her.”
A muscle twitched in Blake’s jaw, and for the first time ever, he locked eyes with her in such a hateful way that her stomach felt like ice.
Without another word, he turned, the heels of his oxfords clicking on the marble as he marched away, yanked open the door, and slammed it shut behind him.
Jannie stood unmoving, swallowing hard as the door vibrated, the sound ricocheting off the high ceilings. She caught a glimpse of Blake through the lights as he stormed away, then heard the thud of a car door and the roar of an engine starting.
He still has the house key.
Nick gave her a little squeeze, his arm warm and secure around her, and to Jannie’s horror, her eyelids began to burn.
Do not cry; do NOT cry.
Before she knew it, Nick turned her to face him, and she found herself in his embrace. She should have wanted to pull back, to push him away. Instead, she leaned into his warmth, bracing both palms against his chest and burying her face in the crook of his neck. He felt solid, strong, and protective, and Jannie inhaled his scent, her heart pounding, from the stress of the past few minutes or Nick’s closeness, she couldn’t tell.
She squeezed her eyelids tightly, managing to halt the tears, soaking in Nick’s warmth and his scent. It calmed her. She thought she felt hislips brush the top of her head.
“You OK?” he murmured against her hair.
“No,” she admitted.
“You will be,” he said with conviction.
His hand moved up her back, stroking between her shoulder blades, and then his fingers threaded up into her hair, gently massaging her scalp, keeping her face pressed to his throat.
It was the first time in forever that she felt a modicum of peace, and Jannie relaxed against him, exhaling slowly. He didn’t say anything about what he had surely heard, and for that, she was grateful.
“Thank you for going all white knight for me,” she said.
“Anytime.”
She lingered in his arms for a moment longer. He exhaled, his breath warm on her cheek, and she smelled mint.
Her eyes widened. Her breath must be foul. She drew away and didn’t miss the confusion in his eyes as she put a good amount of space between them.
