Wilde Ink (Wilde Brothers Book 3) (5 page)

“What are you grinning for, boss man?” Janie asked, glancing over the reception area, from where she was updating their website with pictures of her latest finished piece. Nick made sure that the shop had a strong web presence, making it easy for potential customers to connect with them. The gallery of tattoos was just as important as the portfolio every artist maintained.

“I have a date tonight.”

Janie cocked a pierced brow at him. “About damned time. I was starting to worry. According to my husband, if you guys don’t get regular sexing, things start to fall off.”

“Nothing is in danger of falling off, thank you. But I’d appreciate it if you could hold down the fort for an hour or so while I go pick her up.”

Janie turned around in her chair. “An hour? What kind of date are you going on, exactly?”

And here comes the questions.
He and Janie had worked together long enough to become fast friends, which meant Janie felt perfectly justified poking into his personal life. “I’m just going to pick her up from work. Her car’s at Jo’s garage. After that, I’m not sure what we’re doing. It’ll be the lady’s choice. By then it’ll be time to close up anyway.”

“You got it.” Janie’s grin turned wicked. “So, do I get to see this babe you’re actually leaving work to go fetch? She’s got to be someone special if you’re willing to take time off to see her.”

“If she wants to come in, I’ll introduce you. Just…behave yourself.”

“You are no fun. How can I decide if she’s worthy of your interest if I have to behave?”

“She’s a cop, Janie. If you don’t behave, she might shoot you in self defense.”

Janie’s mouth popped open. “Back up the truck. You’re dating a
cop
? You. A cop. I think you just broke my brain.”

“I don’t have to put up with this abuse, you know. I could fire you and hire someone with a more respect for their employer.”

She flicked a chunk of violet and aqua hair out of her bangs with her middle finger. “You won’t fire me. I’m too good at my job.”

“Lucky for you, you’re right. I’m going upstairs for a bit, call me if you need me.”

“You got it.” Janie waved him off and Nick headed upstairs to his private loft. This space was one of the reasons he’d fallen in love with the location in the first place. Big windows let in plenty of natural light, making it the perfect art studio. It was his home away from home. The kitchenette was always stocked with snacks, beer, and soda, there was a daybed for those nights he opted not to go home, and he’d outfitted the space with a top quality stereo system. Janie and Jo called it his man cave, but he preferred to think of it as his penthouse studio.

He turned on the stereo, pulled out his sketch pad and settled down at his desk. He had a few hours to kill before picking up Lia and needed something to distract him from the wait. Doing some work on the chest piece he was designing for himself would keep him occupied until it was time to go. At least, he hoped it would. Otherwise he was going to spend every hour between now and then thinking about Lia and all the wicked things he wanted to do with her and to her.

It might be a very long afternoon.

Chapter Five

Lia felt more than a little foolish as she stepped outside, her magic wand gripped firmly in one hand. She’d tried tucking it up her sleeve or into a pocket, but there was simply no way to hide the fact she was a grown woman carrying a child’s toy. She had briefly considered leaving it at her desk, but then she’d remember the sultry promise Nick had made her about there being other things she could wish for tonight. She’d spent the entire afternoon wondering what those other things might be, and every thought she’d had was more sinfully wicked than the one before it. It didn’t matter anymore if seeing Nick again was a good idea or a bad one. She’d crossed that line the moment she’d called him and uttered that ridiculous phrase.

It was bitterly cold outside, but at least the skies were clear for the moment. The forecast showed another storm on its way, but the city had another day to prepare before the next dump of snow. She just hoped she finished her shift and was snug at home before it hit. Next year she was absolutely going to book a tropical vacation instead of spending another Valentine’s Day alone and snowbound.

Or maybe I won’t be alone next year.

The thought came to her unbidden, accompanied by a sizzling recollection of last night’s kiss. Her pussy creamed, and her nipples hardened to nubs beneath her heavy coat as a wave of pure heat washed over her. Just the memory of Nick’s mouth on hers was enough to banish the cold. Would he kiss her again? Was there really any chance of a future with a man like that? Nick Wilde was exactly the kind of man she wanted, and everything she knew she shouldn’t have. Yet here she was, waiting for him to pick her up.

Doubts started to fill her mind, but before any of them could take root she spotted Nick’s truck. He pulled up right beside where she stood, and before she could take more than a single step he had the engine off and was hopping out to greet her.

“Hello, milady. Your carriage awaits.” Dressed in black jeans, motorcycle boots and a heavy jacket the same stormy blue as his eyes, Nick looked just as good has he had the night she’d seen him in a shirt and tie…or last night, half dressed. No, that wasn’t true. He looked even better shirtless.

Lia gathered her wayward thoughts and smiled in greeting. “Thank you for the presents. I can say with complete honesty that no one has ever sent me a vegetable as a gift before. And it’s very nice of you to offer me a ride. I…I appreciate it, Nick.” Goddamn it, she sounded lame even to her own ears. When did she get this bad at flirting?

“I can tell you with totally honesty I’ve never sent anyone a vegetable before either.” His eyes dropped to the wand she still held in her hand and his handsome face broke into a grin. “I see you brought it. Good.”

She waved it in the air between them, sending a few errant bits of glitter flying. “I did. Are you going to tell me why I needed to? You mentioned more wishes. I want to hear the details.”

“Not until we’re out of this wind. Frostbite is no way to start our date.”

“Date?” she asked, the word nearly sticking in her throat.

“That’s one of the things we need to talk about,” he told her as he took her free hand and led her over to his vehicle. He moved in close to help her climb in, and Lia’s breath caught as his hands gripped her hips to give her a boost. Nick even handed her the seatbelt and watched her belt in before closing the door and going around to the driver’s side and climbing in. His manners didn’t go with the devil may care attitude he projected. In fact, nothing about Nick was easy to categorize. Sizing people up was part of Lia’s job, but she couldn’t get a handle on what made him tick.

Not yet, anyway
.

Nick put the key into the ignition and started the engine, then left it idling as he turned in his seat to face her. “Warm enough?”

Lia tugged off her gloves and undid her jacket as she nodded. “Much better, thank you. Now, explain what you meant about this being a date.”

“Straight to the point, huh? Alright then. If you want, I will take you to the garage so you can pick up your car. No expectations. No fuss. Jo’s expecting you. That’s your choice to make, but I’m telling you right now, that’s not how I want this night to go.”

Lia lifted her gaze so she could look him in the eye. What she saw there made her heart race. His stormy blue eyes were darkened with desire. He wanted her. She finally admitted the truth to herself. She wanted him too. “And how do you want this night to go?”

His lips curved upward into a predatory grin. “I want to spend time with you. Get to know the woman whose face has been haunting my dreams. And if I’m really lucky, I’m hoping you’re going to use that wand I gave you to make some of your wishes come true…and maybe some of mine too. Believe me, I’ve got quite a list.”

She let go of her doubts and gave in to temptation. “Why don’t we start with dinner?”

“I’d like that. Any thoughts on what you’d like to eat? Or where?”

Her stomach growled and the answer came tripping off her tongue. “Pizza. I haven’t had a really good, deep dish pizza in ages. My favorite restaurant closed a few months ago and I’ve been too busy to go looking for a new place.”

“I don’t know where you were eating before, but the best deep dish in the city is from a little hole in the wall not far from my shop. Make a wish, Cinderella. Make it official.” He tapped her wand and winked at her.

She smiled, picked up the wand and waved it in the air, making sure to get some of the glitter on him as she did so. “I wish for pizza for dinner. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!”

“Your wish is my command,” he said as he covered her hand with his so that they were both holding the wand. “I mean it, Lia. Anything you want, all you have to do is make a wish and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

“Why?” she asked, struggling to understand what would possess him to make such a promise.

“Because I think you need a little magic in your life. Because you are breathtaking when you smile, and I want to see you do that more often. Do I really need another reason?”

“I guess you don’t, no.” She felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she made her final confession. “I’d like to get to know you better too. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, either.”

“I’m really glad to hear that, Cin.” His fingers tightened around hers, tugging her closer, and for a heart pounding moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed a delicate kiss to her knuckles before letting her go. Without another word, he turned back in his seat, snapped his seatbelt into place and started driving. Lia was left to stare out the window, feeling like a child who had been denied the last candy in the bag.

Why hadn’t he kissed her? What was going on? The thoughts chased round her head like drunken butterflies, and then the answer dawned on her as his words from yesterday sounded in her mind. He’d told her that the next time he kissed her, it would be because she asked him to. Lia glanced down at the wand in her hand and smiled. It wasn’t just a wand he’d given her. It was the power to choose. If she wanted him, all she had to do was make a wish.

****

Nick was holding onto his control by a thread. He kept his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road, because if he so much as glanced over at the beautiful woman sitting only a few feet away, he was going to do something he’d regret. Like pull over to the side of the road, haul her into his lap and kiss her until neither of them could fucking think. He’d seen the desire flare in her eyes when he’d leaned in, the way her sweet lips had parted in anticipation. It had taken every ounce of will he had not to take what she was offering, but he was determined. If he pushed her too hard, Lia would just bolt again. This time, he would be patient.

Even if it kills me.

“I’ve a very important question to ask of you,” he said and she turned her head to look at him.

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

“Our future may well hang on the answer to this question. What do you want on your pizza?”

She blinked at him and then laughed. “If I say anchovies, you’re going to leave me at the side of the road, aren’t you?”

“It’s a distinct possibility, yes.” He grinned at her, pleased to see her laughing. He’d been hard for her since the moment he’d climbed inside the truck, and when she laughed, she lit up with an inner light that made his cock throb and strain against the fly of his jeans. She was still dressed for work in a buttoned up, plain white blouse and black blazer, all professionalism and practicality. He wasn’t buying it. That may be the image she was selling the world, but he’d met the real Lia the night they’d danced in the darkness. She couldn’t hide who she was from him. He wouldn’t let her.

“I’m a pizza purist, I’m afraid. Nothing fancy. Sausage, maybe a few mushrooms or peppers, and an avalanche of cheese. That’s it.”

“The future is saved. You have answered wisely, and well. I’ll handle the dinner arrangements while you get your car. Come by the shop when you’re done.”

“Just like that?”

“I’ll have you know that’s a very powerful wand. I sent to Hogwarts for it, in fact.”

“Really? Then maybe I should try wishing for something else.”

His voice deepened as he turned to her and said, “Anything you want, Cin.”

“You’re really going to keep calling me that?”

“I really am. You’re my Cinderella.”

“Uh huh. By that logic you’re my Prince Charming. One without a horse, sword, patent of nobility, or a pair of tights to be seen. I think I’m getting the short end of the deal here.”

“As it happens, my steed is a motorcycle crafted of forged steel and chrome, which means it counts as both my horse
and
my sword. The second the snow melts, I’ll be getting her out of storage and we can go for a ride. I’m afraid my pedigree is not exactly royalty though, and not even that wand is going to get me in a pair of tights. Ever.”

“That’s a shame. I think you might have the legs to make it work.”

“If you want to see my legs, all you have to do is say the magic words.”

Lia’s cheeks heated and she turned her head to look out the windshield. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

He gripped the wheel tighter and did his best to ignore his aching balls as he imagined a hundred things he’d like her to use that wand to wish for. He’d show her any part of his body she wanted.

They made it to the shop in record time, and as he pulled up outside the garage she made a point of checking her watch. “That might be a new land speed record, if you factor in rush hour traffic.”

“My brother Tag does some racing with his Mustang, Tiffany. He’s been teaching me a few tricks.”

“Your brother named his car?”

“My brother loves his car almost as much as he loves Jo. He and Tiffany have been together for more than ten years now. It’s the longest relationship of his life.”

Nick was halfway out the door when Lia asked, “What about you, Nick. What’s your longest relationship been?”

“Three months.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He expected Lia to withdraw, or at the very least, react badly. He knew that a mere twelve weeks wasn’t exactly an impressive track record. The fact was, he had no time for a relationship. First there’d been school, and paying for school by any means necessary, and then he was getting his business started.

Fuck
. At some point he was going to have to tell her how he’d paid for school and earned the starter money for Wilde Ink. Somehow, he didn’t think Lia was going to be thrilled to discover he used to be male stripper. Well, she wouldn’t be the only one. His family hadn’t been happy about it either.

“You made it six weeks longer than I ever have,” she murmured and then fumbled for the door handle, hiding her face as she did so.

Nick made it around to her door before she got it open more than a few inches. He didn’t know what he was going to say until he looked into her eyes, and then the words came of their own volition. “Maybe we were just waiting for the right person to come along.”

Her lips curved up into a sad smile and her eyes filled with dark shadows, echoes of some past pain. “Or maybe neither of us were destined for a happily ever after. I don’t think I deserve one.”

Nick tugged her out of her seat and out into the snow, swinging her around so that her back was up against the side of the truck. He stalked in close, until their gazes locked and his mouth was a bare inch away from hers. “I don’t believe that. Not for one damned second. I might have a few weeks ago, but then you came along and threw my life into chaos. I’ve dreamed about you every night since then. I have no idea why, or what it means. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything. More likely it’s a warning that you’re going to be the fucking death of me. You’re making me crazy, Cin.”

“You are the most confusing man I have ever met!” Her open hand slapped against his chest, but instead of pushing him away she simply let it rest there.

“I’m not complicated. I’m easy. I already gave you my instruction manual. Just say the magic words, and I’m all yours. That’s about as simple as it gets.” He stepped back and pointed to the garage. “Go see about your car. I’ll be at my shop, organizing dinner. And just so we’re clear? If you run, I’m coming after you this time. You seem to think you don’t deserve to be happy. I don’t know why that is, but I do know what I’m going to do about it.”