Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) (19 page)

“It’s worth it.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “You’ll never get away with it.
Max will call for you.”

“Fine.” They lock eyes as he ties her robe together, his lips
curled into a sexy smirk. “What’s your schedule for today?”

“I’m going to see Jason. Even though I dread it, we need to
talk.”

The playfulness gone, his mouth sets in a hard line. Disapproval
radiates from his pinched expression, but he remains silent.

“Then, I meet with Team Shae. We have the movie premiere in New
York in two weeks.” She smiles at his raised eyebrows as he waits for more.
“You can come along…if you want.”

He pulls her to him, his deep, low voice humming against her lips.
“You really think I’d let you go without me?”

“I’d never want you to.”

His growl vibrates in her mouth as he plunges his tongue inside,
stealing her breath with his fervor. Proof of his need presses against her
stomach, and he cups her face, devouring her lips with an insatiable hunger she
longs to feed. When they have time to enjoy it. “Nick?”

“Damn meeting.” He shakes his head before burying his face in
her neck, his panting breath blowing against her hair. “I love you. Be careful
and do what Max tells you.”

“I will. I promise.”

After he kisses her goodbye, she changes into workout clothes
and jogs down the stairs. Max waits in the foyer, his smile seemingly genuine
rather than reflecting the annoyance he must feel being saddled with her for
the day. He nods toward the door. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, if you are.” She returns the sentiment, reminded how his
intimidating stature conceals the gentleness underneath. “I’m sorry you have to
babysit me.”

“No big deal. Besides, I thought maybe we could hit that
doughnut place on Van Nuys after you’re done.”

She can’t help but laugh. He uses her weakness as an excuse to
support his own addiction. “I think it defeats the purpose of going to the gym
if you follow it up with sweets.”

He shrugs, feigning indifference rather than guilt. “Okay, suit
yourself.”

“Now, hold on. I didn’t say no.”

He laughs all the way to the garage. Inside the second of six
bays, he introduces her to a short, stocky man with a halo of red and gray
hair, standing next to the limo. “Shae, this is Leo. He’s part of our security
team, filling in for Jacks until he’s feeling better.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The driver nods as he opens the car door. “You too, ma’am."

All the oxygen evaporates from her lungs. She gasps for air,
suffocating from Juan’s musky cologne drifting from the backseat, pummeling her
with memories. He stares at her, a confident smirk playing on his lips. “Your
life or his. You decide.”

“Shae? Are you okay?”

Concern and confusion twist through Max’s tone. She fists his
jacket to try and stop the swaying, and points to the backseat with her other
hand. “Juan…”

“No one’s in the car. I swear.” His fingers grip her trembling
shoulders, turning her toward him, forcing her to meet his gaze and return to
the present. “You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her voice lost in fear, she nods as he loosens his grasp.
Looking back in the car, Juan’s vanished. Just like the false sense of safety
she let herself be lulled into. Shattered at the first reminder of the
carjacking and his threats.

Clutching her elbow, Max guides her away from the limo. “How
about I drive your car?”

After closing the door behind her, he climbs in on the driver’s
side and drums his fingertips on the steering wheel. They sit in silence while
she takes a few cleansing breaths. In and out. Slow, deep, and even. Calm
infuses her body as air fills her belly, replacing the fear engulfing her. She
opens her eyes and blushes at Max’s stiff posture as he watches her. “I’m sorry
I freaked out. My imagination got the best of me I guess.”

“No need to apologize. You’ve been through a lot.”

She leans over and gives him a quick hug, awkwardly maneuvering
between the seat and steering wheel to encircle his neck. “Thank you for taking
care of me.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just glad you’re okay and there’s no baby
coming out.”

A loud, ugly laugh bursts out of her mouth, releasing the last
of her anxiety. “That’s Lamaze, not
ujjayi
.”

He winks before putting the car in gear. “We’re good?”

She smiles and clicks her seatbelt. “We’re good.”

* * * *

“Hi.”

Jason looks up from tossing white towels into the industrial-sized
washing machine filling the corner of his makeshift office also doubling as a
storage closet. Too proud to let her help him, he has a long way to go until
the gym is the dream he imagines it to be.

“What are you doing here?”

No smile or welcoming nod. Just an indifferent shrug of his
shoulders making her stomach hurt. “It’s seven o’clock. I came to work out like
always.”

He glances at his watch before resuming his work. “Where’s
Nick?”

She skirts the truth to protect the men she loves. Their already
tumultuous relationship doesn’t need another argument to sever the tenuous
connection. “He had a meeting and couldn’t make it.”

His body stiffens as he stuffs the linens deeper into the tub.
All the years they’ve known each other, they’ve never fought, somehow always
avoiding conflict. Until now.

“Can we talk?”

After pushing a few buttons on the control panel, he plops down
in the ratty chair behind his desk. The piped-in music fades to a new song, the
acoustic version of her first hit. She sticks her tongue out. “I hate hearing
myself.”

He sings along for a few lines, his voice soft and wistful,
perhaps remembering like she does how good things used to be between them. Maybe
as hopeful as she is they can be again.

“You sound so young.”

“I would hope so. I was only seventeen.”

Everyone, including herself, thought if she was lucky she might
be a one-hit wonder. Yet, her first single rose to number one in just a few
weeks. Practically unheard of in the music industry. She broke into the top ten
with her next few songs, forever cementing her career as a pop star princess.

“A lot’s changed since then.”

Hopefully not their friendship. She leans forward, grasping the
edge of his desk. “I know you don’t agree with my choices, but I still want you
in my life.”

“I wish you would have listened to me from the beginning. Then
you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

She also wouldn’t be in love, happier than she thought possible
after Evan. The right relationship with whom everyone thinks is the wrong man.

“You love him, don’t you?” His shakes his head at her smile
before his eyes roll to the ceiling. “That’s perfect. You love him, he loves
you, and I’ll probably be attending your funeral soon. Good thing I just bought
a new suit.”

Her cheeks burn as hot as if he’d slapped her. Jason may be a
drama king, but she refuses to put up with his cruel remarks. “I have to go.”

He races around the desk and grabs her arm as she turns away.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just scared to death I’m
going to lose you.”

Shrugging him off, she points to his chest. “If you were really
my friend, you would love me no matter what. Just like I have you all these
years, even when you didn’t love yourself.”

His hands rub over his bare head, resting on the back of his
neck. His fingers blindly trace the tattered rope tattoo, a reminder of how
close she came to losing him. “I know. You saved me, and I’m only trying to do
the same for you.”

“I don’t need saving. I just want your friendship.”

“You have it. Even if I’m frustrated at you, I still love you.”
He pulls her into a hug, and they hold each other until a new song plays from
the ceiling speaker. “But I can’t sit by and watch him destroy you.”

“He’s not—”

“He told me once never to put you in the position to have to
defend him. That’s not possible when you’re with him.”

Her heart races at the ultimatum behind his words. She steps
back and scans his face, but he won’t meet her eye, his gaze focused on the
window behind her. “What are you saying?”

“I’m sorry, but you know how I feel about him. I can’t be a part
of this.”

“That’s it? You’re really making me choose between you?”

He shakes his head before walking back to the laundry area and
yanking open the dryer door. Years of friendship ending because of her new
beginning.

“Jason, please?”

The growing stack of folded towels is her only answer.

Back at the house, she thanks Max with a forced smile and rushes
upstairs. Ready to curl into a ball and let all of her grief rain out with her
tears, her stomach lurches at Spencer walking through the bedroom, flipping
wall switches. A cocky smirk crosses his face, clearly amused at her shock to
find him there. “Good morning!”

He’s just working. Like Nick said—taking care of the house and
grounds. She smiles, pushing away her apprehension, reminding herself it’s
unwarranted. “Good morning. What’s going on?”

He rattles the brown box in his hand before lowering it enough
to reveal the contents. “Changing light bulbs. It’s part of my morning routine
to go room by room and see what needs to be fixed.”

Perfectly logical explanation. No need to be afraid. She nods,
attempting to be gracious. “Well, thanks for checking, but we don’t have any
that are out.”

His mouth twists in disapproval. “We, huh? It didn’t take you
very long to make yourself right at home here, did it?”

Heat races from her neck to her cheeks at his ambiguous
implications. None of which are flattering. “I think you need to—”

“What do I need to do?” The innocent-sounding question contrasts
with the dread flooding her body. He steps closer, his wordless threat hovering
between them, as the fruity tartness of his gum wafts across her face.

“Go.”

A bright smile returns. “Okay, sure. I’m glad you’re
comfortable. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. See you
later.” Concealing his intimidation with a light-hearted whistle, he winks and
strides out of the room.

With trembling hands, she locks the door behind him before
sliding to the floor cradling her head.

Juan. Jason. Spencer.

Her mother was mistaken. It’s not just her heart she needs to
worry about.

Chapter
Ten

The faint click of the lock vibrates under Nick’s fingers as he
turns the knob.
Damn.
She still doesn’t
feel safe. Not in his home, maybe not with him. Nothing to keep her from
running away if she gets spooked. He blows out a deep breath and runs his hands
over his face before knocking. “Shae?”

After a minute, the bedroom door opens, and she gives him a shy
smile, her eyes dropping from his gaze to her hand clutching the towel wrapped
around her body.
Fucking shit.
He’s a
lucky bastard to come home and find his beautiful sweetness almost naked and
covered in bubbles. “If I’d known this was waiting for me, I would’ve left work
a hell of a lot earlier.” His fingers curl around the ribbed edge and yank her
against him.

She shakes her head and presses against his chest, her laugh
encircling his groin like a vise. “You’ll get soaked.”

“I don’t care. It’s worth it.”

Before he finishes the last syllable, her arms slide under his
jacket and around his waist. Breathing in her raspberry-scented bath oil, he
smiles at the collection of soaps, lotions, and perfumes covering the counter,
infusing the air with a bouquet of fruits and flowers, bringing a feminine
touch to the house he welcomes.

“I missed you.”

The intensity of her hug resurrects his fury at her so-called
friend. That selfish jerk hurt her, and she’s suffered all day, never letting
him know. “Me too. Are you okay?”

Her hair swishes against his shirt as she squeezes him tighter.
“Let’s talk about it later.”

Forcing himself not to pressure her, he lets it drop. For now.
“Okay.” He caresses her head before pressing his lips against the silky strands
entwined in his fingers. “You know you’re safe here. You don’t have to lock the
door.”

She nods and steps back from him, wrapping the towel tighter
around herself, not believing his assertion. His gut tightens at the frown
darkening her angelic face, her fingers tracing the coiled texture of the
fabric in uncertainty. Shaking her head as if pushing away her doubts, she
smiles and tugs his tie. “How was your day?”

Already longing for her touch again, he massages the tight
muscles in his neck. “Long. Even out of the country, Juan keeps fucking with
me.”

Her fingers fall away at the mention of that bastard’s name. “I
was hoping all the trouble would be gone with him. But I'm glad you’re home
now. It’s so late, and you missed dinner.”

“I’m sorry. I should have called. I’m not used to having someone
waiting for me.” He rubs her cheek with his thumb, her head leaning into his
hand seeking comfort too. “I have to make one more call, and then I’m all
yours.”

“I’d like that.”

His eyes never leave her as he shrugs out of his jacket, his
phone pressed to his ear. Janice picks up on the first ring.

“Good evening, Mr. DeMarco.”

“Did legal get back to you with their changes?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve made the final edits.
They’re ready for your signature.”

Unaware he watches her, Shae pats herself dry and rubs lotion
down her arms and across her stomach. She slips on her pink silk robe, ruining
his view, and sits on the side of the tub spreading purple cream on her legs.
Fucking shit
. Heat blazes through his
veins like lava from her delicate touch trailing along her bare skin.

His stomach clenches at her deep concentration, the worry
furrowing across her forehead. He needs to know what Jason said to her. “Anything
major?”

“No, just a few tweaks. Is there
anything else you need tonight?”

After Shae finishes, she walks into the bedroom carrying a round
yellow container. Her pink tipped fingers slide off his loosened tie and
unbutton his shirt. The epitome of temptation stands between his legs,
undressing him, yet her eyes never meet his. Before he can assist her with her
efforts, she moves behind him and massages his neck and shoulders with the rich
lotion. He stifles a moan as she strokes his arms and lower back.

“Mr. DeMarco?”

“No, that’s it, Janice. Thank you. See you in the morning.”

Unable to concentrate any longer, he tosses the phone onto the
side table. His groin and conscience lock in battle to determine if he should
let her keep going or return the favor in more ways than one. “You’re an angel.
What did I do to earn all of this?”

“You love me.” Her essence is reflected in those three words.
Oblivious to the undeniable power she wields over him, she offers him comfort
amidst her own pain.

“Yes, I do.”

“Nothing else matters.”

He reaches backward and takes her hand, bringing it to his mouth
and kissing it, the buttery taste of almonds on her silky skin. “Sometimes I
forget, but you’re right.”

“I just want to be with you and not think about anything else
for a while.” A hint of despair tinges her voice.

His conscience wins. He’ll be everything she needs tonight to
know his love is worth the sacrifices she’s been forced to make. “Then that’s
what we’ll do.” He guides her to the side of the bed. Her robe drifts to the
floor, and she lies down, reaching out for him. The despondency in her eyes
reflects how much she needs his comfort, for him to make her feel safe and
cherished. “Roll over.”

She drops her hand and raises her eyebrows, the trace of a smirk
on her pink lips.

Shaking his head at her question, he laughs, enticing her real
smile to finally emerge. If only for a breath, she’s happy. Because of him. In
spite of him. “Just do it.”

His fingers dip into the little jar, and he rubs his hands
together, warming the lotion before touching her delicate skin. A small sigh
escapes her lips as he glides his hands down her back. The muscles relax under
his palms, and he kneads her neck and shoulders, fighting every desire not to
follow his fingers with his lips, ignoring the twitching of his groin at her
tiny mews of pleasure.

After a few minutes, she lifts up, but he gently presses her
back against the mattress. She deserves so much more than just a brief moment
of pampering. Softening under his hands, she closes her eyes and smiles as she
snuggles back in. “Is it true you’ve never had anyone waiting for you before?”

“Yeah, why?”

“We’ve never talked about it, and I didn’t know if you’d ever
lived with anyone.”

He sits next to her, caressing the curve of her lower back, so
beautiful without those bruises marring her ivory skin. “Am I doing it wrong?
It’s only the second day. I can do better.”

Her body shakes from laughter. “No, you’re doing fine.”

“Good. I didn’t want to scare you off by being a bad roommate.”

The long, low rumbling of his stomach makes her giggle again.
This time, he lets her roll over, intoxicating him with her soft smile and
bright eyes, amplifying his guilt for the dirty thoughts rolling through him at
her naked body lying beside him.

“Come on. We’d better get you fed.”

God damn, she’s fucking
beautiful.
His breath hitches as she
slides on tiny panties not even worth wearing. Her graceful fingers brush
across her pink nipples before fastening the clasps of her white, lacy bra
between her breasts and pulling on her dress. She slips her hand into his and
leans against his shoulder as they walk downstairs, grounding him with her
intimate touch, an aching reminder she belongs here with him, no matter how
long it takes her to believe it.

Rosemary and lemon permeate the air, making his stomach growl
louder. Marta stands next to the stove, slicing roasted chicken onto a plate
over potatoes and green beans. “Thank you, Marta. I’m starving.”

“Is new recipe, but good. You eat then I come back.”

Shae pours wine for herself and water for him along with a small
tumbler of whiskey. “
It’s
okay, Marta. We can clean
up.”

“No. Is my kitchen. I keep everything proper. You leave to me.”

Sparkles dance in Shae’s eyes as she shakes her head after the
housekeeper leaves. “You’re so spoiled. She won’t even let you put away your
own dishes.”

He puts up his hands in defense, unwilling to be in trouble with
her too. “She’s very territorial about her kitchen. You wouldn’t believe how
she fussed at me after I cooked you dinner.”

Her eyes widen, guilt furrowing her brow. “But we cleaned up
everything.”

“Not to her standards. I didn’t know my first time would also be
my last time. So, it’s a good thing I don’t have to try and impress you anymore
with my cooking skills.”

She gives him that shocked look again, like no one ever
surprises her with little gestures to remind her how much she’s loved. Confirming
even more Evan’s an idiot and never deserved her.

“That was the first time you ever made dinner for a date?”

He nods, meeting her deep gaze as she studies him, as if trying
to really see him, really understand what’s underneath.

“I guess I thought…” She smiles at him, the genuine one he would
give up everything he owns to see. “It doesn’t matter. You make me feel very
special.”

Max clears his throat before walking into the kitchen and
grabbing a plate, piling on meat and vegetables. “Sorry to interrupt, but
Carter’s on his way in. He has the acquisition contract from Janice for you to
sign.”

Shae laughs as she pours glasses of water and whiskey for Max
too. “Didn’t you get enough the first time?”

“This is my midnight snack.”

She glances at the clock on the oven before sitting down next to
Nick, her hand sliding onto his thigh. A feeling of home stirs in his chest he
hasn’t felt since childhood. “But it’s only eight-thirty.”

“What can I say? My stomach can’t tell time.”

They turn toward the laugh coming from the doorway. Carter
smirks and nods toward Max. “That’s not the only thing wrong with you.”

Max points his fork at him. “You’d better be glad there’s a lady
here, or I’d tell you what’s wrong with you.”

Rolling his eyes, Carter reaches out his hand to Shae. “Hi. I’m
Carter.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad to finally confirm you’re
real.”

He scrunches his face in confusion. “You thought I wasn’t?”

“You’ve been an enigma to me all this time. Max always says
‘Carter’s here’ or ‘Carter needs to meet with you.’ But I‘d never actually seen
you. I thought maybe it was code for trying to get rid of me.”

“You’ve figured us out.” Carter winks at her and shrugs his
shoulders. “I’m an actor posing as Nick’s cousin to help him escape from you.”

“Cousin? Well, now I’m really glad to meet you. I can’t wait to
hear about him growing up.”

This could be trouble. She’ll love to tease him about Carter’s
exaggerated tales. “Zip it, Carter. She doesn’t need to hear any of your
stories.”

“Well, don’t tell her that, dumbass. Now, she’s going to want to
know even more. Just sign your name.” Carter taps on the papers and pushes them
closer to Nick. “My dad and Nick’s mom were brother and sister, and we were
always hanging around together. I was even there the only time Nick ever got
yelled at by his mom.”

And here we go. Nick swallows down his bite. “What do you mean
you were there? You caused it.”

“Focus on your papers, and let us talk. Anyway, this one time,
we were maybe eight or nine and trying to build a fort. We got the bright idea
to use sheets and blankets and grabbed all the ones off the beds and in the
linen closet. Then, it started to rain, practically a fucking hurricane.”

Her hands fly to her face, covering her mouth. “Oh no!”

“So, we ran around trying to get everything and drag it back
into the house. By the time we got them inside, they were covered in mud. The
floor was filthy and most of the blankets were ruined. Aunt Beverly was usually
a quiet, easy-going lady.
but
this time, she was
livid.” Carter leans his head back and laughs. “She yelled at us for a good
twenty minutes. I think she might’ve even let loose with a curse word or two.”

Nick puts his fork down, the bile burning in his stomach. Her
anger had just been a cover for her fear, of the punishment she would receive
when his father came home, how she would suffer for the boys’ innocent
mischief.

“What did you do?”

“We stuffed everything into trash bags to go to the laundry and
mopped the floor. She felt bad about yelling at us and made us hot chocolate
when we were finished.”

“She knew you were good boys. I’m sure it was easy to forgive
you.”

Nick smiles at her, trying to let go of the past and focus on
the joy sitting next to him, her gentle touch soothing his pain. “Me, yes. Him,
it’s not as clear.” He slides the papers back to Carter. “Now, take your papers
and get out. You’re interrupting my dinner.”

“Fine, I’m going. But I’ll be back to tell her some more
stories. So you better be nice to me…” He looks at Shae and raises his
eyebrows. “Because I know everything.”