Chapter 6

6

CARSON

I can't believe this is happening. An official date with the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen, who initially swore up and down that she didn't date at all.

Nikki is breathtaking in stylish black pants and a blue top that has a thin shimmering edge along the neckline, drawing attention to the hint of exposed cleavage. I can't stop watching her eyes, as she glances left and right at every stop or keeps her gaze firmly on the long, straight part of the road.

She chooses the Italian spot, which is perfect. We walk in and are immediately seated at a back corner table that's dimly lit with candlelight. I pull our chairs a bit closer, so that I can take her hand or tap her knee as we chat endlessly throughout the entire meal.

Being on a date with clearly the most beautiful woman in the room causes a strange wave of emotion to wash over me. I've never thought about it before, but I've spent a lot of time in the company of just men. One of three brothers. One of the guys. Nikki makes me feel like a man in a different way. A protector. A provider. Someone with an important purpose that stretches beyond just me.

And I love it.

After finishing our meal by splitting a chocolate lava cake, my thumb brushes along her lower lip, as if there were a stray bit of chocolate there. Her tongue darts out to touch it, then she giggles so sweetly that I'm determined not to let this evening end too quickly now that Nikki is obviously becoming more relaxed around me.

She insists that I drive back, and soon we're singing along with old country rock classics. "So, we have some options," I begin as we get closer to town.

"Like what?"

"Like, I could be a respectable citizen and a good date and drive you to your doorstep." I give her a sideways glance. "Where I would kiss you gently on the forehead and get you home early for your big day at work tomorrow that you still haven't told me about but that's okay."

She smirks. "I feel like there's going to be an or coming."

" Or I could take you back to my house for one of two things."

"I'm listening…" Her fingers are drumming on her knee.

"I could make us a couple of those fancy mint teas, or maybe hot chocolates, and we could drink them on the back patio while listening to the forest."

At the edge of town, I pause at a stop sign, turning to watch her eyes as I reach out and squeeze her knee. "Unless you want to avoid mosquito bites. In which case, I would take you directly to my bedroom, spread you naked across my bed, and lick your pussy for a second dessert."

If she looks horrified, I'll laugh quickly and pretend it was a joke that flopped.

Time stands still for the few seconds it takes Nikki to process what I just said. Then her eyes blaze. Her tongue darts across her bottom lip. It seems like her breath is fluttering. Then an adorable smile tugs at the corner of her lip. "Well, I am in town to do research. And given that's something I've never tried before… Maybe I should give it a shot."

Walker might be known as the fastest driver in town, but I give him a run for his money on the way back to my place.

When we reach my house, I wait as patiently as I can while Nikki looks around the first floor, though it's killing me. Luckily, I've always been a tidy person, and she seems to like my comfortable furniture, and masculine forest color scheme.

She reaches the basement door and I try to redirect her upstairs. "What's down there?"

"Laundry. Storage. Basement junk." Taking her hand, I steer her away from the door. "There's far more interesting stuff up here."

She laughs at my eagerness, and her fingers squeeze mine as we go upstairs. She follows me into the bedroom, then looks around as if she's analyzing every detail. "Honestly, you have a great sense of color," she murmurs. "From what I've heard, men tend not to be good at that."

Taking her hands in mine, I dip down to kiss the tip of her nose. "Honestly? I cheated. I looked through decorating websites until I found a room I liked, and then kind of copied it in a half-assed way."

Her beautiful warm brown eyes fly wide. "That's not cheating at all. That's being smart." Staring at her beautiful vibrance, it's like my home is coming alive for the first time. She looks at me strangely. "What is it?"

My arms circle her slender shoulders as I hold her close. Damn, she feels so perfect. Like she was always meant to be here. "I really am dying to taste you, kitten. Do you want to try it, and see if you like it?"

She looks at me with that intense but soft gaze that I already am addicted to. Her smile tells me that she's amused.

"Well, we're here in the mountains to do important research. Learning new things is…" She bursts into laughter. "Okay, this research is far more personal. But I'm intrigued. So, sure."

Setting aside the fact that she's finally admitted that she's in Old Hemlock Valley for some kind of research, I back her toward the bed. "You're so sexy," I murmur. "So delicate. I've been going crazy, wanting to see all of you."

I'm surprised but not at all upset when she reaches up to unbutton my dress shirt. "I'd certainly like to see more of you. There's, um, an awful lot to see."

My chin tilts up so I can address the ceiling. "Finally, she implies that I might be attractive to her."

She finishes unbuttoning my shirt, then spreads it open, staring at my chest. "Don't be ridiculous. You know you're gorgeous."

My ego snaps to attention and does a little happy dance. "Really?"

She looks at me as if I'm completely nuts. "Come on. The entire town thinks so. You haven't heard the women in town talking about all three of you? Saying that they can't wait to take their cars in to have one of you guys fix them?"

Suddenly a whole bunch of whispered innuendo begins to make sense. But I don't have time to process that just now.

I peel off my shirt and toss it onto the chair in the corner. Then I take the hem of Nikki's top in my fingers, pulling it slowly over her head. Her cute blue lace bra is feminine without being fussy. "I like your taste in lingerie."

"You mean my taste in half price sales?"

A chuckle bubbles out of me. "Honestly, that too. It's always good to be frugal."

I slowly slide her pants down and off over her rounded hips, then unhook the back of her bra. The second I slip it off, I lean forward to kiss a slow lazy circle around her breast. Her skin is impossibly soft, but her breathy gasp turns me on even more.

Lying her back gently, I arrange a few pillows under her head, her knees hanging over the edge of the bed. I lean close to lick and suck her nipple, watching her lower belly flutter and her hands grip the blanket. Once the rosy-pink circle tightens to a point in my mouth, I switch to the other side. All the while, my rough palms drift over her satin skin, caressing every delicate point – her breasts, her waist, her throat.

Once she's gasping and quivering, I kiss her perfect lips. "Do you want me to taste you now, kitten?"

"Why… Why do you keep calling me that?" she whispers breathlessly.

"Because you're soft and precious. Is that a yes?" I don't mention that it's also because she's delicate and I have an inexplicable, deep need to care for her.

"Yes."

Kissing her gently, I slip her panties off as she lifts her hips to help. I fling the scrap of blue lace away, then run my fingertips between her legs and along her buttery soft skin. The low, growling hum that emanates from the bottom of my throat is not coming from me. It's coming from my libido itself. It's as if a wild animal is waking up inside me.

I'm on my knees in a flash, wedging her thighs open with my shoulders as I stare right at her pink, glistening pussy. So feminine. So perfect. As I spread her folds carefully with my fingertips, I see the tiny nub of her clit peeking out. My lips wrap around it, tongue flicking against her skin, and I look up into her surprised eyes.

Then she grabs the back of my neck firmly, and something changes in her expression.

And it's crystal clear that this "no dating" bullshit is finally over.