Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) (16 page)

We decide on a simple game of eight ball. Hard resin clatters as Neal reracks the balls to his specifications and looks to me for approval.

I nod and say, “Kaleb?” He’s ready with a quarter to flip to determine who breaks.

Neal says to me, “Call it.”

Kaleb flips the coin, and I say, “Heads,” while it’s still in the air.

Whoever breaks could easily win the game when you’re good at pool. Unfortunately, it’s Neal. I step back to watch and see what I’m up against.

His break is clean and three balls roll in. I should be nervous because based on his first move he does look like an excellent player. But I’m not. Because the bets made mean either I get Christian, or Neal gets Jess. I win either way.

Neal does his best to run the table, and my only regret is that I don’t get to show off. But he misses his last shot before the eight ball, and there’s a collective sigh of relief from the crowd. That’s enough to make my ego fat and happy.

I sink the first few balls with ease. The cracking sound of each one is my version of a notch on my belt. I take my time with the harder shots to be safe—and for the drama. Oh yes, I’m eating this power trip up with a spoon.

Now down to just the eight ball, I glance at Christian. I ignored him the entire game, but now I need to see his reaction. He mouths the words, “Crush him.” I let a slow smile form on my face.

I lean over the table to line up my shot. I’ll have to bank it to avoid hitting Neal’s ball, but it’s not going to be difficult. No, what’s difficult is deciding what to do. Do I win like Christian wants me to? Because why does he want me to? Is it he’s not willing to risk his relationship with Jess? Or is it because it gives him the excuse to be with me?

“Wait.” Neal grabs my cue before I call my move. His expensive cologne calls up the memory of a narcissistic designer who wore the same one.

I rise up and he says, “I’d like to up the ante.”

I look at Christian, and he turns a palm up toward Neal to indicate he’s willing to listen. Neal says, “Not only do I get Jess if I win, but I get Nika too.”

Seriously? He has to know I can easily win. He thinks I would lose a game so he can have me? This makes me cross my arms, and I’m about to tell them I’m not really up for grabs when Christian says, “And if Nika wins, not only does she get me, but you can never have her.”

Wow.
Thank you, I think. Is this jealousy? Possessiveness? Or just a desire to win big? I scan the faces staring at us and say, “If I win, nobody can have me.” I call the pocket, lean down and slam the eight ball in.

Chapter 25

A
fter the dramatic ending of our pool game, Neal shakes my hand and I smile as if the whole thing was in good fun. But I hope to God he now realizes we’re never going to happen. I also hope it doesn’t change his mind about leasing me a prime retail location.

I watch Neal turn to Jess and whisper something in her ear. She giggles and flushes red as he walks away. I glance at Christian, but he hasn’t noticed because he’s boring holes into me with his gaze. I touch his arm. “I’m out of here. See you later?”

He nods slowly, and I have no earthly idea what he’s thinking. Jess grabs his arm, and I turn away.

Lori says, “Wow.”

I just raise my eyebrows because there’s so much I want to say but not in front of everyone.

Megan says, “Oh, my God. That was awesome.” She pulls me away from the pool table so that we’re not going to be heard.

Casey says in a low voice, “The pool part anyway.”

Lori asks, “Are you all right? That was pretty intense.”

“Yeah, I just got a little pissed that Neal treated me like I was up as a prize, you know? I mean, I’m sure it was a joke.”

Lori shakes her head, and Megan says, “It wasn’t a joke for Christian. That guy has it bad for you.”

I say, “Actually, I think he just wants to get laid like any other guy.”

Casey says, “I don’t think so. He’s on a date with Jess, but that whole thing was all about you.” She grins, “Did you see Jess’s face?”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re awful. But yeah, she didn’t think her idea through, did she?”

The guys walk over to join us, and all congratulate me on a game well played. I joke around with them for a bit and then say, “Guys, I’ve had enough. I’m out of here. Thanks so much, I had a great time.”

I glance around the restaurant on my way out, wondering where Christian went, but I don’t see him anywhere. When I push open the door to get outside, the light flurries falling on my face soothe me. That game was intense, and it had nothing to do with the pool.

I snort, thinking Christian is mine now. I might be able to have some fun with that. A white dusting of snow is on the sidewalk, and footprints lead the way to the parking lot around the corner.

People are walking through town as they go to and from restaurants and bars. A joyful buzz is in the air, and I catch bits of conversations as I walk by families, friends, and couples. I think about how next winter I may be standing in my own shop window, watching the activity.

I get to my car with a smile because I’m really going to do this. My happiness washes away all thoughts of Christian until I get home. His car is in the garage, and I wonder if he’ll give me a clue as to what was going on in that head of his.

When I get in, the glow of the gas fireplace and low lighting is inviting. The twist of a wine opener in a cork squeaks as Christian opens a bottle of red wine. As I crouch to pet my wiggly dogs he asks, “Want a glass? After tonight I sure need one.”

Maybe he will open up after all. “Sure. I could use one too.”

I walk over and take the goblet from his hand. He follows me as I move to the couches. I say, “The fire is nice. Good call.”

He sits on a couch, and I climb on the other one. The dogs hop into their usual places. “Now do you believe me about Neal being interested in you as more than a good customer?” His voice is a bit stern, as if he’s scolding me.

“Yes, I do. But I think I’ve made it clear I’m not interested, don’t you?”

He snorts, “Yes. I think you did.” He has his legs spread with his arms resting on them and is perched on the edge of the couch, twirling his glass between his hands. He stops and looks over at me. “I had no idea you were such a show-off.”

Firelight dances in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth are turned up in a small smile. I say, “I was a model. What did you expect?”

He shrugs, “I don’t know.” He takes a swig of his wine, and I watch his throat work as he swallows twice to get the mouthful down.

“So do I dare ask how things ended with Jess?”

He grins at me. “I think she has a date with Neal.”

“And that makes you happy?”

“Yeah, her cute wasn’t growing on me. It makes things easy.”

“Ah, easy’s good.”

He cocks his head at me and doesn’t say anything. I sip my wine and let it sit on my tongue before swallowing. It’s a rich Merlot, and a hint of blackberry flavor lingers when I do.

Christian breaks the silence. “You won me. Have any plans?” He drinks another large mouthful of wine, leaving only a small amount in his glass.

“You’re drinking like I’m going to have my way with you.”

He chuckles at that and says, “No. I wouldn’t need to drink to enjoy that.”

My wineglass clinks on the coffee table, and I move to stand before him. I take his goblet too and place it next to mine. “Move back.”

He slides back against the couch and stares up at me. His eyes are a deep gray tonight, and I try to see through them to know what he’s thinking. I place a knee on either side of his thighs and brace myself with my hands on his shoulders as I sink down onto his lap.

I speak softly as I lean in close enough to kiss him easily. “Whatever should I do with you, Christian Nickelson?”

He pulls me closer by my hips, and my stomach trembles. I trace his face with my finger. “You’re a very attractive man, and I think you know I want you.” He parts his lips to speak, but I stop him by touching his mouth and shaking my head. I thread my hand into his hair and yank it back as if I’m going to kiss him.

He lets out a shaky breath, and his desire is pressing against me as if it knows how wet I am for him. “I know you want me too.” I lean down to whisper in his ear. “It’s a shame we can’t.” I bite his earlobe gently, and he shudders.

I release him and stand up. Taking my wineglass again, I plop back down on the other sofa as he lets out a big sigh.
Frustrated, dear boy?
“Neal offered me a prime retail location tonight. Do you think he’ll still want to give it to me?”

Christian gets up abruptly and grabs his wine. “He’d better, or he’s a dick.”

I grin as Christian goes into the kitchen, and I hear more Merlot splash into his glass.

“I think we’ve already established he’s a dick. The question is if he’s an honorable one or not.”

This makes Christian chuckle as he steps in front of me with the bottle in his hand. “I don’t think he’ll give up on you so easily. You were incredibly sexy tonight. Only an idiot would.”

More wine trickles into my glass as Christian pours it. I ask, “You’re not an idiot, are you?”

Christian winks at me. “No, I’m not. I just haven’t figured out what I’m going to do about you yet.”

I cross my legs and bounce my foot. “For starters, you can help me with my budget. I think it’s done.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Really? Let me see it.”

A flutter of nervousness passes through me as if I’m turning in an assignment. I get my laptop from the kitchen counter, and music chimes as I power it up. “I’m exhausted. After I open the file for you, I’m going upstairs to read for a bit.”

“Okay. I’ll make notes for you, and we can go over them tomorrow.”

I hand him the computer, open to my spreadsheet. “Thanks. I really appreciate this.” I grab my wineglass and move toward the stairs with my entourage.

“Nika?”

“Yeah?”

“I know I was overprotective of you with Neal. You didn’t need me to be. You’re an amazing woman in so many ways, and I’m sorry if anything I did tonight made you think I thought anything less.”

“You didn’t. But thanks for making sure.” I walk up the stairs, and when I get to the top I realize I didn’t trip or spill my wine. It’s nice to feel in control.

I glance down at Christian and notice he was watching me.
You have me confused as hell, but I don’t doubt your attraction to me one bit.

Chapter 26

Ba
con sizzles, sharing the greasy odor that makes me salivate. I release the dogs into the wild, and Christian calls out to me. “Breakfast is almost ready, and I have notes for you to look over. You did a great job on the budget.”

Sunlight glistens on the fresh blanket of snow outside, and I watch wet noses snuff it as it dusts puppy faces. I let the dogs in, and they shake off white powder before running to the kitchen where Christian has their meals ready.

I walk over to help with cooking, but he shoos me away. “Get your coffee and read my edits. I can do breakfast.”

I take my steaming mug to the counter and sit to peruse my spreadsheet. He’s made notations of cost variances, but I don’t find major flaws with my work. A plate clattering on the granite makes me look up into his anxious face. He asks, “Not much to fix there, huh?”

“No. I’m surprised I didn’t get more wrong.” A grin forms on my face. “I think I can really do this.” I put a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

“Of course you can. Tell me about the lunch meeting tomorrow.” Christian slides onto the leather bar chair next to me. He’s cologne-free, and the faint scent of his spiced deodorant mixed with his unique musk tugs at me.

“Originally it was to find a prime location, but if Neal pulls through, I’m set. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to look at Gerry’s listings for backups.”

Christian sips his coffee and asks, “When do you meet with Neal?”

“I haven’t set anything up yet, but I can try to make it happen tomorrow too.” I send him a sly smile. “Want to come to that?”

He gives me an evil grin of his own. “You know it.”

“Okay, I’ll beg off lessons today and set things up. I have a few more pieces to go over, but I feel like I’m in great shape. If only next winter wasn’t so far away.”