Second Nature (2 page)

He was throwing an engagement party for Dave and his fiancé tonight. What are friends for, right? He was happy Dave had found his soul mate, which Nick believed only happened once in a lifetime.

He had recognized his friend’s fiancé from the photograph Dave carried in his wallet. Of all the people in the world, Dave’s girl friend was the best friend of the woman Nick left behind. Talk about karma biting you in the ass.

He pleaded with Dave not to say anything to Amy. Nick knew it was a lot to ask, but his buddy promised to keep his secret until they arrived home. Nick knew Amy would be waiting at the dock for Dave, and would recognize Nick.

He was right. Amy had been pretty shocked when he walked off the ship with Dave. Her mood soured with Dave for keeping a secret, but she eventually forgave her fiancé after Nick explained his situation. Then he had a huge undertaking to convince Amy it was for the best she not say anything to Dana. Dana’s hurt and anger was Nick’s fault and he needed to be the one to come clean. He had an awful lot to make up for.

The moment of truth would approach his doorstep very soon. In less than an hour, Dana would walk through his front door and he didn’t have the slightest clue what to say, even though seeing her again had been the only thought occupying his mind of late.

Dave stepped out on the balcony and slapped Nick on the back, grinning. “Relax, man. I’m the one getting married in a week.”

“Piss off, Dave. I’m fine.” Nick’s curt tone was more directed at himself than his friend. His rolling insides and sweating hands only intensified his nerves.

“What is it, buddy? You afraid to see Dana again?”

Hands on his hips and shaking his head, Nick shrugged. “It’s been five years, what the hell do you think? I’ve been going over this day forever, hoping someday I’d have the opportunity to tell her I made a mistake leaving. Dude, I didn’t even say goodbye to her. I was such an ass. So, yeah, I’m a little nervous to see her.”

He’d spent his whole freshman year with Dana. She imprinted his heart, and in return he broke hers. She probably wouldn’t even come to the party if she knew it was
his
house she was walking into.

“I want to see her so bad it hurts.”

Dave smiled. “Nick, my friend, quit worrying. She’ll probably be mad as hell at first, but you have a whole week to apologize. Amy and I will do what we can to help, after Dana gets over being pissed at us too.”

“Shit, this is going to be bad.”

Dave punched Nick’s arm. “Come on. Shake it off, buddy. Let’s go inside. The girls should be here any minute.” He pushed Nick toward the patio door.

Several of the guests had already arrived. Dave went to mingle while Nick leaned his elbow on the bar and swallowed a mouthful of his drink.

Dana’s entrance hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn’t even have to look at the front door. The hairs on the base of his neck rose, and goose bumps tingled along his arms. He sensed her presence. His breath escaped him and his gut twisted in a tight knot.
Did somebody turn up the heat?

He slowly turned and saw her standing next to Amy. He froze, wondering if it was possible for Dana to be more beautiful since he had seen her last. She smiled at something someone said, and the knot in his gut dropped to his groin. He couldn’t move. His feet were rooted to the floor. Then panic set in. What would she do when she saw him? He was afraid to breathe.

Amy escorted Dana around the room, introducing her to the guests. Dana smiled and shook their hands. God, if she only knew what that smile did to a man. Nick watched Dave join them and hug his bride-to-be before hugging Dana. Lucky bastard, embracing Dana knowing Nick was watching.

She continued to mingle and gradually made her way around the room, while he stayed by the bar, sweating in his uniform. Then, as if she subconsciously sensed his presence, her gaze connected with his. Her blush stained cheeks went suddenly pale.

“Oh, shit,” he whispered.

Her knees wobbled as she clutched Amy’s arm, never taking her eyes off him. She said something to Amy that he couldn’t make out. He never was good at reading lips, but he could read body language, and knew what she meant to do just as she turned and dashed for the patio door.

Instinctively, he propelled forward. He had to go after her, knowing from the blank stare on her face he was the reason for her exit. He passed Dave and Amy and shook his head when Dave grabbed him by the arm.

“I
have
to go to her.”

Nick reached the patio and closed the sliding door behind him, searching the darkness. She couldn’t have gone far. She didn’t know anyone else here, and he doubted she was familiar with the area. Nick descended the stairs two at a time, and ran across the yard to the water’s edge.
Where’d she go?
He released his breath as he caught sight of a silhouette toward the end of his property.

He approached quietly. She stood, arms hugging around her middle, and holding her shoes while the gentle waves splashed up and over the seawall. Damn, he wanted to reach out and touch her. It had been so long. He couldn’t deny the growing ache pushing against his heart, and a sudden tightening of his groin at the sight of how well that dress fit her curves. He shook his head. This definitely wasn’t the time for his libido to come to life.

He longed to hold her in his arms and nuzzle her beautiful neck just below her ear like she’d always loved. Would it still make her tremble? Maybe it wouldn’t. God, he wanted this woman. He had to apologize for hurting her, and to explain why he had left. She’d probably flinch at his touch. He was certain of it. She’d likely administer a low blow, which he’d totally deserve, and then bolt again. Dana was unpredictable that way. He loved that about her too.

Her body stiffened as he neared. Careful not to scare her, he stepped closer and slowly ran his fingertips over her bare shoulders and down her arms. She shivered at his touch before moving away. “Don’t, Nicholas,” she said in a low, shaky whisper.

Damn it. She wasn’t just pissed, but hurt as well and rightfully so. He could be such an idiot. He needed to tread lightly and choose his words carefully. God, he missed her so much. He didn’t realize just how much until he saw her. She still had that power over him after all this time, and she probably wasn’t even aware of it.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” There was no easy way to dredge up the past five years—of his walking away from her. If he could just hold her, to ease her pain.

She shook her head, yet didn’t say anything. She muffled a cry, and his heart broke all over again. He never thought she would run into his arms, but didn’t expect her to be so distraught over seeing him. Now he questioned his motives to approach her tonight. What had he done?

Chapter Three

Oh, God, what was
he
doing here? Had Amy deliberately done this to her? She must have known about Nick and had plenty of opportunity to let Dana in on the secret.

She had wondered, for five years, what it would be like to see him again, but figured she’d never have the chance. Now, after all this time, her dreams were actually coming true. He stood right behind her, more handsome than she remembered, and more than he had a right to. The way he filled out his uniform, defining the male persona, he could pass for a Greek God.

She rehearsed her speech so many times. She’d greet him pleasantly, with her ever-popular warm and witty charm, never showing any tears or talking about the hell she went through after he had left. She wouldn’t show her anger. Oh, the anger, there was plenty of that. Her jaw clenched just thinking about it. Dana was so angry with Nick she wanted to slap that smug grin she knew was shadowing his face. If she reacted in any way other than indifferent, he might think she still cared. She wanted him to know that she was over him and had a great life.

Anything she told him at this point would be a lie. She was afraid to look at him, fearing the hurt and anger would wash away in a single moment, replaced by the longing to be in his arms.

Her breath escaped her as he gripped her shoulders and turned her toward him.

“Dana, look at me.” God, even his voice, husky and sincere, did awfully wonderful things to her insides.

“No!” She stared at the ground. “I can’t do this, Nicholas.”

He curled his finger under her chin, gently tilting her face to meet his. Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks. Her face warmed at the touch of his fingers wiping her tears away. She willed her feet to run.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

She sucked back a sob, her fight slipping away. “I’ve wanted to be mad at you for so long.” She rolled her eyes. “Why do you have to look so damn good in that uniform?”

He chuckled and cupped her face in his hands, lowering his head to brush his lips gently against hers.

Instant ignition.

“Oh, God, please don’t.” She placed her palms to his solid chest, feeling his muscled pecks under all that uniform. Her body trembled from the tip of her toes to the top of her head. Startled by her immediate reaction to him, she pushed him away. “This can’t happen, Nicholas. I’m not young and naïve anymore. You broke my heart once. I won’t let you do it again.” Whew. She hadn’t been sure she’d actually be able to say those words out loud.

His hands dropped to his sides, not stopping her when she stepped away.

“Dana, we need to talk. There’s a lot you don’t know about the night I left.”

Too little too late
. She needed to flee, but couldn’t think beyond this moment. She wanted this man so much it hurt, but too much pain had been suffered. She turned, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

He reached for her arm. “It
does
matter, damn it. At least to me.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Please stay, Dana. You’re here and this night is about our friends and their wedding. That’s the most important thing right now—being here for our friends.”

She hesitated. Damn him, he was right. She
was
here for her friend, even though she was really pissed at Amy for purposely leading her into this mess. Amy knew full well Dana would be a wreck, but she would deal with her friend later. She avoided Nick’s eyes and just nodded in agreement.

“Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head, and then placed his hand across the small of her back, guiding her to the house, where the party could be heard going full speed ahead.

****

As Nick escorted Dana to his house, he said a silent, thankful prayer for her decision to stay. He’d just been handed a miracle of all miracles.

He knew she wanted to run out the door and get far away from him. It was crappy of him to use Dave and Amy as an excuse to keep her here. She’d come to Seattle for the wedding, and couldn’t go home, no matter how mad she was at Amy or him. Nick had a whole week to scheme a plan to spend as much time with Dana as possible.

Once they were inside, Dana shrugged his hand from her back and quickly walked away. He would have asked her to dance, but figured he had a million-to-one chance she would actually agree. As the night crept on, he stayed busy mingling with the guests, while Dana made herself practically invisible.

She also avoided Amy throughout the evening as much as possible. He saw Amy approach her once or twice, and while Dana smiled civil enough, her smile was forced. Obviously pissed at her friend, she wouldn’t intentionally ruin such an important night for Amy and Dave. Dana was nothing if not tactful, but there’d be hell to pay later.

As the crowd thinned, Nick hoped her anger did as well. She stood just in front of him, by the bar with a drink in her hand, glancing around the room. When Dave and Amy walked toward her, mischievous grins on their faces, Dana’s back straightened. Nick stepped beside her.

“What are you two up to?” Dana asked.

Amy glanced around the room, grinning from ear to ear. There were a few guests lingering. “We were hoping to sneak out, but we didn’t want to leave you stranded,” she whispered.

Nick cut in before Dana could utter a word. “I’ll make sure Dana gets home.”

Dana stiffened and retorted. “No. I’ll call a cab.”

Nick wasn’t about to let this opportunity of alone time with Dana pass him by. “It’s okay. You two go. I’ll make sure Dana gets back to your place. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I could use some help cleaning up.”

She glared at him. “I thought that’s what the hired help was for.” She tried to pull away when he put his arm around her waist and drummed his fingers on her hip. Dana squirmed, but he kept her firmly next to him.

He shook his head, smiling down at her. “Look at our friends, such a happy couple, so much in love and anxious to spend time alone. Do they really need us thwarting their plans tonight?”

“Okay. Fine.” Dana pushed Nick’s hand away and hugged Amy. “You two go and have fun. I’ll be fine.”

Winning this round, Nick smiled.

Chapter Four

Nick and Dana stood in the doorway watching Dave and Amy practically run down the front walkway. Nick placed his hand comfortably on Dana’s hip, like it belonged there, pulling her closer as he shut the front door.

“Dance with me,” he whispered, gently nibbling her earlobe. She shuddered and then roughly pushed his hand from her hip. She turned, staring straight into his eyes.

“No!” She shoved his chest, pushing him backward and hurried to the other side of the room.

He grinned and shook his head. She sure was feisty. He grabbed a cloth and wiped down the bar, chatting with the few people left milling around, but never letting Dana out of his sight for more than a moment at a time.

The stunning black, strappy dress she wore hugged her every curve almost as good as he could. He would definitely reacquaint his hands with those delicious curves. He remembered the warmth of her skin and the smell of the pineapple and coconut scented soap on her body just like it was yesterday. The way she would weaken in his arms as he gently smothered her lips with kisses, while his hands rubbed over her mound. She’d arch into his touch as his hands caressed every part of her body.

Good God. He pushed the sexy thoughts from his mind, knowing full well if he continued, he’d be saying goodbye to his guests from behind the bar to hide his obvious arousal.