Hot Stuff (Hot Zone 1)

He rubbed the sore spot and laughed. "I haven't been called that since-"

"I broke up with you," she said, grinning.

"You're too pleased with yourself," he muttered.

She shrugged. "Yeah well it's not a distinction too many women share, so you'll have to forgive me for gloating."

"So how're things going with Nick?"

She frowned. "Not real well. He's frustratingly withdrawn."

"So when have you ever let that stop you?" He ribbed Mara. They had a close friendship that had withstood both a fling and a breakup. She'd take his jokes in the helpful spirit in which they were intended.

"You sound like Annabelle," Mara said.

"Do I? What's Annabelle been saying?" he asked, leaning closer.

"That I should let Nick know I'm interested in him, for one thing."

"And for another?'

Mara bit down on her lower lip, probably wondering whether or not to confide in him. Finally she said, "Annabelle suggested that I not approach Nick unless I'm seriously interested."

Considering her eyes lit up at the mere mention of Nick's name, Vaughn doubted lack of interest was an issue. How serious Mara was about his friend or how Nick would react, Vaughn didn't know.

He had no idea what Nick wanted out of life, he realized. Did his friend want an affair or something long-term with the right woman? Vaughn had given up thinking the perfect woman existed, or at least the perfect woman for him, and he'd shoved that view down his best friend's throat so many times Nick probably wouldn't bother expressing his feelings on the subject if they differed from Vaughn's own. And they might.

Look at Yank and Lola. Vaughn had encouraged Yank to give her a chance. Vaughn had gone as far as to insist the choice to opt in or out of a relationship with Yank ought to be Lola's to make. But he didn't think the same rules applied to Annabelle.

And when Yank had said Annabelle needed a good man, Vaughn knew the other man was politely insinuating Vaughn wasn't him. Because despite all he'd overcome in life, he was still the kid who couldn't succeed and the man Laura had left behind because he was lacking. In the years since they'd been close, Yank obviously had come to believe that, too. Vaughn might help Annabelle ease her insecurities at night because it was what she needed, but long-term he owed it to her to make the best decision for them both.

Nick, on the other hand, didn't have the same hang-ups or insecurities. He glanced at Mara who, used to his long silences, merely waited until he was ready to talk.

"I think Annabelle's right. You should go for it," he told Mara at last.

She jumped up and gave Vaughn a big kiss on the cheek, just as Nick walked in, catching them.

Vaughn shook his head in frustration and shot an apologetic look Mara's way. "I'm outta here, kids," he said to his partner and assistant.

Nick clenched and unclenched his fists, his expression hard and unyielding. Mara definitely had an uphill battle ahead of her, Vaughn thought.

Good thing she was woman enough for the job.

He strode out of the office and headed to find Annabelle. She had a heart of gold and knew how to reach people on a gut level. She was bringing to the job the same skills Vaughn lacked to help his lodge. If he wasn't trying so hard to convince himself otherwise, he'd say they made a great team.

NICK WATCHED AS VAUGHN left the room after being caught with his arms around Mara,

then he exhaled slowly. How many times in his damn life would he have to come in second or back off from something he wanted because of Vaughn-a man he had the utmost respect for and considered closer to him than his own brother? It made it all that much harder.

"Nick."

He turned, his thoughts unexpectedly cut off by Mara. Every time he looked at her, he felt that kick to the gut signaling getting over this woman wouldn't be easy. He liked her outspoken manner and business sense, enjoyed her sense of humor and bold laugh.

And he loved how her brown hair framed her face in chunky layers, disobeying her fingers when she brushed her hair back from her cheeks. No, he thought, getting over her wasn't happening soon. But as he'd told Annabelle, he wanted a woman who was all his, not one who had lingering feelings for his best friend.

"What?" he barked at her.

She folded her arms across her chest and her chocolate-colored eyes locked with his. "You're an ass."