Dare Me (Take Me 2)

“Is that all you look forward to?” her grandmother asked as she entered the room.

“Well, it’s not all that I look forward to. Of course, I want to see you and Uncle Damen,” she asserted with a hint of exasperation that made Nikki laugh—and stemmed further tears.

“Lucky us,” Damen sardonically murmured.

Mads said, “It’s just that they’re pancakes!”

“Fortunately for you,” he told her, “I know they’re your favorite. So I bought you this.”

The butler retrieved a large present from one of the cabinets of the elegant credenzas and gave it to Damen, who ceremoniously handed it over to Mads.

Naturally, the wrapping paper had unicorns on it, which delighted the girl no end. She placed it on the long dining table and carefully opened the gift, preserving the paper as best as possible. Then she squealed and jumped up and down, her rainbow hair shimmering in a wave of color.

“Best. Present. Ever!” she cried and clapped her hands together, while bouncing on the balls of her feet. She held up the box for everyone to see. “It makes unicorn-shaped pancakes!”

Her excitement alone permeated the room.

And all Nikki could think was that this was everything she’d once thought she’d have. Wi

th Conner.

As her gaze slid to Damen, she further wondered… Was all of this—from the moment she’d met Damen Castillo until this very second she shared with his family—some sort of sign from the cosmos?

One she really ought to pay attention to?

43

Damen wasn’t surprised Nikki had stuck around, upon Mads’ request. She wasn’t exactly the crusher of dreams or good graces, and Damen thought she might even have a soft spot for Mads and her rainbow hair.

Damen was, however, a bit shocked that his niece had pulled out some pretty big guns to convince Nikki to stay.

The main reason this took him aback was that Mads had difficulty these days accepting new acquaintances into her life. Hence, her grandmother having told her that meeting special people was a gift from above. Mads was damn particular and discerning about who fit that bill. Nikki had apparently made the grade. Primarily by virtue of Damen considering her to be special, without doubt. But still… Mads was perceptive and selective. She’d made her decision regarding Nikki wisely.

Yes, Damen understood that his niece’s appeal put Nikki in yet another complex position. She’d been all prepared to leave, to get on with her life, her mission, her work. Then she’d been emotionally bulldozed.

Damen had mixed feelings about this.

Obviously, he wasn’t the least bit interested in letting Nikki walk out the door—and he sure as hell wasn’t thrilled she might have done more than walk out the door. She could very easily disappear from his life.

Not that he didn’t have people to keep an eye on her. But he couldn’t force his own presence upon her, suffocate her with what he wanted…which was to be with her.

Rather, more specifically, for her to stay with him. And his family.

As much as he was grateful for one more day with Dr. Nikki Kane, he knew it further convoluted their relationship—and likely put an additional emotional strain on her.

Not his intention, at all.

Luckily, she’d made up her mind without any prompting or cajoling from him. Damen was grateful she’d opted to spend the day with them.

While he helped Mads work the unicorn-shaped pancake mold on the griddle, pouring in the batter and adding the various food colors to her liking, swirling them around to decorate the horn and the mane, then adding sprinkles for a shimmery effect, Nikki sat with his mother at the long table.

They sipped coffee and chatted amiably. Naturally, Damen was damn curious to know the topic of conversation. But he wouldn’t intrude. In fact, he made it a point not to impede in any way or crowd Nikki.

She’d attempted to slip out this morning without saying goodbye to him, and that spoke volumes. She’d needed a clean break. She’d gotten it from him…just not from the nine-year-old who’d taken an instant liking to her.

Damen’s eyelids had drifted open as Nikki was leaving his bedroom and the regret and loss had slammed into him like a ten-ton anvil. Striking smack in the middle of his chest so that he couldn’t breathe.

So that he couldn’t ask her to stay.