It’s as if I’m at ‘The Hotel California,’ and I find myself humming the lyrics to the Eagles’ song inside my head. I’m still surveying my surroundings, looking for the beast being stabbed with their steely knives, when Nick grabs my attention by kissing the back of my hand. He’s acting all gentleman-like as I gaze up into his eyes, and he smiles at me warmly. My nerves have started to settle slightly, especially now that we are among others, and I allow myself to be enchanted by the glam and glitter of the evening.
Nick sits down beside me, and he almost takes my breath away. He looks absolutely stunning. Even though he’s a handsome devil, I know he carries a big, red pitchfork. His persona screams debonair and suave, and his suit hugs his broad shoulders perfectly. He seems unequivocally radiant and contented, and his brown and gold-flecked eyes gleam with happiness.
A waiter appears, interrupting my perusal of Nick. “Excuse me, sir. May I get your usual for you and a glass of wine for the lady?”
“Yes, thank you,” Nick replies. Concerned my acting skills may falter at some point, I grow nervous again. I hate this paranoia. I curse myself again for not taking at least one dose of Blyss today, just so I could be able to get through this evening without foible. Nick gently lifts my chin, garnering my attention. “What are you thinking about, love?”
I steal a deep breath and think to myself, the show must go on. My lips curve into a small smile and I flirtatiously flutter my lashes. “Do you come here often?”
Nick smiles with mild amusement, his eyes twinkling. “Yes, you could say that.”
I don’t bother asking what type of wine he’s ordered. I’m sure I wouldn't know the difference between a ten dollar bottle of wine and an eighty dollar one anyway. I rarely drink, let alone indulge myself with expensive wine. “I also see you have a group of fans,” I comment as I wave my hand around the large room. “Every woman here seems to be eyeing you up and down, like you’re a famous rock star.” Why couldn’t you have taken one of those women instead of me?
His grin broadens. “You seem surprised.”
“What, the fact women find you attractive?” I shrug. “I won’t sit here and lie to you, Nick. You are a very good-looking man. I’m sure you could have any woman you want with the snap of your fingers.”
“Yes, well, you will never have to worry about other women. I’ve had a lifetime of them, biding my time until the very day I could finally have you.” He leans in closer, all playfulness pushed aside. “You are the only woman I want to come to me with the snap of my fingers,” he pauses, arching a brow, “and you are the first woman who’s wanted to tell me no.”
The way he’s looking at me, pinning me down with his heated stare, I can feel the apples of my cheeks warm. So much is riding on my acting abilities, namely my ass as I pretend to like this man and try building some sort of alliance with him. My eyes leave his to study my hands as they rest in my lap. I bite my bottom lip, trying to pull it together.
“Are you nervous, sweetheart?”
I look back to him through my lashes and play off his question by shaking my head. “No, I’m happy to be here with you; I just haven’t slept well for the past few nights.”
Nick frowns, then reaches over onto my lap and slips his fingers through mine, forcing me to hold his hand. His mystifying brown eyes dance over mine with pure sincerity. “Julianna, you are everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I’ve already told you this; you need to believe it. You will never have to worry about my fidelity.” Then his eyes narrow, taking on a certain hunger as he caresses the back of my hand. “I’ve waited for you for far too long. It’s simply not possible for me to ever get my fill of you.”
I smile politely, and humbly ask, “How can you say that? You don’t really even know me.” He doesn’t know me, at all. He can’t read my next move, my next thought in any given circumstance. Adam knew me so well he had an uncanny ability to know what I was going to say before I even said it. If Nick really knew me, he’d know it’s taking all of my self-control at this very moment not to scratch his eyes out.
“Oh, sweetheart, I know more than you think I do.” He leans forward as if he’s either going to say something more or kiss me, and my pulse spikes with anxiety. Thank goodness the waiter comes in from behind, his arm coming between us to place a wine glass on the table. I exhale a silent sigh of relief.