All Tied Up

Before he could give his reaction to Nicole any real consideration, she lifted her head and stared at him, blond hair now dry, wild and sexy around her face and creamy white shoulders. Seconds passed, her attention fixed on his face, probing, intense. Then, without a word, she slid off him and onto her back, arm draped over her face as if she didn’t want to be seen. Or perhaps she didn’t want to see the ceiling of the cave. Her claustrophobia was still very real; he’d simply distracted her thoughts, her mind, her fears.

It pleased him he could do that for her, that she’d wanted him enough to forget a phobia that clearly controlled her on many levels. An odd desire to pull her close again overwhelmed him. Which was exactly why he didn’t reach for her. His life allowed them nowhere to go but to bed. Period. The end.

The dampness on his stomach needed attending, which gave him a “holy shit” reality check. They hadn’t used birth control. He always used a condom. Always. Even had one in his wallet, which he’d intended to use. Nicole had overwhelmed him, straddling him like she did, and he’d forgotten himself. Scrubbing his jaw, he resolved himself to the conversation that had to take place.

He reached inside a box that sat beside the mattress, grabbed a small towel and wiped his stomach before moving to Nicole’s side. He settled the towel between her legs and held it there, silently asking for her attention.

Her arm lifted from her face, her expression holding a question. “We didn’t use a condom,” he stated.

She didn’t so much as blink. “I take a Depo shot for birth control every three months. Have for years. We’re safe. Of course, being responsible adults, we should have used protection for other reasons. Still…” Worry flashed in her eyes. “If Alvarez has his way, we won’t see another day, anyway.”

The relief he’d felt when she said she used birth control faded with the rest of her words. Constantine recognized the subtle confession she’d offered of being scared over their situation. He was a hard man, not often one to offer comfort, but Nicole touched a softer spot in him, an effect that he wasn’t sure he liked. That hardness in his soul had kept him alive a good many times. But somehow it didn’t matter where she was concerned, and he didn’t know why.

Pulling Nicole into his arms, her back to his chest, a little sound of surprise slid from her lips—surprise that mimicked what he felt inside by his own actions. She didn’t resist being held, and that pleased him on a level he preferred not to analyze.

Soon, they were spooning, and inevitably, her soft curves had his body responding to her nearness. He was hard again and he didn’t try to hide it. Instead, he tucked himself between her legs and simply held her. She relaxed against him, again showing him a sign of that trust he’d wanted so badly. Her hard shell had melted away for him. Maybe it would be back tomorrow, probably would, in fact. Probably should. But right now, he wanted to deserve what she’d offered. Resolve formed. Constantine had seen Alvarez destroy too many lives. Nicole wasn’t going to be one of them. He’d brought this situation on her; he wouldn’t leave her high and dry. And he wasn’t about to allow the past three years to mean nothing.

He tucked his chin by her shoulder, her hair tickling his cheek. “Everything will work out. I promise.”

Chapter Nine

NICOLE SNUGGLED into the warmth around her, a feeling she clung to, a shelter in a storm. “Nicole. Wake up.”

A caress touched her hair, her shoulder. “We have to go soon.” The voice came near her ear. Male. Sexy…It jerked her awake. Nicole sat up, looked around her, sucking in a breath that felt a bit out of reach. “Cave,” she gasped. “We’re in a cave.”

“Easy, cariña.” Constantine was sitting beside her now, pulling her back into those warm, safe arms, against that hard chest she’d explored not so long ago. His hands stroked her hair, her arm. She melted into him as the confinement of the small space worked a number on her nerves. She wasn’t weak. She overcame her fear earlier. She could do it now.

Inhaling again, she tried to pull some air into her lungs; she reached for calmness. “I hate this so much.”

“I know. We’re leaving in about an hour from now.”

“I didn’t mean this place, but the way I respond to it. I hate it.” Why had she just admitted that? Nicole gently pushed out of his arms. “I’m okay.” She scooted to the edge of the bed, telling herself the exposed feeling was her nudity when she knew it was her emotions. Something was happening with Constantine. She’d gone to him in lovemaking, and now she’d opened up about her inner fears.