Only One Touch (Only One 4)

“So it’s a yes,” Miller says. “It says a female wears red as a sexual signal.”

“Are we having a debate?” I ask, looking at the women. “I’m wearing red tonight. I’m not on the hunt to attract a male.”

“That’s not what I heard,” Candace says teasingly, pointing at me. “I heard Ryder was asking about you.”

I look over at her, shocked, avoiding Nico’s stare. “He asked me about you.” Ralph puts up his hand.

“Me, too,” Manning says, looking over at me.

“Me, too,” Nico says from beside me, and I look over at him.

“Well, I’m very much not available,” I tell the table, side-eyeing Nico. “Besides, what’s the saying.” I look at Miller. “Don’t shit where you eat.”

“Yes.” Miller points at me, cutting his steak. “Obviously, I didn’t listen to that.” He looks over at Layla and winks.

“I didn’t either,” Ralph says, pulling Candace to him and kissing her lips.

“Well, unlike you two,” I say, “I know how to follow the rules.”

“I need another drink,” Lizzie says, getting up. “Anyone want anything?”

“Shots,” Layla says, “for the girls.”

Miller pushes away from the table and holds out his hand to Layla. “Come dance with me.” She smiles at him shyly and grabs his hand, going to the dance floor. Ralph and Candace follow, and I feel Manning push away from the table.

“If you ask me to dance, I’m going to kick you in the balls,” I tell Manning, side-eyeing him while I cut a piece of my food and chew it.

“I’m not going to ask you to dance,” he says, laughing. “I’m actually ducking out.”

“Ohhh, does this have to do with …?” I ask, not sure what Nico knows.

“It totally does. I wanted to bring her today, but she was against it,” Manning says. “So if it’s okay with you,” he tells Nico.

“I’ll tell them the sitter called,” Nico says, covering for him. “Go have fun.”

I watch him walk out of the restaurant and then look over at Nico, who sits in the chair and puts his arm over my chair. His thumb rubs up and down my shoulder. “Is that what you and Ryder were talking about?” I ask Nico. “He asked you about me.”

“More or less,” he says, picking up his glass of water, his hand never leaving my arm.

“What did you tell him?” I ask, looking at him. When he took me in the closet before, I was shocked that I let it happen. Shocked that I would be that crazy to getting caught with my pants down or my skirt up. But with one touch, I melted in his arms.

“I told him you were taken,” he says, drinking and avoiding my eyes.

“Did you?” I look at him and wait for his gaze to meet mine.

“I might have mentioned you were seeing someone on the down low,” he says and looks at me. “When do you want to leave?”

“We haven’t even eaten,” I point out.

“I have food at home,” he says, leaning in. “Besides, I had a different meal in mind anyway.”

“Did you?” I’m about to ask what exactly that means when everyone comes back.

“I have shots.” Lizzie sets down a tray and hands it to the women. “Bottoms up, ladies.” She hands me a shot, and I put my hand up and down the tequila shot.

It burns all the way down. I cough a little, setting the glass down. “Well, everyone, that is my cue to leave before I make a really bad decision,” I say, getting up. “Thank you for the invite, Nico,” I say. “Everyone, I’ll see you soon.” I turn, walking to the door, getting my ticket out for my shawl.

The woman takes off to get me my shawl, and she’s back within minutes. “Ready?” I hear Nico beside me, and my eyes go wide. “I told them I had a business meeting I had to attend.”

“They believed you?” I ask, shocked as he puts his hand on the base of my back.

“Lizzie knew exactly why I was leaving,” he says, and I don’t know why I’m shocked by this. I saw her in New York, and then he stayed with me.

“My driver,” I say, and he looks at me.

“I should go and get my car and maybe change clothes,” I say, and he smirks at me.

“The plans I have for you.” He gets even closer to me. “Involves you with no clothes on.” My car comes around, and the driver gets out. “She’s taken care of,” Nico says, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward his SUV.

He puts me in the passenger seat before going to his side of the SUV. He gets in, and just the way he handled that makes me so hot for him. I’ve never had someone take charge like that. They usually let me do my own thing. It’s what I’ve always wanted, what I’ve always thought I wanted. I was wrong. “I don’t like being told what to do,” I say, and he looks over at me, smirking.