“I bet you look just like her,” he said softly, reaching out to touch her hair.
She jerked away from him. “You’re right, I do. And I hate it. I think my dad doesn’t really like the reminder either.”
“You gotta be kidding me. You’re his only child,” Nick said, looking furious in her defense.
She shouldn’t have said that about her dad. Shouldn’t have said he would freak if he knew they were together, either. It was rude—a reminder of their crappy past. How they snuck around and kept everything hidden. Yeah, she should still be pissed at Nick for forcing her to go on these dates with him, but this one…didn’t feel forced.
And that scared her.
“The restaurant at the end of the pier has the best view of the bay you’ll ever see,” he said out of nowhere.
“Really?” She glanced up at him, found him staring down at her. He looked so…serious. Too serious, and she couldn’t have that. She should be mad at him. Furious he was forcing her to pretend to be something they’re not. He just wanted in her pants again, and she let him. Stupid on her part because if she let him get even a fraction closer, he had the potential to really tear her heart out of her chest when he left.
Because he would leave. Of that she had no doubt.
“I wanna take you there,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips, lingering. “Want to check it out?”
“Sure,” she whispered, noticing the fire that lit his eyes when she agreed. She wondered what he had planned.
Despite her tumultuous emotions, she couldn’t wait to find out.
…
Tonight’s date with Willow couldn’t be more perfect if he tried. The more they talked, the more agreeable she became—until he mentioned her mother. But he could understand her defensiveness regarding that subject. It also explained a lot of her behavior.
He tried his best to coax the old Willow out—the one he fell so hard for—but she was a different woman now, one that he was definitely attracted to. Strong and so damn independent. Smarter, sexier, wittier. Fuck, this woman did a number on him. He wanted to take her back to her place, strip her naked, and kiss every inch of her smooth, beautiful skin.
But first he wanted to do something a little riskier. Have a little fun, push her limits a bit. He remembered how excited she used to get when he got a little grabby in public. They’d had sex more than once in public places their first time around. Completely insatiable, unable to keep their hands off of each other, what they’d shared had been so intense, so outrageously good…
It was still good. Hell, it was better. Thoughts of blackmail and Walter Cavanaugh and buildings for lease and fake dates…they all fell away the more time he spent with Willow.
Taking her hand, Nick led her up the narrow stairwell that led to the top of the restaurant, wondering if she noticed his slightly sweaty palms. Damn, he was nervous. She made him nervous. He didn’t want her to push him away, to tell him there was no way she would do what he wanted.
So he’d seduce her instead. With a beautiful view, a few murmured sexy words, and kisses on the neck.
Her favorite.
They emerged on top of the building and he led her to the side that faced the Wharf and the Monterey Bay just beyond. The wind was cooler up this high, blowing back her hair so it flew into his face. He brushed the stray tendrils away, baring her neck to his gaze as he breathed deep her scent. She smiled back at him, the most carefree he’d ever seen her.
“The view is beautiful,” she murmured as she leaned against the railing, peering over the edge to check out all the people milling around on the wharf below them. “I don’t think I’ve ever been up here before.”
“Nice, huh?” He came up behind her, bracing his hands on the railing on either side of her, boxing her in. “I like the view I have right here, too.”
A little shiver went through her when he impatiently nudged some of her hair away from her neck with his nose, pressing his mouth to her nape. Her skin was warm and so, so soft. Her low murmurings pleased him as he dropped tiny kisses on her neck, licking her skin.
Just like that he was hard for her. Aching for her. He stepped in closer, letting her feel just what she did to him, and she pressed her ass against his groin, trying to drive him crazy, no doubt.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, sounding scandalized.
He hoped like hell it was all an act. “What do you think I’m doing?”
“Trying to drive me crazy?” She drew in a harsh breath when he sucked on her earlobe.
“Yeah.” He slipped his hands beneath her shirt, touching her stomach. It quivered beneath his fingertips. “Remember how horny we used to get in public places, Will?”
She laughed, the soft sound tearing at his insides. Damn, he’d give anything to hear her laugh like that again and again. All the time. He liked a happy Willow. “Some of our more embarrassing memories, don’t you think?”
“Nah.” He slid one hand higher until he was cupping her breast, the lace of her bra rasping against his palm. He could feel her hard nipple beneath, and he brushed his thumb across it, making her gasp. “Remember that one time we were at a restaurant and I slipped my hand between your legs? Got you off while you were trying to talk to that waiter?”