Vistaria Has Fallen (The Vistaria Affair/Vistaria Has Fallen #1)(40)

She hugged her knees to her chest. It reminded her of Minnie’s confession the other day. What would Nick say? The speedy approach of the moment of confrontation made her heart beat so hard it hurt.

She heard a door close and footsteps come closer. She held her breath as Nick passed her. His head was down, his hand in his pocket. He was deep in thought.

Calli slipped off the balcony and ran up behind him, intending to catch at his arm and turn him around. Her sandals must have made a noise. Perhaps her clothing rustled. Before she laid a finger on him, Nick spun and caught her wrist in a vice-like grip. He thrust her up against the wall. The impact pushed the wind out of her. He’d pinned her arm above her head, his arm across her throat, his body slammed up against hers, holding her there—all before her own instincts reacted. Her gasp of surprise remained locked in her chest. She stared at his eyes, four inches from hers.

They stayed locked in that position for what seemed like eternity, while her heart stopped beating altogether. He had thought her the enemy. He’d defended himself with a speed and agility that told her he was practiced at this, that he was prepared. It gave her an insight into his life she had not considered before.

All the words she had rehearsed, the explanations and justifications, fled her mind.

The cut beneath his right eye had almost healed. He seemed untouched. She was absurdly glad to see him.

With a groan, he let her wrist go. The arm against her throat slipped over her head to pull her to him. His lips crushed hers. He kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless. He kissed her face, her eyes, her nose, her chin. He rained kisses upon her in a soft barrage that left her trembling for more.

His hand held her head steady while he plundered her mouth. She felt his heart under her hands, under silk and she groaned, her eyes closing.

His arms tightened about her. He picked her up, bringing her with him as he turned and pushed open the French door. He pulled her inside and shut the door with one hand. She heard a solid, small thud.

He pushed her up against the wall again. His mouth came back against hers. His kiss left her breathless. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, building an erotic storm of sensations she could not track and could not prevent. Caresses covered her body—through her clothing or under it, she didn’t know.

If he wanted her now, this moment, she would comply willingly. She wrapped her leg around his hip and threaded her fingers through the soft, heavy silk of his hair. She opened her body and soul to him, drunk with the joy of it. Eons passed within a heartbeat.

Nick lifted his head from tasting the skin at the base of her throat. He kissed her throat, her chin and finally her mouth. He grew still, his head resting against hers. They were both breathing heavily. His body, a solid mass, held her against the wall—a support she needed.

He shifted his weight away from her, a little at a time. Then he stepped away from her altogether.

She marveled that her clothes were still in place.

Nick backed to the center of the room, his gaze not leaving her. “Why did you come here?”

“For you.”

He shook his head. “Heads will roll for this.” His voice was low. “How you got in here—”

“Your security is intact.”

He considered that. “Duardo,” he said at last and gave a short laugh. He walked back towards her and reached out to the low cabinet by her hip. An automatic pistol lay there. She had not noticed it until now. Nick picked it up and with an absent-minded motion, flicked something on the gun that clicked. He pushed it inside his jacket.

She remembered the quiet knock she’d heard when he’d first pulled her in here. He had been putting the gun down.

Nick gave a grimace. “I had the gun in my hand before I even turned to confront you,” he said. “Such is my life.”

Fright touched her. Now was the time to say what she had come to say. She spoke the words. “Is there room in that life for me, Nick? Even a temporary, hidden corner of it?”

“Temporary?” He looked at her sideways. “You would settle for that?”

“Temporary can last a long time. Besides, there are no guarantees, are there? That’s what Dominio de Leo taught me. You may have all the best intentions, the greatest plans in the world and it doesn’t matter a damn. It can all go—” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that.”

He sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. “Calli, the risks—”

“And I could get run over by a bus tomorrow.”

“The odds will be even shorter if you become involved in my life.”

“I don’t care.”

“I do. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

She straightened up from the wall and walked towards him. “Keep me at your side. I’ll be safe there.”

“That would be a dangerous illusion for both of us.”

She’d drawn close, yet he gave no sign of relenting. She indulged in her private pleasure—she slid her hands under his jacket and rested them against his chest. Warm, delicate silk. Heated, firm flesh beneath. She looked up at him, pleased that she had to lift her chin to look him in the eye.

“I’m willing to accept the risks, if I can have you. Even for a short time.”

He swallowed. “Why me?” His voice was low.

“The bastard son who cannot use his mother’s name?” she whispered.