From This Moment On (The Sullivans #2)(20)

As if she could read his thoughts, Nicola suddenly stumbled, knocking into a male dancer, and Lori quickly shut off the music.

He knew he should leave, that he was throwing her off. But he wasn’t going anywhere.

Marcus Sullivan didn’t believe in hiding from his mistakes. Hell, his relationship with Jill was the only time he’d ever tried to convince himself that something wrong was right. He should have trusted his gut, but he’d been so focused on what he wanted to see, instead of what was actually there.

He knew exactly what was between him and Nicola, sparks that lit and sizzled so bright and hot he was still singed from their one and only kiss.

He’d been a fool to turn her down.

He wasn’t going to be an even bigger fool by walking away from her again.

Chapter Seven

Please leave warred with Please don’t go inside Nicola’s head.

From moment to moment she vacillated between wanting Marcus gone and needing him to be so much closer. No wonder she’d barely been able to concentrate on rehearsing, with her brain and body pulled in two totally disparate directions the entire time he was there watching her with those dark, hungry eyes she knew she’d never be able to get out of her head.

When they were finally done for the night, the dancers quickly scattered, leaving her alone with Lori...and Marcus.

Nicola had gotten over her nerves a long time ago. She’d had to, if she ever wanted to get anyone’s attention with her music. But Marcus made her incredibly nervous in a way she’d never been nervous before.

Shoving the rest of her things into her big dance bag, she was just saying, “Thanks for working us all so hard today, Lori. I’ll see you tomorrow,” when a knock came at the door and a guy wearing a Mel’s Diner shirt walked in carrying several large bags full of food.

Lori clapped her hands. “These are the best burgers and fries in the world, Nico. Marcus, you ordered them, didn’t you?” She turned to Nicola. “You can stay to eat something, can’t you?”

Nicola looked at Lori in alarm. What was Marcus doing? Had he forgotten that he’d turned her down flat this morning? Couldn’t he feel how awkward this was for her?

“I’d love to, but I think I’d better just call it a night. Besides, you two probably have some catching up to do, so thanks, but—”

“Stay for dinner,” Marcus said. “Please.”

Marcus’s low words pulled at Nicola, so hard that she could almost feel herself leaning toward him. It hadn’t been a request, not quite a command either. But whatever it was, it had turned her brain to mush. Just as his one kiss had stolen her control that morning.

A few moments later she found herself sitting with them at the small table by the window, unwrapping a burger she couldn’t possibly eat. Not with Marcus so close that her belly kept clenching.

“So what did you think, Marcus? Isn’t Nico amazing?”

Nicola felt like she was blushing with her whole body. During rehearsal, she’d tried to keep eye contact to a minimum, because every time she accidentally looked at him she lost her footing. As they’d gone over and over the song, she hadn’t been able to read his expression, couldn’t tell if he was impressed with her...or if he thought her song—and dancing—sucked. She told herself she didn’t care if he liked it. Thirty-six-year-old men weren’t necessarily her core audience, after all.

“Did you write that song?”

“I did.”

His mouth moved up into a small smile. “You’re very talented."

Nicola let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding just as Lori’s phone started bouncing around on the tabletop. Whoever was calling had her jumping up and saying, “Sorry, guys, this will just take a sec."

Nicola could see from the look on Marcus’s face that he wasn’t happy with the name and face he’d seen flash across his sister’s phone. True to her word, Lori was back after barely saying two words to the caller, but she was flushed and clearly flustered.

“I’m really sorry, but I completely forgot about something I promised I’d take care of tonight. Will you be all right without me until tomorrow, Nico?”

Nicola could tell something was wrong and she didn’t want to add any extra pressure to Lori’s life. “Of course I will. Don’t worry about it for another second.”

Looking relieved, Lori turned to her brother and said, “Marcus, could you make sure Nicola gets back to her hotel okay?”

“Of course,” he replied at the exact moment that Nicola said, “I’ll just get a cab.”

But Lori didn’t seem to hear either of them as she gave Nicola a quick hug goodbye and apologized again for needing to leave so suddenly. Nicola picked up her burger and dropped it into the trash as Marcus followed his sister to the door.

Nicola didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation, but they weren’t exactly doing a great job of keeping their voices down, so she couldn’t help but overhear.

“I thought you weren’t seeing him anymore. Didn’t we agree that he isn’t good for you and that you can do better?”

“I’m not seeing him anymore...and it’s complicated.”

“At least call me when you get back home tonight so I know you’re okay.”

“I’m a big girl, Marcus. I don’t have a curfew anymore.”