Strings Attached, page 16
She followed her and stopped in the archway. “I don’t need anything in return.”
“Nikki, that’s not the point. I can’t afford it. I’d feel guilty.”
She spotted the cello in the corner. “Then give me a gift that you don’t have to buy. Play me something on your cello.” She waggled her eyebrows. “When you have all four strings, that is.”
Drew took in a long breath and released it. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good. In the meantime, I’m going to take you out, and we’ll do something that doesn’t cost anything. How about that for a compromise?”
“You drive a hard bargain. Did you learn that skill from your father?”
Nikki flinched. Was she like her father? His ability to take charge of a situation had contributed to his success, but at what expense? Had he bullied people to get what he wanted? She’d always seen him as pushy and controlling. The possibility that she might do the same…
“I’m sorry,” said Drew. “I meant that as a compliment. You made a very convincing argument. I think it’s sweet that you’re taking my feelings into consideration.”
She looked at the big orange cat napping in his bed, surrounded by old furniture and things that mattered to Drew. Family photos on the tables. Artwork on the walls. Music books in a bookcase. Records in a cabinet. Her cello by the outdated stereo. Drew didn’t have a lot, but what she did have mattered. Her modest belongings were things that were dear to her heart. Not a shitload of meaningless material things that were the best money could buy. Here she was thinking she was an asshole for being like her father, and Drew saw her as strong yet considerate. She was liking Drew more by the minute.
“Put your boots on and grab your coat. And bring a hat and mittens, too. You’re going to need them.”
Drew gave her a sideways glance, shrugged, and got what she needed from the closet. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t you want to know where I’m taking you?”
“Surprise me.” She grinned and shrugged into her coat.
***
Nikki maneuvered the Jeep down and around several back roads. They were out in the boonies somewhere, surrounded by trees and occasional farmhouses. They slowed and pulled into a driveway lined with vehicles. They parked behind the last car.
“Bundle up. We’re going to be outside for a while.”
Drew zipped her jacket and pulled her stocking cap onto her head. She had to admit, Nikki had piqued her curiosity. “What is this?”
“You’ll see.” She jumped out. “Hurry up before everything melts.”
Melts? She got out, and they walked up the gravel driveway until they reached a huge farmhouse, a barn, and several outbuildings.
Nikki offered her arm. “This way.”
Drew looped her arm through Nikki’s, enjoying the closeness, and followed her lead onto a wooded path. Despite her assumptions about Nikki when they’d first met, she was surprised at how much trust in her she felt now. There was a protectiveness about her, something that spoke of a deep loyalty to those she cared about.
The walkway ended in a wide-open field. There were people everywhere, in scattered groups. As they got closer, Drew saw what the attraction was.
“Snow sculptures?”
“Yes. They do this every year—well, as long as we get enough snow.”
They made their way to the closest sculpture. A three-foot high curved wall of snow had a G-clef and a measure of music carved into its side. “Wow! That’s gorgeous.”
“This year’s theme is music.” Nikki stepped closer to it. “Holy shit, I can’t believe the details. It’s in C-minor. Beethoven’s Fifth!”
Drew looked at the notes on the staff. “Hey, you’re right!”
She looked at the childlike excitement in Nikki’s eyes and melted. The pom-pom on her bright blue cap was huge. Her hair stuck out the sides like a kid’s would, as if she couldn’t care less how she looked. She looked huggable in her puffy black and purple parka. God, she was even more beautiful when she let her guard down.
“Come on!” Nikki reached for her hand. “Let’s see what’s next!”
About twenty feet away was a life-size double bass. It looked real enough to play. The sunlight sparkled on the snow. They were surrounded by coniferous trees dappled with snowy white patches. They were completely shielded from the outside world. Other than the quiet comments by the few people there, it was completely silent. “How did you even know about this?”
“Jaymi lives right up the street. Her landlords know the people that own this place. They just started doing this for fun, and word got out.”
Her stomach soured at the mention of Jaymi’s name. Strange that she’d say, “Jaymi lives up the street” rather than “Jaymi and Shawn.” She wondered if Nikki and Jaymi had ever come to this together.
There were seven sculptures in all. They took their time appreciating each one. A saxophone. Electric guitars. A full drum set. And a Mount Rushmore–inspired representation of four classical composers. They got to the last one, and Drew noticed everyone else had left. This one was the most magnificent.
Nikki held her arms out as if bowing to a master. “I surrender to you and humbly request that your combined genius continue to inspire me.” She knelt and bowed her head. “John. Paul. George. Ringo.” She spoke with reverence. “I am forever devoted to your legacy.” She smiled and caught Drew’s eye.
Drew burst out laughing.
“Ah, you dare laugh, and you have yet to pay your respects.”
She swiftly mimicked Nikki’s ritual, and before she knew it, they were both sitting on the ground, giggling like children. Nikki dropped spread-eagle on her back and started making a snow angel.
Drew made her own angel. When they finished, they both lay motionless, looking up at the cloudless, electric blue sky.
Drew said, “You’re a total nut.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m glad you took that as a compliment.” She rolled over and propped her head on her hand.
Nikki did the same. “Can I ask you something, Drew?” Her soft tone suggested it was something serious.
“Sure.” Her stomach fluttered as she waited out Nikki’s long pause.
“Are you hungry?”
She laughed again. Nikki was totally unpredictable, and the pleasant surprise of never knowing what she’d say or do next made her feel more alive than she had in ages. “Starving. What did you have in mind?”
Nikki stood and pulled her up and into her arms. Her chest pounded. Shivers ran up and down the length of her body. She recognized the burning look in Nikki’s eyes and was sure it matched her own.
“How about a snow cone!” Nikki smooshed a handful of snow into her face and took off.
She brushed the icy wet stuff off with her sleeve. “You brat!” Scooping up a handful of her own, she let it fly and nailed Nikki in the back.
Nikki’s next shot hit her in the thigh before Nikki took cover behind the Beethoven sculpture.
“Hey, that’s not fair. You know I won’t risk damaging that!”
A snowball sailed out and hit her in the torso. She kept her eyes on the snow wall and formed three more snowballs. She cocked her arm, ready to throw, and jumped beside Nikki’s hiding space. She wasn’t there.
“What the…where’d y—”
Nikki pounced out from behind the trees and wrestled her to the ground. The thick padding of their winter garb did little to diminish the wonderful friction between their bodies. She lay helpless beneath Nikki’s weight and returned her grin. This was fun. Maybe she could do casual after all. “Resorting to hand-to-hand combat now, are you?”
Nikki’s smile widened. “I’m out of ammo.”
“Oh, I doubt you’re ever out of ammo.”
“True. But I still need to know one thing.” Nikki shifted her hips and moved her knee dangerously close to Drew’s center.
“What?” Drew tried to focus on the words, rather than the feel of Nikki’s body against her.
“Would it offend you if I offered to treat you to dinner?”
“I could be convinced.”
“And what, may I ask, do I have to do to convince you?” Nikki’s soft tone was sexy as hell.
She let her gaze drop to Nikki’s full lips. She knew they were probably even softer than they looked.
“Hey! Look at this one!” A child’s high-pitched voice pierced her ears, and they instinctively jumped apart.
Nikki discreetly diverted a glare that could have set the kid’s hair on fire. The family of five that had wandered into the display couldn’t have had worse timing. Or better timing, whichever way she decided to look at it. Despite the obvious attraction between them, she still wasn’t sure how much she was willing to let herself be swept away by Nikki’s charm. Geena’s urging to go for it and keep it casual kept playing through her head, but it still went against her nature. Maybe that’s exactly why I should take Geena’s advice. Playing it safe hasn’t exactly worked out for me in the past.
The mother gave them an odd look as they emerged from behind the sculpture. Nikki flashed an exaggerated smile. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
They walked past them, and Nikki boldly threw her arm around her shoulders. Drew suppressed a laugh, nearly doubling over in her efforts to keep quiet.
Nikki pointed downward. “Hey, better tie your—”
Drew’s right leg jerked to a stop, and she face-planted onto the ground as she got tangled up in her loose laces.
“Shit!” Nikki knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
She let out the belly laugh she’d been holding in, and Nikki joined her. “Thanks for the warning.”
“Lot of good it did.”
She pushed herself up. “Great. Now I’m really soaked through.”
Nikki grinned.
“Shut up.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“I have a pretty good idea.”
“Oh really? Care to indulge me?”
Drew brushed herself off and started walking to the driveway. “Not in front of the children.”
Nikki laughed and waited until they were out of earshot. “You assumed I was going to offer to help you out of your wet clothes?”
She answered with a smile. They climbed into the Jeep.
“You’re a scoundrel, Nikki Razer.” She loved this flirty banter. It came so easily with Nikki that she couldn’t stop herself.
“Scoundrel?”
Drew nodded.
“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, honey.” Nikki fired up the engine and blasted the heat. “Still hungry?”
She refrained from asking if they were still talking about food. “Yes. But I don’t want to sit in a restaurant in damp clothes.”
“I’m kinda wet myself.” Nikki smiled seductively. “But don’t worry. My melons are dry.”
Oh, dear God, help me.
Nikki grinned. “Let’s get takeout.”
“Probably a good idea.”
They were quiet for a few minutes until Nikki commented on the sculptures, which turned into a conversation about music and various artists who’d inspired them. Nikki pulled off the main drag, and Drew noticed where they were going.
“Taco Bell? You’re treating me to Taco Bell?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t like Taco Bell.”
“Are you kidding? I love it. I just didn’t expect—”
“Good. The drive-thru it is. What do you want?” She drove forward to the menu board. “Well?”
“You’re something else.”
“Are you disappointed? I hope not. I really feel like a taco.”
She squeezed Nikki’s arm. “Wow. You do feel like a taco! A soft taco, though. Not a crunchy shell.”
Nikki rolled her eyes. “Thank you. I think.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Okay then. You ready to order?”
Nikki declined Drew’s suggestion to stop at her condo to change her pants, claiming that the Jeep’s heat had dried her enough, and she didn’t want their food to get cold. They hurried into Drew’s apartment. Nikki unpacked the food as Drew fed the cats and excused herself to change. She cursed again at her wardrobe as she pulled on a ragged pair of old jeans. Oh well. At least they’re dry, and we’re staying in. If Nikki liked her, she’d like her for who she was, not what she wore, right?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nikki set up a spread of soft and hard-shell tacos, a Mexican pizza, nachos, and two soft drinks on Drew’s coffee table. She was having a blast with Drew. It was great to see her loosening up and revealing more of her personality. Damn, she was funny, too. And not at all afraid to put me in my place. I like that.
Drew cooed over her cats before joining her on the couch. “Hi.”
“Hi. Feel better? Because you look like a million bucks.”
She’d put on old ripped jeans and a denim button-down shirt. Nikki nearly drooled. How could she be this dressed down and still be so fucking sexy?
Drew chuckled. “If I look like a million bucks, then you must not be a millionaire yet to know what a million bucks looks like.”
“It doesn’t matter either way. A million bucks ain’t got nothin’ on you, honey.”
She loved Drew’s lack of pretense. It made her that much more irresistible. No way was she leaving here without a kiss tonight.
They ate and chatted in between bites. After they cleaned up, Drew asked if she wanted to stay for a while and watch a movie.
“Sure.”
Drew pointed the remote at the modest 32-inch flat screen TV. “Ooh! Amadeus! My favorite movie!”
Drew’s excitement made her smile. “I love this movie, too.”
They launched into a back-and-forth reenactment of one of its scenes, and then Drew swiveled on the couch and faced her.
She was sure they hadn’t quoted it word for word, but it didn’t matter. She caught the look in Drew’s eyes and held her gaze. “For God’s sake, can I kiss you now?”
“You’d better.”
Nikki dipped her head and softly kissed her, tasting the sweetness of the soda with hints of their dinner. Drew moaned and opened her mouth, allowing better access as their tongues met. Worth the wait. Definitely worth the wait. God, she feels good. Nikki’s center throbbed already, but she couldn’t let things move too quickly.
Drew seemed to have other ideas as she climbed onto her and deepened the kiss. Drew’s need surprised her. Even more surprising was the argument in Nikki’s head telling her to slow things down. She’d had enough of women jumping her and wanting only sex. She knew Drew was nothing like those other women, but the overwhelming sensations were too much.
She pulled away for air and ran her thumb across Drew’s bottom lip. “Wow.”
“Sorry. I got a little crazy there.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s…wow.”
Drew propped herself up on her elbows. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. This is…you surprised me, that’s all.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
Nikki stroked her cheek. “Will you stop apologizing? I like what you’re doing. I’m just trying to take things slowly, and you caught me off guard.”
Drew sat up, looking puzzled. “Me too. You’re not what I…expected.”
“What did you expect?”
Drew shook her head.
“Come on. Tell me.”
“You’ll think I’m a total jerk.”
Nikki felt bad for pressing her for an answer, but she had to know. Just how bad was her reputation anyway?
“I was afraid of being another one of your one-night stands.”
She knew it. But hearing it from Drew stung. Bad. She couldn’t be upset with her. She had only herself to blame.
She lifted Drew’s chin and looked her in the eye. “You’re not a jerk for thinking that. But if that’s all I wanted with you, I would’ve made a move on you the day we met, and you wouldn’t have seen me since.”
Drew’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed heavily.
Nikki shifted away from her and leaned against the arm of the sofa. She’d hit another sore spot. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to get into this now.”
“Why not? Get into it. I want to know everything about you. You know, in addition to your exceptional kissing talents.”
Drew tried to hide a blush by turning away. She shook her head slightly as if fighting to regain an air of seriousness.
“Hey. If you really don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. I just want you to know that I’m interested, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve kind of taken a liking to you.”
Drew stroked her cheek. “You’re sweet.”
The soft touch and sentiment sent wondrous shivers through her core.
“I guess we’ve blown the attempt to just be friends, huh?” Drew smiled, but her tone suggested regret.
“Are you sorry about that?”
Drew looked away. “I’m…not sure yet. Friendship is one thing, but I have to confess I have reservations about getting involved with you romantically.”
That’s just great. I screwed around so much that now I’ve screwed myself. “Whatever you’ve heard about me, and my reputation with women, it’s probably true. I’m not proud of it.”
“So, what does that make me? Your flavor of the week?”
Nikki’s heart rate accelerated. “What? No!”
“Well, if the rumors are true, how do I know I’m not just some winter break fling?”
Nikki shot up off the couch. “I told you that if I was only interested in sex, I would’ve been long gone by now.” Shit. She wasn’t ready for this. She closed her eyes for a moment and shoved her fingers through her hair. She needed to calm down. She returned to the couch. “I won’t blame you if you don’t believe me when I say I’m done with that shit.”
“Really? What’s changed?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could at least be honest about some of the reasons. “What’s changed is I hate falling asleep next to a stranger in a hotel room in a different city night after night. I hate myself for letting women fuck me who don’t give a shit about who I am as a person. I hate coming home to my empty house and aching to know what it would be like to have someone I love there to greet me. Someone who missed me. Someone who knows how I like my coffee and what I like to eat and how I like to spend my free time and what I like to watch on TV. I’m tired of feeling alone and ashamed and unsatisfied.” She wiped her eyes, surprised to find them moist. What the fuck is this?
