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“What a silly question,” Niki said, laughing to hide her uncertainty. She ignored her friend’s curious gaze. “I think it’s time I talked to the caterer.”
Cassie draped an arm around Niki’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll join you. Thanks to my mother and her socializing ways, if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to throw a good party. I’ll show you how to handle a temperamental caterer.”
As they fought their way through the crowded living room, Niki felt the weight of Jack’s gaze. She resisted the urge to glance back at him. No need to flirt with danger, she told herself. She was in no mood for another confrontation.
Guests were everywhere. They stood huddled in groups, scattered about the Oriental rug in tight knots of human congestion. Her mother’s card party had taken up a boisterous residence in the middle of the room. They were comfortably settled on the couch and wing back chairs. She caught her mother’s eye and conveyed a silent message of Help! Relief poured through her as she watched her mother rise to her feet to follow.
The party spilled out into the entranceway. A group of Greg and Jack’s classmates from high school were balancing plates of food on their knees and sipping champagne as they sat on the foyer’s gracefully curved staircase. Niki flashed them a smile and a wave as she and Cassie strode down the hall and ducked into the kitchen.
Compared to the blare of the party, the bustling noises of the catering staff seemed like heaven. Cassie took a seat on a bar stool at the kitchen’s center island. Niki leaned against the door and gave herself a moment to calm her frazzled nerves.
Her moment of peace, however, was short-lived.
“Miss Adams?”
The caterer appeared before her. He was big man with dark hair and the build of a former football player going slowly to seed. He wore a look of concern. “You okay, Miss Adams?”
She forced a smile. “I’m fine. Were you looking for me?”
His thick brows knitted into a frown. “There’s too much humidity tonight. What with the rain and the heat from the crowd, the miniature cheese soufflés are falling flat as soon as they hit the air.”
Niki sighed. “There’s so much food out there already—”
She didn’t have a chance to finish. The kitchen door swung open, whacking Niki on her backside. Her mother had arrived. Worry shadowed her green eyes. She looked as frazzled as Niki felt.
“Niki, what in the world has happened to Greg?” she demanded.
Cassie chuckled from her perch at the island.
The caterer didn’t appreciate the interruption. “Miss Adams, about the cheese souffles—”
Her mother glanced sharply at the caterer. “Soufflés? Who cares about the souffles? There’s enough food out there to feed an army. I’m worried about the champagne.”
“The champagne?” Niki and Cassie chorused.
Her mother thumbed their attention toward the party. “The waiters are serving glasses of champagne as though they were sparkling water. At twenty bucks a pop, let’s slow down the flow, okay?”
“But Mrs. Adams, how can I…”
The voices faded as the dizziness grew. Too many voices. Too many demands. Niki felt as though she were on a merry-go-round, only the sound was distorted and the action slowed. She rubbed her throbbing temples. The room felt uncomfortably warm. Just as she felt as though she might scream or faint, the door opened, once again whacking her on the backside.
This time Jack stood before her.
One look into his eyes and Niki wanted to scream. She could see the big-brotherly concern etched across his face. She struggled to gather her scattered aplomb. The last thing she wanted was for Jack to see her ruffled. He’d never let her live it down if she fell apart now.
“Niki, are you okay?” His deep voice brought her senses back into sharp focus.
“Why does everyone keep asking me if I’m okay?” Niki snapped.
“Probably because you look like death warmed over,” Cassie offered.
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” she lied, as she fought a new wave of dizziness. “It’s just warm in here, that’s all.”
“Warm, my eye,” her mother said. “It’s all this rushing about you’ve been doing.” She shook her head, sending the corkscrew curls bouncing. “Why you and Greg decided on such a short engagement is beyond me. Three months isn’t long enough to make plans for a wedding. No wonder you’re feeling peaked.” Determination crossed her plump face. “Jack, take her outside. Get her some fresh air.”
“No, Mom,” Niki said quickly. “I’ll be fine—”
“Niki, I think you’d better listen to your mother,” Cassie said, slipping off the bar stool. “You really do look pale. Helen and I will take care of the food. You go on outside for few minutes.”
Before she could make another protest, a strong hand was pressed against the small of her back, pushing her gently toward the door. Trepidation shimmied along her spine. A cool, damp breeze caressed her flushed skin as she stepped outside. She lifted her face to the heavens and a fat drop of rain plopped onto her nose.
“It’s raining,” she said, turning back, glad for an excuse to go inside.
Jack didn’t give her a chance to escape.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and started running. His skin felt warm against hers, his grip firm. She had no choice but to follow. Deftly skirting the raindrops and puddles, he led her to the gazebo.
Niki gave a silent moan. Being alone with Jack was bad enough. But returning to the gazebo felt as though she were returning to the scene of’the crime. For this was where he’d stolen her youthful fantasies.
As soon as their footsteps thudded against the wooden floor, Niki snatched her hand away from Jack’s grasp. She strode to the far end of the gazebo, as far away from him as possible. He lingered at the gazebo’s arched entranceway, blocking the exit. Short of hopping over the railing in her green silk dress, there would be no escaping him.
Neither of them spoke. An eternity passed as they listened to the rain drum against the gazebo’s roof. A damp chill turned their ragged breaths into foggy plumes. The night pressed against them, dark and forboding.
Jack shattered the silence. “Do you plan to stay mad at me forever?”
She heard a shade of the old Jack in his tone. The teasing, confident boy who could sweet-talk his way out of any argument. Steeling herself against his charm, she refused to look at him. “Mad doesn’t even begin to describe the way I feel.”
“Niki, I didn’t come out here to argue with you—”
“Then why did you come?”
“To reason with you.” A hint of exasperation edged his voice. “Obviously, that was a mistake.”
She glanced at him. Beyond the reaches of the light, he looked dark and elusive, like a shadow in the night. “Why? Because you can’t reason with a child?”
He released a slow, impatient breath. “I never said you were a child.”
“No, but you implied it.”
“All I said was that you were too young—”
“I’m old enough,” she insisted.
He continued, undaunted. “That you were too young and too impulsive—”
“I am not impulsive.”
“Right. That’s why you’re marrying Greg in three months.” He stepped closer, emerging from the shadows. His voice came like a whisper out of the dark. “What’s your hurry, Niki? Afraid you might change your mind?”
Niki flinched, as his taunt struck a hidden nerve. She stared at him. Even in the rain-darkened light, he looked handsome, sexy and irresistible. Noticing his physical attributes only stoked her anger. “I’d rather be impulsive than be a hypocrite. How dare you come to my engagement party, when you don’t even approve of my marriage?”
He shrugged. “Greg and I were classmates. I’m a friend of the family. I may not approve of the wedding, but I have no choice but to accept it.”
A new surge of anger rose up inside her. “I never asked for your approval.” She held her arms out at her sides. “Look at me, Jack. I’m a big girl now. I’m all grown up. I can make my own decisions.”
Impatience lined his face. “For the last time, I don’t think of you as a child.”
“No, you just treat me like one.”
“If you want to be treated like an adult, then start acting like one.”
She threw her hands up in defeat. “I give up. Talking to you is impossible.” With a determined step, she moved to slip past him.
Jack stopped her. Placing both hands upon her shoulders, he spun her around to face her. “This conversation isn’t finished.”
“Yes, it is. Let go of me, Jack.”
He didn’t listen. He held her firm.
She felt the warmth of his hands through the silky fabric of her dress. She saw the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he drew. She inhaled the scent of his cologne, the same brand of cologne she’d given him three years ago for Christmas. Anger still pumped through her veins, but with it came a new emotion. Awareness prickled her senses.
He was too close…too tempting. She had to leave. Now.
Only, she couldn’t move.
She couldn’t say a word.
“Niki, I…” he began, his voice thick, as though he were having a difficult time forming the words. He stopped. Stared at her. Then, releasing a harsh breath, he pulled her close.
Before she could protest, he kissed her.
Chapter Three
Lightning, which had nothing to do with the stormy weather raging beyond the gazebo, struck the moment their lips met.
Jack was stunned. Their first kiss should have been gentle, playful…a reflection of their friendship. Gentle wasn’t an apt description. The kiss started rough, and grew even more demanding.
And yet, Niki didn’t resist.
Need took the place of his common sense. Experimentally, he swept his tongue across her lips, sampling them. They were sweet and tender like a forbidden fruit. Once tasted, he knew he was lost.
Somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind, the voice of reason struggled to be heard. Niki was his friend. She was like a sister to him. She was engaged to another man.
Kissing her was wrong.
Then her lips parted. Her tongue met his, tentatively at first, then bolder. And Jack knew reason didn’t have a chance. The temptation was too great. The kiss deepened, as though of its own volition.
Being bad, he told himself, never felt so good.
He slid his hands down her back, marking a silky trail. She shivered in his arms. Cupping her slender waist, he pulled her close. Her supple curves molded themselves to him. Soft and warm, her body felt as though it had been made to be held by him.
She felt so damned good.
He couldn’t believe it. Niki, the sweet, trusting girl next door, had a kiss that packed a sledgehammer wallop. Jack struggled to maintain a modicum of restraint. He wasn’t a strong man, he warned himself. He had to put a stop to this before he lost total control.
But Niki just wouldn’t cooperate. She moved restlessly in his arms, twining her fingers through his hair, brushing her hips against his, pressing those supple curves against his hard, aching body.
Jack growled his frustration, then gave up the fight. The kiss took on a life force of its own, sustaining a desire in him he never knew existed. Hungrily, he delved his tongue into the sweetness of her mouth. She met his demands with a lusty appetite of her own.
Then she gave a soft moan. A breathy whisper of delight. Not a loud noise, just enough to break the trance that held them both spellbound.
His conscience made one final rally to be heard. Niki was his best friend. Since the day she was born, he’d assumed the role of her guardian. It had been his job to watch out for her, to take care of her.
Well, who was looking out for her now?
The thought chilled him, putting a damper on his overheated libido. He knew, without a doubt, it was time to end the embrace. Before he lost the courage, he pushed himself away. Regretfully, he stepped out of the circle of her arms.
Niki stared at him, a confused, dazed look on her face. Her hair was mussed. Her lips were pink and slightly swollen. Her eyes sparkled like emeralds in the moonlight. He’d never seen her looking more beautiful, or more desirable.
Heaven help him, he wanted to kiss her again.
It took all his strength to resist the urge.
For what seemed like an eternity, neither of them spoke. They stared at each other, their gazes wary, their breaths choppy, making puffs of smoke in the cool, damp air. Both of them were acting as though they’d just run the most important race of their lives…and had lost.
Moments ago, he’d been unable to hear anything over the pounding of his own heart and the hot rush of passion pumping through his veins. Now he realized it was still raining. The lights still blazed in the Adamses’ house. The sound of the party going at full blast drifted over the rain-soaked night.
Nothing had changed.
And yet, he had a feeling nothing would ever be the same. He looked at her. She stood before him, clutching a hand to her breast. No, she was clutching a chain, a golden locket that hung from her neck. Clutching it tightly, with a horrified, glazed look in her eyes.
And she was mumbling something to herself.
Jack frowned.
Mumbling something that sounded like…not again?
Guilt hit him squarely in the gut. The poor kid was in shock. He swore softly beneath his breath.
“Niki—” he began, as he carefully moved toward her.
Her eyes widened. She clutched the necklace tighter. “Don’t touch me.”
He stopped, stared at her. It was worse than he first thought. The poor kid had gone off the deep end. She looked panic-stricken. “Niki, honey. It’s me, Jack. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Ha!” Fool that he was, he’d misread the emotion. Anger—not fear—flashed in her eyes. Her gaze narrowed. “And don’t you dare call me honey.”
When Niki had been in eighth grade, she’d become the object of a young boy’s desire, much to her consternation. Tommy Brogan was a smart-alec punk who’d thought he was God’s gift to the female population. When Tommy’s advances became more insistent, Jack thought he’d have to step in and have a talk with the young lothario. But his assistance had proved unnecessary.
Young Tommy made the fatal mistake of kissing Niki without permission. Jack, watching the scene from afar, had nearly fallen out of his bedroom window in surprise. His protective instincts kicking in, he’d been prepared to come to Niki’s rescue and toss the little punk out of her yard.
Niki beat him to the punch, literally. With a sharp right hook, she’d made her position clear. She wasn’t a helpless lass who would stand still for an unwanted pass.
Recalling Tommy and the shiner Niki had awarded him, Jack now took a wary stance. “Can we talk about this?”
“No.”
“Niki, be reasonable—”
“I am being reasonable, finally.”
“Niki, we have to discuss this.” Impatience edged his tone. “The kiss—”
“Should never have happened.”
“But it did,” he persisted. Despite warning signs to the contrary, Jack raised a gentle hand, cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him. “Niki, don’t you see? This changes everything.”
“It changes nothing.”
She stepped out of his embrace.
He shook his head slowly. “If that’s what you want to believe—”
“It’s what I know. I’m engaged to Greg.”
“Greg?” His jaw clenched reflexively. His patience vanished in a haze of jealous heat. “You can’t seriously be considering marrying him. Not after what just happened—”
“Nothing happened, Jack. It was just a kiss.”
“Just a kiss?” The kiss had been special. He knew she’d felt it, too. Anger overrode his common sense. “Tell me, Niki. Do you kiss all of your old friends this way or did I just get lucky tonight?”
He wished he could take back the hurtful words as soon as he spoke them. He was being deliberately crude, lashing out against a wounded pride. Simply because he’d wanted her to feel as bad as he did.
He saw her hand rising. Shared the anger spurring her actions. But felt an air of unreality surround him. For just a moment, he wondered if this was how Tommy Brogan had felt before Niki had knocked him for a loop.
She slapped him.
His face stung from the impact of the blow. But he didn’t move. He simply looked at her, regret washing over him.
Niki turned on her heel, spinning away from him. This time he didn’t try to stop her.
Jack stared after her, feeling stunned and unbalanced. Not by the smack on the cheek. He’d probably deserved the blow.
He brought a hand to his face and rubbed a knuckle over the throbbing spot. No, it wasn’t a physical pain that had thrown him off kilter. It was an emotional one.
He’d enjoyed the kiss, pure and simple.
Hell, he’d more than enjoyed it. He wanted to risk another reprimand, just to sample her sweet lips again.
Jack released a low growl of frustration. Until tonight, Niki had been like a sister to him. She was also engaged to another man. But neither of those things had deterred him. He’d sought and found a pleasure with her that he’d never felt with any other woman.
Niki was the impulsive one.
He thrived on caution and reason.
The last thing he needed to do was to make any snap decisions. The stakes were too high. He had too much to lose if he made a mistake in judgment. He needed to keep his head on straight, and not let his hormones rule his actions.
But it wasn’t going to be easy.
His body still thrummed with an unresolved tension. A sensual tension that Niki had created. Jack raked his hand through his hair.
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