It’s time to play the players

Zienna Thomas has finally found a man with forever potential: Nicholas Aubry is charming, successful, easy on the eyes and tender in bed. Everything is great...until Nicholas introduces his longtime friend Wendell Creighton. Zienna already knows Wendell—every luscious inch of him. Once upon a time she’d thought Wendell was The One, but though they burned up the sheets together, he balked at a real commitment.

Now Wendell is back on the scene, eyeing Zienna as if she’s a cool drink on a blistering day...and she’s feeling the heat, too. Soon Zienna is part of a torrid triangle, wondering which to choose: sweet, soul-satisfying Nicholas or scorching, sexy Wendell. But a wicked part of her wonders, Can’t I have both?

The naughty thrill of keeping two lovers in the dark and in her bed is powerful stuff. But Zienna knows she’s playing a dangerous game—just how dangerous remains to be seen, because when the truth comes out and the testosterone-fueled rivalry threatens to explode, someone is going to get burned....

Playing With Fire
Kayla Perrin

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

1

“Wow, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’re blowing me off tonight—for a man?”

Zienna Thomas heard a smile in her friend Alexis’s voice, which made her feel a lot less guilty for canceling their dinner plans last minute.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” Not since she was in her twenties had Zienna canceled on a friend for a guy. “It’s just that Nicholas said he really needed to see me tonight. I’m on my way there now. Something about how he created the best new dish for his restaurant and he wants me to try it before he loses his inspiration. You know Nicholas. When he gets excited, he’s like a dog with a bone. I couldn’t tell him no.”

“Maybe not, but you could tell him that your best friend has taste buds, too....”

“I could have,” Zienna agreed. “But he’s at the new restaurant, testing out the facilities before the grand opening, and he’s sensitive about only one person trying—”

“I’m just giving you a hard time,” Alexis interrupted her. “I know how Nicholas is. If he wants only you to sample something, he’ll be mad if I show up wanting a plate.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” A soft smile touched Zienna’s lips as she thought of Nicholas’s quirks. He was set in his ways when it came to how he did business, and in the five months she had been dating him, he had deemed her his food tester. And he wanted only one person to give him an unbiased opinion on his creations before presenting them to the public.

“Plus,” Zienna went on, “I kind of get the sense...” Her voice trailed off. The thought that had occurred to her suddenly seemed foolish.

“Sense that what?” Alexis prompted.

“I don’t know. Kind of the way he was stressing that I had to meet him tonight, that tomorrow wouldn’t do... He mentioned a few days ago that a best friend of his was coming back to town. I’m not sure why, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants me to meet him tonight.”

“Wow, so this is really getting serious,” Alexis all but sang.

“I don’t know.” Zienna’s stomach tickled at the thought. “Maybe. But if his friend does drop by, it’s not like he’s introducing me to his parents or anything.”

“But a best friend—that’s just as critical. He obviously likes you.”

Zienna’s heart swelled. “I know. And I like him, too.”

“I did good, didn’t I?” Alexis asked, and Zienna could picture the huge smile on her face.

“Yes, you did good.” It was Alexis who’d met Nicholas at his restaurant, and struck up a conversation with him with the sole purpose of introducing him to Zienna. “Things are going better than I ever expected.”

“Go have fun with your man. I won’t hold it against you that you’re blowing me off. Don’t worry about me, wasting away on my sofa....”

“Look at the bright side. You can finally catch up on the latest season of Criminal Minds that you’ve got stored on your PVR.”

“Ouch. No sympathy at all.”

“There are worse ways to spend an evening than watching Shemar Moore.”

“This is true. Now if only I could get him to come to Chicago, help me nurse my broken heart.”

Zienna didn’t bother to comment as she maneuvered her car into the parking lot of Reflections on the Bay, the restaurant her boyfriend was about to launch. Alexis’s own relationship of two years had recently ended, but she was the one who’d crushed Elliott’s heart by calling off their short engagement. According to Alexis, Elliott was a great guy, but something vital was missing from their relationship. Getting engaged had made her realize that she couldn’t settle for a guy who was only good enough.

“Look, Alex, I just got to the restaurant. So I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Sure,” Alexis replied. Then, hurriedly, “Hey, if Nicholas’s friend does show up and he’s sexy, give him my number.”

“Whatever.” Zienna laughed. “You’re supposed to be wasting away on the sofa, remember?”

“Actually, you’re supposed to be encouraging me to jump into bed with a random stranger so that I get over Elliott.”

“Talk to you, Alex,” Zienna said.

“Fill me in later!”

Zienna ended the call and shook her head. Alexis had always been talking about finding someone new—even before she’d finally dumped Elliott. Someone who didn’t know her might wonder what more she could want in a guy. She’d been in a serious relationship for two years, and unlike a lot of other women involved with men that long, she had secured an engagement ring. But once she’d gotten engaged, she had done a one-eighty with her emotions, saying that Elliott was too safe, too predictable...and for that reason, ultimately boring. And the last thing Alexis wanted was to marry a guy who didn’t excite her.

While Zienna didn’t necessarily agree that her friend should have dumped Elliott, she understood only too well her sentiments. Zienna had once been crazy about a guy who was sexy as hell, with an edge that never failed to electrify her. But Wendell didn’t want to get married—ever—and had moved away four years ago. Since then, Zienna had come to realize that part of the thrill with him had been the chase. The way he’d kept her on her toes by never completely giving her his heart.

She had had to work for his time and affection, which had been exhilarating and fun. And the prize—superhot sex—had always been worth her efforts. The men she’d dated after Wendell had been dull and hadn’t challenged her. Not to mention that they couldn’t compare in the bedroom.

But finally, Zienna had met Nicholas, and he was different than the duds she’d dated in the past. Though he’d made his attraction to her completely clear, so she wasn’t challenged in that regard, Zienna didn’t find herself getting bored with him. Maybe it was because she’d grown up and could appreciate a man who was willing to hand her his heart on a platter, instead of play games.

Games only led to pain.

Zienna had been crazy about Wendell, but ultimately devastated by him. Yet foolishly, even as the years passed, she had often hoped he would return. Tell her he’d made a mistake by leaving her. How insane was that?

Thankfully, she was older and wiser now. In her mid-thirties and definitely more mature, she had come to realize that she’d never really had a relationship with Wendell at all. Oh, he had given her great loving, which had left her craving more of him. But he had never promised her tomorrow, not with words, anyway. Zienna had been dumb enough to believe their incredible sexual connection meant he must have loved her.

People said that time healed all wounds, and it was in the last year that she had finally started to let go of the residual feelings she’d had for Wendell. Which, she knew, was the main reason she hadn’t been interested in the other guys she’d dated—she’d still carried a torch for a man who hadn’t returned her feelings. But once she’d been able to put Wendell in her rearview mirror, she had been willing to open up her heart to someone new.

That person was Nicholas. They’d been dating for only five months, but Zienna was really into him.

And it felt good.

She lowered the car’s visor and checked the mirror to make sure she still looked as presentable as she had before she’d gotten behind the wheel of her Hyundai Sonata. Located north of Chicago’s downtown core near the Belmont Yacht Club, Reflections on the Bay was the sister property to Reflections, a restaurant Nicholas had been running for eight years. He had wanted a location that overlooked Lake Michigan, so was elated when he’d been able to get this property. The fact that it had a parking lot for guests, unlike the location in the theater district by the Loop, was another bonus.

Satisfied that she looked good, Zienna exited her car. Turning, she faced the lake, which was a spectacular sight at night, with the moon’s rays dancing on the ripples. The tables for the patio had already arrived, and she had no doubt that the outdoor seating area would be a preferred spot for many customers in summer.

She grinned. The place was coming along nicely. The sign bearing the establishment’s name was now illuminated, glowing orangey-red just like its sister location. The doors were set to open in a couple weeks, on May 4. Zienna couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride for Nicholas.

His car was the only other vehicle in the parking lot. That meant she’d been wrong about her suspicion that he wanted to introduce her to his friend.

She opened the door to the restaurant and stepped inside. Unlike at Nicholas’s first restaurant, Reflections, where the lights would be dimmed to create ambience for the diners, the lights here were fully up. This restaurant was almost identical to its sister establishment in terms of decor, with the exception of some of the lighting fixtures and framed photographs on the wall. All the photos here and at Nicholas’s other location were black-and-white, and reflected moments in Chicago’s history—hence the name.

“Hello?” Zienna called out. A delectable aroma of some sort of fish wafted to her nose, and her stomach grumbled in response. Nicholas must be in the kitchen. She couldn’t wait to sample his new dish.

As she walked through the extensive bar area, she thought back to the first time he had brought her to Reflections, five months ago. He had given her the whole romantic treatment with the just the two of them there—the lights down low, candles on the table, and soft music playing through the sound system. It had been an incredible date. She’d quickly realized the huge benefit of dating a chef.

“Baby?” Zienna said.

Just then, Nicholas came out from kitchen area, his eyes meeting hers. And in that nanosecond, she took in his entire appearance and couldn’t stop the jolt of heat. Dressed in black slacks and a black shirt open at the collar, his six-foot-three frame couldn’t have been sexier. The white apron tied around his waist made him all the more appealing.

Seeing her, his handsome face lit up with a grin. He had the kind of earnest smile that brightened his eyes and could make a girl melt. That was the feature that had drawn Zienna in, but she was a woman who lusted over a hot guy just like anybody else, and loved Nicholas’s lean and muscular frame, and his tight behind. With his shirt off, his golden-brown skin was flawless but for a dark circular birthmark over his heart. With his washboard abs and honed physique, he could have easily graced the cover of a sports magazine. He’d played football and basketball in college, and still had the body of an athlete.

Zienna had seen a college picture of him with long dreadlocks, something she could hardly have imagined, given that his hair was currently cropped short and his face clean-shaven. It was a look he preferred now, claiming it was more professional.

“There you are,” Zienna said.

“Look at you.” His eyes swept over her from head to toe. “Wow.”

“This old thing?” she teased. She knew the black sheath dress and strappy four-inch heels she’d put on made her look like a knockout.

“You’re not supposed to come in here wearing something I want to take off of you....”

Zienna giggled as he hugged her. “I figured I should dress to impress. No point acting like an old married couple already.”

“I’m not gonna complain.” Nicholas eased back. “Damn, girl. That dress fits you like a second skin.” His eyes settled on her ample cleavage, his favorite part of her body.

“You’d better stop looking at me like that,” she warned him in a low voice. “Unless you want to christen this place again.” Which was exactly what she’d hoped for when she’d dressed earlier. Placing her hands on his chest, she leaned in close. “Because you are looking pretty hot yourself. I always was a sucker for a guy dressed to the nines...and wearing an apron.”

Which truly was a turn-on. Nicholas knew how to cook, and had regaled her palate with mouthwatering entrées and scrumptious desserts.

“There’ll be no christening tonight,” Nicholas said. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently.

“No?” Zienna pouted a little. They had done it on the counter in the kitchen, and both had reflected afterward that a booth would have been the smarter choice. “You sure I can’t lure you over to a booth in the back?”

“Sorry, not tonight. Because in addition to me wanting you to try my latest dish, I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Oh?” Zienna glanced around curiously.

“I told him to show up for eight, but he called about twenty minutes ago, said he’d be about ten minutes late. Which means any second now he should be walking through the door.”

“Way to spoil a girl’s anticipation.” She again pouted playfully as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I was kind of hoping for round two.” Their coupling in the kitchen had been out of the ordinary, and highly exciting for Zienna, who wished that Nicholas would be a little more spontaneous when it came to sex.

“Rain check?”

“Of course.” A beat passed. “At least I have time to do this.” Zienna tipped up on her toes, and Nicholas immediately encircled her waist with his strong hands and lowered his lips to meet hers.

Warmth spread through her entire body as they kissed, the only sound being their heavy breathing.

And then the door chimes sang, and Zienna quickly pulled her lips from her man’s. Meeting Nicholas’s eyes, she suppressed a giggle.

“I can come back,” said a deep voice from behind her.

“My man,” Nicholas said, another grin exploding on his face. He released Zienna and stepped past her.

She surreptitiously dabbed at her mouth to remove any moisture. Then, smiling sheepishly, she turned to meet Nicholas’s friend.

And as her eyes landed on the familiar face, her smile went flat a moment before her stomach bottomed out.

2

“Nick.”

“Wendell!”

Zienna watched in shock as her new lover and old lover embraced. In four years she hadn’t seen this man, and now here he was, like an apparition come to life.

When the friends separated, Nicholas walked back over to her and slipped an arm around her waist. He pulled her close. “Wendell, this is Zienna. Zienna, this is one of my best buddies. At least he was—until he followed some girl to Texas and didn’t come back.”

Nicholas chuckled, but Zienna could hardly breathe. She glanced up at Wendell, saw that he was staring at her with an amiable expression. Damn, he looked even better than she’d remembered.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Nicholas said. “Say hello.”

Wendell extended a hand. “Hello, Zienna.” He paused. “Again.”

Oh, lord, Zienna thought, her heart thundering. Wendell had done what she hadn’t expected and certainly didn’t want—made it clear that the two of them had a past. What was he thinking?

Nicholas looked from Wendell to her with a curious expression. “Again?”

“Zienna and I used to know each other,” Wendell explained, his gaze locked on hers.

She widened her eyes at him slightly, the only way she could think of to tell him not to spill the beans on just how well they’d once been acquainted.

“Remember when I tore my rotator cuff?” Finally, Wendell turned his attention to Nicholas. “Zienna was the kinesiologist who helped me get back to optimum performance.”

“You’re kidding!” Nicholas chuckled.

“She was one of the team’s athletic therapists,” Wendell went on.

Nicholas looked at her. “You never told me you worked with the Bears.”

“It was a long time ago,” Zienna said. She still felt regret over how she’d left a cushy job with Chicago’s pro football team because she hadn’t wanted the conflict of interest once she’d started seeing Wendell. Only for him to ultimately leave her. That was the reason she’d never mentioned her previous job to Nicholas or anyone else.

“You weren’t with our team long before you left and joined the group of physiotherapists at—what was it called? Back in Motion?” Wendell said.

Because of you! Zienna didn’t say it out loud.

“You certainly remember a lot about her,” Nicholas commented.

Zienna threw a glance at him, and saw what she feared—suspicion in his eyes.

“That’s because I continued to work with her at the clinic,” Wendell explained smoothly. “I’d become accustomed to her technique, and liked the way she challenged me.”

“Her technique? Is that all?” Nicholas sounded skeptical.

Zienna opened her mouth to speak, but Wendell did before she could. “It was four and a half years ago, man.”

Though he had evaded the question, his comment seemed enough for Nicholas, who nodded, saying, “Ahh. Right. That’s when you were crazy over Pam.”

Zienna’s stomach clenched. Pam? Who the hell was Pam? Four and a half years ago, Wendell had been giving her the best sex of her life.

“Pam?” Zienna all but croaked.

“His girlfriend,” Nicholas said.

Zienna’s head swam. How could this be true? Wendell had told her he was single when they’d gotten involved. And she could still remember his final words to her.

I’m not ready to settle down. I’m sorry.

And then he’d left town.

“Is Pam the one who went to Texas?” Zienna asked, trying her best to keep her voice neutral. It was one thing to see your ex again under these circumstances, but to learn that he’d lied to you years ago, and not be able to react accordingly...well, this was excruciating.

“Yeah,” Nicholas answered. “Pam. The swimsuit model.” He clamped a hand on Wendell’s shoulder. “My man Wendell. Always chasing the hottest women. I’m surprised he didn’t come on to you.”

“A real playboy, I bet,” Zienna said, an edge to her voice. “The type of man who never settles down.”

Wendell met her gaze, and Zienna couldn’t help narrowing her eyes in a little glare...the most emotion she could allow herself under the circumstances. Besides, the fact that he had lied to her in the past didn’t matter now. He was firmly in her rearview mirror. Nicholas was her future.

To emphasize that point, she ensnared Nicholas’s waist with both hands and rested her head against his shoulder.

“He was the consummate playboy—until he got involved with Pam,” Nicholas clarified. “I’ve never seen this guy get all nuts for a woman until he met her.”

“Stop exaggerating,” Wendell said, but his eyes were still on Zienna’s. “It wasn’t like that.”

“You follow a woman to Texas, it’s got to be serious,” Zienna commented. “You put a ring on her finger, too? Of course, you must have.” She quickly assessed his left hand, saw that it was ring-free. “But it appears you’re already divorced—unless you don’t believe in wearing a wedding band. Or perhaps you never stopped your playboy ways, even after saying I Do.”

Nicholas chuckled. “Easy, Zee.”

Had she been too harsh? “I’m just... You’re the one who said he was a player.”

“I didn’t marry her,” Wendell stressed. To Zienna, it sounded as if he was trying to make a point for her sake.

Whatever, asshole, she thought.

Then she placed a hand on Nicholas’s cheek, turned his head so that he was facing her, and eased up to plant her lips on his.

The kiss started as a peck, but even as Nicholas began to pull back, Zienna held his head in place and continued kissing him, adding tongue.

After several seconds, he finally broke the kiss. “Down, girl,” he said, grinning. He glanced at Wendell, “See why I wanted you to meet her?”

“She’s gorgeous,” his friend agreed. “I always thought she’d be a great catch for someone. I’m glad it’s you, Nick. You both look happy.”

“We are.” Nicholas kissed her on the temple. “Now, I hope you’re both hungry. Because I can’t wait for your opinion on my latest dish.”

Nicholas hurried off to the kitchen, leaving Zienna and Wendell alone.

She could her hear her heart pounding in her ears. Her chest ached with each heavy breath.

She glanced over her shoulder.

“It’s safe,” Wendell said. “He’s gone.”

She whipped her head around. “Safe? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Wendell said nothing, just let his eyes roam over her body top to bottom, pausing on her cleavage, then stopping as he regarded her feet.

“Damn,” he muttered.

“You’re not seriously—” Zienna clamped her mouth shut, abruptly stopping her words.

“Checking you out?” Wendell supplied, reading her thoughts. “You’re a beautiful woman. I never could help but notice you.”

“But I wasn’t a swimsuit model,” she retorted. “Was that the problem?”

Before he could reply, she turned sharply and walked up to the bar. She didn’t want him to answer her question. Good grief, what was she doing? Acting as if the past had any bearing on this moment? Who cared if Wendell had run off with a harem of women? He didn’t matter to her now.

She heard his footfalls as he approached her. “I think we need to sit down sometime and talk. About everything.”

Zienna faced him, guffawing. “For what purpose?”

“So I can explain.”

“Are you out of your mind?” She was seething now.

“I think I was...four years ago.”

Zienna opened her mouth, but Wendell’s response left her speechless. And, God help her, he actually sounded contrite.

“I’d really like to talk to you at some point,” Wendell went on. “Clear the air.”

And though nothing he said now should matter to her even one iota, Zienna’s stomach fluttered at the idea that he wanted to make amends on some level.

Good Lord, what is wrong with me?

In a split second, the answer came to her. It was the memory of their explosive times in the bedroom...memories that had plagued her for years. That was why she was suddenly flustered around this man she should despise with every fiber of her being.

Remembering her hatred for him enabled her to speak once again. “We’re not meeting to talk about anything. For goodness sake, I’m dating your best friend.”

Wendell edged a little closer. “Is it serious?”

Her eyes bulged. He truly had lost his marbles. “You are— We are not talking about this.”

“Talking about what?”

At the sound of Nicholas’s voice, both of them turned in his direction. Blood rushed to Zienna’s head, and she thought she might pass out.

How much had he heard?

Stepping coolly away from the bar, Wendell said, “I was prying. Asking how you met, when you started dating.”

Nicholas made a face, as though that answer didn’t quite make sense to him. “Oh. It kind of sounded like Zienna was upset.”

“That’s because...” Wendell shrugged sheepishly. “Well, I asked her how long it was before you guys ended up in bed.”

Nicholas rolled his eyes as he set two glasses on the bar in front of them. “Zee, pay my friend no mind. He always was motivated by his dick.”

“Shocking,” Zienna said in a tone of feigned disbelief.

“My bad.” Wendell held up both hands. “I’m just used to the days when Nick and I had no secrets between us.”

“Those days are over.” Nicholas’s tone was jovial, but there was something about how his eyes flickered that made Zienna think there was more to the comment.

“I call this Island Sunset,” Nicholas went on, pushing the drinks forward. “Mango, pineapple and coconut rum.”

Wendell sipped it. “Nice.”

“And I’ll be right back with the main course.”

Zienna felt Wendell’s eyes on her, but didn’t dare look his way as Nicholas disappeared into the kitchen. Thankfully, he returned quickly, carrying two steaming plates.

He was beaming as he placed the entrées on the bar. “And in keeping with the island theme, this is my Jamaican fried snapper on a bed of vegetables steamed in a spicy vinegar sauce.”

“Looks amazing,” Zienna said. “And it smells even better.”

“You think so?” Nicholas asked. “To be authentic, I’ve kept the whole fish intact instead of using filets. I don’t know how the guests will feel about that, but when I’ve traveled to Jamaica and Costa Rica, that’s how they serve snapper.”

“Looks good to me, man,” Wendell said.

Zienna cut a morsel of the fish with her fork and brought it to her mouth. “Ooh, spicy,” she said after a moment.

“Too spicy?” Nicholas asked, regarding her with concern.

She shook her head as she continued to chew. “No. It’s delicious. Very flavorful, and just the right amount of spice.”

“She’s right,” Wendell concurred. “Loving the spice. But you know I’ve always loved heat.”

Zienna paused as she was about to swallow, unable to stop the thought that Wendell’s comment had been a loaded one.

“So I should add this to the menu?” Nicholas asked.

Zienna nodded. “I think it’s great.”

He smiled. “Good. I can always decide to use filets if that’s the feedback I get. Good, good. I’m glad you two like it.”

“I’ll bet you created a dessert to go with this. Something with pineapple or coconut. And lots of whipped cream,” Wendell stated.

At his comment, Zienna angled her head slightly toward him, and wasn’t surprised to find that he was looking at her. Because she knew, just knew, that mention of whipped cream had been for her benefit.

“Mango cheesecake,” Nicholas told him.

Suddenly, Zienna slipped off her bar stool. “You know what, sweetie—I’m gonna head home.”

“What?” Nicholas asked. “You just got here.”

“I’ve had a long day. I should really get some rest. Your friend’s back in town. Spend some time with him.”

“Don’t leave on my account,” Wendell said.

Zienna ignored him and picked up her purse. “Will you walk me out, babe?”

“You sure you have to leave?” Nicholas asked.

“I really should. I feel a headache coming on.” And she shot a glance at Wendell.

As they moved toward the exit, Nicholas placed a hand on the small of her back. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

When they were through the front door, he turned her in his arms so that she was facing him. “Is it Wendell?”

“No. No, of course not.” Zienna stroked his cheek. “I’m just tired, babe.”

“Why don’t you go to my place, get into bed and rest until I get there?” He lowered his voice. “If I can’t have more of you right now, I at least want your body next to mine tonight.”

“That I can do,” Zienna told him. She smiled. “And, yes, maybe a couple hours of rest and some aspirin will do me a world of good.”

She headed to her car with one goal in mind. When Nicholas got home, she was going to do him good.

Do him until she rid herself of the memory of Wendell altogether.

3

“Pick up, pick up,” Zienna said into her cell phone as she sat in her car, anxious to speak to Alexis. She’d called her friend the moment she’d left Nicholas’s restaurant the night before, desperate to reach her, but her series of calls had all gone to voice mail.

Even though Zienna had put every ounce of her energy into making love to Nicholas, and should have been tired, once he had fallen asleep beside her she had instead lain awake, the evening replaying in her mind.

I’d really like to talk to you at some point. Clear the air.

At a quarter to five, Zienna had slipped out of Nicholas’s bed and gotten dressed. She had hoped he wouldn’t wake, but he had.

“Go back to sleep,” Zienna had whispered. “I’m heading into the office early, and there are some things I have to do at home first.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Once she’d left Nicholas’s house, she rushed to her car and immediately tried calling Alexis again. Ever since they’d become friends in second grade, Zienna had been sharing everything with Alexis, the good and the bad. And Alexis had forever earned her trust when she’d punched the class bully in the face for throwing a rock at Zienna’s forehead in third grade. That incident had sealed their status as best friends for life.

Now, Zienna groaned in frustration when she heard her friend’s cheerful voice begin her short message again. Where on earth could she be at this hour?

Undeterred, Zienna promptly disconnected, then called the number once more. She would redial one hundred times if that’s how long it took to reach her.

Three rings later, a groggy-sounding Alexis finally answered the phone. “This had better be good.”

“I need to come over,” Zienna said without preamble.

“Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m going out of my mind, Alex.”

“Shit, Zee—it’s five-fourteen in the morning.”

“Which is why you know it’s got to be urgent. I called you hours ago, you didn’t answer.”

“I ended up going out for a drink with that guy I was telling you about, the one I met online. I forgot my phone at home.”

Zienna had pulled up to the curb on a street a few over from Nicholas’s house, waiting to reach Alexis. Now that they were talking, she started her car. “I have to tell you what happened. I’m kind of freaking out.”

“Okay.” Alexis didn’t sound happy, but Zienna knew she wouldn’t abandon her in her hour of need.

Sure, Zienna could wait until the work day was over and see her friend then. But she’d already had to wait hours, since leaving the restaurant and going to Nicholas’s place. Making love to her man had done nothing to alleviate her stress. And the way her heart was still beating rapidly, Zienna knew that she had to see Alexis now and share with her what had transpired.

“I’ll see you soon,” she said. “Want me to grab coffee or something?”

“No. I’m going back to bed once you leave.”

Zienna ended the call and began to navigate her way through the Lincoln Park neighborhood, where Nicholas lived, toward the West Loop, where Alexis made her home in a trendy loft. It was a vibrant and artistic area, with chic cafés and restaurants, and several warehouses that had been converted to loft-style condominiums.

As Zienna continued to drive, she wondered why she was so torn up over seeing Wendell again. Seriously, she shouldn’t be this frazzled.

“You got the shock of your life,” she told herself. “That’s why you’re freaked out.”

But damn, what were the chances? She had had the hottest sex of her life with Wendell, and it turned out that he was Nicholas’s best friend? Could this situation be any worse?

The traffic was light at this hour, and Zienna made it to Alexis’s loft within twenty minutes. She parked her car at an available meter and then called her friend’s number.

“I’m downstairs,” she told her when they connected.

Zienna hurried out of the car and up the steps of the building. Moments later, the front door opened. Alexis faced her with one hand perched on her hip. She looked none too pleased.

“You know I hate you right now.” She flashed her the evil eye.

Zienna breezed into the condo foyer, her heels clicking on the marble floor. “Wendell’s back in town.”

“What?”

Zienna didn’t answer, instead walking the short distance to Alexis’s unit. Her friend scurried into the loft behind her and closed the door.

“Wendell called you?” she asked, then rubbed her eyes with balled fists. “I can see why you were surprised, but girl, it’s not even six in the morning—”

Zienna’s throat felt tight as she sauntered across the living room toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the street. She glanced outside, and wondered how the world could look the same when it had undeniably changed.

Inhaling deeply, she moved to the nearby armchair and gripped the back of it. “Remember I told you that I suspected that Nicholas wanted to introduce me to his friend tonight? Well, I was right. Wendell’s the friend. Wendell. He’s Nicholas’s best friend.”

A beat passed. And as Zienna’s words registered, Alexis’s jaw dropped. Then her eyes bulged. “Oh, my God. You’re saying you saw Wendell last night—with Nicholas?”

“Yes.” Zienna rounded the leather armchair and plopped onto it.

“Holy shit.” Alexis crossed her arms over her chest. “Does Nicholas know?” She went to the sofa across from Zienna and sat on the arm. “What did Wendell say?”

“Nicholas doesn’t know, but Wendell— Fuck, he told Nicholas he knew me years ago. That I was the kinesiologist he worked with when he was playing for the Bears.”

“Okay,” Alexis began slowly. “That’s not so bad, right? I mean, there’s no reason not to say you knew each other.”

“Except for the fact that Nicholas looked suspicious.”

“He did?”

“Yeah, and he made an offhand remark about being surprised Wendell never hit on me. And then it gets better. All this time I thought Wendell didn’t want to commit to anyone...well, it turns out he did want to commit. Only to someone else. Some swimsuit model named Pam.”

Alexis looked as confused as Zienna had been hours earlier, so she took her time and filled her in on exactly what she’d learned.

“Damn.” Her friend made a face. “The bastard was friggin’ cheating on you. Or cheating on Pam, it seems.”

“No matter how you slice it, he was fucking around.”

“Wow,” Alexis said. “At first I was pissed that you woke me up, but damn, I get it now. Bloody hell.”

Zienna didn’t smirk the way she normally did when her friend used her latest British curse. Instead she said, “Bloody hell is right. I just about died when Wendell walked through the door.” Looking even sexier than he did four years ago...

“I can imagine. It took you years to get over him.”

Hearing her friend say those words gave Zienna pause. Because with that statement, she had summed up what Zienna’s big issue was with Wendell’s reappearance. It had been incredibly hard to shake him from her system, and though she was getting close with Nicholas, there was definitely a part of her that feared seeing Wendell again was going to erase all the progress she’d made.

And there was an even bigger issue. “What do I do?” she asked. “Nicholas knows that Wendell and I used to work together, but do I tell him about our relationship? Or do I say nothing at all? And if I tell him, is he going to be okay about it, understand that Wendell and I were over a long time ago? Or is it going to cause undue grief? I have no clue what to do.”

Alexis was silent as she contemplated Zienna’s dilemma. After a moment she said, “I think you tell him. Tell him before Wendell does.”

Zienna’s eyes bulged. “You think Wendell will tell him?”

“Maybe not intentionally, but there’s no guarantee he won’t let it slip.”

“Oh, God.” Zienna groaned. “Are you sure? I just... Telling him could open a whole can of worms. Create an issue for him and Wendell, for one thing. And maybe even cause him to feel insecure. You remember how iffy Nicholas was during the first couple of months we were dating. He liked me, but didn’t entirely trust that I was into him.”

“I remember. He couldn’t understand why someone as beautiful as you would be single.”

“And I’d said the same to him. He’s gorgeous, successful.... Things are finally easy between us. And now this.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t say anything, then.”

Zienna paused. “But if I don’t tell him, and Wendell does—”

“It’s going to be much worse,” Alexis finished for her. “Nicholas is a big boy. He knows you weren’t born yesterday. So what if you dated Wendell years ago? He can’t hold that against you.”

“True.” She was silent a moment. “But I don’t think Wendell would tell him. I mean, what has he got to gain from something like that? They’re best friends. And if not best friends, at least very good friends. Wendell has to know better than to open his mouth.”

“I still think you should tell him,” Alexis said. “There are too many variables.”

Zienna drew in a deep breath. “And it kind of gets worse.”

Alexis eyed her warily. “What do you mean by that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s nothing. It’s just...I’m not sure what Wendell wants.”

“You’re totally confusing me.”

Zienna was confused, too, which was part of her problem. It was one thing to find out that Wendell was Nicholas’s best friend. But what he’d said to her had undeniably added to her anxiety. “Wendell asked me if my relationship with Nicholas was serious. And then...then he said that he wanted to get together to talk, clear the air.”

“Shut up.”

“What am I supposed to make of that? That he wants to pick things up where we left off? Or did he just not know what else to say? Maybe he feels bad because of how he ended things with me—and the fact that I just learned he was a cheater.”

“You’re not gonna do it, right? You’re not going to meet with him to talk?”

“No,” Zienna said emphatically. “Definitely not. I don’t want to talk to him. I want nothing to do with him.” She paused. “But...I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a small part of me that wouldn’t mind hearing what he has to say. If for no other reason than to give him a piece of my mind when he’s finished. Because that’s what I wanted to do when I saw him last night. I wanted to scream and yell and slap him, and tell him what an asshole he is. All that crap about not wanting to get married and not wanting to hurt me, when he was really seeing someone else. But I couldn’t react. I had to pretend as though him coming into the restaurant hadn’t affected me one bit.”

“Zienna...” Alexis’s tone held a hint of caution.

“What? I’m not stupid. I’m over Wendell. But that doesn’t mean I’m not mad at him.”

“Unless you want to flirt with danger, then you need to drop it and stay away from him, period. And maybe what you’ve just said is the biggest reason why you need to tell Nicholas about your history with Wendell. Tell him the truth, and he’ll make sure the two of you stay apart.”

“Don’t misunderstand me,” Zienna said. “I’m just telling you what would be nice—in a perfect world.”

Alexis made a face as she regarded her. “It took you a long time to get over Wendell.”

“And I am. I am over him.” She sighed softly. Alexis knew her too well. “Maybe you’re right. Nothing good will come of me giving him a piece of my mind. In fact, the best revenge will be him seeing that I’m happy. That I’ve moved on. And perhaps the fact that it’s with his best friend is even better.”

Alexis continued to regard her with a narrowed gaze, and Zienna could see the wheels churning in her mind. “What?”

“Just be careful. Come clean with Nicholas, because it’s not like you did anything wrong. But come clean so there’s no issue that can come back to bite you. And unless you still want something with Wendell, I’d stay away from him.”

“You’re right,” Zienna said. At least regarding her advice to stay away from Wendell. But she wasn’t so sure about telling Nicholas that she and his friend had once been lovers.

For the time being, Zienna had done the most important thing, and that was to get this troubling news off her chest. Speaking with Alexis had allowed her to think clearly, and now that she had, she was starting to realize that her past with Wendell would be an issue only if she made it one. Because certainly Wendell wouldn’t say anything to hurt his friend, would he? Not when he knew how much Nicholas liked her.

As she left Alexis’s apartment so that her friend could get another hour of sleep before getting up for work, Zienna felt a lot better. No, she wouldn’t say anything to Nicholas. Their relationship was going well, and she couldn’t see Wendell doing anything to jeopardize that.

So if he wasn’t going to say anything about their past involvement, there was no reason for her to. She had stressed over Wendell’s reappearance for several hours, but it was suddenly apparent that she had done so needlessly.

Because the fact that he was back in town wasn’t going to affect her relationship with Nicholas.

Not at all.

4

Zienna finished reading the medical questionnaire her newest patient, who was sitting on the examining bed, had filled out, describing the pain he was experiencing. Before he’d arrived for his appointment she had studied the files that had come from his physician—over two cups of very strong coffee, since she needed the caffeine to help her stay awake after her largely sleepless night.

“So, let me sum up what I understand from what you’ve told me and what I’ve read in your file,” she said as she placed the clipboard on her desk, then moved to stand in front of him. “You’ve been dealing with pain in your right elbow for nearly two years, which you attribute to your work as a machinist.”

Ed, a heavyset man in his mid-forties, nodded. “Yep.”

“And despite various therapies, you’re still suffering pain.”

“Yeah. And now my doc has suggested surgery, but I don’t want to do that. Not yet, anyway.”

“Which is why you’re here.” Zienna smiled pleasantly. “I’m very glad you contacted our clinic. Even though you had disappointing results with other doctors, you’re going to be quite happy with your decision to put off having surgery.”

“You sound really sure about that.”

“There’s a saying—he who treats the site of pain is lost. So let me ask you, have you ever had any problems with your left knee?”

Ed’s chubby cheeks puckered with his frown. “My left knee?”

“Kinesiologists believe in holistic treatment, which is based on the interconnectedness of the entire body. What I see time and again is that the area where a person suffers pain is often not the source of the pain. It’s something called interlimb neural coupling, which is a fancy way of saying that the limbs are connected in terms of functionality. So hearing your symptoms with your right elbow, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that you’ve had issues with your left knee.”

Zienna regarded Ed, and saw in his eyes when his brain connected the dots. “I did. I injured my left knee years ago when cycling. I still feel pain there from time to time.”

She couldn’t help smiling. “Excellent.”

“Excellent?” he echoed, looking confused.

“Sorry,” she said. “It’s just...well, I love my job, and I especially love when I’m able to help someone who feels all hope is lost. Just last month I had a patient come here with a torn ligament in his shoulder, and he, too, believed he would have to have surgery. Once I was able to diagnose the true source of his shoulder problems—which were actually connected to problems in his opposite ankle—within a couple of sessions he was pain-free.”

Ed looked skeptical.

“It’s the magic of kinesiology.” Zienna had treated patients whose issues were emotional, with their stress manifested as pain in their body. In her practice, she dealt with a person’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being as a way to effectively care for their problems.

“I won’t begin treatment until you’ve had all the tests we require here at the clinic, but I feel very confident that I can successfully eliminate the pain in your elbow.”

Now Ed smiled. “If you can save me from surgery, I’ll be forever in your debt.”

At that moment, the wall phone rang. Zienna turned to look at it, knowing that for the receptionist to have put a call through to her in the examining room, it had to be important.

“Excuse me a moment, Ed.”

She crossed the room to the phone and lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

“Hey, babe.”

At the sound of Nicholas’s voice, Zienna frowned slightly. Why was he calling her on this line?

“Hey,” she said in a lowered voice. “What’s up?”

“Just concerned about you. The way you left this morning...it didn’t feel right. I called your cell, but you didn’t answer.”

“Right.”

“You okay?”

“Um-hmm. Yep. But, um, can I call you back in a little bit? I’m with a client right now.”

“Oh, okay. No problem. I just wanted to hear your voice. Make sure you’re all right.”

“Excellent,” she said, hoping for Ed’s sake to sound professional.

“I get it. You can’t talk. But let’s do something tonight.”

“Sure. You’ll give me the details in a bit?”

“Yeah, I’ll call you later.”

Zienna was inwardly beaming as she replaced the receiver. It was a nice feeling, knowing that Nicholas was worried about her. He was a great guy, and for the first time in a long time she was in a happy relationship. She still got butterflies when she talked to him, something that hadn’t lasted with the men she’d dated in the more recent past.

“If you go out to reception, Jamie will take care of booking the tests we require, which are all done in-house. You should be able to see me again by next week.”

“Great. Thanks so much.”

Zienna saw Ed out of the examining room, but her mind was on Nicholas and what she’d discussed with Alexis that morning. Hearing Nicholas’s voice, she felt better about her decision not to tell him of her past with Wendell. Doing so might hurt him, and she didn’t want to jeopardize what they had.

“Um, hey.”

Zienna turned, and was surprised to see Ed standing in the doorway. “Yes?”

“I just wanted to say that not only are you beautiful, you’re incredibly smart. I’m glad my friend referred me to this clinic.”

“Oh.” Zienna hadn’t expected that. “Why, thank you.”

Ed offered a bashful smile, then a little wave.

As he disappeared again, Zienna made a face, confused by what had just happened. Was Ed simply being nice, or was he a little bit smitten?

It wouldn’t be the first time a client had become enamored with her. She was attractive and liked to smile, something that won over many men. The way she saw it, having male clientele develop a crush on her was a bit of an occupational hazard.

As she sat at the desk, her mind ventured back to when she’d met Wendell five years ago. And the crush that had turned into something more.

As one of the four athletic therapists for the Chicago Bears, she had seen him during practices, and then when the NFL season had started. He’d been thirty-two at the time, almost considered a senior when it came to professional sports, but he still had the kind of skill that put some of the younger players to shame. His talent as a wide receiver kept him in the starting position on the team’s roster.

Zienna hadn’t personally engaged with him until the tackle that had injured his left shoulder. And pretty much instantly, the professional demeanor between them had changed.

He had torn the rotator cuff, and weeks of physiotherapy with the team’s head athletic therapist followed. Once his shoulder had stabilized, he’d begun work with Zienna to further help with his healing and regain optimum strength.

The spark between them had been immediate that first day she’d met with him one on one. Perhaps it was the way he’d looked at her with those beautiful hazel eyes...a heated look that had melted her professional resolve almost instantly.

Zienna knew it was about more than the look he’d given her, because right from the start she had noticed him. Of all the players on the team, Wendell was the one who stood out to her. Of course, she never would have approached him in a personal way. She’d valued her fairly new position with the Chicago Bears too much to do that.

Wendell, on the other hand, had no such qualms. He’d asked her out the day of their second session.

Everything about him had made Zienna want to forget all about being professional, but she knew better than to accept his offer, and had politely turned him down. Undeterred, Wendell had proudly told her, when they got together for his third exercise session, that he’d made reservations for the two of them to have dinner the following Saturday night at Michael Jordan’s Steak House. It hadn’t been a question.

He had known her answer without having to ask.

And Zienna, turned on by his confidence, had been unable to deny him.

The dinner had been wonderful, enhanced by a personal exchange with Michael Jordan, who’d been in that night. Zienna wasn’t surprised to learn that Wendell and Michael knew each other, but she did feel extraspecial when the basketball legend sat at their table and chatted with them for a few minutes.

It wasn’t just the top-of-the-line champagne that had Zienna forgetting her own moral code after dinner and agreeing to go back to Wendell’s place for a nightcap. It was her lust for him. From the moment she’d agreed to have dinner with him, she’d known that the sex would be inevitable.

What she didn’t expect was just how amazing he was in bed. Or on the sofa, in the shower...

Zienna felt the stirring of desire, and it snapped her out of her trip down memory lane. Made her realize where she was, and what had just happened.

Good Lord, what was wrong with her? She was thinking about Wendell to the point where she was getting aroused?

She stood, paced the floor. And all she could think of was what Alexis had said last night. It took you years to get over Wendell.

That comment had allowed her to acknowledge her fear that seeing Wendell would erase all the progress she’d made. Damn it, was that already happening? Were thoughts of him going to invade her mind at regular intervals again?

“No,” she said aloud. She wouldn’t let them.

She was going to see Nicholas later, the man she loved. The man who could be her everything.

Unlike Wendell.

He’d never been hers. Learning he’d followed someone else to Texas—when he’d told her that he wasn’t ready to settle down—was the most bitter part of all.

Oh, he had wanted to commit—just not to her. When he’d left her, Zienna had stupidly told herself that Wendell had been afraid of their intense connection, intimidated by it. That he didn’t know how to handle his feelings for her. And she’d fully expected him to return.

It had been a fairy tale concocted out of total bull to make herself feel better.

That thought helped her purge the unsettling sexual memories of Wendell from her mind. He was the last man on the planet she should be thinking of.

Zienna got her cell phone and sent Nicholas a text: Can’t wait for tonight.

And to make the night extraspecial, she would stop by a lingerie shop on the way home and pick up something very skimpy—for Nicholas’s eyes only.

5

Nicholas didn’t call back. But he did send a text to tell Zienna where they would dine. And she wasn’t surprised when he said he’d made reservations at Café Tagine in the West Loop for Mediterranean fare, as it was one of the few places he enjoyed eating other than his own restaurant. The highlight of the dining experience—if you were there at the right time—was the belly dancing performance.

Zienna sent him a text back to ask if she should meet him there or if he would pick her up. She wasn’t one of those women who expected to be picked up for every date. She had her own car, her own career, and she could take care of herself. A few guys she’d dated had told her that she was too independent. But after years of providing for herself, she wasn’t about to pass over the reins to a man.

Not yet, anyway.

When her cell phone trilled, Zienna lifted it from the bathroom counter and looked at the screen.

I’ll pick you up.

She grinned. It would be better this way. Because being beside him in the front seat, she could get a little frisky.

Sample a little of the heat of what was to come.

* * *

At 7:30, Zienna’s cell phone rang. Even before she looked to see if Nicholas was the one calling her, she hurried to the window of her second floor condo, which looked down on North Kingsbury Street, and saw Nicholas’s car. He was nothing if not punctual.

She then ran to pick up her phone, which was on her dining room table. “Hey, you.”

“I’m downstairs.”

“I know, I just saw you. I’m on my way.”

She gathered her clutch purse and headed to the door, where she stopped to give herself one last glance in the hall mirror. She was wearing a red dress with a plunging neckline that went to the base of her cleavage. It was an outfit that revealed what Nicholas had termed her “great boobage.” The dress hugged her waist, then flared slightly over her hips. It was a sexy yet classically feminine outfit.

Beneath the dress, she was also wearing red—a lacy red thong adorned with a tiny white bow at the front, and a matching bra with little bows on the straps. A grin played on her lips. She knew she looked absolutely amazing in the ensemble, and she knew that Nicholas would go nuts when he saw her without her dress later.

Zienna made her way downstairs. Ever the gentleman, Nicholas got out of his black Infiniti SUV to meet her as she headed down the short walkway toward him.

“Wow.” He whistled, then reached out and fingered a strand of her long, flat-ironed black hair. It was a look that suited her well.

“Gimme a kiss,” she told him, and took him by the jacket lapel and pulled him close. He kissed her on the lips, a peck that lasted a few seconds.

Zienna pouted a little when he eased back. “That’s all?”

“I don’t want to ruin your lipstick.”

“Okay then,” she said, giving him a you’re-missing-out look. He hurried to the door and opened it for her. As Zienna sat, she deliberately pulled her dress up on her thigh, allowing him a glimpse of her bare legs.

“Damn,” he uttered.

Then he got into the vehicle beside her and gave her a wink before driving off. Zienna frowned slightly. She had hoped... Well, she’d hoped for at least a little grope in the car before Nicholas turned his attention to the road.

She couldn’t have looked more seductive. Her makeup was perfect, the deep auburn shadow on her eyes meant to accentuate the red in her outfit. And she was wearing a pair of four-inch Louboutin leopard print pumps. Even her purse matched—leopard print with red at the edges. Not to mention that she’d changed her toe polish after work to make it a cherry red.

Nicholas had always told her that he loved her in red, and she’d been hoping for a more carnal reaction from him.

She offered him a smile. When he grinned back at her, she took his hand and lifted it to her breasts.

“Easy, babe,” he said. “I don’t want to get to the restaurant with a throbbing erection.”

Zienna kissed his hand, then released it, inwardly disappointed.

Nicholas was gorgeous and ambitious and a gentleman...but sometimes she wished he’d be a bit more spontaneous. She wouldn’t mind if they got a little hot and bothered in the car and missed dinner altogether. But she knew that wasn’t something Nicholas would do, because he’d already made reservations for the night.

Sex before dinner wasn’t in the plans.

“You really look great tonight,” he said to her. “Smoking.”

“Thank you, baby.”

He must have picked up on her disappointment, because he said, “You’re not upset, are you?”

“Upset? Why?”

“Because...” Now he reached for her leg, trailing his fingers along her exposed thigh.

Zienna glanced at him, wondering if he was going to do something out of character.

“You think I don’t want to touch you?” he asked. “Quite frankly, I’m tempted to forget dinner and do you right here.”

Now Zienna beamed. Nicholas had come to a stop, so she eased her body across the front seat and kissed him. This time he didn’t pull away, and they continued until a horn blared from the car behind them.

Both of them giggled, and Nicholas began to drive again.

“And so you know,” Zienna began, “this is that lipstick that’s guaranteed not to smudge off. During dinner, or kissing...”

“Ah. Well, good to know.”

“I’m happy to forgo dinner...well, at least in a restaurant. Because I definitely want to eat something else.”

Lust was already consuming her, and she wanted nothing more than to get naked with him. Have wild sex tonight, unlike the pleasant sex they’d had the night before.

Nicholas’s groan was low and throaty. “What did I tell you?”

His eyes went downward to his lap. Zienna followed his gaze and saw the evidence of his desire for her straining against his black dress pants.

“Then let’s turn around.”

“You know we have reservations for tonight. And I always hate when people skip out on reservations.”

“I know....”

“Plus I have a surprise for you.”

Now her eyes lit up. “You do?”

He wriggled his eyebrows. “Yep. Besides, I love the idea of wanting you so badly during dinner that I can hardly stand it. It will make it that much better when we finally get home.”

He had a point. And maybe the sex would be even hotter after sitting through dinner for a couple hours.

She could wait.

Nicholas turned on the car stereo, and the sound of smooth R&B began to play. Zienna looked out the window as he continued to drive, wondering what the surprise was.

She liked what he’d said about keeping the sexual tension between them going through dinner. Maybe they could even do something a little risqué, like have sex in the backseat of his car. Something they had never done.

She was falling in love with Nicholas, she knew. But while he satisfied her sexually, she kind of wished he was a bit more...

Well, wild.

Typically, when they got it on, it was at his place and in his bed. He’d never specifically said that he didn’t want to dirty the leather sofas, but Zienna had to assume that was his issue, because even when they got hot while on a sofa, he always made sure to lead them to the bedroom before they got naked.

It wasn’t a big issue, but Zienna would enjoy a bit of variety.

At Café Tagine, Nicholas left his car with the valet, took Zienna’s hand and headed inside. The moment guests entered the door, they felt as if they’d stepped into Morocco. Lively berber music floated from the sound system. The hostess, a gorgeous woman with olive skin and long, dark hair, greeted them with a bright smile. She was dressed in a jeweled black halter and a long, flared gold skirt adorned with a top layer of strips of black beaded material.

“I have a reservation,” Nicholas announced. “For Aubrey.”

“Ah, yes,” the hostess said. “Follow me.”

Zienna loved the architecture and ambience of Café Tagine. There were archways designed to look like the top of a temple. Delicate gauzy swags in bright reds and oranges divided the seating areas.

She was grinning as she peeked past the privacy swags and saw various diners. Earlier, she had hoped to simply forgo dinner and do Nicholas, but now she was happy that they were here. She really loved the romance and elegance of this place.

The hostess stopped, then gestured for them to enter the draped-off area that housed their table. Zienna stepped in first—and then stumbled in her four-inch heels, toppling sideways.

“Whoa,” Nicholas said, instantly reaching for her before she hit the floor. He pulled her upright against his hard body. “I gotcha.”

Zienna’s heart began to pound erratically. This couldn’t be happening.

Wendell was sitting at their table!

“Are you okay?” the hostess asked.

“Fine.” Zienna brushed a strand of hair from her face.

“You know I love heels on you,” Nicholas began, “but dang, they’re dangerous.”

The hostess put the menus on the table. “Ghita, your server, will be with you shortly.”

When the woman had walked away, Zienna faced Nicholas. “Wendell...” Her heart was racing in her chest. “He—he’s eating with us?” she murmured quietly.

“Yeah.” But there was a question in Nicholas’s voice. He continued on to Wendell, who stood to greet them. Nicholas shook his friend’s hand, then asked, “Where’s your date?”

“She couldn’t make it. Sorry.”

“Date?” Zienna’s throat went dry.

“Hello, Zienna.”

She didn’t respond to him, but instead turned to Nicholas. “You didn’t mention we were having dinner with anyone.”

“That was the surprise. Wendell was supposed to be joining us for dinner with his girlfriend.”

Zienna was aware that her breathing was coming in painful gasps, and wondered why the idea of him joining them at the restaurant should even bother her.

“Not really a girlfriend,” Wendell explained. “A friend with potential. But she couldn’t make it, and I didn’t want you to have to cancel. I figured the three of us could have a nice dinner instead.”

“Of course, man,” Nicholas said.

“Especially since Zienna had to leave early last night,” Wendell went on. “Feeling any better?”

Her eyes went to his. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought she saw a hint of self-satisfaction. Clearly, he knew that she’d made up an excuse to flee yesterday.

“Yes,” she told him stiffly. “Much better, thank you.”

Nicholas pulled out a chair for her, and Zienna sat, a feeling of dread spreading through her. It was one thing to try to put all thoughts and memories of Wendell behind her, but how could she do that if she had to see him at every turn?

“You were right, Nick,” Wendell said. “This place is awesome.”

“It opened up after you left town. Last-minute reservations can be hard to come by, but I know the manager, and he always leaves at least one table open in case special guests come by. Usually celebrities, city officials, that sort of thing. So he gave me the table. And in time for the eight o’clock belly dancing show.”

“Lucky us,” Wendell commented.

Lucky? Right about now, Zienna would have considered being thrown into a dungeon a luckier stroke of fate.

Nicholas sat beside her, with Wendell sitting across the table from them. No matter where she sat, she wouldn’t be far enough away from the man she had vowed to forget.

She let him and Nicholas talk while she pretended to study a menu she already knew too well.

Ghita came to the table a few minutes later. She was dressed similarly to the hostess, except her outfit was in pink highlighted with silver, and she was just as gorgeous.

“Good evening.”

Zienna couldn’t help herself...she watched Wendell. Watched how his face lit up as he regarded this beautiful woman.

Shit, what was wrong with her? Why did she care?

Because it was so obvious now. Obvious that Wendell only had eyes for pretty faces and sexy bodies.

“Can we get a bottle of La Dame Blanche?” Nicholas said to Ghita. “Then we could all use a few more minutes before deciding.”

“Absolutely.”

When Ghita turned to leave, Zienna once again looked at Wendell, certain she would find him ogling the waitress’s behind.

Instead, she saw him watching her.

She quickly pulled her gaze away and returned it to her menu. She was well aware that her pulse had picked up speed.

There was silence for several moments as they checked out the menu, then Nicholas suddenly said, “Hey, Youssef!” He pushed his chair back and stood to greet the manager. “How’re you doing, man?”

Nicholas and Youssef pumped hands, smiles on their faces. “You remember Zienna,” Nicholas said, gesturing to her.

“Of course.” Youssef took her hand in his. “You get more beautiful each time I see you.”

“Thank you.”

“And this is one of my best friends, Wendell Creighton. He used to play for the Chicago Bears.”

Wendell stood to shake Youssef’s hand.

Zienna tuned everything out as they chatted for about a minute, but her hearing kicked in again when Nicholas said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes, babe.”

She looked up at him in alarm. “Where are you going?”

“Youssef wants to show me something in the kitchen.”

“I won’t keep him long,” the manager promised.

And then they were off.

The silence that followed was profound, with Zienna not daring to look in Wendell’s direction.

He finally broke it, saying, “You’re not going to look at me?”

Zienna drew in a sharp breath. “Why are you here?”

Wendell gave her a confused look. “Nick invited me out.”

“You know what I mean. Why are you... You know it’s not a good idea for us to be hanging out together.”

“What am I supposed to say? Hey, Nick—don’t invite me out because I used to sleep with your girl and she might be uncomfortable around me?”

Zienna said nothing. She knew he had a point.

“You want me to tell him, I will.”

She remained silent.

“So now you’ve got nothing to say?”

“I don’t like this. It can’t be comfortable for you, either. Figure out a reason to say no to us getting together, that’s all I’m saying.”

Ghita arrived with the wine and poured some for Wendell to taste. He nodded to indicate it was fine, and Ghita filled the three glasses.

Once the waitress was gone, Wendell turned his attention to Zienna. He stared, and she felt as though she were on the hot seat. “Zienna,” he said after a moment. “What are you so afraid of?”

But before she could answer, she saw Wendell’s gaze jerk upward. She looked up, surprised to see Nicholas standing there.

He smiled at both of them, reclaimed his seat and then took Zienna’s hand in his. “I think Youssef has a little crush on you. He remembers the appetizer you love, and he’s sending it to the table, complimentary.”

“Oh.” Zienna forced a little chuckle. “Well, isn’t that sweet of him?”

“Youssef’s a great guy,” Nicholas went on, speaking to Wendell. “He came to the States for school, planning to go into medicine. But he dropped out because opening a restaurant was really his passion. He told me how his family was upset, thought he would fail. Three years later, this place is a huge success.”

“That’s why I always say go after what you want,” Wendell commented.

The way you went after me, Zienna thought. Simply wanting another notch on your belt?

“Excellent,” Nicholas said. “The wine’s here.” He lifted his glass. “I’d like to make a toast.” Zienna and Wendell lifted their glasses. “To Wendell being back in town. And for him agreeing to manage my new restaurant.”

Nicholas and Wendell clinked glasses, but Zienna merely gaped at them. “What?” she asked.

Nicholas faced her, looking excited. “That was my real surprise. The news that Wendell has agreed to manage the new location.”

“Yep,” Wendell concurred.

Zienna didn’t get to say anything, because at that moment, Youssef arrived at their table carrying a platter of beef Bourgogne, a mix of sirloin and tenderloin tips roasted with onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms and served over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes.

“Enjoy,” he said, placing it before them.

Somehow, Zienna made it through dinner. It helped that the belly dancing show distracted her and prevented them from engaging in conversation during that time. But she hardly ate her dessert, brûlée royale, which she typically enjoyed.

Nicholas rubbed her leg. “You okay, babe? You’ve been a bit quiet.”

“I’m fine,” she lied.

A beat passed, then Wendell spoke. “I think I know what’s wrong.”

“You do?” Nicholas asked, sounding confused.

“Nick, there’s something I should tell you. We should tell you.”

Zienna’s heart spasmed. No! she thought. Please, no...

“We?” Nicholas asked. “As in you and Zienna?”

“Nicholas, let’s just call it a night,” Zienna suddenly said. “I know I wasn’t the best company this evening, but it’s just because I’m overtired.”

But Nicholas wasn’t looking at her. He was gazing at Wendell. “What is it, man?”

Now Wendell looked at Zienna. And to her horror, she saw resolve in his eyes.

“Do you want to tell him, Zienna, or shall I?”

6

“What’s this about?” Nicholas asked.

“Nothing,” Zienna lied.

“The cat’s pretty much out of the bag now,” Wendell said.

“One of you tell me.” Nicholas looked from his friend to her with curiosity. In an effort to imply that she had no idea what Wendell was going to say, Zienna shrugged. Then she tried, ever so subtly with a look, to give Wendell the hint that he should keep his big mouth shut.

“It’s been bugging me ever since I came back and learned that you and Zienna were an item,” Wendell said, not getting the point—but more likely, not caring. Why was he doing this to her?

“Now I’m really curious,” Nicholas said.

“I figured Zienna would have said something to you by now, but I’m guessing she didn’t. Otherwise, I’m sure you would have brought it up with me.”

Zienna wanted to jump across the table and claw Wendell’s eyes out. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand his motivation.

“Don’t keep me in suspense,” Nicholas said, his tone lighthearted.

“Wendell,” Zienna said sharply. “What are you doing?”

“We need to tell him.”

Sickened, she realized there was nothing she could do to stop him. Which would be futile at this point anyway, since Nicholas could likely figure out what the deal was.

Wendell cleared his throat before continuing. “Years ago, when Zienna began working as my therapist, we...we were involved.”

A wave of sensations, hot and cold and dizzying at the same time, swept over Zienna. Good Lord, what had he just done?

For a nanosecond, Nicholas didn’t react. Then the slight, curious grin on his face went flat. “What?”

“It was a long time ago,” Wendell said. “And obviously it doesn’t have any bearing on the present. But there’s clearly been a bit of tension during dinner—no doubt because of this secret. And now that I’m going to be managing your new restaurant...I realized that we needed to lay this out on the table, then bury it.”

Zienna’s skin was growing hot, her face flushed.

“Something like this has a tendency to come out at some point, which would only seem more suspicious the longer we wait,” Wendell explained.

“Right,” Nicholas said, his tone not revealing how he was feeling about what he’d just heard.

But it hadn’t escaped Zienna that he had released her hand.

“It wasn’t a serious relationship. Zienna and I had an off-and-on thing for about six months.”

It wasn’t a serious relationship... Hearing Wendell say the words made her want to slap him. After how crazy she had been about him, to hear him say that their relationship hadn’t been serious hurt like hell.

More than it should.

“But Pam?” Nicholas said, narrowing his eyes in confusion. “When you hurt your shoulder, you were dating Pam.”

“I know, I wasn’t perfect.” Wendell faced Zienna. “I’d been with Pam since college,” he said, as though that was supposed to make his betrayal forgivable. “What can I say? Temptation got the better of me.”

Zienna guffawed and jerked her eyes from his.

“Wow,” Nicholas said, and when she looked at him, she saw that he was shaking his head in disbelief.

“I was just the fuck buddy,” she said, her voice overly sweet. “No need to worry.”

Ghita arrived with the bill at that moment. She seemed to sense the tension, and quietly slipped the check onto the table before turning away.

“Like I said,” Wendell went on, speaking to Nicholas. “You’re my friend. I didn’t want to keep this secret from you, especially when it’s not like there’s anything going on between us now.”

A few seconds passed. The glum mood at their table was accentuated by the happy laughter that came from people nearby.

Nicholas suddenly turned to Zienna. “How serious was this relationship for you?”

“What?”

“Wendell said that you were just a fling. Of course, his heart was with Pam. I don’t agree with what he did—and he knew I wouldn’t, which is why he never told me about you years ago.” Nicholas paused. “But what about you?”

Zienna frowned as she regarded him, her heart thundering in her ears. “You heard Wendell. It wasn’t a serious relationship.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nicholas asked her. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday at my place?”

Her lips parted, but much like an accused person sitting on the witness stand, she felt stunned and disoriented, and didn’t know what to say.

Finally, she said, “I do not want to do this. Not here. You want to talk about this, I’m more than happy to leave now, and we can do that.” And then she faced Wendell. “What were you trying to do, dropping a bomb like that without any warning? We’d just had a nice dinner. This was not the time nor the place.”

“You wanted him to keep me in the dark?” Nicholas accused.

Zienna stood, flustered. She didn’t like Nicholas’s tone, even if she could understand his shock. Because suddenly, she was the bad guy, when she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Sit down,” Nicholas said to her.

“No. No, I don’t think I will.” She spun around, pausing only to say, “And don’t follow me. I swear.”

She made it several steps before she heard her name. Wendell. As if he had the right to even speak to her right now.

“Zienna,” he said again.

She glanced over her shoulder. He was standing just outside the curtains that gave their table privacy. Knowing that Nicholas wasn’t able to see her, she gave Wendell the finger and then stormed off.

She was almost at the exit when her heel slipped on something. And unlike earlier, when Nicholas had been there to catch her, this time she went down on her knee.

Zienna heard the collective gasp of nearby patrons, a group of five who were standing in the entranceway.

“Oh my goodness!” The hostess rushed over and offered her an arm to help her up. Zienna took it, not facing the woman. She got to her feet unsteadily, tears filling her eyes. As she extended her leg, pain shot through her knee. She winced.

“Zee—”

Zienna looked up at Nicholas, who was suddenly beside her, gazing at her with concern. Wendell stood about a foot behind him. In the distance, she saw a concerned-looking Youssef heading toward them.

Zienna swatted Nicholas’s arm away and walked off.

The cool night air washed over her when she stepped outside. She wished she could be like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and simply click her heels together to make a quick getaway.

“Come on, baby,” she heard Nicholas say. “I was just surprised.”

Anger consuming her, she faced him. “You’re treating me as though I was cheating on you. For God’s sake, you just introduced me to Wendell last night. Of course I wanted to tell you. But I was trying to figure out the best way to do it. And it’s not like the relationship mattered,” she added, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

“Come back inside,” Nicholas said. “Finish your dessert.”

“After I’ve been humiliated in front of everyone?”

She hobbled to the street and threw her arm up to flag a passing cab. As the taxi came to a stop, she was already digging her phone out of her clutch.

Alexis didn’t live far from here. Zienna could go to her place.

“Where are you going?” Nicholas asked.

“You’re so good at figuring things out. I don’t need to spell it out for you.”

“Come on,” Wendell said. “It’s done now.”

Zienna turned to glare at him as she pulled open the taxi door. It was the only thing she could do. And she hoped that her eyes conveyed just how much she hated him.

Then she got into the taxi, slumping into the backseat. She felt crushed.

If only she’d driven herself here tonight. She had dressed to the nines for her man, bought special lingerie.

All gone to waste.

“Eight-fifty West Adams,” she told the driver, giving him Alexis’s address. When the cab made a U-turn, she glanced out the window, saw Nicholas throw up his hands in frustration.

As she expected, a few seconds later her iPhone rang. She saw Nicholas’s photo pop up on her screen, and she quickly pressed the icon to reject the call.

Zienna knew how this was going to play out. No matter what he said, he wouldn’t be able to handle the fact that his best friend had once had a relationship with her, meaningful or not. The fact that she’d slept with Wendell was the hurdle she and Nicholas wouldn’t be able to overcome.

It was that man code, much like the female code, in that respect. You didn’t date someone your best friend had been involved with.

Zienna’s iPhone made a little musical sound, and she glanced at the screen to see that Nicholas had sent her a text message.

Come back. Let’s talk.

She didn’t bother responding.

Craning her neck for one last look as the taxi drove away from Café Tagine, Zienna saw both Nicholas and Wendell still standing on the street.

God only knew what they were saying.

“You know what, take me to the Near North Side instead. Kingsbury.” Last night, Alexis had told her that she needed to come clean with Nicholas. And Zienna wasn’t in the mood to hear any I-told-you-sos.

She just wanted to be alone.

She eased her head back and closed her eyes. Why had Wendell spilled the beans to Nicholas? Without even a heads-up to her beforehand? What was his game plan?

And that’s when a fleeting thought came to her, one that was no doubt ridiculous.

The thought that Wendell had brought up his past with her because he’d deliberately wanted to sabotage her relationship with Nicholas.

7

Zienna was asleep in bed when she heard the door buzzer going off several times in rapid succession. She had barely drifted off before she’d been jarred awake by the loud, annoying noise.

Her eyelids heavy, she lifted her head to glance at the clock: 2:21 a.m.

Good Lord, she thought, plopping her head back down. It was Nicholas. It had to be.

He’d called her several times since she’d abandoned him at the restaurant, and had left her at least six text messages. But she hadn’t responded, and had ultimately turned the phone off.

She wasn’t ready to talk to him about her relationship with Wendell. Not after his reaction at the restaurant.

The buzzer sounded again. Zienna didn’t get up.

If she were honest with herself, she knew that a big part of why she wasn’t ready to talk to Nicholas was because it would require telling the absolute truth. And the last thing she wanted to do was confess to him that her feelings for Wendell had been stronger than she’d let on.

It wasn’t that it mattered anymore, because it didn’t. It was how Nicholas would deal with the knowledge.

She certainly couldn’t deny that seeing Wendell again had left her reeling. No matter what she said, Nicholas would be smart enough to figure out the truth. And Zienna could only imagine that he would conclude Wendell was a threat on some level.

Nicholas was tall, dark, handsome and successful—but an ex-past girlfriend had devastated him when she’d had an affair. It was the reason he had put Zienna through the ringer in the beginning. Not in a way she hadn’t been able to handle, because she knew what it was like to have your guard up. But she’d had to work extra hard to put his mind at ease and assure him she was the faithful sort.

They’d gotten to a happy place...and now Wendell had threatened everything.

The buzzer sounded again. Clearly, Nicholas wasn’t going away.

Zienna rolled over, wondering if she should continue to ignore him. If only she knew his frame of mind... If he regretted what had transpired over dinner was one thing. If he still felt she had betrayed him, that was another thing altogether.

It was too late and she was too tired to rehash the argument. The last thing she wanted was to fight about Wendell—not when he had so easily pointed out that she hadn’t mattered to him in the least.

She’d been an easy lay. That was all.

Zienna glanced at the clock: 2:27 a.m. The buzzer hadn’t gone off for a few minutes, and she wondered if Nicholas had finally decided to leave. Snuggling against her pillow, she figured it was just as well.

Not more than ten seconds later, the knocking started.

Finally, Zienna threw off the covers. She slipped into a robe and made her way to the door. There was no doubt that Nicholas wouldn’t go away until she answered.

She looked through the peephole, and there he stood, his expression dour. She grinned a little, suddenly glad he was here. Of course he wouldn’t be here if he was mad at her. Obviously he was here because he, like she, hadn’t been able to sleep with how things had ended between them.

But Zienna didn’t open the door immediately, letting him suffer a little bit longer. He’d hurt her, and she wasn’t going to let him off that easily.

“How’d you get in?” she called through the door.

“I followed someone in through the front door.”

“What do you want?”

“Are you going to let me in?”

“Why should I?”

“I’m sorry. I was just shocked. But I talked to Wendell, and everything’s cool.”

“Everything might be cool for the two of you.”

“Let me in, Zee,” Nicholas pleaded. “Come on.”

Inhaling a deep breath, Zienna unlocked the door and took a step backward. Saying nothing, she pulled it wide, allowing him to enter.

He looked wary, his expression uncertain. “I’m sorry,” he said without preamble.

Zienna walked the short distance to her living room and took a seat on the armchair, where Nicholas couldn’t sit beside her.

He dropped to his haunches in front of her, the look in his eyes making it clear that he truly regretted having freaked out. He delicately rubbed her right knee. “How’s your knee?”

“I’ll live.”

Several seconds passed in silence. Nicholas was looking at her, she knew, but she wasn’t meeting his gaze.

“You’ve got nothing to say?” he finally asked.

“Seems to me you and Wendell have it all figured out.”

“I didn’t dream Wendell would tell me he used to sleep with you. That was the last thing I was expecting tonight.”

You and me both. “It was a long time ago.”

“I reacted badly. I admit it.”

“You didn’t even want to have a decent discussion about it. You just acted like I’d screwed around on you.”

“No,” Nicholas said firmly. “I didn’t. But I acknowledge that I didn’t handle the news in the most mature fashion. I was caught off guard, and yes, I get that you were, too. But now that Wendell’s investing in my business, I don’t blame him for wanting to get this whole deal into the open.”

“Why should you blame him when you can blame me?”

“Zee...”

They stared at each other for a long beat, neither saying anything. Zienna was the one to speak first. “So...now what?”

“I told you I was sorry, didn’t I? I talked to Wendell and he assured me that your relationship wasn’t serious. Nothing like what you and I have together.”

“So Wendell drops his bombshell, and yet he’s the one to reassure you when I can’t? How do you think that makes me feel?”

“What do you mean?”

“When I told you the relationship meant nothing, you got mad at me. You weren’t hearing it.”

“We never got to have a real discussion.” He quickly held up a hand. “Not after my knee-jerk reaction. That’s why I called you all night. That’s why I’m here.”

“You remember what you said to me, right? You had no problem believing that I meant nothing to Wendell, but you didn’t seem to believe that he meant nothing to me.”

“I came to apologize,” Nicholas said, sounding a little exasperated. He stood and turned toward the window that faced the river. “But it seems to me you want to keep fighting. I can’t help wondering why.”

Well, that hadn’t gone the way Zienna had hoped. She stood and wrapped her arms around her torso. “I’d like to go back to bed.”

Nicholas spun around and stalked toward her, and she actually reeled backward as he reached her. Then he placed both his hands on her shoulders.

“I got upset, yes. But it’s not so simple.” He paused. “When I heard...” He expelled a sharp breath. “The truth is, Wendell’s my best friend, but we’ve always competed. This isn’t the first time we ended up dating the same girl.”

Zienna narrowed her eyes in question, but said nothing.

“Some of the best of friends have the biggest rivalries, even if they love each other. You and Wendell...it brought me back to our college days. In a way, my reaction wasn’t even about you.”

“Really?” she asked disbelievingly.

“Yes. The point is, it’s over now.”

Suddenly, Zienna was hit with a disturbing thought. “How do I know that you didn’t already know about me and Wendell? You two were always competing, maybe you got involved with me because you knew he was coming back to town. What better way to one-up your friend than to be dating the girl he used to sleep with?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Isn’t it? You question my loyalty, but maybe I’m the one with reason to question yours.”

“Enough,” Nicholas said. Both his hands went to her face. “Enough.” He brought his lips down on hers, ever so softly. “Enough.”

He eased back and pinned her with a gaze that was now filled with lust. Taking her hand in his, he forced it to his groin. “I am really tired of fighting.”

He was rock hard.

“This is our first real fight, isn’t it?” He trailed the fingers that were on her face down her neck, to the opening of her robe, dipping them between her breasts. “I’m ready to make up.”

Zienna said nothing, but her breathing became shallower.

Nicholas’s hand slipped lower, parting her robe a little more, but not fully. “This is what I was looking forward to. From the moment I picked you up and saw you looking so incredible.”

Zienna’s lips parted. But all that escaped was a wisp of air.

“Are you going to tell me you don’t want this?” Nicholas asked, his voice low and sultry.

She could, but she would be lying. She’d been turned on the moment she started getting dressed for dinner hours ago, anticipating what was to come. Wendell’s appearance and bombshell had thrown her plans for one hell of a hot night down the toilet.

“I’m still mad at you,” she told him. But she was also aroused. Her chest was heaving from a mixture of anger and lust. And all she could think was that makeup sex was just about the best sex there was.

“You won’t be mad for long.”

His words were a promise.

And with that, he loosened the knot on her silk robe and let the folds fall apart. As his eyes traveled downward, taking in the sight of her, he groaned with pleasure.

She was still wearing the lacy bra and thong she’d bought earlier. Just seeing the look of desire in Nicholas’s eyes had her forgetting all the unpleasantness of the evening.

He reached for her, pressing his warm palm against her belly. His fingertips stroked her skin before venturing a little lower, toward her thong. “Did you expect me to show up?” he asked, his warm breath fanning her face. “Is that why you’re wearing this?”

This was the way Zienna had hoped to end the night. She pressed her body against his hand, and Nicholas slipped his fingers into her panties. When he stroked her, a carnal sound of pleasure pushed past her lips.

Nicholas put his free arm around her waist and pulled her against him with force. Then his mouth came down on hers and he began to kiss her ferociously.

Heat consumed her. They shared a hungry, urgent kiss, the kind they hadn’t had in a while. Their relationship had become comfortable, and their kisses these days were more sweet and emotional than wild. The passion between them was generated by knowing that what they were doing was more than simply having sex.

But now, as he kissed her, he slipped his hands into her hair and tugged, creating a little pain.

Zienna made a purring sound. She liked it.

Nicholas drew her bottom lip into his mouth and sucked on it before grazing it with his teeth. Then he plunged his tongue into her mouth again, tangling it with hers.

His hands found her bra, and he none too gently shoved the lace covering her breasts downward, over the large mounds. The Nicholas of yesterday would have taken his time removing the delicate fabric.

“Are you still mad now?” His lips trailed her jawline, and teased her skin there while his fingers squeezed her nipples.

In response, Zienna gasped.

Nicholas’s mouth made its way to one of her nipples. He flicked his tongue around the tip before pulling it into his mouth.

“What about now?” he asked. “Still mad at me?”

“No,” Zienna rasped. “No, baby.”

He grinned, then took her other nipple into his mouth and suckled it until she was moaning.

Although lust had taken over her body, somewhere her senses kicked in. “The windows,” she said. “The blinds aren’t closed.”

Her breast was still in his mouth as he turned toward the window. “You’re right,” he said around her hardened peak. And then, obviously not caring if someone from the next building might be looking in on them right now, he laved the erect tip with his tongue.

Not with the tender, soft flicks of his normal style, but with fervor, as though he was trying to brand her as his.

He moved his mouth to her other breast and teased her with the same intense determination.

Zienna didn’t have the strength to stop him. The sensations were too electrifying. He sank his teeth into her nipple, again creating a mix of pleasure and pain. Then he moved his mouth to her other breast and drew it so deeply into his mouth, it was as though he wanted to swallow it.

“I want to do you right here, and I don’t care who sees.” He flicked his finger over the nipple he was currently torturing. “Almost,” he added, grinning up at her.

Zienna hadn’t encountered this Nicholas before, but she liked him. Liked him enough that she could make love to him right here, any onlookers be damned.

“Nicholas, baby, what’s gotten into you?”

“You.” He lowered himself to his knees and kissed her stomach.

He pulled at the sides of her thong, so hard it snapped. Zienna gasped as the elastic waistband stung her skin. But the next moment she moaned, when Nicholas’s fingers found her sweet spot.

“You’re wet.”

“Nicholas...” He wasn’t really going to do her right here, was he?

“Yes,” he said with resolve, seeming to have heard her silent question. He stroked her nub. “I can’t wait.”

But he was smart enough to angle her body so that her back was to the window. And then he swept his tongue over her most sensitive spot.

“Oh, God...” she moaned.

His fingers and tongue moved faster, heightening her pleasure. Her eyelids fluttering shut, she gripped his shoulders. She was caught up in rapture, mesmerized by this carnal side of Nicholas she had never seen.

He tantalized her as though his only goal was to please her. He used his tongue, his teeth and his fingers, until she was coming, coming hard. Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

Weak from her orgasm, she let Nicholas take off the rest of her clothes. Then he positioned her on her knees and entered her from behind with a blinding thrust.

Zienna cried out, arching her back.

He gave it to her hard, his thrusts relentless. “Oh, my God, Nicholas. Ohhh...”

“Tell me you love me,” he said.

“I love you,” she managed to reply, with a breathless sigh.

“Tell me I’m all you need.”

“You’re all I need, baby. You’re all I need.”

“No one can give it to you better than I can. Ain’t that right, babe?”

Even in the midst of her pleasure, the comment gave Zienna pause. What was he going on about, needing to hear that he could rock her world sexually? This wasn’t like him.

He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her upward so that her back was against his front, while he was still inside her. He pressed his lips to her ear. “Tell me no one can give it to you like I can. Tell me.”

“No one...only you, baby.”

He kissed her, sucking on her lips and her tongue, his lust for her on overdrive.

And as he continued to make love to her, Zienna couldn’t help thinking that he was doing her harder than ever before to erase any feelings that she might still have for Wendell.

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