Read Online Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) by Nikki Belaire - Free Book Online Page A

acceptance of his soft touch symbolizing the sway of
her heart. “I liked the movie. Thank you.”
    A playful smile crosses his mouth. He stands in front of her and
gently cups her face. “You’re welcome.” Leaning in, he presses a kiss on her
lips. Soft. Gentle. Chaste. A hint of desire, matching the ache she suppresses
in herself.
    “I think I’d better go.”
    He brushes his thumbs across her cheeks. “Okay, sweetness. If
that’s what you want.”

 
    * * * *

 
    Hand in hand, they walk upstairs. His lips and groin throb from
the brief contact of her silky skin against his. After Juan’s stunt at the
coffee house, he’s lucky she’s even here. That she allows him to touch her at
all.
    An entire week and he barely has one kiss. If it was any other
woman, he’d have already screwed her and be scheming to get her out of his bed,
probably out of his life. With her, he welcomes whatever she offers him, any
sliver of hope she might actually give him a chance. He shakes his head at the
foreign feeling of being controlled by a woman, especially one who has no idea of
the power she holds over him.
    In the foyer, they meet his housekeeper coming from the kitchen.
“Hey Marta, this is my friend, Shae.”
    Her dark brown eyes crinkle in delight as she pushes her glasses
on top of her head and smiles at Shae. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Marta runs the show around here. She takes care of me and
everything else.”
    The older woman puts her arm around his waist. “Is tough job
keeping up with this one, but he good boy. I keep eyes
on him.”
    Shae laughs and squeezes his hand, her touch flaming the need he
tries to restrain. “I bet you do.”
    “I make mandarin chicken salad for lunch. Come eat.” Marta edges
Nick out of the way and wraps her arm around Shae’s shoulders, guiding her to
the kitchen. “You too skinny. I feed you.”
    He follows behind them, smiling at her keen perception of Shae’s
significance to him. They wash their hands as Max comes in and sits down. “I’m
starving. What do you have for us today?”
    “Salad. Lots of good fruits and vegetables. Good for pooper!”
    Max sputters and spits some of his drink on the kitchen table.
“Damn, Marta, you’re ruining my appetite!”
    “Is truth. Now eat!”
    As they gather their bowls and glasses, Marta stacks up several
cookbooks spread across the table, leaving them open to save her spots in them.
Shae sits in the chair next to her and nods toward the books. “Are you making
something special?”
    “My church has, how you say, bazaar for kids. I make popcorn
balls and caramel apples, but not sure what else.”
    They talk about what treats to make and what kids like, Shae’s
eyes dancing from their discussion of the ingredients required for
build-your-own sundaes. Max raises his eyebrows. “I think Marta’s stealing your
date.”
    Unlike any other woman he’s brought home, she blends
effortlessly into the relationships he has in his life. No pretentiousness or
ego, just her soft-hearted nature charming the people who don’t easily impress.
    After they finish eating, Max rummages through the refrigerator
while Shae and Marta stand at the counter, poring over the cookbooks together.
Containers fill the space around them from Max’s search. Marta looks up and
gasps, swatting at him with her dishtowel. “Leave alone. That’s for dinner.”
    Feigning mistreatment, Max rubs his stomach. “But I’m starving.
All I’ve had today is yogurt, muffins, and salad. I need real food.”
    “I make you sandwich. Now scooch.” She gives him a light push on
the stomach before opening the lids.
    Nick stops scrolling through his phone. Max is right. They can’t
survive on so little. “I’ll take one too.”
    He smiles at the sweet sound of Shae’s laughter at their request
for more food, giving him a tiny glimpse of the perfect life. Her joking around
with him and Max, dreaming up treats with Marta to satisfy her sweet tooth.
What it could be like