Page 8 of Perfect Together

Uh-oh. She shook her head to dispel that wayward thought. No matter how strong the attraction between them, Nicole had just ended one engagement. She was not interested in anything other than getting her life together and on track. No emotional or sexual entanglements needed or wanted. No matter that her raging hormones and completely wired body said otherwise.

She quickly grabbed a pair of soft, faded jeans, a fitted hot-pink V-neck, and closed herself in the bathroom to change.

She dressed quickly. A glance in the mirror showed that her cheeks were flushed—thank you, Sam—so no need for more blush. She swiped on a light-peach lip gloss, spritzed on some of her favorite perfume, fluffed her hair, drew a deep breath, and walked back out to face him.

His gaze raked over her, and his mouth curled in a genuine smile of approval.

At his reaction, pleasure of every variety rushed over strategic body parts, and given the thin texture of her top and the darkening of those sexy hazel eyes, he noticed.

Oh yes, she was in definite trouble.

***

No sooner hadSam followed Nicole back down to the bar than Macy took over, hooking her arm through Nicole’s and stealing her away. Macy maneuvered her through the crowd, introducing Nicole to people as she went.

Sam told himself he was happy for the separation. It gave him a chance to catch his breath—because Nicole’s impact was even more potent the second time around. He’d barely taken in the fact that she was here and they’d come face-to-face, forcing him to call on a cool he didn’t feel.

He’d have liked to blame his over-the-top reaction on the silk robe she’d worn and clutched to her chest like armor. Still, he’d been unable to stop wondering if her skin would be as soft as the satiny material looked. If she’d feel soft and supple beneath him.

He groaned, knowing it wasn’t just the robe or the long bare legs beneath that captivated him. After the surprise of seeing him, the pleasure in those beautiful blue eyes had floored him. Of course, she’d quickly composed herself and tried to hide her reaction. They had that in common, at least—a wariness of their combustible chemistry. He took heart in knowing she was uncertain too.

And when she’d returned from getting dressed? Gone were the ladylike slacks and silk shirts she’d worn her first time in town, replaced by jeans that hugged her shapely ass and a top that accentuated her sweet curves. Curves he wanted to trace with his hands and taste with his mouth, exploring her thoroughly. He wanted that with a desperation he’d never felt before.

But more than sexual attraction intrigued him. When she’d mentioned coming to Serendipity to start over, to prove herself and not have people jump to conclusions or put her in a little box—well, then he’d realized there was much more to Nicole’s move here than met the eye, making him wonder just what she had left behind.

And why did he care? He wished the answer were as simple as him being a cop and it being second nature to question and to wonder. He knew better. He cared and wondered because it was Nicole.

Everything about her aroused his curiosity—among other things. The heat between them was mutual. The way her nipples tightened beneath his stare affirmed the same shocks tripping him up even now when she was on the other side of the damn room.

“That’s interesting.” Mike eased up alongside him, standing shoulder to shoulder as they looked over the crowd.

“What is?” Sam asked.

“Victoria’s sister’s back in town.” And Mike didn’t sound pleased.

“It’s a free country,” Sam reminded him.

“Just seems odd she’d come back here after what her sister pulled.” Mike took a long drag of his beer.

“She’s not her sister, and she helped ours. She came here to warn Erin, and she gave up her sister’s hideout, remember?”

“Don’t get yourself worked up. I’m just pointing out the truth. Macy says she’s moved here, and I think it’s an odd choice. Unless she found something here she liked.” Mike’s low chuckle was meant to annoy Sam.

He refused to take his brother’s bait. “She said she found the people here accepting.”

“You’ve spoken with her already?”

Shit. “Yeah.” He didn’t elaborate.

“Be careful. Her sister’s got mental issues,” Mike warned him.

“And she’s getting treatment while awaiting the disposition of her case.”Even so,Sam thought. “What do Victoria’s problems have to do with Nicole?” Sam asked, his gaze never leaving the woman in question.

“Depends on what, if anything,youhave to do with Nicole,” Mike replied.

Sam’s gaze narrowed both at Mike’s words, as well as at the scene before him. Macy had moved on from the women and was now introducing Nicole to some of the cops who frequented her restaurant. When Rob Burnett, a known player, looked her over with a predatory gleam in his eyes, Sam tensed and pushed himself off the wall.

“Hey.”