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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ROCCO AND NICO

R occo watched Nico walk out of the casino with her winnings. He took off after her. She was headed for the elevators. Once there, he saw her press the button.

Don’t arrive.

Not yet , he thought as he shouldered his way through a crowd of people.

He saw her step forward,

Not yet.

He raced and, once arriving at the elevators, shoved his hand in between the doors just before they shut. He exhaled as they sprung back open and he saw her standing there—alone.

He stepped in.

“What—” she started but quickly stopped when a man raced up and was about to enter.

Rocco held up his hand. “This one’s broken.”

The man smiled. “Oh. Thanks.” And then just as the doors were closing, the man seemed to realize his mistake. “Wait, if it’s broken, then how come you’re—” The rest of what he said was lost as the doors shut and the elevator began to rise.

Rocco leaned against the back of the elevator without pressing the button for his floor—the fourth floor. He folded his arms and looked straight ahead, telling himself he would wait until they reached her floor before he would say anything. He was angry and needed to cool down.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her finger poised to press the fourth- floor button. He took her hand in his and pushed it down, and with his arm across her body, he gently pushed her back and away from the panel.

She looked down at his hand holding hers. He let go.

“What was on the table back there?” he asked, not doing anything to mask the anger in his voice.

She wouldn’t look at him. “You saw what was on the table. Do you want to count it?”

“What did Anker whisper to you?”

“Oh, that,” she huffed.

“Yes, that!”

“He suggested we throw something else into the wager.”

“And you agreed.”

She shrugged.

“What?” he demanded.

“It doesn’t matter. I won.”

“And what if you hadn’t?”

“That wasn’t going to happen.”

“You don’t know that.”

She didn’t respond. Maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe he’d been wrong about it all. That look in her eyes on the podium. That kiss.

He drew a deep breath before he spoke next. “Or maybe it didn’t matter whether you won or lost.”

Just then the elevator stopped on the third floor, and the doors opened. She stepped out but paused and turned around. “What do you mean?”

The doors were about to close, but he held them open.

“Maybe it didn’t matter because win or lose, you were okay with the consequences.

Whatever it was, you were prepared to give it to him.

Maybe even wanted to. Maybe even still want to.

Is that why you left the casino? Are you planning to meet him? ”

“No!”

“Well, I don’t know what else I’m supposed to think, given you won’t tell me.”

“I don’t give a damn what you think. What’s it to you anyway? Why do you care?”

He removed his hand, crossed his arms, and stood staring hard at her. The doors began to close.

“It was something stupid,” she cried.

His hand flew up, and the doors sprung open again.

“Careful,” she said. “Is your hand okay?”

He stepped out but remained silent, waiting.

She sighed and looked at his feet as she spoke. “If I lost, I would join him during the break. He’d asked me before when we were dancing, and I said no .”

“Then why would you agree to it?”

“I told you. I knew I had him beat. Otherwise, I never would have. I had—have—no intention of doing anything with him.”

Rocco sighed and smiled. “That’s good. Because you’re coming with me.”

Nico’s heart began to pound. He was asking her.

Was he asking her?

No, he’s not asking you! Annoying, arrogant, asshole, prick doesn’t think he has to ask. And he certainly doesn’t think I have anything better to do.

She cast aside the obvious—she didn’t.

She also cast aside her desire—how very much she wanted to.

For most people, that would have them going all in.

But for her, it had the opposite effect.

It had her entire body working hard not to want it.

It filled her with dread at the disappointment she felt certain was waiting on the other end of that desire.

It’s because of that kiss. None of this would be happening if you hadn’t kissed him.

She steeled her jaw along with her will.

“Look, I know what this is about. That kiss. I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.”

She blinked and opened her mouth, but all she could manage was, “Oh.”

He took a step toward her, and she stumbled until she met up with the wall behind her.

He leaned in, placed one hand on her throat and his lips on hers as he whispered, “Say yes, Nico.”

He left his lips there, barely touching her own.

Why did bourbon have to smell so damn good on him?

“Say yes ?” She swallowed. “Yes to what? You haven’t asked me anything.” She felt her cheeks burn, her heart pound.

“I haven’t?”

“Uh-uh.”

He pulled back. “Nico.”

His voice had changed. He sounded serious.

“Will you, please, come with me?”

“And if I say no?” she heard herself saying.

She also heard a voice that sounded like Charles. You idiot!

“You won’t say no,” Rocco said, “because I know you want to come.”

“Aha, here we are again. You can read my mind.”

“Will you come? That’s twice I’ve asked you now.”

He leaned in closer, his breath hot, smelling like bourbon and caramel.

“Say. Yes. Nico.”

Those words and his breath surged through her like brush fire.

Her lips moved—barely—but no sound came out.

“Say. Yes. Now.” His voice part whisper, part groan.

He placed his hands on either side of her face, threading his fingers through her hair. His lips gently plucked hers, grazing her upper lip with his teeth. His breath was like a drug, and without thought, she opened her mouth wider, letting his wet tongue enter her.

Something’s different.

She placed her hands on his chest. Told herself to push him away. But he pulled her to him roughly, holding her tight as though he wanted to crush her. Only it didn’t hurt.

Not at all.

And then she suddenly realized.

He’s kissing me. That’s what’s different.

His fingers slid back until she felt them graze that scar.

She stiffened and pulled back.

He stopped. “Are you okay?”

She couldn’t—wouldn’t—meet his gaze. She felt sick.

“I have to go now.”

“You haven’t answered me yet. Will you come? That’s three times now.”

“And if I say maybe ?”

It was the only thing she could think of to get him to leave.

“I’ll accept it. For now.” He grazed the top of her forehead with his lips. “Good night, Nico.” He turned and began walking back down the hallway. “I’ll call you tomorrow morning. And if you don’t pick up, I’ll be at your door.”

She entered the room to find Charles and told him what had happened.

“He’s so confident I’m going to go with him. He acted as though I didn’t have anything better to do.”

Charles bit his lip. “Well …”

“That’s beside the point. He doesn’t know that.”

“Well …”

Nico blinked, staring at Charles. “What’s with that look?”

“He might have gotten that idea from me.”

“What?”

“I told him you weren’t doing anything.”

“What about our plans?”

“What plans? I’m going to visit mother in Booger Hole.”

Nico still didn’t believe Charles’s mother actually lived in a place called Booger Hole. But she couldn’t go there now.

“Fine. But you still didn’t have to tell him I had no plans.”

“Why not? What is wrong with him knowing? I know it’s not just his nieces who want you to come. Why are you resisting this? I know it’s complicated because you two are teammates, but can’t you figure that out? I mean, look at how well the two of you did in this race!”

“It isn’t just that. He kissed me.”

Charles’s eager eyes lit up. “All the more reason not to resist. What was it like?”

Nico sat down on the edge of the bed.

Charles gasped. “Like that, was it?”

“It was … it was …”

“Say no more. Your face says it all. After a kiss like that, I don’t know why we’re talking about any of this. It’s obvious you’re going. That maybe meant yes .”

Nico shook her head. “No, it doesn’t. It can’t. Remember Mickey? Don’t you see? When he was kissing me and his hands grazed that scar, I went cold. That told me everything I need to know.”

“What do you mean?”

“If Mickey sees me getting close to Rocco and his family, he might try to get at me through them. Find some way to hurt them.”

“J’accuse!” Charles cried dramatically, pointing his finger at Nico. “I was right! You do care about him.”

“If I do, then I’ll say no . And that’s what maybe means— no . I’m turning off my cell. I’m having the hotel hold any calls. And if he comes to the door, I’m not opening it.”

Charles stood up and turned on his heels. “Fine,” he spat.

Nico got up and grabbed his arm. “And you’re not either, Charles. Promise me. Right. Now.”

Charles sighed, holding up his right hand as though he were about to testify in court. “I promise I will not open that door if he’s knocking on it.”

Okay, then.

After that, Nico tried to sleep but she kept glancing at the clock, wondering whether or not he would come, knowing how she would feel if he didn’t. And hating herself for it.

Finally, she must have drifted off because the next thing she knew, when she opened her eyes, she saw Charles standing at the door and peering through the peephole.

“Charles, what are you—”

Before Nico could finish, Charles opened the door, and Rocco, who’d been sitting propped up against it, fell into the room.

Nico threw off her covers and jumped out of bed. She marched over to Charles, glaring at him. “You promised you wouldn’t open the door.”

“I promised I wouldn’t open the door if he knocked on it.” Charles looked down at Rocco lying on his back, gazing up at them. “How long have you been sitting out there?”

That’s when maybe became yes .