Читать книгу Playing With Fire - Kayla Perrin - Страница 7

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.