NICK TOLD HIMSELF IT was part of the plan. He was supposed to be Jenn’s guy friend and that meant he had to dance with her. He hadn’t last night because he’d been too pissed off about being at the rehearsal dinner in the first place, but now…Now it was part of the plan.
So what if it was becoming easier to pretend? It didn’t matter. Not in the end. Look how fast the past weeks had flown by. Summer would be over before he knew it and they’d go their separate ways. Why not enjoy the moment while it lasted? The friendship?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nick drew her closer, shuffled them into a shadowy corner of the dance floor away from prying eyes and continued the slow, swaying movements. That’s when he felt the trembling, her trembling. Subtle, elusive, but there. And like a train racing out of control, desire shot through him and it was everything he could do to keep his hands to himself. She trembled for him. What guy could ignore that?
But her reaction also revealed just how vulnerable she was and he didn’t want to be the guy to take advantage of a woman of worth.
He liked her softness. After so many fights in school and after being made fun of because he sucked at sports, he’d finally found his inner athlete in the gym. Lifting weights didn’t require hand-eye coordination and it had opened up a whole new world. He’d worked hard and he’d made his body stronger, since his mind wasn’t what it should be.
But he knew right from wrong and using Jenn wasn’t something a good guy would do. She was the picket fences and cute dogs, mini van in the driveway kind of girl. Not the kind who’d handle casual well.
He scanned the room, noted the fact that the other members of his family were busy chatting up the guests and curled an arm around her to lead her out the closest door. He’d said goodbye to Matt earlier, knowing his son would be running around all night and hard to find.
Outside, he held her hand in his and opened the door to his truck to drive her home. Then played the part of the gentleman and walked her to the door.
On the porch he pulled Jenn into his arms and lowered his head, kissing her the way he wanted to. By the time he lifted his head, she gripped his arms for balance.
“I want you to come in,” she whispered, her gaze shyly meeting his. “But only if you understand I-I won’t sleep with you. We can talk? Snuggle. Watch TV. Just not…I’m not ready but I want you to…I want you to stay.”
He stared into the sweetness of her face and felt weak at the knees. Every woman he’d dated in recent years made it clear sex was a must because of how he looked and it made him feel like a piece of meat. But Jenn? “Sweetheart, I’d love to.”
THE RINGING OF the telephone woke him. Nick’s arm tightened around Jenn’s waist.
They’d talked for hours about everything and nothing, snuggled close and kissed and just got to know one another. Sleeping beside of each other fully clothed on her wide couch just topped what was already a special night.
The phone rang again and he realized it was his cell on the coffee table beside of them.
“Hello?”
“Nick?” Luke’s voice was tense and Nick could hear Matt sobbing in the background.
“What’s going on?”
“Matt’s been hurt, and we’re on our way to the hospital. I’m driving him in.”
“What?” He sat bolt upright and Jenn did the same, as Luke’s voice carried loudly over the phone. Her hands touched his back and arm, held him gently in comforting support.
“Dusty got spooked and threw him. Look, just meet us there.”
“I’m on my way.” He pressed the End button and tossed the phone down.
“He’ll be okay,” Jenn told him.
“Come with me.”
Her eyes widened a split second before her expression went soft on him. Her eyes, her face…She was so sweet.
“Let me change. I’ll hurry.”