Page 10 of Unwrapped

“Unless I was asking you out when you were thirteen and I was twenty-six, I don’t see the problem.”

I lean against the wall and take off my shoes, feeling immediate relief from the too tight and too high heels.

“Listen, I know old dudes who date younger women do it because they think they can control them. If that’s what you think, you’re not just old, I’d also diagnose you with dementia.” I stand up straight and point a finger at his chest. He stands still, bemused by my tirade. “I’m not in the market for a sugar daddy. I have a job. And I don’t have daddy issues, if that’s what you’re thinking. My daddy is the best. You know what? You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

He stands there and smirks at me. Actually smirks at my words. Instead of turning tail and walking away, he takes a small step closer to me, and I lean against the wall to keep space between us, but his cologne overtakes my senses completely. I’m not sure what he smells like, but I know it smells good. Good and expensive.

“You’re attracted to me,” he says, completely ignoring my previous points.

“Oh, get over yourself.” I push against him, slide away from the wall, and try to walk past him, but he grabs my elbow and spins me around. “Okay. So what if I am? It doesn’t matter. I’m attracted to lots of people. That doesn’t make them a good fit for me. We would be too complicated.”

I try to pull out of his grasp, but he holds tight and drags me back to the wall. If anyone else was doing this, I’d be scared, but the last thing I feel for Nick is fear.

“Sweetheart, it’s already complicated. We’re in big fucking trouble.” He finally lets go of my elbow and cups my face again. “I want to kiss you,” he whispers, getting as close to me as possible without our bodies touching. “But if I do, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

I should push him away and run back to the safety of the party. I should make up an excuse and convince my mother to leave, but all I can do is stare into his eyes. My breathing becomes labored, and each time I inhale, my breasts graze his broad chest.

“Are you some sort of fetishist?” I ask. If logic won’t work on him, I’ll try a new tactic. “Is this an experiment for you? Listen—”

He puts a finger to my lips, silencing me. All the air leaves my body. I can no longer breathe as he looks into my eyes.

“I’ll say it only once. I have no idea what old dudes do because I’m not old. I’m not looking to control you. I’m relieved you don’t have daddy issues, and no, I did not wake up this morning hoping to be somebody’s sugar daddy, but I do have a lot of sugar.” He smiles when he says that, as if he’s amused by his own joke. I’m too breathless to tell him I don’t get it. “You only have to call me daddy if you want to, but I promise I’ll make it so good you’ll forget your own name.” My eyes widen at the implication, and when I open my mouth to give him a stinging rebuke, he presses his finger harder against my lips. “To your last point. You insult yourself, Miranda. I’m wondering how it is that every man out there isn’t fighting for your attention, but they’re fools and I’m not.”

He licks his lips as his eyes roam my face. He runs the back of his hand against my cheek and goosebumps overtake my body. I stop breathing as I wait for his next move, which is almost my undoing. He rubs his thumb across my lower lip, and I close my eyes, waiting for him to press his lips against mine. Only, he doesn’t. He moans softly and I open my eyes and meet his gaze.

The sudden chatter and laughter coming from down the hall snaps me out of my trance. I shove him away and practically run back to the party, thankful that the group of women I just walked past did not seem to notice me.

^^^

“Are you ready to go, Mom?” I ask several minutes later after getting myself a drink of ice water to cool my body down.

“In a minute, baby,” my mom says. “Just catching up with Joe.” Mr. Bain had slowly walked himself over to where my mother and several other people were. “Why don’t you go mingle for a few. Get to know Glen a little bit better. He stepped outside with a group of guys, but he’ll probably be back soon. I’ll come and get you when I’m ready.”

That means she won’t be ready until the party is officially over, which won’t be for another hour.

“Miranda, dear,” Mr. Bain says, likely sensing my uncertainty. “Why don’t you go get some dessert. Or better yet, why don’t you go dance with Nicky.”

Like an apparition, he appears out of nowhere.

“I remember one year, you and your parents came to spend Christmas with us, Nicky. You stripped yourself naked and danced around the Christmas tree to this very song. We all thought it was funny until you peed on the floor.”

The entire group laughs, including my mother. I look at Nick, who has a little color in his cheeks.

“Thanks, Uncle Joe. You ask a pretty girl to dance with me, but then you tell that story. How can any woman not want to dance with me after hearing that?”

“Oh, relax. You were only two. Miranda,” Joe says, turning his attention back to me, “take Nicky on the dance floor. He needs to learn to have some fun. He’s too stiff.”

My mother doesn’t look pleased by the suggestion, but she doesn’t say anything as she looks from me to Nick. He wastes no time as he takes my hand and drags me to the dance floor.

“Make sure you keep your clothes on this time,” I tell him with a smirk as we dance to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

Mr. Bain was wrong. Another thing about Nick Bain is that he’s a fantastic dancer and is anything but stiff. He takes my hand, spins me around, and slams my body into his. He quickly puts an arm around my waist, holding me against him as we dance to the music.

“I won’t pee on the floor this time either,” he says, smiling. When the song ends, I attempt to walk away from him, but he holds on to me. “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” starts to play as we continue to dance.

He holds me closer, and as we move about the dance floor, there’s not an inch of space between us. My eyes widen when I feel a bulge near my abdomen. Instead of pulling away, I lay my head on his chest and let him lead.

“I want to see you tomorrow,” he says, repeating the words he said not too long ago.

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