“Nick, you really have to take me back. This isn’t cool.”

“Tell your watchdog that he can meet you at my place tomorrow morning. My building has twenty-four-hour security on site. You’re going to be the headline in tomorrow’s gossip rags no matter what you do, Raina. But you can control whether it’s good press or bad press. Which would you rather be, the scorned ex-girlfriend or the happy, future bride?”

“Okay, fine. But Sam is coming to get me first thing.”

They raced over the darkened highways until they reached the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. The radio signal shut out as soon as they entered and the car filled with the sounds of static. She reached for the knob to turn the sound down. Her fingers collided with Nick’s and she yanked her hand back. “Sorry.”

She could feel his eyes on her as they drove, but he didn’t say anything else. After about fifteen minutes they pulled off the highway. Raina sat up as they turned off the main strip. The casual vibe of the tourist area changed into a more modern look with rows of white stucco buildings. They drove up to a gate and Nick leaned out the window and handed his key tag to the man in the security booth.

“I’ve never been to this part of Virginia Beach before. I had no idea you lived here.” Raina bit her lip. She hadn’t actually meant to speak the thought aloud.

“I’ve lived here for almost two years now. I like the privacy and it has a great view. I’ll show you.”

He turned onto the next street and eased his car into one of the numbered spaces in front of his building. She got out of the car and followed him hesitantly.

The last time they’d been alone together, she’d ended up pinned beneath him on her couch. Goose bumps rose on her skin and she rubbed her arms briskly.

I am not going to sleep with him. I am not going to sleep with him.

She could spend time behind closed doors with Nick without anything happening. Especially now that she knew how dangerous he really was. She’d escaped with her heart intact last time, barely.

But if she let him back into her bed or her heart, she wasn’t so sure she’d be able to do it again.

*   *   *   *   *

THEY RODE THE elevator with another couple that Nick didn’t recognize. When the car stopped on the fourth floor, Nick motioned for her to precede him. Raina stepped out into the plushly carpeted hallway.

“This is a really nice building.”

He led her to the second door on the left. She followed him into the quiet, dark interior. He’d left the light on in the kitchen but the rest of the place was dark. He moved around the room, switching on lamps and kicking the pair of gym sneakers he’d left in the middle of the floor to the side. He wasn’t a neat freak by any means but the things that normally didn’t bother him suddenly looked really sloppy.

He finally realized that he was moving around at hyperspeed while Raina stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. Damn, he hadn’t even offered her a seat.

Being nervous was a completely alien feeling.

“Please, sit. Can I offer you a drink?” He gestured to the kitchen. “I have iced tea, some type of white wine, and beer.”

“You know, it doesn’t matter. Surprise me.”

As he moved around his kitchen pulling down glasses and pouring their drinks, he thought of the incredibly well-stocked bar he’d seen at her house on their long-ago disaster of a date. She was probably used to colorful mixed drinks and parties every weekend. Ever since he’d started the foundation’s youth project, he hadn’t had much time for partying. Or friends.

Which suddenly seemed really lonely and pathetic.

“No, I actually haven’t done this in ages.” When she spoke, he realized he’d spoken his thoughts aloud.

She sat down in one of the plush armchairs by the window. “I did more bookings than ever this year so I could take time off after the wedding. I haven’t taken the time to sit and relax with a drink in a really long time. Not since before my mom’s death.”

He sat in the chair across from her and set their drinks carefully on the glass coffee table. He leaned over and took one of her hands. Her skin was warm and smooth. “I’m sorry you lost her so young. You must miss her.”

Raina didn’t answer for a moment. When she did, her eyes were sad. “You’re going to think I’m awful, but I really don’t. It’s hard to miss what you never had. My mother never had much use for me. Ridley was her favorite. That really isn’t saying a lot, though. She never had a kind word to say to either of us, really.” She laughed, the sound harsh. “I think I miss the idea of her. Which is worse.”

“I’m really sorry, Raina. I can’t even imagine.”

“Of course you can’t. Your family is like an episode of The Cosby Show. I’m sure your mom helped you with your homework and had cookies and milk ready when you got home from school.”

She took her hand back and tucked it in her lap. Nick had to resist the urge to reach out for her again. Touching her was becoming too easy, a habit he couldn’t afford to adopt just yet. He had a feeling that if he approached her with too much emotion at once she would do what she did best. Leave him behind. If he had any chance at getting to her, he had to do it slow. Easy.

No sudden movements.

“That wouldn’t be far off the mark,” he admitted. “We were heathens growing up, I’m sure, but my parents managed to corral us somehow. I’m sure there were days they wondered what the hell they’d gotten themselves into.”