Page 18 of The Maverick

He grinned. “You did. I have my pilot’s license.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and her eyes widened. “You have a helicopter pilot’s license? Where do you fly?”

“Mostly to my office in Centennial. I keep a car at the airport there. It’s easier than sitting in all that traffic for an hour-and-a-half. That one is a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, and it cruises at 178 miles per hour so it only takes me about fifteen minutes. No cars honking or people yelling or shooting me the finger.”

She leaned her forearms on the bar with her hands clasped in front of her. “That would be much nicer. I’ve never been in a helicopter before. You’ll have to take me sometime.”

He poured four cups of milk into a large saucepan. After it heated, he stirred in cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla. After the mixture was hot, he poured it into four mugs and put the empty pan into the sink.

“Pick up your mug and Jake’s and let’s go find the kids. Then I’ll give you the rest of the tour. I doubt Jake will want to come. If he’s into Roblox like Bailey is, then that’s probably all he wants to do. Some days I have to practically order Bailey to go ride Buttercup because of that game. I’d even be happy if she just wanted to skip rope in the yard. Anything to get her outside.”

Rachel nodded. “I have the same problem with Jake. Well, you saw him tonight. All the way over here in the car he was playing that game. He wants me to hook the game up to the Internet, but I won’t. I worry about predators. Maybe I don’t need to on that game, but still...”

Nick lifted his hands carrying the hot cocoa, in front of him. “I’m the same way for the exact same reason. As far as I’m concerned, she’s too young to play online. I, of all people, know exactly who might find her out there. I did that for a little while...searching for predators online. I found a few and reported them back to my superior at the FBI. Then my company took off, and I had to quit the FBI.”

She sipped her sweet, rich drink and wondered where they would be if she hadn’t left twelve years ago. Would they still be friends, be lovers maybe, or even married to each other?

“You’re thinking too hard, Rach. Come on. Let’s find the kids and deliver their hot chocolate. Then, by my calculation, they’ll have about thirty minutes to play, which is just long enough for the tour. That’s if you’re up to it tonight.”

“Oh, I’m ready. I’m about to bounce off the walls, I’m so ready.”

Nick snickered. “You’re a funny woman, Ms. Rachel.”

She grinned. “Well, you’re a funny man, Mr. Nicholas. I guess we’re made for each other.”

Nick didn’t smile or snicker at her comment, like she’d expected him to. Instead, he looked at her intensely. His mouth was ticked slightly up on one side, but his gaze bore into her like he was seeing her every thought.

Suddenly, she wasn’t smiling anymore either. She leaned slightly forward.

So did he.

The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers. Rachel wanted to put her arms around his neck, but that wasn’t a good idea considering she was holding two cups of hot cocoa.

His kiss was something she’d dreamed about for so long, and it surpassed all of her dreams. He had the softest, smoothest lips, yet they were firm as they pressed against hers.

Rachel didn’t know how long they kissed. She felt like she’d been waiting for this forever, and when she sensed him pulling away, she knew this kiss had ended too soon.

“Rach.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but I’ve waited twelve years for that kiss. I couldn’t wait any longer. I?—”

“Shh, don’t ruin the moment by saying you regret it. You’ll hurt my feelings.”

His eyes widened at her words. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. I’ve put our friendship in jeopardy, and I never wanted to do that. You’re still the best friend I’ve ever had. Please tell me we’re still friends.”

She gazed up at him and smiled. “Of course, we’re still friends. You’ll always be my best friend and I’ll always be yours. That won’t change because of one kiss.”Even if it was the best kiss I’ve ever had. Even if my pulse is still racing like I’ve run a 100-yard dash. Calm down, Rachel. It was just a kiss. Yeah, right.“Shall we continue with the tour?”

Nick nodded. “Let’s get these to the kids and then I’ll give you the tour I promised.”

Rachel didn’t miss the change in his tone. She felt like he regretted the kiss, and she didn’t. She would never regret something so wonderful.

Did this mean their friendship was over? Would he still help her with Greg? Would he still let her stay for as long as necessary?

CHAPTER5

Rachel followed Nick out of the kitchen. On the left side was a formal dining room with a round table that would have done King Arthur proud. The top was inlaid in circles that wound out to about eight inches from the edge and might have been cherry wood. Twelve richly padded chairs ringed the table, with plenty of room between each chair.

She had a friend who spent a fortune on a cherry wood table with a buffet and a china hutch. Hers had seated six, and this one seated twelve. It was huge and the hutch appeared to be full of...china. She’d never thought of Nick as being domestic.

The hall was long, with several doors down it.