Page 29 of The Maverick

“You’re right. You and he couldn’t be more different. You’re real, and what you think and feel are real. He wasn’t. Not any of it. I was married to the man for eight years. Seven of which were miserable. I didn’t know the man he was until after we were married for just over six months and then it was too late. I was pregnant with Jake.”

His mouth formed a flat line and his eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t you leave?”

“I couldn’t. I had Jake, and Greg made sure he was all I had. I had no job, no money, no family or friends...at least that was what I believed.” She turned away so she didn’t have to see the pity on his face. “I didn’t leave until he started threatening Jake. Then I left and found myself in a shelter for battered women. I’m so thankful for the people there.” She turned back toward Nick. “They are dedicated to helping the women who come to them. Helping them to find a way out. In my case, they helped me file for divorce and find a job. Then they helped me find this job. If not for them I’d still be married to Greg.”

Nick reached over and lifted her chin until she gazed into his eyes.

What she saw wasn’t pity, but pride.

“You did the best you could under the circumstances. I wish you’d have contacted me. I’d have gotten you out. Even before I got rich, I’d have come for you.”

She closed her eyes, and the tears she’d been holding back escaped. “I’m sorry, Nick. I truly believed him when he said no one cared. I know now he tore up or burned all my letters and correspondence, into and out of the apartment. He wouldn’t give me a mailbox key so I could check the mail myself. I believed him when he said I didn’t get any correspondence. I believed him and not my gut. I couldn’t believe you would just stop writing, but when I didn’t get any correspondence from you, I didn’t have any other choice but to believe him. I’m sorry, Nick. Truly I am.”

“Hey, you don’t have anything to be sorry for.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing was your fault.”

“It’s my fault I stayed. I should have left the first time he put me in the hospital. But he’d been so sorry, so contrite, and he promised it was an accident and would never happen again.” She pulled back and stared at him.

Nick closed his eyes.

She knew he was having trouble believing her, and she didn’t blame him. What career-minded individual like her could ever have let it happen once...much less, more than once? She was a fool and didn’t deserve a friend like Nick. But thank the good Lord, he was here, and he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

“I’m so sorry, Rach.” He tugged her close again. “If I’d known, nothing and no one would have kept me from you.” He looked down. “You know that, right?”

She leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her right arm around his waist. “I know. I...”

“What? You can tell me anything, you?—”

The captain’s voice filled the plane. “Please return to your seats and prepare for landing.”

Rachel lifted her head, then cupped Nick’s face with her hands, before kissing him. “Thank you for the most wonderful evening I think I’ve ever had.” She started to rise.

Nick tugged her back down. “We have seat belts here.” He dug into the sofa and found both the safety belts. “You’re not getting away that soon.”

They put on the belts.

As soon as hers snapped close, she felt Nick’s mouth on hers.

His kiss wasn’t soft, but it was primal. He took everything she had to give and pushed for more. Then he tore his mouth from hers and kissed his way along her jaw to the sensitive spot just below her ear.

Rachel shivered as electricity seemed to be moving south in her body. She couldn’t believe how turned on she was and with Nick. She’d always loved him first as her best friend and now as something more. She wanted him and was immediately afraid. What if it changed their relationship? What if they were no longer friends? Would being lovers preclude their being friends?

At this moment in time, she didn’t care. All she cared about was Nick’s lips on hers.

Her stomach did a somersault as the plane touched down.

Nick pulled back, kissed the tip of her nose, and then her forehead. “Let’s go home.”

She smiled. “I’m all for that. It’s still early. Do you think the kids will be up?”

“Maybe. What do you have in mind?”

“I thought we could go for a swim. It would be good for all of us, I think.”

Nick shook his head. “They will probably be in bed. I think it would be better if you and I took a swim alone.”

“I’ll agree on one condition.”

“What’s that?”