I Like 'Em Pretty (6 page)

“
Uh oh, you’ve struck a
nerve there, Nick. The girl has a fascination with the dead. I
never did get that.” Sharnette rolled her eyes.

“
Don’t listen to her,
Nick.” She patted his hand and turned to face him. “I love the
history, too. I believe that each one of those children had a story
and I’d like to explore that through pictures. The problem is I
work so much I can’t get that project off the ground.”

“
Sounds fascinating. I’d
love to see what you’ve done so far. Have you already started
taking photographs?”

“
Yes, tons, with my
digital. I’ve got ‘em all saved on a flash drive. Perhaps I can
show them to you when we get together?”

“
On our
first
date?” Nicholas
finished the sentence and winked at her, causing her cheeks to
flush again.

“
Yes. I’d really like
that, Nick. I’m lookin’ forward to it.”

“
Ohh, lookie that. You two
move fast. Now get to the good stuff will ya? Favorite sex
positions are you into bondage, S&M…” Sharnette chided them and
took another swig of her beverage.

Rhoda flushed when she
heard the things Sharnette mentioned. Nick only
chuckled.

“
Darling, let’s leave the
potential love birds alone and have a dance. Depeche Mode is
playing and you know how much of a fan I am.” Alexander finished
his beer and took her hand, assisting her from her seat.

“
Okay. You two play nice
while we’re gone and if you wanna get intimate, this place has some
private rooms in back.”

Both Rhoda and Nicholas
gawked at her in surprise.

“
Just jokin! This ain’t
that kinda joint, you two. This is classy!”

Alexander laughed and Rhoda
deeply exhaled. She could’ve sworn Nick did the same.

Thank God for
that!

Not that Rhoda didn’t love
her sis, but she was glad Alex gave her and Nick some time alone to
chat. They’d be able to talk about their mutual admiration for
headstones and crypts in peace without the eyes or pressure from
Sharnette.

“
Whew, that Sharnette,
she’s a handful isn’t she?” Nick giggled and slinked his arm around
Rhoda’s chair.

“
Yeah, she is. We’ve known
one another since high school and the girl has always been like
that.”

“
Yeah? Alex and I have
been friends for quite awhile as well. I love the wanker like a
brother.”

Rhoda giggled at the
British accent. She loved it. It reminded her of her favorite
musician, but even more proper, if that was possible.

“
What’s so
funny?”

“
I love to listen to
British speech. I wish I could talk like that.” Rhoda finished her
beverage.

“
Eh, it’s not a huge
thing. I speak other languages that sound a lot better. Much more
interesting and
romantic
if you ask me.”

“
Oh? What else do you
know?”

“
Spanish, French,
Japanese, and Swahili.”

“
Swahili? As in, like
African dialect Swahili?”

“
Yes,” Nick drawled and
leaned back in his chair. “Alexander and I took a trip to Africa
for a temporary stint with the Peace Corp. We took part in a
medical van project in rural Tanzania.”

“
Really?” Rhoda couldn’t
believe it. She was talking with a man who’d traveled the
world.

Sexy, smart, and
worldly!

“
Wow, how was that? Alex
has never mentioned it.”

“
Eh, he might want to
forget it. He fell in love with a Tanzanian medical student who
didn’t want to leave her country. He was quite
heartbroken.”

Rhoda nodded and sighed.
“Wow. If that would’ve continued, Alex might’ve never met
Sharnette.”

“
Yeah, well. Turned out
good despite the tension, right? He was a mess for weeks. I must
say, that’s the first time I saw the bloke so downtrodden. Now, he
seems to be exceedingly happy with Sharnette. She’s good for
him.”

“
And he’s great for her.
My girl has never been so in love.” Rhoda beamed.

“
Yep, they seem to be the
perfect couple. I’m hoping for the same in my life, Rhoda, how
about you?”

“
Yes I am, Nick. I’ve been
waiting for that happiness Sharnette has, for a long time. I’m
always workin’, though, so I don’t get out much.”

“
Neither do I, love.
Perhaps we can try getting out more often together
then?”

“
Yes, I’d love that, Nick,
especially since we’ve got an interest in headstones and
photography.”

“
Oh yes, I really do. I
love the museums, art galleries, and looking at fine architecture
too. The rare days off I get I like to spend in one of those
places. Since Alex and I relocated from New York four years ago, I
have to admit, I haven’t seen much of North Carolina as I’d
like.”

“
I can show you around.”
Rhoda jumped at the chance. She could be his tour guide.

And a little
more
.

“
Really? I’d love to have
a
gorgeous
woman
on my arm to show me around a bit and take me to places I haven’t
been.” Nicholas met her gaze and he took her hand while the other
arm remained draped over her shoulder.

“
I’d be glad to. There’s a
lot in Carolina to see. Especially Durham. Have you been to
Duke?”

“
Yes, but only for a
physician’s meeting a few months ago. It truly is a state of the
art medical center.” Nick pointed at her glass. “Would you like
another one?”

The waitress walked up to
check on them.

“
Yes, please, and thank
you.”

“
Love, if you could get
another Moscato for my lady, Scotch and Coke for me, and a Heineken
for my friend. His lady isn’t done with her drink yet.” Nicholas
pulled out his billfold after she departed.

Rhoda stared at him again,
loving the way he talked, his soft-spoken nature. Those eyes that
she wanted to get lost in very quickly.

If only I was a little
more…

Outgoing, bold, like the
women in Sharnette’s books. Those gals didn’t bat an eyelash about
bedding a man on the first date, but Rhoda just couldn’t. It wasn’t
in her nature to do so. Besides, if he was a real man he’d wait for
her to lure him in that direction. Something told Rhoda he was just
that type. Or was he truly hiding some things, like Alexander had
joked about? Regardless, Rhoda was willing to do everything to find
out.

Chapter Five

The night continued with
Nicholas and Rhoda enjoying great conversation about their likes,
dislikes, jobs, and so forth. Seemingly on purpose, their friends
had spent a lot of time away from the table to give them a chance
to chat and that Nicholas was quite thankful for.

Despite the fact Alexander
deemed her shy, Rhoda appeared to be the exact opposite. Perhaps
the liquor made her talk a little more, but she’d only had the two
glasses of Moscato the entire evening.

Perhaps she was one of
those who needed to be prodded to talk. Or maybe since they’d found
some common ground, she’d become more comfortable in revealing
things to him, which he loved.

No question, Rhoda showed
herself to be just what the doctor needed. A sexy female who loved
some of the same things he did; she worked in his field, which
meant she’d understand his crazy schedule; and she had a sense of
humor that he already found himself falling for. Nothing like a
woman who could crack a joke, even though he couldn’t. She traded
comedy jabs with Sharnette about their high school fashion
disasters and bogus hairdos, making him and Alex chuckle throughout
the night. The ladies truly did have a bond and Nicholas wanted to
be part of Rhoda’s life to complete the happy circle of
friends.

“
Heh, ya know Nick. Rhoda
can really dance. I recall the first time I took her to a bar, when
we were underage. You remember that time, Rho? We had such an
awesome time.”

“
Yeah, it wasn’t so fun
when we got home and my mom figured out I snuck out wicha. I’ll
never forget
that
either.” Rhoda gulped her water.

Alexander grimaced,
“Really? Naughty girls. I can’t believe you got away with
that.”

“
We had fake ID’s we
borrowed from our friends. We didn’t drink any alcohol, but we did
dance with some older men.”

Nicholas chuckled, “Hmph.
And no one noticed you girls might not be old enough to be in the
place?”

“
I’m not sure if they did.
We were so cute and friendly!” Sharnette winked at the both of
them.

“
Yeah we were. And—” Rhoda
stopped talking and looked straight ahead of her. Suddenly the
smile left her face and turned into a frown.

“
Uh oh, Rho? What’s up,
babe? You saw somethin’?”

Rhoda sighed and shook her
head. “One…two…three…”

Nicholas cocked an eyebrow
and glanced at Sharnette who turned around then shifted back in her
chair. “Oh boy. Now before you say I invited her…”

Alexander grinned and took
another swig of his beer. “Well, well…”

“
Stop lookin’!” Sharnette
playfully smacked his knee.

“
Hiiiiii… girls! Ooh,
Sharnette, and here’s that fine man of yours. How are ya
darlin’?”

Alexander stood up and
kissed Moira on the cheek. “Good, Moira. Very well, thank
you.”

“
Hi, babe. Nice to see ya
here.” Sharnette hugged Rhoda.

Nicholas had already stood
but Rhoda hadn’t moved. Who was she? She definitely looked a lot
like Rhoda.

Sister?

“
Hey Nick, this is Rhoda’s
sister, Moira. Moira, this is Dr. Nicholas Fairlight.”

His eyes met her brown
gaze. She looked him up and down, licking her lips. “Well hello
there.” Moira sauntered in his direction and held out her
hand.

Nicholas kissed it and
nodded. “Good to meet such a lovely lady.”

“
Yeah, she’s the older one
by about nine minutes.” Moira flashed a sly grin and held onto
Nicholas’ hand.

He wanted to pull away but
she wouldn’t allow it. “Um…”

“
Hey, Moira.” Rhoda
appeared genuinely unhappy to see her sister. Perhaps their
relationship wasn’t the best, he gathered.

“
Hi babes.”

Nicholas yanked his hand
away and sat back in his chair, putting his arm around Rhoda.
Despite the fact twins had always been a fantasy of his Rhoda was
the one he wanted.

Perhaps next
lifetime
?

“
Hey. Whatcha doin’ here,
Sis?”

“
Oh, I was invited to the
grand opening. Sharnette, you know Gabe and Mel?”

“
Uh huh. I’ve known ‘em
quite a while. I’ll be doing a few book signings here in the
future.”

“
Wow, awesome, hunny. Hey,
can I sit here with you guys? I came alone and would love some
company.” She nudged Nick in the ribs.

“
Um…” Sharnette
hesitated.

“
Sure babes, have a seat,”
Rhoda offered. “Take mine, in fact. I’m takin’ Nick out on the
dance floor.”

Nicholas’ mouth agape, he
watched Rhoda slide the shawl off, revealing broad mocha-colored
shoulders. He’d give anything to kiss those and slide the spaghetti
straps off.

Anything!

He stood quickly and pulled
out her seat so she could get up.

Moira appeared just as
shocked as he did, while Sharnette snickered.

“
See you guys in a bit.”
she winked and pulled Nick out of the VIP section to the dance
floor

Nicholas followed, even
though he wasn’t too enthused about dancing. If anything, he wanted
to dance in between the sheets and slide between her thighs.
“Mhmmphh…”

“
Hm? You okay,
Nick?”

“
Uh, yes, splendid,
darling. Couldn’t be better, now that we’re alone,” he yelled over
the music and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Rhoda smiled at him and
leaned into his body, causing quite the stir in his trousers. God,
this woman was everything he needed and more. He couldn’t wait to
prove to her that she was just the right lady for him.

With the music blaring
overhead and others moving to the latest dance craze around them,
Nicholas and Rhoda caught each other’s eye and enjoyed just moving
together.

Once she rested her head on
his shoulder, he fought the urge to slip his hands lower on her
curvy body. Nicholas bit his lip and stroked her brown silky curls,
loving the feel of them between his fingers.

If he could make it through
the night with just holding her it would be a miracle, but he knew
in order to gain her respect he couldn’t do anything
more.

* * * *

Rhoda and Nicholas slowly
walked out of the club, arm in arm, sharing a laugh. “I’m sorry. Me
and my sister, well… we love each other, but she tends to take over
anything that has to do with me.”