Niko: Love me Harder (3 page)

“What can I get you, sexy lady?”

“Long island ice tea.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Anything for you.” He made the drink and passed it off, giving her hand a slight caress before he headed down to the other side of the bar.

“Hi.”

She turned around and looked into the face of a handsome male. He stood around six foot, nice. He had deep brown eyes and beautiful milk chocolate skin. She must really be hungry. She had that pastry early this morning followed up by a donut at work. She really would eat tomorrow.

“Hi yourself.” She flashed her white teeth and batted her eyes. He had potential. She would have to rub up against him to get all the pertinent details. It seemed so unfair that men knew exactly what they were getting, but women had to guess.

“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing buying your own drink?”

“I was wondering the same thing.”

“Dance?”

“Yes.”

She followed him out to the dance floor, after downing the drink. She never left a drink unattended if she was going to drink from it again.

“I’ve never seen you here before.”

“This is my first time.” The music was fast and she was enjoying keeping up with him. He was a good dancer. “I heard some of the people I work with talking about this place and knew I needed to check it out.”

“Glad you came out. What do you think about it?”

“Well it’s a little slow, but it’s still early. Having said that, I like it so far. The band is good. Do they play here all the time?”

“On the weekends they do. During the week, the owners use a deejay.”

“That’s better than canned music.”

The band played a slow song and he drew her into his arms. She smiled and stepped closer. Please don’t disappoint me baby. She plastered her body against him and moved. Damn, he didn’t swing for her team. Nothing not even a pretense of hardness. She looked up at him.

The look of shame on his face brought her out of herself. “Stop that.” She whispered in his ear. “You are who you are.”

He looked at her, the look of shock apparent on his face. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, there is someone out here you want and it isn’t me. Whoever he or she is, I think you should be dancing with them. Maybe that man sitting over there, staring a hole through me?”

She backed away, a look of regret on her face. She didn’t mess with married men and she didn’t mess with the ones who were in love with someone else. She turned away and went to get another drink.

“Didn’t work out?” Her young bartender was back.

“Nah, his heart was elsewhere.”

“Can I get another drink for you?” She nodded and scanned the crowd.

The place was filling up and there were some nice looking single men looking her way. She was sure the night wouldn’t be a bust, so why did she want white chocolate with blonde hair and sea blue eyes.

She took her drink from the bartender and took a nice long swallow. She was sure she would find someone. She went to the dance floor and started dancing alone. Soon she had a fine man in front of her and another rubbing against her ass.

Things were looking up, although she needed more than what the guy behind her was sporting. He was respectable. If she’d been normal, she would be all over him. She needed more.

The night was going like she’d expected. Her drinks were being paid for. She was dancing with whoever caught her attention and soon she would pick one lucky guy for the ride of his life.

She was on the dance floor when she felt it, that sizzle that went down her back and stopped between her legs. Her very dry vagina began to weep quietly, as first one drop of moisture then another came to life. She moved closer to the tall man holding her.

She laid her head on his shoulder, hoping the smell of his very powerful cologne could replace the smell of wild musk that was overwhelming her.

His hand went down to her hip and the sound of a low growl assaulted her ears, making her heart beat faster and her feet miss a step in the dance. She recovered gracefully.

“Like what you feel baby?” His voice that should’ve been low and seductive in her ear, grated like nails on a chalk board.

What was his name? Dwayne, Dwight, or was it Douglas? Did it even start with a D? She gave up. She couldn’t think with him watching her.

She knew it was crazy. She hadn’t even turned around, but Niko was there, watching her with those eyes. Was he a stalker?

She drifted back to thoughts of her kidnapping, Niko had been there when she’d been allowed to leave the bank. If she didn’t know any better she would say that he’d come to her side and walked out of the bank with her, but that was just crazy.

He’d appeared out of nowhere when she’d gotten outside. Before Dante, the friend the brothers had asked to come and get her, could reach for her, he’d taken her in his arms and held her tight, assuring her she was fine. He’d given her specific instructions on what to do before he left, then he disappeared as quickly as he showed up.

What’s his name just squeezed a cheek, making him the center of her attention again.

“Want to blow this place, baby?” He grinned at her looking confident.

“Ahh…”

Damn it. What was his name?

“Tyrone, baby. You forget already? Being this close to me does make women forget their own name.”

She looked up from under her lashes and smiled. It wasn’t her job to take him down a peg or two. She would leave that for the next woman.

“Tyrone, I would, but my man just walked in the door. He’s loco if you know what I mean. I think it would be better if I make it to the bar before he gets there.”

She broke away and left him standing on the dance floor. When she looked back there were already three women closing in on him. Tyrone would be just fine.

“Sexy lady you’re breaking hearts tonight.” The bar tender took the time to greet her as she found an empty spot.

“I think he’ll get over it.” She gestured to Tyrone who was now surrounded by women.

“What about the others you shot down tonight?”

“They will live.”

“Can I get you another drink?”

She went up on her toes and leaned over, thankfully he leaned down. “How about just a glass of Pepsi?” She whispered, not wanting to broadcast her change in drinks.

“You got it.” He gave her a slow wink and walked to get her drink.

Her stilettos felt like they wanted to be kicked off and even then she wasn’t sure she would be able to walk without tripping. How many drinks had she had on an empty stomach?

She took the glass of Pepsi like it was a life line and began to drink, hoping to sober up, just in case she was drunk. She needed to get out of here fast. She didn’t see him, but she knew he was there. Setting the glass down she turned around, ready to escape, only to find him blocking her way.

Chapter Five

She licked her lips. Niko stood there looking like every woman’s wet dream. He had a pair of charcoal gray pants that had to be tailored for him. His white shirt was a classic button up that seemed so casual, yet it made her want to unbutton it to reveal his hard chest.

She licked her lips again, feeling like a mouse being watched by a shifty cat. She would have to play her cards right, if she was going to escape tonight.

“Mr. Dare. What a surprise to see you here. I didn’t know you liked night clubs.”

He didn’t say a thing. He just stared at her, making her even more uncomfortable in her stilettos.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me. I was just heading out.”

He didn’t budge. In fact, she wasn’t sure if he was blinking. He just stood and stared. Her mouth felt dry, like she needed another drink. The beat of her heart was louder than her heels on the floor and her knees that had already proven so weak were close to shaking again. She needed out.

“Dance?”

His voice went through her like the crack of a whip. The drops of moisture between her legs kicked up, leaving her wet. Her heart was beating out a wild song at the thought of melding her body against his on the dance floor.

Her mind screamed at her to run. Danger Will Robinson was going through her mind, but her traitorous heart made her head shake yes.

He held out a hand and she took it. He led her to the dance floor. The song was slow and seductive and she moved into his arms like she’d lived there all of her life. His strong lithe frame melded into hers and she sighed.

Darn it. She’d actually sighed and laid her head against his chest as she closed her eyes. She was going to milk this for all it was worth, this sense of peace. The monsters had fled when his arms closed around her.

She knew he could feel her heart beating against his chest, but took comfort in the fact that he couldn’t know the trickle between her legs had turned into a flood in his arms.

Her panties were soaked. How often did that happen to her? Never, before now. She let go of that thought. She refused to care for the next few minutes. She only wanted to enjoy the unexpected feeling of being a desirable female.

Ironic actually, since everyone assumed she knew what it felt like and that she held it over men’s heads.

The slow song ended and a fast one came on. She pulled out of his arms, already missing the feeling of protection they provided. Who was she kidding, she missed it all.

She liked the way he moved. His moves complimented hers showing her off to her best advantage, as if he was there to merely make her look good. She twirled around him, dancing and laughing. She was having fun. Real fun. She would examine that tidbit later.

She was exhausted when she finally called out uncle. They had danced through a whole set, both fast and slow. He led her off of the dance floor, but not back to the bar.

They found a small table for two and sat down.

“Thank you. I haven’t danced like that for a long time.”

“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it.”

She smiled at him and made plans to escape. She regretted having to leave him, but staying would cause her more trouble than she wanted. She’d made her mind up long ago, no real relationships. No getting close. No telling anyone about her past. No loving.

“Excuse me, Niko. I need to use the little girl’s room.”

There was an exit back there. She’d scoped it out earlier. She always looked for a way to escape now. Her ankles were killing her. It really had been a long time since she’d danced like that. What she wouldn’t give to take her shoes off. Maybe she would drive home barefooted.

She hit the side door and took in a big breath of the crisp air. It wasn’t clean, but it wasn’t sweaty and smoke heavy either.

“The air where I live is clean and fresh. You’ll enjoy it.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice. Any voice would’ve startled her, but his made her jump. Niko was leaning against the wall on the other side of the door. She’d never even seen him.

“How did you do that?”

“I’ve the ability to blend in with my surroundings.”

“Like a chameleon?”

“No, they change colors. I don’t. I’m not sure how it’s done. I simply fade into the background like I’m not there. Your eyes simply refuse to see me.”

She shivered as the words of her kidnapper whispered in her mind telling her he wasn’t the only monster roaming her world. She pushed the thought away.

“That’s slightly freaky. What are you doing out here?”

“Making sure you don’t run away.”

“I’m not running.”

“That’s why we’re having this conversation in an alley.”

“I decided it was time to go home and left through the closest door.”

“Since I’m here, I’ll escort you home. It’s getting late and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Thanks, but I drove. You can walk me to my car.”

“Definitely.”

She walked over to him. He led them out of the alleyway. She wasn’t done for the night, but he didn’t have to know that. She needed to go home with someone tonight.

Sergey was leaning on the hood of her car when they reached it. He looked comfortable there, as if he was supposed to be meeting up with them. She knew something was wrong when she saw him. The Dare brothers did nothing without a reason.

“Mr. Dare, can I help you?”

She decided not to point out that he happened to be leaning against one of the few things she actually took pride in. She gave her baby a good looking at to see if there were any dents she would have to fight over.

“Dee, I thought this was your car.”

Thought her behind, he knew exactly what she drove. She wouldn’t put it past him to have memorized the plate and the VIN number.

“Amazing that you could pick out my baby when there are so many other cars on this street. Did you come to pick Niko up?”

“No, nothing like that. I came because I wondered how smooth the ride was in your car.”

“The ride is incredible. You should arrange a test drive at a dealer.”

Sergey smiled and stared at her with his unreadable eyes. She really needed different scenery, maybe a different town. The brothers insisted on being there for her, even when she assured them she wanted to be left alone.

“Dee.” Nikos voice was rich like the best alcohol. It was low and seductive like the feel of that alcohol sliding over your tongue, causing ecstasy in your mouth, and then sliding down your throat so smooth, before it landed in your belly with a fire that felt so good you had to have another sip.

“Hand the keys to Sergey.” It was the command to hand over her keys that brought her out of her fantasy of drinking him down like the finest liquor ever made.

“No. I’ll be driving my own car.” The shaking of her head was for emphasis, unfortunately her vision blurred at that moment.

“You can’t drive in this condition.”

“What condition?” She glared at Niko. Who died and left him the boss of her?

“You’re drunk.”

“No, I’m not. I’m slightly intoxicated and everyone knows you can drive while slightly intoxicated.”

“Give Sergey the keys and then you can prove you’re not drunk.”

She moved to the hood of her car and then spread her arms to give it a big hug. She then decided to give her car kisses, while she promised never to let it go to the famous car killer Sir Sergey.