Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) by Nikki Belaire Page B

to wrap his arms around her
and eliminate all of her uncertainty. “I know you’ve been hurt before, and
you’re scared it’s going to happen again.”
    She whips around to face him, heat creeping up her cheeks flamed
from both accuracy and embarrassment. “Why do you think that?”
    “Men would kill to be with a woman like you. You could have
anyone you want. You’re alone because you choose to be.”
    “That’s not…” She wraps her arms around her waist, attempting to
shield herself from the unexpected memories his words trigger. Nick isn’t Evan.
Apparent from the beginning, yet she’s terrified it will end the same way.
“It’s complicated.”
    “Not for me. I know you’re sweet and gentle and bring me a
feeling of peace I’ve never experienced before. Whenever I’m with you, nothing
else matters.” He tucks a piece of loose hair behind her ear. “When I’m not
with you, you’re all I think about. I’m falling in love with you.”
    The bouncing balloon in her chest from his heartfelt admission
quickly deflates from his declaration of love, a painful reminder of the
heartbreak she’s endured. “Please don’t say that.”
    “Since the first moment I saw you, I’ve wanted to be with you. I
can’t get you out of my head.” His fingertips slide under her chin, lifting her
face to meet his. “I know you feel it too.”
    “All I feel right now is fear.”
    His eyes lock with hers, blazing with conviction. “Don’t be
afraid. I swear I’ll never hurt you.”
    His voice conveys a promise she yearns to be true. Yet doubt
hums through her mind, guilt from her own broken assurances fueling her racing
heart. “After this morning, I don’t know what to believe.”
    “If it hadn’t happened, would you want to be with me?”
    She shakes her head. “I can’t pretend it didn’t.”
    “I’m not asking you to. All I want is for you to be honest with
me and yourself about your feelings.”
    The answer to his straightforward request scares her the most.
Lying to herself hurts them both, yet protects her heart.
    “If you don’t want to be with me, I’ll walk away like we never
met. But, if you feel even a tenth of what I feel, you have to give me a
chance.”
    “What if it’s not enough?” She squeezes his corded arms, the
muscles twitching under her fingers. “You’re so calm. Is this how you live all
the time?”
    “No. Juan won’t accept the fact that I don’t want to be in
business with him. He’s been a growing problem for the last few weeks. I didn’t
realize until now how unstable he is.”
    “What about the gun? Max had a gun pointed at Juan’s head.”
    The shrug of his shoulders is almost imperceptible, the
steadiness of his voice unwavering. “He was protecting us.”
    Matter of fact. Cut and dry. A forgone conclusion about the need
for armed protection, and it’s not even the most terrifying part. Her voice
cracks as she reveals her bigger worry. “What did you do to his brother?”
    “Nothing. He worked for me. He was a hothead and made some
stupid mistakes. He ended up in jail and was killed. Juan blames me, but he
brought it on himself. ”
    Her mouth opens, but the words won’t come. The rage on his face was
too vivid to ignore. His need to protect her fuels a fury in him she struggles
to comprehend.
    “What is it?”
    Fear steals her breath, and she can only whisper. “You were so
angry.”
    “Juan was trying to…” He closes his eyes and grimaces. “Touch
you. I couldn’t let that happen.” He shakes his head. “Fuck, what am I doing?”
His face falls slack, his eyes darkening with defeat. “Jason’s right. I need to
leave you alone.”
    Cold chills run through her body at the realization of her
friend’s broken promise. “What are you talking about? What did he say?”
    “It doesn’t matter.” With a deep sigh, he steps back. “You don’t
belong with me. I’ll have Max take you back to your car.”
    She closes her eyes, willing away the