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Nicolas

Nicolas Callie Carmen
Book Two of the Risking Love series
Chapter One

Carlie

“Carlie, I see you eyeing that guy on the dance floor. I thought you swore off men after your ex made you feel like a sex freak for wanting more than the missionary,” Bella teased.
I almost groaned out loud from having to look away from him. “Very funny. Just because my focus is on my studies instead of dating, doesn’t mean I can’t observe and enjoy from afar. Does it?”
“Seriously, you should forget the nonsense your ex put in your head and enjoy a little male companionship. You’re taking this all ‘work and no play’ too far. It’s so depressing for us ladies to watch.” She puffed out her lips and gave me sad eyes.
It made me laugh.
“We all know how important good grades are to you, and God forbid you stray from your two-year success plan. But at least tonight you could lighten up a bit and have some fun. If not for you, do it for your friends.” She patted her chest.
Bella was one of the few friends that knew about the horrible poverty I had grown up in. She understood why my ultimate goal of leaving that world behind was so important. Her heart was in the right place as she once again lectured me on having some fun, but men just didn’t fit into my plans. At least not for the next year or so.
I figured it was best to stop her from worrying about me, and said, “Maybe if the man that dances like a professional dance instructor was interested in applying for the position, I’d change my mind.”
I smiled.
She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “Now you’re talking.”
We both laughed.
“I’ve spotted a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome I’m going after,” declared Bella. “Later.” She headed off in the direction of a man that our friend Violet had shown interest in when we had first arrived at the club. Violet liked men to come to her, as they almost always did. But it looked like this time she’d waited too long.
I turned back to the dance floor, and to the man I’d been watching. He moved a beautiful woman around like they had been dancing together for years. I hoped that wasn’t the case. Anyone who could move their hips the way he did, and glide a woman around with the ease he did, had to be an amazing lover. I imagined what it would be like to have sex with him and not have to fake an orgasm. My body heated.
Faking it had been required most of the time with my ex. But this man might be worth a bit of my study time. I fanned myself just as he made eye contact with me. I felt a shiver up my spine.
Of course, I shouldn’t have been having such thoughts. Being out with my friends for a bit of fun before diving back into my studies should have been all that concerned me. I’d learned my lesson in junior college that having a boyfriend interfered with my studies. Now, I had straight A’s with just two semesters to go. Thank goodness the transfer credits didn’t affect my GPA. My plan to graduate at the top of the class was definitely in reach. Any distraction could jeopardize that goal.
Yet, as he left the dance floor alone, I couldn’t help but wonder who he’d dance with next.

Nicolas

I’d gone to the club just to blow off some steam after another long medical residency shift at the local hospital. Besides long distance running, dancing was my favorite way to leave work behind. As I spun the woman in my arms around the dance floor, a gorgeous woman with sandy blond hair, dressed in a conservative pencil skirt and white blouse, caught my eye. She watched my every move. The more she watched, the more I wanted it to be her in my arms. When our eyes met, it felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
I wasn’t at the club to meet anyone. I was far too busy trying to impress the powers that be at the hospital. There was only one surgical position available—and I wanted it. It was down to one other resident and me, and I’d already decided I’d do whatever I needed to do to make sure the position was mine. Being a surgeon—saving lives—had been all I’d ever wanted. If I got to do it right here in my hometown, near my close-knit family, all the better.
As the song ended, I thanked the young lady for the dance and then went in search of the woman I’d been drawn to. She was too neat and tidy, with perfect hair, perfect makeup, and a professional outfit. It was almost business attire, except for the killer black stilettos and the extra unbuttoned button showing the start of her cleavage. I headed down the crowded aisle toward where I had last seen her. As I searched, I reminded myself that I was not in the market for a relationship.
Then I spotted her and observed those wary, beautiful blue eyes—and knew I was lost. I made my way through the sea of Friday night partiers. The closer I got to her, the faster my heart raced.
I had dressed in a dark navy suit, and I could see her taking in every inch of my attire. Hopefully, the spark that flashed in her eyes as she looked into mine meant that she liked what she saw and felt the intense attraction between us. I straightened my tie and gave her a slow, sexy smile.
Her eyes darkened.
When we were just inches apart, I took her hand, and spun her around. “My name is Nicolas Antonis. What’s yours?”
She cleared her throat. “If you must know, it’s Carlie Keith.”
Her sharp tone may have turned another man off, but not me. I wanted her.
“Carlie, this next song is ours.”
I tugged her toward me and started for the dance floor. The closer we got, the more she seemed to hesitate. I stopped abruptly and turned to see why she was straining to get away. But then she must have changed her mind, because instead of wrenching away she moved forward and fell into my arms.
Her eyes squeezed closed, and her arms wrapped around me. I told myself that I kept her tight against my body to keep her from falling. What I was actually doing was seeing if my touch could melt a bit of her coolness.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the heat coming from them nearly burned me. I was sure what they were saying was, ‘My name is Carlie Keith. Please take me.’ The fire building between us was melting her frost.
I leaned in and whispered against her ear, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like dancing?”
Her eyes drooped closed, and she gasped as a strand of hair on her neck stirred in the slight breeze created by my breath. Her reaction caused my dick to get semi-hard, and I still hadn’t moved away.
She exhaled and bobbed her head. “Yes, I do, but I’m afraid of looking foolish; I can’t do what you were doing.”
“So you were watching me?”
She shook her head. “No. I mean, yes. Ugh.”
I chuckled at her indecision over whether to tell the truth or not. I was glad truth had won out.
“There’s no way I’ll be able to keep up with you. Please,” she whispered back, and my semi-hard erection got full-on hard.
What was it about this woman? She drove me crazy, and I didn’t even know her.
“Please what, Carlie?”
“Please don’t make me go out there.” She nibbled on her bottom lip.
“I’ll make you a promise. Your body will move in ways you never thought it could. You’ll look gorgeous out there. All the women will wish they could dance like you, and the men will want you, but none of them will touch you.”
She puffed out air and said, “Baloney.”
“You’ll see,” I smiled. “If I prove you wrong, then tonight, for as long as we’re here, you’ll be mine.” I arched a brow and gave her my most charming smile. “Trust me?” I gave her earlobe a soft, quick nip and leaned back enough to explore her eyes. Her pupils were huge.
Chapter Two

Carlie

God, I’d sounded so snotty when he’d introduced himself and asked for my name. What was wrong with me? Had I put men off for so long that I just couldn’t help myself anymore? I thought I’d blown it with him. That was what I should want, so I could stick to my plan with no messy relationship gunk to distract me. But a jolt of lightning had shot through me when he’d held my hand.
Nicolas still seemed interested, and now my body heated from his closeness, and the nip had made me quiver. It was extremely forward of him to do such a thing. One more reason why I should run for my life. There was too much at stake, and he would definitely distract me.
It had been over a year since I’d been tempted to spend time with a man. What was so different about this one that I’d consider getting to know him? It didn’t matter; I wouldn’t chance failure. I refused to go back to the roach-infested hellhole that I’d clawed out of.
There was no way I could keep up with Nicolas on the dance floor, so I’d have to use that to wiggle my way out of his proposal. I’d accept his challenge, live through the embarrassment of looking like a novice on the dance floor, then get safely away from him.
“Fine. I’ll make a fool of myself, but when I prove you wrong, you have to leave me be for the rest of the night. You promise?”
He made an X over his heart and said, “Promise.”
In seconds, the next song started, and Nicolas spun my body into his. He used his strong arms and hands to move me every which way he wanted. I couldn’t believe what I saw each time I looked at the mirrored wall at our reflection. We danced magnificently together. He was amazing.
I felt so free—like a bird gliding on air—and was having so much fun. Until I remembered that this meant he was going to spend the rest of the evening with me. I kept my promises, so there would be no way to run when the song ended. Darn it. I’d have to let him in just enough to be polite, but not enough to make him want more. This had to end tonight.

Nicolas

Carlie and I spent several fantastic—and sometimes frustrating—hours together. She’d open up a little and cuddle in close to me. Then she’d clam up and move away—a pattern that repeated over and over throughout the evening. She was a dichotomy. I was certain she wanted more from me, but it felt like she was fighting to resist those needs.
I felt like I was on a roller coaster all night long. One moment I’d be full of joy and excitement, my blood rushing through me. Then she’d pull away and stab me in the heart. I’d never been a masochist, but I was along for the ride with this woman. After spending four hours together, she refused to give me her phone number and left with her friends. I was brokenhearted.
***
Since that night, I’d taken a few drives around her college campus on my days off, praying that we’d run into each other. No such luck. What the heck was I going to do? When I wasn’t working or sleeping, she was on my mind. Well, that was not quite true. She also starred in all of my erotic dreams. There was no doubt Carlie was the one.
God, I didn’t need this in my life right now. My residency was too important to allow distractions. Maybe it was time to give up finding her. Yep, that was what I was going to do. I acted like it was no big deal, but I felt my stomach drop.
With that settled, my errands became my main focus. I had to get to the bank and the grocery store. My refrigerator was down to one slice of bread and two eggs. Definitely not enough to survive on. There was always the option to stop at our family restaurant and load up on meals to go, but my brother Damon would bust my butt for needing him to survive, or some stupid crap like that. No thanks—grocery store it was.
Once at the corner bank, I got into line. The woman in front of me turned around and began to flirt. I wasn’t interested, but being polite was important to me. We chatted until it was her turn, then I gazed forward and couldn’t believe my eyes. Carlie was one of the tellers, and the man she had helped had just finished. My heart raced as I took my place at the counter and watched as she stored the last customer’s paperwork.
Carlie said, “Hello, may I—”
She swallowed her last words as she looked up.
“Nicolas,” she whispered, regarding me with those same wary eyes as when we’d first met.
Unfortunately for Carlie, I could also see the passion she had for me in those blue eyes.
I spoke a mile a minute. “Carlie, when do you get off work? We need to meet after, or I need your phone number. It’s time we talk.”
She rolled a paper bill band back and forth. “Nicolas, I can’t. I told you at the club that I had too much going on in my life. I can’t start a relationship with anyone right now. And I can’t talk about this at work, so you need to leave.”
I held out my deposit slip with a couple of checks. She snatched them out of my hand and started to enter them into my account.
“I’m not leaving until I have your number or you agree to meet me after work.”
She shoved a receipt at me. “Nicolas, there’s a line behind you.” She puffed out air, and her lips vibrated.
“Yes, I know. So you’d better decide soon, or you’ll have a mutiny on your hands.” I gave her a sly smile.
She tossed the paper band into the trash and, with an indignant tone, said, “Fine. I’ll meet you outside in the parking lot in one hour.”
“Carlie, you just made my day.”
I turned around, apologized to those still in line, then left before she could change her mind.
Chapter Three

Carlie

Being true to my word, we met in the parking lot. Nicolas convinced me to go on a dinner date Friday at his family’s restaurant. He told me that some of his family members would be working there that night, including his brother Damon and his parents. By the time Friday came around, I was a bundle of nerves.
As soon as we arrived, several members of Nicolas’s family got up from various tables and surrounded us. I wanted to run for my life, but I’d promised I’d give him this one date to get to know each other better, and I was going to keep my word if it killed me.
His mother shooed all the relatives back to their tables and pulled her Nicky in for a hug.
“I love you, Mom,” Nicolas said as he kissed her cheek.
Then they both turned to me.
“Mom, I want you to meet someone special. This is Carlie.”
Before I could get a word out, Nicolas’s mother grabbed me in a warm, bear hug. “We’re so happy you’re here. You must be precious because my Nicky hasn’t brought a girlfriend home to meet us since high school.”
That statement completely overwhelmed me. I glanced over at Nicolas and saw that he had a beautiful, bright smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
I couldn’t believe he had given his mother that impression of us. There was no us. He was no help at all. I wanted to roll my eyes and stick out my tongue at him.
She showed us to our table and almost immediately we were surrounded again, only this time by his brothers and his father.
His gorgeous brother, Seth, pulled me from my seat, and kissed and hugged me. “You weren’t kidding, bro, she’s beautiful. Look me up, Carlie, if you get tired of my brother here,” he said, with a wink and a smile.
I felt a blush run up my body as Aaron, the youngest brother, grabbed me from Seth’s arms. He was also gorgeous, but not yet as filled out as Seth and Nicolas. He kissed me on the lips and said, “Ooh, Nick, she is definitely too good for you. I’ll have to step in and take over.” He dipped his head. “Just getting a rise out of him. Love to bust his butt,” he whispered in my ear.
I giggled.
Nicolas growled.
A large shadow hung over me. I looked up and saw who I assumed was another brother—the most gorgeous brother of them all. His shoulders were even broader than Nicolas’s. Even through the white chef’s jacket, I saw he had a strong muscular build. His brooding face and silence were a bit intimidating though. As if that wasn’t bad enough, when we locked eyes I saw that he was judging me. He made me shiver.
Their father saved me from his scrutiny as he swooped in and kissed me first on one cheek, then the other.
“Carlie, it’s so nice to meet you. Welcome to our home away from home. Nicolas has told us so much about you. I hope you enjoy your dinner, and if my Nicky gives you any trouble you come and see me,” his dad said with a wink.
I could see where his sons got their charm. I thanked him and took my seat, completely overwhelmed with the warmth of Nicolas’s family. They were all so outgoing, so accepting, and I could tell they were a close-knit family that loved to razz each other. I glanced back up and found that the shadow-maker still stood there with his stoic stare. Well, maybe they weren’t all warm and accepting.
Nicolas introduced his brother Damon.
“I’ll be making your dinner personally. If you don’t see what you want on the menu, feel free to make a special request,” Damon said, though it sounded more like a command.
“That’s so generous of you, Damon. I appreciate it. Nicolas told me that you’re an amazing chef. I’d love to hear what you recommend.”
I saw a little sparkle in his eyes as he gave Nicolas a smidgeon of a smirk. God forbid he lose the brooding look entirely.
“In that case, I’ll start you off with Garides Tourkolimano Shrimp cooked in a spicy tomato sauce, covered in feta cheese, and served with crusty bread to sop up the delicious sauce, with a drink of ouzo.”
I rubbed my hands together and said, “Yummy.”
“Next, I’ll serve a mix of side dishes and main entrées that you can both share—Souvlaki marinated pork tenderloin and grilled veggie skewers. Also Spanakopita —a rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheese, and herbs in flaky phyllo dough. Then Baked Asparagus and Feta, with lemon and a little chili pepper kick.”
My eyes felt like they were growing bigger by the second as I rubbed my tummy and licked my lips.
“You have to try Chicken Kozani with prunes and onions to lend sweetness; paprika adds a smoky flavor served over steamed rice. Then I can’t let you miss out on Lamb Feta Peppers—a savory combination of lamb, rice and feta cheese, stuffed in sweet green peppers and smothered with sauce. All served with Greek wine.”
“Oh my God,” I gasped.
“And for dessert, Baklava—a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey.”
I slumped down in my chair like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. How was I supposed to walk after eating all that delicious food?
“Damon, that all sounds amazing, but there’s only two of us. How could we possibly eat all that?”
“No worries. My brothers will stop by and pick at the food, as they torture Nicolas about bringing home a special woman for the first time. Don’t be surprised when Mom and Dad stop by again too. Anything you don’t finish I can send home with you in a doggie bag.”
At that point, my mouth hung open in disbelief. Here I was in a sea of gorgeous Greeks, with a man I’d only spent four hours with the night we met, yet they were treating me like I was someone special. I didn’t even know Nicolas. How on earth was meeting his entire family a good idea for a first date?
Nicolas reached over and gently closed my mouth by pushing my chin up. Then he chuckled.
One dish after the next came out of the kitchen, always with a different member of the family. Each time they’d tease and bust Nicolas’s chops, and the ouzo and wine just kept coming. I enjoyed the food and company so much; I couldn’t believe how relaxed and at home I felt with these boisterous, loving people.
My family was nothing like this. We were less talkative and a lot less outgoing and friendly. We were usually wary of strangers. Of course, in the neighborhood where my family lived, that was necessary, or you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.
One family member after the next had told me a hilarious story about Nicolas—from his diaper days all the way through his high school years. I learned so much about him. The more I learned, the more my heart softened toward him.
My favorite was the one Seth told about when they went to visit the Easter bunny at the mall. Nicolas, eight at the time, had claimed he was too old to believe in the Easter bunny. To prove his point, when the man wearing the suit bent down to pick up little Aaron, Nicolas had pulled the bunny head off the guy. There were screams from all the young children that were standing in line. Nicolas had been so proud of himself for being right that he hadn’t noticed his actions had terrorized all the other kids. He’d stood with his hands on his hips, a smug grin on his face, and eyes that had twinkled up at his mother and father. Priceless.
My sides ached from all the laughing I did. I could only imagine how his brothers were going to pay for their embarrassing storytelling. If they knew what was good for them, they wouldn’t bring a woman home anytime soon. Nicolas would make sure that what they’d dished out would be given back tenfold.
When I stood up to say my goodbyes, my body swayed a bit. Nicolas took me by the elbow and walked me over to each family member. When I reached Damon, he still had a brooding face, but I didn’t care one bit. His food had been too magnificent not to give the man a big hug and a kiss on the cheek to thank him.
He stood there, not making a move, except for a flinch of his cheek when I stood on my toes and kissed him. Aaron and Seth busted his butt, and Nicolas pulled me back to his side mouthing a silent “Mine” to his older brother.
Nicky’s mother smiled at her sons’ antics as she packed up enough food to last me the rest of the week.
I sighed. What I wouldn’t give to have a family like that.

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