Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her
favorite kind of fan. “Of course! What’s your name?”
    “Emily.”
    “What a cute name. Here you go. When you get back to your table,
give this card to your mom and dad, okay? It was nice to meet you, Emily.”
    The girl beams as she runs to show her parents. They hug her and
wave at Shae. She nods and waves back.
    Nick stands up and lays a hundred dollar bill on the table. “Are
you ready to go?”
    Her butterflies return as he takes her hand and gives it a
slight squeeze. At the Jeep, he helps her up before climbing in on the other
side. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I am from the beginning. Sometimes it
makes things weird, and I didn’t want that to happen.”
    “I understand. But I know it's just your job, not who you are.”
He smiles, eliminating some of her uncertainty. “You know, you were terrific
with that little girl. What was on the card?”
    “It has a number they can call to get free tickets to my next
concert. I love surprising people. It’s fun to see them excited.”
    “Yeah, I think you made their day.”
    They drive along in silence. Her body relaxes now that he knows
the truth and doesn’t seem fazed by it. She tries to hold it back, but a little
yawn escapes.
    “So, it was a concert that kept you up late last night? I bet
you are tired.”
    “A little bit, but I’m okay.”
    “Well then, do you want to come back to my house for a drink?
I’m not ready for the night to end just yet.”
    Even though she isn’t cold, a small shiver runs through her body
at the thought of them being alone together at his home. “Okay, one drink, but
nothing more.”

 
 
 
    Chapter Two

 
 
    Nick turns into a curved driveway leading to a lavish estate
protected by a wrought iron security gate and ten-foot stone wall. All of her
worries about him using her for money or a record deal fly out of her head like
the breeze through the Jeep. He could launch his own label with the kind of
money he must have. A flutter of hope flickers in her heart. Maybe this time
will be different. Maybe this time she can be herself.
    He passes the guard house, nodding at the camera, and parks by
the dark walnut front door. Textured stone and arched windows accent the
camel-colored brick. Raised flower beds edging the stone driveway soften the
starkness of the mansion, providing bursts of pink, yellow, blue, and lilac
intermixed with lush green plants.
    The heat from his hands wrapped around her waist burns through
the thin fabric of her dress as he helps her down. They linger for a moment,
holding onto each other, with their bodies separated like two kids at their
first school dance. Yet the electricity crackling between her fingers and his
biceps is anything but childish. Her heart pounds at his deep breath. He feels
it too.
    “Thank you.”
    “My pleasure.”
    One hand slides to her lower back, and he leads her up the steps
and into the house. Overstuffed chairs and leather sofas fill the living room,
facing an enormous stone fireplace. The space overlooks a sleek and modern
kitchen, the counter covered with stacks of worn cookbooks, a large bowl of
fresh fruit, and a platter of homemade treats covered by a loose sheet of wax
paper. Her stomach growls at the rich scent of vanilla and brown sugar, and she
twirls her hair around her finger to keep from snatching a cookie off the plate.
    She concentrates on the curls looping over his collar as they
walk outside to a stone patio spanning the entire length of the house. A
figure-eight pool with a waterfall spa in its center fills the open space, with
a recessed fire pit surrounded by benches occupying the other end. She shakes
her head at the visions of roasted marshmallows and melting chocolate popping
into her mind.
    They stop next to a double chaise lounge facing the water. Her
breath catches from him smiling down at her. “This is my favorite spot. I
thought you might like it too.”
    “I love it.” She steps forward and leans against the