It was getting late when Nikki decided to call it quits and head home. Gabe was still at work, his hands covered with a fine layer of dust while he dragged the sander over the plank of wood.

She was lingering by the little room he’d made for her, still unsure of how to say goodbye. Should she just wave? Walk over and hug him? She couldn’t believe she was even stressing that much about it, but things were very up in the air between them. Yes, he’d given her amazing orgasms and had his hands and mouth in just about every intimate place she could think of, but he wasn’t her boyfriend.

Nikki wasn’t at all sure what he was to her, so she stood there, worrying her lip and wondering what was the appropriate way to say goodbye. Like an idiot.

Straightening, Gabe looked over his shoulder at her. The corners of his lips curved up. “You leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“You going to come over and say goodbye?”

“Yeah.” She figured she couldn’t stand by the door anymore, so she shuffled over to him, feeling her cheeks flush. She opened her mouth to say something, but he’d put the sander down and turned to her.

Before she could say anything, he swept an arm around her and lifted her up onto the tips of her toes. He’d brought her to him, pressing the length of her body against his. He dipped his head, and her heart did a back handspring in her chest. Was he going to kiss her?

His mouth skated over her cheek and then she felt his lips against the space below her ear. She shivered, and then a faint smile tugged at her lips when he lifted his mouth and kissed her forehead. “See you tomorrow.”

Trying to not be disappointed that he hadn’t kissed her, she smiled up at him as he let go. “See you tomorrow, Gabe.” She backed up and gave him a little wave before she turned and headed for the door. She’d reached it when he called out for her. She faced him.

He had that damn grin on his face, the one that twisted her insides up in all kinds of delicious ways. “Do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Wear a pretty dress for me tomorrow night?”

That got a laugh from her. “I can do that.”

“You better, because I’ll make it worth the effort.” He picked up the sander. “’Night, Nic.”

“Goodnight,” she murmured, feeling a little flushed as she stepped out into the night. It wasn’t a kiss, his goodbye, but it was . . . it was Gabe.

Pulling her keys out, she headed toward the diner, where she was parked. She spotted her car under the street lamp and was about to step off the curb when she heard her name.

“Nikki?”

Frowning at the vaguely familiar voice, she turned and her mouth about hit the sidewalk. “Are you fucking serious?”

Ross Gerald Haid was walking across the sidewalk toward her. His steps slowed as he lifted his hands. “I’m not here to cause you any trouble.”

“Really? You’re not? I don’t believe that for a second.”

“You have every reason to be suspicious, but I swear I just wanted to talk to you real quick.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I tried to get your number from Rosie so I could apologize, but she’s pissed—”

“Damn straight she is. You used her to get to me so you could do your stupid story on the de Vincents. Yeah, she’s pissed and so am I.” Nikki’s grip tightened on the keys to stop herself from throwing them in his face. “And how did you even know I was here—wait, you’re a reporter.” Suddenly she thought about the feeling outside of the bar and Cure—the first night she’d worked at the de Vincents and swore a car had been following her. Holy shit, was it him? “Have you been watching me?”

“I’m a reporter. Not a stalker.”

She didn’t believe him for one second. “Sounds about the same to me.”

His jaw hardened. “I just wanted to apologize, Nikki. I did enjoy the dinner. Would’ve loved to have another one with you—”

“You are insane.” Anger burned through her. “Gabe is right in there, and if he comes out here—”

“He won’t be happy. I know.” Ross kept his hands in his pockets. “But I’m risking that to apologize. I owe that to you.”

“There is only one thing you owe me,” she snapped. “It’s for me never to see your face again.”

“I can do that,” he said, keeping his voice low as a couple walked past them. “But I feel like I owe you more than that.”

“An apology? You can take it and shove it up—”

“A warning,” he cut her off. “You seem like a nice woman and Rosie loves you. So, I feel like I need to say this to you. You’ve known the de Vincents a long time, so you think you know them, but you don’t, Nikki. You don’t know them at all.”

A fierce need to protect them swept through her. “And you do?”

“I know enough to know that good people get hurt around them, and you seem like a good person,” he said, his gaze finding hers in the dim street light. “And I’d hate to see you get hurt.”

Gabe watched the candlelight flicker across Nic’s face as she lifted the glass of wine to those lush lips. God, when he walked into the restaurant and saw her standing there, he almost picked her up and carried her out of Firestones like a fucking caveman.

He’d never in his life had such a visceral reaction like that. Nic looked beautiful. Hair pulled up in a simple twist showed off those high, wide cheekbones of hers and her amazing, expressive eyes. He hadn’t realized until that moment how elegant the curve of her neck was. And that dress? Fuck. It was like a second layer of skin in royal blue. Off the shoulder and dipping low enough to reveal just the hint of what swelled underneath that dress.

And the fact that several men dressed for what appeared to be a business dinner were blatantly leering at her didn’t help quell the primitive urge to secret her away.

He’d wanted to pick her up tonight, but she’d insisted on meeting him at the restaurant. He’d only relented because it would be hard to explain to Richard and Livie why he was taking Nic out to dinner.

And what would he say to them?

That was a good question. One that had been plaguing him all day. Hell, one he’d been asking himself over and over during the last week or so. If they found out what he was doing with their daughter? He didn’t like that he was hiding this from them.

That Nic was also doing the same.

And here he was, also lying to his family. Lucian had asked him what he was doing tonight, if he wanted to join Julia and him for dinner. Gabe refused and then brushed off an explanation of why. Truth was, he knew that any number of people here could recognize him, but they wouldn’t know who Nic was.

Felt like he was hiding her because, well, he was. He was hiding her from all that mattered. None of it sat well on his chest.

None of that changed what he was doing.

Or what he wanted.

Now they were sitting in a booth that was the closest thing to private. Their dinner was drawing to a close. The check had already been paid, and he was thinking about all the hotels nearby. Would she accept an offer to spend the night at one of them?

God, he hoped so.

“You’re staring at me again,” she said, putting the glass aside.

“I am.”

She grinned as she ducked her chin. “It’s a little unnerving.”

“Is it?”

Nic nodded.

“Why is that?”

She lifted one shoulder. Her skin seemed to gleam. “I’m pretty sure anyone is unnerved when they’re being stared at.”

“But I like it when you stare at me.”

Her gaze flew to his. “Well, you’re not just anyone.”

Gabe chuckled. “That is true.”

She looked away, biting down on her lip. This was the first lull in conversation since dinner began. They’d talked about everything from the upcoming holidays to what their favorite classes in college had been. For him, that felt like a lifetime ago, but it had been easy to recall, talking to her.

Which reminded him of something they hadn’t discussed. “Have you given any more thought to going back to grad school?”

“I have.” She toyed with the stem of her glass. “If everything works out with Mom’s treatment, she thinks she’ll be able to return to work at the beginning of next year. It will be part-time at first, until she gets back into the swing of things, but I won’t be needed.”

Gabe was happy to hear that Livie was planning on returning to work, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled that it meant he wouldn’t have the virtually unlimited access to Nic.

Wait.

He was thinking that far in advance? That was months from now. Months.

“So, with getting the apartment, I’m thinking it will be smart for me to get started working in my field. That way I’m making money and getting experience. Then once I’m settled in, I’ll look at getting my master’s. I can do both.”

“I think that’s a wise choice.”

“You do?” she asked, her question genuine.

He nodded. “Getting out there and getting to work is probably going to do a hell of a lot more for you right now than taking more classes. Not that furthering your education is bad, but I think . . . I think you’ll be happier working.”

A brief grin appeared. “That is true.”

“It’ll be a lot of hard work, doing both, though.”

“I know.” She sighed. “Not exactly looking forward to that, but you do what you have to do.”

“Right.” He sat back. “At the risk of sounding like the old man you think I am, I’m incredibly proud of you.”

Nic smiled. “You are an old man.”

He huffed. “Seriously, though. You were the first in your family to go to college and graduate. You did this while working a part-time job. That’s not easy, and you did that while making the dean’s list.”

“How did you—?” She cut herself off. “Mom or Dad tell you about that?”

“Both. They were proud. You should be proud.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she teased.

Gabe grinned. “And when your family needed you, you were here, without a moment of hesitation.”

“Well, that’s not something to be proud of,” she said, placing the napkin that had been in her lap onto her plate. “That’s what you do for family.”

“Not everyone.” He glanced at his watch. “There’s something I want to show you. That is unless you have other plans?”

“I don’t have another dinner planned immediately after this.”

“I would hope not.” Rising, he walked around the table and offered his hand. “Come with me?”

Nic didn’t hesitate.

Picking up her clutch, she placed her hand into his. He guided her out of the booth, toward the door marked employees only. “Have you ever been to the rooftop of Firestones?”

“No.” She laughed when he pushed open the door, leading her into the busy kitchen.

He winked at her when her eyes widened. The moment reminded him of when he and Lucian had brought Julia back here.

“I’m assuming no one has a problem with us being back here?” she whispered, folding her other hand over his arm.

“No.” He pulled Nic out of the way of a waiter carrying a tray of steaming food above his head. “The entrance to the rooftops is private. Only a handful of people have keys to the elevator.”

Nic eyed the ancient-looking elevator they were approaching. “So is this one of those hidden New Orleans gems? How in the world have I not heard about this?”

“It’s very hidden.” Letting go of her hand, he reached for his wallet and pulled out the card used to activate the elevator.

“Aren’t you just special,” she said as the doors creaked open.

Taking her hand once more, he pulled her into the elevator. “It’s a little shaky, just a heads-up.”

An eyebrow rose as the doors rattled shut and the elevator jerked into motion. “I really do not want to die in this elevator,” she said, looking around.

Chuckling, he pulled her into his side as he finally, finally allowed himself to touch her. He did so by dropping her hand and letting his fall to her hip, running it up the flare of her hip and the curve of her waist. He felt the fine tremble course through her as his hand stopped just below the swell of her breast.

“I really like this dress, by the way.”

One side of her lips curved up. “I thought you might.”

The elevator stopped. Cold air flowed in as the doors opened. Folding his hand around hers once more, he led her out on the dimly lit rooftop.

Walking past several rippling curtained enclosures, he guided her over to the ledge. She slipped her hand free and walked ahead. “Wow,” she breathed, placing her hands on the ledge as she stared out over the twinkling lights of buildings and cars down below.

“You like it?” He joined her, propping his hip against the ledge.

“I do.” Her smile about stopped his damn heart. “As long as I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen the city from up here.”

“Really?” That surprised him. The view up here was unique, giving the viewer a look at the Quarter from one side and Mid City from the other, but he figured at some point she’d gotten to see the city at night.

She nodded. “As many times as I’ve been down here at night, I’ve never been high enough to see something like this. It’s really beautiful.”

“Yeah.” He watched a wisp of hair graze her cheek. “It is.”

Nic glanced over at him. “I imagine you’ve brought a lot of women up here.”

“Only one other,” he admitted. “And that was Julia.”

She angled her body toward his. “I feel like I need a further explanation of this.”

He chuckled. “Lucian was with us.”

“You may want to start with that statement.”

“Good point,” he agreed, inclining his head. “Is it too cold up here?”

“No. It’s perfect.” Looking over her shoulder, her gaze trickled over the softly moving white canopies. “What’s behind there?”

“You want to see?”

“Yes.” She looked up at him, and her upturned face was beautiful in the silvery moonlight. He knew right then and there, he’d have a hell of a time refusing her anything. “Yes, I do.”

If Nikki thought the view was something to marvel at, the otherworldliness behind the white curtains gave it a run for its money.

Gabe had brushed one of the curtains aside for her to enter, and that was when she got her first glimpse of the plush white couches and chaise longues circling a white marble gas fire pit that threw off just enough heat to keep the chilliness beyond the canopies at bay. And once Gabe lowered the canopy back into place, sealing them in, it was almost like they weren’t even on the rooftop.

Nikki’s gaze fell back to the couch and her mind belly-flopped into naughty land when she wondered what people did behind these curtains. They weren’t exactly thick, but they provided just enough privacy that only the very outline of a person would be visible.

“What do you think?” Gabe brushed past her as he walked around the fire pit and sat on the center of the couch.

“I like it.” She looked around. “I imagine it’s not too comfortable during the summer.”

“They lift the canopies then and bring out these huge industrial fans. Still hot as hell, but there’s a pool on the other side.”

“Ah, I thought I smelled chlorine.”

He leaned back, tossing an arm over the back of the couch. Nikki found the arrogant sprawl to be incredibly sexy. The white dress shirt he wore was unbuttoned at the top, and skin the color of sunbaked clay peeked out. His hair was down, the edges brushing the strong cut of his jaw.

“Now you’re staring at me,” he said, the look to his eyes soft.

“I am.”

“And I like it.”

Maybe it was the wine she had with dinner. It was an expensive kind she couldn’t even begin to pronounce and would probably never drink again. Maybe it was the amazing dinner. Maybe it was the stunning view of New Orleans. Maybe it was just her and Gabe. Whatever it was, she was feeling a little wild and a little bold.

Walking around the fire pit, she dropped her clutch on the couch beside him and then she climbed onto his lap, placing her knees on either side of his legs.

His hands immediately went to her hips. “What are you up to, Nic?”

“I was getting tired of standing.”

“Well, babe, anytime you get tired of standing, you are more than welcome to use my lap.” He tugged her further down, seating her so she could feel him pressing up against her. “Anytime.”

She flushed as she rested her hands on his shoulders. “Thank you for dinner.”

“No thanks are necessary.”

“It was an amazing steak,” she said, her breath catching as he slid his hands up her waist.

He chuckled as his thumb brushed along the swell of her breast. “I’m beginning to think the only reason why you agreed to go out with me was to get another steak dinner.”

“Maybe.”

“I don’t mind being used.” That thumb had traveled further north, smoothing over the center of her breast. Her nipples immediately beaded.

The dress had one of those built-in bras that offered enough support for her to get away without wearing a bra, so when she reached up, crossing her arms as she gripped the tiny sleeves, she didn’t let herself think about what she was doing.

Later, when she was all alone and asking herself if she really did this, she’d blame the wine.

Aware that Gabe’s gaze was fastened on her, she shimmied the sleeves down. She felt the material give and then slip down her chest, pooling just below her breasts.

Gabe sucked in a ragged breath.

Cool air combatted the heated flush crawling down her throat and over her chest as she resisted the desire to cover herself. Instead, she placed her hands on his chest and let him look his fill.

And he did.

She wasn’t exactly well endowed. Probably average when it came to breast size, but he looked at her like she unearthed some sort of treasure.

“Beautiful,” he said, dragging his gaze to hers.

She bit down on her lip, and she thought that his hands trembled when he lifted them, cupping her breasts. Her entire body jerked at the contact.

“I don’t remember this. From that night,” he said, and Nikki jolted. They hadn’t talked about that night since the first day he brought her the smoothie. “There are glimpses of memories, but I don’t remember these.”

Nikki’s tongue was tied as he drew his thumbs over the tips of her breasts.

“I don’t remember what they looked like. My imagination has been vast. Don’t get me wrong.” He plucked at one nipple, wringing a sharp gasp out of her. “But I don’t remember how they felt, and my imagination only gets me so far.”

“Well, I hope they lived up to whatever your imagination has conjured.”

Thick lashes lifted, and his intense gaze pierced her. “They surpass my imagination.”

Gabe slid his hands to her ribs and then he lifted her slightly, bringing her forward as he leaned in. His mouth closed over her nipple and he sucked deep. Sensation exploded as her back arched.

“Did I do this? That night?” he asked, voice ragged.

“No,” she whispered.

He nipped at the sensitive flesh. “I didn’t take my time with you. I remember that.”

He hadn’t.

“I’m going to fix that.” His tongue swirled over her nipple as he caught the other one between his fingers. Her head fell back as she rocked her hips against his.

Aching emptiness roared to life. She wanted him to carry through on his promise to fix that night right now. She didn’t care that they were here, on the rooftop. She needed him, wanting him so bad it—

“Gabe? You up here?” Devlin’s voice suddenly rang out, rippling over the rooftop.

Nikki gasped as Gabe stiffened under her. For a moment, she couldn’t react, couldn’t even think, and then her brain screamed Devlin is here! And here she was, straddling Gabe with the top of her dress tugged down, exposing her breasts.

She was absolutely frozen, knowing that the curtains around the couches would only offer so much cover. Not with the soft glow of the gas fire pit.

Well, Devlin was about to find out firsthand exactly what Gabe was doing up here and that involved her.

This was not how she wanted what they were doing to get out. It meant she was going to have to tell her parents, because there was no way she expected Devlin to keep his mouth shut. And even if he did, knowing that someone so close to them knew, she’d have to tell them.

That thought didn’t horrify her as much as she used to think it would. This was going to be measurably embarrassing, but a stupid grin tugged at her lips as a giggle rose in her throat. They were about to be caught like two horny teenagers. Ridiculous.

Gabe pulled back and . . . and everything about him changed in an instant.

“Shit,” he muttered, gripping the bodice of her dress and tugging it up, over her chest. The giggle died in her throat as he gripped her hips and lifted her off him, onto her feet. He rose swiftly, his gaze focused on the slight gap in the curtains, and then he turned to her. “If you head out that way, you’ll be able to come back around and go to the elevator without running into him. I’ll keep him distracted.”

The grin faded as she turned, her brain slow to process what he was saying. He wanted her to get out of here before Devlin saw them—saw them together.

I thought you didn’t care who saw us?

The question rose, but it never made it to her lips. The back of her throat burned as stupid, stupid tears caused her to blink. She shouldn’t be surprised. Why was she?

“Go.” Gabe kissed her cheek and patted her hip. “I’ll text you later.”

Numbly, Nikki did just that.

She turned and left, heading in the direction Gabe had told her, wondering what the hell they were doing.

What was she thinking?