“Nicole. Can I please talk to you privately?” I say behind her.
I can see her tense up, but I don’t care. I need to explain the situation and why I didn’t tell her about Lucy. If after this she is still upset, then she isn’t worth my time.
Nicole doesn’t even turn around. Instead, she answers me while facing the door. “Daniel, please. I said what I needed to say. Let’s not do this.”
“What the hell did you do, Daniel?” My sister butts in.
Now after being called on the carpet by Chrissy, I have no intention of not speaking my piece. I move to face Nicole.
Looking right at her, I respond, “I asked Nicole out on a date and didn’t tell her about Lucy and Serena.”
I see Nicole recoil in her seat, and then she lets loose. She gets out of her seat and sticks her finger in my chest. Why is this turning me on when I should be offended?
“Let’s see. First you ask me out on a date, then you cancel. I mean, thank God you canceled, right? I can’t believe you act like you didn’t do anything wrong. I can’t believe that I almost went out with a married man!”
Chrissy and Emily look at me, confused. Fuck, I’m just as confused.
“Nicole, I’m divorced. I have been for a few years. Yes, Lucy is my daughter, but Serena is my ex-wife, and I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you at the party.”
I see all of the color drain from Nicole’s face. She clears her throat and looks over at Emily for confirmation.
When Emily nods her head, Nicole’s whole demeanor changes.
“Oh God, Daniel. I’m so sorry. When I saw you walk in with Lucy and Serena, I was shocked to say the least. Then when Serena called you her husband, well, I believed her without asking you about it.”
Looking at Nicole, I can see tears start to form. I’m not sure if she is embarrassed or relieved.
“Serena called me her husband?”
Chrissy bursts out laughing. Slamming her hand on the table, she shakes her head. “Of course she did, dear brother. She must’ve sensed something between the two of you and she wanted to throw a bucket of ice on it.”
“Fuck. I should’ve known something was up when I saw you two talking. Look Nicole, can we go out on the patio so I can explain all of this to you?”
Nodding, we head out back to where it is quiet. Sitting at a table next to a small palm tree, Nicole speaks first.
“I’m so sorry that I didn’t let you explain. I saw the three of you, and I was scared. When you canceled our fishing trip, you seemed a little off. So when Serena called you her husband, it all made sense.”
I move my hand to hers, taking a chance that she won’t pull away. She doesn’t.
“I should’ve told you about my family situation the night of the party, but I was nervous. I really like you, and to say that when in the past women find out about Lucy, they head for the hills.”
Nicole closes her hand over mine. The gesture makes my dick take notice. I can tell that she is finally relaxed.
“Daniel, we are just getting to know each other. I understand why you didn’t tell me about Serena and Lucy at that time.”
“I want to tell you now. If you want to hear the details.”
She smiles. “You can tell me whatever you want.”
I spend the next twenty minutes telling Nicole about my relationship with Serena, starting in high school. I explain how we fell in love and got married a few years after graduation. Lucy soon followed, and so did Serena’s affair.
“I’m sorry that she did that to you and Lucy. Some people just don’t understand what they have and throw it away. There are so many others who would give anything to have a family.”
Something happens to Nicole at this point. She is overcome with emotion. It’s obviously something that hits close to home. I wait for her to explain, but she doesn’t, so I leave it alone.
Slowly, she smiles at me. “You really are beautiful, Nicole.”
Her eyes dart away, telling me that she is embarrassed by my admission.
Throwing out a Hail Mary pass, I go for broke. I move closer to her. Taking her face in my hands, I kiss her. The kiss is gentle at first, but to my surprise, she takes control. Her hands go to my hair while she deepens the kiss.
My dick immediately hardens as my tongue responds to hers. I hear Nicole whimper, which in turn makes me growl.
I pull away just enough to lick her lip, making her gasp. I can see that her eyes are still closed. Taking my thumb, I caress her bottom lip, leaning my forehead to hers.
“So do you think we could go on that date now? I mean, now that you know I’m not a cheating asshole?” I say with a laugh.