He gripped her by the arm and pulled her into his arms, flush against his hard torso, taking her by surprise.
“Nicholas..” was all she could gasp out before his lips crashed to hers. His hand gripped the back of her head with an urgency that took her breath away. The heat of his lips against hers, the fire burning between them, was too different from the hesitant kiss she had initiated ten years ago. There was no hesitation this time, only a pent-up need for one another that they were too stubborn to admit.
A knock on the door brought Alyssa to her senses and she broke away abruptly. “Nicholas, have you seen Alyssa? Alexander is looking for her,” came Eva’s voice from the other side. A warm flush crept upon Alyssa’s cheeks knowing that if her friend pushed the door open, she’d be caught. She glanced at Nicholas who stood transfixed on the spot, staring at her with a strange expression on his face. He looked like he was in a trance as if he was intoxicated. Eva knocked again and then gave up when she didn’t receive a response in return. Alyssa heaved a sigh of relief hearing the clicking of her heels fade as she walked away.
Nicholas slowly approached her and her eyes widened seeing the hunger, the look of pure lust in his eyes. He was about to surge towards her to complete the kiss when she opened the door and ran out towards the elevator. No, she couldn’t afford to kiss him! This wasn’t the childhood thank-you kiss at all! This was sheer madness! She couldn’t handle all that passion and fire!
Nicholas stared after her, feeling totally frustrated at being interrupted for the second time in his life. He had just tasted her sweetness and yet history had repeated itself. It was really unbelievable! Taking deep breaths he calmed his rapidly beating heart and walked out of his room in the foulest mood ever. Only one wish flashed across his mind, and that was to kiss Alyssa Van Every. After saving her four times, didn’t he deserve it? He stormed into the banquet hall with a scowl on his face, searching for his prey amongst everyone present. Strangely she wasn’t there! Where could she have gone?
He noticed that Alexander was also missing. Had he left with her? Then what about his unfinished kiss? The reception party was about to start and everyone helped themselves to the drinks and appetizers while waiting for Sienna to change out of her wedding dress and join them.
“Nicholas, where were you, man? Come and join us for a drink,” yelled Christian as he, Lucas, and Marcus sat around a table to finish their drinks.
“I’ll be right back,” he replied, walking out but collided with a scowling Alexander instead. His face broke into a smile of relief for the first time seeing the enemy. So Alyssa hadn’t left after all!
“I’ll wipe that grin off your face if I find you anywhere near Alyssa,” muttered Alexander leaning towards him but strangely his threat had the opposite effect on him. His grin widened and he leaned in too.
“Let’s see you do that, Alexander. I’ll sweep her off her feet and you won’t be able to do a thing,” he laughed, walking away while Alexander grabbed him by his neck and pinned him to the wall nearby away from prying eyes.
“Don’t fuc*ing challenge me,” he growled in a low and menacing tone but instead of buckling down, Nicholas caught his neck instead, applying the same amount of pressure as he was.
“Your threats won’t work on me, Alexander. I can kill you with my bare hands too,” he stated, his eyes holding his angry glare, not flinching even once.
“What the hell is going on here? What are you two doing?” scolded Alyssa, walking up to them and staring at what was going on furiously. Nicholas grinned at her and released her brother’s throat. Eva too stood beside her friend and Alexander looked ill at ease, his eyes stuck on her face that looked at him with disappointment.
“He started killing me so I tried to defend myself,” Nicholas complained making Alexander immediately release him. Alyssa glared at her brother while Eva shook her head with displeasure.
“I wasn’t killing him, I was just warning him off you Alyssa,” protested Alexander but his eyes were upon Eva who looked everywhere but at him. Nicholas went into a bout of coughing the moment Alexander released him and Alyssa looked at him with concern.
“Are you alright?” she asked with concern. Nicholas shook his head vehemently making Alexander groan.
“I’m sure he’s putting up an act,” he stated but Eva walked away and he groaned all the more, rushing after her.
“I’ll get you some water,” said Alyssa, ready to follow them inside but Nicholas caught her hand.
“Can you please help me to my room? I’ll just lie down for a minute. I’m having trouble breathing,” he said hopefully, making Alyssa’s eyes widen with concern. She wrapped an arm around his torso and helped him to the elevator, feeling guilty that her brother had to treat others this way because of her. Nicholas couldn’t take his eyes off her, his body reacting to his nearness.
“I’m sorry on his behalf. This is the last time you would have to face my brother and me, Nicholas. We’ll be leaving in a couple of hours,” she said softly. Nicholas stared at her longingly unable to tell her what was on his mind. From so near, she looked all the more beautiful. Her soft arm wrapped around his body and her side crushed to his, he didn’t want to reach his room soon. He knew it was wrong of him to put on an act to bluff her but he was helpless. He needed that kiss like he needed oxygen to survive!
“What’s the hurry? Stay till the first dance,” he suggested but Alyssa didn’t answer. Feeling his rippling muscles against her body made her heart race faster and faster. They reached their floor and she led him towards his room. They could hear the girls giggling in Sienna’s room as she got ready for the party.
“I’ll get back to the party. You can join us after a few minutes when you’re feeling better,” she said, helping him to the bed but as she turned to go, he pulled her onto the bed with him, taking her by surprise.
“What the hell, Nicholas! Aren’t you unwell?” she asked with surprise as she tumbled on top of his body. His arm immediately clamped around her waist and she was trapped. Her whole body flushed with embarrassment, acutely aware of their intimate position.
“Kiss me, Alyssa. I’ll be better,” he whispered, but Alyssa struggled against his hold.
“So, you tricked me for a kiss, right?” she asked, pushing at his chest, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“What could I do? You escaped without finishing the kiss,” Nicholas defended himself. Alyssa pushed at his chest angrily and struggled to get away.
“You’re pathetic Nicholas Donnelly. I’ll never ever kiss you. How could you take advantage of my concern?” she seethed with anger at being tricked. Nicholas released her and got up to her level.
“Never is a strong word, Alyssa. I’ll make you beg me for a kiss, soon. That’s a promise to you,” he said, his lips grazing her earlobe, inhaling her sweet addictive floral scent that was as exotic as she was. Goosebumps erupted on her skin and she pushed him away.
“Huh! I’ve never begged in my entire life, Nicholas. Keep dreaming. Anyway, this is the last time we’ll ever meet,” she laughed, rushing out of the room with her whole body acutely aware of Nicholas’s hot gaze following her out. She didn’t stop and reached the banquet hall where Sienna and the others had already arrived and the party had started in full swing.
Nicholas walked in but his attention was upon Alyssa and he waited for an opportunity to get her to himself again before she left. However, he didn’t get any chance since the toasts followed immediately and they tucked into the delicious wedding lunch. With Alyssa sitting beside her brother and Sienna, he hardly got a chance to talk to her. It was all the more difficult since she completely ignored him all throughout lunch.
After lunch, Lucas pulled Sienna towards the dance floor for the first dance and they all cheered them on. The dance was too romantic and when it ended, they all applauded the newlyweds. The others too joined in. Nicholas saw his chance and walked over to Alyssa who was busy chatting animatedly with Skylar.
She looked up in surprise but he just caught her arm. “Dance with me,” he ordered and pulled her with him to the dance floor. Alyssa was too stunned to react.
Slow music started and he pulled her flush against him, swaying to the music. Alyssa could feel his hot muscular body against hers and she refused to react to him this time.
“Nicholas, I’m not dancing with you. Let me go,” she said but Nicholas didn’t listen to a word she said. Just as she had anticipated, an angry Alexander strode towards them and in one yank, pulled Alyssa away from Nicholas.
“I’m warning you for the last time. Stay away from my sister, Nicholas,” he gritted out, pulling her away from the scene.
“Where are you taking me, Alex?” yelled Alyssa.
“Pack up, we’re going home,” barked Alexander.