Page 4 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘Gran? She’s great. She’s taken up Taekwondo because, and I quote, “we’re two vulnerable women living alone and if anyone ever broke in you’d be about as much help as some limp spaghetti.” Which is ridiculous,’ I huff, ‘because – first off – I’m surprisingly scrappy, and secondly, no one’s getting past the security system Jack insisted on having installed at our place. It’d be like breaking into the Pentagon.’

Nico chuckles. ‘Still, good to know you’ll be living with Jason Bourne should shit hit the fan.’

‘Yeah, maybe give her a few more weeks before she’s ready to roundhouse kick potential intruders. It seems to be mostly about bowing and breathing at the moment, which is a relief. I do worry that she’s not slowing down at all,’ I confess. ‘The woman is eighty-two. She’s terrible at remembering to take all her pills and she ignores everything the doctor says about her diet. I’ll bet you any amount of money she’s spent the last few days consuming nothing but foie gras, posh crisps and vodka.’ My fingers tap a nervous tattoo on the bar.

‘I know her better than to take that bet.’ Nico takes my hand in his and squeezes my fingers. His touch is warm and steadying. (If something that makes your entire body sing can be described as steadying.) ‘I also know you worry about her. We all do, but she’s an adult, Lee. She’s in better shape at eighty-two than most people are at fifty. Some fancy pâté isn’t going to bring her down.’

I exhale a slow breath. ‘You’re right. I just can’t imagine…’ I trail off, and Nico lets go of my hand in favour of slinging an arm around my shoulder so that I can lean into him.

He understands why I’m anxious. Gran is a force of nature and even thinking about a world without her makes me want to curl up in a small ball.

‘Come on,’ Nico says, ‘let’s go and sit in one of those shadowy booths so that you can fill me in on all your gossip. It’s getting noisy in here, and I want you to myself.’

YOU CAN HAVE ME!!!! my brain shrieks, but thankfully, my mouth manages a casual, ‘Sure.’

Nico slides from his seat, catching Jake’s attention and gesturing to our drinks before hooking his thumb towards one of the cosy booths that line the side of the room. Jake nods, and I gather my handbag and the black Temperley jacket hung over my seat. Nico takes my hand, tugging me along after him.

I don’t come from a touchy-feely family. Even Gran isn’t big on physical affection, but Nico has always been incredibly tactile, and as usual it’s a kind of delicious torture every time he touches me.

Wedging himself into the corner of the booth, Nico’s long legs sprawl under the table, and his arm rests along the top of the banquette. I resist the urge to draw closer to him and focus on asking questions about the hike he’s just done.

‘And how long are you in Vegas for?’ I ask eventually.

‘Until tomorrow.’ His fingertips toy with my hair, which is pulled back in a mermaid braid. I didn’t previously think that hair had nerve endings, but try telling that to the rest of my body, which is lighting up like a Christmas tree. ‘I’m actually heading to LA to catch up with Jack and Cyn for a few days.’ He gives my plait a teasing tug. ‘You should come along.’

‘I have to work,’ I say. And I wasn’t invited, I add mentally, while trying not to show that it hurts, that my brother rarely seems to remember that I exist.

At that moment, a woman struts by our table. She’s absolutely gorgeous, her curves poured into a tight, short dress. Tossing her hair, she flashes Nico a seductive smile over her shoulder, her red lips curving in invitation. Clearly, this woman realises I’m no threat at all. If I wasn’t here killing the vibe, I’m sure he’d be half way up to her room already. As it is, Nico’s too polite to do more than return her smile before his attention is back on me.

‘Speaking of work, stop distracting me with questions and tell me what you’re doing here,’ Nico says.

‘Oh, well, actually—’ I start, but I’m cut off when Nico leans forward.

‘Holy shit!’ he murmurs, and his hand drops to my leg under the table, which means his next words take a long moment to reach me. ‘Sorry to interrupt but… I think Frankie Martelli just walked in.’

‘I—’ I start again, still thrown by the feeling of his fingers lightly pressing against my thigh. ‘Frankie Martelli?’ I repeat, dazed.

Nico nods, and his expression is elated. ‘He owns this place. He doesn’t bother coming down to the floor much these days, the guy’s got to be almost ninety. He’s a legend. Oh, shit, I wish I had my camera. Look at that face.’ His fingers tense, squeezing my flesh, and I inhale sharply, but fortunately he doesn’t seem to notice. ‘He’s coming this way,’ he practically squeals. ‘Be cool.’

I turn my head to watch as the hotel owner approaches, wearing a broad grin. Nico’s right, he’s got a great face. Heavily lined, and full of character. He stops beside us and beams down from behind a pair of oversized glasses. He’s dressed in a snappy dark red suit and he looks every inch the owner of one of Las Vegas’s biggest casinos.

‘Sweet Ophelia!’ he booms.

Nico makes a small, sharp sound of surprise as I reply:

‘Hey, Frankie.’

Chapter Two

Nico

‘Hey, Frankie,’ Lee says. Then she nudges me so she can slip out from the booth and Frankie ‘The Shark’ Martelli kisses her enthusiastically on both cheeks.

‘I see you took my advice about visiting the bar,’ he beams at her.

‘Was it advice?’ Lee asks dryly. ‘It felt more like an order.’

‘A beautiful woman like you really classes up the place. It’s good for business.’