Page 40 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
Meanwhile, the rowdy boys and the little girl’s brother are ahead of both of them. The bell rings and the race is over. One of the rowdy boys won.
The little girl looks up at Nicco. “You tried your best,” she says, patting him on his arm in consolation.
He chuckles. “So did you. Would you like to play again?”
“I can’t. I don’t have any more money.”
“I do,” he says, pulling cash out of his pocket. “Is that your brother?” he asks pointing at the boy I thought was her brother.
“Uh-huh.” She nods.
He hands money to the boy behind the platform for the three of them to play. The girl looks at her brother who shrugs his shoulders and returns to the booth.
“Thank you, mister,” she says.
“Are you sure?” the boy asks, looking up at Nicco.
“Absolutely sure.”
“Thank you, that’s very nice of you.” he says quietly and stands on the left of Nicco.
The rowdy boys hadn’t gotten far and are back to play again. Nicco looks at me with feigned fear on his face, making me smile.
“Come on, we can do this,” he says, giving high-fives to the little girl and her brother.
When the bell rings, I know he’s not messing around. He keeps his gun aimed at the target and his eyes laser focused. The bell rings again and Nicco’s light beams, signifying him as the winner. The three of them cheer with arms raised in the air.
“You did it, mister. Good job,” says the little girl. “Get your piggy.”
The boy behind the platform hands the pig to Nicco as the little girl and her brother turn to walk away.
“Wait,” he says loudly then squats down.
They turn back and step toward him.
“I have to travel on an airplane soon and I’m afraid this piggy won’t fit in my suitcase. Will you take care of him for me?” he asks, handing the pig to the girl.
Her doe-eyes open wide and her mouth drops as she gasps. Taking the pig from him, she wraps her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much, mister.” She releases her embrace. “I promise I’ll take good care of him.”
“I’m counting on it.” He smiles sweetly at her.
The kids say goodbye and run off.
As he rises, watching them go, a wistfulness cloaks his face — and vanishes the instant our eyes meet.
He approaches the boy behind the platform and hands him more money. The boy gives him a stuffed pig.
Walking toward me, he hangs his head, then raises it when he reaches me. “I had to give yours away.” He gestures in the direction the little girl and her brother ran off.
Was that the reason for the forlorn expression on his face? Can’t be. There was something deeper behind it — pain. He’s hiding something.Hmmm.
Witnessing his playful side with the kids, I have to admit, he’s much more endearing than I thought the virile sex-god would be.
Whether he’s trying to prove to me that he’s more than just a playboy or not, this scorching-hot, devastatingly adorable man has just lightly tapped on my heart. Oof, I have to be careful. What we have is a business arrangement. He’s basically a client and I’m sticking by Candi’s rule, and adding to it: Never ever sleep with or fall in love with clients. This is an excellent rule. Plus, I made a pact with myself after Kevin and I broke up. It’s better for my career if I stay single. Being single allows my imagination to be wildly creative and write steamy love scenes that come from my fantasies. Getting tangled up in a relationship would destroy that. And right now, I need to get my career back on track.
“Thank you, Nicco.” I smile and take the pig from him.
“Are you ready for that cotton candy now?”
