Beautiful Disaster (The Bet) Page 7

  He hadn't cried in years, but in that moment, held spellbound, the tears had come, trailing wet and warm down his cheeks. Afterwards, he'd been so unnerved that he'd guzzled down half a bottle of whiskey before he knew what was what. A quick call to Eves had quickly eliminated any remnants of sentimentality he'd felt that night. That had been then, now he needed to get back to planning how to get Ellie Holbrook into his bed.

  CRASH!

  "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-"Ellie pursed her lips and looked at her daughter, seated in her highchair with a mess of cereal all over the floor and in her chubby little hands. She continued to happily sing oblivious of the chaos she'd created.

  "Mama!"

  "Don't you mama me, you little monster. Look at the mess you made." Ellie chided, standing from her own chair as she settled on her haunches to pick up as much as she could before heading towards the closet for a broom and dustpan. "The food is supposed to go in your mouth," she continued, opening the trash lid and then tossing she the cereal crumbs and banana chunks away "not on the floor." She scooped Sophie out of her high chair and perched her on her hip.

  Suddenly conscious of her mother's foul mood, Sophie's eyes began to water, Ellie rolled her own eyes. "Don't give me those waterworks, you little faker." She smiled in spite of her words and blew a raspberry kiss on her cheek, immediately halting the crocodile tears. "You're lucky you're so cute. Come on," Ellie settled her on her feet and took hold of her hand. "Time for your bath."

  Bath time took about fifteen minutes. Then, getting Sophie into some decent clothes without starting a third World War took another ten minutes and by the time mother and daughter were ready to leave for their planned picnic at Charleston Park with Maddie, Ellie was exhausted and Sophie was having another tantrum.

  "Sophie Grace Holbrook you put your foot in this shoe right now or we are not getting out of this house."

  Sophie's bottom lip jutted out and petulantly she crossed her arms over her chest. "No."

  "Alright, then no ice cream for you…"

  "Nooo!"

  "Then put your shoe on or we won't have ice cream. You want ice cream, don't you?" At her enthusiastic nod, Ellie continued, holding the Barbie sneakers out for her, "then you be a good girl, OK?"

  She shook her head, "I goo girl, mama,"

  The doorbell rang and Ellie came to her feet. "Yes you are, monster. Now put your feet into the shoe and I'll be right back to help you put your jacket on." She dropped a kiss on her tawny curls, and then hastened to open the door.

  Sophie was a smart girl, at least as far as two year olds went and Ellie knew she had her moments. Children, after all, weren't exactly giggles and cuteness all the time, but she took it in stride; they learned from each other. Lord only knew the amount of patience it took at times not to blow her top, but that was what parenting was about, every moment a learning experience, every obstacle, a building block to rear a better child.

  Her gaze strayed to the grandfather clock in the foyer indicating the time to be quarter past twelve. She had invited Maddie out with them and Ellie hoped it was her at the door so that they could get going. She palmed the brass knob and pulled the door open. Nicholas greeted her with a smile, a perfect pale yellow rose held out in front of him. "I asked the guy at the flower shop for a flower that conveyed both remorse and friendship and this was the result. And I could have gotten you a dozen or so, but I thought one might be more effective. Forgive me?"

  Her response was cut short by a shrill cry from somewhere inside the house, therefore instead of leaving him at the entrance and slamming the door in his face as Nicholas feared she would do, Ellie stepped aside and invited him in. She said nothing and instead walked away. Nicholas, unsure of whether to follow or remain where he was, chose the former and hurried after her.

  They came to an open living room, with plush carpeting, brown suede couches and family pictures perched in a variety of frames on the mantle. There was a bevy of toys littering the ground, some organized, others scattered haphazardly around a toddler who was occupied playing with Velcro on her shoes. At Ellie's appearance, her face brightened and she stuck out her feet.

  "I dud it!" she beamed triumphantly. Ellie laughed at the mismatched shoes, right on left and left on right.

  "Close, but not quite, sweetheart." She knelt by her side and helped take off the sneakers. "See, this is the right shoe and it goes on your right foot, here," she demonstrated, carefully guiding Sophie's foot into the appropriate shoe.

  Nicholas stood at the threshold, gazing intently on Ellie and the adorable little girl, who he naturally assumed to be her little sister.

  "Whodat, mama?" Sophie's innocent inquiry reminded Ellie of her forgotten guest. Seated behind Sophie, Ellie did not bother to get up. Instead she pulled Sophie on her lap and smiled as she stared up at Nicholas.

  "That's Nicholas, sweetie." She said softly, resting her chin on Sophie's head. "Nicholas, this is my daughter, Sophie."

  Chapter Six

  There weren't many things that managed to shock him, and up until a few seconds ago, Nicholas believed himself impervious to such a rare emotion. However, Ellie's introduction of the little girl seated on her lap managed to leave him completely and utterly speechless, stunned even. For a small span of eternity, he all but gaped at them, unable to form a coherent thought. He only barely managed to gather his fleeting wits about him before opening his mouth to speak and even then, it took him some time to find the right words.

  "Sophie, I'm Nicholas, nice to meet you." His discomfort was blaringly evident. Children were most definitely not his forte. He scrunched his jeans further up his thighs and fell to his knees awkwardly as he stretched out his hand and waited for Sophie to take it.

  Clear eyes, so black Nicholas saw himself reflected in their depths, curiously stared at him. There was a slight furrow between her brows, barely discernible unless in close proximity as she assessed him, seemingly sizing him up. Nicholas watched as she turned to her mother, silently asking whether it was okay to take the offered hand. At Ellie's imperceptible nod, those large perceptive obsidian eyes returned to him.

  She reached out and took his hand, so small and delicate, compared to his own, and gifted him with a shy smile. With her hand still within his grasp, she settled back against her mother's chest and stuck the thumb of the other hand between her lips.

  Ellie watched the scene and smiled in spite of herself. It was quite a sight to behold, seeing the famed Nicholas Grayson, cowed by the sight of a three year old. It was almost too funny for words. The poor guy looked as if he would bolt at any second, almost as though disabling an atomic bomb was easier than meeting Sophie. But, as nervous as he appeared, Ellie was surprised to find him smiling at her daughter, the gentle expression on his face, almost disconcerting.

  "Say Hello, Soph."

  "Hwi Nicholesh."

  Ellie turned Sophie around to face her, gently prying her thumb from her mouth. "You know better than to suck on your thumb." She admonished standing and bringing Sophie along with her.

  "Mama, Nicholesh come too?" With Sophie situated on her hip, Ellie turned her attention to Nicholas.

  "We were just heading to Charleston Park for a picnic." Ellie quietly explained, "Do you want to come with us?"

  Nicholas wondered whether the offer would've been made if it hadn't been for Sophie's innocent inquiry. Something in him wanted to think so, but he seriously doubted it by the look on Ellie's face.

  "Actually, I had other plans. I just came to apologize for what I did last night and of course to give you this." He held out the once vibrant pale yellow rose, now slackened and wilted from his unrelenting grip.

  "It certainly wasn't necessary of you to bring me the rose," Ellie approached him, taking the rose from his grasp, "but I appreciate the gesture and I accept your apology." Nicholas nodded. Silence stretched for infinite minutes before he nodded his head again and turned on his heel to leave.

  "Nicholas," He stopped at the gentle call of his name just ste
ps outside the living room and turned around to see Ellie making her way to him. Ellie settled Sophie on the floor to play with her toys and took hold of his arm to lead him to the foyer. "I don't know what you want, but I know you won't find it with me. I don't have the time or the patience to devote to anyone else right now. The little girl in that room is first priority in everything I do, she…"

  "I don't want anything from you but your friendship."

  Ellie skeptically peered at him. "Why is that hard for me to believe?"

  "Maybe it's because your head is so full of bullshit rumors about me that you've already cast out judgment."

  "They're not rumors, Nicholas; I've seen how easily you play with people's emotions and callously toss them aside afterwards. You walk around all high and mighty, expecting the world to kiss your ass just because you've slept with a few girls. I don't even think you're capable of sustaining a healthy friendship with a girl without involving sex. Your idea of friendship greatly differs from mine…"

  "Then teach me..." Ellie took a hesitant step back as he advanced toward her, crowding her, cornering her against the wall. "Teach me your definition of friendship." His voice was whisper soft, his breath warm against Ellie's face. There was a sweet, spicy scent that radiated from him, that made her so much more aware of him, aware of the utter maleness of him. He extended his arms and rested both hands flat on the wall, each one on the opposite end of Ellie's head.

  He was remarkably gorgeous up close, his dark beauty made only more so by the intensity in those grayish blue eyes of his that gazed at her now as though she had the answer to some unspoken question. There were emotions swirling in those eyes, emotions she couldn't quite discern, but all the same greatly unnerved her.

  "All I'm asking is for you to let me prove you wrong. I know I'm capable of so much more than what you think of me." How long had it been since she'd been this close to someone who could evoke those feelings in her she'd long thought dead? She'd gone almost three years without sex, had lived remarkably well without even thinking about it.

  But here she was, with just a glance and hardly a touch and her body was ready to betray her. Nicholas was dangerous on so many levels and Ellie could not allow herself to become victim of her lust again. Sexual attraction led to inevitable heartbreak or in her case, a baby.

  "Why now? Why me? You don't need to prove anything to me. In fact, my opinion shouldn't matter at all to you. I'm flattered, really, I am, but I don't want to play games." She was over the games. Tony had played her so well, that she couldn't even attempt to play if she'd wanted to. Nicholas would just have to get his thrills somewhere else.

  "Your opinion does matter, don't ask me why, but some for some stupid reason it does and I can't help but want you to see me in a better light. I want us to start over again, pretend I didn't have a reputation and become friends."

  She tried to laugh, but it came out as a gasped disbelief, "Like I said, someone like you is not capable of just friendship."

  "Why don't you let me prove you wrong?" He challenged, blue-gray eyes alight with mirth.

  She tilted her head and narrowly watched him, "tell me, Nicholas, why do you want to change all of a sudden?"

  "Because I'm not happy with way I am---with who I am." He did sincerity remarkably well, where once mirth reigned, solemnity took its stead and blue-gray eyes regained their intensity, perforating her once again with their probing accuracy.

  "So see a therapist." She joked, discomfited by the ferocity of that gaze.

  He wryly grinned down at her. "Been there. Done that. They've all come to the conclusion that I'm a certifiable. I shouldn't even be out in proper society."

  The shrill ring of Ellie's home phone gave her a start; she sighed and pushed against his chest to escape. She turned around in the kitchen archway and softly smiled. "I'll pray for you."

  Nicholas watched as she disappeared in the kitchen. With a heavy sigh, he fell back against the wall and raked a hand through his hair. He wasn't given a second more to lose himself in thought, for no sooner had Ellie left, that Nicholas felt a persistent tug on his pant leg. He peered down and was quickly reminded of his earlier state of shock.

  Sophie, Ellie's daughter, high school senior Ellie Holbrook's daughter. The daughter of the girl he was hell-bent on seducing stood at his feet, a paragon of all that was sweet and innocent, a pink Winnie the Pooh sippy cup held in her hands.

  "Nicholesh." She reached out to him, evidently asking to be picked up, Nicholas, however, was at a loss. A debate began to brew in his mind, wondering whether it was wise to pick her up or just leave her and run the hell out of a situation he wasn't too sure he could handle. He would have had no qualms in continuing the bet, had it just been himself and Ellie. Now, however, with knowledge of a child, Nicholas didn't know how to proceed, did not know whether he could proceed and this presented a problem.

  But it shouldn't have, his mind silently argued, because it was still only about him and Ellie. This changed nothing. So what if by hurting Ellie he unintentionally hurt the child as well? Since when had he ever given a damn about the well-being of others? He was supposed to be the jaded playboy, the rebel without a cause, who felt nothing except the occasional stirring of his cock.

  So why then, did he suddenly feel disgusted with himself? Why was it that he suddenly wanted his earlier words to Ellie to have meant more than he'd intended? There were far too many questions and not enough answers to satisfy his frantic mind.

  "Nicholesh up!" Sophie's patience, it seemed, had run out as she began to urgently tug on his pant leg. Her eyes welled and the crocodile tears fell in earnest. Nicholas, not at all wise to her game, quickly scooped her up and held her in his arms.

  "Hey, kid."

  Sophie tucked the sippy cup between her lips, took a few long pulls before releasing it and offering it to man who held her securely in his arms. "Nicholesh dwink?" Nicholas smiled in spite of himself.

  "No thanks." She shrugged, not the least bit put off and returned the cup back to her mouth.

  "Sorry about that," Nicholas turned upon hearing Ellie's voice, unsure of whether to return Sophie to her or keep her in his arms, he chose the latter and retained his hold on the child.

  If Ellie were surprised to see him holding onto her daughter so tightly, she gave no indication. Rather, she softly smiled and tucked few loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. "That was Maddie. I invited her out with us today, but she just called to cancel. Uh…the invitation to join us is still open if you want to come."

  Nicholas shook his head, handing Sophie off to Ellie. "I don't want to intrude."

  "You won't be intruding."

  "Nicholesh go too."

  Ellie grinned, "See, Soph wants you to come too."

  Had someone told Nicholas he'd be spending his Sunday afternoon in Charleston Park playing hide and seek with a toddler, while enjoying himself immensely, he would've cheerfully run them over with his motorcycle and continued on his merry way. It'd occurred to him a few days back that getting to Ellie required a bit more finesse on his part. Therefore, figuring that his usual cavalier attitude wouldn't work in this circumstance, he'd opted instead for charm and being charming he found, wasn't as difficult as he'd believed. Of course, Ellie's exuberant daughter made the task remarkably easier. She was a bundle of energy, a pint-sized livewire, all smiles and incessant chatter.

  She had more questions than Nicholas had answers and when he could provide none, she was quick in asking her mother, who for her part, seemed wholly amused by Nicholas's bewildered expression.

  "Is she always this…"He struggled for the right word as he approached the Weeping willow Ellie sat under.

  "Hyper? Oh yeah, she always gets this way before her naptime. You'll see, in another hour, she'll be all tuckered out." Ellie scooted over, making room for him to sit. She opened the wicker basket, withdrew a PB&J sandwich and handed it to Nicholas. "Gabe made these, they're Sophie's favorite. But I'd check inside first, he has a tendency of
putting banana slices in for her."

  Nicholas grinned, accepting the sandwich. He leaned against the tree, drawing up a knee. "Who's Gabe?" he freed the sandwich from the Saran Wrap and as Ellie advised, opened it to check for any unwanted banana pieces. "Sophie's father?"

  Keeping an eye on Sophie, who sat a few inches off their checkered blanket, cheerfully feeding the ducks, Ellie took a moment to glance at Nicholas. He appeared nonchalant, as if he'd just inquired about the weather, but Ellie could feel curiosity peeking through. "Gabe's my uncle. He should be joining us in a little bit; he had to run down to Splendor to check on a few things."

  "Splendor---Splendor---the restaurant downtown? He works there?"

  "Sort of. He owns the place, but he spends most of his time in the kitchen. He's more chef than business owner. I work there part time. Have you ever been there?"

  "Can't that say I have, but if the man can make a meal half as good as this PB&J, I'm sold. And having you there will be an added bonus."

  "Friends don't flirt with each other, Nicholas."

  "And you Ellie are seriously full of yourself; I was only saying that because I want a discount." He said cheekily, laughing when Ellie threw a grape at him. "Besides, if I were flirting with you, you'd know." The irreverent humor lingered, but the emotions in his eyes conveyed a different story.

  "So, tell me something no one knows about you." At Nicholas's raised brow, Ellie elaborated. "Friends tell each other things. It doesn't need to be personal, just something no one else knows. Like me, I can wiggle my ears and nose at the same time." she went on to demonstrate, pulling her hair back, she took a second to concentrate, before wiggling both her ears and nose simultaneously.

  Nicholas chuckled. "Impressive, but can you hit your head, rub your stomach and curl your tongue three ways?"