could. “It was four and a half years ago, man.”
Though he had evaded the question, his comment seemed enough for Nicholas, who nodded, saying, “Ahh. Right. That’s when you were crazy over Pam.”
Zienna’s stomach clenched. Pam? Who the hell was Pam? Four and a half years ago, Wendell had been giving her the best sex of her life.
“Pam?” Zienna all but croaked.
“His girlfriend,” Nicholas said.
Zienna’s head swam. How could this be true? Wendell had told her he was single when they’d gotten involved. And she could still remember his final words to her.
I’m not ready to settle down. I’m sorry.
And then he’d left town.
“Is Pam the one who went to Texas?” Zienna asked, trying her best to keep her voice neutral. It was one thing to see your ex again under these circumstances, but to learn that he’d lied to you years ago, and not be able to react accordingly...well, this was excruciating.
“Yeah,” Nicholas answered. “Pam. The swimsuit model.” He clamped a hand on Wendell’s shoulder. “My man Wendell. Always chasing the hottest women. I’m surprised he didn’t come on to you.”
“A real playboy, I bet,” Zienna said, an edge to her voice. “The type of man who never settles down.”
Wendell met her gaze, and Zienna couldn’t help narrowing her eyes in a little glare...the most emotion she could allow herself under the circumstances. Besides, the fact that he had lied to her in the past didn’t matter now. He was firmly in her rearview mirror. Nicholas was her future.
To emphasize that point, she ensnared Nicholas’s waist with both hands and rested her head against his shoulder.
“He was the consummate playboy—until he got involved with Pam,” Nicholas clarified. “I’ve never seen this guy get all nuts for a woman until he met her.”
“Stop exaggerating,” Wendell said, but his eyes were still on Zienna’s. “It wasn’t like that.”
“You follow a woman to Texas, it’s got to be serious,” Zienna commented. “You put a ring on her finger, too? Of course, you must have.” She quickly assessed his left hand, saw that it was ring-free. “But it appears you’re already divorced—unless you don’t believe in wearing a wedding band. Or perhaps you never stopped your playboy ways, even after saying I Do.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Easy, Zee.”
Had she been too harsh? “I’m just... You’re the one who said he was a player.”
“I didn’t marry her,” Wendell stressed. To Zienna, it sounded as if he was trying to make a point for her sake.
Whatever, asshole, she thought.
Then she placed a hand on Nicholas’s cheek, turned his head so that he was facing her, and eased up to plant her lips on his.
The kiss started as a peck, but even as Nicholas began to pull back, Zienna held his head in place and continued kissing him, adding tongue.
After several seconds, he finally broke the kiss. “Down, girl,” he said, grinning. He glanced at Wendell, “See why I wanted you to meet her?”
“She’s gorgeous,” his friend agreed. “I always thought she’d be a great catch for someone. I’m glad it’s you, Nick. You both look happy.”
“We are.” Nicholas kissed her on the temple. “Now, I hope you’re both hungry. Because I can’t wait for your opinion on my latest dish.”
Nicholas hurried off to the kitchen, leaving Zienna and Wendell alone.
She could her hear her heart pounding in her ears. Her chest ached with each heavy breath.
She glanced over her shoulder.
“It’s safe,” Wendell said. “He’s gone.”
She whipped her head around. “Safe? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Wendell said nothing, just let his eyes roam over her body top to bottom, pausing on her cleavage, then stopping as he regarded her feet.
“Damn,” he muttered.
“You’re not seriously—” Zienna clamped her mouth shut, abruptly stopping her words.
“Checking you out?” Wendell supplied, reading her thoughts. “You’re a beautiful woman. I never could help but notice you.”
“But I wasn’t a swimsuit model,” she retorted. “Was that the problem?”
Before he could reply, she turned sharply and walked up to the bar. She didn’t want him to answer her question. Good grief, what was she doing? Acting as if the past had any bearing on this moment? Who cared if Wendell had run off with a harem of women? He didn’t matter to her now.
She heard his footfalls as he approached her. “I think we need to sit down sometime and talk. About everything.”
Zienna faced him, guffawing. “For what purpose?”
“So I can explain.”
“Are you out of your mind?” She was seething now.
“I think I was...four years ago.”
Zienna opened her mouth, but Wendell’s response left her speechless. And, God help her, he actually sounded contrite.
“I’d really like to talk to you at some point,” Wendell went on. “Clear the air.”
And though nothing he said now should matter to her even one iota, Zienna’s stomach fluttered at the idea that he wanted to make amends on some level.
Good Lord, what is wrong with me?
In a split second, the answer came to her. It was the memory of their explosive times in the bedroom...memories that had plagued her for years. That was why she was suddenly flustered around this man she should despise with every fiber of her being.
Remembering her hatred for him enabled her to speak once again. “We’re not meeting to talk about anything. For goodness sake, I’m dating your best friend.”
Wendell edged a little closer. “Is it serious?”
Her eyes bulged. He truly had lost his marbles. “You are— We are not talking about this.”
“Talking about what?”
At the sound of Nicholas’s voice, both of them turned in his direction. Blood rushed to Zienna’s head, and she thought she might pass out.
How much had he heard?
Stepping coolly away from the bar, Wendell said, “I was prying. Asking how you met, when you started dating.”
Nicholas made
