Playing With Fire

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 a face, as though that answer didn’t quite make sense to him. “Oh. It kind of sounded like Zienna was upset.”

“That’s because...” Wendell shrugged sheepishly. “Well, I asked her how long it was before you guys ended up in bed.”

Nicholas rolled his eyes as he set two glasses on the bar in front of them. “Zee, pay my friend no mind. He always was motivated by his dick.”

“Shocking,” Zienna said in a tone of feigned disbelief.

“My bad.” Wendell held up both hands. “I’m just used to the days when Nick and I had no secrets between us.”

“Those days are over.” Nicholas’s tone was jovial, but there was something about how his eyes flickered that made Zienna think there was more to the comment.

“I call this Island Sunset,” Nicholas went on, pushing the drinks forward. “Mango, pineapple and coconut rum.”

Wendell sipped it. “Nice.”

“And I’ll be right back with the main course.”

Zienna felt Wendell’s eyes on her, but didn’t dare look his way as Nicholas disappeared into the kitchen. Thankfully, he returned quickly, carrying two steaming plates.

He was beaming as he placed the entrées on the bar. “And in keeping with the island theme, this is my Jamaican fried snapper on a bed of vegetables steamed in a spicy vinegar sauce.”

“Looks amazing,” Zienna said. “And it smells even better.”

“You think so?” Nicholas asked. “To be authentic, I’ve kept the whole fish intact instead of using filets. I don’t know how the guests will feel about that, but when I’ve traveled to Jamaica and Costa Rica, that’s how they serve snapper.”