Excerpt of Nicked Hearts by Mickie Sherwood

The message light on the telephone blinked red immediately upon her entering the living room. K.C. left the double doors open, latched the screen and continued to her bedroom. The glass door in there followed suit as she allowed the sea breeze to permeate the villa. She tried to resist but the lure was too much. The look at Nick's villa consumed her until the phone rang causing her heart to pound. It was very unlikely her father was privy to her whereabouts. She had been very meticulous about everything she did since leaving Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The treble ring continued mushrooming in the quiet.

Cautious steps put her within reach of the receiver which she quietly lifted to listen without saying a word.

"K.C.?" She heard Nick's voice. "K.C., are you okay?" This time something else hammered each syllable.

"Hi, Nick Hart."

"Hi, yourself."

She liked that familiar greeting. "How did things go today?" K.C. took the lead on the conversation.

"It was a very productive day. And yours?"

"I had a wonderful day, Nick. Would you believe I went parasailing...and snorkeling?"

The pride in her voice was hard to miss. The shock was obvious in his as he bellowed, "Parasailing!" Of course, he knew about snorkeling. His disturbed articulation went unnoticed in her world.

"You should've seen me hang loose, drifting like I didn't have a care in the world."

"I'm glad I didn't." It was out of his mouth like a shot. "I mean—"

"Explain that, Nick Hart." K.C. paced to the door in agitation. He was already on his lanai watching her advance.

"I'm coming over." He struck out across the green grass seconds after spitting out the words and slinging the receiver to a chair.

She hung up to wait on him so she could put him in his place. The itchy sandy discomfort had her twitching as he stomped up, impounded her body—no less—and placed one heck of a kiss on her color tinted lips. "What was that for?" she asked, not sure whether to be flattered or furious.

"I missed you today."

His admission took the wind out of her red sails. She gazed affectionately at the black haired man whose nickname could have been Doctor Feelgood for he certainly made her feel that way. "That's nice." The response sounded lame to her ears.

At least she hadn't slapped him and sent him on his way. "Got plans for tonight?"

"Why?"

"How about honoring me with your presence at the luau?"

"Okay," she said sweetly as if just hearing about the function. "As you can see, I'm a mess."

"If that's the case, K.C., you're the prettiest mess I've ever laid eyes on."

She laughed. He flushed. "Nick, you're blushing." K.C. stepped out of her comfort zone with her next move. Standing on ballerina toes and using her finger and thumb to pull his chin down gave her added height to smooch his cheek. "Give me a couple of hours, okay?" She needed a few minutes of down time.

Nick bravely went a step further and brushed their lips together. "Take all the time you need. Just call when you're ready."

Again, K.C. relinquished a little of her control to enjoy the fleeting moment of wishful thinking. She backed off, her tongue tasting the residue of him as he strode back to his villa minus another word. He was the diversion she needed at that moment—one that promised to take her to lofty heights. A pleased grin spun her on her heels and she wandered inside.