She failed miserably; a few stifled snickers rose from across the room. But they sounded amused rather than offended, as did Nick’s open laugh.
“It’s okay. You didn’t insult the cook.” Nick waved at Kate. “How about lemonade for my mate? And a glass of water as backup. And coffee. Second back-up.”
“I do like the burger,” Raluca said. “And the fries.”
Nick grinned and flicked his fingers at her near-empty plate. “I can tell. They make the lemonade here, so you might like that better. No chemicals.”
“Good.” She pushed the revolting soda to Nick, who drank it with apparent enjoyment. “Is that very American?”
He laughed again, but not in mockery. It was good to see him so open and cheerful. “Coke is as American as it gets. It’s okay. Lucas won’t drink it either, or anything else that comes in a can. Might be a dragon thing. Tell you what, when I take you to a bar, I’ll buy you a beer on tap. He likes those.”
When I take you to a bar. Nick’s words echoed in Raluca’s ears as she finished her fries. She knew without asking that he would take her to his favorite bar, or would carefully select one he thought she’d like. There would be no more hairballs. Nick was showing her the best he thought his country had to offer. She wished she could do the same for him.
“Lemonade,” Kate said. Her voice quavered, as if she was trying not to laugh. “Coffee. And water. Tell you what, if you hate everything but the water, just tell me what you do like to drink, and I’ll have it for you for next time.”
“Thank you,” Raluca said as Kate hurried off, clearly not wanting to put her on the spot by watching her reaction.
Raluca tried the lemonade. It was overly sweet for her taste, though drinkable. The coffee, however, was excellent. Nick drank his Coke in pace with her, keeping her company. Though he never stopped keeping watch, and she was sure that should danger strike, he would instantly spring to action, he seemed relaxed and happy.
They sat drinking their coffee in companionable quiet, listening to the music. It was Nick’s world, not Raluca’s, but he’d invited her in and she’d been welcomed. She would have been even if she’d hated both burgers and Johnny Cash, she felt sure. If necessary, they’d have turned off the jukebox, or cooked something to her specifications. They’d all seemed so glad for Nick, they’d clearly have done anything to make his mate feel at home.
Her gaze traveled around the diner. Most of the people were older than Nick, some by twenty years or more. She pictured him at eighteen, alpha of a pack full of wolves his father’s age, some friendly and some plotting against him. Even then, he’d had enough steel and fire in him to dominate them for years. If he’d been willing to sacrifice Manuel to save himself, he’d probably be ruling the pack now.
If she’d been willing to accept being nothing but a queen, she’d probably be ruling Viorel now.
“I am very glad we made the choices we did,” Raluca said softly.
Nick’s sharp gaze scanned the diner, then returned to her. He reached across the table to clasp her hand. “Me too.”
Chapter Nine
Nick
Nick waited in the locker room for Raluca to emerge from the bedroom.
When they’d returned from the diner, Destiny had given Raluca her dance lesson while Nick had gone over their plans in more detail with Rafa. Then Rafa and Destiny left together to stake out the nightclub, and Raluca appeared in one of the business suits. He had no idea what she intended to wear to the nightclub, other than that Destiny had seen and approved it. When it got close to the time, Raluca had watched him change into black jeans and his black leather jacket with obvious enjoyment, then vanished into the room with the clothes rack and shut the door on him.
The door opened. Nick’s jaw dropped.
“Surprise,” Raluca said.
He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it hadn’t been this. Incredulously, he looked her over from head to toe, and then started over again at her feet.
She wore a pair of black leather shoes decorated with what looked like diamonds... Well, it was Raluca, so maybe they really were diamonds. They looked like she’d cut out pieces of the night sky to wear on her feet.
Above the shoes, her legs seemed to go up forever. Her skirt was made of multicolored sequins and was as short as a skirt could get. She spun in place, sending it flaring out around her until her thighs seemed surrounded by exploding fireworks.
Dazzled, Nick could barely tear his eyes from her lower body. But he did, because her upper body was encased in a black leather corset so closely molded to her body that he could see every breath she took. The heart-shaped top cupped and lifted her breasts, displaying the creamy globes almost down to her nipples. Her glittering dragonmarks stood out spectacularly against the black, as did her long, loose silver hair.
She had jewelry on too, but he barely registered it. He kept coming back to that barely-there glitter skirt, the fucking black leather corset, Raluca’s daring in buying this outfit on her very first day in America, her legs, her breasts, her wine-red lips, and the joy radiating from every gorgeous bit of her.
“Well?” she said. “What do you think?”
“That is the fucking sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Nick managed, then corrected himself. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Even though I was angry with you when I purchased it, I chose it so we’d match. I knew you’d wear that jacket again. It’s hot, too.” Her teasing smile sent a nearly unbearable wave of desire through his body. “You’re hot.”
Nick wished he could rush her back to the bedroom for a quickie. But Destiny and Rafa would worry if they were late. Maybe after the nightclub...