Best not to think about that, she told herself. Best to just study the furniture and pretend she was completely fine with her plans for the evening.

Nic watched Brenna’s gaze dart around the room. She looked nervous enough to jump out of her skin.

“You didn’t tell them about me coming to the party, did you?” he asked.

She sucked in a breath. “My sisters know. They’re all really excited about meeting you.” She smiled. “Between the motorcycle and black leather jacket, not to mention your reputation for being a troublemaker as a kid and a ruthless businessman now, you’re something of a legend in these parts.”

“I’m flattered.”

He led her to the sofa. While she sat, he crossed to the table by the window and poured them each a glass of Cabernet.

“Wine?” Brenna asked as she took the drink. She stood up and clutched it in both hands. “I guess it won’t hurt.”

“Are you going to be like this all evening?”

“What? Insanely tense? Maybe. Is that a problem?”

He studied her large eyes, the fullness of her mouth, then looked lower at the simple black dress that skimmed over her lush curves. He didn’t even get as far as her bare legs before he felt interest stir.

“Not a problem at all.” He touched his glass to hers. “To your sisters’ happy engagements.”

“To not throwing up on any of the guests.”

“Is that a real possibility?”

“I sure hope not.”

She held the glass up to the light and studied the color, then inhaled the fragrance. After swirling it around several times, she inhaled again.

“Brenna, just drink the damn thing.”

“What?” She glanced from the glass to him. “Oh, sorry.” She took a sip. “It’s lovely.”

“Now I know you’re really nervous. You never compliment my wines.”

“I know. I guess I should. Some of them are very nice.”

He winced. “Nice, huh? Maybe you’d like to be our spokesperson.”

She set her glass on the coffee table. “I’m sorry, Nic. I know tonight is going to be fine. I’m really glad I’m taking you.”

He waited for the “but” part of the sentence.

She sighed. “But I’m terrified. Silly, huh?”

“Understandable.”

“Do you mind if I pace?”

He waved his arm. “Feel free.”

“Thanks.”

She kicked off her sandals, then, barefoot, walked the length of the living room. “I’m a grown-up. I’m a capable person. My parents are going to be fine with this. We’re going to have a good time.”

“Who are you trying to convince?”

She looked at him. “You don’t look the least bit worried, so I guess just myself.”

He watched her resume her pacing. She crossed and uncrossed her arms, then paused by a window and stared out at the night. Her apprehension didn’t surprise him, but his reaction to it did. He would have thought he would be pleased by her discomfort, that this night would be a victory for him. Instead he felt badly for putting her in this position and he wanted to do something to make her feel better.

“Brenna, I don’t have to go,” he said before he could stop himself.

She turned to face him. “Oh, yes, you do. I’m prepared to bring you onto Marcelli land and have it out with my grandfather. I have no idea what’s going to happen with my parents, but my sisters are all waiting to watch the show. I have a bunch of crap in my hair just so I can look nice, and I’m wearing shoes that are going to cripple me. I didn’t do all that just so you can back out at the last minute. You’re going to the party if I have to drag you there by your ears.”

He chuckled. “All right, then. A gracious invitation like that is difficult to refuse.”

Her gaze narrowed. “You think this is all pretty funny.”

“I don’t think it ranks up there with war and pestilence.” He set down his wineglass. “You need to relax.”

“I can’t.” She held up a hand and watched as it trembled. “I’m shaking.”

He crossed to stand next to her and took her hand in his. After rubbing her fingers, he bent down and kissed the inside of her wrist. He could feel her rapid pulse fluttering against his lips.

“Maybe we should give you something else to think about,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “Nic, I-”

He waited, but she didn’t continue.

Truthfully, he hadn’t planned this. He’d been more focused on the party and seeing the Marcelli family close up than on spending the evening with Brenna. Now that she was here, he found himself mesmerized by the sweet scent of her body and the way her breasts rose and fell with each breath. She’d always been attractive, but tonight she was beautiful. Soft, vulnerable, all woman, and sexy as hell.

He could hate her, he could ignore her, he could even do his best to forget about her, but he’d been unable to stop wanting her. Just being close was enough to get him hard. As blood pooled in his groin, he moved in closer. She didn’t back away, not even when he lowered his head and kissed her.

Nic tasted of wine and temptation, Brenna thought when his mouth brushed against hers. It was a heady combination, one she didn’t think she could resist.

As their lips pressed together, she pulled her hand free of his and wrapped her arms around his neck. Okay, this probably wasn’t the smartest thing she could be doing right now, but leaning against him, kissing him, wanting him just felt too good.

She parted her lips and he swept into her mouth. The second his tongue brushed against hers, she felt her good sense sizzle into smoke and drift away. She lost herself in the heat that exploded between them. He’d always had the ability to make her body respond on the most primal level, and tonight was no exception.

She clung to him, wanting their bodies to touch as much as possible. At the same time she needed to explore, to remember, to feel all those magical things that had only happened with Nic. As he deepened the kiss, she moved her hands down his shoulders to his back. His was broader than she remembered. Stronger. Yet his muscles still clenched and released as she touched him. She traced his narrow waist and hips, then circled back to cup his rear. When she squeezed, he thrust his hips forward and she felt his erection.

He was hard and thick and the things he’d been able to do to her filled her mind. Her memory flashed pictures of them making love while her body remembered the pleasure. Every part of her ached as liquid desire pooled low in her belly. Her panties were already wet, her breasts swollen, and both she and Nic were wearing way too many clothes.

He cupped her face and broke their kiss. Before she could complain, he pressed his lips to her cheeks, her eyelids, then her jaw. After nibbling his way to her neck, he licked the sensitive skin behind her ear. Shivers danced across her skin.

He kissed his way down to her throat, where he paid homage to the hollow before kissing her chest, just above the neckline of her dress.

When she felt the slow slide of her zipper being eased down, she reached for the buttons on his shirt. She got three of them undone before she had to drop her arms to her sides so he could pull her dress off her arms and let it settle at her waist. The silky fabric barely paused before slipping to the floor, leaving her wearing nothing but panties and a bra.

Nic returned his attention to her mouth. He kissed her thoroughly, exploring her with a devastatingly erotic dance that left her boneless. Had she been in the mood to protest her undressed state, she was too occupied to speak a word. Not that she wanted to complain. Not when she felt his warm hands move from her waist to her breasts. Not when he cupped her curves through the lace of her black bra and brushed his thumbs against her already tight nipples.

Need spiraled through her. Her breath caught as she waited for the next sweep of his fingers, then the next. Had anything ever felt this good? Even as his touch eased the pressure in her breasts, need continued to build between her legs. She reached for the bra clasp and fumbled with the hooks. When she managed to unfasten them, she pulled off her bra, then grabbed Nic’s hands and placed them back on her body.

The flesh on flesh made her moan. He held her breasts in his palms and squeezed them gently. Long fingers explored her sensitive skin, then teased her nipples. He seemed to know exactly how she liked to be touched, how fast, how hard, how…everything.

This time when he broke the kiss, she caught her breath in anticipation. He bent his head and pressed his open mouth to her breast.

Wet heat surrounded her. He circled her with his tongue, then sucked her deeply into his mouth. Brenna held on to his head, holding him close, barely breathing as she concentrated on the pleasure spiraling through her body. He moved to her other breast and continued the dance. She felt him tug off his shirt.

When he pulled back and straightened, she opened her eyes. He was bare to the waist. His hair was mussed, his eyes were heavy-lidded with passion. As his hands reached for his belt buckle, she slipped off her panties. He unfastened his slacks, then took her hand and pulled her to the couch.

When he was seated, he shoved down his trousers and briefs, allowing his erection to spring free. Brenna sucked in a breath as she stared at him. At one time she’d known his body as intimately as she’d known her own. She knew what he liked to do, what he fantasized about, and how to make him come in less than fifteen seconds. Of course he knew the same things about her.

She liked being on top, she liked him playing with her breasts while he was inside of her, and most of the time she liked it slightly less than civilized. Had he remembered or was this just dumb luck on her part?

He reached for her hand and drew it to his mouth. But instead of kissing her fingers or her wrist, he bit down on the thick pad by her thumb. A silly thing that had always driven her wild. Shivers rippled through her. Damn him. He remembered everything.