S(mint)ten Chocolate Chip

By Tiffany Carby

Player Nik has figured out that it's time to hang up his hat when it comes to one night stands. His pride has been scarred and his head is hung low when a new lady enters his office at The Mint.

Noey is a successful career woman who's only wish in life is for things to slow down a little. But if things slowed down, would her success continue? She gets passed off to meet with Nik by his boss who doesn't seem to have time for her, but what she finds instead is a single bachelor she can't get out of her head.

Noey's successful blog has her setup to take a road trip across the country in search of the best ice cream spots voted on by her fans. What she quickly realizes is the lonesome trip sounds a lot better with her new friend in tow. Is one night in DC enough for Noey to think about taking a stranger across country? Or will this new relationship melt before her tires hit the road?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: Jul 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781540181206

Book preview

Chapter One

The restaurant in DC was swanky, but it was typical Tuesday night fare for Niklaus Eastwood. The charming, cocky socialite had plenty of money and too many women. A revolving door at the front of the steakhouse wasn’t the only thing that would revolve that night, or any other night, for that matter. That is, if Nik got his way.

And Nik always got his way.

Nice to see you this evening, sir, the thirtysomething maître d' said, greeting Nik with a special handshake, solidifying the two had history.

Jamison, always a pleasure, Nik said as he swaggered on back to his corner booth where a tall blonde in a tight red dress was awaiting his arrival.

Nik held up his hand for her not to get up and reached down to give her a light peck on the cheek, before going back around to the other side of the booth.

Lovely evening...I see you only have water...why have my friends not already taken care of you? Nik said, sitting down in the oversized booth and scooting in toward his date. His attention thwarted elsewhere and the waiter was promptly there to take care of the very important person and his guest.

Good evening, sir, the waiter said, introducing himself as Sampson and tipping his head toward Nik’s date, awaiting orders. I believe I have a 2010 Chianti Classico in my locker, would you mind opening it for us? And we’ll have Presidential filets, Capitol potatoes Romanoff, and wedge salads with the house dressing.

Nik looked at his date and asked if there was anything else she wanted.

I wouldn’t know, actually, she said with a bit of sass. I hadn’t been offered a menu to know what I am missing.

The stare across the table turned Nik on. He smirked and gave her a couple second’s glance before looking back to the waiter.

Will that be all, sir? he asked, paying no attention to Miss Sassy Pants and looking only to Nik.

Bring us a dozen oysters on the half shell as well, he said and shooed the waiter, whispering across the table. I’d like to see some oysters slide down your throat tonight.

"Really now? Sassy Pants said as she bit her bottom lip. Thank you for the dinner invitation, your text was a bit unexpected, I’ll admit."

Unexpected? How so? Nik asked, sitting his phone down and giving her his full attention.

We have only met one other time, at a social function; I was surprised you even remembered me, she confessed.

Darling, how could I forget a face like yours? Niklaus schmoosed her as the waiter came back with wine.

Would you be interested in a soufflé this evening, sir? he asked, noticing Nik was now holding Sassy Pants’ hand, wasting no time whatsoever.

Excellent idea, we’ll have the double chocolate soufflé; I know they take a little extra time, Nik said as Sampson left the table and another gentlemen brought their appetizer.

He was right about enjoying watching her eat oysters. He was fascinated by everything she had done so far. Her taunt...and back talk to him when he first ordered, keeping up with his conversation, and holding her own eating the seafood.

Sampson and his assistant cleared the table before their next course, and Nik adjusted himself in the booth, running his fingers through his spiky, modern undercut. His hair was almost black and shined in the dim lighting of the old restaurant. Sassy Pants couldn’t help but notice how well kempt he was.

The salad course arrived and with it Nik’s phone kept buzzing with messages and missed calls. He finally sat his cell in the seat beside him, rather than leaving it on the table where it was placed when he got there. When it finally bothered him enough, he wiped his mouth with his napkin and pulled out his phone.

I’m so sorry to be rude, but I’m afraid something might be wrong, this thing has not stopped all night, Nik said. Would you excuse me for a moment, Lexie?

Nik got up from the table, not really giving her a moment to respond to his request to be excused, and walked back to the restrooms where there was a small sitting area. He found his sister’s contact at the top of the list of recent calls since she had called several times, and he hadn’t responded back to her vague call me texts.

Sis, seriously, what’s up? he said into the phone. Brooklyn Eastwood was several years younger than Nik and had been travelling abroad for many years; the siblings had only seen each other a handful of times since she started her international pursuits.

Dude, why wouldn’t you answer? Are you on a date? Brooklyn was very straight and to the point.

Yes, I’m on a date! Nik retorted.

I’m coming to DC in a few weeks! Can I crash with you for a while? she asked.

Of course, but what’s the emergency? Why all the back to back calls and texts? Nik asked.

Well, I’m getting ready to go backpacking through a remote area in France, and I wasn’t sure how much contact and cell service I’d have, she paused, And when you didn’t answer I figured you were on a date and that’s just what little sisters do! We interrupt dates!

She laughed, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Oh Brookie. Send me your flight details, and I’ll pick you up from the airport when you get here, Nik said.

Now go back to your date, she said. Love you, bub.

Love you too, kid, he said and hung up the phone. Their international calls and texts were often pricey for both of them, but it was worth it to Nik. Brooklyn kept him grounded.

Nik headed back to the table, where the salads had been cleared and steaks had been delivered.

I am so sorry, Nik said as he sat down. My sister is out of the country and when she calls several times like that, I tend to worry.

Uh okay, Nik’s date said with a bit of attitude.

Everything okay? Is your steak cooked properly? Nik asked.

What’s my name? Sassy Pants asked across the table, causing Nik to chuckle. You called me Lexie a minute ago, did you mean to call me Lexie?

Of course I did, that’s your name, Nik said, sitting his napkin beside his silverware.

Sassy Pants adjusted her too-tight dress and picked her purse up from the booth.

The steak is fine, but you sir, are well done, she said and started to leave the table.

Why are you leaving? What did I say? Nik said getting up to go after her.

She turned and walked back to him, smoothing his collar and very much entering his personal space. She licked her lips, and he could feel her breath in his ear as she tugged on his tie. He was as close as he’d been to her all night and was definitely aroused by this sudden turn of events.

My name is Jessie, Nik. Not Lexie. And just like that, she turned and left the restaurant, leaving Nik standing by his personal booth with one heck of a hard on.

Sampson came over to see what he could do to diffuse the situation.

Uh, pack up the soufflé to go for me would you, Sampson? Nik asked.

But sir...it will fall? he said, very confused.

It’s not the only thing that’s falling tonight...

Chapter Two

G ood morning, Mr. Eastwood . How was your evening? Nik’s assistant asked as he entered his office.

Fergus, he said, greeting him as he hung his head.

That good, eh? Fergus rolled his eyes in response and followed Nik to his oversized desk.

It was just, Nik paused, Not my night last night.

Well, we have had some schedule changes with today’s itinerary, would you like to go over them?

Nik sighed and shook his head, heading over to the bureau to make a cup of coffee at the Keurig. One thing Fergus didn’t have to do for his boss was make his coffee. He also didn't have to schedule his dates. Fergus pretty much did everything else for him, but he was glad Nik had a little ownership in some aspect of his life.

So your 2 o’clock meeting with Jessie Murdock has been canceled...secretary said something about not needing to reschedule, Fergus read from his padfolio unaware of Nik’s date fail from the night before. I’m not even sure what that meeting was about, you didn’t have a schedule attached to the calendar item.

Thank, God, Gus, Nik said. "And yes, that will not need to be rescheduled."

K, so... Fergus looked further down the day’s agenda and continued, "Since that