It went up all by itself.
Tess
THERE'S A NOISE, and I awake with a start.
For a moment I feel disorientated and it takes a minute to gain my bearings. I can't immediately place my surroundings. Then, as my eyelids flutter open, I see Nick lowering himself, squatting down beside me. His sleepy blue eyes are watching me with intensity.
Alarmed, I sit up and look around the dimly lit room. "Where's Max?"
Nick places his hand on my shoulder to calm me. "The power is back on and I just brought him upstairs to his bed."
Okay, the creaky staircase is the noise I heard. Relieved, I flop back down, not ready to move. "What time is it?" I ask groggily.
"Almost six."
I groan. "In the morning?"
"In the morning," he reassures me, offering me his hand. "Come on, I'll help you off the floor. It's time to get up anyway."
Declining, I roll to my side and peek up at Nick through my lashes. "God, it feels like I never went to sleep."
"That's because it was almost two before you stopped talking."
To shield the lights from the kitchen, I tug the blanket up over my head. "That's so not true. You were the one doing all the talking."
"Whatever," he says. "I'm going to go for a run. Do you want a hand getting up or not?"
Lowering the covers, I sit up and look out the window at the still heavily falling snow. "You're going outside in this weather? Are you nuts? I think I'll stay right here where it's warm."
Nick laughs and flops down beside me on his back. "You have a point. I think I'll hit the treadmill at my office later today."
I laugh too, and groan a little when I shift in my pile of blankets from the lack of comfort that comes from lying on the floor. "Wow, you have a treadmill at your office?"
"Not just a treadmill, an entire gym. Come by later if you want and workout."
I laugh again. "I haven't worked out in months. I'm not sure I remember how."
"Then you really should come by. I could give you a pointer or two to help you get back on track."
My eyes dart to the spot where his long-sleeve t-shirt has lifted, and then my gaze slowly slides up his hard body until it lands on his face. "Right. So I can make a fool of myself," I respond, hearty laughter still in my voice. "I think I'll pass, thank you very much."
Nick's staring at me again with that same intensity I saw when I first woke up. This time though, his breathing is hitched, and I can't help but wonder if he's thinking the same thing I am.
Still laughing, I fall onto my back and keep my focus on him.
"God, you have a beautiful laugh," he says hoarsely.
My entire body reacts to the look he's giving me, and all I can do is keep staring. I have no words, no smartass comeback, nothing.
Moments pass where all we share is a look. It's a look that screams, "I want you, do you want me?"
Slowly, Nick nods his head.
At the same time, I nod mine.
And then Nick is rolling, shifting his body, and in a beat he's above me looking down into my eyes. Within moments, his body is covering mine with the twisted blankets around his hips. He maneuvers himself until my thighs are spread and I can feel his heavy erection through the fabric of his track pants right between my legs.
"I want you," he rasps, grinding his hips into mine in the most delicious way.
"I want you too," I respond breathlessly, lifting my pelvis to meet his slow and distinct movements.
He pushes some stray pieces of hair from my eyes. "Are you sure about this?" he whispers.
"I'm sure," I whisper back.
Without another word, Nick quickly gets to his feet. The fire is still roaring. Nick must have stoked it when he woke, and I suddenly feel extremely warm.
With my heart pounding, I watch him as he strides toward the kitchen. Watch his long lean body, watch the confidence in his walk, watch the pure male who might have decided against this very poor decision we both made days ago but are just now acting on. But then he picks up his wallet and pulls out a condom. When he strides back in my direction, there is purpose intent on his face. And my heart pounds even more.
Standing above me with his brilliant blue eyes on me, he drops the condom to the ground and pulls his t-shirt off. I stare at his ripped abs, biting my lip, wanting to taste him so bad I can hardly stand it.
There is no hesitation in my next move. With my gaze locked on him, I sit up and slowly unbutton my own shirt in spite of my trembling fingers. He watches me, his chest rising and falling even faster than moments ago. Once I shrug out of the oversized shirt, my small breasts are completely exposed to him.