“Fine, next time I’ll ask you to go with me so you can hold my hand.” I don’t hold back my sarcasm.
“There won’t be a next time,” he says as he tosses the entire half a glass of beer down his throat.
The waiter brings our food and we eat in silence. Nick seems to be calming down, so I’m going to keep quiet. I would probably say something smart mouthed and piss him off at this moment.
I finish my meal and down the last of my second beer. Nick pays the bill and we walk out. Or rather, I walk out and he follows behind me. When I get to the car and reach for the door, he stops me and turns me to face him.
“I’m sorry, okay? I just don’t want you to get hurt; the thought makes me crazy,” he says. He pushes the hair off my shoulder and bends to kiss right below my ear. He can’t reach his favorite spot on my neck because my t-shirt comes up too high, but he seems to like this spot just fine.
“Forgive me?” he asks.
“Yes,” I murmur, closing my eyes, letting his kisses wash over me. It’s warm and heavenly, and I want to melt into his arms. All is forgotten. He pulls away and opens the door for me. I get in. He closes the door and walks to the driver’s seat. Once inside, he starts the ignition.
“I’m going to drop you off at Knocked Out so you can get your car, then let’s go home,” he says, and I nod in agreement.
Home? His home. Not mine. But I feel so comfortable in his home and that’s a little scary. I don’t need to stay there too much longer. I need a place to call my own. It will be good for me. I’ve never lived alone. I went from living at my mother’s, to a college dorm, and then moving in with Luke. I like to think I’m an independent person, but am I really?
* * * * *
Arriving back at his house, I park next to his car. I get out and grab the stuff from the passenger seat. Nick walks over to take my belongings from the back seat.
“You can leave that stuff in there. There’s no point in pulling it out just to put it back when I move into a new apartment next week,” I say while walking to the front door.
“Who says you’re going anywhere?” he replies while coming up behind me and unlocking the front door.
Following him inside, I walk to the kitchen to place the bags on the counter. He doesn’t follow; instead, he takes my bags to his bedroom. I unpack where I am, just my few bits and pieces I’ve brought in with me. I put my clothes on the counter in the laundry room. I really need to wash all my things. I need to get the scent of my old life off my clothes.
I let the dogs in and sit on the couch waiting for Nick. Niko jumps on one end of the couch and curls up. I pick Charmin up, place her in my lap and start petting her. It’s only about five o’clock in the afternoon, but it’s already been a long day.
First dealing with Allison’s drama, then being hit on and asked out by a client who weirds me out every time he’s around, and then Nick freaking out at the pub.
What next?
Four days ago, my life seemed simple and free of drama. A picture perfect life, or so I thought. How wrong I was!
I lie back on the comfy couch with Charmin in my arms. I shut my eyes while I wait on Nick who seems to be taking forever in his bedroom.
When I open my eyes back up and look out the window, it’s dark. I must have falling asleep for at least a few hours. When I sit up, I see Nick sitting in a chair staring at me. He’s holding a small glass of amber liquid. I look to my right and Charmin is now curled up with Niko on the other end of the couch. I beam from ear-to-ear. They are so cute. Beautiful really.
“How long was I asleep?” I ask, placing one leg underneath my butt, getting comfortable on the couch. The way he’s watching me makes me nervous, much like the first night I met him.
“About three hours,” he says, still looking at me. He downs the rest of his drink, but he doesn’t stop watching me with his intense blue eyes.
“What have you been doing?” I ask as he stands and walks to the couch. He kicks off his shoes and takes a seat in the corner of the couch. He gets completely on the couch, feet and all.
“Watching you,” he says as he pulls me back to lean against his chest. I lay my head back against his shoulder and inhale his scent. I could overdose on this man.
“For three hours?” I question, not believing him. Who in the hell watches someone that long, and why?
“No, only about half an hour.” I can tell he’s not joking. It’s a bit weird. I don’t think I’ve ever just watched someone. Then again, I’ve never been around someone this beautiful, so maybe I’ll give it a try. Yeah, probably not. I just don’t get it.