Silent No More(39)

“Glad I could be your entertainment,” I say. I turn on my side and wrap my arms around his waist. I snuggle into him and get comfortable. His body is hard and his arms wrap around me tightly. I know he’s only squeezing me a fraction of his strength, but it’s like he’s holding me and never going to let go. I don’t want him to.

“Oh, I’m always entertained when you’re around,” he says, kissing the top of my forehead. “So what’s all the stuff on the island about?” he asks and I glance over the couch to the kitchen.

All the dog stuff I bought is laid neatly out, covering the entire kitchen island. I rise up off Nick, get off the couch, and walk into the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I probably should have asked first. I really didn’t think when I bought these.” I say apologetically.

He walks up behind me, wrapping his around arms around my neck, looking down at everything. “It’s fine. I’m just not sure why it’s all needed,” he says, gesturing to everything.

I pick up the large black dog collar and fiddle with it. “I walked past a dog store and decided to go in and buy treats. Then I remembered Charmin isn’t wearing a collar, and Niko’s is a bit old, so I bought them. Then when I passed the beds, I remembered I didn’t see any in your bedroom and got those too.” I say, taking the tag off.

Touching one of the pillows, Nick laughs a little. “They’ve never complained about the carpet in there,” he says. He seems amused.

"Now they never will,” I reply with a smile as Nick removes the tag from Charmin’s collar.

“Pink…not exactly the color I would have picked out,” he says sarcastically as he walks to the living room where the dogs are still on the couch.

I follow, taking Niko’s collar with me. “She’s a girl,” I point out. “The color will stand out next to her white fur. She’s going to look pretty,” I say.

“Yeah, well, now she is officially your dog. I’m not claiming her while she’s wrapped in pink,” he says seriously while fastening the collar around her neck. She jumps off the couch and starts scratching at it. She doesn’t like it.

I laugh at her. She looks so cute trying to get it off. “She can’t be taken away from Niko. He loves her.”

“She’s not going anywhere.” I look up at his remark. What does he mean by that? He couldn’t possibly be insinuating I’m not leaving either. No, that’s crazy.

I change the subject. I don’t want to get into this, nor think about what I think he means. “I’m going to get my pajamas out of my car.” I grab my keys from the counter.

“You pajamas aren’t in your car. They’re in the bottom drawer of my dresser,” he says casually. Did he just fucking move me in? No, he wouldn’t; he couldn’t.

I turn on my heel to face him. “What else did you bring in?” I place my hands on my hips waiting for his answer.

“Everything that was in your car,” he says as he walks to the refrigerator and gets a beer out. After opening it, he tosses the top in the trash and takes a long sip.

Does he not realize I’m going to have to repack everything in a few days when I move into an apartment? Perhaps a condo? An investment isn’t a bad idea while rates are so low.

“Nick, I didn’t want to repack everything next week.” I sound a little harsh.

“Why would you have to repack anything next week?” He takes another long sip and finishes his beer. Tossing it in the trash, he gets another one.

“Bringing all my stuff in your house was pointless. I don’t live here. I have to find an apartment on Monday.” I pass by him, going to the refrigerator. I need a beer after this conversation.

“Now you do,” he says, opening his second beer; he tosses the cap in the trash. I freeze for a moment, standing in front of the refrigerator with the door open.

“Now I do what?” I ask not so sure I want his answer. Shit, I’m pretty damn sure what he is insinuating, but I have no idea why.

“Now you live here, so go shower and change. The pizza I ordered while you were asleep will be here shortly.” He takes another sip of his beer. He looks a little annoyed that I’m questioning him.

“Excuse me?” It’s all I can manage to say. He’s lost his fucking mind. That has to be it. Why would he move me in? We’ve known each other for two seconds.

“Shannon, I don’t want to argue. Just go shower or change, or do both, but hurry up.” He is definitely annoyed. This is too much, but I’m too tired to fight him on it. I want normal, sexy Nick back, not crazy, sexy Nick.