“Tell me to stop and I will,” he whispered.
She couldn’t. She knew it was wrong and totally not fair to him… but she couldn’t stop him. This felt way too good. Nikhil suddenly shifted closer and leaned into her neck. “I’m not going to do anything but kiss your neck and your cheek. Tell me when to stop.”
Marley closed her eyes and let her head fall back. Soon, soft lips were on her neck. Grazing. Leaving soft kisses. The same lips had sucked, bit, and kissed with ferocious passion a few weeks ago but now were gentler and infinitely more emotional, yet just as arousing.
She sighed.
He kept kissing while he talked. “I’m not expecting anything here. Believe me. I know how complicated this is. Andmaybe you’re right—the timing is terrible. But I just want to be close to you. No promises. Just together now. Do you want that?”
She looked at him. His eyes were so sweet and kind. Marley leaned forward, taking matters into her own hands, and kissed his lips. Gently. No promises, nothing more. They could figure out the other stuff later. Now just closeness.
She pulled back and nodded. “I want to be close to you, too.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Nikhil
Nikhil slept in Marley’s bed that night. Not wrapped around her, but near her. Being close meant he didn’t have to worry about her having a painful sleep or that she’d wake up looking for her painkillers before he had the chance to leave them out for her. Most of all, being near meant he could be sure she was still feeling all the things she said she was feeling last night.
She did seem to sleep soundly. When the sun came through her gauzy curtains, rousing him from sleep, Marley was in the same position she’d been in when he closed his eyes. He watched her for a while, feeling like he’d finally earned the right to do this. That night at the hotel, they’d also slept in the same bed. But it hadn’t felt anywhere near as intimate as this.
Last night had been amazing. Never in his wildest dreams would he have expected that Marley would be the first to confess to having caught feelings for him. He still couldn’t believe it. Shewantedhim. Not just for sex, not just as a friend. Mahreen Kamal had always been the ideal for him but completely unattainable. Getting through that thick wall that Marley kept up around her feelings? He never imagined it was possible.
But this Marley wasn’t the same Mahreen he’d loved in school. She was wiser, a hell of a lot stronger, and she was… sweeter. The way she’d bashfully turn away when he’d flirt with her. The way she cried about everything. The way she cared so much about his mental health and fully supported Esther firing all his handlers, even if it meant she’d lose the promotion that she’d wanted for so long. He loved how she picked tea based on her mood, how she talked to her cat like he was a person, and how she knew exactly what clothes would make anyone look, and feel, the absolute best they could.
But was a relationship with Marley, or anyone, even possible right now?
He wished they could stay in the bubble they’d created here in this little 1970s house. Without Marley being in pain, of course. But also… now that Esther had put her foot down and reduced his pre-production promo, he was finally looking forward to shooting the movie. He’d been working so hard learning lines, getting to know the character—plus, of course, he’d put his body through the wringer to get ready physically.
This was his first major movie. The script was amazing. Andacting… not the fame or the promo or anything else but acting… this was his reason for being here. Things had been rough for him lately, but that didn’t mean he didn’twantthe life that he’d built. Even if it came with losing his privacy, and dealing with unrealistic expectations, and people telling him what to do and who to be… it was worth it because he was getting to makemovies.
He was a romantic, like Tyler said. He wanted it all. A partner to come home to, to eat meals with, to watch TV after work with. And at the end of a long day, he wanted to wrap himself around the person in his bed. And it wasn’t fair toexpect Marley to be that person. Not when he’d chosen the most public life imaginable. She was Marley. The most perfect but also the most private person he knew.
She started to stir a bit. Her long lashes fluttered against her cheeks, and her lips pursed sweetly before relaxing. She was so beautiful. No one came this close to perfection. No one ever had.
She opened her eyes. After a moment of disorientation, she turned and saw him looking at her. “Good. You’re still here.”
He leaned forward and kissed her briefly on the lips. He was never going to take these kisses for granted. Because he knew they wouldn’t last. “Nowhere else I want to be. Can I get you painkillers? I should have gotten up to make your tea.”
“Were you just… staring at me?”
Busted. He nodded.
She chuckled. “It’s fine. The pain’s not that bad. I feel like a whole different person since getting the drains out. You going to the gym today?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I’m supposed to rest after LA.”
She smiled. “Nice.”
“I’ll get your toast and tea started. You need help getting up?”
She smiled softly. There wasn’t a hint of regret or apprehension in her expression. Remarkable. “I don’t think I deserve you, Nikhil.”
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Because right now, at least, he could. “Come down when you’re ready.”
He went downstairs and made some tea and toast. When she came down and sat at the dining table, he smiled at her. “Peanut butter or marmalade?”
“Marmalade.”
