He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “That isn’t a mess. That’s so fucking hot. Give me a couple of minutes, and we can make an even bigger one.”
I smile against his chest, and my eyes drift closed. The steady beat of his heart and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest calms me. This certainly isn’t how I thought this weekend would end up, but I can’t say I regret letting Nate stay with me last night. I have no idea what to make of this, but I take a few moments to soak in every second.
After makinggood on his promise of another round, he drags me from bed and into the shower.
“This shower is too fucking small,” he mumbles from behind me as he lathers my hair. His fingers run along my scalp, dragging a small moan from me. His voice sounds pained when he says, “Please don’t make that sound again. This shower is barely big enough for us to shower in, let alone fuck you in.”
I giggle as I turn to rinse the shampoo from my hair. Tipping my head back, I look at his face. My heart stutters when what I can only describe as a look of pure awe graceshis expression. I feel worshipped each time I’m with this man. Like I can let go of the insecurities I have over my life and my body. I can forget that my life is a mess and that I fear I will be alone forever.
He finishes washing every part of me and goes to kick me out of the shower.
“I don’t get to return the favor and wash you?” I raise my hand to grab the shampoo.
He grips my wrist gently to stop me and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “If you put your hands anywhere near my body, I’m definitely fucking you in this shower. And I’m legitimately fearful for one or both of our lives if we attempt that.”
I roll my eyes, agreeing to let him finish showering alone. Quickly dressing in jeans and a t-shirt, I go to start coffee, all with a smile never leaving me. My mind wanders back to the man in my bathroom. I’m so surprised at the ease with which I feel around him in such a short amount of time. As scary as it is, my heart races at the unusual feeling of hope that fills me when I think about our blossoming relationship.
But he doesn’t know the whole story of my life yet. That could change quickly once he hears that. Now might be a good time to tell him everything, even if a small part of me wants to pretend I have a normal life a little while longer.
Arms wrap around my waist as I’m pulled into Nate’s solid chest. Goosebumps trail down my arms when he kisses the side of my neck, his stubble tickling my skin.
“You want to take these to the couch?” His question reverberates through my back.
“Sure.” Anxiety makes my stomach flip.
I pour our coffee and add cream to mine before following him to the couch. As I curl up at the end, Nate sitsright next to me. Pulling my knees toward my chest, I tilt my legs so they’re resting on his thigh. His strong arm wraps around them.
Rubbing my calf, his eyes are unsure as he looks at me.
“What?” I ask, getting the feeling he wants to say something but is holding back.
“Olive, I—” He clears his throat. “I don’t know where your head is at when it comes to us, but I want to try.” He gives me a look filled with so many emotions. I have a hard time deciphering which one is prominent. “I want to see where this goes.”
His simple confession warms my heart. I don’t want to fight against this anymore. It may hurt like hell when it ends, but I just can’t bring myself to care. I want to experience his affection, even if only for a short time. My palm slips around his neck, and I pull him to me.
He buries his fingers in my hair, and he closes the rest of the distance when his lips find mine. My body tingles with a very unfamiliar joy and lightness. Against them, he whispers, “I’m assuming this means you feel the same. If not, don’t tell me yet. Let me pretend you do for just a little while longer.”
I laugh until I can’t when his lips consume mine. Leaning into the kiss, I revel in the rightness of it.
Pulling back with a small smile, Nate runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “And no more running. You want to be done with me, you tell me to my face. Got it?”
I bite my bottom lip before releasing it and agreeing. “No more running. I promise.”
Relief plays across his intense gaze before his eyes cut to the door. “Your brother isn’t about to walk in here and catch me feeling up his sister, is he?”
My face falls.
Well, that didn’t last long.
I suppose I can’t pretend any longer. I don’t want to lie to him. I suck in a deep breath before taking a sip of coffee to give myself a few more moments to gather my thoughts. “My brother won’t be coming back here, at least not for a while.”
Nate shifts so he can face me. His hand grips my thigh in silent support. It’s comforting to have him near. I just hope it lasts.
“Benny is in rehab.”
Nate’s eyes soften. His lips, which I love so much, push down into a frown. “Rehab for what?”
I close my eyes and lick my lips. When I open them, my eyes lock onto his. “Drugs. He doesn’t really discriminate when it comes to what he uses, but his preferred one is heroin. My brother is a drug addict.” I shake my head sadly and explain, “This isn’t the first time he’s been in rehab.”
