I always knew Nicholas was amazing, but seeing that stunning space and the selection of romance novels he has in there made him perfect. And when he took the book from the top shelf for me…
Oh my God. Just thinking about it makes me want to scream into a pillow. I froze when I felt his breath on my hair. And I thought I’d die when what I thought was his erection brushed against my back for a second. But now that I’ve had some time to reflect, I’m pretty sure it’s just my pervy mind being…well, pervy.
He doesn’t have any special feelings for me. He isn’t attracted to me at all. He stepped up to save me from humiliation last night because he’s a nice guy and has always cared for me like an honorary baby sister or something because of my friendship with Georgia. And besides, whatever I thought I felt was too big to be a penis. It was probably something else. Like maybe a phone.
Besides, the final evidence he doesn’t have any feelings for me is when he answered the door in nothing but a towel. He didn’t check me out, and he certainly didn’t try to make a move. I was the one who ogled him like a sex-starved nympho. But his body was just too perfect to ignore. Those broad shoulders for me to grip and that wide chest I could lay my head on…or kiss. And the abs! I thought abs like that only existed in superhero movies or Photoshopped model photos. I could run my tongue along those ridges all day…
I’ve never seen a male body that beautiful in person. I was also wondering if his penis was as impressive as his physique. I even wished the towel would just…slip a little. Actually, just come loose altogether.
Thank God he couldn’t read my mind. But my money’s on him definitely noticing I was having less-than-pure thoughts—he’s too observant. He’s just too gentlemanly to say anything about my mental inappropriateness. He won’t even hint. He’ll just act like nothing’s happened.
Why couldn’t Nicholas be a little bit more like— No. Then he wouldn’t be the Nicholas I know and like. Besides, he wouldn’t have taken advantage of my emotionally weakened state. More like he’d just start avoiding me.
It’s for the best that I behaved and he’s a gentleman.
Although…what would he be like if he decidednotto be a gentleman anymore…? Would he—
Stop!
I smack myself mentally, then hop out of bed. Staying put won’t accomplish anything, and I need to look at some apartments. Nicholas probably wants me out of his hair as soon as possible—ideally before I lose my sanity and jump him.
After splashing my face with water and brushing my teeth with the new toothbrush and toothpaste that were laid out in the bathroom, I put on my freshly laundered underwear and head downstairs. Nicholas’s T-shirt is so big, it reaches two inches above my knees.
When I get to the kitchen, I don’t smell coffee. So he probably hasn’t been down yet. I set the coffee machine for a couple of servings—I’m sure he’s going to want some.
Something beeps. Then it comes again and I look around.Not an alarm from one of the appliances.I finally locate an intercom on the side of the main kitchen wall. On the screen are a group of women.Four…maybe five? It’s hard to tell. They seem well dressed and well made-up, though. Their tops are low enough to showcase massive cleavages.
Definitely not missionaries trying to get you to enter God’s Kingdom. And I don’t think Nicholas’s neighborhood allows for door-to-door sales.
I hit “speak” on the control. “Hello?”
“Hi. Is Nicholas home? Nikki sent us,” one of the women says.
“I was sent by Ted,” another one says. “He said to mention that specifically.”
Nicholas’s mother and father sent these women?
It presents a dilemma. I’m not sure if Nicholas is up yet, and I don’t want to disturb him if he’s sleeping in.
“Look, can we come in? Nikki said he’s expecting us.” The women shift around.
“Should I call her?” another one says. “Just in case there was a mix-up?”
I don’t want them to bother Nikki, especially when she’s out of the country. “No. I guess it’s okay,” I say, hitting a button with a key symbol on it. I’ll just ask them to keep it quiet and wait until Nicholas is up.
“Thanks, doll.”
Doll?I think, but the screen goes black.
Just then, Nicholas comes down the stairs. Despite dark half-circles under his eyes, he looks amazing in a pale gray T-shirt that stretches across his shoulders and chest, and shorts that cling to his narrow hips. Dark stubble shadows his square jaw.
The sight makes me want to take a picture so I can preserve the moment forever. This is Nicholas at his most casual and relaxed, something I’ve never seen before. He could’ve come down all dressed up like he normally is. The fact that he’s letting me glimpse his private side makes me like him even more. I feel like I’m part of his inner circle.
He pads silently across the distance on bare feet until he reaches me. The corners of his eyes crinkle. “Morning.”
I smile back, trying to hide how giddy I am. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
