Nick gazes straight ahead, the look in his eyes turning serious. “Yeah, but this is college hockey. Pro hockey is a totally different world.”
He’s quiet as he pulls forward when the light turns green. I notice a flash of uncertainty in his eyes.
I’m not used to seeing Nick like this. He’s always so cocky and outgoing, always joking around and smiling. He seems really unsure of himself in this moment. Almost like he’s insecure about himself. Which is weird because I’ve always known Nick St. George to be confident. Confident hockey player. Confident ladies’ man. Confident guy who always knows theright thing to say in any situation. Always so smooth and unflappable.
“Which one’s your building?” he asks after turning onto my block.
I point. “The brick one over there.”
He pulls into a parking spot in the front, kills the engine, then hops out of the car and jogs over to my door.
“I can get my door,” I say with a surprised laugh.
“You’re my girlfriend now, hot tutor. That means I open your car door for you. Always.” He flashes that cocky half smile that makes the dimple in his right cheek pop.
My skin goes hot. I try not to smile as I climb out of the car.
“You really don’t need to walk me to my apartment,” I say.
“Yes, I do.”
I sigh, half-annoyed at his insistence, half-flattered that he wants to be around me this much.
“Fine. But only to the entrance. You’re not coming into my apartment with me.”
He grins. “Fine.”
He walks me to the entrance of the small brick building, which is split into four units.
As we cross the main sidewalk along the street, a group of female students who are walking by us looks over and starts whispering.
Nick grabs my hand in his. His giant hand swallows up mine, and it’s strangely comforting. I’ve never been with a guy as big and muscular as Nick. I think I like it.
“Looks like we’ve officially launched our relationship in front of a few Hollis U students,” he says to me in a soft, teasing voice.
I can’t help but smile. We stop at the entrance of the building. It’s getting darker now, so the porch light is on. The light illuminates Nick’s handsome face, highlighting his square jaw and the brightness of his bourbon-brown eyes.
He leans his face close to mine, that teasing smile dancing across his thick lips. He’s so close that I can feel the warmth from his body as it skims over mine.
Goosebumps flash over my skin. I tell myself it’s a natural reaction for my body to respond this way around a guy who’s as handsome as Nick. Even though he’s so cocky, it’s obnoxious. Even though he drives me nuts.
But right now, when he’s standing in front of me, cradling my hand in his and looking at me with something warm and soft in his eyes, I forget just how cocky and obnoxious he is.
He’s looking at me like I’m all he sees. Like I’m the only thing worth looking at.
He leans closer, hovering his mouth over mine. “I’m gonna kiss you now, Poppy.”
My mouth parts open, and I let out a breath. “Okay.”
He presses his mouth against my cheek. My eyelids flutter. My skin tingles where his mouth is on me. His lips are surprisingly soft.
He lets out a soft hum before leaning back. Then he presses another whisper-soft kiss to my forehead. I close my eyes and start to whimper.Oh. I really,reallylike that.
When he pulls away, there’s an amused flicker in his eyes.
“Looks like we should add forehead kisses to the approved PDA list.”
I nod. “Yeah. I mean, sure. If you want.” I sound a little too eager to do that.
