“I didn’t think you would forget.”
Yes, I did.I want to do more with her, but I’m terrified all at the same time. The type ofhelpI need requires a lot more than just kissing.
A bell above the door chimes as I open it, announcing our entrance. I hold the door open for Nova to pass through first, then follow behind her.
A woman not much older than us approaches my sister with a friendly smile. Her gaze flicks to me for a moment, her lips curving higher and her cheeks flushing with a blush. She turns to Nova with a calculating expression as she talks to her.
I linger behind Nova, listening to them talk and taking mental notes about what Nova prefers for her nails. Because mark my words, this won’t be the last time I pay for her nails.
The nail tech’s attention strays to me every few seconds. I clench my jaw and pretend I don’t notice her checking me out, or that she’s insulting Nova by doing so.
“I’d like to do designs too. Something flashy and bright for my date.” Nova pulls her phone from her pocket and searches through her pictures to show the woman. “I have a few ideas, but I can’t decide what I like best.”
The woman’s gaze flicks to me, and she grins like she just won the imaginary battle she had in her head with Nova. “I’m sure your date will love whatever you choose to do. What does your friend think?”
“Oh, we’re not friends. I’m her boyfriend.” I move behind Nova and wrap my arms around her in a hug. “I think whatever my girl chooses is perfect. Make sure they’re long too. I like how they feel, if you know what I mean.”
The smug look on the woman’s face disappears.
Nova sucks in a startled breath and casts a scolding look at me over her shoulder. I just grin and kiss the tip of her nose.
“Don’t be upset with me, pretty girl. You know I love it when you give me angel wings,” I whisper, loud enough for the jealous woman to overhear.
Nova’s cheeks brighten into a light shade of pink that closely matches her hair color.
“Perv,” she grumbles, and rolls her shoulder to knock me away from her.
I squeeze onto her tighter, refusing to let go. “Only for you.”
The nail tech clears her throat, drawing our attention back to her. “Pick the colors you want while I get everything ready.”
Nova steps out of my hold and wanders to the wall lined with shelves of nail polish and color swatches. I follow her as she browses the options, unsure why she’s pretending to look when we both know what she’ll pick.
She’ll go for pink. She always does.
Sensing my stare, Nova peeks at me, then sidles up and leans in as she whispers harshly, “What the hell was that all about?”
I raise an eyebrow and fight back a grin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Make sure they’re long too. I like how they feel, if you know what I mean.” She deepens her voice, imitating what’s supposedto sound like me. “Now the poor woman will be imagining me using you as a scratching post while she’s doing my nails.”
I lose the battle with my smirk. “Did you meanyou’llbe imagining using me like a scratching post?”
Nova’s eyes widen, and the pretty shade of pink returns to her cheeks. Her gaze drops to my lips, and she must realize she’s staring because she gives a tiny shake of her head and turns away from me.
“No.” She scoffs. “That’s not what I meant, and you know that.”
I chuckle. “Whatever you say. It’s totally normal to think about your boyfriend between your pretty thighs. I’m not judging.”
She swipes a purple bottle of polish from the shelf and knocks over the one beside it. I snicker at her muttered curse and beat her to setting the bottle upright. Our fingers brush, and my gaze slides to the side of her face.
Nova snatches her hand back and pretends to consider the purple polish.
I close the space between us and settle my palm on her lower back while hovering my mouth beside her ear. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered. Do you want me to stop teasing you?”
Nova glances over her shoulder to ensure the nosy nail tech isn’t eavesdropping before turning to me. “Aren’t you weirded out by talking about fucking me?” she whispers.
“No,” I murmur with a shake of my head. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and a lump swells in my throat from wanting to say so much more than just that one word. I don’t know how much is too much to tell her.
