Because he’s a sexy beast of a manwho isn’t as big of an asshole as you thought he’d be.
I roll my eyes at myself and watch Nico strut around the car. He might not be an asshole, but he is cocky…and sexy.
Damn, he looks good tonight.
In dark-blue jeans and a heather-gray long-sleeved Henley with the buttons open at his neck, Nico looks effortlessly handsome. The thick chain around his neck is hot as hell. I kind of want to tug it. His dark hair is combed back in a way that’s neither messy nor neat, making it look like he just climbed out of bed.
My cheeks heat as thoughts of him in bed, my fingers tangled in his black tresses as he kisses my neck, rush through my head.
The temperature in the car shoots up ten degrees as Nico smoothly slides in beside me and starts the engine.
I stare out the window, trying to get my breathing under control, as he drives down the block and turns into the underground parking garage.
“You were engaged to that guy?” Nico mumbles under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Yep.” It’s hard for me to believe it too.
Saying yes to Bradley never felt right. I felt sick to my stomach until the moment I broke off the engagement. The anxiety and heaviness I was carrying fell away in an instant.
“You dodged a bullet. That guy is a douche-canoe.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “He is.”
Nico pulls into his parking spot and cuts the engine.
“Stay put,” he orders as he climbs out of the car, making my hackles rise in defense.
I know Nico’s being gentlemanly, but I don’t appreciate the gruff tone. Being ordered around bugs me. My knee-jerk reaction is to do the opposite. I blame all the years of being told what to do and how to act by my mother as the root cause.
Tell that to your nipples. My traitorous brain taunts me.
Looking down, I find said nips hard as diamonds, poking through my shirt like a strip of candy buttons.
I cross my arms over my chest and pray Nico doesn’t notice them, but when I look up, I find him smirking down at me. He totally noticed. Thankfully, he doesn’t acknowledge my situation and offers his hand for me to take. I ignore it.
Somehow, he’s still holding my carryout bag in his hand because, apparently, I can’t remember my dinner. My stomach growls in complaint. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He taps his phone, and as if called by magic, the elevator dings its arrival.
I really need to find out how he does that.
Nico ushers me into the elevator as he scans the garage for any signs of danger, and only when he’s satisfied does he step in beside me.
Nico Romero might look like a dark villain on the outside, but deep down, he’s not all bad.
I’ve seen him with his mother, and Talia always sings his praises. He saved me from burning down my apartment, selflessly came to my rescue, and is now making sure I get home safe.
I don’t know if I can handle a thoughtful and protective Nico. If he keeps being sweet, I won’t be able to resist him. I already find it hard not to think about him throughout the day.
Plus, that kiss…
I shake the memory away as his heady masculine scent fills the space between us and keeps me from fully letting it go.
I keep my gaze forward, too afraid to look at Nico. Too afraid to see in him what I already know is happening to me. We’re drawntogether. As if tiny invisible threads, woven around each other, are tugging us closer.
My skin prickles with awareness as the energy in the air shifts. I glance over to find Nico watching me. Again. Just like he did the first time we shared an elevator.
“You’re staring,” I scold.
