I open my eyes to find him smiling, his face so close to mine. “Did what hurt?”
“Admitting the truth.”
Yes.
It’s not because I like Nico, but because I shouldn’t.
“Just take the win,” I chide.
Nico barks a laugh and then groans in pain. I slide closer to his body, grip his scruffy cheeks in my palms, and press my thumbs into his cheekbones like I did previously.
“That’s what you get for being greedy.”
“Not my fault.” Nico pinches his eyes shut, and I start massaging his temples again.
“Then whose fault is it?”
“Yours, for being so damn irresistible.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere with me.”
“Says the gorgeous woman lying in my bed.” Before I can protest, Nico lifts his arm, drapes it over my waist, and tugs me closer to his chest as he buries his face into the crook of my neck. He inhales deeply and groans. “Fuck, you smell so good.”
“Thanks. It’s called a shower. You should try it sometime,” I joke, unable to help myself. I need to keep some levity here. I’m breaking all the rules I put in place when it comes to getting too close to Nico.
“Such a smartass.” His warm breath and the scruff of his cheeks tickle my neck, making my skin pimple and heat swirl between my legs.
“Sleep now,” I choke out, trying to calm my stupid, weak heart from softening any further for the man beside me.
With his large, warm body cloaked over mine, he whispers, “Good night, Savannah.”
“Good night, Nico.”
I’m not sure if seconds or minutes pass before I drift off to sleep, stroking my fingers through Nico’s hair to ease his discomfort, all while feeling safer and more content than I ever have before.
The heavy weight on my chest prevents me from rolling over, and my eyes fly open in fear.
What the…
Memories of last night come flooding back. Rushing out of my apartment to see Nico. His migraine. Taking care of him. His asking me to stay. Us holding one another as we drifted off to sleep.
I glance down the length of my body to find Nico’s head resting on the tops of breasts, his arms looped around my waist, and our legs tangled together as if we searched each other out, needing to be closer even in sleep.
He looks so peaceful asleep on my chest. Almost softer. No cocky attitude or sharp-edged shell to hide his true personality. It’s just Nico. He’s not a baseball god, like so many believe. He’s just a man who works hard, loves his family, and is as vulnerable as the rest of us.
I watch his eyelids flutter and am relieved to see that his golden complexion has returned. Gone are the wrinkles around his eyes and on his forehead as he fought through the pain of his migraine.
Unable to keep from touching him, I drag my nails through his hair, the motion not only soothing to him, but to me as well as the luxurious aroma of his body wash fills my nose, suffusing me with a sense of contentment.
I haven’t slept that well in ages. I have a sneaking suspicion it has everything to do with the hunky baseball player sleeping practically on top of me.
The serenity of the moment has tears stinging my nose as reality sets in. I’ll never have this moment with Nico again.
What the hell am I doing?
I’m getting too close to him. If I keep down this path, all I am going to do is end up falling for him, which will lead to getting my heart broken, just like it did for Charlotte.
Shit, Charlotte.
