“What do you mean? They were the first team we watched when we moved here. It’s nostalgic.”
She started moving further into the room until she was nearer to me and poked me with her finger, “I need to educate you.” She smiled a knowing grin. She turned away, her steps moved a little quicker when she saw the cup on the cabinet, “Ooh, coffee. You’re amazing.”
She dropped her arse back onto the edge of the mattress and sipped her coffee, “So I didn’t think you’d be into sports. Who do you support?”I asked.
“Yankees.” She shrugged, “It was drummed into me by my dad. He was born in New York. Die-hard fan.” Her lips pursed as she lifted the coffee to her mouth.
“Well, it’s not like I’ve supported them all my life, I might be able to be swayed.” I muttered, as I smirked. “If it’s you that’s doing the coaxing, anyway.”
Our gazes locked, her head tipped back slightly as she stared up at me, “I think I can manage that.” A smile worked its way to her lips, “So what sports do you like? Soccer?”
“You mean football?” I challenged with my brow cocked.
“No, I mean soccer.” She smirked back.
“No, you mean football,” both brows now raised, “I never understood why Yanks call it soccer, we kick a ball with our feet, not throw it like a rugby player.”
“Because here we have football, so soccer separates it,” she answered, little know it all.
I shook my head, “Fucking strange. But your footballers play with their hands.”
She lifted her shoulder as she lifted her cup a little higher again, “They kick it as well, it is what it is.” She shrugged as she unfolded her body from the bed, I watched carefully as she made her way slowly over, stopped in front of me and tipped her head back slightly. A smile appeared on her luscious lips as I stared softly, relaxed. I knew we had to get out of here, and now. I needed to get her out of my space before I did something I shouldn’t.
“We need to go if I’m dropping you home first.”
She looked at the LED clock on the side. “Shit, yeah.” She drained her cup and held it out for me. “Thank you for thecoffee.” I took it back and gave her a quick nod before I sighed and turned away to take it through to the kitchen.
The soft footsteps alerted me to her presence, but as I turned back around, the way she looked at me had me backing away. “We should go.” I moved for the door and opened it. “Let’s go.”
We made it to her building in no time. She lingered in her seat for a second and turned her head to look at me, “Thanks, Gav.”
“No problem.” I nodded and looked from the side of my eye. She looked nervous. The air thickened around us as she leaned across and kissed my cheek.
“Is everything alright?” She asked carefully, not taking her gaze from mine. I wanted to mention last night. I wanted to voice what I was thinking, but I couldn’t. Like how we didn’t use protection. Stupid fucker that I am, but she felt so good around me, I didn’t want to spoil the moment. “Gav?” Her small voice was loud as my thoughts swirled around. “I really enjoyed last night.”
“So did I,” she looked away, “I better go because I’ll never make it to Roman’s otherwise.” I wasn’t sure what she expected, a kiss, a thank you… maybe a statement that I wanted to do this again - I did, but I wasn’t about to shout it from the rooftops, or even make that known. She didn’t even know me properly, and when she did, she’d more than likely run as far away as she possibly could. A little distance was the best idea. Still, something niggled at me, something about her that had me wanting to stick around. And I needed to deal with that without her crowding my space.
“I’ll see you soon.” I quickly nodded.God, I was a bastard.She did her best to hide the disappointed sigh from me, but I heard it anyway. She exited the car and closed the door, swiftly putting space between us, and without even a slight glance backshe walked across the tarmac to her building door. Her shoes hung from her fingertips at her side and her handbag hung from her other hand. I waited until she disappeared inside, and as soon as she did, I pressed the accelerator and revved the engine before I joined the traffic, heading for Roman’s.
I needed to shake whatever this feeling was before I went in there, because he’d pick up on it straight away. He always told me he knew me better than I knew myself, and he was right. I’d lost the ability to pull the wool over his eyes a long time ago. Even Paisley knew how to read me now, that was more dangerous.I couldn’t shout at her and tell her to leave it like I could Roman, he’d put me on my arse.
I parked up and stepped out and as I shoved the car door, it slammed shut. I didn’t mean to slam it, but I was irritated with myself. My eyes closed as I breathed in and out, I needed to get rid of this weird feeling before I got in there. I found the key from the bunch and let myself in. “Morning, party people.” I shouted through the house. I knew there’d be some hangovers around here this morning, and by some, I meant Nikki. My mood changed completely; it was a talent I had. It was the only way I could hide things.
Roman greeted me first with a fist bump. “Hanging?”He asked as he looked at me closely.
My head shook. I wasn't, because even though there was a woman taking up most of the bed, I slept well. “Maybe a little niggle in my brow, but that’s it.”
“Good. We’ve got some planning to do.”
“Okay, but couldn’t you have just told me later?” I answered as my brow tightened.“You don’t need me for this.”
“You're joking aren’t ya? This is Nikki’s idea.” His head cocked as a dark brow lifted, “Get you all in one place so it doesn’t have to be repeated.”
I rolled my eyes but nodded my acceptance anyway. I was going to find coffee as Nikki sidled up, “Karen is running late. She obviously stayed on after all of us.”
“We can wait for her.” Roman added. A cough from the top of the staircase had me turning my gaze upward, and I saw Paisley. My elbow found its way to the banister, I leaned on it and smiled. Paisley waved before she took slow steps down towards us. “Morning, guys.”
As she reached the bottom I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Morning. You’re looking swell,” I joked. Her lips pursed and the back of her hand found my chest as she smacked me lightly. “Okay, you look fabulous.” I corrected myself and she smiled then.
