Shaking his hand off, I clear all these thoughts I shouldn’t be having. His own eyes are serious, staring at me. Studying me.
Could he be feeling this too?
No, Bex.
I need to get this night back onto safer ground. Somewhere that isn’t the thought of Nick and me touching. Kissing. Giving in to what we’re both feeling, if his reaction is anything to go on.
“Are you ready for your date tomorrow?”
Whatever we were feeling, I snuffed it out with that one question. Nick settles back onto his heels, staring down at his hands.
“I guess so.”
“No,” I correct him. “You are. She’s a teacher, right?”
“She is.” Nick looks up at me, and I hate the look in his eyes. It feels like he really doesn’t want to do this, but knows it’s for the best.
Hell, the last thing I want to be doing is going out with my planned date, but it is what it is.
“You’ll do great. Plenty in common to talk about.”
“And if I turn into a bumbling idiot?”
“You won’t. And if you get nervous, just take a few deep breaths.”
“I don’t know why I’m not like that with you.”
I give him a reassuring smile. “It’s because you’ve gotten to know me. Pretend like you already know them so you have the confidence you do right now.”
“Confidence. Okay.”
I can see him psyching himself up, telling himself to have confidence. It’s such a contrast from the man I’ve gotten to know these last few weeks.
Nick is full of confidence on the ice. Like he knows he’s going to stop whatever comes his way. Off the ice is a completely different story.
But now that I know him, I can see his confidence in the little things he does. He doesn’t have to exude it all the time. It’s in the small touches. His words. His actions.
Nick Brooks-Young might be the most enticing, confident man I’ve ever met. And I have no hold on him.
“Listen, you should probably get going. I’ve got early meetings tomorrow.”
And if you stay any longer, I don’t know what I’ll do. Invite him to stay? Sleep in my bed? A quick fuck to try and get these feelings out of my system?
“Sure.” Nick stands, heading to the sink to wash his hands. “And hey, good luck on your date tomorrow too.”
“Thanks.”
Shutting the door, I collapse back against it. Everything is telling me this is a mistake. Going out with someone else tomorrow doesn’t feel right. But I agreed to this with Nick.ForNick.
Except now, he’s the only person I want.
Maybe I need a lesson in how not to fall for my player.
Chapter Ten
NICK
Bex
