“You can’t.” I climb off his lap and push his chest until he scoots up the bed and lays back. Seeing him relaxed like that, I’m hit with the certainty that I want nothing more than for him to stay the night. “It’s probably best if you give in and get comfortable.”
“Hmmm.” His voice comes out as a deep rumble, and the heat in my belly rises again, but I’m content to wait. My vagina really could use a break. She’s as unused to physical activity as the rest of me, and is suffering the effects of doing too much, too soon. “Come get comfy with me,” he says, pulling me down next to him. “It might surprise you to know this about me, but I’m a bit of a snuggler.”
I drop my glasses onto the nightstand before settling onto my side and resting my head on Nick’s chest. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me in closer, then drops a kiss onto my head and blows out a breath. Comfortable in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before, I tuck my face into his chest and inhale the scent of soap, and sweat, and man, andNicka balm to my senses. Any remaining fear I was feeling floats away, leaving me thoroughly relaxed. I melt into Nick. He’s even more cuddly than I thoughthe would be, and it’s wonderful. I press myself a little closer, relishing the heat coming off him as he holds me.
“Thanks for letting me stay over,” he mumbles into my hair. “I’m beat. I might not fall asleep on my feet while walking home, but why risk it? Even this semi I’m sporting is making me a little lightheaded.”
I chuckle, placing a kiss on his chest before I can stop myself. It doesn’t occur to me until after I’ve done it, that it’s a little too much like something one would do with a boyfriend. As much as I enjoy having Nick around, and as much as he makes me feel safe, I shouldn’t get used to this.Right?
“You think I’m joking? You wore me out, woman. I feel better since chugging water straight from your faucet, but some sleep would do me good. Especially sleep with you in my arms. I can’t think of anything that would make me feel better than that.”
I can’t either, and I’m a little concerned at how much I like the thought of it.Remember, Tina, you don’t want a relationship. Don’t get used to this.
I wrap my arm around his chest and squeeze, then throw my leg over his thigh, breathing a contented sigh. I suppose it won’t hurt to get used to it for a little while.
“So, Tina. Remember what I said earlier?” His breath is hot in my hair as he whispers the words. “You agreed to talk about dating.”
My chest squeezes and butterflies flutter in my belly. Being with Nick has been fun so far, but that means nothing. I bet my dad was fun a long time ago, too. But these days all he does is sit in his recliner, and let my mother wait on him hand and foot. I want nothing to do with that kind of life. I’m too busy with my restaurant, with my friends and hobbies, for that kind of relationship.
“Whoa, slow down. Your heart is racing. What’s going through your head right now?”
I suck in a breath, then blow it out, letting my lips make a flapping noise. “You’re a nice guy, and this has been so much fun.” I never knew sex could be so fun. “But I don’t date. I thought I mentioned that the other day.”
I feel more than hear him chuckle. “I recall you saying something about that, yes.”
“So…you understand?”
Another chuckle. “Oh, no. Not at all.”
“It’s just…” I blow out a huge breath and continue, “I don’t have time, you know? I work anywhere from ten to fourteen hours a day. I have hobbies I enjoy. I can’t take on a responsibility like dating.”
“Responsibility?” he scoffs. “Since when is dating a responsibility?”
“Ugh,” I groan. “You know what I mean. Maybe it’s more accurate to say I don’t do relationships.”
Nick tenses beneath me, and for some reason, it makes my stomach clench uncomfortably.
“Did someone hurt you, Tina?” He asks, his voice nearly a growl. “Was someone careless with your heart?”
My head snaps up and I take in the hard look on his face. “God no. It’s nothing like that. No. No.” He softens, and his lips turn up at the corners. “I’ve never let anyone get close enough.”
“So, what is it, then?”
I lay my head back on his chest and wrap my arm around him. “A couple of things, I guess. My mom has been trying to get me married off since I turned eighteen. In my family, the women get married and have babies. They stay home and look after their husbands and their children until they drop dead. I want nothing to do with that.”
“Okay?”
“All I ever wanted was to open my own restaurant, cook good food, and feed people.”
He laughs. “You’ve done that. Demetrius thinks I can’t tell, but he’s put on a little weight in the last few days, thanks to your cooking. I’m pretty sure it’s ninety percent cheese. He’s making insane gains in his weightlifting thanks to all the extra calories, but it’s making him slower in the ring.”
I laugh and dig a finger into his ribs, making him wriggle. “Hey. That’s not my fault. I asked him for healthy ideas, and he practically begged me to send over something cheesy.”
“Oh, believe me, I know. He hasn’t stopped talking about your food. I think he would move here if he thought he could eat your cooking all the time. He knows he’d have to retire from fighting to do that, though. He’s not tall enough to move up a weight class.”
“He proposed to me again when I dropped the food off yesterday,” I say. “It was hilarious.”
Nick’s gruff voice coupled with the tightening of his arms around me floods me with warmth. “He shouldn’t do that. It’s not professional.”
