Nick released a heavy breath that told me he was as pent up as I was. “Yeah, okay. But we can still get to know each other without fucking.”
God, I hated this, but I was going to respect it. I was a man of my word and I’d give him what he wanted.
“Okay. No fucking.” ACheshire Catgrin spread across my face at a sudden realization of the other things we could do other than that.
“Will you dance with me?” It was an excuse to hold him in my arms.
“To this music?” A playful glint in his eye suggested he was calling me old.
I raised one eyebrow. “Does the music really matter when the intent is clear?”
Nick seemed to understand what I was saying without crossing any lines. “I guess not.”
I stood from my stool and held out my hand for him. He took it and I pulled him close until our bodies were flush against one another. Nick slipped his arms around my neck and mine circled his waist. He rested the side of his head next to my stubbled jaw and we both released a weighted sigh. It was both a relief and torture to have him in my arms like this. For now, I’d take what I could get.
I lost track of time as we swayed in my dining room. When Nick pulled backand looked me in the eye, my heart beat erratically from his gaze. “This is happening really fast.”
“How so? We’ve known each other for over a year, and I talk to you at least three times a week.”
He shook his head as if I were dense. “That’s not the same thing, and you know it. I’m not a serial dater, Preston. You need to know up front I’m the guy that will want a committed relationship. Not a one and done. If I sleep with you, it’s because there’s potential for us to have something more together.”
“I understand. But if this project wasn’t between us, would you be in my bed tonight?”
The scorching heat in his gaze was answer enough. “No. You’d be in mine.”
Fuck, he was going to kill me with this waiting shit.
Our lips met in a claiming kiss that almost undid both of his right here. We had to stop before we couldn’t.
I pulled back and kissed his forehead. When I had my wits about me again, I could finally speak. “Just so you know, Mr. Reed, now that I’ve had my mouth on you, you’re mine.”
Nick smiled. “We’ll see about that, Mr. James.”
CHAPTER11
NICK
My excitement over the project,and this thing with Preston, had consumed my thoughts the following week. He’d been super busy at Bernardo’s and hadn’t been back to the bar since our Saturday night grilled cheese date. I wanted the chance to design that building now more than ever, and was intrigued by what he envisioned for his restaurant.
I knew I was playing with fire every time I talked or texted with him. Now he wanted my attention in every way possible, and I really wanted to give it to him. We were both on the same page now, and I missed seeing him.
Every time I glanced toward the door, Ben snickered at me. “Looking for someone, Nick?”
I shot him the bird, making the two guys sitting at the bar snicker. “No. Not really. Maybe.” I was a mess.
Ben sauntered over to me and threw his arm over my shoulder. He was grinning in his tight black Alejandro’s Bar t-shirt that hugged his chest like cellophane. “If I had a hot older guy demanding my attention, I’d be looking too.”
“You do,” rumbled the voice of none other than our boss.
He was definitely a handsome man, but ever since Preston had come along, I’d never paid much attention to him. But Ben had definitely noticed.
“Yeah? Hi boss!” Ben dropped his arm and grinned at him.
Alejandro smirked. “Definitely, Benjamin. I’m looking at you and wondering why you’re not working.”
Ben moved closer to him. “I am, boss. But I was checking on Nick here, who has his head on swivel, looking at the front door. Wanted to make sure he didn’t hurt himself.”
Alejandro snickered. “Yeah, if that’s what you’re going with, can you help me bring out more IPA for tonight?”
