Nick slowly lowers me to the bed, taking special care not to put his full weight on me, never breaking our kiss. He explores my mouth like he’s been here a million times before but wants to uncover something new. It feels familiar but is mixed with that brand-new thrill. The chills and butterflies are all present and doing a number on my senses.
With every moment that passes, each kiss we share, I feel myself falling deeper for him, my emotions swirling like a whirlwind inside me. It’s as if we’re creating our own little world, a place where nothing else matters except us.
He pulls back just slightly. “I…don’t have a condom,” he says breathlessly.
There’s something about knowing he came here without the intention of taking things further that makes my heart swell. It shows that this means more than that to Nick. What we have runs deeper than physical attraction. It’s there, absolutely, but it’s not all this is. We’re building an emotional bond that is so much greater.
“I had a vasectomy, but…I never followed up to confirm it worked,” he admits, looking sheepish.
I grimace at what comes next. “It wouldn’t be a good idea,” I admit. “I’m not on birth control because…well…”
He presses his lips to mine, cutting off my awkwardness.
“I think we both know that a baby is not in our plans.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. No babies.”
Nick falls over to his back on a groan. “I could run to the corner store,” he says, but a thought occurs to me.
Lanie’s here, and if anyone would come prepared for anything, it’s her.
“I’ll…be right back,” I say, refraining from explaining my plan.
It’s going to be embarrassing enough to ask her, knowing she’ll be right across the hallway, knowing exactly what we’re doing.
And that thought has me stopping before my hand has even touched the knob. I turn back to Nick, teeth clenched and forehead wrinkled.
He laughs. “Having second thoughts about asking Lanie?”
My eyes widen. “How did you…”
His head tilts and he grins. “If you’re leaving this room, it’s for one thing, and Lanie seems like the best chance.”
“But then she’d know, and it would be weird…right?”
His eyes roam over my body and darken. “Personally, I don’t give a damn who’s across the hall and what they know.” His shoulder does a half shrug. “But I want you to be comfortable. So it’s your call.”
My head falls back, frustration mounting.
I’m an adult. I shouldn’t feel awkward about this.
“Fuck it,” I say, recognizing that I’ve just let the mother of all curses slip, as I make my way through the door and across the hall, Nick’s laugh following me the whole way.
I lift my hand to knock, and it swings open before I’ve had a chance. Lanie is decked out in a ruby, long-sleeved satin jumpsuitwith a deep V-neck, banded waist, and tapered pants. She’s already taller than me, but the nude, open-toe pumps have her towering over me.
“Going somewhere?” I say, eyeing her up and down.
She pops out her hip, pulling her nude clutch against her chest. “I didn’t come all this way to sleep.”
“I’m not trying to sound like your mother, but I don’t like the idea of you roaming around New Orleans by yourself.”
She rolls her eyes. “First of all, if I had a mother worth mentioning, you’d sound just like her. Secondly, I’m going with Adeana.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Ah, that’s…fun.”
She nods enthusiastically. “She has the hookup to some incredible club. Nina’s passed out, and you’re…well…preoccupied. Figured you wouldn’t even know that I’m gone.”
I smile. “I’m glad to know you’re not going alone. Be safe.”
