Page 103

Chapter Twenty

Now

I wake from another nightmare with a start and sigh as I realize that I am safe in my bed. I sink back into my pillow.

“Good morning, baby girl,” Nix whispers as he rolls toward me and wraps his arm around my belly.

“Hey, handsome. How did you sleep?” Turning to him, I push my dream to the back of my mind.

“I always sleep great when I’m with you.”

“Mmm, me, too.”

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he prompts and opens his eyes, watching me carefully. I instantly feel nervous.

“Okay…what’s up?”

“What do you think about moving in with me?” My eyes pop open in surprise and I just stare at him, unable to say anything. “Shit, babe,” he curses. “Just forget I said anything, okay?”

I shake my head, partially to clear my thoughts and partially to reassure him. After the initial shock, I’m not so freaked out about it but I’m not sure I’m ready to say yes either. “Let me think about it, okay?”

He nods. “Absolutely. You take all the time you need, baby.”

I make a promise to myself in that moment that I can’t move in with him until I can say the words I know he’s dying to hear.

* * * *

“I have a surprise for you, baby,” Nix whispers in my ear. He steps up behind me so that his front is pressed firmly against my back, and I lean into him, my eyelids fluttering closed at his warmth.

“Oh, yeah? What kind of surprise?”

His arms snake around my waist and he nuzzles into my neck. He plants a kiss there and says, “A secret one. Come on.”

He grabs the mail out of my hand and sets it down on the counter. Putting his hands over my eyes, he begins guiding me through the apartment, whispering in my ear to help direct me. His warm breath washes over my bare shoulders and a shiver winds its way down my spine.

We finally stop and he pulls his hands away from my face as he says, “Surprise.”

Blinking in surprise, I look around my spare bedroom that houses all my art supplies, which have been unpacked. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re going to paint.” He nods toward the easel with a fresh canvas on it.

Apprehension fills me. I want to paint so badly that my body is twitching to reach out and grab that brush but I don’t think I could handle not being able to finish another one. “No, Nix. I can’t.” My voice cracks. I start stumbling back, trying to get away and save myself the heartache but his arms lock around me.

“Do you trust me, Em?” He presses up against my back and despite my reluctance, I melt into him just like I always do. He calms me.

“With my life.” It’s really not even a question. I trust him more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. He knows things I’ve never told anyone else.

“Fuck, baby. You can’t say shit like that ‘cause now all I want to do is forget about painting and make you deal with this.” He rubs his hard cock up against my ass.

I release a soft moan and whisper, “With my life,” fighting a smile the whole time.

“Jesus,” he sputters out on a laugh. “You’re such a fuckin’ smart ass sometimes, you know that?”

“I could be worse. I used to be worse.” His hands tighten on my hips.

“Right. That’s why we’re here. Time to get a piece of you back, Emma.”

I eye the canvas in front of me, fear and intense nervousness running through my body, leaving me rigid. “I…I don’t know if I can, Nix.”