Don’t get your hopes up, Abby. He’s probably going to the bathroom. Another door clicks, and disappointment that I’m right hits me like a tidal wave.
Well, I’m not going to beg him to spend time with me. Deciding I need to return to my room before he’s done in the bathroom, I whirl around and nearly have a heart attack because Nick’s right behind me.
“Hey. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He chuckles as he puts his hands on my shoulders. “Sorry it’s so late,” he says with a deep, gravelly voice. His hair is sticking up every which way.
I try to calm my racing heart. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
He tugs me to his chest and wraps his arms around me. “Sorry, buttercup. Fell asleep when I was putting Hazel to bed.”
Closing my eyes, I breathe in his sandalwood scent and try not to get emotional, but I can’t handle being jerked around. “Is this dumb? What we’re doing?”
He kisses my temple. “Probably. But I can’t bring myself to let you go.”
I swallow past the knot in my throat. “I feel like I should have a sense of self-preservation and move out.”
His hold tightens. Then he steps back, but moves his hands back to my shoulders and leans down to look into my eyes. “I know I’m not an easy man to be with, but don’t give up on me.” He shakes his head. “I just need some time to work through some stuff. Can you do that? Give me a little more time?”
I’d give him all the time in the world if I didn’t think I’d get my heart decimated in the end.
But my mom always says good things are worth fighting for, and I see so much goodness in Nick, from the way he takes care of his daughter to the way he always looks out for me.
I realize there’s no guarantee here. Nick’s made no commitment to me, but I also know he’s not a fickle man. And I trust him. I know he’s not carousing with other women like my ex did.
But more than that, I love him, and love doesn’t give up.
“I can give you more time. Just please don’t jerk me around.”
He nods. “I promise.”
I wrap my arms around him and listen to the beat of his steady heart. “Do you need to go to bed or do you want to come to my room?”
Nick has a game tomorrow, and it’s late, so I don’t get my hopes up.
He nuzzles my neck. “I was hoping I’d get an invitation.”
I snicker. “Is this a late-night booty call?”
“Only if you’re offering.” He presses his huge erection to my belly, and my eyes widen. “I mean, it’s been a while. Can’t blame me for being excited.”
Chuckling, I take his hand and lead him back to my bedroom. My small lamp is on, which makes me nervous. I’ve never worn lingerie for a man before. Will he think it looks dumb?
The lock clicks behind me.
His arms drape around my shoulders. “I’ve missed you this week.”
“You’ve been in my bed every night.”
“You know what I mean.” He turns me around and then… stares at my face.
“What?” I feel my cheeks heating.
He drags a finger under my jaw and down my neck. “You’re a beautiful woman. Do you know that?”
I stare down at my stockinged feet. “Thank you.”
He lifts my chin. “And I dig that you’re shy sometimes.”
Smiling, I shrug. “What can I say? I’m the whole package.” I mean that one hundred percent facetiously.
