He gives me a slow perusal from head to toe, as if to prove his point.
“Ugh, fine whatever. But we’re gonna need a pillow barrier.” I jump into action and set up all the pillows in a straight line down the middle.
Antonio moves around to the foot of the bed to check my work. “Well, that doesn’t seem really fair now, does it? I’m more than twice your size. I think we’re gonna have to redistribute the pillows.” He moves around me and places the line of pillows on the edge of one side, leaving me barely an inch of space.
“Very funny. Stop being a little shit and get in bed.”
“Bossy,” he whispers loud enough for me to hear.
I get under the covers and rearrange the pillows again.
The second the mattress dips under his weight, the bed shrinks.
And when he places both hands behind his head casually while smiling at me, I realize just how dangerous this setup is.
“Sorry, but there are way too many pillows. I’m gonna have to get rid of a few of these.” He grabs a pillow, but I stop him before he can remove it.
“Absolutely not.” My voice comes out breathless, as if I’ve just run a marathon.
He challenges. “I run hot, so either we get rid of a few of these, or the next thing coming off are my sweatpants.”
I have a pillow flying toward his face before he even finishes the sentence.
“The pants stay on, you little exhibitionist!”
He laughs as he removes another pillow. “Oh, you’re one to talk. You’re basically lying next to me in lingerie. What have I done to deserve such torture?” He pouts.
“Stop that.” I point at his face.
“What?” he asks innocently.
“Stop trying to be cute and flirty. This is not the time for those kinds of antics. We’re just going to sleep in this very comfortable bed, then wake up in the morning and do a bunch of friendly activities, okay, sir?”
“Wrong move calling me sir in bed.” He smolders.
“Oh my fucking God!” I throw myself back against my pillow and cover my face with my hands. I can barely panic in peace as Antonio laughs uncontrollably.
I feel the bed shift just as he peels my hands away. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be good now. But I’m actually being serious. With no air conditioning and all these pillows, I’m going to be up all night sweating. Which I have no problem doing under other circumstances, but I don’t think that’s on your agenda for the night.” He winks and gives me that smile that makes his dimple pop out.
“I knew you were the absolute worst. But this is just next-level cruel, Tony.”
In an instant, his smile drops, sobering us both immediately.
I don’t understand why calling him Tony changes his demeanor. When we decided to have a clean slate, I thought that meant the Tony ban was lifted, but I guess not. Truthfully, it’s a welcome reprieve from the sexual tension that was building up inside me, so I take the opportunity to get us back on track to go to sleep.
“Okay, fine. But this pillow stays.” I smack a pillow right between our lower bodies. A chastity pillow, if you will. I turn to shut off the light on my nightstand and cloak my side of the bed in darkness.
Antonio takes the hint and does the same. We lie in silence for a few minutes. I’m convinced he’s fallen asleep until he speaks. “Just so you know, you can call me Tony now.”
I smile so widely into my pillow.
“Okay. Good night, Tony.”
“Good night, Nicolette.”
15
Nikki
