*Nick*
When I suggested we go back to her place, Shannon looked at me like I was crazy. But she said okay, and then said she had to go to the restroom. I was waiting for her when AJ strolled over, drink in hand. Glancing behind him, I saw a cute redhead following him.
“What’d you do, scare her off?” he asked, and I wondered if he was getting drunk.
“Not hardly, man,” I said, leaning back and stretching. “We’re going to her place.”
AJ raised his brows and looked at me as though I’d grown an extra head. “Um, Nick, are you sure about that?” he asked.
“What’s wrong with her? She’s fun.” The older brother act he and the others gave me was really getting old.
“Sure she is, but...” He shook his head. “Whatever, man. Just be careful.”
“Always.” I glanced at the babe standing behind him. “That goes for you, too.”
AJ smirked. “Yeah. Later, man,” he said. Over his shoulder I saw Shannon coming back. “Hey, Shannon, it was great meeting you,” he told her, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. He was acting like she was the greatest woman in the world. “Lemme Nick know about that box for the Phantom, okay?”
She was smiling. “Sure thing. Great meeting you, too.”
I began to feel like I was intruding. They were gazing at each other, and suddenly it felt like I wasn’t even there. Standing, I stepped over and took her arm. “Yeah, I’ll see you later, man,” I told AJ. He always did that. Leading Shannon from the lounge, I threw my hand up at the security guard by the door. No matter he had a woman on his arm, AJ always had to flirt with the girls I was with.
“Um, Nick, that hurts,” Shannon said as we stepped outside.
Shit. Letting her go, I ran a hand through my hair. “Sorry.”
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Come on, I parked back here.”
*Shannon*
My arm still hurt from where his hand had clenched it. What was his problem? The look he’d given AJ would have made me fall on my ass. AJ hadn’t seemed too fazed by it.
Following Nick to the rear parking lot, I suddenly felt apprehensive. What was I doing? Going back to my place with a complete—albeit handsome—stranger. This was not like me.
Maybe it was because he truly seemed interested in me, or maybe because he was so different than anyone I’d ever met before.
When we stopped outside his car, he pulled me into his arms again, but this time there was no tentativeness to his kiss. He leaned me against his car, and just when I felt his arousal pressing against me he pulled away, leaving me dizzy and tingling.
“Let’s get outta here,” he whispered against my cheek.
I nodded dumbly. I couldn’t speak. I literally couldn’t open my mouth to say even one word. He opened the door for me and I got in, my knees shaking. Holy crap, what was I doing?
The ride home was quiet, but for me telling him when to turn. The apartment was a wreck. I hadn’t really cleaned in the last couple weeks. I was in a funk, remember? When he pulled up in front of the building and turned off the engine I touched his arm.
“Can you give me a few minutes? Just to straighten up a bit. The place is kinda unkempt,” I told him.
He smiled, nodded. “Sure.”
“Come on up in about fifteen minutes. Apartment 3D,” I murmured, reaching for the door handle.
He touched my arm, and I turned to look at him. “Don’t be too long,” he whispered, his fingers gently caressing.
I gulped. “Don’t worry.” Smiling slightly, I got out of the car.
*Nick*
Had to straighten up, huh? I smirked, watching her hurry up the walk and into the building. Sighing, I glanced out the window, seeing a little old lady walking a little fuzzy dog.
Was she going up there to do something else, too? When I got up there, would she be wearing a nightie or something? Was she lighting candles, turning on some soft music—
Get over yourself, man. She probably had to use the bathroom and pick up some trash. Had it been fifteen minutes yet? I hadn’t looked at my watch.
Oh well. If she wasn’t ready, she’d get over it. Just as I climbed out of the car a few drops of rain landed on my head. Hot damn. I love it when it rains.
Once upstairs, I tapped on the door and heard something bang.
”Ow, dammit!” she exclaimed, and I couldn’t help but smile.
She flung the door open. “Hey,” she said breathlessly. “Come on in.”
She’d changed, alright—into jeans and a t-shirt. Her hair had been pulled into a ponytail, and she was barefoot. I noticed her toenails were painted black. Black???
She took my hand and pulled me into the living room. A couple candles on the mantle were lit, and there was a very comfy looking couch facing the fireplace. A quick glance of the room and I saw there was a small TV in the corner, and it looked like it didn’t get used much. The main feature of the room was the baby grand piano by the window, and there was an open songbook on the stand. .
“How often do you play?” I asked, dropping onto the couch. Damn, it was comfy. Unbidden, an image of she and I snuggling here on a cold night in front of the fireplace appeared in my mind. I shook my head quickly, trying to clear it. I sure wasn’t looking for a new girlfriend. No matter how intriguing she was.
“A lot,” she said, and I realized she was standing in the doorway. “Not much in the last couple days, though. Would you like a drink? I have some coffee on.”
“Sounds great.” I gave her a smile, and she gripped the doorframe before heading away. Whoa, I was getting to her. Smirking, I leaned back and glanced around.
*Shannon*
In the kitchen, I nervously poured coffee into the mugs. Did he want sugar and cream? I’d take them just in case. Holy shit, I had a gorgeous man waiting for me in my living room, and all I could think about was whether or not he wanted sugar and cream.
Once I got the mugs and a couple spoons and the cream and sugar on a tray, I had to take a moment to calm myself. Taking a deep breath, I lifted the tray and went into the living room.
He was splayed out on the couch, his arms stretched along the back and his feet propped up on the coffee table. He was looking at the empty fireplace.
”Hey, you gotta move your feet,” I said with a smile, stepping to the coffee table.
“Sorry,” he said with a grin. Sitting up, he moved his feet and rubbed his hands together as I set the tray down.
“I didn’t know if you like sugar or cream, so I brought them both,” I said as he reached for the sugar.
“Just a little sugar,” he said.
Sitting on the end farthest from him, I held my mug in both hands, wishing I’d turned on the overhead light. All I had on was a lamp and the candles on the mantle. Taking a sip of my coffee, I eyed him over the rim of the mug. He was leaned over the coffee table, stirring sugar into his coffee. He looked relaxed, as though it were nothing for him to be in a strange woman’s apartment.
He was beautiful. Truly, beautiful. The soft hair, the smooth skin, those eyes. He looked as though he’d just stepped out of a Tommy Hilfiger ad and landed on my sofa.
Sitting back, he gave me that grin, sending a shiver down my spine. “So,” he began softly, lifting his mug.
I smiled, taking another sip of my coffee. Pulling my knees up, I balanced my mug on them and looked at him. “So?”
”Are you gonna kiss me, or do I have to make the first move?”
Holy shit. He was moving closer.
The closer you get
The more my body aches
One little stare from you
Is all it takes