Page 93 of Timelessly Ours

“You wouldn’t do that,” I challenge playfully.

“True. My signature move is a broken nose.”

I don’t let on that Grove upset me tonight. I know Royce will feel the need to defend me and it’s not worth his job. Much less add to his stress. “Well, if that’s the case, I’ve got you covered.”

“Oh yeah?” He scratches his chin and sits up on the edge of the bed, intrigued. “Come here. Let me see what you got.”

I hold his shirt up to my nose coyly and step between his spread knees. I let his hands roam up my forearms, squeezing my solid biceps gently. “Damn girl,” he whispers. “Let me guess, you don’t need a big strong man to defend you.”

“Oh, nothing like that. I’m just willing to take this one for you.” I wink.

He laughs and pulls me in for a languid kiss, tasting me, breathing me in.

“What, no chocolates?” I tease.

“No. Just us.” It’s a throaty response and I’m like putty.

“I like just us.”

“What’s the shirt for?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine.

“It’s not for you,” I say, admiring his chest shamelessly.

“Are you cold?”

“No,” I breathe.

He pulls on the knot of the towel, letting it fall between us on his lap.

His eyes drop to my breasts, and he swallows hard. I know he’s trying to control himself.

“You smell like me.”

Lust shoots through my body. Why are those words so arousing? “Do you like it?”

His lips graze under my collarbone. “I…love it.”

I’m shaking with lust and heat and a need I don’t know how to communicate.

“Tell me what you want, Nicky,” he murmurs against my skin.

“I want to know how to please you. What do you want, Coach?”

“What I want isn’t fair.”

“Try me.”

“I want you to sleep in my bed tonight. I want to torture you with infinite pleasure.” He brushes my lips with his. “And I really, really want to fucking taste you.”

I shudder with a desire I’ve never known. “You’re right.” The words are almost a whimper. “That’s not fair. Because I want that too.”

“Nicole.” It’s a warning but I don’t want to hear it.

“No. Please don’t think twice,” I beg. “I promise I’ll tell you if we need to slow down.”

He nods and stands. Twisting me and sitting me on his bed, then cupping my face. “I’m glad. But I was going to say that I don’t just want you here tonight. This is where I want you every night. In. My. Bed.”

I gasp softly and he strokes my hair tenderly. “The other night after you shared your past with me, I couldn’t sleep knowing you were alone in the dark in another room. I know it doesn’t make sense, but I want you here. I’ll sleep on the floor if that’s what it takes, but never in a separate room—”

---