Page 48 of Bad Boy Next Door
I’d eaten all I could, so I carried my plate to the sink, resting there for a moment, leaning on the cool tiles as I gathered my courage. It was time to make my apology.
I turned and leaned back against the sink. “About what happened earlier… I want to explain what was going on in my head. I must have seemed like a nutcase or something.”
Nick raised his eyebrows as he folded his remaining strips of bacon into a piece of buttered toast, then chomped down.
“When I said I was scared”—I took a sip of my beer—“I wasn’t scared ofyou, per se. You didn’t do anything I didn’t want, and I know you’d never hurt me…” I don’t know how I knew this, but I did. “It’s just that I’m not a relationship kind of person. I don’t know how…” I shook my head. “I just. While we were doing it, it seemed like you maybe wanted something more to happen between us, beyond the sex and…”
He wouldn’t look at me now. Shit, this was hard. I was making it worse.
I walked to the edge of the island, only a few feet from where he sat at the table, looking so hot and manly as he finished his bacon sandwich. On top of everything else, watching him eat my food was a massive turn-on.
“What I need to say.” Looking down, I licked my dry lips. “I want to say, to tell you… I mean, you looked hurt when I said I wanted to keep things casual and, um—”Shit. Here goes.“I want to take that back. If you’re in, I’m in, too.”
His head lifted like he wasn’t quite sure what he’d heard, but he still wouldn’t look me in the eyes.
I went all in. “I like you, too, Nick. Like a lot.” As the words released, I felt alive, free. I stared at the toe of my sneaker, fighting off a giggle that was bubbling up from inside me. I didn’t know why I’d been so nervous. Nick clearly liked me. He’d made that obvious. He’d even said it, hadn’t he?
Expecting to see that adorable smile, or better yet, lust in his eyes, I glanced up.
He looked uncomfortable, maybe horrified.
It was a punch to the gut.
I staggered back into the fridge, and the handle dug into my back.
“Jade.” He rose from the chair.
“Shit.” I shook my head. “I totally misread things, didn’t I? Casual sex is fine.” I’d take anything he’d give at the moment.
“You didn’t misread me. I want the same thing. I do. I want it.” He stepped forward. “I wantyou, Jade. So fucking much.”
I exhaled, feeling lightheaded, deprived of oxygen. “Thank god,” I said. “The expression on your face just now?” I walked toward him. “You fucking scared me, you asshole.” I playfully punched him in the chest.
He grabbed my arm. “But Jade.” His expression was serious again. “I need to tell you something first.”
“Okay.” My fluttering stomach started to churn. “Are you married? Dying of terminal cancer?” My chest froze. “Shit. You aren’t, are you?”
A short chuckle erupted from his broad body. “No. Not dying. Or married. But. Well. I need to just come out and say it.”
“Say what, Nick? Spit it out, because I want to fuck.”
His cheeks pinked, and his eyes darkened with lust.
I lifted my eyebrows a few times. “Ever do it in abed? Or is that too kinky for you?” Chucking at my own joke, I pulled off my T-shirt, revealing my bare breasts.
His eyes widened, staring straight at my chest, but instead of taking me in his arms, he moved back. A forced-looking grin appeared on his face. “You know, it’s actually kind of funny when you think about it.”
“Then share the joke.” I circled one of my nipples with the lip of my beer bottle, and my bud turned even harder against the cold glass. “’Cause I’m ready.” I moved the base of the beer bottle between my legs, the coolness contrasting with my heat. “Or maybe you just want to watch?” I pressed harder with the bottle, putting much-needed pressure against my clit.
He shifted, and my eyes went straight to his package. That part of him was ready and willing, even if the rest of him wasn’t.
“What is it?” I set down the beer bottle. “Enough already. Spit it out.”
“I’m not the Nick you think I am.” His words shot out like a bullet.
“Isn’t that a line fromStar Wars?” I asked. “I’m not the Nick you are looking for.” I grinned. So what if his name wasn’t Nick? “You undercover? In witness protection?” Grinning, and cupping my bare tits, I stepped toward him.
Then I stopped.
