Page 36 of Stick to the Deal
Undeterred, Reginald places the frame on the mattress and then walks to what is presumably a closet.
“Hey, Joseph Pulitzer, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Looking for a hammer.”
“Why?”
“I’m hanging your picture up.”
A burst of warmth shocks through my system. He actually likes them. Enough to want to hang them in our bedroom. He wasn’t saying it to be nice. Then again, have I ever seen Reginald do something just to be nice since I met him?
“First, you need special hardware for that.” His shoulders deflate. “Second, it’s after eleven. Let’s order a pizza and put on a show. We can pick up the wire hangers when we go furniture shopping tomorrow.”
At the word “pizza,” his stomach growls. An adorable blush stains his cheeks and a small smile tugs at his firm lips. I launch the delivery app and reorder my go-to pizza while he hops in the shower, then we settle in on the couch with my laptop to watch one of my favorite sitcoms and debate furniture placement. The clock strikes one as we crawl into the massive bed side by side, too tired to do anything but drift off.
It’s a completely uneventful night full of a normalcy I’ve never known before. So different from my typical NYC nights chasing excitement. Maybe I wasactually trying to escape loneliness, because this simple night at home with my husband is the best I’ve had in a long time. And that thought is terrifying. One best left alone. Tonight I’ve done enough unpacking.
Chapter 20
Dark Knight
My fingers fly over the keyboard as I try to type the last few sentences of the article. It’s silly. We don’t have a publication date. Hell, we don’t even have a theme for the magazine, but I feel behind. There’s this driving need within me to do something, write something down, but this frustrating blockage of words and ideas has me in a choke hold.
The door to my office opens and Nic floats in. She’s covered in skin-tight leather from neck to stiletto boot. She glares at me with one black tipped hand on her hip. “Why aren’t you dressed yet? They’ll be here any minute!”
I look down at my black suit, crisp white shirt, and gray tie. “I am dressed.”
She throws up her hands and stalks closer to my desk until she can sweep those gorgeous hazel eyes over my body. My cock twitches at the attention. Down, boy. There isn’t time, and a quickie is never enough with this woman.
“That is not a costume.”
“I didn’t agree to wear one.”
“It’s Halloween, for fuck’s sake! It’s assumed.” We square off, matching scowls warring with each other. The doorbell rings downstairs, and Nic gives in with a frustrated screech. She stomps around to lean over me and shuffle through my desk. She’s practically laying across my lap, her firm ass perfectly positioned for me to admire in the form-fitting outfit. My hand clenches and releases in an attempt to hold back from grabbing the tasty treat laid out before me.
Nic leans further into the drawer, her breasts grazing my arm. Another flash of desire rushes to my cock, now at half mast. Just as I’m about to give in and grab her, guests be damned, she stands up with a triumphant cry. Spinning back to the table, she scrawls something onto a piece of paper. Before I can catch a peek, she grabs my hand and hauls me downstairs to meet our guests.
In the entryway, Nic grips my lapels, tugging me closer. My eyes drop to her ruby red lips and I lean in. A sharp smack on my chest stops me short, and I realize she’s smoothing my jacket, not pulling me in for a kiss.
The last couple of weeks have been comfortable living with Nic. Shockingly so.
We’ve fallen into an easy routine. I learned early that she’s not a morning person, so I slip from our room and head to the gym. On my way back, I grab breakfast and coffee from her favorite cafe. The smell usually draws her to the kitchen, sleepy and adorably rumpled. We’ll both spend the day working on our own things, but always let the other know if we have a meeting. A late dinner and some TV before settling into bed.
It’s downright domestic. Unlike anything I’ve experienced. And so much like those sitcoms she likes that I often forget it’s a business arrangement. At best, we’re friendly roommates who happen to have sex. Fucking hot sex. Probably the best sex of my life. But I can’t forget there are boundaries.
Shaking myself, I open the door to reveal Daniel in a red and white striped shirt, jeans, and a beanie with his usual black-framed glasses. “What the fuck are you wearing?”
“A costume, asshole. It’s a Halloween party!”
“Told you.” Nic steps up next to me and taps me with her shoulder.
Daniel quirks a dark brow at me as he scans my outfit. “What are you supposed to be?” he asks.
I move to reply, but Nic interrupts me. “He’s batman.” She points to my chest.
“I’m not batman,” I start, then follow her finger to find a label which reads, “My name is Bruce Wayne.” I chuckle as I shut the door behind Daniel. She got me.
Quickly, more of our staff arrives, and the party moves into full swing. There’s laughter and chatter. This is exactly what I was hoping for, and it’s all thanks to Nic.
