Never again!
My arms clutched him like he was my purse on the El. Nick was the only place I truly felt safe and I’d forgotten how good it felt. He lifted his head, but didn't let me go. His body felt so good.
"You're sure?" he asked.
I nodded in a daze. "Move in with me?" It was all I could think of. The words flew out of my mouth before my brain even processed them. That was too much, too fast. He'd never agree. I'd pushed my luck. The heart was talking and I didn’t want to take it back.
"Not in your dad's building," he replied. He was smiling at me. I loved that smile.
What? Was that a yes? "Okay, we'll find a new place together."
He nodded. Nick was finally smiling at me. "How much of your red lipstick do I have on me?"
I laughed, trying to stop crying, as I wiped off the lipstick I’d smeared on him with every kiss. He wasn't going to torture me with guilt or humiliate me. He wasn't going to make me pay or beg.
"All better," I said.
"Good. Let's go." He grabbed my coat and his, pulling me by the hand out the door.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"My little brother is at my place for holiday break so I guess we’re going to your place. I’m getting you alone one way or another." Nick didn't stop walking for a second, even when applause rang out from his employees.
I just smiled and kept up with him. Suddenly everything fell into place.
~* * *~
When Nick got something in his head, it was impossible to get it out. He took my keys, drove my car, and parked it in my own building without a word.
Normally, I hated it when other people drove my car. Once I loaned it to Marina, but that was a special occasion. She drove it when I was too drunk too, of course. Nick had been the only other person to drive it ever. Somehow, it felt sexy to have him driving my car. I couldn’t explain why if I tried. I liked it.
Instead of annoying, it felt like a dream to have him behind the wheel. To have him back with me. I didn’t care where we went. His place, my place, or a hotel. As long as he was there too.
I kept touching him to make sure I hadn't lost my mind. This was really happening. My fingers knew his body by memory. The texture of his hair, the muscles in his arm, and the roughness in his hands were familiar and exciting. The memories flooded back happy now, no longer painful. It was just the beginning.
The fact that we were headed to my building was a great relief. I rested my head on his shoulder and inhaled. Same cologne mixed with the smell of grease and sweat. He must still work on cars even though he was the boss. I could see the grease on his hands.
"Falling asleep on me?" he asked.
"Not yet." I grinned. "You smell good."
"You always were weird. I like that, Lori." He turned off the engine and kissed my forehead, nose, and mouth. Then, rather reluctantly, we exited the car.
We boarded the elevator alone, thankfully. My hands were under his warm winter coat and up his back in no time. Nick's fingers sank into my hair as I kissed his neck.
It was a fast elevator or I’d have pushed for more contact. One day we’d try sex in that elevator. I didn’t want experimentation now. I just wanted to be alone with him. I longed for that familiarity.
"You never were patient," he laughed. The elevator stopped and I pulled him toward my door.
"Don't I get to meet your friends?" he asked. “You can’t hide me anymore.”
I glanced down at my watch. "It's only four o'clock. They'll both still be at work. Later, if you're not too exhausted." I grinned and pushed him into my apartment. I wanted to be alone with him first. Then I’d show him off. I knew he was worth it.
The door closed behind us and Nick stripped my coat off of me before anything.
"You like it, don't you?" I turned around so he got the full effect.
He didn't say anything as he removed his own jacket and closed in on me. Before I could say anything, his hands were on me. He went down my neck, back, hips, and thighs. I shivered under his touch.
"Your legs are cold," he whispered.
"No pantyhose." I shrugged.
Nick knelt down and used those rough hands and warm mouth to heat my legs slowly all the way up. Did he have any idea what he was doing to me? He was so close, I'd bet he could smell how wet I was.
"Are you trying to drive me crazy?" I moaned.
Nick didn't say a word. He bunched my skirt up around my waist to get a look the red thong I had on. "Who's driving who crazy?" he asked.
I grinned and suddenly found myself over his shoulder like he was a Neanderthal. "What are you doing?" I squirmed and tried to brace myself.
He didn't answer me as he marched into the bedroom and dropped me on the bed. He tugged away the blouse and the see-thru black bra I had on underneath seemed to meet with his approval. Nick’s hands groped my breasts through the bra like he’d never seen them before. It’d been so long that neither of us could wait. Finesse would come later.
It was my turn. I pulled off his t-shirt and unzipped his jeans, pushing them down to his knees. He tried to kick off his work boots standing up. I threw him off balance and brought him onto the bed. I made quick work of his shoes, socks, and jeans.
My hands worked up in his legs now, to his underwear. He had the great ass and nice legs for the boxer-briefs he had on. That red color on my nails looked good against the gray cotton as I traced and teased his swollen package.
"Come here," he growled.
I glanced up, innocently. My fingers ran up his chest and he grabbed me so I landed flush against him. A glorious feeling.
Nick kissed me while unhooking my bra. I responded by grinding my hips into his. I reached down and pushed his underwear down. My mouth followed, down his chest, over his flat stomach, until I nipped his narrow hip.
"Now you." He nodded.
I glanced down and realized wanted the thong gone. "You don't think it’s sexy?"
"You'd be sexy in granny underwear to me. Now get out of them and those insane shoes before you stab me or fall and hurt yourself." He reached and pulled the thong down, didn't get far before the material snapped back.
I finished the job, even getting rid of the shoes that made me feel like Jessica Rabbit, and killed my feet. He thought I'd be sexy in anything. I fell back onto him, my mouth teased his cock and that familiar taste of him reminded me just how long it had been.
"No games," he warned. Nick pulled me up to me and pinned me with a quick flip. The deep kiss and sudden warmth zapped all thoughts away.
"You're really sure you want me back?" he asked with a grin.
I dug my fingernails into his back and arched my back, trying to push him beyond teasing. "Damn, Nick. Please," I demanded.
"See, I did make you beg." Nick pressed his cock against my pussy, rubbing along the inner folds until I was biting as his neck while my hips matched his.
Nick's mouth caught mine and my eyes opened. I couldn't look away. He watched my eyes as his sunk into me slowly. I'd never felt so wonderful and so vulnerable in my life. And it was so familiar, like we’d never been apart. This feeling should last forever.
"Nick," I whispered. He kissed me and our bodies took over. It didn't take long for both of us to hit intense orgasms.
"Next time you won't get off so easy." He nibbled my shoulder as he stayed on top of me.
"As long as there are a lot of next times, I don't care." I stretched and he responded by rolling over. The most I could manage was to snuggle against him. He’d sucked out all of my energy. "I'm starving."
He laughed. "Same old Lori. Eats like a horse and still too skinny." Nick's hands ran over me taking inventory. “We’ll have to stuff you with food.”
"I ate almost an entire half gallon of ice cream last night."
"That's a start." He reached over on the nightstand and grabbed the phone. "What do you want?"
"Chinese." I smiled and at some point must have drifted off to sleep. He knew what I liked.
>
Half an hour later, the doorbell was ringing. I found Nick had fallen asleep too. I remembered the food and jumped out of bed.
Nick groaned, still mostly asleep, while I tugged on Nick's t-shirt and a pair of pajama shorts from the hamper. I needed money and dug through Nick's jeans for his wallet. I fished out a couple of twenties.
I made it to the door, got the bag loaded down with food and gave a big tip. Seconds later, I had the cartons on the table and Nick and I were refueling.
He was still naked, he looked good naked. Most men didn’t look great naked. He did. I had no intention of letting him get dressed all weekend unless, of course, I let him meet Marina and Jen.
I'd finished off my second egg roll and grabbed some beers from the fridge when he pulled me into his lap. I didn’t resist for a second, still I had to toy with him.
"Can't wait until we're done eating?" I teased.
"I was getting cold." He took the beers from my hands and set them on the table before his hands slipped under my shirt. Nick cupped my breast and held me to him. Instantly, I wanted him again.
Nick began kissing my neck and gently pinching my nipple. He knew what I liked. It was an amazing sensation to be with a man who knew just what I wanted. I got comfortable on his lap and sipped my beer. I hadn't had one in years, but it tasted good. Just like Nick.
I heard voices in the hall. "Marina and Jen must be home. If you're good, I might let you meet them later." I nibbled him and wiggled in his lap.
Nick kissed me. I could feel his reaction to my efforts already. The voices outside seemed to get louder, distracting me. I focused on kissing him and getting him harder and harder.
Before I could suggest Nick and I take dinner into the bedroom, I heard my front door open.
"Oh my God," Jen said from the doorway.
Shit! I'd left it unlocked after I got the food. I tried to get up out of automatic reaction. Nick held me to him for obvious reasons. He had nothing to be ashamed of, just more modest than some would give him credit.
I looked over and saw Jen blushing bright red and Marina smiling at me. Clearly, they hadn’t expected this.
"Sorry, Lori." Marina gave me a knowing wink. "We're going to see a movie and wanted to invite you along. I see you have other plans. Hi, Nick. You should lock your door if it’s naked time. We'll go." Marina pulled on Jen's coat as she stared.
"Hi, Nick." Jen let herself be tugged away by Marina, but her eyes were on my man.
Marina closed the door behind them and I barely heard my two best friends break down into laughter over my own. I scampered to lock the door, put the chain on, and bolted it. “Sorry about that.”
As if reading my mind Nick was already half at attention for another round in bed and picked up the cartons and headed for the bedroom.
I pulled off the shirt and the shorts, grabbed the beers and followed him. This naked thing wasn't so bad. I just had to remember to lock the door.
I climbed back into bed and kissed his cheek softly.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Nick dumped a packet of soy sauce into the fried rice. He hated soy sauce, but knew I loved it.
We were an odd couple. Screw odd. We were happy.
Chapter Fifteen
Jen’s Decision
I'd gone all out for our third week wrap up. The problem of Tim had by no stretch of the imagination been solved. I wasn't going to let that ruin Lori's happy news.
Marina and I knew, of course. She and Nick were back together in a big way. No thanks to her telling us. We'd walked in on the very happy couple in afterglow. Still, we hadn't heard the details of how it all worked out and curiosity was killing me. A happy ending for someone, please.
The coffee table was set for a celebratory dinner. We never seemed to eat at the actual table anyway. I'd made chicken Marsala and had the wine breathing when Marina knocked and entered carrying a large bag.
"What is that?" I asked.
"I told Mom about Lori and Nick and she went cheesecake crazy." Marina set it on the island like it weighed a ton and then pulled it from the large brown bag. The circular tray was twenty inches at least.
"We’re not throwing a party. How much cheesecake does she think we can eat?" I joined her at the island and sized up the tray versus my refrigerator.
"Lori’ll be taking home whatever is left. Mom and Nick agree she needs fattening up, consider it a conspiracy." Marina took the lid off the massive cheesecake. "There is a quarter of every type of cheesecake they make, from chocolate to strawberry and everything imaginable."
"Wow. They look amazing. I may just have to sample them all. Your mom is too good to us." I poured two glasses of wine and handed Marina one. “Maybe Lori’ll be too excited for her share.”
"Still depressed about Tim?" she asked.
I knew she knew it was true. She asked to be nice and supportive, what were friends for?
I shrugged. "I don't even know what to think. He’s stopped calling me. I thought I’d be relieved. I'm half hoping he'll give up."
Marina took a seat on the couch and nodded. I hated when she nodded like that. There was nothing I could read into that nod, but it made me think. It felt like my mother’s eyebrow raise—I tried to figure it out.
"At least your plan came through for Lori and Nick. I’m really happy for them." I sat down too. “I’m so relieved it worked out for her.”
"That was the whole point. I don't have any regrets. I talked to Lucas. I know that he wasn't the right thing for me. And the Seth crush will fade now that I’m tired of trying to flirt or get attention without results. Bring on thirty." Marina drank. I wasn't totally convinced she meant what she said about Seth.
"I guess. I mean I don't regret Brian. It wasn't meant to be, obviously. Now I know why. Tim was an unexpected sidetrack. I don’t know why it’s still bugging me." I rubbed my forehead trying to get him out of my head. “Why can’t men make it easy?”
"No law says you can't give Tim another try," Marina reminded. “It’s not an all or nothing prospect. You can just give him a chance, a date whatever. Tim isn’t part of the plan so you can’t succeed or fail. If he’s bugging you this much, Jen, just try it.”
“You threatened to have him fired and yelled at him.” I pointed out.
“We were both pissed at him that day. Now, get the whole story. You can’t punish him really good unless you’re around him to inflict it.”
"True. I’m not sure how I feel. Do I want to go to that much trouble just to be mean?" I wanted a different subject. "Any progress with Seth?"
Marina's face went blank and she shrugged her shoulders. "Not really. He's just a customer. It's a crush on my end and it'll go away."
"Hasn't yet," I reminded.
Marina shrugged. "It will. It has to, eventually."
"Hi, hi!" Lori burst into the room with a champagne bottle in each hand.
"Hi!" I replied. I did my best to sound upbeat and happy, like Lori.
"Glad you could join us," Marina teased.
"Hey, I wouldn't miss this for anything. Well, almost anything. I won." Lori opened one of the champagne bottles with a practical hand and poured generously. She handed out more alcohol.
"Won? I didn't realize it was a competition." Marina frowned.
"I didn't mean it like that. I was competing with myself. I did it. And it worked! I won him back. I did it." Lori toasted herself, downed a flute of champagne, and refilled her glass.
"Are you sure you should let him out of your sight tonight?" I asked. “He might rethink it when you’re hung over and puking on him tomorrow.”
"He's out with the boys from the garage." Lori waved. "We love being together, and we're not completely co-dependent. I refuse to be one of those women who abandons their friends as soon as they get a man. I owe my happiness to you guys. And I’m not going to get that drunk. I was promised a great dinner to absorb it all. I’ve landed my man so I can let my figur
e go."
"Glad to hear it. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of Nick. Though hopefully with clothes on." Marina winked at me, and I blushed.
Seeing Nick like that had made me laugh all the way to the movies, luckily we'd gone to a comedy because that was burned on my brain. We hadn't gotten a view of anything really but it had still made an impression.
"Actually, we're going to move in together," Lori said proudly.
"Good, then we'll be seeing lots and lots of him." I nodded.
"Nick won't live here," Lori corrected bluntly. "My dad owns the building and he won’t take any charity from my dad. Don't worry. I'll still see you guys. We're going to find a new place that's all ours."
Marina smiled. "Wow."
"Wow what?" Lori put her hands on her hips. “Thought I wouldn’t do it?”
"Wow, did you do complete a one-hundred and eighty degree turn? And you seem so calm about it. What about Mommy and Daddy's holiday affair?" Marina mocked in a snobby accent. “Shall Nick’s presence be amiably tolerated by the filthy rich set?”
"We're going. You're both invited with guests, by the way. Nick could use some friendly faces. Mom and Dad won't make too much of a scene there, and if they accept it, they'll let me know."
"And if they don't?" I asked.
Lori shrugged and shook her head. "Fuck'em. I don't need them. I make enough money, if they want me in their life, they’ll accept Nick too. If they don’t accept him, then too bad. I've never been this happy or free. If they don’t like it, tough."
"Good for you! Does Nick have any brothers? You might be able to share the wealth." Marina raised an eyebrow and finished off her wine and started in on her share of the champagne. “We could use some good cute men around here that don’t lie about their name.”
"Nick only has one sister and no brothers." Lori waved off the question like she'd snagged the last Kennedy. “He’s all mine.”
“Things with Seth not going well?” I felt she was holding something back. Odd for Marina to bring him up, then stay quiet, so I mentioned it again.
Marina shrugged. “Nothing good. I’m good at being alone. It’ll go away.”
"One out of three isn't bad." I shrugged. Marina’s original goal was accomplished. I could tell she wasn’t overly happy. Seth was such a mystery man there wasn’t anything to say.
Best in Bed Page 19
