Chapter 14
Nova
Well, this is not the turn of events I thought would happen.
Kissing Chris some more? Sure.
Cano knowing about my more invasive involvement? Absolutely not.
It’s fine. Everything is totally fine.
Once we’re in my apartment, I park it on the couch, and my mind starts flying.
“Nova.”
I’m spiraling. It won’t take much for Cano to deem me a liability.
Shit. I shouldn’t have pushed to be involved. Or hell, I should’ve at least stayed in the fucking shadows, just giving a stupid signal. I know how dangerous the man is. This isn’t a surprise. And yet, somehow, I thought I would be immune? The non-humorous laugh that eeks out startles me.
“Nova.”
What a fucking idiot I am. I flew too close to the sun.
“Nova!”
“What?” I yell back, facing Chris. My eyes finally clear from the haze.
“Everything will be okay. I’ve got you, okay?”
The sincerity in his words does nothing to belay my concerns.
“It’s not like you can promise my safety. We both know Cano has tools and people everywhere. It’ll get to a point where I know too much, and he’ll get rid of me.” The truth of my words sinks deep into my bones.
I’ll die at Cano’s hand, just like Charlie did. I just hope I’m able to take Cano down with me in the process.
I nod to myself. It’ll be worth it if I can do some damage. My life for the cause, if you will.
“I don’t like whatever is going on in your head over there.” Chris interrupts my manic thinking.
“You don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
“But you’re planning. I know you well enough to know that involves revenge in any way, shape, or form. Do not do whatever is in your head right now.”
“I could be thinking about fucking you,” I counter, going for shock and awe, hoping it distracts this man who apparently knows me better than I anticipated.
“You aren’t.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I know what your face looks like when you’re turned on. When you are thinking about kissing me and doing more.” He glances at me with an arched eyebrow.
“And you just know everything, correct?” My eyes roll at his insinuation, however correct it may be.
“Nova.” Chris sighs. “This is getting into dangerous territory. I won’t have you in a position to get hurt. We need to tread carefully, especially if your stubborn ass is going to continue to come along for the ride. You were only meant to send me a signal.”
“I understand that. I accept all the risks of my so-called stubbornness.”
“You’re going to get us both killed, aren’t you?” The exasperation in his voice is clear, making me chuckle.
“Not if I can help it, Chris. Not if I can help it.”
We talk about nothing after that. Nothing of substance at least. The sun is just starting to come up for the day, but I’m crashing fast. I’ve been up all day, worked a full shift, and then all this shit with the artifact and Cano. The hours these men keep might kill me before Cano does.
“You need sleep.” Chris’s words jolt me out of my wishful thinking.
“I don’t know how you do these hours,” I mutter.
“Not willingly. I’m getting too old to do it every day, though.” The gravel in his voice should not be as sexy as it is, yet here we are. “I just hope it’s over soon,” he whispers.
His words tickle my brain. How could it ever be over unless Cano kills one or both of us? Does Chris have another plan I’m not aware of? It would be smart honestly.
“Thank you for including me tonight. I know it went against all your secret good-heartedness.” I turn around and smile at him.
“I think I have a problem saying no to you.”
My smile grows. “I’m not sorry. Call me if you see more people delivering. I’ll be good to go.” I head toward the kitchen when his hand snags mine.
“Where do you think you’re going?” The huskiness in his voice begging me to cross lines.
“I’m not sure. A snack?”
“Bedroom.” The seriousness on his face takes me by surprise. “Please,” he adds. “You’re exhausted.”
God dammit, nothing about this feels casual or like I’m playing him.
“Lead the way,” I whisper.
Our hands gravitate toward each other. It’s a pull neither of us seem to have control over, but it somehow leads us to my bedroom.
He stops us in front of the queen-sized bed that takes up most of my room and slides his hands up my arms to my waist. His thumbs hook under the hem of my shirt and slides it up and over my head.
My hands follow his lead, sliding up his torso, under his shirt, and feeling all his muscles he hides as the fabric of his shirt slowly rises.
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay up for the good stuff,” I murmur, mesmerized by his body.
“No stuff tonight. Or morning, I suppose. Just sleep.” His hands move lower, hooking into my leggings and pushing them down.
“Naked sleep?” I smirk.
“The best kind.” Chris leans forward, brushing his nose against my cheek, as my panties follow the same path as my pants.
I step out of both before leaning back. “You’re overdressed Mr. Roth.”
“So I am.” That devastating smile that makes his blue eyes sparkle makes an appearance as he unbuttons his slacks and drops them and his boxer briefs in one fell swoop.
“Damn.” My eyes go wide at not just the picture-perfect dick but his leg muscles. They’re that of an athlete, thick and heavy. Wildly attractive. I’ve never thought much about men’s thighs, but Chris is making them one of my favorite body parts now.
“Like what you see?”
“Don’t get cocky now. I don’t have the brainpower to shield how attractive I think you are.” I spin and faceplant onto the bed, moaning at the sheer softness of it.
“Jesus, your ass is a work of art.” Chris groans behind me.
I smile into the plush comforter before turning my head. “You’re the one who wanted to sleep naked.”
“Yeah, I didn’t really think this one through.”
I shift to my knees and push the covers back so I can climb inside. Shoving down his side, I look over at him. “Bed. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He slides in next to me within seconds.
Our bodies are parallel to each other. Both of us are frozen like bodies in a morgue.
That is until he shifts to his side, reaching for me and pulling me against him, my back to his front.
The telltale feel of his erection is almost enough of a distraction, but my eyes are getting heavier by the second.
Chris’s lips press against my shoulder before he whispers, “Sleep, Nova baby.”
And so, I do.
Better than I have since Charlie died.
I awake with a start, confused about where I am currently.
That is until I catch a whiff of the distinct smell of Chris.
That’s right. I slept with Chris in my bed, naked, and neither of us got orgasms out of it.
What kind of backwards shit is this?
My hand brushes against the other side of the bed but comes up empty.
My body jolts up from its cozy spot under the blankets.
“Chris?” I call out.
No answer.
“Chris?” I try one more time as I roll out of bed and hastily get dressed.
When I walk into the living area, I see there’s no one here and immediately get angry.
He left me.
The anger isn’t shocking, but the hurt is. I didn’t expect to wake up alone and feel a pit in the depths of my stomach. Has Chris wiggled his way in so soon? I’m supposed to have a handle on things, and yet here I am, after a naked overnight stay, with no sex and no companion.
What the fuck?
I have to get out of here. I don’t even care what he’s doing.
If he went to get something from the cave or if he’s with Cano, none of it matters.
What matters is getting the hell out of here before I lose all sense of my mission.
I need to get my head on straight and remember what I’m doing this all for.
It sure as fuck isn’t Oscar Cano’s right-hand man.
God, what am I thinking?
I grab my phone and wallet before stomping out, unlocking and slamming the door. He may not be here to take my rage out on, but the door is, so I’ll take it.
The next thirty minutes, I’m lost in thought as I walk aimlessly.
It doesn’t take me long to land in front of my door once more.
This is how I know my head is a mess. I made a giant circle around the city, just to end up back home.
Once I’m inside, I collapse against the front door and think about my options.
I could ignore Chris from here on out, but I doubt he would just let that slide. I know for a fact that Cano wouldn’t. I’m too involved to drop off the planet.
I could play along like my mind isn’t a fucking mess of confliction. This is most likely the best option to keep me alive. The one I should take.
Or I can spill my guts to Chris and pray that he really is the good guy I get to see glimpses of. Trust when he says that he can get me out and take the opportunity.
As desperately as I want to take option number three, I know it’s not safe to do so. I don’t know enough about Chris to trust his words completely. And if I’m risking my life for my brother, and for these artifacts, I need one-hundred-percent complete trust in Chris and his word.