48. Chapter 48
Lydia
Iwait for Nick to leave, then get up and walk to the bathroom.
I do my business and wash my hands, taking in my reflection once again.
This is the second time we’ve done this today, and I’m still not used to seeing this woman in the mirror: hair wild, lips swollen and red, chest flushed pink. I look hot.
Walking back into Nick’s room, I pull the shirt over my head. I don’t want to put pants on, so instead I grab a pair of his boxer briefs from the drawer and pull them on. I tie my hair up in a messy knot and head into the kitchen to see Nick.
Just as I round the corner, he meets my eyes, his own widening. “Fuck, you look good in my underwear. Damn.”
I preen under his praise and can’t help the blush that takes over. Nick hands me a glass of water and kisses me on the nose. I take several drinks, only now realizing how thirsty I am. My stomach grumbles too.
“I heard that. It’s a good thing I also grabbed dessert from the diner,” Nick says, grabbing spoons from the drawer and the two small containers from the cabinet.
I follow him back to the couch. He pulls the blanket over us again as we share a piece of chocolate pie and an apple dumpling.
We stay like this all afternoon, sometimes dozing off and on, Nick mindlessly playing with strands of my hair and me gently scratching his back.
We don’t talk much, both of us knowing that everything needing to be said is already being spoken through gentle touches and playful nudges.
After a few hours, Nick looks down at where I’m resting my head in his lap and says, “What time is your dinner with the girls? You don’t want to be late.”
I have no clue what time it is currently, and while a large part of me never wants to leave Nick’s couch, I am excited about a night with friends. “I’m supposed to meet them at six at the restaurant. What time is it now?”
Nick picks up his phone and shows me the screen. It’s nearly five, and I really need a quick shower. “I should get up. Do you mind if I use your shower? My boyfriend ravaged me earlier, and I don’t want to show up smelling like sex.” I realize a second too late what I’ve said.
“Boyfriend, huh? Is that what I am?” He leans down, kissing my lips once, then again before pulling back to look down at me, his expression playful.
I try to hide my embarrassment at the assumption, but before I can say anything, Nick pulls me against him, my chest flush with his.
“Baby, if you want to call me your boyfriend, I am so okay with that. Just know that to me, I am so much more.” He kisses me again and sets me on my feet, swatting my behind. “Go shower.”
He winks and looks back at the TV, like he hasn’t just inadvertently turned me to mush with his words.
I shake my head a bit, trying to clear the daze, and walk to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.
I step into the steam-filled shower, letting the hot water ease some of the ache in my muscles.
It’s the best kind of ache, being stretched and filled.
I stand here, letting my mind drift back to our afternoon, reliving the touches and soft-spoken words.
Looking down, I see the faint bruises scattered across my chest. I’m already so turned on, so I can’t help but slide my fingers between my thighs and plunge them deep into my entrance.
I pinch my nipple between my thumb and forefinger with my other hand.
And with only a few swift thrusts, I’m coming again.
I have to bite my lip to keep from crying out.
I stand for a bit longer, savoring the hot water, but finally convince myself to get out.
Once the water is off, I turn and grab a fluffy white towel from the rack.
I dry off and shake my hair loose from its clip.
I didn’t grab my toiletry bag before coming into the bathroom, so I have to run back into Nick’s room.
Opening the door, I find a bag sitting atop his bed.
Walking over, I grab the small note propped beside it.
“For Girls’ Night Out” is all it says. I reach into the bag and pull out a beautiful dark green dress.
It’s casual but so pretty, with wide ribbon straps and a short, flouncy skirt.
I pull the material to my face, loving how soft it feels against my skin.
Glancing down, I see there’s something else in the bag.
I pull out a stunning bra and panty set in the most beautiful black lace. I let out a bark of laughter.
This man.
I want to run out and tell him thank you, but I want to fix my hair and makeup first.
A little while later, I’m satisfied with my hair. I styled it into a high, artfully messy knot on top of my head since I want to show off the dress’ neckline. My makeup is subtle, but obviously there.
I slide into the bra, panties, and dress, then walk over to the full-length mirror in the corner of Nick’s room.
I can’t help but smile at the woman looking back at me.
She looks beautiful. The dress fits perfectly.
I grabbed a pair of simple brown leather sandals from my house yesterday, and they go perfectly with the dress.
Giving a little twirl, I step out to get Nick’s reaction.
Walking into the living room, I hear him on the phone with someone, his mom, I presume. I don’t want to interrupt his call, but when his eyes find mine, he stutters as though he’s forgotten what he was going to say. His eyes go wide.
“Wow,” is all he says.
I give him a spin, the skirt swirling around my legs, then pause with one hand coyly on my hip. Nick’s jaw drops, his expression caught somewhere between admiration and desire. I relish the delicious tension simmering in the air between us.
“I gotta go, Mom, but I’ll call you later. Love you.” He hangs up the phone quickly, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Do you like it?” I ask, feigning shyness. I look up at him through my lashes, loving the way he’s looking at me.
“The dress is beautiful, but the woman wearing it just took my breath away.” He reaches his arm out toward me, urging me to come closer. When I do, he wraps his arms around me, breathing me in.
“Thank you for the dress, Nick. It’s perfect.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Lydi. I knew you packed your bag to come here in a rush, and I wasn’t sure if you’d grabbed anything to wear tonight.
I know you’re excited to hang out with your friends, and I wanted you to feel great.
That’s all.” He shrugs as though buying me a beautiful dress is no big deal.
I dip my head down, nuzzling my cheek against his chest, unable to hide the wide grin spreading across my face. My voice is soft and teasing as I say, “The bra and panties fit really nice too.”
I can feel the quiet rumble of laughter in his chest and know he’s trying not to laugh out loud. Nick looks down at me, amusement shining in his eyes. With a shameless shrug, he replies, “I couldn’t help myself.”
His lighthearted confession makes me laugh, the warmth between us unmistakable as we stand together in the kitchen, neither of us wanting to be the first to let go.