52. Chapter 52
Lydia
The sun streaming through the open curtains wakes me.
I stretch my arms over my head, yawning so big it makes me laugh.
I sit for a moment, taking it all in. I can hear Nick moving around in the kitchen, and I’m fairly certain I can smell coffee and something sweet.
I find the shirt of Nick’s I threw over the chair last night and pull it over my head, walking sleepily into the kitchen.
Nick’s eyes find mine immediately as he walks toward me, coffee cup in hand. He hands me the coffee and kisses me sweetly on the forehead. “Good morning, pretty girl. How’d you sleep?”
“Great. A whole four hours. My super sexy boyfriend kept waking me up for more sex. I think he likes me.” I look at him with mock astonishment and smile.
He leans down, lips brushing against my ear. “He more than likes you, darlin’. That man is madly in love with you.” He kisses my lips and pulls back, smiling down at me.
“Oh yeah?” I say, feigning nonchalance as I turn away. “I’m pretty fond of him too, I guess.”
I don’t even make it two steps before Nick’s hands are on me, strong and sure. He lifts me clean off the floor and over his shoulder. I squeal, laughter bursting out of me as he swats my ass playfully before setting me gently on the kitchen island. I’m laughing so hard I can’t catch my breath.
“Pretty fond of him, huh?” Nick says, stepping between my knees. “That’s not what you were saying last night.”
The memories come fast and vivid, everything we’ve done with each other, to each other. I feel the heat rush up my chest, blush creeping all the way up my neck.
Nick smiles like he’s been waiting for it.
“Damn,” he murmurs, kissing the curve of my throat slowly, “I love when you do that. You turn the prettiest shade of pink when you blush.”
I laugh again, softer this time. He kisses me once more before bringing his face to mine, pressing a kiss to each cheek.
“Tell me again,” he whispers.
I cup his face in both hands, drawing him closer until there’s barely any space left between us. “I love you, Nick,” I say. “I love you so much.”
This time it’s my turn to kiss him once, twice, three times. My palms grip his face, loving the roughness of the stubble he’s grown back.
“I love you too, Lydi,” he says quietly. “So, so much.”
We stay there, just like this. Forehead to forehead, breathing each other in.