Chapter Thirteen
Damn, I just fucked up.
As I stand in the kitchen, shivering in my soaked bikini as Nils walks away to grab dry towels, I realize I just missed my chance. If I’d only looked up at him when we were standing so close, he probably would have kissed me.
No, I know he would have.
And isn’t that what I want?
Isn’t that why I wore my skimpiest bikini?
So why didn’t I just…look…up?
I let out a sigh. I guess I got caught up in the moment, as well. It was a good one, a nice one, one filled with heat and longing. I kept staring at Nils’s chest, so smooth, so sculpted, so hard. I wanted it pressed against me, sans bikini.
That body of his…shit, it’s beyond hot. I checked him out so many times when we were out by the pool.
But I was coy about it.
I don’t think he even noticed.
Maybe because he was too busy ogling me. Yeah, I caught him again and again. My bikini did the trick—he was in total lust.
But I definitely still want more than my original plan of a one-night stand.
Rethinking things as I stand here now, maybe not looking up at Nils, not meeting his gaze, was the right move. Our chemistry is there, yes. It’s hot and electric. But if we let it build, when we do come together, it’ll be so much better.
We’re already establishing a good base of friendship. We genuinely get along. But I want Nils to feel even more for me. I want him to fall for me, kind of like I feel the first stirrings of falling for him.
I need to give it more time, though.
Lord knows I have a lot of that.
As I wrap my arms around myself to keep warm, Nils returns with the fresh towels.
“Looks like I’m back just in time,” he says as he hands me one.
I start to swipe the towel up and down my legs as I reply, “You definitely are. I’m feeling a chill. Thanks.”
“No worries.”
Nils and I dry off, but it’s still kind of cold standing in the kitchen in a damp bikini.
Plus, that moment we shared is still on my mind.
I think it’s on his too. He looks a little uncomfortable.
We should really get away from each other for a little while. Before, seeing how skimpily clad we are, we have another moment that ends with us ripping off what little bit we have on and going at it on the floor.
Mmm, that would be fun.
Okay, time to go.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I don’t know about you, but I’m freaking freezing. I have to get on some dry clothes.”
He agrees quickly, “Yeah, same here.”
I start to walk away first, but when I don’t feel him following me, I turn back around.
That’s when I catch him staring at my ass.
Snickering, I ask, “Are you coming?”
Pretending like he wasn’t just busted, he looks away and mumbles, “Uh, I’m actually going to take a shower down here. The clothes I want to put on are in the downstairs bathroom.”
Yeah, sure they are.
I suspect his excuse is just a cover. I bet he’s going to freaking jack off in the bathroom down here.
The thought of him stroking his cock under the pulsating water makes me think getting off in the shower might be a good idea.
So, blowing out a breath, I rush off to do exactly that.
Later that day, I have my training session at Boots. Sammie, the girl who told me about the position, is my trainer. Since I work with her at Applebee’s, I’m comfortable and at ease. It also helps that she’s super nice and really funny. I like her a lot.
After writing down all of my measurements, she puts together my outfit from the supply they have on hand.
We’re in the back room, which doubles as an employee lounge. But since she and I are alone, I just change into the white button-down blouse, short red-and-black plaid skirt over black boy shorts, and high-heeled black leather boots right where I am.
Once I’m fully dressed, I spin around in front of a long, full-length mirror on the wall.
The outfit is sexy as hell but still classy.
“You look fantastic,” Sammie says.
“Thanks,” I say, turning to face her.
Looking concerned, her forehead creasing, she asks, “Now are you sure feel comfortable dressed like that?”
“Pfft.” I let out a laugh, thinking of the skimpy bikini I was wearing earlier today. Of course, that was mainly for Nils’s sake. But still, I’m fine. I tell her as much and add, “I actually think this ensemble is really cute.”
“It is,” she agrees. “Just wait. I predict you’re going to make a ton of tips out there.”
She’s right. I do really well for my first night. Sammie only had to train me on the basics, then I was pretty much on my own.
When I return home, I’m whooped, so I go upstairs and straight to bed.
I sleep in late the next day, so I don’t run into Nils. Not for any bad reason. I remember him mentioning there was a team meeting at noon, and afterward he and some of his teammates were going to grab a bite to eat.
He has a game this evening, as well, the one I can’t go to because of work.
Since my shift is at Boots, when it’s time to get ready, I check the house to make sure Nils is still not home.
He’s not, so I decide to just wear my “sexy” outfit to work. It’s easier than changing there.
But when Nils is around, I’ll be sure to wear the Applebee’s uniform and take this one to Boots in a bag.
That way this job will remain a secret.
My evening shift goes by quickly. Boots is busy, and it feels like I’m moving nonstop.
At one point, when I make my way over to the bar to pick up a drink order, I run into Sammie. “Damn,” I say, catching my breath, “it’s crazy busy tonight.”
“It is,” she agrees as she loads her own tray with beverages. “The weekends are always like this.”
“That’s a good thing,” I say.
She nods and rushes off.
It is a good thing, a very good thing, as my hectic night pays off. Not only does the time fly by, and the next thing I know, my shift is over, but I pull in a boatload of tips.
Once I go out to my car, before heading home, I check my phone to find out the score of the Thunder game.
“Yay, we won,” I murmur happily when I see the result.
It’s pretty late, and the game ended a while ago, so I assume Nils will be home and in bed. That means there’s no need for me to sneak in and run upstairs to remain undetected in my Boots attire.
The drive home is quick and relaxing. I feel good. Things are going so well, with my new jobs and with Nils.
I park in the driveway, where I take notice that there are no other cars. I just assume Nils must’ve pulled into the garage.
“He better be asleep,” I murmur as I hop out of my Jag and head up to the house.
I want to be careful, so I only step partway into the entry hall.
Everything is quiet and Nils is not around.
See, I was right.
I blow out a relieved breath.
I’m pretty sure I’m safe from running into him, as the only illumination is from a lamp on a stand against the wall, which is usually how he leaves this area once he goes to bed.
Feeling confident, I step all the way into the entry hall and gently place my car key fob into a bowl next to the lamp.
I let out another breath.
I can finally completely relax.
But then, before I can run off or move in any way, Nils freaking pads down the stairs, clad in a pair of dark lounge pants and nothing else.
With nowhere to hide, I freeze.
Why is he coming downstairs?
He looks like he was sleeping, or getting ready to.
Where can I go?
What can I do?
I look left and right.
I’m trapped!
As panicked as I am, I don’t miss that Nils doesn’t have on a shirt. I take a quick few seconds to admire his sculpted chest…corded arms…taut stomach—
“Ellie?”
Oh crap, he’s at the bottom of the stairs now, and I’m like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
“Er, uh…”
I look left and right again.
I have nowhere to go, no place to hide.
I am well and truly busted.
“Um,” he goes on, cocking his head curiously, “not that it’s any of my business, but why are you wearing a Boots outfit?”
Shit, he knows the place.
I make a face, then state, more as a question than a reply, “Because I work there?”
“You do?” He looks really confused now. “I thought you worked at Applebee’s?”
I nod. “Yeah, I work there too. I, uh, actually work at both places.”
He crosses his arms, making his muscles just freaking pop, so it takes me a beat to realize he just asked another question.
Making sure I’m not openly drooling, though internally I totally am, I say, “What was that?”
Smirking, he pauses.
Okay, I think he just figured out that I was ogling him.
He must, as he looks smug when he asks, “I said, why didn’t you tell me you work at Boots too?”
“Oh.”
I blow out a breath and decide to just be truthful.
What’s the point in lying?
“It’s just that, I don’t want Arden to know,” I explain. “He’s such an overprotective brother sometimes. I’m worried he’ll flip if he knows I work there.”
Nils looks like he completely agrees as he sighs. “Yeah, he probably would be mad. But you do know hockey players go to that place, right? I’m talking guys from our team. There’s a good chance you’re going to be found out.”
“I thought of that,” I admit. “But a lot of them don’t know me or that I’m Arden’s sister.”
He raises a brow. “And if one day Arden himself walks in?”
I shrug. “Then I guess I’m fucked. But until that day comes, and it may never”—I plead with my eyes—“will you please, please not say anything to him?”
Softly, he replies, “Of course I won’t. I promise your secret is safe with me.”
I release a relieved breath. “Thank you, Nils.”
“You’re welcome, Ellie.”
I’m actually glad I came clean with him. It’ll be easier not to have to sneak around. And now that I know I can trust Nils, I’m not concerned with Arden finding out. Despite what he said, I don’t think my brother will ever step into Boots. It’s just not his usual kind of go-to place.
With everything settled, I’m so relieved that I’m just ready to go to bed.
I tell Nils that I’m heading upstairs, but as I start toward the staircase, I’m curious about something.
Slowing to a stop, I cock my head and ask, “Why were you coming downstairs anyway? You look like you’re ready for bed.”
“I am,” he says, “and I’m beat. But I forgot my phone in the kitchen.”
“Ahhh,” I breathe, “got it.”
“And now that you reminded me,” he goes on. “I’d better go get it.”
Touching his arm lightly as he passes me, I say softly, “Good night, Nils.”
Letting out a little sigh filled with regret or longing—I’m not sure which, but maybe both—he murmurs, “’Night, Ellie.”