Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Evie
Nick and I were a mess.
I giggled as he wrapped me in one of my fluffy towels, drying me off. Our hair was soaked from our post-sex shower, and I was on top of the world.
Nick couldn’t stop smiling.
Or talking about Austin.
“Do you think he’d be submissive with me? I mean I know that’ll never happen, but . . .”
“Oh my god,” I groaned. “Why won’t you just seduce him?”
Nick’s eyes widened. “It’s not like I just seduce everyone.”
I cupped his face. “I know that. But it’s clear you have a crush on him.”
He made a pouting face. “I do not.”
“You do too.”
Now, he wrinkled his nose. But he didn't argue too much. Instead, he chuckled as I grabbed another towel and pulled it around his waist, tucking it so that he wasn't just swinging his cock around my house.
“Put that thing away,” I teased.
“You like it.”
“Of course I like it.” I loved it, but I didn’t need to feed his ego more. Especially after he’d made me come three times.
Seeing the picture of Matthew and Austin together had sent us into a frenzy. I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so turned on before, but I kept finding myself thinking that every day I was with Nick, Matthew, and Austin.
Having three boyfriends was hard work. I was still figuring out the life-balance part of it all.
But, I was really glad fate had brought Nick into my life.
He slid his arms around me, pulling me closer for a kiss and running his fingers gently through my hair. I groaned, loving the feel of his fingertips on my head. He drew back, gently touching my cheek. “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m really glad I went on that date,” I said. “The bad one. And that you just so happened to be around. And that you were crazy enough to show back up in Whynot two months later and sweep me off my feet.”
“Yeah?” His voice sounded almost fragile. “I was worried it was too much.”
“It wasn’t at all. I’m so happy you’re here. And I’m so happy you and Matthew hit it off.”
He pulled me into a full hug and I felt every muscle and bone sway into him. We held each other like that, and I listened to his breaths.
For all the bravado he put on, Nick was so soft and sweet. It was his armor, and I’d realized that recently. He was like Austin in that way, except the two of them expressed it in completely different ways.
“I want something sweet now,” he sighed, slowly releasing me. “Not sure what. Should I order something for us?”
“What?” I snorted. “No. You’re dating the town baker. You’re not gonna get anything better than what I can make.”
His eyes lit with amusement. “I don’t want to make you work though. I could get us ice cream.”
I shook my head at him. “Let me throw on underwear and an apron, and I’ll blow your mind.”
“Oh, I have absolutely no doubt.”
I winked at him and left the bathroom for my bedroom. I brushed out my hair, pulled it up into a bun, and found my favorite cotton panties. I hesitated, wondering if I should put on something sexier, but . . .
This was the real me, too.
Nick filled the doorway, letting out a low whistle as I slid them on.
“Don’t tease me,” I snorted. “These are basic.”
“Yeah, and? You’re sexy as hell. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
I pulled on a big T-shirt that hit my knees and held out my arms. “There. Am I still sexy?”
“More than you’ll ever realize,” he said, his gaze raking over me with appreciation.
I sauntered up to him and leaned up on my tip toes, stretching up to slide my arms around his neck.
“Also, um . . .” he trailed off, his expression becoming serious. “It means a lot to me that you’re happy I’m here.”
He was holding something back. I could sense it. I let my heels drop back down to the floor, but still kept my hands smoothing up and down his chest. “What else?”
He made a face. “I’m not good at hiding shit, am I?”
“Not at all. Oh god, is something wrong—”
“No, no. I have a request, that’s all.” He tightened his arms around me.
“The whole thing with Phil. Matthew and I finding out after everything, quite a while later too, and then not being invited to the family thing hurt my feelings. I want to be there for you, Evie. I want to protect you. I know that we’re still new to having labels on our relationship, but the idea of some stranger cornering you in the bakery scares the fuck out of me.
And I know it has to do with Austin. I know you guys gave me a rundown of it all. But I wish I could have been there.”
Fuck. “That’s a completely reasonable request,” I said.
I rubbed my chest, trying not to let the guilt eat me up. I took a few seconds to let my heart settle, and to think about what I wanted to say. I was glad Austin and I had been on the same page after the conversation about Phil. He’d noticed it felt wrong without Nick and Matthew there too.
I should have talked to them. And they were right, I should have called the three of them too.
I was still learning. We all were.
My heart finally calmed. “I’m sorry I didn’t call either of you immediately. I got overwhelmed and then Mateo wanted us to call the family together. I’m used to handling things like this alone. But, I will make sure to include you. Both of you. I’ll talk to Matthew as well. I’m sure he’s hurt.”
I wanted to make sure he knew I’d wanted him there too.
Nick breathed out, pressing his forehead to mine. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I’m sorry Nick. And I’m sorry, too, that we made you feel excluded.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “Really.”
“It’s not okay. Sometimes our group is a little cliquey. We need to work on it.”
I loved all of my friends, but I knew Madi had mentioned it a couple times to June and Dallas as we all adjusted to the new group dynamics. When you were friends with people your entire life, sometimes it was easy to forget that not everyone knew everything.
“I mean it’s like one giant family,” he chuckled. “I get it. I envy it, honestly. That’s one reason why I used to fight Austin all the time.”
I nodded. I could understand that, especially since that must have been frustrating when they were kids.
“Consider yourself adopted,” I whispered.
“Yeah?” He gave me a cheeky smile. “You’ll keep me around, then?”
“Always.”
My thoughts were spinning too fast. It was too soon to say I love you. I wanted to so badly, though. I felt it in my chest, this warmth blooming, consuming me like a ray of sunlight. I was still learning who he was, but I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it now.
“I’m falling for you,” he whispered.
Tears blurred my vision. “I’m falling for you too.”
“Thank god. I don’t think I’m cut out for unrequited love. I’ve been there, done that.”
I started laughing as he swooped in, backing me up slowly to the bed. My room was a mess, especially after all the rolling around we’d done.
“Nick,” I hissed. “We can’t go again. We just showered?”
“Why not?”
“Oh my—god!”
I squealed as he lifted me, putting me over his shoulder before throwing me into the center of the bed. I started laughing as he threw himself on top of me like a flying squirrel, pinning me down beneath him.
“You’re nuts,” I giggled.
“I am. About you.”
“Oh my god, and you’re cheesy, too.”
“Nuts and cheesy.” He shoved my T-shirt up.
“Nick. What about dessert?”
“You are dessert, baby. Spread those legs for me.”
Well, fuck. I’d thought we were done, but after hearing him say it like that, I immediately kicked my panties off and spread my legs for him.
“Good girl.”