Chapter 57
Nikita
And I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you.
Calvin’s words replay in my mind, my heart threatening to burst through my chest with each comprehension. I barely have time to register the fact that he is here. Outside my family home because he needed to talk to me. He flew across states to tell me he’s falling in love with me.
I feel his lips against my knuckles “Tell me to leave.”
The corners of my lips pull into a smile. There is no fucking way I am going to do that. I ran from him - from the possibility of us because of my default setting to withdraw when things get too real. But with him standing here now, telling me everything I need to hear, I am no longer afraid.
“I don’t want you to leave.” I lift my hand to rest on his chest, leaning closer to him, “But you need to know what you’re getting yourself into, alright?” I shook my head. “You realize I’m still going to infuriate you, right?”
“Right.”
“And annoy you.”
He answered without hesitation, “All good with me.”
“And push your buttons.”
“Good.”
I shake my head. “Cal…”
He takes my hands in his, bringing them both up towards his lips as he looks down at me. “We’re going to argue and fight. You’re going to push my buttons, the same way I’m going to push yours. That’s all part of it.” His lips press against my knuckles, “But none of that is going to matter because you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for, Nikita, I just didn’t know it.”
My eyes meet his. I believe him. I can see it in his eyes and the resemblance of his words to the way my father describes falling in love with my mother has the last of the walls around my heart, dissipating.
I shake my head, a laugh falling from my lips as I think about how far we had come, “Really? You and I, Rhodes?”
“Does that mean I can stay?” He laughs, that gorgeous grin of his appearing.
“Yes, you can stay.” I lift my hand to cup his cheek, feeling the roughness of his growing facial hair against my skin, “Because I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you too.”
His eyes light up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I kiss you now?” His hands are in my hair, cupping my face on either side. My heart beats erratically, a rush of gripping emotion moving through me.
“Do you always ask permission before kissing someone?” I ask, a chuckle following at the familiarity of this moment to the one we shared in the elevator that one night.
“God, I’ve missed you.” He wastes no time pulling me towards him, his lips crashing against mine and sending my senses haywire. My arms move to wrap around his neck as I feel his arms around my waist. This is exactly where I’m meant to be.
The sound of a high-pitched bark has the two of us jumping apart, glancing in the direction of the noise. Bernardo is scratching at the window next to the front door, bursting with excitement.
There’s a smile on my lips. “That’s Bernardo.”
“Your dog’s name is Bernardo?” Calvin chuckles.
I shake my head. “It’s my dad’s dog. He named him.” Calvin looks at him, a smile forming as Bernardo continues to try to get through the window. “You’re going to have to get his approval.”
“That’s fine, dogs love me.” Reaching for me again, he pulls me closer to him, taking the breath right out my lungs as he kisses me again. My lips pull into a smile, unable to ignore the happiness bursting inside of me.
“Does this mean I have to start replying to your texts?” I murmur against his lips, a playfulness in my tone.
His laughter vibrates against me. “Yes, please.”