16. Nicole
NICOLE
This is crazy. That thought has been running through my head all night, and now that I’m sitting across from Guy, it won’t stop.
I should end this now. That would be the smart thing to do.
Before I start expecting too much or before Guy Brody decides this was fun while it lasted and moves on to someone who fits into his world better than I ever will.
My heart is going to get broken if I keep doing this.
I know that. The problem is every time I think about ending it, I remember last night and the way he made me feel.
Never in my life have I felt cherished like I did then.
I remember waking up in his arms and the way he took care of me.
Even right now, he’s looking at me like I’m the only woman in the world. And I don’t want to end it.
Guy is watching me closely. “What are you thinking?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
His eyebrows lift. “That’s a lie.”
I pick up my water and take a sip, trying to decide if I really want to ask what’s been bothering me. Finally, I set the glass down. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
I study his face. “You were serious about getting off Pick Me?”
He leans back in the booth. “I promise you, Nicole. I joined under Ozzy’s name when I learned you were on there. I don’t have a separate account or anything.”
“And you’re really not going to see anyone else?”
His forehead creases. “Nicole.”
“I’m serious.” I lower my voice even though the restaurant is almost empty. “You’ve dated a lot of women. I’m not judging you for that, but this is different for me. If we’re doing this, I need to know what that means.”
Guy reaches for my hand under the table. “It means I’m not seeing anyone else.”
“What about sleeping with anyone else?”
His expression changes instantly. “I don’t want to have sex with other women.”
I blink. He squeezes my hand. “I want you.”
My stomach flips. “Guy…”
“I mean it. I don’t want anyone else. I haven’t since the night I met you.”
There’s no hesitation in his voice. I don’t hear any doubt or anything, and that sort of freaks me out. I look down at our joined hands. I want to believe him. He strokes his thumb across the back of my hand. “Come home with me.”
I look up. “What?”
“Come home with me tonight.”
I shake my head. His face falls just slightly. “I can’t.”
It’s obvious he doesn’t like being told no, but his voice is soft. “Why?”
I tilt my head to the side. “I got the keys to my apartment today, and the moving truck is coming tomorrow morning, so I need to be there.”
A smile spreads across his face. “You got your apartment?”
I nod happily because I’m ready to be out of the hotel and into my own space. “Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug. “We’ve been a little busy. You had a game today, and I didn’t want to get you off track.”
He stares at me. “Did you think you’d be bothering me?”
I shift uncomfortably. How does he know me this well already? He’s right, of course. As soon as I got the keys I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t because I knew he had a game to prepare for, and I didn’t want to bother him. “I knew you were busy.”
He shakes his head. “I want you to call me. Even about the simple things. I want to talk to you, Nicole.”
I rear back, surprised. “Okay. The next time I have news, I’ll call you.”
He nods approvingly. I glance toward the front windows of the restaurant and then back at him. “You could come to my apartment.”
Guy goes completely still. “What?”
I immediately feel heat rush into my face. “I said you could come over.”
His eyes darken. “Tonight?”
I laugh. “Yes.”
He leans closer. “Are you sure?”
I nod then realize what he’s asking. “I mean I’m inviting you over. I’m not making any promises about anything else.” I blow out a breath. “Forget it. We both know what’s going to happen if you come over.”
His mouth lifts. “You’re going to be riding my dick tonight, and come morning, you’ll wake up with my mouth on you.”
Instantly, there’s a pull in my lower belly. Heat rushes through my whole body. “You shouldn’t say that. We’re in public.”
He chuckles and runs a finger along my cheek. “I love to make you blush.”
I swallow hard. “Well, you’re good at it, that’s for sure.”
He laughs and reaches for my hand again. “Okay. I’ll come over.”
The waitress comes by with the check, and Guy reaches for it before I can.
“I can pay for mine,” I assure him.
He gives me a look. “No. I told your dad I was getting the check. Plus, you’re not paying when you’re with me.” He shakes his head. “Exactly what kind of men have you been dating, Nicole?”
I groan. “We don’t want to talk about that.”
He pulls out his wallet and leaves enough cash to cover everything, then adds several more bills.
My eyebrows lift. “That’s a big tip.”
“She took care of us.”
I smile. Of course he would say it like that.
He pushes out of the booth and looks at me. “You ready?”
I glance around the restaurant. There are only a few people left, but I still don’t like the idea of us walking out together. “You should go first.”
His face immediately hardens. “Nicole.”
“I know, I know.” I reach up and touch his arm. “But we shouldn’t be seen together. Not yet.”
He looks toward the front of the restaurant and then back at me. “It’s practically empty.”
“I know, but all it takes is one person with a phone.”
He doesn’t like it. I can tell by the way his jaw tightens. But after a second, he nods. “Fine.”
Relief moves through me. I give him my address, and he puts it into his phone. “I’ll give you ten minutes,” I tell him.
He leans down and lowers his voice. “I hate this.”
I search his eyes, and the truth is there. He doesn’t like this. “I know.”
His eyes hold mine. “But I’m doing it because you asked me to.”
Something in my chest tightens. “I know that too.”
He brushes his thumb over my cheek, then stops himself before he kisses me.
“Ten minutes.”
I nod. “Ten minutes.”
He walks toward the door, and of course someone recognizes him. He spends the next five minutes taking pictures and signing napkins. I knew he would be recognized as soon as he got out of this corner booth.
I watch as he smiles and jokes with the family.
And when he looks up and sees me watching him from across the restaurant, I don’t even try to put my guard up.
He winks at me, and I swear it feels like my stomach does a somersault.
I keep insisting this is private and casual, but I’m doing a terrible job of keeping my heart out of it.
Because all I can think about is how perfect Guy is for me.