The Fix (The Carolina Connections, #1)(41)
“That’s already in your backpack, sweetie,” I told him.
“I think the first reason is I need to sleep with you, but I don’t ‘member for sure.”
Nate and I had been on the precipice of something profound—but it was over for tonight. And while one part of me was screaming to get it back right this second, the other decided to be more rational. I was surprised I’d let things go so far in the first place, except for the fact that I was insanely attracted to this man and felt this intense pull toward him.
I maneuvered my way off the bed with the sheet still wrapped around me, and tucked Rocco in with the remaining covers. I then pretended to be a statue until his eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Nate, who had also been impersonating a statue—one that probably sported some bruises from his abrupt tumble to the floor—waited for my signal and then we both snuck out of the room. He pulled his shirt on as I walked him to the door. I wasn’t used to having hormones coursing through my body like girls gone wild, so I was kind of twitchy during our goodbye.
He took my face in his hands. “I don’t have to tell you that I’m really looking forward to our date tomorrow night. Is 6:30 still okay?”
I almost wanted to tell him to pick me up at 6:30 AM so we could finish what we’d started but I put my libido in check and agreed, “Sounds great.”
He kissed me gently on the lips this time, and the contact was way too short. “Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
This was too perfect. I needed to come back down to earth. Any minute now, the wicked stepsisters would storm in and ruin my gown, and some super-hot girl (who did not have any baggage) would capture Nate’s attention and steal him away. And then they’d both go riding off into the sunset back to Texas. That’s how it works. What was I doing getting all excited?!
Still, I went to sleep with an internal happy dance and a big fat smile on my face.
Tonight was the night.
“Tonight is the night!” Fiona shouted. “Laney’s gonna get laaaiiid, Laney’s gonna get laaaiid!”
“Do you say anything anymore without the ‘nanny-nanny-boo-boo’ tone? I feel like we’re eight years old.”
“Well that would be extremely inappropriate given the subject matter.”
This time I was at Fiona’s where I could make use of her fashion arsenal. She was helping me with my hair and makeup, and then I’d dash home in time for Nate to pick me up. Gavin was getting Rocco from daycare and babysitting tonight so everything was organized. Except my nerves—they were in complete disarray.
“Am I moving too fast? Should I be doing this so soon?”
“Listen, the man defended your kid to a dickhead bully and then offered to build him a treehouse. I’d say you owe him at least a blowjob for that alone.”
“Stop being so sentimental—you’re gonna make me cry.”
“Oh! Did I tell you Terrence is coming to town this weekend?” Fiona waggled her brows and did a booty shake—well, as much as she could with her non-existent booty. Terrence was Fiona’s on-again-off-again “friend with benefits” or “fuck buddy” or “boy-toy” or whatever she was calling him these days.
He was a pilot and he was also a very fine specimen—tall, dark, handsome, with lean muscle. And while he didn’t have a dimple, he did have this weirdly awesome slightly crooked smile that somehow always made you feel like you made him happy just by standing in front of him. In other words, he was a sweetheart, and besides the cool smile and all the rest, he had the most flawless deep brown skin I’d ever seen. There had been more than one occasion when I’d had a bit too much to drink and had oh-so-casually run my hand down his arm just so I could feel it. Fiona caught me every time but she thought it was hilarious—she would, considering after all the drinking was done, she got to go home to all that was Terrence. So it was a mystery to me why Fiona insisted on keeping things so light between them. I thought he was great for her.
“Fun ahead!” She continued the shake. “And I ordered the sweetest little silk Brazilian briefs from La Perla—they are the lightest pink with these lace panels—Oh! And I saw this ice blue bra and panty set that would look killer on you—please, please let me buy it for you!!” Her face fell at the shake of my head. “You’re such a party-pooper.”
There were certain things I would let Fiona and her endless money treat Rocco and me to, but La Perla? Not gonna happen.
“Hmm, I can’t decide if he and I will go out or just order in and spend the whole weekend thinking up creative indoor activities. I hope the panties come before Terrence,” she said.
Sometimes it was just too easy—I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Well, it is still in the eighties most days so you’d really be saving yourself from the risk of sunstroke. It’s the only responsible thing to do.”
“I think you have an excellent point. So, what are we doing with this hair?” She led me to her vanity—yes, of course Fiona had a vanity.
“I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard so keep it simple if you can help yourself. And I’m wearing jeans so I don’t want any arguments! It’s just dinner at his apartment.”
“Fine,” Fiona pouted and ran a brush through my long hair. “But at least be civilized and borrow some of my jewelry, will you?”