Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(51)

“I never did... do you like it?”

“You did this for me?”

I stare at his chest, pinching the sequins on my bag between my fingers. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Do you want me to be nice or honest?”

“Honest, please.”

He tilts my head back, dark eyes boring into mine. “I know you’re blushing right now, but I can’t see it under all that concealer, Mia. I fucking hate it.” He brushes his thumb along my lower lip. “How am I supposed to kiss you with all that lipstick?”

I hold my breath, my tummy knotting itself tightly. “I’m sure you’ve kissed women wearing lipstick before.”

“A simple peck won’t up my score.” He smirks, grazing his thumb along my jawline. “You’re blushing again, aren’t you? I want to see, Mia. Is this how you think I want you to look?” He gestures up and down my body.

“You didn’t want me in pink dresses.”

His features pinch, and he hauls me into his arms, marching me into the bathroom. He stands me under the shower, turning the hot water on. “Wash your face.”

I’m soaking wet, makeup, hair, and dress ruined. I shouldn’t feel relieved, right? I should be upset. Aisha spent an hour drawing lines on my face, straightening my hair, and helping zip me into this tight dress.

I should be upset... but I’m far from it.

Nico leaves, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. Ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, I tiptoe back into my bedroom, where he sits on the bed, one of my dresses beside him. It’s dirty pink, the tulle skirt embossed with silver crystals.

My heart flutters like the wings of a caged bird when he gets up. Anticipation courses through my veins and my lips start tingling, but Nico doesn’t kiss me.

“Get dressed,” he says, on his way out.

I do as I’m told, confused but curious. I slip into the dress he chose and find a box with silver heels under the bed before I dry my hair, braiding a crown. Once ready, I find Nico leaning against the opposite wall in the hallway.

“How’s that?” I ask.

He closes the distance between us in one stride, grips me by the waist, and hauls me into his arms, pushing me back into the room.

The door slams shut.

And everything falls into place when his lips catch mine for a short peck like the one I gave him yesterday. “Show me I’m the one you want,” he says, pinning me to the wall.

I brace against his shoulders, my mind in tumult. I don’t understand his attitude, but I take what I crave now that he’s close. I kiss his upper lip, then lower, and slide my tongue between, kissing him gently, savoring the feelings he evokes.

I brush my fingers along his jawline and turn his head to the side, nuzzling my nose in his cheek as I deepen the kiss at an unrushed pace.

“Jesus... how can you taste so sweet?” he whispers a second before he reclaims control, dominating the moment.

I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that this is happening. That his tongue sweeps the silk of my mouth, his lips hot and demanding, his massive body pressing into me, triggering a wave of desire.

It’s intense, greedy, and everything I ever hoped for.

The second I shudder, Nico deepens the kiss, and a burst of endorphins rushes through my bloodstream. The thunder of my pulse mixes with the sound of our hastened breaths and our lips working in sync. A soft moan escapes me when he bites my lower lip, pulling gently.

“What’s my score today?” He lifts one hand, tracing my swollen bottom lip. “Still eight?”

“And a half. I guess you’re not mad about yesterday?”

He sits on the bed, maneuvering my legs until I’m comfortably straddling him. “I wasn’t mad you kissed me. I was mad I couldn’t have you. And it had nothing to do with your pink dresses. I thought you were Cody’s.”

“You thought I was dating Cody? Why? I mean, I—”

“It’s a long story. Let’s just say my brothers are very protective of you.” His hands move on my thighs. “Now that I know you’re not his...” He grips my neck, pulling me in for another kiss, “...eight and a half won’t cut it. I want to be a ten. Any pointers?”

I ghost my index finger along his lips, and he opens, catching it between his teeth. “I intend to give you plenty more lessons now that you made the short list of men qualifying for a second date.” White-hot lust ignites my senses, and I circle my hips on reflex, grinding into him.

“How many dates before you’re mine?” he grinds through clenched teeth, holding me still.

“Yours?”

“Mine,” he confirms, caressing my thigh, his fingers traveling north to cup my butt.

Oh... his. Right, of course. My cheeks heat, but I push the embarrassment aside. “Whenever you want.” I’ve been waking up soaking wet, dreaming about him for weeks. I want all he can give me, and I’ll give him anything he’ll ask for. “Just a heads up, I might not be much fun the first time. I’ve never had sex, so you’ll have to show me—” I bite my tongue when his lips pinch into a thin line, barely holding off a smile.

“You’re fucking adorable, you know that? I don’t mean sex. I mean mine. My girl. How many dates?”

My girl. God, I’m so giddy I might burst.