Chapter 25
Blakely
The enormous stuffed alligator Nicholas just won for me is tucked under my arm as we make our way through the crowd. My fingers tingle to lace with his as we walk side by side but I won't make a fool of myself. I keep having to remind myself that he's just my roommate-slash-temporary-lover. He’s definitely not by boyfriend.
My crush on him is pathetic. It's glaringly obvious that he doesn't feel anything for me. When I look him, my heart turns into an erratic base drum, meanwhile, he just gazes right through me with vacant eyes and a platonic smile. He’s nice to me – very nice – and he knows exactly what to do to make me buck underneath him and scream his name. But he doesn’t feel anything romantic for me. He doesn’t see me ‘that way’.
Yes, the fact that he's helping me discover my sexuality does complicate things a little. Giving your body to someone is the very definition of intimacy. But this is the 21st century and sex can be casual and fun without all those antiquated labels and rules and expectations.
That's what me and Nicholas are doing. We're making our own rules, setting our on goals and shunning traditional expectations. And holding hands at the carnival? Going steady? Falling in love? That's not part of the plan.
If only my heart would get with the program.
Other girls have been making eyes at him all night but he’s ignored them. He’s either totally blind to women trying to hit on him or he’s trying to be polite to me and not hurt my feelings. Either way, I’m glad that he’s not responding to their advances because I don’t know how I’d feel about having to share his attention right now.
We stop for cotton candy and I dig into the cloud of colored sugar like a child, getting my fingers stained and sticky. "My god. I freakin’ love cotton candy. I always have."
Nicholas looks over at me with an amused expression. "I thought I liked it too. But apparently, you're a bigger fan than I am."
I rip off a huge piece, barely able to stuff it into my face. "When I was a kid,” I say with a full mouth, “my dad would take me to the fair. It was our thing. My sister, Isla, she thought she was too cool to come with us and my mom didn’t like the crowds so it was always just me and him. We would even drive to neighboring towns just for the cotton candy and candied apples and funnel cakes." I giggle at the memory.
Nicholas doesn’t say anything. His hand settles on my waist so he can guide me to a bench overlooking the water. My blouse lifts slightly and his fingers flit my bare flesh. I feel fireworks exploding in my spine.
I draw in a sharp breath to steady myself. He doesn't even seem to notice.
"So how come you didn't drag your dad along to the fair today? Did you get too cool to hang out with your old man, too?" I’m sure that he’s only teasing me but there’s something dry and stiff in his voice.
I bite the inside of my lip. Tears burn the corners of my eyes. "Both of my parents died, actually. Seven years ago."
I look up at him, expecting words of comfort or sympathy. Instead he just stares at me for a long while with an unreadable expression before looking off into the distance, jaw clenched tight. I have no idea what to make of his reaction.
The silence stretches on until the opening notes of Frank Sinatra's Come Fly With Me comes on over the speakers. The performer on the stage nearby starts to belt out the beginning notes.
Nicholas reaches for me, pulling my hand into his. "Dance with me."
I recoil, trying to yank my hand from his. "What?"
"Dance with me." He hops up to his feet.
I give him the crazy eye. "No!" This guy just completely shut down when I told him about my parents' death and now, in the blink of an eye, he wants to dance? No, thank you.
My refusal doesn’t deter him though. He starts snapping his fingers and jiving in front of me, attempting to lure me to my feet. I don't want to smile. I try to fight it. But eventually, I give in when the crowd starts forming around him, coaxing me to participate. He grabs the cotton candy from my hand and tosses it into a nearby trashcan. I should be pissed that he threw out my treat but I'm mostly dazed by the handsome and charming but oh-so-complicated man dancing in front of me like no one's watching.
I try to bury my blazing cheeks in my palms but he takes my hand and pulls me up, wrapping his arms around my waist. Holding me close, he sways me left and right, then he spins me around and around.
And now I'm laughing as the crowd cheers. I struggle to keep up with his moves but I'm having fun. I'm so very aware of all the eyes on me but for once enjoying myself feels more important than worrying about the opinions of other people.
The song fades to the end and a round of applause breaks out. Nicholas takes a deep bow. Playing along, I do a curtsey and our little audience loves it. He pulls me close, tightening his body around me in a gesture that feels intimate and comfortable. I forget to feel shy or self-conscious. I’m too wrapped up in him, I’m too lost in his dark eyes and his dazzling smile.
People break away from the crowd and go about their own business. Nicholas' fingers are tangled with mine.
"You need to replace my cotton candy," I say sternly, trying to bite back my smile.
He glances over at me and smirks. "Why would I do that when you have leftovers all over your mouth?"
I gasp in horror. "You just let me put on a show in front of all those people when I have blue food coloring on my face?" I huff in anger.
"Sorry, I only just noticed it," he says solemnly as he wipes his glasses on the hem of his shirt, “I swear.” Then he shrugs. “You’re way hotter than everybody here, anyway. Blue lips and all.”
I roll my eyes even though he sounds perfectly genuine. But my tummy flutters at the idea that this guy finds me so pretty.
He touches his fingers to my lips. "Here. Let me help you."
My mouth tingles as he wipes the sugar away. "Did you get all of it?"
He shakes his head and tries again. "It's stained on or something."
I groan. "Really?" I feel my face heating at the idea of having to walk around all evening with blue stains on my face.
Nicholas steps closer and tightens his grasp on my hips. "This should do the trick," he says in quiet growl just before his mouth covers mine. He suckles my lips with his warm, plush flesh, drawing them between his teeth for soft, playful bites. His tongue probes through the opening, mingling with mine in a languid motion.
My knees nearly give way when kisses me like this. My arms wrap around his neck as I melt against his solid body. His big, warm hands slide down the back of my shirt causing my core to spasm readily. By the time he pulls away, I'm winded and mildly delirious, far from steady on my feet.
Nicholas inspects my mouth. "There. All clean." His voice is hoarse and deep.
I'm still dazed, staring into his eyes when I hear a familiar voice calling my name nearby. I turn back and see my sister and her fiance weaving through the crowd toward us.
"Hey..." I rasp out breathless and disoriented.
Isla gives me a shrewd smile that lets me know she saw that kiss. I blush hard, fighting a grin away from my lips. Thankfully, she doesn't tease me or even mention that very out-of-character PDA session. Instead, she turns to my roommate. "I'm Blakely's sister, Isla, and this is my fiancé, Reuben."
He shakes her hand and then Reuben’s. "I'm Nicholas." The men exchange greetings and Reuben visibly sizes Nicholas up. My future brother-in-law is very protective of me so I’m not surprised to see him assessing Nicholas for any signs of assholery.
I’m eager to break the tension that’s gathering in the air. “Are you two enjoying the carnival?” I ask.
Reuben’s attention turns to me and he half-smiles. "I'm trying to convince this lady to grab some corndogs before we go up to the gallery to wait for the fireworks," he tells us.
My health conscious sister scowls. “As if I’d eat corndogs!”
Reuben laughs and says, "You two are welcome to tag along."
I look to Nicholas and he smiles with that irresistible Old Hollywood charm. "Sounds good. What do you say, Princess?"
My heart beats faster when he calls me that. In public. "Sounds good." My stomach buzzes with restrained pleasure.
Isla claps her hands together excitedly. "Good! Let's go grab some snacks. No corndogs for me. I think I saw mango-on-a-stick over there." She takes Reuben's hand and turns toward the concession stands, pulling him through the crowd.
Nicholas slides his arm around my back and gently tickles my ribs. He presses his lips to my ear. "You feel better?"
My brows furrow with confusion. "About what?"
"You looked so sad when you talked about your parents'. I didn't like it. I wanted to make you feel better."
I smile at the strange man walking next to me and his equally strange ways. It all makes sense now. That dance was his way of empathizing with me. All things considered, it was so much more thoughtful than simply offering impersonal condolences.
"Yes, I feel better. Thank you."
His eyes register the small victory as we step up to the snack counter. “Good.” He pinches my ass and I yelp.
"Hey!"
“You okay?” Isla asks over her shoulder.
Nicholas and I share a look. “Yes! I’m great!” I answer quickly. My roommate smirks at me.
He's cheeky as hell and – fuck it – I’m diggin’ him.