It’s ten o’clock before I finally call it quits. Nolan’s been sitting her with me for hours combing through the fucked up filing system Wade was using and helping to sort papers while I scan shit and enter other shit into the computer. My brother better not show his face around here any time soon, because I’m bound to start throwing some punches after this goddamned mess.
“Are you going to try to manage all the paperwork yourself now that Wade’s out of the picture?” Nolan asks as he sets another stack of finished papers near the shredder.
“Jaron and I were thinking we might want to hire someone part-time to take this stuff on. Once shit is organized, I can’t imagine this is a full-time job. Do you have someone full-time doing this at Ansel’s?” I inquire, contemplating exactly how much time this job really takes if done efficiently.
“No. In fact, it’s not even a part-time gig. You know, I might know someone who could help you guys out.”
“Oh, yeah? Like you know someone who could be my roommate?” I tease with a chuckle.
Nolan grins at me and shakes his head. “I’m not doing your paperwork. Shayla, my detailer, does the paperwork when things are slow. Even then, she’s been asking for more hours.”
“Shayla, she’s the one who bartends at The Island?” I can vaguely recall the woman. God knows I’ve heard Wade talk about her enough times.
“Yep. You know, I could see if she’d be willing to pick up a few hours here to help you guys out. If you want,” Nolan offers.
“That’d be great. I mean, if you trust her, I’d at least like to talk to her.” I hand Nolan his coat and then pull mine on. “Have her stop over.”
“Back to this roommate thing,” Nolan says.
“Is Wade moving because of this job?” I ask, the pieces falling together and forming a picture I don’t care for.
“I don’t know for sure yet, but I suspect it. He’s been avoiding answering me when I’ve asked him outright about it.” Nolan shakes his head. “Can’t that guy ever give a straight answer on anything without having some kind of angle?”
“He’s your best friend,” I point out, flicking off the light and walking toward the door.
“He’s your brother,” Nolan counters with a laugh.
“Yeah, and if he weren’t, I probably wouldn’t associate with the asshole.” I can’t help but roll my eyes. “You choose to speak to him. I have to because he’s family.”
“I don’t know how much speaking I’ll be doing with him.” Nolan shakes his head and holds the door open for me as the alarm begins beeping when I arm it.
“Well, if he’s being a jackass, you’re welcome to sleep over any time.” I give him a grin and turn the key in the lock.
Butterflies go crazy in my stomach when I turn to face Nolan, a puff of white rising from my mouth as I exhale the breath I hardly realize I’m holding.
“How about tonight?” he asks, pulling me into his arms and lowering his face to mine.
Rising on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. He pulls me closer, pressing our bodies together, chasing away the cold winter air around us. His tongue licks at the seam of my lips and a moan escapes me when I part them, tangling my tongue with his.
What started as a simple kiss turns into a make-out session in the parking lot. It takes a significant amount of effort for me to break away, but we can’t stay out here all night.
Breathlessly, I tell him, “You can come over tonight, but all I have the energy to do is sleep. Are you going to be able to handle that?”
A smile curves up the corners of his mouth. “Absolutely.”
“I don’t know,” I rib, “You might not be able to resist all this.” I gesture up and down my body wrapped in my puffy marshmallow man coat.
“As sexy as I find this coat and body beneath it,” he says, pulling me into his arms again. “I think I’ll be able to keep myself under control.”
“You’re totally okay with just sleeping?” I verify, because I’m not sure how much I believe it.
“Ry,” Nolan says, his expression serious. “This isn’t just about sex for me. I just want to spend time with you, even if we’re sleeping. Even if we’re sorting through piles of paper.”
Butterflies. All the butterflies.
“Thank you for your help tonight. And for the pizza party. That was really amazing.” I feel a blush rise in my cheeks, and I drop my gaze to the snow. Who knew it would be so hard to keep my composure. “And I want more than sex, too.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Like sleep,” I tell him with a grin.
“Then we’d better get you home,” he advises, leading me to my car.
“See you there.” I wave to him as I pull the door closed then start the engine and wait for it to warm up.
Damn, it’s cold. Maybe next year I’ll invest in a remote start. I rub my hands together and bounce my knees to keep warm, but I can feel the cold from the seats seeping into my body, chilling me to the bone. I can’t wait to crawl into my nice warm bed. Tonight, I’ll have the added bonus of a personal man-heater to help warm me up, too.
My stomach does a little swoop at the thought of sharing a bed with Nolan again, and the things we did in it last time.
No! Bad vagina! We’re just sleeping! I remind my libido with a yawn.
I hope he realizes I’m totally serious about no sex tonight. Today was a long fucking day, and I literally do not have the energy for a round between the sheets. I sure wish I did, but I absolutely do not.
Sleep. I just need sleep.