Chapter Nine
Anna
I study the newspaper in front of me, drinking my coffee, while simultaneously and impatiently waiting for eight o’clock to roll around. Eight is when Nick asked me to head over to his place to help out for tonight. I’d usually get there earlier, but he had a work thing on this afternoon that ran late.
We’ve settled into a nice little pattern of me going over there, helping with kids, and then us spending time together alone. The arrangement was working perfectly. Dad hasn’t picked up on anything, other than to comment that I’m spending a lot of time over there. I look up as he walks into the kitchen. Speak of the devil.
“Hey, kiddo,” he says, rubbing the back of his head.
“Hey,” I say. “How’s work?” I smile at him as he sits down at the table. He glances over to see what I’m reading and frowns.
“Same old. Anything interesting?” he asks, nodding at the paper.
I glance back down and shrug. “Not really. Same old.” I grin. “But for some reason, it’s even less interesting today.”
“No news is good news, right?” he asks with a chuckle.
I shrug and turn the page, an article catching my attention
“Hey, did you know they’re redoing the old theatre downtown?” I say with a frown.
“Really?” Dad muses. “That should be interesting.”
“I’m actually kind of sad to see it redone,” I say, a twinge of nostalgia hitting me.
That building was what started my love of architecture. I used to sit down by the fountain in front of it and just stare at the building, taking in all the different shapes and textures. It wasn’t going to be the same with a new building there.
“What are your plans for dinner?” he asks. “I thought we could order a pizza and catch up?”
I shake my head. “I’ll probably just catch something next door.”
“Going over to Nick’s again?” Dad asks, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes,” I say, trying to sound casual. “We’ve kind of got a routine happening now, where after the kids are asleep, he helps me study.” I shrug as if it’s completely innocent.
“Uh-huh,” Dad says. “Don’t you think you’re over there a little too often lately?”
I raise my eyebrows at him. “You do remember it was your idea for me to go over there and help him in the first place?”
“Yeah, I know, but I didn’t mean you had to help him every night.”
“I'm surprised you even know that, considering how little you’re home,” I reply evenly.
He shrugs and holds his hands up. “Fair point. I'm just saying that you seem to be getting quite…attached to him.”
“Nobody is getting attached to anyone,” I reply. My face goes red, because that was my biggest fear, but probably not in the same way that he meant.
“Look, Anna,” Dad sighs. “I’m not having a go at you, I’m just worried about you losing sight of your studies and other things that are more important than–"
“Helping your friend who you wanted me to help?” I say with a laugh. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I’m just helping him with the kids,” I say. “Besides, five minutes ago you complained I study too much. You can’t have it both ways, Dad,” I say.
“I’m still allowed to worry,” he replies.
“Dad, I’m not failing anything, and nobody is taking advantage of anyone. Okay?” I can't look him in the eye because I'm sure he'll know that I'm lying. “I’ve got this under control.”
“Okay. I'm just saying, don’t take advantage of him or his situation,” Dad warns. “He’s a nice guy who doesn’t know how to say no. If he’s helping you with assignments, make sure you do something for him in return. Okay?” I struggle to hold in my laughter, because I know he means the washing or something, and not sucking his cock.
“Fine. I’ll do something nice,” I say, getting to my feet. “I better go, or it will be pointless me going over to help.”
As soon as I’m out the door, I let out a sigh. That was the most painful conversation I’d ever been forced to sit through. I almost lost it several times. In the back of my mind, I wonder if my father is right. Am I getting too attached to Nick? What if for him, this is just a casual hook up? God, what if he does this kind of thing all the time? Flings and hook ups made me queasy because I wasn’t the girl that went from guy to guy. My biggest fear was finding someone and being more invested in the relationship than they were. I shake my head. That’s not Nick.
I take the long way around to his house, not bothering to scale the fence this time because I needed the extra ten seconds to think. By the time I reach his front door, my mind is no clearer, but I knock anyway.
Nick answers right away. It’s like he was standing there, waiting for me. He smiles that sexy, heart melting smile and I’m gone.
“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe. His dark, messy hair is just begging for my fingers to rake through it, and when he runs his hand over the dark shadow of stubble peppering his jawline, I lose the ability to speak. “I was wondering when you were going to show up,” he murmurs. His intense green eyes penetrate mine, making me shiver.
“Are the kids in bed already?” I ask. He nods. “I was just about to read Max his story and Milly is waiting for hers from you.”
I smile, forgetting for a moment how nervous I feel around him. “I think it's cute that Max still enjoys a story at night from his dad.”
Nick chuckles. “I don't expect it to last too much longer. He’s developing quite the attitude, my son,” he says grimly. “I hate to think what he’s going to be like in a year or two.”
I laugh and bite down on my lip. “I don't think you need to worry about Max. Save all your worrying for when Milly hits thirteen and discovers boys,” I say.
He groans and squeezes his eyes closed, then he turns to walk back into the house.
“I'm not sure I want to let you in after that comment,” he grumbles.
He steps aside for me anyway, letting me squeeze past.
“Think of it less of a comment and more of a prediction,” I say.
After the kids are safely asleep, I lie on Nick’s bed, enjoying a glass of wine while I wait for him to finish up a work-related phone call. While I wait, I decide to text Kayla, who still had no idea about Nick and me.
Me: Hey. What's up?
Kayla: Not much. You?
Me: Nothing out of the ordinary. Just sitting on Nick's bed, waiting for him to come back to me. I thought I’d see what you were up to.
Kayla: What the hell are you on about, women? You didn't break into his house, did you? I mean, I admire your commitment, but lying on his bed in your lingerie while he’s still at work is pretty creepy.
Me: Yes, it would be creepy if he wasn’t the one who asked me over.
Kayla: Are you kidding me? Details!!
I giggle at her enthusiasm. I knew she’d like this.
Me: We’ve kind of been seeing each other. It’s still new, but things are going well. For now, at least.
Kayla: That’s great, A. You don't think it will last?
Me: Well, there is the minor complication of my father.
Kayla: Okay, so that’s the minor… Is the major complication the size of his cock? Speaking of which…???
I snort and look up just as Nick is walking back into the room.
“Something funny?” he asks as I put my phone down.
“Nope. Well, not true. There are plenty of funny things. Like the fact that my dad thinks you're tutoring me,” I say with a wince. Nick laughs.
“Well, that’s not too far a stretch, is it? Would it help you feel better if we actually talked about architecture?” He grins at me. “I mean I still haven't shown you my special project. Want to see it? It lights up and everything,” he grins.
“Are you still harping on about your special project?” I groan, teasing him. I really did want to see it, but I was having too much fun pretending I didn’t. I roll my eyes. “Do you have a white van and a bag full of candy to go with your special project?” I tease.
He laughs. “Hey, in all seriousness, I do want to share this with you. It’s something that's pretty close to my heart. I mean, it's not the biggest or the most exciting project I’ve ever done, but it means a lot to me.”
“They’re the best kind of projects, aren’t they?” I say wistfully. The thought of designing something that I was still just as passionate about in fifty years’ time made my heart race. “I'm looking forward to doing things that make a difference. Even if it's just a difference to me, I really want to do something I love, and not just do it for the sake of doing it.”
He pulls me over into his lap, stroking my arm.
“I think that’s a great perspective to have. I love that you want to do something you enjoy. Do you want to know what I enjoy doing?” he murmurs.
“What?” I say.
“You,” he says with a grin. I chuckle, and move down the bed, positioning myself between his legs.
“Well, that’s a coincidence,” I say with a grin. “And since you brought it up, Dad said I should repay you for helping me with my work,” I say.
Nick smirks. “And this was what he had in mind?”
“No. His idea was washing, but I hate doing washing,” I say. I lick my lips as I cup my hands around his cock. “But this is way more fun.”