Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
"I'm not the one going to rehab."
"No, but you put your mind to finding a place that could not only take your mom but also get her a free spot. You're pretty unstoppable when you want something." Now that smile does meet his eyes. He appears proud of me. Damn does that hit me center chest.
"Thanks." I duck my head, suddenly feeling shy.
"You hungry?" he asks, taking my hand.
"I could eat, but I need to pack my mom a bag. So she'll be ready to go." I'm not letting her have an out by coming home for even a second. I’ll have everything she needs in that bag and drop it off at the hospital before she’s discharged.
“All right then. I’ll feed you first, and then we can go to your place and get your mom’s bag situated. Deal?”
I smile up at him before I stand on my tippy toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. He surprises me by turning his head at the last second so our lips meet.
Even though it’s nothing more than a quick peck, heat still courses through my body. I know without a doubt that my cheeks are on fire.
“You stole that one,” I tease him.
“You can steal one back if you want.” I rise on my tiptoes again and press my mouth to his, but I don’t pull away. I let my body melt into his, my tongue stroking across his bottom lip.
Niki lets out a groan, his mouth parting. I grip his biceps as he strokes his tongue against mine. A small moan leaves me when his hand grips my ass, giving a squeeze. Heat pools between my thighs when I feel his hard cock press against my stomach. How do I get so turned on so fast? My panties are already wet, making them stick to me.
“Fuck,” Niki grunts, lifting his head. I blink, dazed, for a second. “Can’t do this here.”
“Right, oh gosh.” I touch my mouth. “When you kiss me…” I trail off.
“I know.” He takes my hand again. “Food.”
We stop at a pizza shop and grab a couple of small pies. “I really never would have guessed you as a pineapple pizza person,” I say. “Which should be illegal, by the way."
"Not big on following the rules."
I snort a laugh. "Fair point." I open and unlock my apartment door for us.
I have noticed the building has been cleaned up some, and I don't only mean the locks being fixed and the elevator functioning again without making any weird sound. I still only get on it if Niki is with me, which is turning out to be all the time. I’m not complaining in the least. It’s nice having him around. I think I’d feel so alone without him right now.
"Have you tried it before?"
"No," I admit.
He sets the pizza boxes down before flipping the lock back on my door. "My sister got me on it." I melt inside every time he talks about his sister. I'd like to meet her and his mom one day, but I know that's moving quickly. If he wanted that, he'd ask, and I'm not going to overstep.
He proceeds to pick the boxes back up and head toward the kitchen. He places them onto the counter before opening the cabinets to grab paper plates and napkins for us. He’s been here so much lately that he already knows where everything is.
“I guess I’ll try it. If Julie recommends it, then it must be good.” I watch as Niki grabs a slice from one of the boxes. I’m expecting him to put it on a plate for me, but instead he lifts it to my mouth for me to take a bite.
I let out a surprised moan as the sweetness and savoriness hit my tongue. That isn't bad at all. Niki’s eyes turn heated. I lick my lips.
“Come on, before I end up eating you.”
That doesn't sound bad either. I'd let him.
He puts the pizza onto the plates for us before taking them back over to the couch and flipping on the TV. I settle in next to him. For once, this place feels like home, and it has nothing to do with the apartment. It’s all Niki.
Chapter Twenty-One
NIKI
“How could they ignore the eyewitnesses?” Andy throws the remote halfway across the room.
“Poor kids. No one believes poor kids, and no one really cares what happens to them.”
“The guys gave the police a description of the man who attacked their friend.” She folds and unfolds her arms in obvious frustration.
I smooth her hair down the back of her head, just listening to her, letting her know I’m here. I could sit with her all day while she vented about the police, the school system, the price of eggs. Basically anything. I want to be with her. If we were on an island with nothing but sand and water as far as the eye could see, I’d be happy.