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 love you," I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being. I have never felt more connected to anyone in my life or protected, for that matter. Life isn’t so scary when you know someone is always at your back, or with Niki, at my front, wanting to shield me from the world.
“You’re mine, Andy. Forever.” With those words, Niki picks up the pace, shifting his hips so that each thrust hits just the right spot deep inside of me. It doesn’t take long before my legs are shaking and I’m going over the edge. The orgasm is so intense not only physically but emotionally as well.
I hear Niki grunt out my name before feeling his warm release inside of me. I feel his lips on mine seconds before he rolls us so that I’m lying on top of him. Our breathing is the only sound in the room, falling in tune together. I rest my head on his chest. Niki’s fingers drift up and down my spine.
“I love you too.”
I lift my head. “I know.” I kiss his chest over his heart.
“Then what did you want to talk about?”
I suddenly no longer want to discuss the subject. I only want to keep lying here. I wish we could stay like this forever. In our own little world.
“I’m relaxed and content now. Maybe tomorrow we will talk about it.”
“All right,” he agrees. “I’ll order us food and check in with my mom and let her know—”
“Niki, you don’t have to stay with me. I can go home so you can do the same. You’ve been missing too much time with your sister. I don’t like being the cause of that.”
“No,” he protests, shaking his head adamantly. “It's fine; I just told my mom I was bringing you over tonight for dinner. I'll tell her that—"
"I'll go," I blurt out. The thought of getting to see another part of Niki’s life fills me with happiness.
"That's a quick change of pace." He lets out a low chuckle. I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. "Shit, is that what you wanted to talk about? Family?"
Niki might be a man of few words, but he doesn't miss shit. He's damn smart, and I'm not sure he knows that.
“I was thinking while waiting for you to get home—I mean back.” That was all I could do. I tried to read and do other things, but I was too worried.
“Home was right, babe.”
“But—”
Niki rolls, pinning me under him. “Home isn’t a place, at least not here. For now it’s us, together.”
“I really love the sound of that.” No place I have lived has ever given me a sense of home, but I have that when Niki is near.
“There is more. You’re holding back.”
“There’s not. I mean, I was going to ask about meeting your family, but then I realized it’s dumb because I haven’t told my mom yet, and I’m not sure when I will.” She knows there's someone, but I haven’t gotten into any details.
“Because she’s got enough on her plate.”
“Right.” I smile up at him. See, he already gets it without me having to tell him.
“You can meet my sister and mom.”
“I wasn’t sure you wanted that.”
Niki strokes the hair out of my face. “I want you. Fuck, I’m pretty sure I need you.”
“Same,” I agree, pulling him back down for a kiss, knowing that’s all I need to say.
He gets it; he always does.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NIKI
“Where’s Bam?” Julie wants to know, eying both me and Andy with suspicion.
I clutch my heart in mock dismay. “Bam? What about me? Your blood brother.”
“Bam does different voices when he reads to me. You don’t.” She lifts her chin. “Is this your girlfriend?”
“She is.” I take Andy’s hand in mine and draw her close. “I wanted you to meet her.”
“This is nice.” Mom takes the flowers Andy gave her and places them in a vase. “What’d you bring?” She sniffs the brown bags we carried in.
“Shakey’s with the extra crispy fries.” I jiggle the bag.
Julie’s eyes widen, and then she remembers she’s mad at me and wrinkles her nose. “Don’t like fries.”
“Since when?” Mom picks her up and carries her to the table, gesturing for us to follow.
Beside me, Andy sucks in a deep breath. I give her hand a squeeze of encouragement. “We also brought milkshakes. Chocolate for you, Mom. Strawberry for the red berry.” I set the small cup in front of Julie’s chair.
She eyes it with suspicion. “Is this a kid’s size?”
“Nope. Small, which I got for all of us.” I show her the carrier where Andy’s and my shakes still rest.
Julie makes her inspection, and when she’s satisfied that she’s not getting cheated because she’s five, she takes a seat. Andy and I finish parceling out the meal, and we all sit down. Mom refrains from grilling Andy, which I know takes superhuman strength. When we’re all done, I clear the table while Julie drags Andy off to look at a book Andy brought. At the kitchen sink, I murmur my thanks to Mom for taking it easy.