Page 119 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“Which one?”
“You’ll see.” He switches the discs. “You’ll like it.” Looking back at me, he winks.
As he jumps onto the bed, smelling of smoke,The Proposallights on the screen.
“For a playboy, you have a wicked romantic side.” I tease.
He leans on his side, facing me, propped up on his elbow. “You have a lot to learn about me, mia dolce ragazza.” His eyes drift back and forth between mine before he sits back into his pillows.
About twenty minutes into the movie, Angelina knocks on the door. We look at each other with wide eyes, saying in unison, “Pizza.”
He pauses the movie and we go to the kitchen where Angelina has set out trays, plates, and napkins for us. He comes out of a back room with a dinner tray, grabs the pizza boxes, and goes back to the bedroom. Angelina and I follow with the smaller trays. As we enter the room, he leaves, coming back with Cokes and glasses of ice.
Before Angelina leaves, he takes her in his arms and plants a loud kiss on her cheek. “You’re the best.”
She shakes her head and laughs as she closes the door.
“Thank you.” I call out.
I put two pieces of pizza on each of our plates on our trays and he pours our drinks. Then we climb onto the bed, slide our trays in front of us, and watch the rest of the movie while eating our pizza. We laugh at the same spots. He smiles at me when I cry at the end. This is the perfect night.
After we finish eating, we bring our trays and dishes to the kitchen. I put the dishes in the dishwasher while he puts away the trays.
“I’ll be right in,” he says, grabbing his pack of cigarettes.
I look at the pack in his hand then back up into his eyes. He looks at the pack in his hand then back into my eyes. Not a word is spoken, just an exchange of glances. I don’t know what that addiction feels like. From the way he curls in his lips at the corner and casts down his eyes as he turns to go outside, I know he’s disappointed in himself.
I go back to my room, brush my teeth, and get under the covers of my bed. For the first time, it hits me that he’s going to be sleeping beside me all night.
He enters the room and closes the door.
“What did you pick?” He looks at the movies on the dresser and then at me.
“I didn’t.” I pause. “You know, I feel completely fine. You don’t have to stay and watch movies with me. And I’m sure you don’t need to wake up all night long to keep checking on me. I promise, I feel fine.”
He takes slow strides to me and sits on the edge of the bed, facing me.
“It’s my job to take care of you,” he says softly, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I want to.”
Standing back up, he walks back to the dresser, loads a new movie, and turns off the lights. As he sits on the bed and puffs his pillows,The Vowstarts playing. I sink lower under the covers while he lies down, his head propped up on his pillow.
I wake up overheated from falling asleep wearing my sweatshirt. Sitting up, I rip it off over my head. It takes me a second or two to get acclimated. Moonlight streams in the window, casting a soft glow through the room. A fake fire crackles on the TV screen making me laugh inside. Nicco lies next me, on top of the covers, his head cradled in his hands and his elbows resting on the pillow. He must’ve gotten changed after I fell asleep. His pajama bottoms cover his long legs as the moonlight highlights the curves of his bare torso.
I’ve fantasized about him for months. That’s what you do when actually being with the person is out of the realm of possibilities because of who they are. Now, here he is, not on a movie screen, not in my head, but lying next me, watching over me, taking care of me.
When we first met, he probably would happily have screwed me and moved on, keeping with his playboy reputation. Our connection has grown deep over the last couple months. Words have been spoken, tears have been shed, emotions have intertwined. He’s opened up to me in a way I could never have fathomed. I see him physically struggle to suppress himself when we’re close, respecting my boundaries.
How could I have possibly known my thirsting desire for a scorching sexual experience that only existed in my head would turn into a craving to be with him because of his heart. He’s made me a priority in his life. He’s made me feel like I matter.
He’s shown me a man the world doesn’t get the privilege of knowing. A man I can’t stop myself from falling for. A man I’ll probably never see again after I leave.
Be in the moment.
Candi’s words ring in my head. I breathe in, and with my exhale, I release everything. I release my fears, my nervousness, the sadness I know will come in the aftermath — all of it.
Kneeling, I scoot close to him, gazing at his gorgeous face and sexy body. Though I’ve touched his chest before, I was so flustered, I didn’t get a chance to actually enjoy it. This time, I let my lips do the exploring. I lean over him, my body flooding with anticipation, and touch my lips to his furry chest, working my way down the left side of his body with feathery kisses. He tenses when I reach the top of his V-line.
“Mmhh.” The sound comes from deep in his throat.
