Page 44 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“That sounds horrifying.” I can’t imagine what it must feel like, even after her description and watching her go through one.
“I guess because we were up there and I wasn’t in control of us getting down. It must’ve triggered something.” She lowers her head. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” I squeeze her hand.
She must not have realized she was holding my hand because she releases it immediately. “I’m sorry,” she says.
“It’s fine.” I take her hand back in mine. I like having her hold my hand. I’m glad I was with her when this happened.
“And I ruined the ride for you.” The beautiful features of her face draw down into a frown.
“I don’t care about that. I care about you.” As I gaze into her eyes and say the words, I feel their truth in my core. I’m starting to have feelings for her, feelings beyond physical attraction and wanting to get between her legs.
“I’m okay now. They do take a lot out of me though. Do you mind if we go home?”
“No. I was going to suggest it. Are you okay to bike though?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay, we’ll take it slow.”
We find our bikes, she puts the pig and her purse in the front basket of hers, and we ride back to her house. When we arrive, we park our bikes on her front porch.
“You wanted to send my mom a gift basket. How about we do that quickly and then you can go,” she says, entering her house.
“I’m not leaving you alone,” I say sternly.
She chuckles. “Nicco, I’m fine.” She looks up into my eyes. “I promise.”
Tilting my head down toward her, I lower my voice. “May I stay?”
She steps back. “Yes, um, of course.”
“Good. We can order food and watch a movie.” And I can keep an eye on you.
When she goes upstairs to change, I take off my shoes and socks and get a chance to really look around her home. It’s cozy and beachy, decorated in neutrals, soft blues, and muted greens. The decor is tasteful with vases of white hydrangeas, a few large seashells and white coral pieces, candles in glass holders, and glass jars filled with small shells and starfish. While it’s unusual to have a desk in the living room, given her work, it makes sense. And the view she has through the large bay window is something else. I grab the remote on top of her fireplace and, even though it’s still early evening, I turn it on. She gets cold so easily and, after the day she had, she might like having it on.
She comes back down a few minutes later wearing black leggings and an oversized gray sweatshirt.Damn, she’s adorable.
“I turned this on. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I love having the fireplace on.” She smiles.
Sitting down at her desk, she tucks her leg under her and helps me find a nice gift basket online for her mom, and then we order food. While we wait for the food to arrive, we pick out a movie,Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. As she’s loading the movie, she gasps and spins around, facing me.
“Nicco, we were so busy with all the games and rides, you forgot to tell me about your meetings. I want to hear how they went.” Her excitement makes me smile.
“That’s right. I forgot too.”
We sit on the sofa portion of her comfortable sectional and I give her the highlights of my meetings. Given her mom’s career, Destiny’s met people from different aspects of the industry through the years. She spoke very highly of Vance and I’m even more excited about my meeting with him tomorrow afternoon.
Our food arrives and she starts the movie. When it finishes, we decide to binge-watch theFast & Furiouscollection, she has them all.
“I’m surprised you like these kinds of movies given you write romance for a living,” I say as she switches the Blu-rays.
“I love all the action, and there are love stories woven in. What I really love though is their dedication to each other and the family they create among themselves.” She walks over to her connected kitchen. “Want a snack?”
“Sure.” Joining her in the kitchen, I’m curious about what snacks she has.
