Page 112 of Studs Up
“If you care about him, you’ll stay the fuck away from him.”
“If you think I’m gonna listen to a piss ant like you-”
“Stop.” I didn’t even need to raise my voice to him. A soft request and a hand on Nolan’s chest was enough. He looked down at me. The anger dissipated into loving acceptance, and he reached up to rest a hand on the curve of my neck.
His warmth passed through me, and I fucking melted all over the place. Not a single person in the world thought that this man could be gentle and kind and a sweetheart in bed.
The door slammed, and I jumped. Alex was gone.
“I’m not sure I like your friend.”
“It would be really nice if something could go right,” I said dryly. “He doesn’t know anything. I’ve never told him about the texts. He’s trying his best with the information he has.”
Nolan huffed out a breath.
“Fine. I’ll try and tolerate him.” That got a small smile from me. He would try, and I loved him for it.
“Thank you. That’s very big of you.”
“He gonna rat us out?” Nolan asked. He pulled me all the way into his arms, and I rested my head into his neck. Nolan’s pulse, always steady and strong, beat against my forehead.
“I don’t think so. We don’t out each other.”
“Got it,” Nolan nodded. “I didn’t know he was here. I would have-”
“It’s fine,” I sighed and nuzzled closer. There was no taking it back now. If Alex ever got over it, having at least one person to talk to about it would be nice. “It’s not your fault, and it was bound to happen.”
His warmth and gentle caress as his hand moved up and down my back sucked all of the fear and tension away. Safe. It was safe here.
Nolan took over the coffee and the breakfast, and I sat on the counter watching. Wouldn’t this be a beautiful life? Waking up and having him every day, watching him make breakfast, and spending the day in bed or going for a run in public together. A normal, loving, domestic life without the fear and the drama. Just him and me and no one else butting their way in.
I had no idea how it would even work. In the moment, it was, and I was going to revel in it.
He whipped eggs, made toast, and poured me coffee. I barely moved. I watched him and wished life was this simple.
We ate in the kitchen, with me still sitting on the counter and Nolan standing next to me.
“Start from the beginning,” he said.
I took a deep breath and, for the first time in my life, talked about my nightmare.
“There’s a place here called Haven,” I said. “It’s discreet, but also known for its wild nights. When I signed with the Rovers, I went out and celebrated.” I glanced at Nolan and then back down at my eggs. “A lot.”
“Hoe phase,” he said casually. “You told me.”
The lack of judgment was startling.
“That doesn’t bother you?” I asked. He frowned at me.
“Why the fuck would it?”
“Most people are bothered by their partner's high body counts.”
Nolan continued to frown at me.
“Right here, right now, do you want to fuck anyone else?”
“God no,” I said. I couldn’t even imagine anyone else touching me.
