Page 47

47

RONAN

I ’m lying in a too small bed in a too small bedroom, staring at a ceiling with too many glow-in-the-dark stars. I should be fast asleep by now. Insomnia has never really been my thing, especially at the end of a busy day like today.

But no, I’m lying here, going positively crazy, knowing there’s only two walls between Nicky and me. Hell, she’s probably less than twenty feet away from me right this second.

I shut my eyes and mentally take a walk across the bedroom and out into the hallway to map it out. It’s not like I have anything better to do. Some people count sheep. Horny guys like me count the spaces between them and the pretty girl.

So, it’s probably four average-sized steps from here to my door. Then, it’s about two easy steps across the hall. Then, it’s another six or seven steps from her door to her bed where she’s lying right now. Probably wearing some cute freaking jammies from her teenage days.

Since the counting doesn’t put me to sleep, I lie in this cramped kids bed, thinking about all the things I want to say to Nicky.

You are the most incredible woman to ever cross my path…

Everything in my life changed the day I met you…

Nothing’s going to be the same when you walk away…

I love you…

The truth is, it’s not just about the explosive sex with her. I have some major feelings I can’t seem to get under control. I’m trying, I really am, but it’s a battle I’m losing day by day.

She makes me happy. She keeps me on my toes. She offers me companionship so I don’t have to feel alone. And the way she looks at me, makes me feel like the most important guy in the world.

And something I didn’t expect? Nicky makes me feel safe, too. Ever since she’s been around, I haven’t felt the need to act up in public to get attention. When something upsets me, I don’t blow up in front of the cameras or make a scene at a press conference, losing my shit. Because I know I get to go home to Nicky and that she’ll patiently sit and talk things through with me. That alone is more precious than gold.

I’m addicted to all the things her presence offers me.

My heart jumps when my phone pings with a text message in the middle of the night. I know it’s from Nicky before I even pick up my phone.

Nicky: Hi. I just wanted to make sure you’re comfortable over there

I smile, immediately texting her back.

Me: I’d be a whole lot more comfortable if you were under me right now

Me: Or on top of me

Me: I like the spooning position too if that’s more your style ;)

Then I sit there and wait. A few seconds later, I see that Nicky has read my messages. But she doesn’t respond. Guess she wasn’t expecting that.Geez. I have a tendency to come on way too strong when it comes to that girl.

Trying to lighten the mood, I scroll back through our text conversation, finding the old message I need. Then I re-send her that photo of Grammy holding hands with her boyfriend.

Me: This could be us right now, but you’re playing hard to get.

I lay back, waiting. Waiting. Waiting some more.

When I see three little dots bouncing on my screen, I sit up excitedly.

Then, they disappear.

Three dots again.

Then, nothing.

Well, crap. Did I cross the line again? Is she about to curse me out? Fuck. I’m trying to be respectful and give her her space, but I’m finding it hard to stay on my side of the line. Especially when I just like to be around Nicky all the freaking time.

She’s all I think about. She’s all I see. Day and night.

With a sigh, I swing my legs over the side of the mattress and start to get up. Maybe if I hit the bathroom and go grab a glass of milk, I’ll be able to catch some sleep.

I don’t make it a single step before there’s a soft knock at my door. Then it swings open.

Nicky is standing there in the shadows of the hallway night light, wearing nothing but an itty bitty tank top and some shorts that look more like panties. My imagination was right. Those so-called jammies are definitely something she wore like six years ago. It’s a sight that makes me drool.

She says nothing as she stalks across the room, gives my chest a hard shove, and makes me stumble backward onto the bed. Not meant for a grown man, the tiny frame creaks under my weight.

I watch like a hungry predator as Nicky climbs on top of me. Careful to rub against the good parts, she leans down, whispering into my ear. “Listen here, Hockey Guy. Tomorrow, we’re going to my family dinner. There’s going to be at least fifteen members of my family there. If you give me a hickey tonight, you won’t live to see the sun rise. I will murder you in your sleep.”

A grin stretches over my face as I pull Nicky closer to me, leaning up to touch my mouth to her throat.

“Mission accepted, captain.”