Page 5 of Sinners’ Appetite
Would it be weird to ask Jeremy for Nikki’s number?
My gut is telling me yes, but I have this overwhelming urge to just push my luck anyway. The last thing I want her to think is that I’m some creep that expects something from her after saving her. She owes me nothing. It was the right thing to do.
Though, if she finds out what I really did to her attacker, she might want nothing to do with me. In my defense, I didn’t mean to hurt him that bad. I just acted on impulse to save Nikki. It’s not my fault that he had a soft skull.
I wonder if they found him yet?
I hope he rots there for a few more days at least.
“So, I decided not to charge you for the first month. I’ll reimburse you for whatever you have to spend on supplies to fix the place up,” Jeremy says.
“You don’t need to do that.” I reply. “It’s keeping me busy.”
“I know. I already talked it over with Sammi. She’s the one that suggested it actually. I think you’re her hero for saving her best friend’s life.”
“I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“Regardless, we just want to make sure you know how much we all appreciate it.”
If only he knew about the intrusive thoughts I’ve had about her since. She’s all I can think about.
“I guess I can accept the title,” I chuckle.
Jeremy gave me the go ahead on the changes, so after he leaves, I’m headed straight to the hardware store to get everything I need to get started.
I’m standing with the supplies all laid out in front of me, and I’m not sure where to start. Getting the half-wall built first might be enough to motivate me to do the rest. I’d rather build shit than roll paint onto a wall.
Maybe I should hire someone to do it for me. That would give me more time to complete everything else and I could be up and running sooner than I initially thought.
It doesn’t take me long to get the wall built. I had measured everything ahead of time and just hoped that it would all go together as planned. It’s level and sturdy, so I think I managed quite well.
I clean up the area a little and start laying drop cloths down to prepare for painting, but then my phone rings. It’s an unknown number, so I naturally expect it to me either my mother, or my sister.
I answer it, putting it on speaker and setting it down on the counter so I can continue what I was doing.
“Hello?”
The person clears their throat. “Hi. I-I’m sorry to bother you.It’s Nikki…”
My heart starts to race as soon as she speaks her name. I drop the paint roller I had in my hand and pick my phone back up. “You’re not bothering me at all. How are you feeling?”
“I’m alive. Thanks to you, I hear,” she says, her voice cracking a little.
“Happy to help. I’m just glad I was there.”
“Me too.” She sighs. “Anyway—I just wanted to personally thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Nikki,” I reply. Christ, I love the way her name rolls off my tongue . “You really shouldn’t be leaving work alone like that.”
Shit. That sounded way too overbearing.
“I know. My co-worker offered to walk me out, but I told him I didn’t need him to.”
“Jeremy said you’re quite stubborn,” I tease, hoping that I’m not coming off cocky or anything. I haven’t had a real conversation with a woman in so long.
“He would be right. I am,” she laughs. “I’ve always been a little—”
“Defiant?” I interrupt. Christ, Malachi, shut the fuck up already.
“You could say that.”
“Well—if there’s anything you ever need, just let me know,” I offer.
“I will. I have your number saved, if that’s okay…”
“I’ll save yours too,” I reply, removing the phone from my ear so I can save her name in my contacts.
“Good.” She pauses for a moment. “Maybe we could grab a coffee or something sometime…”
Oh—fuck. I can barely hold it together talking to her over the phone. How can I possibly be close to her and keep my cool? I’m bound to fuck this up somehow.
“Sure. I’d be up for that,” I manage to say.
“Okay. I’ll let you know when—or you can text me.”
I can’t stop myself from smiling like a complete idiot. Something about her is reeling me in and I’m not so sure I want to stop it. It’s even more thrilling to know that I’ve already jerked off thinking about my cock down her throat. The fact that she’ll never know about it is making me hard.
“Sounds good,” I finally reply.
“Bye,” she says cheerfully, ending the call.
I stand silently for a minute, trying so hard not to get distracted by what just happened, but it’s impossible. I’m not in the mood for painting.
I decide to make myself a rack of ribs, instant potatoes and some frozen veggies. Even though I live alone, I keep the fridge and freezer stocked full. I have a massive appetite.
Once I’m done eating, I hear the doorbell ring, so I head to the front door, noticing a delivery van parked out front.
“Delivery for Mr. White?” the man says when I open the door.
“That’s me.”
“Sign here please.” He passes me a clipboard and I sign off on the delivery.
Once they finally finish unloading the last piece of furniture, I send them off with a large tip and head into the living room to start arranging it all the way I had pictured.
I honestly don’t know why I didn’t sell half of this shit before I moved. This place looked small as it was, but now that the furniture is in here, it looks even smaller. I hate living in a crowded space, so this is going to take some time to get used to.
I’m about to slide the couch to the opposite side of the living room when my phone rings in my pocket. I yank it out in anticipation of another call from Nikki, but it’s just Jeremy.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hey. I have a huge favor to ask.”
“What’s that?”
“Well—Sammi bought a few bookshelves online, and she wants me to put them together, but—I’m no good at that shit.”
“I suppose I can,” I reply, knowing damn well if I don’t preoccupy myself, I’ll end up jerking off again.
“Thank you! I’ll help, if I can.”
“Not a problem. Send me your address and I’ll head there.”
A few seconds later, he sends me a pin and I jump into my car, heading in his direction.
Halfway through my drive there, I realize—Nikki lives in the same house, just opposite sides. I wonder if she would mind me stopping by to check in on her?