Page 29 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)

FITZ

I didn’t realize how addicting it could be to watch someone sleep.

But from the moment she let out that cleansing breath and her head rolled onto my shoulder, I haven’t been able to look away.

She’s such an expressive person; mostly negative expressions when I’m involved, but expressive nonetheless.

To see her face completely relaxed, free of frustration, pinched brows, or a scowl, she looks…

happy. Peaceful. The captain’s voice comes across the overhead speakers announcing our descent, though it’s quiet enough that she sleeps right through it.

I reach across and tuck her hair behind her ear, then pull it back out when I remember how many times I have watched her untuck it. She must not like that for some reason.

“Hey, Trouble. We’re landing,” I whisper, giving my shoulder a gentle shrug to help wake her, kissing her forehead as she begins to stir.

What the fuck. Why did I do that?

“Mm-mm,” she argues, nestling further into my neck.

I’m going to have to spend a little extra time in my seat if her lips get any closer to my neck. How is she even comfortable right now?

I clear my throat, trying to help wake her faster. “Lauren.” Her eyes finally flutter open and she pulls her head back. Those same sleepy eyes widen when she realizes what she was just doing.

“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I just…I have no boundaries when I sleep.” She’s practically pressed into the opposite side of her seat, which is probably the best place for her given how I’m feeling right now.

“I’ll remember that when planning our sleeping arrangements.” Her head falls lazily in my direction and she’s frowning.

“What do you mean?”

“I only have one bed in my house.”

“You have a couch, right?”

“Yes.”

“Planning done. You’ll sleep on the couch.” She gives me one of those sassy ass smirks and I shake my head in disapproval. “Time to go, Mr. Fitzgerald.” The amusement falls from my face at lightning speed but before I can tell her, yet again, to not call me that, she’s up and reaching for her bags.

I think the hell not.

I slap her hand away from the overhead bin.

“I’ll do that.” Her mouth pops open, to argue with me, no doubt, then snaps shut again.

Moving enough to allow me to get the bags before she leads the way off the plane.

As soon as we’re back in the airport, I hold our bags over my shoulder and wrap my free arm over her shoulders.

She tilts her head up to look at me, the back of her head resting perfectly in the crook of my elbow.

“Showtime, Sweetheart. Never know who may be watching.” Then I give her a wink and she puts one arm around my waist, lacing her fingers through mine with her other. My stomach twists into a million knots when her fingers intertwine with mine.

It will get easier, right? Wanting this to be real, and knowing it may never be.

At first I wasn’t sure she would last a year, but now I’m afraid I won’t. While we walk she pulls her phone out and a wave of texts begin flooding her screen. She scrolls through them and when she giggles, I let my curiosity get the best of me and peek down.

Tay

If you joined the mile high club I’m going to be so jealous. Tucker doesn’t fly so that’ll never happen for me and I am gonna need hella details.

I like the way you think, Tay.

I smirk to myself, but it quickly falls when I see the reply she’s typed out.

Lauren

Who says I wasn’t already part of it before this trip? smirk emoji

Yeah, fuck this conversation.

When we finally make it to baggage claim I pull the Dodgers hat from my bag and put it on.

“Wow.” I look over at Lauren, who has a perplexed look on her face.

“What?”

“Are you like…trying to disguise yourself or is this a fashion choice?” I frown at her.

“I can’t tell which answer will get me into less trouble, honestly.”

She laughs and crosses her arms. “No, I like it. I’ve just literally never seen you wear a hat in Nashville.”

I shrug. “You’ve never really seen me out of the office.” She hums her agreement. “Come here.” I tilt my head, beckoning her over to me. She gives me a curious glance, then takes a small step towards me, giving me the chance to whisper, “My dad’s partner is over there.”

Her eyes widen. “What do I do?” she asks nervously.

“Relax, Trouble. Just follow my lead and act like you don’t hate my guts.” She rolls her eyes like I was hoping she would, and I grab her face with both hands, letting my fingers rest along her neck as my thumbs caress her cheeks. “What did I tell you about rolling those eyes at me?”

Her hands come up to grab my arms, rubbing them lazily as her eyes bore into my soul. “You said you’d show me better ways to make them roll.”

Fuck. I guess I forgot who I was playing this game with—a vixen who doesn’t back down.

I spin her around, pulling her back flush with my front, wrapping my arms around her, and dropping my lips to her ear.

To anyone watching we look like any other couple in love, and not two people wound so tight they would probably cause an atomic-sized explosion in the middle of this airport if they just gave into their feelings.

I hear her gasp when she feels my length press into her back and I smirk.

“You’d do well to remember that.” I must catch Frank’s eye because he gives me a surprised look before starting toward us. I take the opportunity to whisper one last thing in her ear before he makes it to us. “You’re driving me fucking crazy already, Trouble.”

“Fitz!” I keep my grip on Lauren firm, not wanting her to move and expose just how fucking crazy she’s driven me.

“Frank. Good to see you.” I shake his hand, seeing his eyes fall to Lauren. “This is my girlfriend, Lauren. Lauren, this is Frank. A close family friend and Dad’s business partner.” Frank’s eyes widen in surprise and he does an atrocious job of trying to cover it.

“Oh, Lauren. Of course. Nice to finally meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, Frank. Fitz has told me so much about you.” She rests her head back on my shoulder and I feel my heart stutter.

“Well, you can’t believe everything you hear, right?” He laughs nervously and it’s becoming more awkward by the minute.

“We can’t wait to catch up with you more this weekend, but we better grab our bags and get going. So great to meet you, though.”

“Of course, you as well.” Just like that, Frank leaves.

Well, she made that quick and painless.

“You’re magic.” The statement rolls bluntly off my lips.

“What do you mean?” she laughs.

“I have never been able to have that short of a conversation with anyone. Not without feeling like an asshole for cutting them off.”

“Oh. Must be part of my charm. Casual misery and short conversations.” She smirks up at me before pressing her ass gently into my groin, making my eyes flare.

“Just checking to see if it’s safe to move yet.” I glare at her. “All good. Frank must have scared him off.” She walks over to the conveyor belt of luggage and taps, very loudly, on hers. “This one is mine.” Then she stands like a perfect little statue waiting for me to get it for her.

How does she make being obedient seem so defiant? Like she’s looking for any reason to press my buttons. Payback for all the ways I’ve pressed hers over the last seven months, maybe?

“Look alive, babe. I’m starving.” My dick twitches at the nickname as my stomach growls at the idea of food. I grab her bag, then find mine and we’re in a car headed to my place ten minutes later.

“Tour now or later?” I ask as I unlock the door to my apartment.

“I will literally die if I don’t eat something in the next twenty minutes.

Later is fine. I’m sure you have a standard bachelor pad or maybe a fake plant in the corner or something.

I’d rather you show me this pizza place you want to get married, or buried in.

Probably both with the way you went on about the cheese. ”

“Oh my god, you’re chatty when you’re malnourished.” I roll the suitcases right inside the door and drop our carry-ons next to them before shutting the door again to lock it.

“Feed. Me,” she growls. I hold back a laugh and nod.

“Let’s go, gremlin.”

I walk in front of her and hear her mumble, “Oh you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

With Milano’s being within walking distance of my place, and one of my best-kept secrets of New York, we are at a table and eating within the time limit allotted before Lauren claimed she would turn into a corpse.

Watching her put away three slices of pizza and washing it down with a diet soda is a sight to behold.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so attracted to another person. Savage little thing.

“Pizza good?” I tease as she chews with her mouth so full she looks like a squirrel. She gives me a middle finger and keeps eating as if I never said anything at all. “Good.”

“I hope you know I am unbelievably pissed off at you.” I sigh and toss my napkin down on the table.

“Tell me, Sweetheart. What have I done this time?”

“I’ll never be happy with pizza from anywhere else. You’ve ruined me for all other pizza, you asshole. I love pizza.” I can’t help but smirk because I think she’s genuinely mad about this.

“I guess I’ll just have to make sure you get your fix every time we’re in New York then, won’t I?” She leans back in her chair and crosses her arms.

“That’s fair…I guess.”

“Ready to go?” I nod to the door and she nods in agreement.

“More than. I am desperate to wash the smell of airplane off myself.” I pause on our way out when the thought of Lauren naked in my shower invades my mind.