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He said you’d know what to do with it.
Folding the paper back in half, I slip it inside the coin slot for safe keeping—for the unicorn to guard until it comes true.
CHAPTER 29
NOW
DAPHNE
The steps leading up to Nicky’s front door may as well be Mt. Everest in this moment. I stare up at them with hesitation, as though they pose some hidden treachery. Steeling my spine, I initiate a step, only to spin away and stare off toward the tree line in an attempt to calm my racing heart. I repeat the process several more times before I consider abandoning this plan entirely and running home with my tail between my legs.
“You’re wearing a path in my driveway, demon,” Nicky’s voice calls out from my left.
I spin as he rounds the side of the house, shirtless with splatters of mud plastered to his chiseled torso and face. His long strides eat up the distance between us until he’s a mere ten feet away.
Eight.
Five.
Three.
I take a step back, the motion halting his advance. We remain unmoving, staring at one another tentatively, until he breaks the silence. “You look good.”
“I know,” I assert, trying my best to at least give the illusion of confidence. The truth is I changed my outfit four times before I ran out of time and was forced to commit to my basic ensemble of jean shorts and a cream-colored cami.
Nick’s face splits into a wide smile, chuckling as the sight of his bright white teeth contrast against his mud-stained skin. The image damn near knocks the wind out of me. Even covered in filth, he’s still the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
I cough to stop myself from gaping at him, forcing my eyes to break away from his. “You look like a mess.”
“Yeah.” He shakes out his hair, the dirt loosely concealed within the thick blonde strands tumbling freely to the ground. “I was out back on the track.”
That pulls a smile from me. It’s nice to know he still makes time for the one thing that brings him so much joy. Though, perhaps he should’ve managed his time a bit better today. “Well, go hurry up and change. I’ll keep J and Caleb occupied ‘til you’re ready.”
“They won’t be here until five.”
My head snaps back up to him, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. “You texted me four.”
“Did I?” His brow arches in a suggestive stare as his eyes continue to peruse my form.
“Unbelievable,” I mutter, annoyed that I even put myself in this position in the first place. This is what he does. Time and time again. I don’t know why I thought this would be any different. I scoff, shaking my head in disappointment before turning to head back to my car.
Nicky’s footsteps quicken against the asphalt behind me, his palm encircling my arm, pulling me back toward him. “Hey.”
I swat at him, simultaneously ripping my arm from his grasp. He releases me, tossing his hands up in submission while taking a giant step backward. “I only want to talk.”
My scowl must have bullshit written all over it, because Nicky responds like I’m a dog about to attack. He takes another step back, bending slightly so his eyes are level with mine while maintaining a calm even tone.
“I mean it. No funny business. I just want to have a conversation.”
“And this conversation couldn’t happen in the presence of Jonsie and Caleb?”
“I mean…” He shrugs. “It could. Though they might get a bit uncomfortable when I get to the just because you’ve bounced on my cock doesn’t mean we can’t be friends portion of the conversation.”
“Jesus Christ, Nicky.” I bury my face in my hands, the heels of my palms digging into my eyes as I try to banish the image of me riding him from my brain. “Could we maybe not phrase it like that?”
“I don’t know, demon. That’s one of the more PG renditions of what we’ve done. I suppose we could go with just because you’ve called me Daddy while—”
“In the house!” I snap, shoving him toward the stairs as he snickers in amusement. “Now. My God, you’re fucking impossible.”
