Page 49

I snort. “You sound like a damn fortune cookie.”

“Just be patient, baby,” he says, laughing at me and I scrunch my nose up at him.

“Not my strong suit,” I point out and he stops walking to turn back to me and wrap his arms around me. He runs the tip of his nose along mine and I sigh, loving how easily he and I fell into this new aspect of our relationship. After his surprise and our kiss the other night, things just kind of happened like this was the way we were supposed to be all along.

“I’m figuring that out but could you give me just a few more seconds?”

I fake a pout and nod. “Fine.”

He laughs again and presses a kiss to my lips before grabbing my hand and continuing to our destination. A frog croaks from somewhere close by and I wish that I could see where we are.

“Nix, seriously, where are we?”

He stops and turns back to me but doesn’t close the space between us this time. “You really are the least patient person I’ve ever met.”

“So? Tell me something I don’t know,” I say.

“So, nothing,” he says, closing the gap between us and leaning in to claim my lips again. What was supposed to be a quick kiss turns into something more and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his body into mine as I arch my back and press against him. He nips at my lip and pulls away, shaking his head.

“I think I’m becoming addicted to you,” I whisper and he smiles.

“I know I’m addicted to you. Come on, it’s only a little bit farther.”

He pulls away, grabbing my hand, and starts dragging me behind him again as I squint into the darkness, trying to figure out where the hell we are. After a few seconds, though, I give up – releasing out a sigh as I let him pull me along. My foot catches on something in the darkness and I let out a squeak of surprise as I go falling forward. Nix lets out a curse and spins, catching me in his arms just before I hit the dirt.

“You okay?” he asks and I nod as he returns me to an upright position.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Wait right here,” he instructs and his hands fall away from my body. The soft crunch of his boots on the grass get quieter as he moves away from me and the sound of splashing water behind me has me whipping my head around to search out the source. Soft light floods the area and I gasp as my eyes adjust and Nix’s arms wrap around me from behind.

“What do you think?”

My gaze trails over the scene in front of me, from the white lights strung up in the trees to the stereo and blanket sitting on the dock overlooking the water.

“I think you’re spoiling me,” I tell him honestly. While I love the surprises and all the little things he does for me, it’s also weird because I’m not used to being treated like this. And being the center of attention, even when it’s just the two of us, makes me feel uncomfortable. I spent so long trying not to be noticed that I don’t know what to do with all of this attention. His lips gently press against my neck and I suck in a breath as my body relaxes into him.

“You deserve to be spoiled and I hate he made you think otherwise.”

I spin in his arms and offer him a small smile as I gaze up at him. “It’s just weird because I trained myself, or he trained me, to be as invisible as possible. That’s what was safe and as much as I love it, it also scares me.”

“Listen to me, Em,” he whispers, sliding his hand into my hair. “You have absolutely nothing to be scared of with me. All I want when I wake up every morning is to make you happy. If things like this make you uncomfortable, just say the word and I’ll stop.”

I shake my head, grabbing onto his hand as it cradles my face and pressing it harder into my cheek. “No, don’t stop.”

A smile teases his lips and the look in his eyes completely takes my breath away as he leans in slowly, making his intentions clear and driving me completely crazy. When he finally presses his lips to mine, I melt into him, wrapping my arms around his neck as his lock around my waist. He pulls me in close, fitting me perfectly against his body and I sigh. His tongue teases my lips and I open up for him. He takes full advantage, slipping his tongue into my mouth as a groan sounds from deep in his chest and he pulls me closer to him.

“Nix,” I pant, pulling away but it doesn’t deter him as he starts planting kisses in a line down my neck. Goose bumps race across my flesh and moisture pools between my thighs. His teeth sink into my skin and I let out a moan as I tug on the back of his hair. As much as I would love to continue this, we are on the edge of a swamp at night, which doesn’t seem like the best idea in the world.

“Nix,” I say again, firmer this time. He slowly pulls away and when he meets my eye, I’m ready to say screw it and go right back to what we were doing.

“Sorry. Told you I was addicted to you,” he rasps and his voice has me wondering just how quickly we can get out of here.

“I wasn’t really complaining all that much. I just think maybe right here isn’t the best place for that.”

He looks around us before nodding. “You’re right. A girl like you deserves a whole hell of a lot more than a quickie in the grass.”

“That’s not what I meant.”