Page 38 of Guarded from Corruption

Everything narrows to this moment, this shared connection with him. All my nerve endings are alive and jumping with electricity. An ache builds at my core. My nipples tighten. A rush of need surges through me.

And then.

A cough. Purposefully loud. Followed by, “Sorry guys. Should I come back later?”

Jerking away from Niall, I turn to see Xavier standing in the doorway of the gym, grinning widely. “Should I give you two some privacy?”

Niall lifts his chin and smiles at him. “No need. We’re about to head back to have breakfast, anyway.” Then he loops his arm around my waist, fitting me against his side.

They exchange a long look, a silent message passing between them.

Xavier turns his attention to me, his expression softening. “How are you doing, Jade? Did you enjoy last night?”

Though my cheeks are flaming, I meet his gaze with a smile. “I’m good. And I did. I didn’t realize you were so good at poker.”

“Ah, you saw me winning all that money?”

“I did. It was very impressive.”

Niall laughs. “We all learned the hard way. This guy pretended not to even know how to play poker. Then he fleeced all of us.”

Glancing between them, I’m struck with a renewed appreciation for everything Niall’s done for me. Sitting in his apartment every night with me so I would feel safe. Watching movies I know he thinks are terrible instead of the X-Men and Marvel ones he likes because he knows they comfort me. Spending nearly every waking hour with me.

I know how much Niall has looked forward to being part of a team again, and I don’t want to take that away from him.

I believe him when he says he wants to spend time with me. But maybe we could spend more time with his friends.

“Maybe you could show me how to play?” It just pops out. “I’m not very good.” I glance at Niall. “We could have a game night? Cards? Snacks?”

“Are you sure?” His gaze is assessing. “I like movie nights with you.” But there’s a light in his eyes that says he’d enjoy my idea, too.

“I’m sure. I think it would be fun.”

“Okay.” He gives me that smile, the one that makes my legs all wobbly. Then he frames my face and brushes a quick kiss across my lips. “I think it’s a great idea.”

The more I think about it, I do too.

How could I not like it? An evening with Niall, watching him relax with his friends. Laughing and teasing and hugging him whenever we win. Pigging out on snacks and maybe getting a little tipsy. Getting a taste of what real life with Niall would be like once all this craziness is over.

While Niall cooks breakfast, we brainstorm about game night, planning snacks and ordering new games on Amazon. We order Cards Against Humanity and Jenga and Uno and Operation; the last of which he adds to the cart while explaining, “It’s fun to play after a few beers. Makes it much more challenging.”

By the time we finish our pancakes—strawberries on top this time—I’m excited for game night and any lingering hesitation is gone. “When should we have it?” I ask as I spear the last piece of strawberry. “Is this Thursday too soon?”

“Well. Rhiannon and Xavier are heading out on a job tomorrow. And they’ll be gone three days. So Thursday won’t work. But Saturday should. Does that sound good to you?”

“It sounds great.” This all feels so normal. Hosting a game night. Grinning at Niall over the table. Feeling happy and hopeful for a future with a guy I’ve had an enormous crush on for all of my adult life.

There’s a moment of pleasant silence as Niall and I gaze at each other. It’s a comfortable silence, which is something I like about being around him. While we have plenty to talk about, we can just enjoy the quiet times together, too.

Then my phone rings, a jarring sound in the relative peace.

Since Niall is closer, he grabs it off the kitchen island and hands it to me. “Remember,” he starts, “only Shea and?—”

“I know.” Since we don’t know who’s involved—sadly, it could be any of my friends or coworkers—the only people I talk to on the phone are Shea and my parents.

I’m hoping for Shea; even though there are a bunch of things I can’t tell her right now, it’s still nice to hear her voice. But it’s my father instead.

For a second, I contemplate not answering.

---