“Need what?” I said, pausing only long enough to speak before I dove again.
“To come,” she whispered.
“Then do it,” I said, my breath hot against her wet flesh.
And she did, falling apart on my tongue so beautifully it almost took my breath.
I kept at it through it all, desperate for each taste. Pulled back when she started to shift.
She smiled down at me and pulled me up to stand, and I kissed her back greedily when stretched up to kiss me.
“What was that?—”
I shook my head, cutting her off before she could finish.
“Finish your dinner. Don’t wait up,” I said.
Before she could respond, I was gone.
TWENTY-FIVE
Hope
“What the fuck?”
I stared at the entryway to the kitchen, a spot that was vacant, even though Nico had only been there seconds ago.
Suddenly feeling embarrassed—and bereft—I adjusted my clothes.
Even though I’d lost my appetite, I turned the stove back on, needing some distraction.
Twenty minutes later, dinner was ready, but there was zero chance I’d be able to eat it.
I was confused, and annoyed.
I didn’t know how to deal with this shit.
There was clearly something going on with Nico, and with me. I’d been content not to try to name it, or even explore it really, just let it exist. But now I wondered how long I could keep that up.
On the other hand, I didn’t know what I was doing, and thought it foolish to even try to have something like a relationship with Nico.
I was so out of my league I could barely comprehend it. This wasn’t the safe, comfortable world I had built for myself after I got away from Daniel.
And I had no idea how to navigate it.
I looked at the phone Nico had given me and grabbed it on impulse. There would be repercussions for this, but right now I need to talk to someone I could trust, and the answer was clear.
“Hello?”
WhenMolly answered, I heard the wariness in her tone, and hurried to fill the air before she hung up.
“Molly, it’s me,” I said.
“Hope! How are you?” she said.
She sounded suspicious, which was understandable. I had shared a few text messages and oneveryshort phone conversation, which was out of the norm and something I knew I’d have to answer for. But now wasn’t the time.
“I’m fine. Sorry I’ve been out of touch…”