Page 88 of I Blame the Club

I cross my arms, leaning against the doorframe, “Not sure this is any better.”

“What do you mean? I’ve made us a fortress!” Nico grins and throws his duvet over the crude bed, the green material not quite big enough to reach all the corners.

“It’s on the floor.”

He waves his hand, dropping onto the mattress with a wince, “Don’t get so caught up on the details, Maurice. I’ve solved the single bed problem.”

I nudge the edge of the bed with my toe, “You realize I have a California King back at my apartment, right?”

“Babe, we’re way past that stage.” Nico crawls under the duvet, the mattress toppers groaning loud enough to make me think he bought them from the clearance rack.

Patting the space next to him, he gives me a reassuring grin, “It’s more uncomfortable than you think. Come join.”

“You really sold it.”

“It’s what I do best. Hurry up and turn off the lights, I’m getting tired over here.” He throws me a wink, snuggling down under the green duvet, “I always sleep better with a body pillow.”

Rolling my eyes, I hit the lights and carefully navigate my way over to where Nico’s shadowed form is waiting. The Styrofoam pad squeaks as my weight sinks down on it and the ridiculousness of the situation makes me shake my head.

“Stop being judgmental and get your sexy ass over here.”

A hand slaps the bed a few feet from me and I sigh, “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

Crawling under the covers next to Nico, I can see his smug smile even in the darkened room.

“You love it.” His arm snakes around my stomach as I lie beside him, the lingering smell of his cologne filling the space between us.

“You have a strange idea of the things I love.” Threading my arm underneath his pillow, I roll onto my side so we’re face-to-face. My free hand trails down his bare torso, his quick inhale putting a smile on my face.

“What do you love, Maurice?” The whites of his eyes glow as they rake over my face, “Besides hating me.”

I fall silent, thinking over the question. For once, Nico stays quiet, not pushing for an answer but giving me room to think.

“I love dancing.” My mother’s smile flashes behind my eyes, “It was the one thing my sister and I always had in common.”

Nico grins, “Now that I can concur. Give me a Spanish bass and a little rhythm and I’m done for the evening. Died and gone to heaven.”

A chuckle escapes me, “You would be a fan of Spanish music.”

“Babe, you’re talking to a Latino. Salsa is in my blood.” He shimmies next to me and I let out a laugh.

“You would loveLifestyle. They always have a Spanish section during the night.”

“Oh my God. You’ve been toLifestyle?!” The excitement in his voice buries its way under my skin and I can't fight the grin taking over my face.

“It is the only gay nightclub within driving distance.”

“We have to go! Together, I mean.” Snapping his mouth shut, Nico’s eyes widen as his words sink in, “What I meant to say was-

“Are you asking me on a date, Montez?” I smirk, letting my fingers trickle down his smooth skin, “I thought you were just using me for my body.”

He shivers against my touch, “I was. I am. This is a strictly physical transaction, right?”

“So many questions.” My fingers continue their path downwards, enjoying the way his body reacts to my touch, “So little answers.”

He falls silent, an internal battle raging out right in front of me.

“Would you want to go toLifestylewith me?” Minty breath hits my face as Nico blurts out the words, the sudden rush giving away his nerves, “Like on a date.”

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