Page 25 of Big Nick Energy

And you, immediately after that, I added silently.

“What’s on your agenda?” I asked in return.

“The game, the step show and the party.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “What’s your number?” After I gave it to him, he said, “I want to see you tomorrow.”

“When?”

His eyes burned into mine. “In the morning. In the afternoon. At night.”

My face flushed. “If you’re serious, call me and we can figure that out.”

He cupped my face with his hands. “I’m very serious.” Kissing me softly at first, it blossomed into something moreheated as soon as I pulled his body into mine. When he pulled away, he stared for a moment. “Asha…”

Again, my name was so faint and sexy rolling off his tongue.

My arms were still wrapped around his middle. “Yes?”

Something flashed in his eyes, and he looked away momentarily. “Do you want me to walk you to your car or are you going to hang out for a while?”

“I’m actually going to get cleaned up and then head back to the hotel.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“They’re waiting on you.”

He shrugged and took a seat on the bed. “It’s a few more minutes. They can wait.” He pointed to the bathroom. “Do what you need to do. I’ll be right here.”

I went to the bathroom, washed my hands, fixed my makeup and then reemerged just in time to hear the tail end of Nick’s call.

“I sent the shit to everybody’s email anyway. Check the email. The numbers are all there.” He was standing near the door with an exasperated look on his face. “And this is why I said a meeting on the back end of a party don’t make no fucking sense. I’ll be there in a minute.” He hung up and shook his head. “These guys…”

“Everything okay?”

“With that? Yeah. That’s the same ol’ bullshit it always is when we plan something.” He eyed me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, making my way over to him. “I’m better than okay. You made my night,” I answered honestly.

“Good.” He kissed me again and opened the door for me to walk through first.

Being the gentleman that he was, he insisted on walking me to my car even though he had people waiting on him. Welaughed when we saw two separate games of Spades and one big game of Uno taking place on our way out.

“See…card games, board games,” I teased as we got outside. “And you were worried about shenanigans.”

“Shenanigans?” He burst out laughing. “Who says shenanigans?”

I put my hand on my hip. “I do. And it’s cute.”

“It’s cute as fuck.” He kissed the top of my head before laughing to himself again.

“Call me in the morning so we can coordinate some things for tomorrow.”

“I got you.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”

He opened my car door for me but before I could get in, he grabbed my arm and spun me around. Leaning down so his forehead was against mine and our noses were touching, he whispered, “I meant everything I said. I’ll rearrange my entire fucking weekend for you.”

Six

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