Page 68 of My Rock Star Neighbor
I run down the stairs to tell Nick.
Nick is equally elated, but we both agree we shouldn’t discuss my investigation over dinner because of the leak last time.It’s hard not to, though.Thankfully, dinner is delicious.I insist on washing the dishes, but Nick helps me.And as I pass the dishes to him to dry, his hand brushes mine.It must be so obvious that I like him.Especially with two women monitoring our every move.At least they will believe that we are dating.
After I wash the dishes with Nick, his mom suggests playing Clue.
The four of us sit around the circular table.Nick hands out extra pieces of paper in addition to the Clue sheet.I take one—I like to note down all the guesses and answers.Nick doesn’t take a piece of paper.I’m totally going to win.
We each take turns rolling the dice and making our guesses.There’s good-natured ribbing and moaning when someone gets pulled into a room they don’t want to be in, but overall, the atmosphere is hushed and intense, everyone shielding their cards and their clue sheet from prying eyes.I’ve narrowed it down—it’s definitely Mrs.White and the candlestick, but I don’t have the room yet.And everyone seems to know that the candlestick is the weapon.Nick suddenly says that he’s willing to take a guess.
What?How?
He guesses the candlestick, White, and the kitchen, takes the cards out of the packet, and he’s right.
His mom shakes her head.“He wins every time.”
“You’ve been holding out on me with your detective skills!”I say.
“I can’t compare to you,” he whispers.“I can’t believe you finally have a good clue.We make a solid team.”
Nick’s mom and Christy murmur that they are ready for bed.Nick’s mom suggests we can stay in the living room until we’re ready to retire, but she says, “Please be forewarned that noise travels in the house…”
Nick looks mortified, and I feel my cheeks heat.
“I think we’ll call it a night,” he mutters.
We head up to the bedrooms.This has got to be the earliest Nick has ever gone to bed.
There is only one bed.And it’s not even a king-size bed.I’m not even sure it’s queen-size.
We both stare at the bed.At least it has a lot of pillows.
“I’ll take the floor, obviously.”Nick takes off a handful of pillows.
“Don’t be silly.I’m sure we can share the bed,” I say.
“I’ll get more sleep on the floor,” he says.
What?He wants to stay away from me that badly?
Nick takes one look at my face and steps closer.My breath catches as I suddenly realize he is saying that hecan’tshare the bed because sleep is not what will be on his mind.That heat in his eyes… Heisattracted to me.
“How can I be sure I’m not violating clause eleven if my hand touches you?”His voice is practically a growl.What that deep timbre is doing to my stomach… He reaches out, stopping a hair’s breadth from my arm.I swear I can feel the heat from his hand.He takes a step closer.I back up until my body is flat against the wall.My pulse flickers.Our gazes are locked until his shifts to my lips.
“And if you tease your lip like that, and I’m half-asleep…will I remember to saythanks muchbefore I kiss you?
Nick does want to kiss me.And I want to kiss him.I am transfixed by the heat in his perusal.But also, Idon’twant to kiss him, in case I’m a terrible kisser.
He puts one hand next to my head slowly, giving me time to move away.I can’t.
“I’m a hugger.What if my subconscious, in the middle of the night, completely forgets about all the various terms and my arms reach out to hug you?That’s going to happen if we share that bed.Should I ask for permission now?Will that count?”
I swallow.
We stare at each other, and a wave of emotion cascades over me—of longing and desire and fear.So many thoughts rush through my head.
I am falling so hard.
I can’t let Nick break my heart.
