Page 19 of Naughty and Nice
“If?”
My pulse suddenly thumped in my ears as I looked up to Nick’s gaze. “It’s okay if you didn’t mean anything we said last night. I’ve had time to think, and I agree, it was a crazy idea.”
Swallowing his bite of torta, Nick shook his head. “I’ve given it some thought too.”
“During the altercation at Wanderland?”
“Before and after.” He laid his torta on the paper. “Cartel shit is going to happen. I’d say every night, but it could be happening now, during the day. It’ll require my attention. But when it isn’t happening, I’d like my attention to go to you.”
“Why?” I laid my torta down and stood. “Why Nick? I’m no one.”
Suddenly, he was standing, all six foot five or more inches of solid muscle. His proximity was close…cornering me—an unmovable wall. My breath caught before I could remind myself that I didn’t fear Nick Ruiz. My body shuddered at the movement of his hand.
Lightly, he cupped my cheek. “Liliana, I’m not my father. I’m not my uncle. I’m not Em or el Patrón. I, however, will not allow you to put down my friend, someone I care about.”
“Your friend?”
“You. You’re not no one. I rearranged my stops today to be here. I sure as fuck wouldn’t have done that for no one.”
“Do you hear what you’re saying?” I asked.
“I’m saying that I like you, being with you, and talking to you.”
I shook my head. “I won’t sentence you to a loveless marriage. I know what that’s like. You deserve?—”
Nick seized my shoulders as his strong lips came down on mine.
My body froze.
Releasing my shoulders, he gently ran his hands up and down my arms. “I’m sorry if you hated that. I needed you to stop talking.”
Another snicker. “Do you kiss everyone you want to stop from talking?”
“No, I usually have much more subtle ways, like brandishing my knife.”
I tipped my forehead to his chest. “I’m broken, Nick. It’s not your job to fix me.”
“Look at me.”
Slowly, I obeyed, lifting my chin until our gazes met.
“I have no desire to fix you, Liliana. I want to help you. I want you to help me. I like being with you, you, the way you are now. You’re strong. You’re a survivor. I recognize that in you. You don’t need fixing. Maybe all you need is to know that someone is thinking about you. Someone truly cares about you.”
The lump of emotion was back. “I don’t understand.”
“Then let me show you.”
“Isabella invited me to stay with Em’s family.”
Nick laughed. “With Aunt Valentina and Uncle Andrs—sounds like a party.”
“And Mia. She said I could stay with them.”
“Where do you want to be?”
“In my apartment.” My insides twisted. Honesty meant vulnerability. However, staring up at Nick, I chose that unfamiliar path. “With you,” I added softly.
Chapter
