Page 105 of Steeling Her
“Shit . . . I have a group meeting to practice our presentation at that time. I’m sorry Carter. Rain check?” I nod, letting him know it’s fine. “Save some for me later.” he teases and I laugh.
“My two brothers are coming too. You’ll be getting nothing because they’ll eat it all.” He chuckles and nods, understanding that my two brothers are like horses. “You want to come?” I turn back to Nick, who is already facing me. I didn’t realize how close he is until now. He’s a hair’s breadth away from me.
“Definitely.” That cheeky grin on his face makes me grin too. When he smiles, I smile; when he laughs, I laugh; when he’s angry, I’m angry. It’s like a chain reaction between us. I awkwardly tuck a loose piece of hair behind my ear. Both of Nick’s hands start to rub the outside of my legs and my skin feels scorched from his touch.
He really is so stunning, and it takes me aback how a guy like him is interested in a plain girl like me. “You’re so adorable,” Nick says, his eyes flickering between mine. I purse my lips and try not to grin like an idiot. “I hate to ruin our little staring contest, but we should study.” He winks and we both get back into focus mode.
Two heavy study hours later, I feel myself slip into a state of exhaustion. So, Nick and I decide it’s time to leave. I wave Kevin goodbye and head out the main door to leave. We trudge our heavy feet down the steps, and I text my dad to tell him that I’ve finished my study for the afternoon. I have my laptop in my arm and my handbag on my shoulder.
“How’s the whole car situation? Has it been sorted out?” Nick starts the conversation as we swipe out of the library barriers.
“My car has been fixed and is as good as new. My dad sent the bill to the girl’s parents too.” I giggle at how much my dad went papa bear on me. “I have to go to court after the holidays though. Once that’s settled, I have to go back at get a restraining order against Maya, but my lawyer says he might not get that over the line because there’s no physical proof other than the car thing. Unless she messes up again in the meantime.” I shrug, understanding that this system is so messed up. We can only do things when it’s too late in this country.
“I’m sorry this has happened to you,” he says again. I glare at him because for the past while he’s been apologizing like it was his fault. “Don’t give me that look, Steel. I am to blame—”
“You’re not to blame, Nick.” I take his arm in mine and rest my chin on his upper bicep.
“I am, if I hadn’t introduced you two or if I hadn’t liked you so fucking much, none of this would’ve happened.” I stop him and take his waist to stare up at him.
“Nick Jackson, you listen to me and listen to me good!” His eyes widen at my sudden change in mood. “You are not to blame for Maya hating me just because I like you. You are not to blame for her going nuts and taking it out on my car. You are not at fault here. She is, not you. Is that clear?” I send him my best pointed look because I mean business. I watch his head bounce up and down, telling me he understands me.
“You’re so sexy when you’re mad,” he blurts out and I roll my eyes, thinking he’s such a guy sometimes. “No, for real, that was so hot.” I drag him with me and he obeys.
“You’re such a guy,” I mumble to myself, still dragging him along so we can get some food. I’m hungry right now and I need to fill my belly.
“Well duh!” I turn around to see him pointing down to his crotch, making me laugh loudly. He shifts in my grip and interlocks our hands together. “I think that really shows I am one, don’t you think?” I can hear the teasing laced in his voice and he leans closer to me. “Come here, Steel.” He yanks me back and I stumble into his chest. I look up to and see a guilty look on his face. He knows he yanked too hard. “Sorry, I forgot how light you actually are.” I slap his chest playfully and feel his chest vibrate against my face. “You can’t hurt me, Carter,” he says patronizingly to me, and I smirk at him.
“Unless I walk away . . .” I tease.
“Yeah . . . don’t do that. Nobody wants that.” He rapidly shakes his head, a little scared that I actually will. I won’t, you’ll have to drag me away kicking and screaming for me to walk away from him, or he’ll have to ask me to. I’m just so drawn to him.
Engulfing me in a big hug, I sigh at the feeling. He’s so cuddly. I don’t want to move. Until my stomach starts to make mating calls to the food upstairs that’s waiting for me to devour.
“Hungry?” he whispers to me, and I nod my head, rubbing against his large chest. “Then let’s go and feed you. Come on, little one.” I slap his arm for calling me that. “That’s my name for you now, little one!” He fist pumps the air like he’s proud of himself.
“You’re not calling me ‘little one’!” I groan loudly as he holds the door open for me as we walk into the building.
“Oh, I’m calling you ‘little one’! It’s my thing now!” He walks into step with me as we press the button for the elevators and wait.
“Why ‘little one’?” I sigh just as the doors open to let us in. For once, it’s just us in the elevator. Usually, there are a few girls around staring at him, admiring him.
“There’s one of you and you’re little.” He shrugs like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“I’m notthatlittle.” I roll my eyes, laughing at the lack of logic with that statement.
“You’re tiny; next to me, anyway. That makes you cute and little.” He corners me in the elevator, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. I immediately respond to it by wrapping both of my arms around his waist. “Unless you’re wearing heels, then you gain a couple of inches. You should wear heels, your butt looks cute in heels too.” He winks and I turn red hot from that.
“Stop that!” I grill him when he pats my butt with his hand, making it known he likes it. “My parents are just a few feet away.” I swat his hand away from my backside.
“Makes it a little more exciting, little one.” He’s being so cheeky right now, but I enjoy that about him. He’s always playful with me and it warms me up.
“Little one . . .” I grunt to myself. Of all the names he could’ve given me, he chose “little one.” We both walk down the hallway to see three broad backs and a small woman between them.
“Dad!” I yell, allowing it to echo around the corridor.
“There she is!” He spins around and I walk a little faster towards him. Once I get within distance, he crushes me in his arms. My dad was a football player, so he still has his strength.
“Dad, you’re crushing me . . .” I whimper and I feel a chuckle reverberate through his chest. My mom pulls me away from the bone crusher.
