Page 19 of Nines's Time

I lick my bottom lip and shake my head in answer. I can’t tell him yet. I made the decision I was gonna tell him so he knew I wasn’t worth it, but I couldn’t tell him about the message. He’ll want to do something, and I can’t let him be a part of it all. “I swear I’m okay.”

Nines holds my gaze for a long period of time, seeming to assess my response. When he nods, I know it’s only to appease me for the moment. “Right, baby,” he says, pulling me flush against his front. The way he tilts his head downward forces me to tilt my back to keep eye contact. My lips part on a breath when he presses his nose against my own. “Before we go, baby, I gotta kiss you.” His lips brush against mine as he talks and drops his hand down to cup my rear, holding me close.

Then he does as he said and kisses me. The way he slips his tongue in my mouth has my toes curling, and desire courses through me. I love the taste of Nines and the way he holds me to him as he deepens the kiss further. By the time he breaks away from my mouth, I’m breathless and wish he would continue to kiss me.

Nines drops his hands from my butt and takes my hand. “Come on, Buttercup, let’s get out of here. You got everything set to lock up?”

“Yes.” I nod. I’d already made sure everything was straight before he was due to pick me up. I didn’t want him to have to stand around while I closed down the boutique for the night. I’d have been too nervous and possibly screwed things up if I hadn’t.

“Right.” He grins and drops my hand. “Grab your stuff.”

I turn toward the counter and snag my phone and the keys before making my way to the back of the boutique to grab my crossover bag. I put my phone inside and find the key I need while heading back to Nines. “I have to set the alarm,” I announce, motioning toward the door.

Nodding, Nines heads for the door and stops to wait for me. I set the alarm and follow him outside into the cooling evening. I lock the door and shove the keys into my purse.“Ready.”

I barely get the word out before Nines retakes my hand and guides me to his bike.

“Time to ride, baby,” he says and hands me a black helmet with a tinted shield. On the sides, there’s purple writing. Upon closer look, my breath catches as I read the simple word ‘Buttercup’. “Got this for you today.”

“Thank you.” Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his.

“Don’t thank me, Meadow. You’re on the bike, I want you safe.” Taking the helmet back, he lifts it up and over my head. With easy movements, Nines shows me how to put the helmet on and tightens the straps. A few moments later, he moves to straddle his bike and points to a peg. “Foot here, baby, and swing a leg over.”

I nod and put a foot on the peg. I go to swing a leg over and fumble somewhat until I put my hands on Nines’s shoulder and use him to balance myself as I do as he told me. Finally, sitting behind him, I put my hands at his waist and wait for him to do whatever he has to do next. Instead of turning the bike on, though, Nines reaches backward, grips my butt without looking back, and pulls me flush against his back, then grabs my arms and wraps them fully around him.Giving my hands a squeeze, he cocks his head to the side.

“You always hold tight, baby.”

“Okay.”

* * *

Nines pats my hands and motions for me to climb off. I do so and nearly fall on my ass due to my legs feeling wobbly. If not for Nines, I would have. With a hand still holding my waist, he climbs off and helps me with my helmet. The instant the thing clears my head, Nines reaches up and tangles his fingers in my hair.

“You enjoy your first ride, Buttercup?”

I don’t miss the hint of amusement in his voice, but I don’t care. “It was amazing.”

“It’s just the beginning,” he says, releasing my hair only to wrap his arm around my shoulders and guide me into the building. “First, though, we’re gonna go grab some food. This place has the best burgers and fries you’ll ever find.”

My stomach takes the opportunity to let itself be known and remind me that I hadn’t eaten. It’s loud enough for Nines to hear and, of course, to my dismay, he chuckles.

“Sounds like your stomach agrees with me.”

“Um, I kind of forgot to eat,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks heat.

“Then we better get inside and get you fed.” Nines grins and opens the door for me to step through.

The inside looks like a typical bar. Pool tables. A dart board. A few tables scattered around. The bar top lining the side with a man standing behind it, taking care of a customer. He looks up, and I guess he knows Nines because he grins.

“Been a long time, Nines,” he says in greeting.

“Jacks,” Nines returns chuckling and ushers me to a table. I guess we’re not sitting at the bar. This works since I don’t want others to overhear what I intend to tell Nines. “Can I get two beers and put in for the special?” Nines calls over his shoulder.

“You got it,” Jacks yells back.

“Have a seat, Buttercup.” Nines pulls out one of the high-top chairs for me and touches my waist as I do as he says.

I watch as Nines takes a seat next to me with his back to the wall. Gavril once told me, a man always keeps his back to the wall and his eyes open at all times. You can’t be prepared for what’s to come if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings.

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