“I will,” I say instead of lying and placating him with an “I am” that is empty.
Lotus House is teeming with energy when I arrive, date-night bag slung over my shoulder. Dara is at the counter, and she waves me over.
“Hey, girl… I hear tonight is the night.” She grabs my hand and squeezes.
“Grace?” I offer, knowing this is where she’s getting her information.
She nods. “Um-huh. She’s so excited, that one is bouncing off the walls telling everyone that her brother is dating her new best friend.”
I laugh and shake my head. Though, the idea that I’m anyone’s “best” anything makes my heart beat double time with a sensation I don’t recognize.
“You know she means well, right?” Dara’s gaze is direct and unwavering.
“Yes, I do. And I appreciate her high spirits as it pertains to her brother and me having a date, but it’s not really a big deal.”
Dara jerks her head back. “Not a big deal?” She makes a noise with her lips that’s a cross between a shush and a psst. “Every girl in here besides the teachers would die to be in your shoes. You’ve basically caught yourself a unicorn, honey. That man does not date. What I hear, you’re the first in years.”
I frown. “I’m sure he’s seen women besides me,” I whisper, not wanting others to hear our conversation.
She snort-laughs in a way that has me grinning. “Oh, I don’t doubt that Nick has seen women. A lot of women. On their backs. Naked.” She snaps her fingers. “Dated, wooed, taken home to his mama Josephine? Nuh-uh.” She waves her index finger back and forth with a sassy edge.
“Well, he hasn’t offered to take me home to his mother either.”
She leans against the counters. “My bet, next Sunday you’ll be ass in the chair at the Salerno family table.”
“Sunday? I’m not sure I understand.” I frown, wondering what’s so important about Sundays.
Dara grins and winks. “You’ll see. Hey, Nick!” She calls out to the man in question, who must have entered behind me.
I don’t turn around, still nervous to see him. The air electrifies as warmth closes in on the back of my body. A featherlight touch caresses the side of my cheek from behind, pushing my hair to the side. Nick’s citrus and leather scent invades my senses, and I grip the counter in front of me until my knuckles turn white against the pressure.
“Dove…” he whispers against my ear.
I let out the breath I was holding as chills ripple up and down my back. His nearness is intoxicating, making me light-headed.
“Christ. You smell amazing.” He nuzzles against my neck, and I close my eyes and lean back into him without realizing I’m doing it. My body seems to react on its own, wanting to be closer to him. “Like roses in the spring.” He inhales and exhales, his breath falling warmly against the shell of my ear.
I tremble against his bulk. He lays one hand on my hip and squeezes. “You look beautiful.”
“But you can only see me from behind,” I manage through a suddenly dry throat.
“I know. And it’s a great fucking view.” His hand moves from my hip and boldly cups my right ass cheek, making me squeak. “Been dreaming about this ass for a week. Now get it moving to class. I want you right up front where I can see you.” He firms his hold on my ass, and I have to bite back a moan.
It’s been so long since a man has touched me in a sexual way, I’m not sure how to handle it, other than to take what he’s offering and be grateful.
“Got it?” His breath teases the hairs on my nape.
I nod.
“Words, Dove. I want your words.” He growls against my neck. The vibration rolls through me like sap dripping down a tree. Slow, fluid, and mesmerizing.
“Yes, Nick. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I mumble through the arousal seeping into my bones.
He hums against my skin, inhales deeply, and squeezes my ass once more before he’s gone.
“Catch you later, Dara,” he says over my shoulder as if he wasn’t just twirling me into a heady sexual haze, making my mind complete and utter mush.
Dara bends forward toward the counter, smirks, and places her chin in her open palm. “You are so gone for that boy.”
She is not wrong. There is absolutely no denying the power Nick’s voice alone holds over me. It hits me like a two-ton truck slamming into a concrete wall.
I want him.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, I’ve found something I want with reckless abandon, and his name is Nick Salerno.
“Yeah,” I mumble and shakily push away from the counter, my legs weak at the knees.
Dara chuckles. “Go get him, girl. Make that boy your man!” she urges.
“I don’t… I don’t know how to do that.”
She cants her head to one side. “From the way I just saw it, you’re already doing it. That man’s aura glows a fiery red the second he lays eyes on you. That’s passion and desire burning bright as the sun, sweet thang. Not a whole lot you need to do.” She shrugs, her blue eyes gleaming a crystal ocean blue. “My suggestion…just keep being you.”
I take a deep breath and nod, not making eye contact. She doesn’t need to know that I don’t even know what being me looks like. Instead, I head to the door, use my lotus-shaped key card, and enter the hallway heading toward the girls’ locker room. I put away all my stuff and pause at the mirror nearest my locker. My own image greets me.
Tall, thin frame, long blonde hair curled in the beachy look I learned from watching videos online. I’ve got minimal makeup on, and my gray eyes still look a bit sunken in for my liking. Attempting to be bold, I unzip my hoodie and leave it open. Underneath is a black, cropped, yoga
