His eyelids growing heavy, Nick smiled slightly. “You hide your sweetness behind that big mouth, but I always knew it was there.”
Sharing his smile, I cuddled closer, but avoided touching him. Dozing off and on, I found Nick awake each time I opened my eyes. Finally around three, I woke long enough to find him sleeping.
Nick was still asleep hours later when the bright sun streamed into the bedroom. I left him looking sexy and serene. Twice while making coffee, I returned to stare in awe at his buck naked wonder. I suspected at one point Nick was dreaming about me because his cock thickened. At least, I hoped he was thinking of me. Yeah, it was probably me. Nick wouldn’t cheat, not even in his dreams.
Mom showed up as I sat down for my first cup of coffee. She placed a pile of clothes on the counter and joined me at the little table.
“Brought your brothers’ sweats and shirts that should fit Nick. I know he didn’t have anything to wear and I sensed he didn’t want to leave you.”
“I hope he never does,” I whispered, giggling like crazy.
Messing with my hair, Mom grinned. “I guess you’re feeling better.”
“A little tired, but that could be from something else.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “Be nice to that boy, Bailey. He’s skittish like a dog kicked around for too long. If you push him too hard, he’ll run or bite.”
“I am gentle,” I balked as if my kindness was a world renowned fact. “I helped him with his fear of thunderstorms. I helped him get over his fear of doing me. I was great.”
“Doing you. Very romantic. Please use that term when telling this story to your pop.”
I glanced back at the bedroom. “Will Pop be mean to Nick? He’s got dad issues.”
“And mom issues and girl issues. Does the boy even have friends?”
“Nick gets along with everyone.”
Mom lit a cigarette and frowned at me. “But does he have a good friend?”
“No, but who cares?”
“Even Tucker has a best friend.”
“Joey is in prison.”
Mom shrugged. “Still counts.”
“Maybe I’ll be Nick’s best friend.”
“Sure and your pop and I go do girlfriend shit together all the time. Bailey, he needs male friends. I’ll make your brothers bond with him.”
“Poor Nick. Can’t we give him a decent fake friend? Vaughn is funny.”
“Can Nick bowl?”
“No.”
“Then Vaughn won’t pay him attention. He barely remembers Judd exists now that they’ve both got women. Aaron might be good, but he’s busy with Lark and soon the twins.”
“We shouldn’t be controlling Nick’s life,” I said then added, “Should we?”
“I’ll have Coop take an interest in Nick.”
“I’m sure they’ll both be thrilled.”
Mom smirked. “I like Nick. If things work out, Coop needs to know how to act around your man without remembering how the two of them met.”
After walking to the bedroom and peeking inside to see his hot body, I shut the door. Returning to Mom, I sighed dramatically.
“I’m keeping him. He’s mine and I’ll kill anyone who takes him away. You might want to warn Cooper about that.”
“Baby, don’t scare off this boy.”
“I won’t.”
“I’m just warning you that he’s on edge. I saw that when we talked. Even smiling and being friendly, Nick felt on the spot. Not like a normal boy talking to his girlfriend’s mom either. He wants to run, but he wants you more. Just take your time with Nick and it’ll go easier for you both.”
“Girlfriend,” I whispered. “I have a real boyfriend. Not some loser guy I slept with and hope calls me again. A great guy too. I’m keeping him.”
Exhaling hard, Mom grunted, “You’re not listening.”
“Take it slow. Be gentle. I’ll do all that because he’s mine and I’m keeping him. See, I listened.”
“Bailey.”
“Why are you acting like I’m a bitch who will torture poor Nick?”
Mom stood up and kissed my forehead. “Baby, you get pushy when you want something. I also know Nick makes you happy. As much as I want you to be happy, I need to be brutally honest. You will fuck this up if you don’t watch yourself.”
“Okay,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
“Don’t pout. I’m just saying to be gentle with him like you are with Winnie, not like how you are with Sawyer. I know he’s strong on the outside like your brothers, but he’s not strong on the inside. If you treat him sweet, you’ll both be happy and I can see my baby smile more.”
“Okay,” I said with less whininess to my voice this time.
“Bring Nick by the house later for dinner. Pop needs to meet him and get that growlfest out of the way.”
I hugged Mom who took a cup of coffee with her. After watching her return to the house, I crawled into bed next to Nick. He never stirred, not even when I tugged a sheet over us both. Fitting so perfectly next to him, I was certain he was made just for me.
Chapter Twenty ~ Nick