Eliana waved a hand. “Nah. We’re just friends. He’s more like a pain-in-the-ass big brother.”
Nick approached, balancing three bowls heaped with blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
He likes the same snacks I do! a little voice inside whispered with glee.
He shot Eliana the stink eye as he set the bowls on a wooden tray resting on the ottoman. “I heard that, too.”
Eliana winked. “And you aren’t denying that either.”
“Because you’re a force of nature, and I’m too tired to battle you tonight.”
Eliana shot a fist into the air. “Yes! Girl power!”
Laughing, he headed back into the kitchen and returned with three glasses of ice water. Kayla’s heart began to race when he settled himself beside her.
He didn’t sit way on the end of the incredibly long sofa. He sat near enough for his arm to brush hers every time he moved.
She drew in a subtle breath. He smelled so good. Looked good, too. Positively edible.
Unlike her and Eliana, he had no trouble planting his feet on the floor when he sat back, knees splayed. The muscles in those long legs flexed beneath his cargo pants as he shifted and reached for the remote on the ottoman.
“So what are we watching tonight?” He glanced at Kayla.
Her mind went blank. She’d been so focused on being this close to him for the first time that…
Wow. He was really big, wasn’t he? Her ex had been five feet, seven inches tall. And though he had been pretty buff—something she supposed had aided him in attracting all of the women he’d cheated with—he had never made her feel so petite by comparison. Nick’s shoulders were deliciously broad and muscular. His ab muscles rippled beneath the tight T-shirt he wore. Even his beard stubble appealed to her.
He stared at her expectantly.
Oh crap. What had he asked her? “Um…”
“Have you ever watched Luther?” Eliana asked.
Kayla tore her gaze away from Nick. Right. They were trying to decide on a show to watch. “No.”
“Then let’s watch that.” Eliana sighed and stared up at the ceiling with a dreamy smile. “I love Idris Elba. He plays Luther in this and reminds me so much of David.”
Nick aimed the remote at the television and started pressing buttons. “Except David maintains a much stronger hold on his temper than Luther does.”
Eliana snorted as she reached for a bowl. “Thank goodness. That man can do some damage when he lets loose.” She popped a blackberry into her mouth. “Mmm. So sweet. Try one, Kayla.”
Kayla leaned forward and picked up a bowl, then scooted back again.
Nick glanced at her feet dangling above the floor and grinned. “You two are so small. I love it. Want me to bring the ottoman closer?”
He liked that they were small? “Yes, please.”
Eliana shook her head. “We aren’t small. You’re a giant.”
“I’m not a giant. I’m six one. Seth is a giant.”
“Hell yes, he is,” Eliana agreed. “I’m only nipple high on that man.”
Kayla laughed. “How tall is he?”
She smiled. “Six eight.”
“Wow. Nipple high sounds about right.” Kayla’s breath caught when Nick slipped a strong arm beneath her calves and lifted her feet up. All kinds of tingles raced through her while he dragged the ottoman close enough for her to prop her feet on it.
“How’s that?” he asked as he lowered her feet and withdrew his touch.
“Great. Thanks.” She sounded normal, right? She didn’t sound like she wanted him to slip his hands under the hem of her yoga pants and slide those long fingers up her bare legs, did she? Because she totally wanted him to slip those big hands of his under the hem of her yoga pants and caress his way up her calves.
Nick grabbed the last bowl of fruit and leaned back beside her. Aiming the remote at the television again, he propped his booted feet on the ottoman.
Her lips twitched. They looked huge next to hers. She’d always had small feet. Back when she was in high school, the other girls had made fun of her for it, as if wearing a size five somehow made her less womanly than wearing a size seven or eight. But she kinda liked the way her size fives looked beside Nick’s big-ass boots. It made her want to know what it would feel like to have those large feet tangle with hers beneath the covers.
Nick made a humming sound of pleasure that made her nipples tighten.
Get your mind off sex, damn it! She glanced up at him, entranced by the movement of his strong jaw as he chewed.
“These blueberries are delicious.”
Absently, she nodded. So was he.
He bent his head over his bowl. “Look how big this one is.” He held up a particularly plump blueberry. “Here. You take it. The big ones are always the best.”
Eliana made a choked sound of amusement behind her.
When he held the berry in front of Kayla’s lips, some little gremlin inside made her part her lips so he could place it inside her mouth.
Sweet juice exploded on her tongue as she chewed it. “Mmmm. That is good. Thank you.”
Did his gaze linger on her lips a little before he dragged it back to the television? “You’re very welcome.”
Kayla focused on the show and did her damnedest to follow the storyline.
Nick didn’t make it easy. He offered her several more of the sweetest berries. Then—once his bowl was empty—draped his arm across the back of the sofa so it brushed her shoulders.
Eliana offered up a running commentary on the show, which Kayla did enjoy quite a bit. But once her tummy was full, fatigue began to creep in. Nick’s scent continued to tease her as his warmth drove her toward Sleepyville.
Was she leaning into him? Because even the side of her face felt warm now.
She fought to keep her eyelids from drifting shut.
Something strong curled around her and cuddled her close.
She sighed, contentment slithering through her as darkness descended.
This was nice. The cushion that pillowed her head was both hard and soft at the same time.
A deep voice murmured in the background.
What was Idris Elba doing in her house?
Something nudged her feet like a puppy tugging at her shoelaces. Too cute.
Her shoes hit the floor.
A big body spooned up behind her, chasing away all thoughts of puppies. A strong arm wrapped around her waist and drew her back against a hard form.
Not Idris Elba. Nick Belanger.
Best. Dream. Ever.
Nick was having the best dream… until he awoke and realized it wasn’t just a dream. He lay on the sofa, curled up with Kayla. And holy hell, her body felt good pressed against his. He was spooned up behind her, one arm pillowing her head, the other wrapped around her with his hand cupping a full breast.
Oops. When had that happened?
Her breast was exactly as he had imagined it would be after years of picturing her naked, filling his big hand with perfection. She didn’t wear one of those padded bras that concealed her nipples. Nor did she wear one that shoved her breasts up to her chin to make them look plumper. So he could feel the hard peak against his palm and wanted badly to tweak it, roll it between his fingers and thumb, pinch it, and see what would make her moan.
But she hadn’t exactly invited him to touch her. She had fallen asleep during the show, leaning against him more and more, inspiring warm, fuzzy feelings inside him. He supposed he should have woken her and walked her home, but… when else would he have an opportunity like this? An opportunity to hold her and sleep beside her and soak in the peace and contentment she inspired?