When he’d had enough of holding me, he set me down and I turned to face him. I was stunned to see his eyes bright and shining, not so stunned to see the huge smile on his face.
I turned to face the others and they were all silently cheering, doing victory dances and making touchdown motions.
I whispered a reverent, “Wow. ”
Nik walked up to me, face serious and pecked a quick kiss on my lips be
fore hugging the life out of me.
Niiice!
After Max put Ceecee down for the night, we snuck into the studio again and sang some songs along to the piano. We were just starting ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey when Trick came skidding into the room on his knees belting out the words. The other guys came in shortly after and we somehow ended up singing Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’ which included Max sticking out his ass and booty shaking. It was so hilarious, I actually peed a little.
After listening to Nat play a few more songs, the guys went back to Poker. We’ve become so comfortable together that when the guys were playing their last round we girls got bored and fired up a DVD without even asking. This seemed to please Nik who was giving me the dimple. We took the same places on the sofas as last week and watched ‘Old School’. The guys would stop playing every time we burst out laughing and eventually gave up on Poker to come and watch with us.
Nik sat with his back to the arm rest and pulled me onto my belly with my head resting on his chest, Max using my butt as a pillow. Mimi sitting with her feet under her body, Trick using Lola’s lap as a pillow while Lola stroked Trick’s hair. Nat sitting on the end of the sofa, her legs pulled up to her chest with Ghost leaning back on her and using her legs as a recliner.
Watching Will Ferrell streak naked down the street by himself had me in stitches. I was laughing so hard I’d snort, every time I’d snort everyone would laugh at me and I’d laugh harder causing more snorts. Still laughing and snorting, I begged for everyone to stop because I was actually going to pee myself.
I settled back down and found myself falling asleep. Nik asked me if I wanted to sleep in an actual bed and I shook my head. In a sleep filled haze, I turn my head to his, took my fingers and traced his lips. Without a second more of thinking, I put my lips on his. Whisper soft. I could’ve imagined it. I sure thought I did. I pull away and smile at his confused expression.
Nik, y u so dreamy?
I rest my head under his chin and promptly pass out.
Chapter Thirteen
Free Rein
“What the heck is that?”
I look up from my Friday rush paperwork to see Tina in the doorway of my office, face pale with wide eyes.
Confusion passes through me. I look down to see I’ve forgotten to put away my . 45 caliber pistol which sits on my desk.
Oh, crap.
“I… Uh…” I’m not sure what to tell her. This pistol is my baby. My dad gave it to me when I fifteen. He wouldn’t let me use it, though. It was just for protection. Only to be used in life or death situations. The very first thing he taught me was to never point your gun at someone you don’t plan to use it on. I’m not saying I haven’t ever used it. I have.
It’s a regular semi-automatic pistol with steel casing. The handle, however, is wooden with a solid gold Mary Magdalene on the right side. It’s a piece of art. This was my dad’s gun which he brought over from Russia. He taught me how to use it. It’s my only connection to my dad apart from our baby grand piano.
I decide to play it cool. I can trust Tina.
She makes her way over to me slowly, still obviously petrified of the object on my desk and says quietly, “Please tell me you have a permit for that. ”
I smile and shake my head at her. Not in a ‘No’ way but in a “Nawww, you’re too cute” way.
I smirk up at her, “You wanna hold it?”
She gasps, her body rears back, and she shoves her hands under her armpits looking like she’s about to do the chicken dance then leans forward and whispers fiercely, “I don’t want my prints on it!”
I burst into laughter. My god, she is a goofball.
Taking the pistol, I stand and place it into the top drawer of the filing cabinet in the corner before locking it. I walk up to Tina, put my hands on her shoulders and assure her, “Nothing to worry about, sweetheart. It’s just for protection. ”
Still wary, she looks into my eyes and tries to joke, “You must have some large enemies. ”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. I whisper, “You have no idea. ”