He pulled me back into his arms, his hands possessive on my hips as they gripped me. His voice filled with desire, and I had to squeeze my legs together to stop from rubbing them. My pulse was racing, and it was like I could almost feel my blood zinging, ready to coat me in recklessness.
Stepping even closer, he pulled me completely into him, and I could feel his hard cock rub up against me. An involuntary moan escaped my lips as Nicco bent down, licking up my neck, nipping my earlobe.
"Seeing you come undone is the sexiest thing I've ever seen," he purred, effectively destroying my panties. My breath hitched as I waited for his following words. "Do you trust me?"
Shivers ran down my body, and words wouldn't come to me, nor did I think I'd be able to utter them. Nicco had encapsulated me with his lust, immobilizing me to the spot as I greedily basked in his smell, his touch, his carnal desire… him. Slowly, I nodded my head into his neck as a slight gasp left me.
"Good."
He stepped back, and I instantly felt the loss of his presence. Nicco had the whole world around him, and I always felt brighter by association. He shone so brightly, it cast out my own shadows, allowing me to dance in the warmth of his safety. I hadn't understood that until this moment when he asked me, but I did. I trusted him, and that was monumental to me.
Draping his arm around my hip, his fingers flexed as he possessed me. Guiding me to an upper level, I noticed a guard type person standing at the stairs. In a move that had to be rehearsed, the large guy moved aside and allowed us entry. I observed him nod at Nicco in reverence, piquing my curiosity. Nicco carried on, not thinking anything of the behavior. However, the gesture had stuck out to me, causing me to falter.
When I didn't naturally drift with him, Nicco stopped and observed me trying to see if something was wrong. My facial expression must've seemed disconcerting because he was instantly in front of me, his swagger leaving as his concern for me shone through.
"If you're not comfortable with this, I can call Nat and have her take you home. I thought it would be fine, and I just wanted to see you so bad. I never want to push you, though, so if you're nervous or anything, you can tell me. This is about you, beautiful. Just say the word."
His hands cupped my cheeks, and his thumbs stroked gently across them. It was soothing and loving. Shaking my head, I found the words I'd lacked before.
"No, that's not it. I just noticed how respected you were. I don't know if I've ever had people treat me the way everyone here does you. It was just one of those moments where I had an epiphany, and I didn't know how to think about it, I guess."
"Beautiful, I think people show you more respect than you know. Doris adores you and threatened to maim me if I hurt you. Nat and Cami would pick you over me in a heartbeat too. I think you're so used to helping everyone else, you don't see how many people are tripping over themselves just to talk to you."
Shaking my head, I couldn't process the words he said. It was ridiculous. That was nowhere near being true. Nicco stopped my movement before I could retort.
"How about we make a bet? If I can prove three people tonight look at you in awe, then you have to let me design a tattoo for you," he smoldered.
"And when they don't?" I bantered back, licking my lips.
"If they don't, then you can make me do something boring, and I won't be able to complain about it one bit," he teased.
Giggling, I couldn't help but nod as I started to plot what ridiculous thing I could take him to. His tattoo bad boy exterior would give the ladies who lunch a frightful start and would almost be worth it to see their reaction. The sad reality was Nicco outmatched any of those "desirable" bachelors they tried to set me up with. He was a good man and the real deal.
"Scared I'm going to make a run for it?" I joked when he showed me the booth, motioning for me to scoot in. His devilish smile made my pulse spike for the things it promised and how much I wanted them.
"Just you wait, beautiful. I think you're going to be glad to be on the inside real soon."
Leaving that cryptic statement alone for now, I took in more of the room. From above, we could see over the railing to a makeshift ring below. Fight night made sense now, and if I had to guess, this was an illegal event. Something about the illicit part of this situation excited me. I wasn't fearful of being arrested because I did trust Nicco, and he wouldn't bring me to something that would put me in a position to lose my job.
He leaned close, seeing what I was looking at. The railing was on my side of the booth, making it easier to see down. At first, it was what I thought he was referring to. It was a better vantage point to view the fights, at least. As he kissed my neck, I was happy my hair was up, allowing him to leave trails of kisses in his wake. I could get used to this adoration he bestowed on me. It felt nice to be desired.
The light touches he kept dropping to my skin were driving me wild. I almost wanted him to stop, but I couldn't bring myself to utter the words. They were just enough to build the heat of desire, yet not enough to satisfy. The thought of him stopping altogether was more tragic, though, so I let him tease me with his soft kisses and touches as I offered my neck to him.
A waitress stopped by the table, and my hackles went up when she put her fake nails on Nicco's shoulder. To his benefit, he leaned away from her and wrapped me in his embrace. The glare she tossed me would kill if her eyes were laser beams. When she asked me in her sickly sweet voice what I wanted, I shook my head no. I knew a mean girl when I saw one. Odds were she'd spit in my drink, or worse, spike it. Neither option sounded fun or part of the reckless debauchery I wanted to partake in.
"You didn't want anything?"
"More like I didn't want the loogie or date rape drug she was sure to put into it," I shrugged.
Nicco looked astonished for a second before laughter rang out of him so hard, he couldn't breathe. I didn't understand what was particularly funny, but at least he didn't tell me she wouldn't. I hated when guys acted clueless about other girls' intentions and then defended the behavior of the mean girl. It only perpetuated it and made the one who spoke up feel unheard. I wasn't a fan of the whole thing, so as long as he didn't come back with "she would never", I wouldn't have to punch him in the junk.
"Loren, I live for the things that come out of your mouth. I'm constantly surprised and amazed at your brilliance."
Okay, so that wasn't what I expected him to say at all. Quizzically, I tilted my head, trying to understand the point he was getting at and, more importantly, why he laughed. When I couldn't come up with a rationale that fit, I gave in and asked him.
"Why did you laugh then?"
"Because she so would do that, and I've never heard a woman call another one out like that before. It struck me as funny." He shrugged, pure mischief on his face. "She's actually the absolute worst person and never takes no for an answer. I've often worried about my own drinks. I'll get her switched because I want us to have fun and not worry about jealous bitches."