Chapter Thirty-Seven EVERLEIGH

Chapter Thirty-Seven

EVERLEIGH

I wind my arms around Nico’s neck as we continue to kiss, my fingers sliding into the thick, soft hair at his nape. It feels as if I’m floating on a cloud, overwhelmed by Nico’s confession of love. Overwhelmed by my own confession.

When I arrived in Santa Mira, my life was a mess, and it only seemed to get worse. I felt as if I lost everything and was starting over from scratch. The only people I could rely on were my new roommates, and we were basically strangers.

Now they feel like my family, every single one of them. Even Gavin. Especially Sienna.

And then there’s Nico.

I didn’t know I could feel like this. That it could be this good with someone. I’d become so accustomed to the subpar relationship I had with my ex, I thought that was as good as it gets.

I was so wrong.

We might’ve had our rocky moments, and Nico might’ve been a jerk more than a few times, but ultimately, none of that matters. All I can focus on is this beautiful man I love.

And who loves me in return.

He shifts above me, sliding his arm down until his fingers are grasping the hem of my team jersey. “I love seeing my number on you, baby, but we need to get rid of this.”

His sexy murmur and the way he just called me baby makes heat flood between my thighs. Eagerly I help him get rid of the shirt, pleased to see the appreciation in his dark eyes when he realizes I don’t have a bra on.

“You weren’t wearing a bra?” He cups my right breast, toying with my hardened nipple with his thumb.

“I hate them,” I admit. “If I could go braless for the rest of my life, I’d be happy.”

“I wouldn’t protest,” he murmurs right before he dips his head and draws my nipple into his mouth, sucking it deep.

Closing my eyes, I sink my hands into his hair yet again, holding him close as he devotes all his attention first to one nipple, then the other. The weight of him on top of me is both arousing and a comfort, and when I curl my legs around his, he settles more firmly against my body, his erection pressing into me.

God, he’s already so hard. All for me.

Nico eventually abandons my chest, sliding down my body and raining kisses along my stomach. On one hip bone and then the other. He tugs at the front of my panties, his fingers delving deeper, pushing into my wetness, and I moan, arching my hips.

“You’re so wet,” he murmurs against my stomach, lifting his head at the same time I glance down, our gazes meeting. His is dark and hot, his fingers slipping deeper, his thumb teasing my clit, setting me on fire. “All for me, baby?”

I nod, licking my lips. His gaze flares with awareness, and then he’s disposing me of my panties, tugging them down my legs and tossing them aside before he pushes my thighs open and devours me.

I lift my hips, seeking his mouth, and his hands slide beneath my ass, holding me in place as he licks and sucks everywhere. He leaves no spot untouched, and I’m panting, my body straining, desperate for release. It’s almost embarrassing how quickly it happens. I fall apart in an instant, coming all over his face, grinding against his mouth. It’s liberating how I don’t have to suppress my cries because we’re all alone in the house for once.

No one can hear me.

It’s as if my crying out only encourages him more, and he doesn’t let up. He wraps his lips around my clit, tonguing it in a pulsating rhythm that eases another orgasm out of me within minutes. Until I’m a shaky, overwhelmed mess.

“You taste so fucking good, Ever,” he murmurs against my thigh when he’s finished. When I’m still trembling and trying to calm my chaotic heart. “I can’t get enough of you.”

It literally feels like that every time we’re together. As if we can’t get enough of each other. I love it.

I love him.

Nico eventually gets rid of his boxer briefs, slipping back into bed with me completely naked, wrapping me back up in his arms. I press against him, rolling over so I’m on top of him, his cock in perfect alignment to slip inside my body, and when I feel just the tip of him poking at me, I go still.

“Do you have condoms?” I ask.

Nodding, he’s already reaching for his nightstand, tugging at the drawer so hard, it falls completely out of its slot, tumbling to the floor.

I burst out laughing, scooting over along with him as we both reach toward the ground. He finds the box of condoms first. A fresh pack, never been opened.

I don’t even want to know how long it’s been since he’s had sex with someone, but I get the feeling it’s been since before he met me. I’ve not seen him try to hook up with a single woman, and he’s had his chances more than once.

None of those women matter anymore anyway. Not even mean Portia. This man is mine.

All mine.

I watch as he tears open the condom wrapper and slips it on his erection, my entire body shivering in expectation. I’ve waited for this moment for what feels like forever, and anticipation fills me, making me reach for him.

I end up with my back on the mattress and Nico hovering above me, his cock insistent between my legs, my entire body melting in preparation for him.

“Can’t go back after this,” he murmurs, his voice rough with restraint. “Once I’m inside you, Ever, you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” I whisper, already knowing deep down that it’s true. I’m all his.

And he’s all mine.

He slowly slides inside my body, inch after exquisite inch, and I only exhale when he’s filling me completely. He pauses, holding himself still, letting me adjust to him, and I close my eyes, savoring the moment. He’s huge, and I’ve never felt so full before.

“Am I hurting you?” The strain in his voice is obvious.

I crack my eyes open, shaking my head. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” I wiggle my hips, causing him to go even deeper, making him groan.

He starts to move, pulling almost all the way out before plunging back in, establishing a slow, steady rhythm that already has me seeing stars. Ducking his head, his mouth finds mine, kissing me deep, his tongue doing a thorough search of my mouth, and I lift my legs, wrapping them around his waist. Clinging to him like I never want to let him go.

This is what real connection feels like,I think as Nico rocks into me. I’m so attuned to this man, surrounded completely by him. Locked with him, our bodies melded together.

He’s all I could ever want.

I can feel my third orgasm of the night forming. My stomach clenches with every thrust, the tip of his erection nudging a spot inside me that creates a delicious friction I can’t get enough of. I slide my hands down until they’re settled on his ass, pushing him deeper. Holding him there.

“You feel so good,” he murmurs close to my ear, his panting breaths making me shiver. “I can’t fucking get enough of you.”

I feel the same. The exact same.

“Don’t stop,” I tell him as he increases his speed, hitting the perfect spot over and over again. The very spot that’s going to send me tumbling over the edge. “Please.”

“Never,” he breathes out, fucking me harder. The steady pace is what eventually pushes me over the cresting wave, and my stomach clenches, tingles sweeping over my skin as the orgasm grips me. I’m moaning, my brain going blank as every single part of me shakes from the force of my climax.

I cling to him, riding out the orgasm as he continues to pound inside me, his breathing becoming more and more ragged, his groans louder. Our sweaty skin sticks together, his hips slapping against mine until he arches against me, a rough moan rumbling from deep in his throat. His hips jerk with one last, rough thrust, and I open my eyes, watching him come, fascinated by the look on his beautiful face. His lips are parted, his eyes half-closed, but they flash open when he catches me watching him.

And when he dips his head, his mouth finding mine once more, I kiss him with everything I’ve got, breathing him in. Trying my best to absorb him as much as I can.

When he eventually stops shaking, his breaths coming slower, his entire body squashing mine into the mattress—not that I mind—I whisper in his ear, “Can we do it again?”

His deep chuckle ripples along my nerve endings and settles right in between my legs. “What about my slight concussion?”

Oh, now he’s using my argument against me. “I think you can handle it.”

“Baby, I can fuck you endlessly, and I won’t ever stop if that’s what you want.” His mouth is on my neck, his hand on my breast. “I can guarantee that.”

“Prove it,” I say, with a laugh that turns into a moan when he gently squeezes me.

“I will,” he says, determination filling his voice. “I’m going to prove it to you all night long.”

And he does.

The next morning we exit Nico’s bedroom together on purpose, entering the kitchen looking like a couple as much as we possibly can. I’m in one of his old Dolphins football T-shirts, which swamps me, hanging just above my knees. He’s clad in a pair of gray sweats and nothing else. Both of us are barefoot, our hair is a mess, and we look, as Nico put it only a few minutes ago before he kissed me soundly, “freshly fucked.”

I can’t deny that I’m loving this look for us.

Coop is at the dining table eating a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, his favorite cereal. Frank is sitting across from him, sipping a cup of coffee with too much cream and sugar, a plate of toast crust in front of him. He loves sourdough toast but hates the crust like he’s four, but it’s also kind of cute? Maybe I’m just weird.

I love that I know these little details about these men. My roommates. My friends.

My family.

“Morning,” Nico announces when neither of them looks in our direction to acknowledge us. He sounds vaguely irritated, which almost makes me giggle, but I try my best to keep a straight face.

“Hey.” Frank doesn’t even turn around.

Coop says nothing. Just keeps shoveling cereal in his mouth, slurping up the milk.

Nico lets out a frustrated growl, releasing my hand so he can curl his arm around my shoulders and tug me into his side. “Just so you guys know, we’re together.”

Coop finally glances up, his gaze shifting from Nico’s to mine. “Duh.”

“I mean it’s real. Official. We’re in love.” Nico glances down, his eyes glowing with all that love and aimed right at me. “I’m in love with Everleigh.”

“That’s sweet.” This comes from Frank, who’s halfway turned around in his chair and studying us. “But this isn’t news, guys. We’ve been seeing this coming for a while.”

“For real,” Coop adds.

“Oh.” Nico and I share a quick look before he continues speaking. “We just wanted to make sure we have your approval.”

“Always,” Coop says, Frank nodding his agreement. “You two look disgustingly happy.”

Well .?.?. that’s one way to put it.

“We are,” Nico says firmly. “She’s good for me.”

“She’s good for all of us,” Coop says, his gaze settling on mine. “I’m glad you’re here, Ever. And I’m glad you two are happy and in love.”

“Me too,” Frank adds, and I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

I pull away from Nico’s arm and go to Frank first, bending over to give him a hug.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “You’re a good friend, Frank.”

“You, too, Ever.” He returns the hug, and when we’re done, I check on Nico.

But he’s not jealous. He’s watching me with those all-seeing dark eyes, looking proud.

Proud of me and the fact that I’m his. That we’re in love.

“Where’s my hug?” Coop asks as he rises to his full height.

Laughing, I go to him and give him a hug, a whoosh of air escaping me when he gives me a big squeeze. The man is huge, and his hug is all consuming.

“I couldn’t have asked for better roommates,” I tell them when the hug fest is over and I’m back at Nico’s side. “I love you guys.”

They all smile, Nico pulling me into his arms, holding me while I stand in front of him.

I think about when I first came to this house. How nervous and scared I was. How alone I felt. I realize as I look around the room, thinking about where I am now, that I will never feel alone again. Not with these men in my life.

Especially the one who’s currently got his arms around me.