9. Sydney

CHAPTER 9

SYDNEY

M ilky sunlight streamed into the bedroom, dappling the white duvet. I rolled over and found myself face-to-gorgeous-face with Nick.

Shitballs.

Last night came roaring back to me in all its X-rated glory.

#Regrets.

How in the world was I supposed to remain “just friends” with him when we’d just slept together?

Damn it, Sydney. This wasn’t supposed to happen. So much for all my resolve and tough self-talk. I was 100% naked in bed with my hotter-than-hell ex and, if I was being honest, he’d been better than ever last night.

Like I said— shitballs.

I gently lifted his heavy arm off my chest and that caused him to stir. His hazel eyes popped open, tiny flecks of cinnamon ringing his dark pupils.

“Morning, beautiful.” His voice was low and gruff with sleep and damn it if it wasn’t the sexiest freaking thing I’d heard in months.

“Morning.” I blinked, mentally prepping my speech. “Nick, I…”

He put a finger to my lips. “Ssh. No need to explain. I mean, I totally get it. I wouldn’t be able to resist myself either.”

I rolled my eyes, smacking him playfully on his broad chest. “Be serious. This was not part of the plan.”

“Says you,” Nick said, stroking the skin on my arm, chill bumps rippling down my body. He pulled me in close, his heartbeat a faint thrum against my bare breasts.

And he was definitely ready for action again.

I gazed down and shook my head. “No way,” I hissed. “Your parents are probably awake now; not happening.” I pushed back against his warm body, working hard to ignore the electric current buzzing between us.

“That’s what makes it even sexier,” he murmured, grazing my neck with his lips.

“Nick…” I said in my most stern warning voice, even as I stared up at the sunburst pattern on the ceiling, attempting to think unsexy thoughts while desire pooled low in my stomach.

“Fine. I’ll try again later,” he said, rolling off me, grazing my nipple with his fingers, the sensitive skin puckering under his slight touch.

“You better watch yourself or you most certainly will have coal in your stocking on Christmas morning,” I said to his backside, admiring his amazing physique. He had a damn good ass, round and tight.

“I know you’re staring at my ass,” he said, his back still towards me as he walked across the room.

“No, I’m not,” I protested, my face flushing. Busted.

“Uh-huh. It’s fine, take it all in.” He glanced back over his shoulder and winked at me before going into the bathroom, closing the door partway.

“Seriously, we need to talk about last night,” I said, twisting the edge of the duvet in my hands.

“What’s there to talk about?” Nick’s muffled voice rumbled through the room.

“Everything!” I said, exasperated. Of course this wasn’t a big deal to him. It was my career on the line, not his. I exhaled, a chilly huff.

“No there’s not.”

I heard the faucet turn on, then Nick rummaging around in the drawers, followed by the hum of his toothbrush.

“You’re overthinking it,” he said. “We’re on vacation; remember, we already covered the ground rules. It’s all good, babe. Trust me.”

He spit in the sink, then the door opened and he walked back into the room, wearing his gym shorts from last night.

I sighed. “Fine. We’ll stick with the plan. But I’m warning you—this cannot get back to anyone on the team. I need my job.”

“I hear you. Loud and clear, boss,” Nick said, leaning down and cupping my face in his strong hands. He placed a minty-fresh kiss on my lips, taking my breath away as I melted back into the soft pillows.

Why did I let myself fall for this man’s irresistible charms again? He was more intoxicating than spiked eggnog at the company Christmas party.

And probably an equally bad idea.