Nicco

Ch. 23: Cheating Death

ARIA

By the time Nicco takes us back to the manor, my adrenaline is still pumping. It's close to 2 am. I should be exhausted, but my nerves have gone haywire from everything that just happened. I can't even think about sleep. It's not every night, after all, that a bitch gets to drive a $65,000 death trap while coming her brains out. Even though the toy is no longer inside me, I doubt I'll be able to calm down any time soon.

Back in the garage, Nicco helps me dismount from the Ducati. He glances in my direction. "How do you feel, baby?"

"Alive," I reply with a blissful expression while simultaneously threading my arms around his neck. "So fucking alive."

"Even though we almost died?" Nicco teases. His hands settle on the small of my waist, drawing me closer.

Gazing up, I tilt an eyebrow at him. "That's kind of the point, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"Everything matters more," I explain, "when there's a chance you might lose it all in an instant."

An insightful crease appears between his brow. Nicco gives a slight pause. "You are not wrong. I think, perhaps, that is why I have always loved to drive. The faster, the better. Every beat of my pulse when I am on the road feels more intense. It is as though I am..."

Curious, I prompt, "What?"

He finally answers, "Cheating death."

Cheating... death?

Damn. Surprise flits over my features. This was literally how I felt earlier on the Ducati. I murmur, "My thoughts exactly."

He quips agreeably, "Great minds, no?"

Think alike.

"Indeed," I agree with him.

Nicco's gaze searches for mine. Green on gray. Our chemistry feels undeniable at this point, and our connection keeps deepening despite everything I've done to hold him at a distance. A cough catches in my throat. Shyness overcomes me, all of a sudden.

"Can I tell you something, Nicco?"

"Of course."

Nicco waits, patiently, as I struggle to express the depth of emotion that he's awakened within me. Within the past twenty-four hours, my heart has become such a greedy, needy, little thing. I want Nicco. I want to give us a fighting chance. But the reckless abandon that I felt while hurtling down the road at a hundred miles per hour has since sobered a bit. Old habits die hard, and I'm hesitant to let my guard down.

In many ways, I'm a fraud. I've only given Nicco the best parts of myself and hidden the rest. In his eyes, I'm the smart, competent assistant who knows how to solve all of his annoying problems at Jackson & James. He sees me as the fuck buddy who's game for anything in bed. It's smoke and mirrors, but, damn, I love the way Nicco always looks at me. Like I'm his stars above and moon beyond.

I don't know if I'm ready to show anyone, let alone someone I care about as much as Nicco, just how unhinged I really am.

Would Nicco still want me if he knew everything?

Doubt it. Most days, even I dislike the stranger I've become. I don't deserve him. Maybe this is why every second in his company feels so precious.

In somewhat strained tones, I whisper, "Tonight... you've given me something I didn't know I needed. Or wanted."

His expression softens as he reaches over to caress my face. "Baby."