Romantically Entangled

Chapter 13

Bey

"Damn. Those are some colorful sheets."

I hold my hand in front of my eyes as if to protect my vision from the glare given off by Nicki's lime green and bright pink bedding.

"God don't remind me," she groans, throwing her head back. "So not me. But my mom was all about Lilly Pulitzer, and she gave them to me. I can't get rid of them."

I notice she mentioned her mom in the past tense, and I'm debating whether to ask her about that when she leans over the bed.

And of course, I'm distracted by the curve of her breasts under the red Ikana Daily shirt she's wearing.

It's taking everything in me not to get an erection right now. I'm gritting my teeth to try to stop it.

Jesus, you fool. Get yourself under control.

"Eww," Nicki says, curling her lip as she bunches a corner of the stained bedding in her fist and yanks it off. "This is so gross."

She lets the soiled bundle fall to the floor. "I can't believe I'm having to do this twice in one week," she sighs.

I had to threaten the fuck buddies in her room with serious bodily harm to get them to leave.

The house is finally quiet, and I'm dead tired. But I'm probably not as weary as Nicki.

She's new to this party house shit. And she looks pretty stressed out.

"Oh, crap!" she exclaims. "I just remembered, there's no washer and dryer in this house, is there?"

"Nope. Kelly's stepdad won't spring for it."

"I only have this one set of sheets. There's no way I'm going to the laundromat in the middle of the night."

She peers at several suspicious-looking stains on the mattress. "Eww," she says again.

Then she lets out another resigned sigh. "Maybe I can just spread the comforter on the bed."

She cuts her eyes over to me. "Um, do you happen to have an extra blanket?"

"I do," I say slowly, wrenching my eyes away from her chest and feeling my face heat up.

"But I have a better idea. Why don't you just sleep in my bed instead? I just went to the laundromat today. The sheets are clean."

Two spots of color show up on her beautiful cheekbones.

"By yourself, I mean," I rush to explain. "I can stretch out on the floor in here."

She's shaking her head before I can finish.

"I can't let you do that, Bey. There's barely enough space to stand in my room. Much less lay down. It wouldn't be right."

Munchie, who'd of course followed us into Nicki's room, puts his paw on her leg and looks up at her like he's giving her permission. We both start laughing.

"See," I say, "Even Munchie thinks it's a good idea."

She blows out a breath and again plows her fingers through her hair, indecision playing on her face. She's chewing on that luscious bottom lip.

God, the effect this girl has on me.

"Please, Nicki. Just take my bed. You'll be more comfortable there."

"I'll be fine," I add, giving her a wry smile.

No need to tell her it wouldn't matter where I stretch out; it's rare for me to sleep well.