Fire on Ice

Part 32

Nora POV

The next morning I wake up once again to a strong arm pulling me against a warm chest. Nikolas' hand tightens around my waist and I chuckle. I turn around to see his eyes still closed, but I know he's awake.

"What's up with you?"

"I'm just thinking about how I get to wake up to this every morning." His voice is raspy and his accent is more prominent. He sighs in contentment and my heart warms. I place a hand on his cheek and lean in to kiss his forehead. We stay like that for a few minutes before his eyes open and a sea of gray looks at me.

Wanting to hear more of his voice I say, "Say something in Italian"

He looks at me for a moment, "Penso che mi sto innamorando di te (I think I'm falling in love with you)". He stares at me with a caring look and I smile at him.

"What does that mean?"

"You snore when you sleep."

I gasp and swat his arm, "Hey! I do not!" His laugh comes out in a low rumble and it's my favorite sound in the world. He pulls me even closer to him and his face hits my chest. My breasts are pushed up against him and I say, "Aren't I suffocating you?"

"Yeah, in the best way." He mumbles back. I roll my eyes, "You don't get to be sweet when you said I snore. I know for a fact I don't snore." Instead of responding he places a kiss against my chest and turns his head so he can breathe. His arms are strongly wrapped around me and my legs tangle with his.

A few moments later his phone rings and he leans over to pick it up. The second he places it against his ear a loud voice comes, "Nikolas! Devo chiamarti ogni volta che voglio che tu mi veda?" (Do I have to call you every time I want you to see me?) A voice that I can only assume is his mother's starts spit firing rapid Italian and Nikolas sits up. He lowers the volume on his phone before responding to whatever she said. They go back and forth for a few minutes before he hangs up and puts his head in his hands.

"What happened?"

"My mom wants to meet you. We're going over for dinner tonight."

I sit up so quickly I see stars, "What? Why? Did something bad happen?"

"No, she is just upset that I haven't been home in a while, and she wants to meet the 'girl I've been seeing'. Plus my little sister has been asking for me.'" I laugh, but it comes out nervously.

"Are you sure? I mean, isn't it a little...serious?" I try to say it with a straight face but the look on Nikolas is too funny. His smile drops and he gives me an 'are you for real' expression.

"Oh fuck off" He grumbles while getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom to get ready. While he's in the bathroom, I get my phone to text Gigi, since I haven't heard from her since last night.

Hey, how are you?

I wait for a few minutes before getting a response. I'm good, probably not going to come to practice today though.

Yeah, of course. Do you want me to come over after mine?

No it's okay, I'm staying at my mom's house so I'll see you when I can. I'm a little unnerved by her responses, but I don't want to pry.

We're in Nikolas' car 15 minutes later heading to the cafe for my shift when the questions tumble out of me, "Is there anything we should take to your mom's house? Is there a dress code? Like how fancy should my clothes be?"

Nikolas chuckles, "No, no, and wear whatever you want."

I frown, "Don't laugh at me, this is a big deal. I want to impress her."