Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Thirty Four

NICK'S POV

✲

I leave the office after seven which is not the time I wanted to leave. After texting Aris earlier in the day, the only thing I wanted to do was come home to him and Elodie. I've been desperate for some affection yet I know I have to keep my business afloat at the same time.

My tie is halfway off when I press my keys into my apartment door and step inside. I hear nothing when I step inside and I furrow my brows as I walk down the hall. My eyes collide with the TV screen that is rolling credits of a movie.

"Aris?" I call out.

No response.

I dump my bag and jacket on the kitchen counter and turn back to the living room. My gaze moves from the TV to the sofa where my heart literally stops in my chest. Elodie is fast asleep on Aris' chest as he lays back, an arm around her lower back in the world's cutest cuddle.

My feet silently carry me towards the pair of them. Aris' eyes are closed and they're sound asleep. I raise my fist to bite down on my knuckle before I release a noise that will wake them both up.

Ugh. Fuck.

I pull my phone out from my pocket and take a picture without thinking twice. Jesus. My poor heart can't take this, it aches like someone has squeezed the life out of it. She looks so safe and comfortable in his arms as they both breathe slowly.

My lips slip downwards as I continue to stare at them, the blood around my body thrashing inside my veins. They're so damn cute that I can hardly contain myself.

Elodie is already in her pyjamas which means I don't have to disrupt her. I gently scoop her up into my arms as her head falls onto my shoulder. I take a quick peek at Aris but he's still sound asleep. No doubt his interaction with his brother earlier has made him exhausted.

I cradle the back of Elodie's head and take her to her bedroom, tucking her beneath the sheets. My lips press to the warmth of her forehead leaving a lingering kiss. "Goodnight, my baby." I whisper before pulling the covers up around her body and tucking one of her favourite teddies under her arm.

My eyes roam her peaceful sleeping position and I smile. I leave her room silently and walk back to the living room before turning off the TV and turning to Aris on the sofa. I perch on the edge beside him and admire his face.

I raise my hand gently to stroke back his dark curls and cup the side of his temples. My lungs take down a large breath and I exhale as quietly as possible but when I brush my thumb against his cheekbone he jolts.

Those beautiful blue eyes meet mine, even though they're hazy from his deep sleep. He pushes himself up immediately and I drop my hand, his back pressing into the edge of the sofa. "Oh my God," he rasps through his thick voice. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Hey," I clutch his face again and steady him. "It's okay. I just put Elodie to bed."

He immediately relaxes but I can see the tension in his shoulders. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't fall asleep with her around."

My head shakes. "It's okay, Aris. I know you've had a tough day. She was safe."

Aris' heavy eyes flick to mine and he nods once. "What's the time?"

"Just after half seven."

He laughs quietly. "Wow. It's not even late."

"Don't drive home like this," I slip my hand down his shoulder, my fingers grazing his tattooed skin. "You're tired. You can sleep here. It's Saturday tomorrow anyway."