i love you • formula one

21

please comment throughout! it really means a lot that you continue to support me and ily all

first person

~***~

Nicky's arms remained tightly around my waist for the entire night. He kept me pulled against his chest as the little spoon, my smaller frame being the perfect fit to his tall, muscular body. His warmth meant that we only required a thin blanket draped over our sleeping bodies, and I wasn't about to complain. I felt safe and secure in his arms. My fingers intertwined with his on my stomach and he soothingly rubbed his thumb in circles on my soft skin. I loved being this close with him and wouldn't mind spending every night like this with him. He made me feel appreciated. Every action or small movement during the dark hours made my stomach flip as I was reminded about our closeness, and the way our bodies were touching more than they had before.

Usually, I would be mad about being woken up prematurely, however my heart only fluttered when Nicky did so by pressing soft kisses to my neck. My grip on his hand tightened, not wanting him to move away. I felt his vibrations of laughter against my back.

"Babe," he whispered softly. The way the word rolled so effortlessly from his lips like it had done last night paired with the gruffness of his morning voice made me melt further into him. "I need to get ready."

I shook my head. "No, you don't. Stay here forever."

His warm breath fanned my neck as he exhaled. "I wish I could," he mumbled, lips brushing against my delicate skin. Goosebumps started to rise up my arms and a hum of contentment slipped through my slightly parted lips. I craned my head further into the pillow, allowing for him to pepper kisses on a larger area. His stubble grazed the skin on my neck, the sensation sending my mind in a spin. "I've got to go back home. Work and shit like that."

"Can't you just quit?" I asked, the question not registering in my half-asleep mind.

Once again, Nicky laughed, but this time he sat up. I rolled over, my arms wrapping around my waist in an attempt to replicate the warmth of his arms around me. I pouted up at him, my eyebrows pinching closer together. "Just because I care about you deeply doesn't mean I'm going to quit my job so we can cuddle."

"Just stay ten more minutes, baby." I looked up at him with round eyes as my tongue ran over my bottom lips, drawing his attention to them. His eyes flicked back up to my own and he let out a small groan. The corner of my mouth tugged upwards in satisfaction for the affect I had on him. His hand slipped down to the dip in my waist.

Just when I thought I had him under my control, a loud knock sounded at my bedroom door. I jumped in surprise, as did Nicky, who moved away from my body instinctively. My heart thumped in my chest and I sighed in annoyance. A quick glance to the clock on my bedside table told me that it was way too early for anyone to disturb me - 9:23. I pulled the blanket further up my legs; I was only wearing a shirt and my underwear almost definitely would've been on show.

"Are you naked?" Lando's voice hesitantly asked through the door.

I exhaled in annoyance. "Yeah, we are! Don't come in!"

"Lyra!" Nicky gently nudged me with his elbow, his cheeks flushing pink. "No, we're not, buddy."

I watched the handle as it pushed down and I threw my head back in a groan. I just wanted to cuddle Nicky. My back was resting against the headboard. I made sure to let Lando know about my annoyance through the glare I shot in his direction from the moment I noticed his stupid face. His hair, which had grown back nicely since he shaved it, was in its usual messy curls and a mask obscured his features from me. He closed the door behind him but remained close to it. His hands folded over one another as he looked at Nicky and I.