“Unfortunately.” She inched closer, leaning into his touch. “I think you might be the second-best cuddler in the world.”
“Who’s number one?”
“Tomcat.”
He laughed quietly. “A worthy competitor.”
They fell silent, taking each other in. It was the first time since last night that they were able to slow down and really see each other. Nick felt that overwhelming sense of peace again that had permeated him while he slept. Everything about this moment felt right, like he and Lily had finally fallen into place.
She reached up and lightly touched the scar above his top lip. “How’d you get this?”
“I was running away from someone my dad robbed, and I fell.”
Her eyes widened. Softly, she said, “The things you tell me . . .”
“What about them?” He kept her hand against his lips and placed a kiss against the inside of her palm.
“I just wish I could go back in time and protect you.”
That made him smile. He lowered her hand to his chest, and she spread her fingers against his warm skin.
“So . . . you have a TV deal with HBO?” she asked.
He smirked. “I do.”
“You’re a big deal around the M&M office, you know. There are lots of rumors and theories about you.”
“Really? Like what?”
“That N.R. Strickland isn’t just one person, but multiple people writing under one pseudonym.”
He snorted. “I wish that were true. Then I’d have more help writing this sequel.”
“And there’s a rumor that the real N.R. Strickland died shortly after The Elves of Ceradon originally published and they hired someone else to write the second book.”
Nick shook his head, grinning. “For real?”
“Yeah,” Lily said, laughing. “And people say that you’ve never seen or spoken to your editor before.”
“That one’s half-true. I’ve spoken to her and hadn’t planned to ever meet her in person, but I’m having lunch with her and Marcus next week.”
Lily tilted her head. “What made you change your mind?”
“I don’t know.” He paused. “I just want someone at M&M to know who I am and that the book is mine. Even if I’m still uncomfortable with sharing the information with the whole world. Telling the truth to you made me realize how I didn’t want to keep lying to other people. Well, most people.”
She was quiet for a moment. Her fingers drifted back and forth across his chest, giving him goose bumps. “You’re nervous about your dad finding out,” she said. “You mentioned that in your email drafts.”
“I’m not ready for him to know yet. My life finally feels good. I don’t want him to come along and ruin everything.”
“He won’t be able to if you don’t give him the power.”
Nick didn’t want to talk about his dad, not right now and in this moment with Lily that felt sacred. She must have picked up on his mood because she smiled and said, “I guess that means you’ll skip M&M’s big party in a couple weeks. They invite all the big authors. It’s very elitist and I’ve never been able to go, but I hear that the food is good.”
“Definitely skipping that.” Their hands were intertwined between them now. He ran his thumb back and forth across her knuckles. “So your interview is pretty important, right?”
She nodded, smiling. “If I get this job, I can finally work on the kind of books I’ve been dreaming about editing. And things with my boss are reaching a real breaking point. They want me to assist her and someone else soon.”
“Are they paying you more?”
“Nope.”
Nick frowned. “That’s some bullshit.”
“Right? I just need this interview to go perfectly, and with the pay raise, I’ll be able to move out of Violet’s sooner.”
His stomach sank. He didn’t want her to move. Not now when they’d finally become this close.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not leaving New York. You won’t be able to get rid of me that fast.”
“I’d never get rid of you,” he said quietly.
He leaned down and kissed her then. Lily pressed closer, brushing her bare breasts against his chest, and he grew hard, remembering how it felt to be inside of her. He tenderly ran his hand down to the small of her back. Just as Lily hooked her leg over his hip, her alarm went off again.
She swore under her breath, and Nick reluctantly loosened his hold on her.