Page 36 of The Playmaker
“Maybe you should be asking how long I’ve been watching you sleep?”
“Creeper much?”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I’m sure.” I look him over. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” I steal a glance at the clock to see that it’s nearing eight. “Why are you up so early though?” I prop up on my elbows and look him over.
“I was sleeping well, until I woke and heard you snoring.” He puts his hand to his forehead. “All that loud noise was bringing on another headache.”
“I do not snore,” I say, and lift my pillow, threatening to hit him, but I won’t. He was too sick last night, and I don’t want to do anything to bring the nausea back.
“I thought someone started my Mustang and was backing it out of the driveway,” he says, continuing to goad me. Clearly, now that he’s well, Cocky Cole is back, ready to duel.
“Fine, you can make your own breakfast and drive yourself to your appointment.” I roll over, and put the pillow over my head. “I guess you haven’t changed at all,” I mumble to myself.
“Ah, come on, Pretty BallerNina,” he says.
“Cole…” I warn, a tightness in my gut. “I thought we were past the name-calling.”
He takes the pillow from me and pulls my hair from my neck. The second he presses a soft kiss to my flesh, a shudder races through me.
“But you are pretty, Nina.”
He thinks I’m pretty.
OMG, get over yourself, Nina. You’re not twelve.
“I was never a ballerina,” I counter.
“I know, you were just as graceful as one, though.”
“I hated you calling me that.”
&nbs
p; “I know.”
“Asshole.”
He grins at me “How about tonight, when we’re back in this bed, you can tell me all the names you secretly called me. Work out some of those hate issues.”
I slide onto my back and he smiles down at me. “I like the idea of that,” I say, wanting to do it right now.
As if reading my mind, a sexy, crooked grin that bring back some of the more pleasant memories from last night spreads across his handsome face. But then I remember the consequences—Cole over the toilet, sick.
“We need to get you ready for your appointment.”
He looks me over. “But there are so many other things I want to do right now.”
Yeah, me too.
“We’re not doing anything until you see your doctor.”
“Hey, you’re the one who said we’d be doing it again.”
“I didn’t mean right now. You need a good breakfast, and rest.”
“But these are the only things I want to put in my mouth right now, and I promise to pace myself.” He pulls my blankets down and places the softest kiss on my nipple. A groan catches in my throat.