“Awesome! What should we do next?” I asked, giggling in his arms.
He put me down and started to walk back toward his apartment. “Eat breakfast together? I am freaking starving.”
I laughed a little. “Sounds like a plan.”
* * *
We spentthe next two weeks of my freedom before I had to report to the ballet doing as many firsts as we could find in the city. Every minute Chase was not at practice, he spent with me. I had barely been to my place since we started our adventure, but I wasn’t complaining. There was something about Chase’s flat that felt like home, and that feeling grew stronger with each passing day.
We went to the Empire State Building, road on the Staten Island Ferry, ate cannoli in Little Italy, checked out Grand Central Station, and road the subway. Central Park and the Statue of Liberty were my personal favorites, but Chase would argue that going to the fish market in China Town was the best.
As I sat on his couch, searching online for other things for us to do, Chase called out from the kitchen, “Isn’t there a famous zoo here?”
I feverishly started to google it.How did I not think about a zoo?“Yeah! The Bronx Zoo.”
“Sounds good to me.” He came in wearing only faded blue jeans carrying cups of coffee for us. His body was toned and incredible, and I couldn’t help but think about letting him have the biggest first I could offer.
I took my mug from him, taking a sip quickly to hide the fact that I was blushing. “I can’t believe tomorrow starts my reality.” I was sad to think that our little bubble of exploration was going to burst first thing in the morning.
“It’s going to be a grand adventure.” Chase took the seat next to me, letting his hand land on my knee.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I was nervous but excited. I knew starting with the ballet was going to be amazing, but I was scared I was going to be out of my league.
Chapter 7
Chase
After walking around all day, looking at animals, and convincing Nikki she could not have a red panda as a pet, we were relaxing in bed with Chinese takeout. It was our last night of our two weeks of firsts. Even though I’d had practice almost every day, it felt like a vacation was about to end, and I couldn’t have been more bummed out about it.
I threw my chopsticks into the empty container, feeling way too full for my own good. “Man, that is so fantastic.”
Nikki popped another crab rangoon into her mouth. “Mmmmmhmmmmm.” The look of satisfaction on her face was priceless as she noshed on the seafood pastry.
“Finished?” I grabbed the empty containers as she nodded.
“Thanks babe.”
I cleaned up our mess then climbed back onto my side of the bed. I pulled Nikki into my arms and she wiggled free.
“Everything okay, baby?” I propped up on my elbow.
She nodded then bit her bottom lip.
“What is it?” I knew that look—she had something serious on her mind. It was so crazy to think it had only been two weeks since we met, and I couldn’t imagine my life without Nicolette Jennings in it.
Her lips connected with mine. There was a need behind her kiss that was new, and I wasn’t going to question it. She rolled onto her back, pulling me on top of her. I could feel eagerness building up quickly. Sleeping next to her every night had been challenging, to say the least, but I had done it. Her fingertips raked over my back, pulling my shirt up over my head, and I froze.
“Nik, we don’t have to—”
She stopped me by plunging her tongue into my mouth. “But I want this.” She breathed in my ear as she pushed her hips up into mine.
“Are you sure?” I hated questioning her desires, but I needed to be a hundred and fifty percent certain she wasn’t just doing this because she knew I wanted it.
“If anyone is going to be my first, I want it to be you during this time of bliss.”
I kissed down her neck, my blood coursing through my veins as excitement and hunger crashed hard in my gut. I pulled her yoga pants down and off along with her lacy thong, breathing in the sweet smell of her cravings deeply.
My tongue connected with her wetness and her back immediately arched, her fingers lacing in my short hair. I flattened my tongue, softly putting pressure on her sensitive skin. I was going to savor every second she gave me. I pulled her legs up over my shoulders, firmly gripping the tops of her thighs. “If anything is too much, just tell me, okay?”