Worth the fight

bit, but if I fed them and they knew where I lived, I was afraid they’d come back.  But Elle’s different.  I want her to stay.  I want to make her breakfast and then spend the day with her, maybe even spend some of the day outside of bed. 
    She’s quiet and I hope she isn’t thinking of how to make her g etaway.  She tries to steal a piece of turkey bacon I’m making, and I swat her ass with the spatula.  Hmm.   I hope she stays, so we can play with the spatula more.  I toss her up onto the island, her bare legs swing around reminding me of a little kid.  She’s smart and sexy and cute and has no idea of it.
    “You have any plans for the day?”  I’m venturing into u ncharted territory here.  It’s usually the other way around.  They want to stay and I can’t wait to get rid of them.
    “Umm.  None that I really want to do.  I have so me work to catch up on, but it’ll keep.“  
    I take a piece of bacon over to her and feed it to her.  She doesn’t attempt to take it from my hand.  Instead she sits on the counter and bites of f pieces.  She smiles at me as she takes the last piece in her mouth, nipping my finger on purpose.  The woman doesn’t have an ounce of fear of me, even knowing what I’m capable of. 
    She lifts her eyebrow at me in challenge after her nip.  “What do you normally do on Sundays?”
    “I usually wind up downstairs, even though I tell myself I’m not going to work.”  I take another piece of bacon from the plate over to her and offer her one bite.  As she chews I pull her ass almost off the counter so she is flush up against me.  The height is perfect.  I’m definitely taking her in the kitchen like this when she isn’t sore.  I pretend to offer her another bite of bacon, and then pull it back, shoving the rest of the piece into my own mouth instead.
    She playfully pouts and shoves at me, but I don’t budge.  “Preach and I also usually have dinner with Vinny Sunday night.”
    “Vinny?”
    “He’s a local kid I train.   Mom’s a fu…screw up and he was on his way to a bad place.  Got in trouble for fighting at school all the time, so I’m working on giving him focus.  He’s a good kid, but don’t ever tell him I said that.”
    “Your secret’s safe with me.  I won’t let on that you’re really a good guy.” 
    I wrap my arms around her waist.  “You better not, I have a reputation to live up to, you know.”  I plant one on her lips before finishing off our breakfast.     
     

Chapter 22
    Elle
    “Oh my god, this is so good.  What did you put in the eggs?” 
    Nico laughs.  “Can’t give away my secret.  But I think you’re an easy audience with all the take out crap you eat.”
    After breakfast we share a shower.  We stay in until w e’re both pruney and the water runs cold.  I could have spent hours sudsing up all the hard lines on Nico.  He’s even more sexy in the full light of day.  His broad square shoulders lead to his thick tattooed and rippled arms.  His flat abdominal muscles feel as if they’re carved of stone and he has the most delicious v that points down to his impressive manhood.  Truly a work of art. 
    Nico tells me he wants to take me out for the day and I agree, although he won’t tell me where we are going.  We pass through the gym on the way out and I’m surprised at how packed it is for a Sunday.  A lot of shouted greetings are exchanged and Nico waves and keeps us moving.  I hear a catcall or two as we make our way to the garage and I feel Nico’s grip tighten on my hip.
    He opens the door to the SUV for me and helps me in.  “Sorry about that.  Sunday is match day and it’s a testosterone fest.  They come in pumped up to compete and their manners go out the window.”
    I smile.  “It’s fine.  Doesn’t bother me.  I waitressed through college at a place that hosted private bachelor parties every weekend.  I learned to smile and ignore real fast.”
    “Yeah, well, I’ll be kicking some asses when I get back, all the same.” 
    ***
    We pull up at Navy Pier Park and Nico comes around to open my door. He helps me out of the SUV, but doesn’t release my hand.  Together we walk with our fingers laced tightly from the parking garage toward the Ferris wheel. I’ve never been one for public displays of affection, but it feels good, oddly natural, not forced or contrite.
    There’s a fair going on, as there is most summer weekends down at the pier, and vendors are