Read Online Out of My Element by Taryn Plendl - Free Book Online Page A

she curled her feet under her, and leaned against me. I
could really get used to this.
    ***
    Every day this past week, my day
started with an amazing run. Chelsea was pushing me hard, but I always felt
incredible after. I wasn’t about to let her know, but I had noticed a
difference with my stamina on the soccer field. Not only was I improving my
game, but I also got to spend time with Chelsea, doing something she loved.
    We settled into a comfortable
routine together. Our evenings were spent making dinner, watching TV, laughing
and talking. Tonight had been no different. After cleaning up after a delicious
stir-fry dinner, we settled on the couch with a couple of beers and a movie.
Chelsea had her feet resting on my lap as I rubbed them. Holy shit!  How had
she gotten me to rub her damn feet without even realizing it?
    “Nick, I talked to the company that
owns my apartment complex today.”
    “What did they say?” I continued to
rub her feet. What the hell; she liked it.
    “Um, I’m going to need to look for
a new apartment. It looks like they are going to have to renovate the entire
complex.”
    “Can you get your things yet?” I
asked.
    “Yes. It needs to be cleared out by
Sunday.”
    “Okay, I’ll get Trevor and Tom
together Saturday, and we can move you in here.” Wow, where did that come
from?
    “Wait, what?” She pulled her feet
away and sat up.
    “I have a second room that is
empty. It’s yours if you want it.” I smiled. This was a great idea. I loved
having her here.
    “Nick, I can’t move in here. I’ve
already worn out my welcome.”
    “Why would you say that?”
    “When was the last time you had a
date?” Chelsea cocked her head to the side.
    “Have you forgotten? I don’t date.”
Where was she going with this?
    “Okay, when was your last booty
call?”
    My mouth dropped open. I knew
exactly when that was. It was the night Chelsea had needed me, and I wasn’t
there. “What are you getting at, Chelsea?”
    “I’m cramping your style, Nick.
Aren’t you ready to get back to your normal life?” I thought about it for a
minute. To be honest, I hadn’t even thought about another woman in the past
week. I didn’t miss anything.
    “Chelsea, I like having you here.
You aren’t cramping my style at all. Please just think about it, okay? The room
is yours if you want it, and I would love to have you as a roommate.”
    “If you’re serious, I would love to
be your roommate. Thank you, Nick; I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She leaned forward and threw her arms around me, knocking me back in the
process.
    I hugged her back, laughing. “I
told you I’d do anything for you, Chelsea girl. My casa is yo casa.”
    “I think it is actually, ‘Mi casa
es su casa,’ Nick.” She giggled.
    “Whatever, I’m just glad you’re
staying.” I grinned. I reached down and put her feet back in my lap and started
to rub them again.
    About three quarters of the way
through the movie, Chelsea had fallen asleep. Her breathing was soft and
rhythmic, and she looked so peaceful. I moved her feet off of me so I could
take our dishes to the kitchen. When I came back, she had curled up on her side
in a little ball, and I could feel my heart flutter when I looked at her. What
the hell was happening to me? I was becoming such a pansy.
    Before I could stop myself, I
leaned down and brushed my lips across hers. I pulled back, thankful that she
didn’t even stir. How would I explain that to her, when I wasn’t even sure why
I did it in the first place?
    ***
    The next week flew by in the blink
of an eye. We moved Chelsea in over the weekend and put her extra furniture and
things in storage until she decided to get her own place. I was secretly hoping
that she wouldn’t find a place though; I really did like having her here.
    That was a bit unnerving for me. I
wasn’t used to being so involved with a woman, especially when sex wasn’t even
involved.
    “Bye, Nick!” Chelsea hollered from
the