28 Bronson

The bellman takes the luggage up to the top floor, giving us the grand tour of the suite. I tip him a twenty and watch as he leaves then look over Nicole who is still marveling at the couch.

“Can’t believe how big this place is. I thought I lived in a decently sized hotel.” She mumbles but I catch each word. It’s her first time referencing the place she calls home.

“It’s just a hotel, not a true place to call home Nicole.” She gives me a knowing look, then smirks and comes closer to me while crossing her arms at her chest.

“You know you could call me Nikki, right? You already have.” She shrugs and I’m reminded of not just hours ago as I held her body tightly within my grasp as she steadied her breathing. I did call her Nikki, knew it was something she went by, but it felt like more than that. I wanted to speak to her on a more intimate level.

“I know that. I like your full name Nicole.”

“Yes, but my friends call me Nikki.”