Deserving Love: A Contemporary Romance Series (Nick & Lexi Book 1) Read Online Free

that huh?  
    Clearly. So I assume you aren’t even dating?  
    I found myself tense up slightly as I waited for the answer. I was pretty sure that he wasn’t, but I noticed that the thought that he might bothered me. I was getting a little tired of the fact that so much bothered me when it came to Nick.  
    So I can only date if it includes sex?
    Did I say that? Hmm, I guess it did sound like that. I just assumed that you were saying you hadn’t had the opportunity.  
    So now I’m too ugly for women to want me?
    No. It’s just that if you had the opportunity and didn’t then you wouldn’t have said it like that. You’d have made a choice. You made it sound like you didn’t have a choice.  
    I see. I’m ugly and no women want me and that’s why I can’t get a date because if I could get a date and wasn’t ugly then I’d be having sex.  
    No. That’s not what I meant. Oh hell, never mind. I’ll just sit here quietly and remove the foot from my mouth.  
    No, I’m not dating. LOL!
    I hate when you do that.  
    What?
    Make me think you are serious. I get frustrated and can’t figure out what to say.  
    Well, in case the thought has crossed your mind, I’m not ugly.
    I didn’t assume you would be.  
    What makes you say that?
    I don’t know. Your personality. You don’t seem like someone that could be ugly.  
    I didn’t realize there was a criteria for looking like a troll.  
    There is. And you don’t meet it. I’m sorry to tell you.  
    I’m disappointed, but I suppose I will live.  
    Do you get lonely?
    Lexi, I think everyone gets lonely. Even people who aren’t physically alone. Sometimes I believe that’s the worst kind of lonely. I can’t imagine sharing my life with someone and feeling like I’m alone.  
    Me either. But sometimes I wish I had someone there. Every now and then it’d be nice to be touched or hugged or kissed. Life can be a little empty when you do it by yourself.  
    It can. But it’s still the choice I make. I don’t want a relationship. I don’t really believe they work. Anytime I’ve tried, it’s failed. Maybe it’s me. I’m a little too devoted to my job. That takes time away. But part of it I think is the world. They don’t view it the same anymore.  
    Tell me about it. Men don’t value women the way they used to. That’s why I avoid relationships. Well, and the fact that my life stays pretty full with everything I have going on.  
    I like this.  
    What?
    This. What we have. I like it. It makes the world feel a little less lonely.  
    Yes, it does. But don’t go falling in love over there.  
    No worries, Lexi. I don’t want to be involved. I like this because we have no preconceived notions about appearance and lifestyle. We can just chat. I don’t feel so alone as I sit here alone. But I don’t have the pressure and problems of being with someone.  
    You also don’t have the sex.  
    Very true. That part I miss.  
    Sigh. Me too.  
    So you aren’t dating either?  
    No. I don’t even have time to meet people to entertain the idea of dating.  
    I hope you know that during this entire conversation I’ve been picturing you naked in the bathtub.  
    Nick! That’s totally not appropriate.  
    Sometimes inappropriate is more fun.  
    Well I hope you enjoyed the mental picture. It’s as close as you will get.
    I did. Feel free to picture me naked.  
    I’ll pass, but thank you.  
    Must be because you still think I’m ugly.  
    No! It’s because I don’t want to picture a stranger naked.  
    Who do you want to picture naked?  
    No one!
    See? A little less lonely.  
    A little.  
    Sometimes I want to break our rule. The never going to meet or know each other rule. I feel like you are my only friend here.  
    I’m sure I’m not. Give it time. Things will look up.  
    That your way of saying we will never meet?
    Maybe. I like the status quo.  
    Yeah, me too.
    I wasn’t really sure what to say. I’d blown off any suggestion of meeting