I’m surprised by his appearance, but he seems oddly familiar after spending half of the night and most of the morning in my mind. I put on my best game face and straighten my posture. “Mr. Hunter, did I have an appointment with you today?” I pretend I’m concerned I may have forgotten an appointment, but there is no way I’ve forgotten anything about the man from the two times I’ve seen him.
He takes two steps closer to me, just an inch or two closer than one would consider normal space between people. But I notice it. He’s taller than me by at least eight inches, if not more. “It’s Nico, please.” He smiles at me and the room feels smaller, warmer.
I smile back. I don’t have to fake it, it’s a real smile. I’m happy to see him and I can’t hide it anyway. I have no idea why. I should be freaked out after what I remembered, but I’m not for some reason. I’m curious about this man. I nod my head. “Nico, what can I help you with?”
He smiles, it’s a mischievous, lopsided smile that makes me think the man is playful. But damn if it isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. “I remembered a few things I thought I should tell you that I didn’t mention yesterday. Do you have a few minutes?”
I tilt my head to the side and study him. What is it about him that doesn’t want to make me run even though I can feel my heart racing through my shirt? “Sure, let’s go talk in my office.”
Nico smiles a victorious smile and it’s contagious. I smile back and I’m not quite sure what we are even smiling about. He follows me down the hallway and as I turn into my office I catch his eyes lingering on my behind. He looks up just as I take in his line of sight. A normal response would be to be embarrassed at being caught, but not Nico. He grins at me unapologetically. Instead of finding it rude or harassing, for some reason I find it turns me on.
I sit behind my desk and Nico looks at the small chair sitting opposite my desk and back to me. “Would you mind if we sat over there?” He motions to the couch behind him and I realize for the first time that a man of his size wouldn’t fit in the little delicate chair which sits in front of my desk.
“Oh, sure, I’m sorry.” I let out a small laugh. “I guess that chair wouldn’t be too comfortable for someone your size?”
Nico stands next to the couch and waits for me to sit. I sit on the far end and expect him to sit at the opposite end, so there is space between us as we talk. A desk usually fills the requisite space for a business meeting, but there is no desk separating us on the couch. Nico doesn’t do the socially acceptable thing. Instead he sits directly next to me on the couch. Not abnormally close so we are touching, but close, like we’re in a theatre next to each other.
God it’s hot in this little office, I realize I shouldn’t have closed the door. I stand and walk over to the window and open it. I walk back to the couch and Nico turns to face me. He’s so close I have the urge to reach out and touch him. He’s watching me and has a small smile on his face. I get up to grab a pad and pen and his smile is bigger when I return, he looks amused. He must realize that I’m fidgeting. I’m trying hard to pretend he doesn’t affect me, but he does for some reason.
“So, Nico, what did you want to tell me about?” I put my pen to the paper, ready to take notes with my head down. I’m determined not to get caught in his gaze again.
But Nico waits quietly and doesn’t speak. Eventually I have no choice but to look up at him to see why he hasn’t started talking yet. And he catches my eyes when I do and smiles. I smile back, even though I’m aware he just completely played me.
“I forgot to ask you out to dinner yesterday.”
“Dinner?” I’m momentarily confused.
Nico smiles a devilish smile and I get the urge to kiss it right off his face. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m calm, cool, and collected. Not some schoolgirl at a loss around the cute boy in class.
“Yes, dinner. You do eat, don’t you?” His voice is a mix of amused and teasing.
“Umm.” I stammer for a few seconds. “I can’t.”
His response is quick, I feel like I’m at a deposition and I’m the one being deposed. “Why not?”
“Because it wouldn’t be right.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Not really.”
“Then why wouldn’t it be right?” Nico flashes the crooked smile and I know before he speaks whatever he says will be something flirty. “I think it would be very right.”
His crooked smile makes me smile and I lose my train of thought. Very unlike me.
“It’s complicated.” Those two little words would scare away most men, but apparently not Nico Hunter.
“Okay, let me hear it. I’ll help you sort out the complication so we can get it out of the way.” Nico leans back further into the couch, crossing one leg over the other, settling in for the story. Really?
“Well…you’re William’s client.”
“And you said the other day you weren’t a couple, right?”
“We’re not.” I’m being honest, I don’t think of William as my boyfriend. Boyfriend implies relationship, more than just good friends who satisfy each other’s sexual needs occasionally. But my answer isn’t totally truthful either. “I mean, not really.”
“Okay. He unfolds his arms and settles them on his knees as he leans forward. “So where’s the complication?” He looks directly into my eyes for a minute before he continues. “In the not really?”
I blush, I’m not sure if he realizes what I’m saying or not. “Yes.” I hold his gaze when I respond, determined not to back down.
Nico assesses me and takes in my embarrassment. It’s emanating from me, even though I’m reaching deep for my calm, cool and collected persona. I can’t seem to hide what I’m feeling from him, he won’t allow it, and I have no idea why I let him control me. I can’t help myself around this man and it makes me feel unraveled. “Let me take you to dinner. Just dinner. I’ll be a perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor.” He holds up his hand and three fingers.
I furrow my brow at him. “Were you even a scout?”
“Yes.” He says the word without conviction. I squint and look at his face with disbelief. He knows I can tell he is leaving out something.
“Okay, so it was only for a day. My brother and I got into a fight and got kicked out at the second meeting. But it still counts. I was a scout.”