“Ahh…” Why does it feel like he’s offering more than just help? Not wanting to make things awkward, I shrug. “Sure. We can meet at Boba Run. They make the best bubble tea.”
I feel James and Grant hover behind me, and their presence must bother Jake as well, because he asks, “Will they come along?”
Letting out a huff, I mutter, “Yep. I’m kinda stuck with them.”
“Okay, so nine a.m. tomorrow?” Jake asks, only then letting go of my arm.
“Yes.” Giving him a smile filled with platonic friendship, which I hope gets through to him, I walk away.
James and Grant breathe down my neck as I walk down the street toward my apartment. My thoughts turn to Nikolas, wondering how the atmosphere will be between us tonight.
I haven’t seen him for the past twelve days. He missed lunch last Sunday because he was away on business. With the time passing since the kiss in his office, it’s made things feel awkward.
Part of me isn’t looking forward to the event at all, but there’s a small piece of me that’s a little excited to see Nikolas again.
Wearing a silver pencil dress that stops beneath my knees, the sleeves off-the-shoulder in a classy way, my toes wiggle uncomfortably in the matching heels.
Tonight I have my hair tied in a sleek ponytail because I was too lazy to wash it.
I’ve been following Athina around like a lost puppy for the last hour, greeting whoever she introduces to me. My eyes keep scouring the hall, though, for a specific someone.
Just as I’m about to give up and think Nikolas isn’t going to show, the girl we’re talking to, I think her name is Natali, gasps. An alluring smile spreads over her face.
A firm hand settles on my lower back, my spine stiffens, and instant heat floods every inch of me.
Nikolas pushes between Athina and me, presses a kiss to her temple, then turns his head my way. Our eyes lock, but there’s zero emotion in them before he presses a quick kiss to my forehead.
“Ladies,” he murmurs, “You both look beautiful.”
He sounds exhausted.
My eyes dart over his face, the tired lines around his eyes and mouth doing nothing to diminish his power or attractiveness.
“Nikolas, so good of you to make an appearance,” Natali says, her eyes practically devouring him.
Nikolas only gives her a curt nod. His hand slips further around my waist, settling on my side with a tight grip that has my stomach flip-flopping like a fish out of water.
“I need a word with Tess,” is all he says in warning, then I’m pushed to the side by his body. With Nikolas gluing himself to my back and breathing down my neck, I once again find myself being steered toward a hallway.
We’re having this talk now?
My stomach bunches tightly with nerves, my mouth drying up.
Unlike before, I’m not cornered in a restroom. Nikolas tugs me to a stop in the middle of the hallway, his hand flirts with my bottom, then he takes a step back. Turning around to face him, there’s zero patience in his gaze, which takes mine prisoner.
“You have a date tomorrow?”
My mind does a double-take, and I shake my head. “Date?”
“James said you’re meeting some clown from school?”
Oh.
“To work on a project,” I explain. “Jake is just a friend.” I don’t know why I added the last part.
Nikolas’ eyes drift over my face. The intensity of having his full attention focused on me makes me feel nervous, and I fidget with the thin strap of my purse.
“You’ll cancel,” he demands.
“Why? It’s for school.” There’s zero determination in my voice because I am worried Jake might think it’s an actual date.
Nikolas lets out a tired sigh. “Not tonight, Theresa. Just do as I say.”
I have the sudden urge to wrap my arms around Nikolas, to hug him tight, to give him the strength I don’t have. Instead, I grip my purse tighter. “Okay.”
Nikolas stares at me until my skin prickles with the need for more than just his eyes on me.
“We’ll talk about what happened when I’m not so busy.”
I nod, my tongue nervously darting out because I’m not sure I’m looking forward to that talk.
He lifts his hand to the side of my neck, the touch only increasing my need to be physically closer to him. When he leans into me, I desperately suck in a deep breath of his scent. My eyes drift shut when his lips press to my forehead.
We stand still for the longest moment. The attraction I feel toward him grows into something so powerful I wouldn’t stop him if he tried for more. I’d let him fuck me right here.
Nikolas lets go of me, and without another word, he walks away.
My gaze drinks in the wide expanse of his back, his firm shoulders, his confident stride.