Nik had one shoulder leaning against the bedroom’s doorway, one eyebrow raised questioningly at her.
Damn you, Alyx, Daria thought even as her heart skipped several beats before jumping into a rollercoaster for another ride. Up, down, up, down it went as Daria struggled not to show just how exhilarated she was at seeing Nik.
He had obviously showered, and he had changed clothes, too. Gone was yesterday’s formal suit, and it was replaced instead with a maroon V-neck shirt and denims. A casual look, but with Nik’s air of sophistication, the clothes became catwalk-worthy.
“You look beautiful,” she blurted out.
“Thank you,” Nik said solemnly, “but that’s not going to make me forget you called me a devil.”
She colored, protesting, “I wasn’t talking about you.” Damn you twice, Alyx. “Actually, I was speaking to the devil.”
“Ah.” A knowing expression crossed Nik’s gorgeous face. “Alyx?” he guessed correctly.
“In one,” she confirmed sheepishly.
Nik pulled her close to him, and bending down, he whispered against her lips, “Tell your friend...”
Her eyes closed. “Tell her w-what?” She arched her neck as his lips moved down, her body shivering at the little kisses Nik pressed against her skin.
His mouth moved back up, and he bit her lip. When she whimpered, he said silkily, “It takes one to know one.”
Daria froze.
And then his meaning sank in, and she burst into peals of laughter. Nik didn’t laugh with her, but she did catch a glimpse of amusement in his eyes before he caught her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss.
After, he murmured, “Good morning.”
Daria was dazed. Was that his version of a good morning kiss? If so, could she buy reserves of it?
The rest of the day passed in a haze of pleasure. This was the first time Nik was spending the entire Tuesday with her, and the entire time Daria struggled to keep her impulses in check and not blurt out anything that could ruin this perfect moment – no, this perfect day – between them.
Did he notice how much things had changed between them, Daria wondered. Did he realize he never called what they did fucking anymore? Did he realize that he had become such an integral part of her life he didn’t just know her closest friends and vice versa – he also knew her passwords, her brand of shampoo, her favorite food for breakfast?
Did he realize that all these things made Miranda seem like his mistress and Daria his fiancée?