Chapter25 Theapartmentwasaspacious4,000squarefootflat withminimalistbedrooms.Theaburroweddeeper underthecovers,tryingtorelaxonthesoftmattress. Thesoundofrunningwatercamefromthebathroom.Amomentlater,thewaterstopped,and thedooropened,releasingawaveofwarmsteamandalight,freshscent. Nicolasemerged,towelinghisdamphair,dressedinabathrobe.Therobescollarhungloosely,revealingaglimpseoftannedskinandtonedmusclesbeneath.Asherubbedhishairdry,thenecklinethreatened toslipopenevenmore. Theasfaceflushedabrightred.Shesatupabruptly,hergazedatingeverywherebutatNicolas.Mr.Hendrix,ifthisisuncomfortable,I canexplaintoyourfather.I could saytheresanurgentfamilyissueandIneedtogohomeforthenight. Noneed.Nicolasreplied,hisvoicecoolashesuddenlysatdownonthebed.Youcantavoidthisforever.Myfatherisshrewd,hellfindahundredwaystotestus. Itseasiertoplayalongandavoidunnecessarytrouble.Dontworry.Iwontdoanythinginappropriate. Thea realizedhehad apoint.Shestaredatthefloor,thenatthenightstandanywherebutathim .Shedidntmovetoliedown.Herbodyfelttense,andherfacewasburningwithembarrassment. Atherage,thiswasthefirsttimeshedeversharedabedwithaman.EveninhersevenyearrelationshipwithJake,shehadkeptfirmboundaries-theydnevergonebeyondkissing. Nicolaswatchedherstiffposture,aflickerof somethingunreadableinhiseyes.Getsomerest,hesaid,turningoffthelamp. Afterwhatfeltlikeaneternityofmentallypreparingherself,Thenfinallyslidovertotheveryedgeofthebed,curlingupassmallasshecould,tryingtobreathequietly. Suddenly,Nicolasmoved.Inaninstant,hisstrongarm wrappedaroundherwaistashepulledherblanketandallintohiswarmembrace,hisscentofsubtlebodywashenvelopingher. Mr.Hendrix!Theagasped,hervoicetingedwithembarrassment. Nicolasrestedhischinontopofherhead,hischestvibratingashewhispered,Therearecameras. Sureenough,inthedimlight,asmall reddotglowedontheceiling. Theafeltamixofexasperationanddisbelief.ItseemedStefandidnttrustNicolastofindapartneronhisown . Assheshiftedslightly,tryingtogetcomfortable,Nicolasloosenedhis griparoundherwaist. Despitetheirintimate position,hisvoiceremainedcoolandcomposed,justloudenoughforhertohear.Iapologizeformyfather.Sorryfortheawkwardness. Theashook herhead,bitingher lip.Itsfine.Weremarriedadults.Thisisntexactlycrossingaline! Isthat so?Nicolas asked,atraceofmockeryinhistone. Flustered,Theadidntcatchthesarcasm.Whatsurprisedhermostwasherownreaction. Shedexpectedtopanicorevenfaintfrombadmemories.Butforthefirsttime,shefelt oddlycalm andsafeinNicolass irms Theaturnedslightlytofacehim,keepinghergazelowered,cheeksflushedpink.Tentatively,sherestedherhandonhistrongwaist. 11:37Fri,Oct25?. Chapter25 69% Internally,shesighed.NowsheunderstoodwhyNicolasalwaysrinkedhighonthoserandomlistslikeHotGuysWomenWanttoSleepWith Mr.Hendrix,likeIsaid,IknowwhatIoweyou.Illmakesureweplaythispartconvincingly.ItstheleastIcandotorepayyou.Herestoasuccessfulact,shesaidsoftly AflickerofsomethingpassedthroughNicolassdeepseteyesbeforehisexpressionwentblank again.Heclosedhiseyesandreplied.Okay.SilvercreekstopgemstonebuyerwillbeinKeyBiskanesoon.Iwantyoutosecurethatdeal. Theaseyesbrightenedattheopportunity.Inherexcitement,shegrabbedNicolassshirt,unintentionallypullingherselfclosertohim.Areyouserious?Youtrustmewithsuchabigaccount,huh? Theirproximityheightenedthetension,andastheirbreathsmingled,Nicolasgentlypushedherback.Anycloser,andthismightcrossaline. Theaclearedherthroat,quicklyretreatingunderthecovers,herheartstillracing. Afterseverallatenightsworkingontheproject,Theastretchedatherdesk.Theofficewasnearlyempty,withthesunsettingandmostemployeesalreadygone. Afewcoworkerspassedbyheropendoor,offeringpolitesmilesStillburningthemidnight oil,Ms.Rowland? Justfinishingup,Thearesponded,returningthesmile.Makesureyouallgetsomerest . Oneofthemchuckledastheywalked away . Ms.Rowlandgotluckythistime.ThatSilvercreekbuyersloaded.Landingthisdealmeansmorethanjusttheinitialcommission. Anotheronechimedin,Mr.NicolasHendrixmustreallytrustMs.Rowlandtohandhersuchabigopportunity.Betyouguysarejealous ytoit.Its Butthereweredisgruntledmurmursaswell.Shedidntearnthatdealherself.Shemusthavesweettalkedherwaytotallyunfair. Fairornot,ifyouvegottheskills,goearnityourself.Asharpvoicecutthroughthewhispers.Thehigherupschoseher,so quitcomplaining TheconversationquicklydieddownasJakeappearedinthedoorway.Butinsteadoffeelinggratefulforhisinterference,Theastartedpackingup,intentonleaving. Jakequicklysteppedinfrontofher,hiseyesflickeringwithfrustration. Theamethisgaze,hertoneflatandcold.Istheresomethingyouneed,Mr.Hendrix? Hisjawtightened,angerandhurtevidentinhiseyes .Didyouforgetsomething?heasked,his voice tightwithaccusation.Theanearlylaughedattheabsurdity.What?DidMadelyndumpyou?sheasked,hervoicedrippingwithsarcasm. Jakeschestheavedwithbarelycontainedfrustration .Grabbinghershoulders,hedemandedthroughgritted teeth,Whydidntyourespondtomymessagesyesterday? Thearememberednow.ShehadseenJakestextsfromhisalternateaccountlastnightbut,notwantingtodisturbNicolas.hadsimplymutedthenotifications. ShelookedatJakesdesperateface,andawicked withNicolaslast nightandalittletoobusy totexthimback,she heldback . rktuggedacherlips .Though shewantedtotellhimthatshewasinbed