She was just getting swept up in the fantasy because Nick made her body feel so good.And she should probably interrupt his conversation with Mortimer before he got ahead of himself too.She opened the door farther, shuffling her feet so it appeared she had just arrived.“Hey, Nick!”
He spun around.“Claire.How long have you been there?”
She deflected his question, unwilling and unable to lie to him.Hopefully the heat in her cheeks didn’t reveal the truth.“Did you feed the cats for me?That’s so sweet.”
“I, uh, figured you were running behind.Did you sleep okay?”
“Yeah, just a bit too long.I was tired and I’ve had a lot on my mind.I hope you didn’t go to any trouble feeding the cats.”
“Nah, I’m a pro now.”
“Still, I don’t like giving other people my burdens.”
“Claire, it wasn’t a burden.And even if it was, I’d help you carry it.I’ve lifted a few loads in my time.My shoulders are strong.”
She squeezed her lips together so a sob wouldn’t escape.Why does he have to go and say something like that?Those words almost broke her will.It took everything in her not to fly into his arms, and say, ‘Yes!Make everything better.I need you.’
She couldn’t.
She wasn’t sure why she was so stubborn about bandaging up her own wounds.In part, she was worried that they wouldn’t heal unless she’d applied the tourniquet herself.
“So,” said Nick, tracing the line of her jaw, “are you too tired for another visit tonight?”
Say no.You need to start putting some distance between you.He has feelings, and you have no idea what’s going on in your head.“I’d love a visit tonight.”
Dammit!What is wrong with me?
“Great.”He leaned in and kissed her, teasing her mouth with his tongue.“You taste good.”
“So do you.”
He kissed her again, a soft peck on the neck this time.“I’ll see you later, beautiful.”
She couldn’t even form words and just hummed in response as he walked away.
Who was she kidding?
She had feelings too.Big feelings.
She’d probably had them all along.
And she was doing a piss poor job of ignoring them.
* * * *
During the Thursday lunch break, when everyone was occupied eating and chatting, Nick went looking for Claire.He found her in the reception area, where she’d been helping Michael’s team apply a new coat of ivory paint.
She hadn’t once asked for her old beige walls back, and he was relieved to see her contributing so much to the redesign of the space.In fact, she’d gone on a shopping trip with Lacey and had picked up some nice accessories to brighten up the large room.
“Hey,” he said, creeping up behind her.He grabbed her hand.“Come with me.”
“Ooh, what for?A little supply room action?”
“Not this time.”
Accustomed as he was to giving Lacey a heads up before doing any reveals, he wasn’t worried this time.He really just wanted to show Claire his mystery project without cameras around.He’d designed it with her in mind, had sweated over it for her, and he wanted the reveal to be between the two of them.
He had faith that she could put on an act for the cameras later, if Lacey needed her to relive the experience.
