Nico sighs. “Okay.” He adjusts himself, grimacing slightly. “I understand. Although I wouldn’t mind continuing this.”
“Later?” I give him a quick kiss. “After work?”
“Definitelyafter work,” he replies, his gaze brightening with anticipation. “And you’ve got me thinking about the kitchen now. And this island.”
“The island?”
“Yes.” His eyes darken. “You, laid out on top of it. Or maybe I bend you over and take you from behind.”
Why am I leaving again?
My brain freezes on the mental image of me on the island, my legs draped over Nico’s shoulders, his muscles flexing as he drives into me…
No. The appointment. I’m trying to get my business going again. And I won’t do that if I never leave the apartment.
“That would be really nice,” I manage. Taking a few steadying steps away from Nico, I add, “Really,reallynice.”
He grins at me. “I think so, too.”
“Okay.” I wave my hand at my face to cool it. I squeeze my legs together in an attempt to relieve the ache between them. “I need to go.”
Nico stands and takes my hands in his. “You’ll call me when you get there. And before you leave.”
“I will.”
“And call me when you’re nearly here,” he adds, “and I’ll come to the door to let you in. Okay?”
“Okay.” My stomach jitters with nerves. But I force a smile as I say, “I’ll call you when I get there, when I leave, and when I’m a block away from F & F.”
Before I chicken out, I command my legs to move out of the kitchen and towards the front door. Nico follows close behind me. “And keep your pepper spray in your pocket, Soph. Not in your purse. Same with your phone and the alert whistle.”
My heart lurches. “I will.”
The front door looms in front of me, ominous and threatening.
It’s fine.It’s five freaking blocks. In Midtown. At eight-thirty in the morning. There’s nothing to worry about.
I grab my purse and slide it onto my shoulder, hoping Nico doesn’t notice my hand shaking. “Okay. I’d better go.”
Just as I reach for the doorknob, Nico stops me. Then he grasps my shoulders and turns me to face him. Contrition pinches his features. “I’m sorry, Soph. I don’t mean to scare you. Just because I’m having a hard time—” He stops. “It’s safe. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just me being overprotective, is all. Go see the office space. Take lots of pictures. And I’ll see you soon.”
I hug him hard. “I know. It’s a little scary for me, too. But if I want things to be normal again…”
He kisses my forehead. “I know, Soph.” Reaching past me, he opens the door. “Now go, before I carry you into the bedroom to have my way with you.”
My heart jumps, but not from nerves this time.
“Later,” I manage in a choked voice. “And make sure you’re still wearing that suit.”
The sun hits me as I step back out onto the sidewalk, bringing along a fresh burst of optimism.
This could really work out.
Garrett, the realtor who showed me the office space, follows me out and locks the door behind him. “I think this could work for you, Miss Shaw,” he says. “The location is fantastic, and with the amount of square footage… I’m not sure you’ll find anything better at this price.”
“It’s very nice,” I agree. And I mean it. The photos online actually matched up with real life, which I know from experience is more often the exception than the rule. The space wasn’t too noisy, the windows let in plenty of sun, and while the bathroom was a little on the dingy side, it’s nothing a good cleaning and fresh paint won’t fix.
“Well,” Garrett replies with a ready smile, “we could probably get the paperwork signed today. And—” His voice dips conspiratorially. “I heard there’s a lot of interest. So if you wait…”
