I grabbed my shirt off the floor, found my jacket and shoes, and left my sweet lover still lying where I left him in bed.
I wished I could go back inside, but I knew this was just the beginning of more time constraints on us, and I hoped we could weather them.
CHAPTER22
PRESTON
I pulledup outside Nick’s building to find him waiting for me. He looked hot as fuck in an athletic cut navy blue suit. The weather was relatively mild today with temps in the fifties and blue skies. I took that as a good sign.
Nick opened the back door and put his bag and rolled up plans on the seat, then slid in beside me. I leaned over and gave him a light kiss on the lips. I didn’t want to stress him out before he made his presentation.
“You look great. Very professional and confident.”
He smiled and looked me over. “Thanks. You do, too.”
I pulled out onto the street and started the drive to the design building at Portland University.
“Let’s go over this again,” he said, making me smile.
“I know. ‘Don’t look at you like I want to fuck you on the table, and you won’t look at me like you could eat me with a spoon. We know each other through your boss and my best friend. We met a couple times about what I want, and that’s it.”
Nick breathed out a chuckle. “That about covers it.”
“I can’t wait to see what you came up with.”
He nodded. “I tried to incorporate everything you wanted. I hope you like it.”
I pulled into the parking lot and found a space away from the other cars. I cut the engine and looked at him. “I want to take you to lunch to celebrate after we’re finished.”
“Where are we going? Is it a real lunch or more fucking?”
I laughed. “I like where you’re going with that, but I wanted someplace private, so I asked Stella to cook for us. She’s there now, a little early, prepping for this evening so she can give us some privacy.”
His smile filled the darkest places inside of me.
“That sounds amazing. I really want to meet her.”
I looked out the front window and checked the time on my phone. “She wants to meet you, too. I guess we should go.”
Nick released a shuddered breath. “I really hope you’re happy with what I came up with.”
“I’m sure I will be. It’s all you and inspired by the six best days of my life.”
He released a small laugh. “Let’s go.”
The short walk to the building gave me time to stow away my obvious affection for him. Nick appeared calm, but excited about the presentation.
When we walked into the conference room, a woman in her mid-fifties stood from the table where another man sat. He caught my attention immediately.
The guy looked to be in his late thirties, handsome, and wearing an expensive designer suit. I wasn’t loving the way he looked at my boyfriend, either.
“Professor Gloria Anderson, this is Preston James. Preston, this is my supervising professor.”
I smiled and extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you in person, Professor Anderson.”
“You too, Mr. James.” She gestured to the man, who stood from his seat at the table. “This is Michael Allen. As you suggested, we were able to get Michael’s firm to agree to the mentorship and to sign off on the plans so you could proceed with building. He has a lot of experience with the renovation of existing structures, like you’re looking to do, Mr. James. We’re lucky to have him.”
I smiled and nodded while trying not to let my unease show.
