Page 46

We got back to New York yesterday evening.

When we checked out of the inn, Bea gave us a knowing look but her eyes lingered on me almost as if she was trying to tell me something that I was either too stupid or too tired to figure out.

Darius returned with our car and told us that there was nothing wrong with it. The mechanic had done a full check up on it but it was fine. He made a passing statement about fate wanting us to stop by their town and the more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed to me.

The car ride was terse and quiet, neither of wanted to speak or even knew what to say if we decided to. Nathan kept our hands intertwined throughout the entire ride and when he turned into my street, I almost didn’t let go .

He helped me take my box in despite my insistence that I could do it myself.

By the time all my things were safely in the house, he paused at my doorway and stared at me for a full minute.

I could tell there was something on the tip of his tongue and I willed him to say it but instead, he cleared his throat and walked out.

I thought about that single moment all night and while I got ready for work today. As Miles drove me to work that was what filled up my brain and as I walked into the familiar four walls I call my office, it was all I could think about.

“You’re back,” I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice Marissa had walked into my office, “Welcome back, I thought you would spend at least one day at home before coming in.”

“I figured I had a long enough break,” I responded with a small smile, “How is everything going with the preparations? Please tell me that everything is ready.”

She nodded eagerly and quickly rushed over to my side with her tablet. She flipped through pictures of all the finished products and I have to give it to my workers, they did a great job.

“I sent this to you as an email a few days ago but then I remembered you wouldn’t be able to look at it,” she explained, “I know I don’t have your artistic eye but if you want to see them in person then I’m sure they can have everything brought out.”

“I’ll check them out later; I need to catch up on some emails first.” For some reason, I just wanted to be alone, “Have you seen Nathan?”

If she was surprised by my change in subject she didn’t let it show. “Last time I checked, he was doing some interviews with some of the sketch artists but I don’t know. Do you want me to call him? ”

“No,” I said almost immediately then I cleared my throat so it wouldn’t be so obvious, “No, everything is fine I can assure you. How are you?”

She knew what I was asking about but instead of acknowledging she shrugged. “I’m fine, work has been a little hectic but everything is fine.”

“Did you take a few days off?” I asked and she shook her head. She made to leave but I stopped her, “Marissa, I asked you to take as long as you needed.”

“You weren’t here,” it wasn’t an accusation, it was a fact but it somehow felt like an accusation, “I figured it would be smart if one of us was here to answer the calls and messages. There were a lot of them actually including a very special hamper from Francine which I gave to Olivia when she came knocking.”

“Marissa,” I cut her off and she looked up at me, “You didn’t have to.”

“I know,” her response was short, “But it provided a very good distraction.”

“A distraction from what?”

Before she could respond, even though I doubted she would have, there was a knock on my door. She took it as her cue to leave and she grabbed her tablet in one hand and was out of the door before I could say a word.

I knew who was at my door before he even walked in.

I scrambled to see if there was any unfinished work on my desk but I was coming up empty.

Contrary to what I had told Marissa, I had already answered all my emails and the only reason I didn’t want to go and see the dresses right now was because I didn’t want to risk running into Nathan .

That plan however was now moot considering Nathan was currently in my office.

He looked as unfazed as usual and I wondered if I was the only one overthinking this entire issue.

I wondered if he also felt the maddening urge I did to lock my office door and kiss him like we weren’t currently supposed to be working professionals.

I have never felt like this in my entire life, not even when I was with Joseph and it is overwhelming as well as frustrating.

I stood to my feet and prepared to make a quick escape. I’m sure Marissa won’t mind if I tell her I want to see the dresses right now. I tried my best to ignore Nathan who I could feel was staring straight at me as I gathered my phone from my desk.

He stood immobile at my door watching me and just as I was about to side step him, his hand reached out to grab my wrist effectively stopping me in place.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were avoiding me,” he drawled, “But then again, you’re Adira. You don’t run from people.”

I knew he was taunting me so I swallowed down whatever retort I had, “I’m simply going to see the finished products.”

His thumb was rubbing small circles across my wrist and I secretly cursed myself for not putting the blazer over my shirt before leaving my desk. I was about to pull my hand away from his grip when he dragged me close to him.

One minute I was standing on my own and the next, I was pinned against the door with Nathan’s body. My hand was still in his and his eyes never left mine as he leaned over to nuzzle his nose into my wrist before taking a large inhale .

“You smell good,” he said and I tried not to flush especially not when he pressed a soft kiss to my wrist, “Nice tattoo by the way.”

I didn’t realize he was holding onto my left hand where my little semi colon tattoo lay on my wrist. His eyes left mine briefly to glance over at it but within a second they were back on me.

“Thank you.” I tried to move my hand out of his grip but his hold was firm.

“I counted three,” he kept his eyes trained on mine as he spoke and it took all my willpower not to look away from him.

I know what he’s doing and I’m determined not to let him succeed in making me crack. All my tattoos are in hidden places and for him to count three out of the four that I have, then he must be referring to that particular night at the inn.

“There are four actually,” I retorted and I saw his eyes darken as they ran down my body probably imagining all the possible places my last tattoo resided.

His free hand moved to my hips and landed directly over the spot where my hip tattoo was and I could feel the heat of his skin through my pants.

It seared through the material and it felt like his hands were directly on my skin.

If he slipped his hand through my clothes he would see how unbelievably wet I was.

“One,” his voice was so soft that I barely heard it.

His hand lingered there for a second before trailing up to my right rib directly under my breast where the other set of butterflies lay.

His hand stroked over the thin material of my tank top and it took all my willpower for me not to moan.

I bit down on my bottom lip and I saw his eyes follow the movement .

“Two,” he gestured to the one on my wrist, “Three. Where’s the fourth?”

“Guess,”

His lips curled upwards to a promising smile as his hand moved from my hips to my lower back. The action had me arching into him until our chests were completely pressed against each other. Normally I would pull away but something about the situation and his sharp eyes on me kept me stationary.

His hand slowly traced my lower back, “Is it here?”

“Close, but no.” I saw how deep he thought so I decided to give him a hint, “It’s not a small one.”

Understanding ran through his features and his hand slowly made its way up my spine.

I didn’t know if he was guessing or if he was just touching but regardless I nodded.

I could see the barely concealed curiosity in his haze and I knew he wanted to see it just as badly as I wanted to show it to him.

“You’ll see it at the event,” I dropped my voice to a whisper, “The dress I’m wearing has a very revealing back.”

“That sounds promising.”

He finally released his hold on my wrist and I knew what he was doing. He was giving me a chance to push him away and step back. The more logical part of my brain wanted to do that but the other- more wayward- part wanted to stay.

The latter seemed to be stronger because against my better judgment, my hand landed on his bicep. One of his hands was stroking my spine while the free one reached out to push my braids off my shoulder before cupping the back of my head then he tilted my head up so I was staring at me .

“What are you doing?”

He rolled his eyes at how stupid my question was. Hell, I would have rolled my eyes at how stupid my question was.

“Just turn off your brain for five seconds.” He leaned down and kissed me and I wasted no time in reciprocating.

We were pressed flush against each other and my door.

All it would take is someone knocking on the door or trying to open it and they would know instantly what we are doing.

The thought was as thrilling as it was terrifying and even though my brain my screaming at me wondering what I was doing, my body just leaned into his and I wanted him impossibly closer.

There was a knock on the door that had reality knocking back into me and I realized what I was doing. I pushed him off and my hands instantly went to my forehead.

What the hell did I just do?

I just kissed Nathan in my office with everyone around when anyone could have walked in.

I didn’t realize I was pacing until he walked up to me and placed both hands on my shoulders to keep me in place.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I breathed, “I am so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry, Adira?”

“We work together,” I don’t know why he doesn’t understand it. He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off, “I should go.”