Page 5

NIKOLAI

N ikolai watches Taraji from across his desk. Her eyes dart around the room. She fidgets with her pen. The signs are subtle but clear to him. Beneath her confident exterior lies uncertainty.

"The marketing report looks excellent." He keeps his tone professional.

"Thank you." Taraji straightens a stack of papers. "I worked through the weekend to finish it."

Nikolai leans forward. "You don't need to overwork yourself."

"I wanted to prove—" She stops herself.

"Prove what?"

Taraji sighs. "That I deserve my position."

Nikolai frowns. "No one questions your abilities."

"Jerome implied I got promoted because of my..." She gestures at her body. "Office politics."

Rage flares in Nikolai's chest. "Jerome is an insecure fool."

"Maybe." She looks down at her notes. "But people listen to him."

Nikolai rises from his chair. "Let me be clear." He walks around the desk. "You earned everything through hard work and talent. "

Taraji's eyes follow him. "I appreciate that."

"Do you?" He stops beside her chair. "Or do you still believe his lies?"

Her shoulders tense. "It's complicated."

"Explain it to me." He leans against the desk.

Taraji sets her pen down. "All my life people have made assumptions based on how I look."

"And?"

"And sometimes I wonder if they're right." Her voice drops. "If I'm too much."

Nikolai's jaw tightens. "Too much for whom?"

"For anyone." She shrugs. "For this job."

"For me?" He holds her gaze.

Heat rises in her cheeks. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to." He reaches for her hand. "Stand up."

Taraji hesitates then complies. Her full figure comes into view as she rises.

"Look at me." His voice turns commanding.

She meets his eyes.

"Do you know what I see?" He steps closer. "A brilliant woman who commands every room she enters."

Her breath catches. "Nikolai—"

"I see curves that drive me wild." He places his hands on her shoulders. "I see strength and beauty combined."

Taraji trembles under his touch. "This is inappropriate."

"Perhaps." He slides his hands down her arms. "But it's honest."

A knock interrupts them. Nikolai steps back just as his assistant peeks in.

"Your three o'clock is here sir."

"Tell them to wait." His tone leaves no room for argument.

The door closes. They stand in tense silence.

"We should finish our conversation." Taraji whispers.

"We will." Nikolai promises. "Tonight."

She gathers her notes. "I should get back to work. "

"Taraji." He stops her. "Don't let anyone make you feel less than extraordinary."

Her eyes soften. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is." He steps forward. "May I?"

She nods not understanding his request.

Nikolai pulls her into a hug. His arms envelop her completely. She stiffens at first then melts against him. Her curves press against his hard frame. The scent of her perfume floods his senses.

"Perfect." He murmurs against her hair.

Taraji pulls back slightly. Their faces inches apart. Her lips part. His gaze drops to her mouth.

The intercom buzzes. Nikolai curses under his breath.

"Mr. Volkov your client is getting impatient."

Taraji steps away. "I should go."

"Tonight." He reminds her. "My office. Six o'clock."

She nods and hurries out. Nikolai watches her leave. The sway of her hips makes his mouth water. He adjusts his suddenly tight trousers and returns to his desk.

…

Later he catches Mary-Anne whispering to a colleague while staring at Taraji. His blood boils. He approaches silently.

"Something to share with the team Ms. Peters?"

Mary-Anne jumps. "No sir."

"Then perhaps you should focus on your work." His voice carries through the office. "Unless you'd prefer to clear your desk."

The message spreads quickly. No one dares look at Taraji sideways for the rest of the day.

…

At five-thirty Nikolai orders dinner. At six Taraji knocks on his door .

"Come in." He stands as she enters.

"You wanted to see me?" She hesitates by the door.

"Join me." He gestures to the couch where food waits.

Taraji sits stiffly. "What's this about?"

"Dinner." He serves her a plate. "And finishing our conversation."

They eat in silence for several minutes. Nikolai observes her. She eats carefully. Too carefully.

"Are you counting calories?" He asks bluntly.

Taraji nearly chokes. "Excuse me?"

"You've been pushing the pasta around your plate."

She sets her fork down. "It's a habit."

"From?"

"Years of diets that never worked." She admits. "Years of trying to be someone else."

Nikolai leans forward. "And who do you want to be?"

The question catches her off guard. "I don't know anymore."

"I think you do." He takes her plate and sets it aside. "I think you want to be free."

Taraji laughs without humor. "Free of what?"

"Expectations." He moves closer. "Judgments."

His knee touches hers. She doesn't pull away.

"What if I told you I see everything you try to hide?" His voice drops. "Your strength."

His hand covers hers.

"Your vulnerability."

His other hand cups her cheek.

"Your need to surrender control sometimes."

Her pupils dilate. "What are you talking about?"

"I see the real you Taraji." His thumb traces her lower lip. "All of you."

She trembles. "You can't possibly—"

"I do." He leans in. "And I want every part."

Their lips nearly touch. The door swings open.

"Oh!" His assistant stops short. "I'm sorry I thought you was alone. "

Taraji jumps back. Nikolai stands.

"We're in a meeting." His voice is ice.

"Security called about the alarm system." The assistant backs away. "I'll tell them to call tomorrow."

The door closes. The moment shatters.

Taraji stands. "I should go."

Nikolai doesn't stop her. "Tomorrow then."

She pauses at the door. "What happens tomorrow?"

"Whatever we decide." He meets her gaze. "But know this, I'm done waiting."

Taraji eyes goes wide and he see’s her swallowing before she opens her mouth. But she thought better as she leaves without another word. Nikolai stares at the closed door. His fists clench at his sides. Patience has never been his virtue, but for her, he's waited five years.

Tomorrow, my patience runs out.