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"Productive," Nicolaus replied, his voice carrying that familiar measured quality. "I finalized the arrangements for tomorrow." His eyes met mine across the table, and I caught a flicker of something—anticipation, perhaps, or nervous energy carefully contained.

"You're being very mysterious about this second part of our date," I said, twirling pasta around my fork. "Should I be worried?"

A ghost of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Only if you don’t trust me.”

"I trust you completely," I said without hesitation, and I meant it. The way his expression softened at my words made something warm unfurl in my chest.

"Then you have nothing to worry about," he murmured, his voice carrying that quiet confidence I'd come to associate with him. "Though I will say, comfortable shoes would be advisable."

Miles laughed, shaking his head. "You're killing her with anticipation, you know that?"

"Good," Nicolaus replied simply, taking a measured bite of his pasta. "Anticipation makes the experience more meaningful."

Julian raised his wine glass slightly in acknowledgment. "Spoken like a true strategist."

"Everything worth having requires patience," Nicolaus said, his eyes finding mine again. "Some things are worth the wait."

The way he said it—with that careful intensity that was so uniquely him—made my breath catch.

I felt heat bloom across my cheeks at his words, the double meaning not lost on me. "You're all terrible at keeping secrets," I said, trying to lighten the suddenly charged atmosphere. "The anticipation is going to keep me awake all night."

"That would be counterproductive," Nicolaus said seriously, though I caught the hint of amusement in his eyes. "You'll need your rest for tomorrow."

"Speaking of rest," Christopher interjected, reaching for the wine bottle to refill glasses, "what time should we expect you back? Should we plan dinner around your mysterious adventure?"

Nicolaus considered this, his fingers drumming once against the table—a rare display of nervous energy. "Late afternoon, I think. Depending on how long Lilianna wants to stay at the second location."

"That's very cryptic," I said, unable to keep the smile from my voice. "Are you going to give me any hints at all?"

Nicolaus's lips curved in what might have been called a smile on anyone else, but on him felt like a revelation. "You'll understand when we get there," he said simply.

The conversation flowed easily after that, shifting to lighter topics as we finished Miles's perfectly prepared pasta. I found myself stealing glances at Nicolaus throughout the meal, noting the way he seemed more relaxed as the evening progressed, the tension in his shoulders gradually easing.

After dinner, we moved to the living room, settling into our usual comfortable arrangement.

I curled up on the couch between Julian and Christopher, while Miles claimed the armchair and Nicolaus took his preferred spot in the corner where he could observe everything.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls.

"I should probably head to bed soon," I said reluctantly, glancing at the clock. It was just past nine, but knowing I'd be waking before dawn made even this early hour feel late. "Four-thirty is going to come very quickly."

"I'll walk you up," Nicolaus offered, rising from his seat with that fluid grace that always made me think of a predator—controlled power beneath a calm surface. The others exchanged knowing looks but said nothing as he crossed the room to me.

I said my goodnights, accepting gentle kisses from each of them before Nicolaus guided me toward the stairs, his hand a light presence at the small of my back. The touch was barely there, yet I felt it like a brand through the thin fabric of my sweater.

We walked in comfortable silence, his measured steps matching mine as we climbed to the second floor. When we reached my door, I turned to face him, suddenly aware of how close we were standing in the dimly lit hallway.

"Thank you for tonight," I said softly, looking up into his dark eyes. "For planning tomorrow... for everything."

Nicolaus stepped closer, close enough that I could catch the subtle scent of his cologne—something clean and sophisticated that suited him perfectly. His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing along my cheekbone with reverent care.

"Thank you for trusting me with this," he murmured, his voice lower than usual. "I know early mornings aren't exactly your preference."

I laughed quietly, leaning into his touch. "I'd wake up at three in the morning if you asked me to."

Something flickered in his eyes—surprise, pleasure, something deeper that made my breath catch. "Careful," he said softly. "I might take you at your word." His thumb traced the curve of my lower lip, the touch so light it was almost a ghost of a caress. "But I won't test your patience too much."

My pulse quickened at his touch, at the controlled intensity in his gaze. Nicolaus was always so measured, so careful, that these small moments of tenderness felt like precious gifts.

"I should let you rest," he said, though he made no move to step away. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

"You could kiss me goodnight," I suggested, feeling bold in the dim hallway light. "For good dreams."

Something shifted in his expression—a subtle darkening of his eyes, a slight parting of his lips. "I'm not sure that would help you sleep," he murmured, his voice dropping to a rough whisper.

"I'll take my chances," I whispered back.

Nicolaus's control wavered for just a moment, and I saw something raw and hungry flash across his features before he composed himself. But instead of the gentle goodnight kiss I'd expected, he stepped closer, backing me against my bedroom door with deliberate precision.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his hands bracing on either side of my head as he leaned down. "How difficult it's been to wait, to watch the others have their time with you while I..."

His words trailed off as his gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt my breath catch at the intensity in his dark eyes. This was a side of Nicolaus I'd only glimpsed before—the carefully controlled passion that simmered beneath his composed exterior.

"While you what?" I whispered, my hands coming up to rest against his chest. I could feel his heart racing beneath my palms.

"While I've had to exercise every ounce of restraint I possess," he finished, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Watching you bloom with them, seeing you come into your own strength... it's been beautiful and maddening all at once."

His confession stole my breath. Nicolaus, always so measured, so controlled, was letting me see behind the careful mask he wore. I reached up, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw with newfound boldness.

"You don't have to restrain yourself with me," I whispered. "I'm not fragile."

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes—a predatory heat that made my heart race.

"Oh, but I do," he murmured, leaning closer until his lips hovered just above mine.

"Because what I want from you requires patience.

Preparation." His thumb traced the curve of my jaw, his touch so gentle it was almost painful.

"And when I finally have you—when it's my turn to show you exactly what you mean to me—I want you to be ready for all of it. "

The promise in his words, made the heat pool low in my belly. This was a different side of Nicolaus—still controlled, still measured, but with an edge of barely leashed desire that made my pulse race.

"And if I said I was ready now?" I challenged softly, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

Nicolaus's smile was slow and dangerous, sending a delicious shiver down my spine.

"Then I'd tell you that anticipation is part of the pleasure.

" His lips finally found mine, but the kiss wasn't what I expected.

Instead of the controlled, careful touch I'd grown accustomed to from him, this was consuming—deliberate and thorough in a way that made my knees weak.

His tongue swept against mine with confident precision, exploring, claiming, learning every response and reaction.

His hands remained planted on either side of my head, not touching me beyond the connection of our mouths, yet I felt utterly surrounded by him.

When he finally pulled away, we were both breathing harder. His eyes had darkened to near black, pupils dilated with desire as he looked down at me.

"Go to sleep, Lilianna," he murmured, his voice rough. "I'll see you in the morning."

With that, he stepped back, putting careful distance between us. The sudden absence of his warmth made me shiver, my body still humming from the intensity of his kiss.

"That's not fair," I whispered, though there was no real protest in my voice—only wonder at this new side of him.

A ghost of a smile played at his lips "Nothing about this is fair," he said quietly, his eyes still dark with want. "But some things are worth doing right."

He reached past me to open my bedroom door, the movement bringing him close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me again, but instead he stepped back with visible effort.

"Four-thirty," he reminded me, his voice carefully controlled once more. "I'll bring coffee."

I nodded, not trusting my voice as I slipped into my room. The door closed softly behind me, and I leaned against it, my heart still racing from the intensity of that kiss. My lips felt swollen, my body humming with an awareness I'd never experienced before.

Sleep, I told myself firmly. I needed to sleep.

But as I changed into my nightgown and slipped between the sheets, my mind kept flashing back to the hunger in his eyes. Sleep was definitely going to be hard to come by tonight.