SONDER

9

We entered the grocery store with Nikolai pushing a cart and me behind him. The man looked so natural as he walked inside the building in his suit. His jacket was left inside his car and he now casually pushed the cart with his long sleeves folded. His wrist was accessorized with an expensive looking watch, it glistened under the lighting of the store.

I walk behind him with my hand trapped in a dead grip yet again. I unconsciously stare at Nikolai's prominent back muscles underneath his shirt; those muscles are too perfect not to be in an art gallery.

The curvature, and lines I haven't laid my eyes on but felt in his restaurant were smooth yet firm as steel. If it weren't for that man's seductive lips before, I would've traced every alluring line his body has with both my eyes and hands.

Noticing that I'm in a daze yet again and a few feet away from him, Nikolai calls out my name.

"Lily."

"Oh, sorry.." I sheepishly smile.

He grumbles under his breath and left the cart to its place, he steps towards my direction and gently grabs my hand from my grip.

"What am I going to do with you." He grumbles with his deep voice, my blush surfacing my skin yet again. I can't help it, you're too distracting.

As we reach the cart he places my left hand to warp around his hard biceps. It's firm.. and hard.. His warmth reach my chilly fingertips.. "Hold my arm, so I won't loose you." My cheeks instantly heat up.

"Sorry, I told you I tend to space out." I grip at his arm.

"Then I'll make it a habit to always hold your hand." He smirk down at me.

"Technically I'm holding yours now." I chuckle at the huge man.

"Then make it your habit too angel." He retorts back unashamed. He continues to drop things in the cart as we walk.

I laugh loudly.. "Nikolai Anderson, you're good at this."

"At what?" He asked genuinely confused.

"At this.. Flirting..."

"I flirt because it's you." He stops us in our track.

I purse my lips, cheeks hot as a burning coal. "Well you're too good at it."

"Lily, this is what I call shooting my shot on the girl that I like." He caress my cheeks softly. "—I've never done this before, and if you're saying I'm good at it then I'm guessing I do have a chance." He says as he looks into my eyes and traces the freckles on my red cheeks.

"Are you two gonna kisss?" A little voice below us asked with wonder.

We both look down and saw a little blonde girl, who looked around 5 years old, stand behind us fiddling with her little hands. Her blue eyes were full of curiosity as she stared up at us.

I look at Nikolai as he stared at the little girl who was walking towards him with her little feet. I laugh at his stiff expression.

"Hi girlie, where's your mom?" I sit down with my knees on my chest to meet the child's height.

"My momma is buying vejtabols!"

"Does she knows you're here then? You're pretty far away from the vegetable section."

She dramatically gasp and looks around the isles.

"Oh no." She whispers.

"Can you and your hasbund help me find my momma ma'am?" She grips on Nikolai's pants as she bravely stop her tears.