AMB~she~OUS

THIRTY SEVEN

"What are you doing here?"

"Let's go out for dinner." Nick spoke shutting the door behind him.

"I'm just going to order room service and head to bed, I'm exhausted." I spoke, discarding the damp towel from my head.

"You didn't even do much, how can you be exhausted?" Nick scoffed.

"Well, I'm not as athletic as you so please close the door on your way out." I said dismissively, I really didn't feel like company, especially his.

"A new restaurant opened up in town and I was hoping to check it out before I decide whether to invest in it or not."

Of course, he had to make everything sound like a business move when in reality it wasn't.

"Okay then, have fun." I waved sarcastically at him turning my feet for the bedroom.

"I don't think you want to stay in here with me, enclosed spaces can be extremely...dangerous for people like us."

My feet froze in their tracks.

"What?" I choked out, head turning to face him.

"I said, I don't think staying here alone with me would be in your best interest."

He emphasized each word with his steps till he was standing right in front of me. Just like we did in every intense situation.

"Or maybe I'm wrong?" He spoke as I watched his hand move to gently grab my shoulder, a move that forcibly drew me closer to him.

I should've stopped him right then and there, telling him that I wasn't affected by his presence in an empty room.

That's what I should've done but I didn't, instead, I let myself soak in the moment a little longer.

"Should we...?" Nick's other hand snaked behind my neck, his thumb slowly rubbing circles on a delicate part of my neck. The delicious sensation that came from such an insignificant act was enough to have my body involuntarily move closer to him.

"...just stay in?" He whispered right above my ear.

All he needed to hear was one word and all I needed to do was say 3 simple letters.

I had a single second thought about what if.

What if I just gave in and let the night lead us wherever?

What if the next morning I took Nick's offer? Who knew what bigger heights I would climb next to him?

What if this turned into so much more? I wasn't blind to Nick's subtle advances for something more than a sexual relationship.

The attraction was mutual and he was offering much more than Craig and his chauvinistic friends could give me. Wouldn't this mean I would be getting things that I've always wanted handed to me on a golden platter?

I felt dizzy just flipping over different scenarios in my head, scenarios that had serious consequences. I already had a reputation, was I prepared to face more backlash for my ambitious actions?

I didn't think I was ready for that.

And with that decision, I summoned a ginormous amount of effort to move out of Nick's embrace.

"I'll get dressed."

                               ***

"Nick, my man what a lovely surprise, what are you doing here on the side of the globe?" A burly man in a chef's uniform approached us from behind the front desk.

"I heard you were opening a new restaurant so I decided to come to see it for myself." Nick said to the man, engulfing him in a manly hug.

It was slightly odd seeing him that casual with someone, I didn't even think he had friends.

"Then I'm the luckiest man in the world to have THE Nick Daniels fly over just to eat at my restaurant."

"Then I suggest you treat us to your best wine, on the house?" Nick smirked at his friend who lightly punched his shoulder and they both threw a fit of laughter.

"And who might this be?" The man asked, his eyes wide taking me in for the first time.

"Vince, this is Katherine my..."

Nick paused midway, his eyes searching mine like he was looking for the right word.

"Colleague, we work together at D&D." I blurted out when I saw his friend's questioning look.

"Oh thank God, I thought it was one of those moments where the guy doesn't know which label to put on the relationship. He doesn't want to seem too forward or like he isn't taking the relationship seriously." He laughed.

"Trust me, it isn't one of those situations. Nick and I are just colleagues." My laugh came out slightly more nervous than it should've.

"Good good, I would've felt bad for my man Nick here, to get on the wrong side of such a beautiful lady."

"Now now now I think the beautiful lady needs to eat." Nick butted in.

"Of course, don't let me keep you from  getting your dinner, it's all on the house so please enjoy." Vince happily gestured for a waitress to show us our seats.

"This place is really fancy." I pointed out, my eyes marveling at the spacious dining area.

"Vince doesn't believe in mediocrity, everything he does has to be over the top." Nick explained sliding a menu over to my side.

"I've never seen you so casual with anyone before, you two must be pretty close." I said keeping my eyes on the menu in front of me, trying not to sound too interested in his life.

"Hmm mmm, we met in London when I was acquiring some properties. I was interested in buying one of his restaurants, he made me grovel for it."

"Did he sell it to you?" I asked.

"Nope but he did introduce me to some people who wanted to put theirs on the market, we've kinda kept in touch since then. You ready to order?"

"Sure, the lamb chops sound good."

                             ****

"I'm pretty sure we parked that side." I pointed out to Nick who was confidently walking in the wrong direction.

"I know, how about a stroll around town?" He held out his hand to me with a smile that had my stomach somersaulting.

"No." I shook my head at him, this wouldn't be good for my heart and besides, I hated wet weather and there was snow all over the street.

"You already declined my offer, don't you think it would be too mean if you make me walk all over town alone on this beautiful night? Who knows, this might be the last time we get to spend together, an innocent walk wouldn't hurt." His smile broadened, the answer must have been clearly written on my face.

"That big speech for a simple walk psst." I said, letting out a small sigh of annoyance.

I stretched out my hand and took his knowing he was right about one thing.

We wouldn't be spending any more time together. I wasn't going to throw away all my hard work for some flimsy feelings that would eventually wither with time. I had already crossed the line one two many times now it was time to draw some boundaries.

I might have married my way onto the social ladder but I had worked hard for every position I got at D&D. Nick's offer was an insult to all the hard work I had put.

I willed my mind to go back to my original plan. I had to run him out of the company and out of our lives if I wanted to secure everything I had worked for.

I had to keep my heart safe too.

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