✔️ The Arrangement (A Kinky Romance) [1st Draft]

A Slice of Heaven

The week seemed to drag by until the night of the show to Nick. He found that no matter where he was or what he was doing, Selene popped up in his mind. How was she doing? Was her day going good? And that burning questions he didn't dare ask: How do you feel about me? Do you find me attractive? Would you date a guy my age? Am I wrong thinking there's something bigger here? Nick knew this was something different for him than what it had started off to be.

Winning Selene over in a more romantic way would be much harder. He could already see how long it took her to trust someone on a friendship level; there was no doubt a more intimate relationship would require much more time and effort. She might not resist him too much with what he'd done thus far, but he suspected her limit wouldn't have been much beyond that.

But he had no regrets in holding back. She hadn't mentioned it, but he had noticed something subtly different since. He wasn't sure what it was, exactly, but it was there. Or maybe it was just the way he saw her.

"What did you do to See," Paul questioned him one night while Selene was in the back doing the paperwork.

Nick looked at Paul in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"She's been more confident lately," Paul pointed out. "She's even been doing herself up a bit more."

Nick's left brow rose. "Really? That must be what was different," he mused.

"So, what did you do?"

Nick shook his head in response. "Damned if I know. Not that there weren't things I wanted to do.."

"Ok, ok," Paul protested with his hands raised. "I don't need to know that."

Nick chuckled at that. "I wasn't going to tell you anything further. I can say, though, I am not really sure where this is going, Paul. She's on my mind all the time," he confided. "Holding her that night... I just want her in my arms every night. Even if it's just to sleep."

"Oh," Paul said quietly, his eyes widening a bit in surprise. "Well, I knew you were getting the feels, but... damn, Nick."

"What is it," Nick demanded. "Tell me."

Paul huffed, then filled in his friend gently. "Nick, that's what falling in love is like. I have to say I'm not too surprised. I mean, she's the perfect fake girlfriend, but the qualities that make her that might also be just the qualities that could make her perfect for you."

Nick frowned as he thought about what Paul was saying. Was it possible? Nick wasn't so sure he believed love was in his cards, but he knew that this seemed beyond just friendship.

Nick shook his head. "I don't think it's reciprocated, Paul. She just sees me as a 'nice man' who's befriended her."

"Don't sell yourself short, Nicholas," Paul chided. "Selene isn't looking forward to seeing you for no reason. You clearly have made some sort of impression on her."

"She does? You're sure?"

"Ok, all done," Selene called out as she exited the door to the back, ending their conversation.

Paul gave Nick a grin before nodding once, turning his focus to Selene. "You're getting faster at this."

Selene grinned at him as she neared the bar. "It gets easier the more you get used to it."

Paul hummed an agreement. "Yes, it does. I wanted to ask you if you'd be interested in being my night manager? It's what I've been training you for and I think you're ready."

Selene's eyes about bugged out of her head. "Manager?"

Paul chuckled and nodded, while Nick watched on.