Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Four

NICK'S POV

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I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting when Aris arrived at my front door but it certainly wasn't him. He doesn't look like he's had a day's experience with young children in his entire life, he looks rough around the edges with his messy dark hair and ocean blue eyes.

I glance down at his hands to see an array of rings coating them, all in different shapes and sizes. Then I study his frame, he's tall but not as tall as me. A leather jacket is wrapped around his shoulders with a hoodie underneath.

Dear God. This is not going to end well.

"You're late," I say when he fails to even mutter a hello.

I keep my eyes trained on him as he nods slowly. "Sorry," he says. "My appointment took longer than expected."

My brow curls at his statement. "Would that be a usual occurrence?"

I'm certain his cheeks flood with heat but I choose to ignore the colour his skin turns. "No," he shakes his head once. "Not at all... Sir."

"Mm," I mumble as he continues to stare back at me with a somewhat timid look. "Please call me Nick. Come in."

Aris lowers his head and steps by me as I close the door after him. He pauses in the hall and stares at the small paintings I have on the walls. "This way," I direct him as he follows behind me.

I peek over my shoulder to see him admire my home. It's something I'm very proud of. I love the open space. I adore the natural light from the huge windows. It's a perfect size for Elodie to grow up in.

"Wow," he exhales as we walk past my black interior kitchen with an island on the left. After his head turns to the living room that has two steps down on the right. I watch his eyes float to the modern electric fireplace that's just below the flat screen TV on the wall. "Your house is beautiful."

My gaze follows his eyes as he looks at a large sculpture I have in the corner by the window, then down to the two dark sofas with a wooden coffee table in the middle. "Thanks. We'll sit in the dining room."

Aris turns to look at me and offers a small smile. I walk down the hall to the room on the right, I let him in first as he perches on a chair at the end of the table. He looks apprehensive but it's obvious that he's trying to cover it up.

"You can take off your jacket," I say as I study his leather jacket. In the winter I always have the heating on full blast, I hate being cold. Especially with the windows, it sucks all the air out and it needs to be on constantly.

Aris clears his throat. "Right. Thanks."

I sit down on the chair opposite his and rest my forearms on the table. He peels his jacket from his body, leaving him in a dark blue hoodie. To my surprise he pushes the sleeves up to his elbows and I get an eyeful of the tattoos on his skin.

There are at least six or seven dotted around. Some big, some small. I frown at the sight of them–I'm not entirely sure why because I know tattoos do not define someone. I should have guessed with the leather jacket and the rugged look.

Aris's eyes flick over my face. "Are my tattoos an issue? I can cover them up if you want me to."

I swallow and look away from the black ink. "No."

"Okay," he says quietly.

My back rests into the chair as I study him once more. I can physically see him squirming. He should be. I only want the best for my little girl. I know I'm desperate but I won't settle for just anyone–they have to be perfect.