A peremptory finger was thrust beneath my chin and with a jerk, my gaze was lifted to meld with his.
My eyes watered up again at his hard accusing stare. I opened my mouth to speak but found I could only silently shake my head some more. My throat was too thick with unshed tears.
"She doesn't want you here. Leave," said Eric still staring intently down at me. His eyes never left mine, confusing me into thinking he was speaking to me. The water in my eyes splashed down my cheeks. A large thumb reached out instantly to brush them away.
My face was now clasped within both his hands and dropped his face to mine, reaching out to brush his lips to my forehead before lifting furious eyes to glare over my head at Nikki.
I collapsed against him then in sheer relief. His words had been directed at Nikki. Damn bloody Nikki. He was right. She needed to leave.
I lifted my head away from his chest and turned to catch an odd exchange between Eric and Nikki.
But the anger in his gaze remained unshakable as did the anger in Nikki's own. I added my own glare to his and decided I could speak now without bursting into tears.
"When will you ever realise Nikki, I just don't lean that way. I never have and never will. I'm sorry but that's just the way it is. You and I can never be," I stated simply but firmly.
She needed to get this. And get this now. I ignored the stiffening walls of Eric's chest behind me no doubt at the shock of learning Nikki's assault had been on going.
I never blamed her for it in the past. She had always been the bold while I, the bashful. We have been together since our youth but I have never liked her kisses. Or he cuddles and have always known I never would. Nikki was living in a denial. And wasting her life over it.
I may not be for her but there would be someone out there who was.
I knew she hadn't lived a life of a monk. Having flaunted her lovers at me along the way, no doubt hoping to incite jealousy, I had would have thought she'd seen by now I have never been affected. I had only always been encouraging to her. To go out there and find the one she would be happy with.
I told her almost instantly, as soon as I knew, I was falling for my boss. And falling hard. I told her to spare her the heartache of watching me belong to another. She willfully chose to disregard my wishes. Forcing herself onto me. I couldn't allow that to go unchecked.
My arms were grasped and I was turned around to face a stunned looking Eric.
"What do you mean by that?" He demanded at almost a wisper. Then with an abrupt shake of my shoulders, he all but barked at me.
"What the fuck did you mean by that? You were lovers! Nikki was your love."
I cringed automatically at the pictures that swamped my mind.
"Eww no!" I exclaimed indignantly, before adding practically, " You know you were my first."
He shrugged impatiently at that and waved pointedly behind me. "You can fuck and still remain a virgin."
I couldn't help crinkling my brow in confusion over that.
But Erin added on desparately," I need to know. Were you ever in love with Nikki?"
I shook my head urgently," No never. I was only ever in love with you."
