New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter Part 47 Sam

Hurt, guilt, and the last remits of anger followed me all the way to town. The guilt grew so much I finally sent Mady a text to tell her where I was going. It didn't surprise me that Dmitri knew I was spending time with Nickoli and that was where the guilt fit in. I did tell them both I didn't date and even put distance between us all because I was getting to close. I never should have kissed Dmitri. That wasn't far to him or me. The last thing I ever want to do was to hurt people I care about but that was exactly what I was doing. Now going to Nickoli's was just another mistake.

Anxiety level soaring, the drive to Nickoli's was a blur until I pulled up front. I did text him a couple times last week but I have not seen him at all. Hoping he would not tell me to go to hell as soon as I walked in the door, I searched for Matt first. Actually I deserved it if he told me to go to hell. I deserved the same from Dmitri.

Disappointment hit me when I saw someone else behind the bar. "Hey gorgeous," Matt said from behind, scaring the crap out of me.

Spinning around toward his voice landed me right up against his chest. "Hey. How are you doing?" Damn he was quiet, of course I wasn't paying attention to anything other than the bar.

That bright smile I liked to see, plastered across his face. "Good. Thanks. You're not looking worse for wear," he teased.

I laughed, "You should have seen me when I woke up. It was definitely not a pretty picture," I told him. "Um...Is Nickoli around?" I asked sheepishly, not knowing if he would be as welcoming as Matt was.

Matt led me to the table that I spent many lunches with Nickoli. "He knows you're here, and will be right out. If you're worried if he's mad he's not," Matt added, noticing my reluctance.

Leaving me alone to sit and to wonder what kind of welcome I would get. Even though Matt said he wasn't mad I wasn't quite sure.

"Well hello Sam. I'm glad to see you," That deep sexy voice came seconds before hands gently squeezed my upper arms and a lingering kiss landed just below my ear.

Just from that voice, my tension eased from the confrontation with Dmitri and the guilt I felt melted away. "Sorry I haven't been down to see you," I was, and missed our lunches, "I heard Cassie was a friend, sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Nickoli said, joining me at the table. "I would say I've been busy all week, which I have been, and I didn't have much time to miss you but that would be an outright lie." Twisting that guilt knife deeper, he continued, "How have you been doing? I heard you were the one that found her, I wanted to come see you, but also heard you were keeping to yourself," his voice was soft with concern and hurt.

"To be honest, better, but I did lose it there for a while," I shrugged, "She reminded me of someone else," I confessed, avoiding eye contact.

Reaching out, Nickoli took my hand in his. "I. too, am sorry for your loss," placing his other hand over mine, I started to pull away, he added, "And I will not bring it up again unless you want to talk about it."

Changing the subject, I asked, "So how was your week, well besides what I already know?"

"Besides missing my favourite redhead and our lunches, but am very grateful she is here now? Work and the rest you know," he said, longing into my eyes.

Butterflies made my stomach nauseous, I swallowed the extra saliva that seemed to be building up. "If your goal was to seduce me and make me feel guilty, it worked like a charm," I admitted.

Nickoli chuckled, "Not entirely. The guilt part was not on the agenda."

Matt arrived at the perfect time with our drinks before things could get out of hand, and much more complicated. Eyes gleaming with mischief, Matt sat our drinks on the table.