A film of sweat coats my face as I run around my place in a hurry, grabbing my things and throwing them haphazardly into my suitcase. The one damn day that I need to be on time is the exact day the world is conspiring against me.
I huff in frustration, tossing and turning things over in my home office, trying to locate the documents that we will be needing for the conference later this evening.
My smart watch goes off prompting me that it is 5.50am, my stomach rumbles and I let out a deep breath knowing that I won't have time to eat anything before I go. I'm still collecting all the documents in my office when my phone goes off in my bedroom. I ignore it making sure that all the documents are in order, but the incessant ringing doesn't stop.
I am forced to pull away from my current task to go and get my bloody phone. I check to see the caller ID and smile when I see Cindy's name pops up. 'The hell are you doing up at 5am woman?' I ask, laughing into the phone.
'I had to call and remind you of the plan, just in case you forgot'.
I chuckle, 'Do you really think I'd be able to forget in the span of the 24 hours it's been since we last talked?'
'Well you never know...' I roll my eyes at her through the phone, 'Anyways make sure you use this conference as a chance to sleep with him. This way you'll be able to confirm your feelings, if you have any or none at all.
If anything, you'll be having the best sex of your life. Especially if the rumors about Nikolai are anything to go by'.
'Ciiiindy...I thought I already told you I'm not going to do that. Not only is it highly inappropriate because he's our boss but also because he is a manwhore and I'm not jumping on that train.'
'Forget about appropriate or not. That ship has sailed, he's already mauled your face twice. It's your turn to get what you want out of him and drop him.' I groan, 'Cindy this is a bad id-' I hear a beep outside my window and look out to see Nikolai's Mercedes with it's lights on.
'Alright he's here I'm hanging up now!'
'Wait! Just remember this is an opportunity to use him, remember this could be the best sex of your li-' I cut her off not wanting to hear anymore about this and also because I need to hurry up and grab my things and get down there.
As I step out the front of my door with my bags ready I glance down to see a Another beep goes off outside the building, Nikolai's impatience growing. I ignore him as I bend down and pick up the white card attached, it reads "Always thinking of you ~ yours truly". I laugh this has Stevan written all over it, who else would waste their time sending me flowers. I quickly chuck it in my apartment and rush to Nikolai's car.
He rolls down his window, 'Jesus, what the hell took you so long Jas?'
'Oh shut up! It's not like I asked you to pick me up! I could've just caught an Uber to the airport!' I snap at him not bothering with any niceties.
'And what the hell is with all the bags! You do realise we'll only be gone for 3 days not 3 months?' I glare at him not gracing him with a response. My hand twitches at my side itching to whack him. Mind you, the bags he is referring to are my big handbag, the carry on carrying all our documents and the carry on containing my wardrobe so he can get wrecked if he thinks that is a lot.
'Can you just open your damn boot so we can be on our way!' I hear a pop as the boot opens. I feel him approaching before I see him and look up to see him stalking towards me, his eyes boring into me. 'Jas you can sit in the car I'll put your bags away'.
I turn my attention away from him, 'That's okay I've got it, you can go back inside the car.' I realise my mistake in defying him when I feel his hand on mine halting it from moving. The heat from his hand seeps into my pores, like a steady pulse heating my body from within. 'I wasn't asking, I was telling.' He says as he stares deeply into my eyes. The bag falls from my grasp at his commanding tone.
It then dawns on me how close we are and I quickly get my hand back from his clutches and don't bother arguing with him. I hastily disappear into the car and sink down on the passenger side seat. I adjust the seat and push it down into a laying position. This way I get to avoid speaking and looking at Nikolai and maybe even sneak in a nap. I'll be killing two birds with one stone.
I hear him opening his door and he pauses as he sees me on the seat with my eyes closed. Thankfully he doesn't say anything and starts the car.
We finally arrive at the airport after being stuck in traffic for an hour.
It was excruciating. I couldn't relax in the car let alone fall asleep when I was so aware of being in the car alone with him. So I had to force myself to keep my eyes closed the entire ride so he wouldn't know that I was awake. Longest damn hour of my life.
We stop in front of the concierge area and a staff member comes to take the key off of Nikolai. I go to the boot to grab my bags when Nikolai halts me again, 'It's okay, he'll check in our bags at the gate for us. Let's go.'
'But-' he holds my waist pulling me away from the boot and pushes me toward the entrance of the airport. I glance one more time behind us to the guy grabbing our bags. A bit of the control freak in me was ruffled knowing that someone else is taking my bags somewhere without my permission. But I already knew it wasn't something worth arguing about, and it was also kind of nice getting special treatment if I do say so myself.
As we walk through the building I say, 'Nikolai you do realise you haven't given me my ticket yet?'
'Yes I am well aware. You won't be needing it until we get to the gate. I am keeping it safe for you.'
I try and hold back a scoff that begs to be let out of my throat, 'Funny you should say that.' I can't help rolling my eyes, 'I was thinking I might need it since I wanted to have a wander around, as we've got 30 minutes to kill until boarding time'.
He glowers down at me, 'Last time I checked this is a "business trip" not a "do-what-i-want trip". When did I give you permission to wander off.'
My eyes shoot daggers, 'Yes your highness it is a "business trip" as you so eloquently put. But I wasn't aware that I didn't have basic human rights to go get some breakfast while we wait for our plane'.
His lip twitches but he continues glaring at me, 'You do, in fact, have your basic human rights. Believe it or not we are actually heading to a business lounge that does provide a breakfast buffet. Hence the reason that I am leading the way', he shakes his head at me as if he's dealing with a surly teenager.
I grumble, 'It's not my fault you didn't tell me that'.
He turns around with an arched brow, 'What was that?'
I give a saccharine smile, 'Oh nothing!' just my impending sense of doom. I sigh, knowing I'm stuck with him for the duration of this trip and there's no escaping him.
We finally arrive to the lounge area and I look around to see the decadent layout of food on display. Forget the nice views of the airport out the window, plush leather sofas, tablets that hover for use by the lounges, the floral scent in the air and the bar. I've only got eyes for the food. I leave Nikolai to sort out our information at the desk and make a B-line for the food.
I look at the glorious layout of nutella croissants, jam stuffed doughnuts, bagels with philodelphia, pumpkin soup, tuna and cucumber sandwiches, avocado sourdough toast with poached eggs and so much more. My mouth waters and my stomach rumbles in anticipation.