I gasp, "Nikki?"
"Hi," she greets with a smile, "I'm so sorry to disturb you, Charles said I could find you here."
"Uhm, what are you doing here?"
She looks down to the ground, "To see you of course."
So, Charles was right?
"Come in," I step aside, and she walks into my office, I close the door and walk in, I usher her to my desk, and she takes a seat, she looked as gorgeous as ever, glowing skin, bright-eyed and dressed to impress.
I walk to my desk and pick up some paperwork, to pack it away.
"You suddenly left, and you never called or anything, so as your business partner, I came here to check up on you," she explains.
"I do apologise for that Nikki, there were some urgent matters that I had to attend to. You know as CEO's we can't leave our offices for too long,"
She nods, "Of course, I understand,"
"I was about to leave and go get some dinner, would you like to join me?" I ask, impulsively.
What in the world are you doing?
"Sure, I would love to," she blushes.
"Should we take my car or go separately?"
She looks at me and then looks away, "Yours, I came here with an Uber."
"Oh, that's okay, just let me pack my things and then we can get going,"
I pack up my things as quickly as I can, shoving my iPad, notebook, and laptop into my briefcase, before closing it shut and picking it up in my hand, but my sweaty hands almost lose grip, however, I catch it just in time. I pick up my blazer and walk to the side of my desk.
"Shall we?"
She gives me nod and gets up from her chair, and like Charles as always taught me, ladies first, I let her lead the way to the door, I open it and she steps out first and then I follow behind her. I lead us to the elevator, where we go down the basement parking to my car, I fish for the keys inside my pockets. Nikki steps forward and slides her hand into my front pocket, accidently or purposely, touch my manhood. She pulls her hand out with the car keys and gives me a smirk.
"Thank you," I stutter.
She gives me the keys and I unlock the car, I open the backseat door and throw my things on the seat, then, I rush over to the front passenger seat, and I open the door for her, she gets in and I close the door. I walk over the driver's side and get into the car.
"Love the interior," she says, as she runs her hands over the leather seats, I feel my manhood jump at the thought of her stroking me.
I clear my throat, "Thank you, had it custom made,"
"I take it you've never had a woman in your car," she asks.
I feel my face heat up, "No, never."
"You look nervous as hell," she chuckles, "I don't bite, I promise."
"I know, it's just that you're with someone and if they catch you and I together, they might think you're cheating,"
"We are business partners, there is nothing wrong with us being seen together," she places her hand over mine, and I look down at it and then at her, her reassuring smile, puts me at ease, "So relax, Xander."
"Okay," I nod and move my hand and put it on the steering wheel. I start the engine and we drive out of the basement parking.
"Is it your first time here?" I ask, as I make a left turn into Madison Avenue.
"Surprisingly enough, yes," she chuckles, "Aiden has though, I'm usually too busy to travel far."
"I could give you a tour if you'd like," I offer.
"You don't have to, I don't want to take you away from your work,"
"Right,"
She just rejected me.
"How about tomorrow?" she suggests.
I nod, "Yeah, of course, Friday would be great."
"Perfect," she grins, "You know, you're not as bad as people say you are."
I glance over at her and then back at the road, "Really?"
"Yeah, they say you're an asshole, but I just think you're misunderstood,"
She's right, I am misunderstood, nobody actually knows what I've been through and why I am the way I am, they just assume I was born as asshole but, regardless, I do act like an asshole sometimes.
"Thank you,"
--
Nikki
He's perfect, no doubt about it, I have a crush on him, correction, I've had a crush on him since the dawn of time okay, he is the perfect example, of power, wealth, focus and pure sex appeal and he doesn't even know it. That brokenness in his eyes just draws me in even more, like a moth to a flame.
"So, you and Charles are really close?"
He nods, "Yeah, we are the best of friends," he says proudly, "The only person that has tolerated my bullshit, since pre-school."
"Pre-school?"
"Our mom's where the best of friends, so we automatically just clicked, like our parents did,"
"Oh wow, that's amazing,"
"I don't know what I'd do without him," he admits, almost as though to himself.
"I know that feeling," I chuckle.
"Chantel?"
"Yep, we've been friends for longer than I can remember," I reply, fiddling with the friendship necklace she got me.
"They are always there to save our sorry asses," he chuckles.
"Damn right," I laugh.
"I cannot even begin to count the number of times he has saved my ass,"
"Amen, and at times you feel as though you're going to lose them because of it," I add.
He hums in agreement, "Charles is the only good person in my life, and Damien now, but if I have to be honest, I'd seriously die without him.'
My heart tightens a little, he really meant it.
"I don't think so,"
He looks at me, "Why not?"
"Because you wouldn't want to disappoint him," I say, "You'd survive to honour him."
He remains quiet, process the words I just said, a small smile forms on his lips and he chuckles.
"I guess you're right,"
The car stops and he parks the car, I look out the window and see a sign that says SoHo house, my stomach turns to knots, I'm not dressed for this, is he trying to embarrass me?
"We are having dinner here. At SoHo house?"
He laughs, "Oh hell no, we are going across the street."
I look to my left and see a McDonalds and I smile, "Good choice."
"The finest restaurant in town, very exclusive," he jokes, and he unbuckles his seatbelt.
I laugh and unbuckle my seatbelt, "Cute and funny, I like it."
He blushes, "Thank you."
We both step out of the car, and walk to the sidewalk, we glance at each other for a moment before turning away, the way his eyes glowed under the moonlight, Aiden had nothing on him.
We cross the street and walk to the entrance of McDonalds, he opens the door for me and its empty inside, we walk up to the cash register and the waiter looks at us and smiles.
"Mr Forsythe, good evening, should I get you your usual?" he says.
"No Jimmy, give me a number two with a large sprite, extra cheese on the burger and extra-large fries,"
"Got a big appetite tonight sir," Jimmy laughs and punches in his order before looking up at me, "And for you ma'am?"
"I'll have what he's having, haven't eaten anything all afternoon," I chuckle and Jimmy laughs.
"Alrighty, that will be $20.99,"
Xander pulls out his card holder and pulls out a black platinum card and taps his card on the machine.
Once our food is paid for, we find a comfortable place to sit and the back of the restaurant, I sit down, and he takes of his blazer and puts on the seat and then he sits down. He takes on his tie and puts it on the table and then up buttons his collar.
He is stressed about something, or a lot of things, a man like him has a lot riding on him, heck, he's the president, he lets out a sigh and leans back onto the chair, tired too. I can't stop staring at him, this beautiful misunderstood, broken, creature, he deserves love, but most importantly he needs to learn to love himself.
"Here's your order sir," Jimmy says and places out food in front of us.
He pulls out a hundred-dollar bill and gives it to the young boy and he says thank you and walks away happily.
I reach over to his plate of fries and steal a chip, wanting to get a reaction out of him, but all he does is give me the cutest pout.
"That was mine,"
I giggle, "You come here often?"
"Yes, I do, at least three times a week, when Charles isn't home and I'm too lazy to cook," he says, taking a bite of his abnormally large burger.
"I have those nights too," I say, "I wish I had a personal chef."
He wipes the side of his mouth with a napkin, "Me too but it's too expensive."
"Don't you have family that invite you over for dinner and all that?"
He frowns, "No, my father was the only blood relative I knew and had,"
Another arrow to the heart, "I'm so sorry."
"No, no, it's okay," he smiles faintly, "It's not your fault but if I have to be honest, a part of me is glad my father is gone."
"Why?"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for everything good he's done for me but emotionally, mentally, he's left me scarred, he is toxic, everything that he has ever taught me, is all wrong, he made me believe that women were evil and manipulative, all because of what my mother did which I'm starting to this could all be a lie."
"Wow," is all I can say, that was some admission.
I sigh, "And here I am, still with his ashes,"
"And it understandable, I'd find it hard to let go of the only blood relative I've ever known but at some point, you need to forgive him and let go. From what I've heard and what you've told me, he's been a negative influence in your life, and I think you've had enough."
Tears well up in his eyes and he looks up and sniffs, "I am."
I blinks away his tears and then he looks at me, I slide my hand across the table and put it on top of his, "Tell you what? The day you decide to get rid of those ashes, call me and I'll be there to support you, I also have something I need to get rid of,"
"I'd appreciate that," he smiles.
"Good," I let go of his hand and pick up a fry and eat it.
He picks up his sprite and takes a sip, "What do you need to get rid of?"
I chuckle, shaking my head, "I think we've had enough depressing stories for the night."
"True," he nods, but I could tell that he wasn't happy with my response.
"But I will definitely tell you the story soon,"
He gives me a smile and I smile back.
We finish our food and decide to order some ice-cream and then we leave, we walk back to the car and his car is the only one left, he pulls out some money and gives it to the car guard and we get into the car and sit in there finishing up our ice-creams.
"So where are you staying?" he says, placing his ice-cream cup in the cup holder.
I swallow some ice-cream, "James Hotel."
"Awesome, I'll drop you off,"
He starts the car, and we drive off, we keep a light conversation on the way there. Xander is a gentle soul, I don't think people understand that he's got a lot of traumas he needs to deal with. I thought he was going to be mad when he saw me, but he's been nothing but good to me, maybe I'm the only exception.
We arrive at the hotel, and he parks his car.
"Let me walk you in," he offers.
"Thank you,"
We both get out of the car and walk to the entrance and into the lobby.
"I'll be okay from here," I say, we turn to face each other, and I could tell this man was in a panic, so was I, "I enjoyed spending time with you tonight."
"I did too, I'm also glad I didn't embarrass myself," he chuckles nervously.
"No, you were the perfect gentleman,"
He's cheeks turn a bright pink and scratches the back of his neck, "Thank you."
"The pleasure is all mine. You were amazing Xander," I reply, stepping closer to him.
I want him to kiss me, I need him to, I need to know if everything I feel for him is real or just my emotions and mind playing with me.
He clears his throat, "I try."
"You did more than just that tonight," I whisper as he moves closer to me.
We were close enough now, I could hear his heart beating out of chest and he's breathing getting uneven, I'm sure he could hear mine to. He looks down at my lips and then back at me, his lustful gaze reeling me.
He cups my cheeks in his hands, and he places his soft lips on mine.
He made the first move!
He hands moves to my waist and he pulls me closer onto his chest and he deepens the kiss, I wrap my arms around his neck and melt into his hands, our tongues dance together and small soft moan, escapes his lips, my body responds, and I moan to, I feel him press against me but just when I wanted more of him, he pulls away. We stare into each other's eyes for a moment.
"Good night, Nikki," he whispers and kisses me one last time before walking away and leaving me standing in the middle of the hotel lobby.
What the fuck did I just do?