Worth the fight(7)

God it’s hot in this little office, I realize I shouldn’t have closed the door. I stand and walk over to the window and open it. I walk back to the couch and Nico turns to face me. He’s so close I have the urge to reach out and touch him. He’s watching me and has a small smile on his face. I get up to grab a pad and pen and his smile is bigger when I return, he looks amused. He must realize that I’m fidgeting. I’m trying hard to pretend he doesn’t affect me, but he does for some reason.

“So, Nico, what did you want to tell me about?” I put my pen to the paper, ready to take notes with my head down. I’m determined not to get caught in his gaze again.

But Nico waits quietly and doesn’t speak. Eventually I have no choice but to look up at him to see why he hasn’t started talking yet. And he catches my eyes when I do and smiles. I smile back, even though I’m aware he just completely played me.

“I forgot to ask you out to dinner yesterday.”

“Dinner?” I’m momentarily confused.

Nico smiles a devilish smile and I get the urge to kiss it right off his face. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m calm, cool, and collected. Not some schoolgirl at a loss around the cute boy in class.

“Yes, dinner. You do eat, don’t you?” His voice is a mix of amused and teasing.

“Umm.” I stammer for a few seconds. “I can’t.”

His response is quick, I feel like I’m at a deposition and I’m the one being deposed. “Why not?”

“Because it wouldn’t be right.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Not really.”

“Then why wouldn’t it be right?” Nico flashes the crooked smile and I know before he speaks whatever he says will be something flirty. “I think it would be very right.”

His crooked smile makes me smile and I lose my train of thought. Very unlike me.

“It’s complicated.” Those two little words would scare away most men, but apparently not Nico Hunter.

“Okay, let me hear it. I’ll help you sort out the complication so we can get it out of the way.” Nico leans back further into the couch, crossing one leg over the other, settling in for the story. Really?

“Well…you’re William’s client.”

“And you said the other day you weren’t a couple, right?”

“We’re not.” I’m being honest, I don’t think of William as my boyfriend. Boyfriend implies relationship, more than just good friends who satisfy each other’s sexual needs occasionally. But my answer isn’t totally truthful either. “I mean, not really.”

“Okay. He unfolds his arms and settles them on his knees as he leans forward. “So where’s the complication?” He looks directly into my eyes for a minute before he continues. “In the not really?”

I blush, I’m not sure if he realizes what I’m saying or not. “Yes.” I hold his gaze when I respond, determined not to back down.

Nico assesses me and takes in my embarrassment. It’s emanating from me, even though I’m reaching deep for my calm, cool and collected persona. I can’t seem to hide what I’m feeling from him, he won’t allow it, and I have no idea why I let him control me. I can’t help myself around this man and it makes me feel unraveled. “Let me take you to dinner. Just dinner. I’ll be a perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor.” He holds up his hand and three fingers.

I furrow my brow at him. “Were you even a scout?”

“Yes.” He says the word without conviction. I squint and look at his face with disbelief. He knows I can tell he is leaving out something.

“Okay, so it was only for a day. My brother and I got into a fight and got kicked out at the second meeting. But it still counts. I was a scout.”

I smile at him, amused at his attestation, assessing the sincerity with which he spoke. “Why?”

“Why what?” The confusion on his face is evident.

“Why do you want to have dinner with me?”

Nico takes a slow, assessing gaze up and down my body, making no attempt to hide his blatant assault. He gives me a boyish smile that has an edge of sexual undertones to it before he speaks. “Aside from the obvious, that you’re gorgeous?”

I blush, but force myself to remain quiet. A good negotiator knows when to keep quiet and let their opponent squirm to fill the silence.

“You’re smart and confident and the people around you seem to love you.” He stops and watches me, I can tell he is deciding to continue. “And when I look in your eyes I see a little light flicker…”

He pauses for a second. I look at him, but still don’t speak.