Page 32 of Twisted Little Thing

CHAPTER XII

Nicky

We agree to meet the next day. For coffee. Just coffee, I try to remind myself. Yet I make all the preparations that I usually would before a date that could end in sex.

It wouldn't be the worst thing to happen out of this, after all.

But I am not planning on it happening. I keep repeating that – to myself and to Yuka, who is displaying one of the broadest grins I have ever seen on her face as I get ready to leave.

"I won't wait up," she pipes as I am heading out the door.

"It's an afternoon coffee, Yuka," I reassure. "Don't get too excited!"

She just shrugs and sends me off with a friendly wave.

I am surprised to find him waiting for me at the foot of the stairs in front of our house when I rush outside. Yuka is not the only one in our household who is habitually late. I am usually running when I leave the house, too.

He looks so dashingly handsome that it is intimidating. He is wearing more casual clothes today, but they are still fancier and more dressed up than what I’m wearing. He has on a thin pullover in coal gray and dark blue jeans, neither of which he bought at a cheap retail store. His hair is gelled and looks more like it did in the picture in the article than it did the night we met. I don't like it styled this way; it makes me want to ruffle through it. And I might just do that later on.

His appearance reminds me why I would usually shy away from men this good-looking. They make me feel self-conscious. I feel scrubby and cheaply dressed next to him, even though I did put some effort into the way I look. I am wearing my favorite black skinny jeans and a colorful top in warm colors that complement my dark brown hair – according to Yuka. I consider these my best pieces of clothing, yet I am sure from his perspective they must look cheap and made of low quality.

Plus, I’m having a bad hair day.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. "I thought we were meeting at the café?"

He smiles mischievously and shrugs. "I just wanted to make sure you found your way."

"How did you know where I live?" I want to know. "I never told you my address."

"You told my driver."

"Oh. Right."

I blush. How did I forget that?

I walk down to the bottom of the stairs and come to a halt next to him. "What would you have done if I hadn't shown up?"

"Ring the bell?" he says. "Knock? There are many ways to make oneself be seen or heard."

"You don't know my last name, though, do you?" I say somewhat slyly.

He casts me a naughty smile and puts his arm around me to pull me closer. I am beginning to question my 'just coffee'-mantra as he pulls me in for a kiss.

He gently pecks my lips first, almost shyly, before his tongue forces its way inside. He eagerly claims me, invading my mouth as if I was threatening to run away from him. I close my eyes and take him in greedily, enjoying every moment of his sensual invasion. I am so taken in by him that even the noisy street sounds around us seem to fade away during our passionate kiss.

"I’m sure it would be easy for me to find out," he whispers into my ear after our kiss ends.

"You're just trying to scare me," I say.

I remind myself to be careful with him, despite that enticing kiss and how attracted I am to him. Mesmerizing me like this might just be part of whatever game he’s playing.

"You ready to go?" He asks, still cradling me in his arms.

"Yes," I reply. "Coffee."

He smiles down at me and gently caresses my left cheek with the tip of his finger. "Yes, coffee."

I hadn't even noticed the limousine that is double-parked behind us. He leads me to it and opens the door for me to get in first. The perfect gentleman. I am rolling my eyes and grinning like a charmed girl at the same time.

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