Page 25 of Falling for Nicole
“It’s not harassment if my words rile you up…in a good way.”
His long strides eat up the space between us, and in no time he’s pressed against my side as he easily lifts the box down. Snatching it out of his hands, I march from the room before he can say anything more to piss me off, although I don’t escape the sounds of his evil laugh just before the door shuts. Wanker.
The night is manic. At no point do we have an empty table, and when the band starts the place is packed out as everyone comes in from the decking to enjoy the music.
Dec pops out to talk to the customers and introduce himself and his business a few times, but mostly he stands in the doorway to the office, watching everything happen around him. It pisses me off that he feels the need to watch over us. If he cared that much, he could bloody well help.
By the time I lock the door after all the customers and the staff have left, the bottoms of my feet are throbbing. It’s been a long time since I was on my feet this many hours in a day. Wanting some peace after such a hectic day, I sent the others home. There’s still loads to be done, but I need the quiet.
Grabbing the few remaining dirty glasses from the bar, I head out to the kitchen to fill the dishwasher and grab a cloth to start cleaning down the tables. When I get back out to the bar, the first thing I do is put some calming music on. The band tonight was incredible, but I’m in need of something a little more mellow.
I must have sung along to at least five songs when I feel his presence behind me. He’s been gone so long I wondered if he’d snuck out through the shop, which might have been wishful thinking.
I feel his heat against my back, and knowing he’s so close makes my heart start to pound. I blow out a slow stream of air as I fight to keep my body under control. I don’t want him to know he has any effect on me, although I’m fairly sure I’ve already failed if his earlier words are anything to go by.
When he speaks, he’s so close that his breath tickles down my neck and causes goosebumps to race across my skin. “You need to be up on that stage, Gingernut.”
I have to clear my throat before I can reply. It’s thick with the emotion the thought of performing again drags up. “No, I’m okay.”
“Your voice is incredible. You shouldn’t keep it hidden away.” His hands come to my waist and he spins me so we’re face to face. “I want to see you up on that stage.” His eyes bore into mine as he waits for my reply, but the expression on his face and the buzz between us renders me speechless. The song playing in the background comes to an end andNever Be The Sameby Camila Cabello begins. I swear my heart pounds in time with the bass as we stand motionless, staring at each other as she starts to sing.
When his head starts to move, I panic. My chest heaves with anticipation but at the last second, he leans to the side. I feel his nose run up the side of my neck and breathe me in, causing my entire body to shiver. “You will sing for me on that stage,” he demands, his voice rumbling against my hot skin. Liquid pools between my legs.
Suddenly the image of Dec taking Georgia back to his office earlier today slams into my head, and my hands come up to his chest as I push with everything I have.
“Get off me.” My voice comes out much weaker than I was hoping.
He steps away and I watch as realisation of what he was doing hits him. Regret fills his features for a brief moment before his anger overtakes. I’ve no idea if it’s directed at me for pushing him away or for his actions in the first place. I don’t hang around long enough to find out. The second he barks at me to leave, I run out of there as fast as my feet will carry me.
I take the short walk home slowly. I’m completely engrossed in my thoughts and when I look up, I realise I’ve missed the turning to Lilly’s and I end up retracing my steps.
The second I’m in the house, Bailey rushes to greet me like he hasn’t seen me for weeks. In reality, it was only a few short hours ago that Lilly and Lucas walked him home after their visit to the shack.
“Hey, pup. You ready for bed?” He wags his tail at me as his head tilts to the side like he’s trying to understand what I’m saying.
Poking my head into the living room I find Lilly and Lucas curled up together on the sofa, looking like the perfect couple.
“How was the rest of the evening?” Lilly asks when she looks my way.
“Just as busy. I think it’s going to be really successful.” My emotions start to bubble up as I think back to how I just left things.
“That’s brilliant. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just exhausted. I’m going to shower and go straight to bed.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m good. Enjoy your evening.”
I’ve no idea what brings on my sudden feeling of loneliness but as I climb the stairs I’m fighting to keep my tears in as I feel more alone than ever.
Stripping off my clothes the second I shut the door behind me I intend to walk straight into the bathroom and turn the shower on but my notepad catches my eye.
For the first time in what feels like forever I pick it up, grab a pen, and perch myself on the corner of the bed and write. Everything I’m feeling, the confusion, the desire, the anger, it all flows out through the ink and onto the paper as lyrics I’ve been desperate to write but unable to find appear before me. They make no real sense; they’re just my scrambled thoughts, but I know when I’m in the right mood I’ll be able to turn them into something.
Once I feel like I’ve emptied myself, I turn back towards where I was heading. I need to wash today off me. I’ve not only worked harder than I have in a long time, but I need to wash him off. I can’t help but feel dirty, knowing what could have happened between us after he’d already been with her. I’ve never really experienced jealousy before, but suddenly it consumes me. She stopped me doing what my body was craving because what I wanted belongs to her.
Writing everything down only helped so much because my mixed up thoughts mean that although my body is bone tired, I toss and turn in bed for hours. Every time I check the alarm clock, I’m aware that I have another hour fewer before I have to go back to work and see him again.
