Page 1 of Imperfections Forbidden
Cat
Earlier, Nick sent me atext to tell me he made reservations at an exclusive restaurant that just opened near his apartment.Exclusive must mean dress to the nines, because they cater to very rich people.I put on my fitted sleeveless red on top dress with a oval cutout across my chest, black from the waist down stopping above my knees.
I straighten my hair and let it fall back over my shoulders with a part at the side.My makeup is light, as usual.I put on my three-inch black strappy heels and my diamond stud earrings.
It’s like I’m on a secret mission as I leave the house.Since Kate has moved in, I feel like a fugitive on the run, trying not to get caught by the authorities.
I get out of the cab in Chelsea, in front of Nick’s building, and ring the bell.I’ve never been to his apartment before while sober.The only thing I really remember is his bedroom.I ring again, but no answer.Did he forget the time?I hope not; my cab left and it’s freezing out here.My phone alerts me I have a message.It’s a message from Nick.
The door is open, come in.
Maybe he’s still getting dressed.I hope he has all his clothes on.I don’t have the strength or the willpower after today.I clutch my purse in my hand and open the door.I walk into a spacious hallway then up a flight of steps to another door.There is an elevator but I need the walk for my nerves.There are two doors; I choose the one in front of me, which happens to be open so I assume I’m correct.It leads me into a state-of-the-art kitchen that was built for a master chef, with a huge stainless steel refrigerator, six-burner stove with a flat top griddle, and gleaming pots hanging from a rack overhead.
The living room is as nice as the kitchen.His furniture is the same tones as in his office.Hardwood floors, a large plush area rug in the center of the living room, and a gigantic floor-to-ceiling window on one side of the room overlooking the city skyline and the water.“Wow, it’s spectacular.”
“Yes, it is.”
I spin around at the sound of his deep voice.He walks over to me and takes my hand.He’s wearing dark blue jeans and a white button down shirt out of his pants.He looks fresh and clean, and I want to run my fingers through his thick black hair.That one thought brings back memories of me on his desk and my hands in his hair, holding him to me, and I feel my cheeks growing warm.
“Why aren’t you dressed?Am I overdressed?I thought you said we were going to an exclusive restaurant?”
“Relax, you’re not overdressed.We’re going to an extremely exclusive restaurant.”He winks at me, and I pull my hand away from him.He takes my hand again with a mischievous smile.“Don’t be shy, now.Follow me.”
“Where?”
“Don’t worry.I want to show you something.”
“Don’t worry?Easy for you to say, hard for me not to do.”
“Trust me, you’ll like it, I hope.”
He leads me into an elevator in the kitchen.He pushes a button, and we go up in silence.I wish he would let my hand go; I’m so nervous my hands are starting to sweat.I wonder if he can hear my heart beating out of my chest?It’s so loud in my ears.He squeezes my hand and pulls me closer to his side without looking at me.
“Relax, trust me.”
I don’t say anything and keep my eyes focused on the doors.
The elevator stops, and the doors split apart.My mouth drops open, and I walk out of the elevator on to a enclosed rooftop garden.Half of it is covered by clear glass walls, with a clear ceiling.I’m surrounded by roses and flowers of every color and little twinkling lights that look like stars in the sky and droplets of rain resting on the petals.I can’t believe it!It smells and looks incredible.There’s a table in the back covered with a white tablecloth.On it, there’s a bottle of pink champagne with two crystal flutes and two plates covered with silver lids.
“Nick, it’s breathtaking.”
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his rock-hard but soothingly warm body.
He leans down to my ear.“You’re breathtaking.”
“Why did you do this?”
“I wanted to surround you with the stars above and below.Stars are points of light; if you find the right one, it will always lead you back home with the brightness of its illumination.As long as they’re there, you will never be lost when the night comes and you’re cast into darkness.You’re my star.”
I really like this Nick.“I don’t know what to say.”
He turns me around and unbuttons my coat.I let him slide it down my arms, and he throws it on the chaise.Taking my hand, he leads me to the table.Pressing a button on a remote, the song “By Your Side” by Sade begins to play.“Dance with me,” he says.
Putting my hand in his, I lay my head against his chest and listen as we move in each other’s arms.I feel like I’m in a dream—a dream I never want to wake up from.This is what I want, to be here with him, by his side, to have and to hold.To be loved.He wants me, and I want him.It’s as simple as that.That’s enough for tonight; it’s enough for now.
I lift my head up to him, and my hand goes around the top of his head.Running my fingers through his hair that’s as black as the night sky, his eyes are as clear and warm as the summer sky in June.Our lips meet and fuse together in a kiss so tender and slow, filled with so much emotion it steals my breath away.There is no word to describe what I feel in this moment.
“Make love to me, Nick.”
