Page 90 of Touch in the Dark

Nick takes the back of my head in his other hand and his lips slant over mine, he kisses me softly a few times, then his tongue seeks entry and shitting hell…. I let him in.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Well, this is going better than expected. I knew she would be angry, was definitely ready for that but I didn’t think she’d melt this easily. I kiss her thoroughly, then reluctantly pull back. I’m not here for this. Well, not right now. I didn’t want her to run away before I have the opportunity to fully explain all this shit to her. Kissing her senseless to stop her walking away seemed like the right thing to do. She sags a little against me when I pull back. She’s breathless, so I know I did a good job.

Elsa licks her lips as she looks up at me.

“Do you need to sit down?” I ask with a smirk.

Her eyes narrow and she steps back and walks around me, she looks back over her shoulder. If I didn’t think this was a serious situation, I’d believe that was a ‘come hither’ look, her eyes are all seductive. Or maybe that’s just my wishful thinking. I follow her to the blanket where she sits, crosses her legs like she is about to meditate, and looks up at me. She’s at least gathered herself on that walk back.

I flop down and lie beside her on my back, with my hands behind my head, looking up at the sky. It’s hazy with fat white clouds. “It’s a long way from the snow, huh?”

Elsa nods, looking up at the sky. I nudge her with my knee until she looks at me. I pat the blanket behind her. Her eyes narrow again but after a few moments of indecision, she lies down beside me. I keep my hands behind my head though, despite wanting to grab her and pull her on top of me. For a while we just lay side by side, watching the clouds lazily moving across the sky above us, listening to the sound of the surf.

“So, what are you going to do, about your father? The man in the photograph is your father, right?”

I move one hand to rest on my stomach, turning my head so I can look at her profile as she continues staring at the sky.

“Yeah, the photograph. The guy looks just like me. I could already tell we are related just from the photograph alone, but I also found my birth certificate. Another thing I thought was missing,” I frown.

Elsa turns her head to me. “You thought you didn’t have a birth certificate?”

“I thought it was missing, I never really needed it before.”

“What about travel documents and other things you need a birth certificate for?”

“I’ve been with BreakNeck since I was eighteen years old. Anything like that, management always did for us. I told Bianca it was lost, and she sorted something out. Sounds stupid, I know. I promise I’m not a complete pleb, I know how to balance my cheque book.”

“Yeah, okay,” she tries to hide a laugh. “So, the name on the birth certificate, it’s the man in the photograph? How did you figure that out?”

“When I saw the name, I Googled him. Found out quite a lot about him, he’s kind of well known.”

“Famous?”

“Not famous, he’s just pretty successful in his chosen field,” I say. I roll onto my side but keep my hands away from her. She’s still cagey even if she hasn’t run, I prop myself up on my elbow and look down at her. “I’ve hired a PI to find out more about him.”

“That’s,” she pauses, a little frown line between her brows. “Probably a good idea in your position. How do you feel about it?”

“I’m curious… cautious. I wouldn’t say happy. I’m kinda pissed. I mean, I know who he is, I’ve just got the PI to get more information before I decide what I want to do.”

“How much did you find out via Google?”

“I found out he’s married, he has three kids and…” I reach over and take some of her hair, rubbing it between my fingertips. “His eldest is the same age as me.”

“Oh Nick,” she reaches up her hand and takes hold of mine.

“It’s okay, kind of explains some of what happened, right?” I sit up. Elsa does too. “Arch was worried he might be some random guy who will want all my money, but this guy is loaded. Like a millionaire.”

“He’s a well-known millionaire?” Elsa asks. “What does he do?”

“Stock market originally, but he’s built up this huge business, has like an umbrella company that has all these other businesses beneath it. Newspapers, tech firms, a couple of banks, his kids all work for him, one is a Chef who owns a string of restaurants, worldwide.”

Elsa is stiff beside me. I glance at her, and her eyes are wide. “What?” I ask her.

“What’s his name?”

“Why? What are you thinking?” I ask, surprised by her reaction.

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