Chapter 12 - Nic

When I step out of the building on to the curb on Tuesday morning, Chuck is waiting for me. Is Lex there too? My heart skips a beat. What is Chuck doing here?

"Miss Roberts, Mr. Hutchinson requests that you let me drive you to work," Chuck says with a smile.

"What? Why? I can take the subway!"

Has this got something to do with trying to win me over? I am still conflicted about whether I want to date Lex or not.

"I know Miss Roberts, but since I'm already here, there's no sense in me driving all the way back without you, is there? Not since we are both headed to the office?" Chuck says, holding the door open.

I sigh and get into the back of the car. In reality, I was dreading taking the subway after the experience I had last evening. I know I might probably be imagining it all, but somehow I don't think I am. I think I was being watched. So having someone drive me to work in the safety of Lex's Maybach is not the worst thing.

When we arrive at work, I head straight for Lex's office. I'm done avoiding him. Besides, it would be rude not to thank him after he sent Chuck to pick me up. I also need to ask why he sent Chuck in the first place.

I knock on his door and peep in. He's on the phone, but he tells me to come in.

I walk to the couch and sit on the edge, suddenly nervous. This is the first time I have been alone with Lex since our date.

"Nic?"

He has finished his phone call and is looking at me questioningly.

"Thank you for sending Chuck to fetch me. You didn't have to," I say, smiling weakly.

But instead of smiling back, he's looking all serious.

"I'm going to drop you off at your apartment every day," he says bossily.

"But Lex…"

"And Chuck is coming to pick you up in the morning." From his tone, it is clear that he doesn't want any arguments on the matter. But I'm not going to agree just because he says so. I stand up and cross my hands under my breasts.

"Am I supposed to do it just because you say so?" I glare at him. My nervousness is forgotten.

"Nic, please don't argue with me on this," he says, pushing a hand through his thick brown hair. I'm instantly reminded of how soft it felt when my hand was fisted in it when we kissed. Color rises up my cheeks but I hope he will attribute it to my being pissed at him bossing me around.

"Why? You can't dictate how I live my life beyond work hours!" I say, throwing up my arms.

"Nic," he closes the distance between us and places his hands on my shoulders. I can't believe how acutely I have missed his touch. I see concern in his eyes as his smoky gray eyes meet mine.

"What is it, Lex? Is something wrong?" I ask, knitting my brows.

"Please just do this for me, okay? Let's just say it would make me feel better if you did it," he says, looking deeply into my eyes.

"Okay. If it means that much to you." I take a step away from him. I walk to the floor-to-ceiling window and pretend to enjoy the view while I mull over whether to confide my fears in him.

"Thank you," he whispers in my ear. I jump. I didn't realize that he was right behind me.

"Hey, are you alright? You seem a little nervous," he says, looking at my reflection in the window.

"Actually, there was this little incident yesterday," I say in a low voice.

"What? What was it? Are you alright?" he turns me around and grasps my arms. Worry is etched deeply on his face.

"It was probably nothing. Nothing happened. It's just that I thought I was being followed. I expect him to be dismissive, to say that it was probably nothing, but the furrow between his brows deepens and his mouth is compressed into a thin line.

"Did you see who was following you?"

"No. I looked behind me plenty of times, but nothing seemed out of place," I shrug.

He suddenly pulls me into his arms.

"Thank God you're alright!" he says with his strong arms around my waist. My heart skips a beat at the unexpected display of tenderness, and my eyes suddenly burn with tears. He cares for me. He might not know it yet, but he feels something for me. I am not merely an object of his lust. I rapidly blink my eyes, not wanting to get my tears and snot on his designer suit.

"You think it was not my imagination?" I ask with my head still on his shoulders. I don't want the hug to end just yet.

"Do you think it was your imagination?"

He holds me at an arm's length and studies my face as I answer.

"No, I don't think it was. I am pretty sure that somebody was following me." I say, looking into his eyes steadily. I'm surprised to find that talking about it is no longer making me nervous or edgy. In fact, I feel safe when he's around. He makes me nervous and edgy too, but for entirely different reasons. He has never ever made me feel like I need to fear him, even when I sense that something quite untamed lies beneath the surface.

"Always trust your instincts," he says and pulls me to him again. I put my arms around him and savor the feel of his body pressed against mine.

"Nic?"

"What?"

"Come away with me to Paris," I hear the smile in his voice when he says this.

"Is this a line you use on all your girls?" I tease, looking up at him.

One corner of his mouth lifts in a lopsided smile, making my heart tumble slowly inside my chest. That smile is going to be the death of me.

"Never. So Paris?"

"Are you serious?"

"I never joke about Paris."

"But Lex! We can't!" I object, half-laughing.

"We're not moving there permanently! It's just for the weekend. Please?" he says, making puppy dog eyes at me. I laugh out loud.

"Fine!"

"Please? I promise I will behave. If you want me to," he adds in a seductive whisper.

"I already said yes," I grin.

"You did?" His face lights up and he lifts me up in his arms.

"Lex! No! Somebody might walk in! Put me down!" I half-laugh and half-scold.

He puts me down reluctantly.

"We'll fly out Friday night. Pack light. If I play my cards right, you might not end up using a lot of your clothes," he says with a sexy wink.

My lips form an ‘O' and color tinges my cheeks.

"You are incorrigible!" I rush out of his office, grinning from ear to ear. I'm going to Paris with Lex. And I'm going to enjoy myself. Damn the consequences.