Almost

chapter Eleven

Tiffany

“ Then I hit her.” Nico’s eyes widen at my admission.

We are sitting on the floor in his massive living room eating the best steak and twice baked potato I’ve ever had. We’re seated on the same side of the coffee table, facing each other. Alexa’s playing soft music in the background. It’s a vibe.

“We both had to talk to HR about the situation, but it was worth it,” I go on to say stretching out my hand.

He shakes his head laughing. “I’m glad everything with HR worked out. But what made you hit her?”

Instead of replying right away, I take a sip of my wine. “Not only did she call me a whore, which I was not going to let fly, but she also tried to make you out to be some sleezy businessman. It’s not fair that your kindness is being misconstrued into something it isn’t. You don’t deserve that.” I finish the rest of my wine and place the empty glass on the coffee table. Nico immediately refills it.

“So, you kicked your boss’ ass for me.” He grins, taking a sip of his beer. “I think I like that.”

Chuckling, I push my braids over my shoulder. “After all you’ve done for me, the least I can do is not allow anyone to disrespect you.”

He’s quiet for a moment, taking another sip of his drink. Those pensive eyes never leave my face. He places his beer bottle on the coffee table in front of us.

“You know you don’t have to pay me back for anything I’ve done for you, right?”

Ducking my head to avoid his gaze, I nod. “I know. You’ve told me this before, but I still feel as if I’m in your debt.”

“Look at me, Tiffany.”

The demand in his tone has my eyes snapping toward him.

“You pay your debt to me everyday you remain safe and out of that psycho Saint’s hands.”

Can someone be too perfect? This man is something special. His genuine concern for me is what has me fantasizing about that kiss we shared the night we were attacked. Being in Nico’s presence is what I imagine an electric current going through wires feel like. My body hums with energy when he’s around. And no matter where he is in the room, I can sense him.

“Can I ask you a personal question?”

He picks up his beer bottle and takes a sip before giving me his undivided attention. “Ask away.”

“Why aren’t you married?” His eyes widen before he runs a hand down his face.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad he’s single. However, this man is fine, funny, caring, protective, and rich. He is like a rare breed in today’s world. Why hasn’t a woman dug her claws in him yet.

“Honestly,” he says looking off to his side before turning back to me. “I wasn’t ready. Since I was twelve years old, I’ve had two goals; to be successful and to get back everything that was taken from my parents.”

“Obviously you’ve accomplished the successful part, but what about your parents’ stuff?”

He tilts his head slightly and that glimpse of darkness fills his eyes. It reminds me of the night we were attacked in his home. “I’m not done yet.”

Just as fast as the look appeared it’s gone again. It disappeared so quickly that I’m starting to question if I’m making it up in my head.

“Anyway,” he goes on to say. “I knew that when I met the right person, I would know immediately.”

I let his words sit with me for a moment. How could someone be sure they’d found the one for them. I spent nine years with a man that turned out to be the wrong person.

“What about you?” he asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Why weren’t you and Marcus married?”

Taking another sip of my wine, I roll my eyes. “At first, he wanted to wait until he got drafted. I was okay with it because we were so young. Then, after he got drafted, he said he wanted to wait until he won his first ring. That one kind of threw me for a loop, but I remained the understanding girlfriend.” Placing my wine glass down, I sit up a little straighter. “After the car accident, he never mentioned marriage again. All he cared about was getting back in the NBA. I was so focused on his healing that I never brought it up again. Even though in the time that he’d been out the league, my best friend had met someone and gotten married. It only took her husband a year to realize he wanted to marry her.”

“That must’ve been hard,” Nico says sliding closer to me. “Being happy for your friend but also hurting for yourself.”

For the first time, I can admit my feelings out loud without sounding jealous. “Yeah, it was. I helped Mira plan her wedding all the while trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me.”

Nico’s warm hand on my thigh sends my body into a tailspin of emotions. He uses a finger under my chin to redirect my attention from his hand to his face.

“Nothing is wrong with you. You were just mishandled. Had you found the right man, he would’ve made you his wife as soon as he could.”

I laugh, not necessarily because he said something funny, but to distract myself from the way his words made my heartrate speed up.

“Is it that easy for you? You just see a woman and know right away she’s meant to be your wife.”

His silence causes me to look back at him. His face is void of laughter; his hooded brown eyes are staring directly into mine. “When I want something, Ms. Best, I go after it. And there is nothing in this world that can stop me from getting it.”

His words send a shiver down my spine. I don’t know if I should be turned on or terrified. Right before my eyes, his face softens, and his lips turn up into a brilliant smile.

“Why do you think I’m so good at business?”

I laugh. I’ve seen his tenacity when it comes to his company. Suddenly, the music changes and Luther Vandross’ So Amazing spills from the surround sound speakers.

“Oh my goodness. I love this song.”

Nico’s eyebrows lift toward his hairline. “What do you know about Luther?”

“Are you kidding? My dad is a Luther Fan. I learned how to dance standing on my father’s feet to this song.” I take another sip from my glass of wine.

Nico climbs to his feet beside me and holds out a hand. “Then show me what you’ve learned?” I hesitate for only a second, before placing my glass down on the coffee table and taking his offered limb. He pulls me into him, placing one hand at my lower back and taking my hand with his other.

We start a slow two step, swaying side to side. He then spins me out before pulling me back in. I place my head on his chest as he hums the lyrics. His heart beats so steadily under my head that it lulls me into a comfort I’ve never felt before.

Why is being in this man’s presence so peaceful. With him, I feel a comfort I never felt with Marcus.

I place my chin on his chest and look up at his handsome face.

“What are you doing to me?” The words slip out of my mouth, but I don’t take them back. Niccolo Basille has undoubtedly put a spell on me.

“Nothing yet,” he whispers before lowering his lips to mine.

The moment our lips connect, he wastes no time deepening the kiss. Once again, I’m floating from the way this man kisses. He makes love to my mouth with his tongue. He nips at my bottom lip then sucks the plump flesh. A moan slips from my mouth.

I guess that moan was like the green light for Nico. He lifts me easily, and I wrap my legs around his waist, not once do our lips part. Before I know it, my back hits the wall pulling an umph out of me. Nico leaves my mouth and trails kisses down my neck. He sinks his teeth into the delicate flesh on my collarbone before swirling his tongue over the tender spot.

“Ooooh, don’t stop,” I moan. I had no idea I was into biting, but that move just flooded my panties.

He lifts his head and looks directly into my eyes. That darkness is back, but it doesn’t scare me. Maybe I’ve been reading it wrong all this time.

He unwraps my legs from around his waist before stepping away from me. My heart plummets. Did I say something wrong? Did I turn him off?

Before I can get too far in my head, Nico drops to his knees in front of me. My eyes widen when he places a gentle kiss on my navel before tugging my shorts and panties down to my feet. He taps my leg and I quickly step out of the clothing before he tosses them to the side.

I’m standing before this gorgeous man with a bare pussy. My insecurities make me want to cover my mound with my hands, but Nico’s gaze on my sex has me stopping.

“She is so fucking beautiful,” he whispers before trailing a finger through my slit. He has yet to enter me, but just the way his digit softly rubs through my opening has my essence flowing.

“Nico,” I gasp and hiss when he twirls his thumb over my swollen clit like an expert.

“Look how she drips for me, angel.” I don’t even get to acknowledge the cute nickname he gave me before he pushes his ring and middle finger inside me. “Fuck, she’s tight,” he says as he watches in amazement as my pussy sucks him inside me greedily.

I whimper as he moves his digits in and out of me at a slow pace. It has been months since I last had sex. Marcus and I couldn’t stop arguing long enough to be intimate. It’s almost embarrassing how turned on I am. My wetness drips down my thighs. I know Nico’s hand is soaked.

Laying my head back against the wall, my mouth falls open when he latches onto my clit and sucks while still finger fucking me. The sloppy wet sound echoes around the room just as loud as the music.

He pulls back momentarily, smiling up at me. “She’s talking to me. Now open this pretty pussy up for me. Put your leg on my shoulder,” he demands. I quickly do as he says. He goes back to my clit, taking turns with sucking and twirling his tongue around it.

“Oh yes… don’t stop... ahhhh…” I moan as I feel my orgasm building. My fingers find themselves in his hair as I tug at the strands. My other arm is up over my head clawing at the wall behind me.

“Stop holding back, angel,” Nico growls. “Cum for me.”

As if his words were the gate holding the floods back, I come so hard and fast I scream as my body convulses like I’m being electrocuted. I swear I have an out of body experience. It feels as if I’m flying high above myself looking down at us. My boss is on his knees, his face buried in my pussy and I’m creaming all over him. Oh god, I’m exactly what Tess said I was at work. Three months ago, I had a boyfriend and now I’m taking advantage of the man that’s been nothing but nice to me. I’m a slut.

Those thoughts crash over me like ice cold water. The orgasm that was just about to go for a second round has completely disappeared. My breathing starts to come out labored.

Nico must notice the change. He stops immediately, pulling his fingers out of me, he stands up straight. Looking at his soaked mouth, and the confusion on his face causes tears to trickle down my face.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I cry. He tries to reach for me, but I pull back and race away from him. As soon as I get into my borrowed room, I slam the door shut. What the hell was I thinking? Nico will never take me seriously now, and why would he. Lying on my bed, I cry myself to sleep.