Move In

chapter Nine

Tiffany

“ Wow, Nico. This place is gorgeous.”

I spent three unnecessary days in the hospital. Mr. Basille made them run every test he could imagine on me. I had X-rays, MRI’s, and bloodwork drawn. I drew the line at the pelvic exam. Finally, they let me go home.

I intended to stop by my old place to get my things, but Nico told me he had hired a company that had already done it for me. He is absolutely a life saver.

Stepping into the high-rise condo, my mouth further drops as I take in the beautiful view. Exposed brick and wood, clean lines and an open floor plan. I rush toward the back wall of windows that overlook the city skyline.

“It even has a balcony,” I say as I turn back to Nico.

His hands are tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. “I’m glad you like it. I know it’s only temporary, but I want to make sure you feel comfortable.”

I don’t think I’ve ever met a man as kind and caring as this one. It doesn’t help that he’s fine as all hell too.

“I can’t thank you enough for this. It feels like ever since you’ve met me you’ve been saving my life in some way. I think you might be my guardian angel,” I laugh.

A slow smile spreads over Nico’s face. “I’m no angel, baby girl. I’m just a guy that seems to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.”

He wasn’t lying. Even that night at the club when I first met him, he saved me. Not as heroically as he did at the coffee hut or the kidnapping, but his presence and his words that night pulled me out of the dark spiral I was heading toward.

Until that night, being with Marcus had started to make me feel as if I was losing my mind. With all the crap I was dealing with at the job, I began to question if I truly was the problem. Maybe my nagging and always worrying about the savings account and the bills was too much. I started to question if my way was the right way. Maybe I should’ve been like Marcus and just enjoyed the money while it lasted. However, that night, Nico reminded me I wasn’t crazy.

“Well, Mr. Lucky,” I tease. It pulls a chuckle from him. “How about I cook us dinner tonight?”

His eyes widen. “You can cook?”

Rolling my eyes playfully, I say. “Of course I can cook. What do you have in here?” I walk past him heading to the fridge. I’m a little shocked when I open it and it’s empty.

Looking over my shoulder I spot a red-faced Nico. He rubs the back of his neck. “I uh wasn’t able to get any food before you got here.”

Closing the fridge, I turn back to him. “That’s alright. Let me shower and get dressed and we can go to the grocery store.”

Jesus, the smile that spreads across his face makes my toes curl. It’s something about seeing those gorgeous full lips lift to expose those perfect white teeth that does something to me.

“Sounds like a plan.”

***

Three hours later, our stomachs are full of Cajun chicken alfredo, cobb salad, and homemade garlic bread.

Nico scrapes the last of his alfredo off his plate before placing it on the coffee table in front of us.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if it’s good. I got that impression after your second plate.”

He grins over at me before licking a little sauce off his bottom lip. Lucky sauce.

“I haven’t had a home cooked meal like that since I was a kid. How did you learn to cook so well?”

Letting out a deep breath, I say, “Growing up, my dad was only good at two meals. Scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, and barbeque chicken. If I wanted to eat something other than store bought premade meals, I had to learn to cook.”

“Your mom couldn’t cook?”

His question is simple, but I hate talking about my mother. In fact, if anyone else were to ask this question, I wouldn’t even give an explanation.

“She wasn’t there. She left my dad when I was three years old for greener pastures. Apparently, being a wife to a blue-collar worker that loves you to death isn’t as appealing as being the fourth trophy wife to a wealthy stockbroker.”

“What about you? She didn’t take you with her?” he says, those brown eyes piercing straight through me.

“No. Well, not initially. She came back when I was twelve. By then she was married to husband three, the plastic surgeon. He wanted kids, but Evelyn refused to have any more babies. She and daddy worked out a schedule for me to visit. Everything was fine for a while. Bill, her husband, was nice. He enjoyed playing stepdaddy and we both liked sports. Evelyn wasn’t happy about this. She accused me of trying to seduce her man and forbade me from visiting.”

He runs a hand through his gorgeous thick hair. “Fuck, that had to be tough. You were just forming a relationship with her.”

Lifting my shoulders momentarily, I shake my head. “Not really. My mother and I have nothing in common. I have her lips and sleepy eyes but that’s where our similarities end. The last time I talked to her was when Marcus got drafted. She called to tell me to get pregnant immediately and if it were her, she’d have already been his fiancée.” That wasn’t exactly the last time she and I spoke, but I refuse to think about the real last time.

“Wow, she sounds charming.”

I toss my head back and laugh. As angry as I was growing up knowing my mother abandoned me and my father, I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt when I was twelve. I went to spend time with her, not Bill. She just wasn’t interested in me.

After she accused me of seducing her forty-five-year-old husband, I realized there was no salvaging my relationship with her. However, what she did four years ago, put the nail in the coffin for me ever speaking to her again.

“What about you? What were your parents like?”

I don’t miss the way his body seems to stiffen, and his face slacks for a moment. I feel bad for asking about his parents now. He ducks his head, cutting off my view of his eyes.

“My mother was the most loving person I knew. She was born to be a mom. With one look, she knew if you were sad, angry, or just needed a hug.” He lifts his gaze back to mine. For the first time, I don’t see the gentle and kind billionaire with his shit together. Instead, I see a lost little boy that misses his family.

“My dad,” he says clearing his throat before speaking. “Was like most typical dads. He worked hard to provide for his family, but always took the time for us. He was a master at numbers and computers. On the weekends, he and I would catch ball games, fish, or just take long rides. We loved spending time together. We would leave my mother and sister at home and just hang out.”

“Wait,” I ask sitting up on my knees to face him. “You have a sister?” I remember him telling me that his “brothers” was the only family he had.

At that very moment something else crosses his eyes, something dark. However, just as fast as it came, it’s gone, and his normal brown eyes are staring back at me.

“Yeah. Marissa is six years older than me.”

“Funny, it didn’t say that in your google search.” It isn’t until after the words are out of my mouth that I realized what I said.

When I look over to Nico, he’s grinning at me. “You googled me?”

My face heats as I blush. “Maybe a little. I just wanted to know who I was working for.”

He chuckles. “It’s alright. I find it endearing that you looked me up.”

Dropping my gaze to my lap I fight the butterflies in my belly at his sultry tone. “Will I ever get to meet this sister?” I ask in desperate need to change the subject.

His jaw tenses. “I’m afraid not. After my parents died, I went away for a little while. When I came back, my sister and I could no longer see eye to eye. She wanted nothing to do with me and honestly, I felt the same. We have not spoken since I was twelve years old.”

“I’m so sorry. Thankfully, you have your brothers.”

This gets another smile from him. “Yes, I’m thankful for them.” He claps his hands together once. “Now, how about we get dessert and catch this Lakers game.”

I climb to my feet and head into the kitchen. “I can’t believe I’m friends with a Lakers fan.”

“Stay with me long enough, Ms. Best, and I’ll broaden your horizons on a lot of things.”

Shaking my head, I ignore the sexy smirk on his face as I place the brownies, I baked earlier, on two plates.

***

I wake up suddenly. I don’t know exactly when I fell asleep. My bed feels hard, which is unusual. I turn my face into the pillow and immediately Nico’s woodsy and expensive scent surrounds me.

Lifting up from my spot, I realized at some point I’d laid on top of Nico. I attempt to get up, but his strong arms wrap around me holding me down.

“You okay?” his regular voice is deep and sultry. His sleepy voice has my nipples as hard as diamonds in my t-shirt, and those damn flutters scattering throughout my entire body like a swarm of angry bees.

“Yeah, I was just trying to get up. I know this can’t be comfortable for you.”

He smiles, those dark brown eyes staring directly into mine. “My comfort wasn’t my concern.”

Grinning so hard my cheeks hurt, I look away from his gorgeous face. It’s then that I notice the stranger in the room holding the gun.

I squeal, jumping up from my position on top of Nico. I sink back into my side of the sofa. Nico also spots the intruder sitting on the coffee table and sits up from his seat.

“Well, don’t let me ruin your fun. If I were you,” he says toward Nico. “I would have copped a feel while she was sleeping.”

“How the fuck did you get in here?” Mr. Basille asks a really good question. Especially since last time I checked there was a guard at the door.

The guy laughs. “Your security is shit. The guard at the door took a phone call ten minutes ago and still isn’t back. Plus, your locks are standard.”

“What do you want?” Nico states sliding closer to me.

The man’s lips lift in a sneer showing his yellowed teeth. “I’m here for the boss’ merchandise. He made a deal and he’s here to collect.”

“No, she is not part of that deal. I’ll pay you whatever Marcus owes. How much is it?”

A gasp slips from my lips. I never would’ve thought to ask him for the money and now he is freely offering it up for me. Part of me wants to tell him no. This is not his problem. However, common sense and desperation tells me to keep my mouth shut.

“Aww how sweet. You’re willing to pay off her boyfriend’s debt for her,” the guy with the gun says placing his gun less hand to his chest. “Unfortunately for you, that is no longer an option. Saint wants the girl. You can keep your money.”

The guy stands up with his gun still trained on us. “Let’s go, milk chocolate.”

I cringe at the name he’s given me.

Nico leaps up from his seat. “No, she isn’t going.”

For only a second, I bask in the way he’s standing up for me and trying to protect me. It’s a hell of a lot more than Marcus did and he’s the one that caused the problem. However, my happiness is short lived because the intruder uses the gun to hit Nico over the head. He collapses onto the couch beside me.

“Nico,” I cry out his name.

Before I can touch him, the intruder yanks me off the couch by my arm and drags me into his chest. I kick and scream trying my best to keep him from taking me out of the apartment. We make it all the way to the door before I’m snatched away from the intruder. Losing my balance, I fall to the floor. When I look up, Nico has the man by the neck pounding him in the face. The gun the guy was holding is now lying on the floor at their feet.

For the next few minutes all I hear is fist hitting flesh and the soft cries of the intruder. When the cries go silent, I start to get worried. Finally, getting off my ass, I approach Mr. Basille. He seems to be in a trance as he continues to pummel the man. The guy is no longer moving or recognizable.

“Mr. Basille,” I call out his name, but he doesn’t respond. I get closer to his back, but don’t dare touch him. “Nico.”

He stops suddenly, his shoulders heaving with his deep breaths. He drops the intruder and then spins on his feet to face me.

Holding out his arms for me, he says, “Come here, Baby.”

I go into his embrace. I don’t even acknowledge the use of the pet name. At the moment, I’m just happy to be here in his arms and not on my way to a brothel.

“Are you okay, Tiffany?”

I nod with my head buried in his shoulders. My body is shaking from fear and relief.

Nico leans back, cupping my face between his hands, his dark brown eyes scan over my face. This man has saved my life so many times. Not once has he ever asked for anything in return.

I don’t know what comes over me next. Maybe I should blame it on the adrenaline, or the relief. Maybe it’s the way those dark eyes are carefully checking me over that causes my next action. Who knows why I lean up on my toes and join my lips to his?

For a moment he seemed shocked at my actions. It’s enough to make me snatch away from him.

“I’m so sorry,” I say feeling like a complete idiot. The man has been nice to me, that doesn’t mean I should just throw myself at him. “Can we just pretend that didn’t—”

My words are cut off when he grabs me by the neck and draws my lips to his. This time, there is no hesitation. When my mouth lands on his, he immediately runs his tongue against my bottom lip demanding entry. I oblige.

Nico kisses me with a passion that steals my breath and sanity away. His full lips are just as soft as I always knew they would be.

We kiss until my lungs burn for oxygen. As if he knows I’ve reached my limit, he suddenly pulls back, giving me soft pecks before placing his forehead to mine.

I take deep breaths to slow my labored breathing and ease the burning in my body. How can a man get me this turned on with simply a kiss. My body feels hot and every nerve ending seems to be on the surface of my skin. Which sounds painful, but it isn’t. Even though my body is in heaven, my brain is in hell.

I literally just broke up with my boyfriend three days ago and now I’m kissing my boss. What the hell is wrong with me? He must think I’m a slut or a gold digger.

His gaze locks into me, he’s watching me so intently as if he’s seeing into my soul.

He sighs, his warm breath brushing over my face before stepping back and letting me go. I feel a bit disappointed, but the space is best for us.

“I know you don’t like the idea of it, but I can’t let you stay here alone. You have to move in with me. My home is better protected.”

At this point I don’t have the mental capacity to argue with him. My thoughts are all over the place. I finally realize this Saint guy is truly insane and I won’t be safe until the cops catch him.

“Okay,” I whisper. He pulls me back into his arms and holds me close to his chest. There’s no other place I’d rather be in the moment.

The door guard came back and Nico eventually called the police. The same two cops from the hospital showed up to take the unconscious gunman away. After they left, Nico carried me to his car and placed me in the passenger seat. He promised to have my car brought to me before speeding away from the condo and heading toward what will be my home until all this mess is over.

Hopefully, this Saint guy will be caught soon, and my life can go back to normal.