(Jenna's POV)

After my embarrassing night of being drunk for the very first time...and my last, Nik and I have grown closer than I ever thought possible.

No, we haven't done the deed yet, but we've had some close calls.

Some very close calls.

But every time it seems as if something holds him back.

And it's frustrating.

Very, very frustrating, to say the least.

Sure, he's told me that he loves me, but does he really?

To me, actions have always spoken louder than words, so all this has done is leave me feeling confused and, if I'm being honest, quite hurt at times...feeling rejected once again.

This is what has kept me from telling Nik that I love him too. I can tell that it hurts him when he says it to me and I don't return the sentiment, but...can you really blame me?

Aimee says I'm being cruel to what she calls 'the last real gentleman on Earth', but I don't think she's really seeing things from my point of view.

She's all 'Team Nik', no matter what...I internally roll my eyes at that thought.

Nik has also been unusually tense lately, and every time I try to get him to talk about it, he just tells me that there's nothing to worry about.

It sure doesn't feel that way.

I feel like he's hiding so much from me.

Not to mention the fact that I haven't met his mother yet, nor any other family or friends.

Although she's supposed to be home before Christmas...

From what I've gathered, she's a rather important and intimidating person, so I can't say that I'm looking forward to it, though I know Nik misses her.

So, when the time comes, I'll just have to suck it up and hope that she likes me.

But back to Nik...

When he'd told me that he wasn't that social of a person, I believed him, but...I had no idea just how isolated and alone he really was...and still is, save for me being in his life now.

Sure, he knows many people from his mills, and they seem to like and even respect him...sometimes in an odd, reverent way, but no real close friendships or anything.

Not only that, but when whenever we go into town, numerous people always act as if they are frightened of him.

It's all pretty bizarre, though again, Aimee claims that I am just reading things wrong as usual.

Maybe I am...I sigh at that thought.

One bright spot is that we've been spending a lot of time outdoors after work, taking rides on the horses when the weather permits.

It's already starting to turn cold here, so we won't be able to much longer.

We're enjoying it while we can.

Nik loves his horse Ignatius, saying that it's one of the only animals that will tolerate him.

Whatever.

He probably loves that damn thing more than me, I pout.

"Ready for lunch?" Nik asks as he steps away from his desk.

"Sure," I answer with a smile, glad for the break from my thoughts.

After helping me with my coat, we exit the mill and walk hand in hand down the sidewalk towards a little delicatessen that we've both come to enjoy.

"Today will probably be our last ride of the season," Nik says sadly.

"I was just thinking about that earlier," I reply. "I've really grown to love it and the horses."

"Believe me, they will miss it just as much as we will," he slightly chuckles. "But we can still go out to the stables and visit them," he smiles.

"Take them some carrots and apples," I smile in return.

"Of course," he grins, knowing just how much I love giving them treats. "You've got them spoiled."

"Nuh uh," I deny cutely, shaking my head. "They were spoiled long before I came along," I giggle, knowing that Nik is just as bad as me when it comes to them.

Nik frowns all the sudden and begins looking around, scanning everyone on both sides of the street.

"What's the matter?" I ask concerned. "It is unusually busy today..." I comment quietly while looking around at all the people, wondering if that is what his problem is.

"Gypsies..." he grits out. "Stay close to me," he says as he gives my hand a squeeze.

"Okay," I say, remembering how creepy those gypsy dudes were that we encountered a few months ago.

We don't get but a few more feet before a young, barefoot girl with vibrant green eyes runs up to me. "Read your future?" she asks hopeful in a heavy Romanian accent.

"No thank you," Nik says brusquely, practically shooing her off, but she grabs my free hand anyway.

"You come from a place far from here..." she begins easily before studying my palm. Her small, heavily ring clad fingers trace along the lines of my palm as her brow furrows. "But...there are great difficulties that lie ahead for you," she says in a somewhat grim tone before looking towards Nik and visibly paling. "Păianjen (Spider)," she whispers before dropping my hand like a hot potato and running away.

"What the hell was that?" I ask Nik, completely confused at what just happened.

"She just...realized that her scam wasn't going to work," he explains uncomfortably for some reason.

"I guess so..." I sigh as we continue on to the deli.

We place our order and then take our seats by the window as we usually do.

Nik still seems on high alert, so I try to divert his attentions with some conversation.

"I don't think I've seen this many people in town since we've been coming here," I comment lightly.

"Every so often, they...the gypsies come into town to make some leu (Moldavian money) before heading back up into the mountains," he answers almost robotically, still clearly distracted. "Especially before winter."

"Nothing wrong with trying to make a living," I smile. "I think we're all guilty of that."

"No...you misunderstand," his eyes snap to mine. "Those people are thieves and beggars at best and are quite prone to violence," he says in a grave tone as his and clenches into a fist.

"Oh..." I look down at my lap uncomfortably, not really knowing what else to say.

I mean, I know he's told me that before, but I just don't like thinking that way about people.

Maybe that's naïve of me, but I can't help it.

The waitress brings our food over and sets it down on the table. Nik thanks her in Romanian and she nods before walking away.

We eat in relative silence...well I eat, but Nik just picks absentmindedly at his food. He's still very tense and alert, which is making me uncomfortable.

"Nik..." I say softly before placing my hand atop his across the table. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, my love," he answers as his expression softens. "I just don't want anything to happen to you," he says sincerely before caressing my hand with his thumb. "You mean the world to me," he tells me fervently.

"You're...pretty darn important to me too," I admit with a blush before giggling, causing him to finally lighten up and chuckle.

"Come...let us go home early and get our final ride of the season in before I treat the love of my life to a most glorious dinner and evening," he grins devilishly as he stands and holds out his hand for me to take.

A/N : So...what do you think had Nik so tense? Lack of sex, hiding the truth, or something more? Let me hear your theories! 😁

PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT!!!