Nora

"Go to the advocacy centre dinner with me tonight." Nicolas said in my neck. His arms were tight around me, not letting go.

"You're going?"

"Of course I am. I know you're going as well. Come with me."

"Was attending formal dinners together a part of this?" I asked softly. This still confused me. I didn't know where we were headed. 

"No, but you being someone I wanted to try something different with wasn't a part of the plan as well."

"Something different? What does that mean?" Though my heartbeat increased drastically when he said that.

He took a deep breath. "I-I don't know how to put it in words. But...we both know this is turning into something serious, something more than just using each other for sex."

"And?"

"And I want to address it."

"Um, okay? What-"

"We agreed upon you not having any other man because you were fucking me." He said. "Now I don't want any other man for you because I want to be the man in your life."

I lost my breath.

"You for me, me for you." He finished. "Exclusively. Not just for sex."

"R-really?" I stammered.

"Yes, Nora." He cupped my face. "I admit I lusted for your body in the beginning. But that's not all I want now. I want you, all of you."

I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn't. My breath was knocked out of me. He smiled softly when he took in my astound expression, just bent down to press his lips to mine. Cupping my jaw, he pushed my head up to get a better angle. "I'll pick you up at 7."

I nodded.

"There'll be reporters." He said urgently. "Will you be okay with that?"

"Yeah." I replied. 

"I admire your strength." He murmured. "I don't think I've ever said this but I admire how strong you are."

I smiled softly. It was bad. It was bad how fast I was falling for him.

Nicolas left my office shortly after, leaving me to my work. I had one last meeting with Jasper Rhode after which I needed to head home. So I rushed to the conference room where he had been waiting for me. Unlike the first time I'd seen him, he was dressed in a suit. He pulled it off with great ease, just as he pulled out a seat for me and proceeded with the meeting.

Charlie's assistant was in there as well and I saw him writing down points in a diary, probably to report it back to him. The meeting lasted half an hour, and all that time Rhode didn't take a break, that surprised me. In the end we settled with a deal, and he gave me a firm handshake, smiling.

"Will you be attending the advocacy dinner tonight?" He asked me once we left the conference room.

"Yes, will you?"

He nodded. "I'll see you soon, Nora."

I bid my goodbye to Gracie as I left for the day. Ben and Matt were waiting for me outside the building. I saw the buzz of a few reporters, but they didn't approach me, observing from a distance. Matt opened the door for me. "Mr Reid is on the line."

Just hearing his name made my heart do a back flip. I got in, calming down my jittery nerves. "Hi?"

"I called your phone, you didn't pick up." He said. Benjamin and Matt didn't get in the car. A while later I understood they were giving us privacy.

"Yeah I was in a meeting." I replied. "What happened?"

"Nothing, just wanted to remind you of the dinner. I hope you don't have a change of plans." 

"I don't." I said.

There was a pause. Then, "Good."

I chuckled softly. "Bye."

"I wanna take you out tomorrow." He said before I could hang up.

"Okay. Where?"

"It's a surprise." I could hear his smile.

"But-"

"You'll know soon. I'll see you in a few hours." He hung up before I could say anything else.

I knocked on the glass, signalling to them I was done. A smile was permanently branded on my face. It always was when I talked to Nicolas. I cussed at my brain for making me feel these strong emotions so soon. But at the same time, it made me happy.

I thanked both of them when we reached my building and got out of the car, proceeding towards the elevator. Punching in the code for my apartment, I realised it was already 5. A quick shower and some food was what I needed right now. So I unbuttoned my shirt, sliding my skirt down and walking into my bedroom. I stopped short in my tracks.

There was a gift sitting on my table, wrapped in a silver paper. Five roses were attached to it, fresh and long. The smile came back on my face as I slowly unwrapped it, my eyes taking in the stunning dress kept inside, folded neatly. It was red in colour, almost crimson. I took it out of the box, unfolding to find it a floor length dress, a slit at the side. It was beautiful. I found a card inside. The same manly handwriting.

Seven o'clock. Not a second more.

I grinned as I took a shower and made myself a sandwich. I started getting ready at six. The dress was a perfect fit, not one lose or tight end. It had a deep cut in the middle, a strapless back, the slit giving a view of my bare, shaven leg. I kept my makeup light, but applied a dark coat of red lipstick on my lips. By the time I was done strapping my heels and looked at myself in the mirror, I felt sexy. I felt beautiful.

The sound of my heels against the floor echoed in my apartment as I made my way out to open the door for Nicolas. My breath knocked out from me when I saw him. He was dressed in formals like always, a three piece suit hiding his perfectly sculpted body from me. Hie tie matched my dress, a fancy watch sitting on his wrist. His blue irises darkened as they raked on me.

I felt heated as he stepped inside my apartment without a word, sinking his teeth into his bottom lip. He looked so regal and powerful, I wanted him to throw open my dress and take me right this second. His rich, manly scent reached my nose and I found my mouth watering at the thought that I could bury my face in his neck for hours and he'd love it.

Nicolas swept me off my feet, grabbing my arm and pressing his lips to mine. "You look so fucking beautiful right now that I can't even express it in words."

"Thank you." I smiled. "You look gorgeous. And thank you for the dress."

"Beautiful dresses are meant to be taken off." He murmured against my ear, catching my lobe in his mouth. "Because you, utterly bare and naked for me, look more beautiful."

"Mm?"

"Come on." He pushed me to his side, his arm branding around my waist as I locked my door. His lips grazed my hair as we rode down the elevator. I played with the tie around his neck as his fingers lightly grazed my back, making me shiver.

I gave Paul, his driver, an appreciative smile as he smiled back at me. I'd gotten used to his employees in these days. Peter, his secretary, Georgia, his receptionist, Martha, his cook and cleaner. Then there was Lorenzo, who did for him what Ben and Matt did for me, protection and safety. 

"Nora?" I snapped my gaze to him as he slid in the car beside me. "You're mine the entire day tomorrow."

"Where are we going?"

"I told you it's a surprise."

"I want to know." I whined. "Tell me."

"In due course of time." He smiled. 

When we reached our destination, the place was already packed with paparazzi. I took a deep breath, feeling Nicolas slip his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers. When I looked at him, he was looking down at our joined hands. Then he looked up, and his eyes told me he would take care of it, he would take care of everything. I believed him.

Paul opened the door for us. He got out first, then pulled me out. The reporters went wild. They swarmed around us a like a cluster of bees, buzzing in our ears and not letting us go. Lorenzo, Ben and Matt, all three of them pushed the reporters out of our way, urging us to move forward.

"Nora, is it true that you are the reason Nicolas broke up with Sydney?"

"Is this serious?"

"Nora, how long do you think Nicolas plans of keeping you?"

I gritted my teeth at the last question, digging my nails in his palm and turning around to spit at the fucking reporter, but Nicolas beat me to it. He snarled at the person who'd thrown that question at us, "Fucking disrespect her again and you deal with me. Do you understand that?"

The reporter visibly shrunk. No one wanted to face his wrath. He owned half of Vegas, he had the power of destroying people. "Y-yes. Sorry."

"Nora," Ben urged to me. "Get inside, fast."

The atmosphere of the inside of the hall was exactly opposite to the one outside. It was calm, composed, not a single camera in view. I visibly relaxed, and I felt Nicolas relax as well. I looked up at him. His jaw was clenched, eyes hard. "Nico, thank you."

His eyes softened slightly. "I know you could've handled it yourself-"

"Thank you." I repeated.

He bent down to kiss my lips. "I will always protect you, alright? Always."

*

This one's for the awesome blossom chrysthh for being such a huge supporter of my works since Day 1. You're one of the most amazing and genuine people I've met here and I want you to know I cherish our friendship. Even though 'Kalmer' made me pull my hair so many freaking times I'm glad we're reaching to that now.

I've been bored for these past 3 days because I literally haven't gone anywhere except my room and the kitchen. It's getting annoying. Ugh. Theo James is not on Instagram and I'm crying my brains out. 

Anyway, make sure to vote and comment! 

Love,

Rish