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        𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐘 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐃. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice low, painfully aware of how close he was to her.
        "How many times do I have to tell you to stop fuckin' apologizin'?" he asked good naturedly, straightening to his full height.
        "I'm sorry!" she replied, this time suppressing a small giggle at his demeanor. Nicky shook his head and returned a small smile, turning to walk to the window. He moved the drawn curtain with one finger and leaned forward peering through it for a moment before withdrawing, casting a glance back at Kennedy.
        "You should spend the night."
        "I'm sorry... what?" Kennedy replied in disbelief, her brown eyes wide and full of surprise.
        "You should spend the night." he repeated himself, as if this was no big deal at all. "It's too late for a woman to be out alone. Who knows what kind of fuckin' degenerates are out lurking on your walk home. I won't have it, you can spend the night." he watched her, crossing his arms.
        "Mr. Ricci-"
"Nicky."
        "Nicky... I can't ask this of you. You're kind, but I'd really be overstepping-"
        He interrupted again. "Kennedy Harlow." he began, her full name coming out of his mouth with such authority that Kennedy swore she felt her hair blow back by a gust of wind. "You are not asking me for anything. In fact, as your employer, I am telling you that you are going to spend the night. There's no contest, the final word is mine. It's unsafe, and I will not have the best fuckin' nanny this side of the Hudson get mugged, or worse, by a street rat."
        "Okay." Kennedy replied softly, recognizing that there was no use in arguing with the man, he had clearly made his mind up. She was internally thankful, knowing the air outside had to have been bitterly cold.
        "Grandioso!" Nicky exclaimed, flashing her another smile. His sour mood had been long forgotten, left at the door with his coat and hat. The thought of drugs and his deceased wife were far away from him now, he could focus on lighter things. Like the beautiful woman sitting on his couch, who took such good care of his daughter.
Kennedy looked up at him, eyeing the man who stood before her. She hadn't ever seen him like this. Usually he was sullen, or busy, never paying her much mind. This was out of character, and she wasn't sure what brought it on. She noticed the glass of alcohol he had put down earlier, but surely he couldn't have drank that much. She had no clue how perceptive Niccoló Ricci really was. Always watching, observing the people around him. He picked up things that many did not see. All of the things he picked up about Kennedy, he liked.
        "Come on, Kenny. I'll take the couch, you can have the master bedroom." Nicky said, ignoring the heat that rose in Kennedy's cheeks.
        "Oh no Nicky, I can't. Really. I don't mind sleeping on the couch. I'm not even supposed to be here!" the woman protested, looking at Nicky with wide brown doe eyes.
        "Harlow." he said simply, his voice laced with sternness. "Don't make me go over this again, yeah? You're in my house, and you're my guest. I'll take offense if you think my Ma would raise me to leave a lady guest sleeping on the couch." he looked at her expectantly, almost as if he was waiting for her to concede.
        "Fine." Kennedy replied simply, nodding. "I suppose I cannot sway you."
        "No, you can't." Nicky shot black, flashing her a smile. It was a dazzling one, he had dimples and crow's feet, all the more endearing. He made his way to the master bedroom and opened the door for Kennedy. She knew where it was because she had cleaned it many times as a part of her job, but she didn't say anything, letting him be chivalrous.
        "Here," he said, opening a small door and reaching into what had to be the closet. He held a nightgown out to her, not meeting her eyes. In fact, he was looking anywhere but near her or the piece of clothing that he held in his hand. "Just take it."
        "A-are you sure?" Kennedy asked, the conversation they had only a couple of days ago coming to the forefront of her mind. This nightgown had to have belonged to his wife. The entire thought of it made Kennedy's heart ache for him. The fact that it was still hanging in their shared closet was enough. She could feel the pain radiating off of him in waves.
        "Do you want to sleep in your street clothes?" he asked, his tone harder than intended.
        "No," Kennedy's reply came out in a whisper. Nicky Immediately regretted his words as soon as they came out of his mouth. He hadn't meant to hurt the girl's feelings, he was just frustrated with other things, and letting it boil over onto people who didn't deserve it. The reminder of the woman who left him did not help his case whatsoever. Way to go, asshole, he thought.
        "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." he said quickly, without meeting her eyes. Kennedy was taken aback. She'd never really had anyone apologize to her for being rude, especially a man. She wanted to be angry with him, but she just couldn't find it in her. She had watched him closely over the weeks that she had been his daughter's nanny, and she could tell that something was amiss. She wouldn't be surprised if that little outburst was a product of the private things he was handling creeping over into his personal life. After all, being one of those emergency doctors must be hard.
        With that all squared away, Kennedy gently took the nightgown from Nicky's hands, her fingers brushing over his lightly as she did so. Nicky gulped a little bit of air in at the contact. Kennedy didn't seem to notice, but he sure did. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck, and his eyes widened, synapses firing off all willy nilly. What was this girl doing to him?
        "Goodnight Mr. Ricci," Kennedy shook her head quickly, as if trying to erase her error in her head. "I mean Nicky. Goodnight Nicky." she shot him a shy smile, and it had to be one of the most dazzling ones Nicky Ricci had ever witnessed. There was something about the woman who stood before him. She was pure, not in the way of a child, but as if she would never lie to him. As if she would stay around through thick and thin with those whom she bothered to love and care about. Nicky admired that.
        Having gathered his bearings, Nicky applied the charm he usually lead with. Most of the people he spoke to weren't nearly as disarming as Kennedy Harlow, but in his heart of hearts, he didn't mind. He took her free hand in his and brought it up to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her hand, his sparkling eyes never leaving hers.
        "Goodnight Kennedy." he replied, giving her hand a squeeze before letting go. He turned on his heel and left his own bedroom, and the girl who was in it.
        Puzzled by Nicky's flurry of emotions, Kennedy stood stationary for a moment, trying to decipher what it was exactly that she had just experienced. She could still hear Nicky's footsteps as he walked down the hall, his steps reading confident and bold even by sound alone. Shaking her bewilderment away, she padded into the bathroom that was attached to the master bedroom. She had cleaned in here before, but now here as a guest instead of an employee, she let her eyes wander. There wasn't much, a toothbrush and hand soap on the sink, along with a simple bar of soap in the shower. She spotted an ornate bottle tucked away in a corner and eyed it curiously. It must have been Nicky's cologne. He always smelled so good when he was around, she was sure he made the ladies swoon by simply walking by.
        She deftly slipped into the nightgown that Nicky had given her to wear, relishing in the high quality silk that now adorned her body. It truly was a beautiful piece of clothing, perhaps the finest she had ever laid her hands on. She stood for a moment, running her fingers through the fine fabric.
        Soon, she found herself burrowing under the plush covers that adorned the mattress. Everything about Nicky's belongings were expensive and high-quality, all things that Kennedy was not used to. She tried not to pilfer too much when she was working, knowing it was none of her business, but now she had free reign to appreciate the entire house, starting with the soft pillows that cushioned her head.
         She faded into slumber, surrounded by a familiar and safe smell, one that cling to nicky, underneath the cologne and liquor.

A/N: this is probably my favorite chapter yet! and my longest, lol. hope you guys enjoy!!