Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
SOFIA
“I really think it would be better if I go with you.”
Nico sets his mug on the kitchen island and gives his tie a quick tug before adding with a hopeful smile, “We could grab breakfast afterwards. At that new restaurant around the corner.”
I take a sip of my own coffee before replying, “It’s perfectly safe for me to go on my own, Nico. It’s broad daylight. With tons of people headed to work. I won’t be alone for a second.”
His smile wavers. “I’m not saying it isn’t safe. But wouldn’t you like to have a second opinion on the office space? Plus—” He glances out the window at the perfectly blue sky beyond. “It’s a nice day. Great for a walk.”
When I don’t answer immediately, he pulls out the big guns. “We could get red velvet pancakes. I looked online, and they’re a featured menu item at Sweet Sam’s this week.”
“Red velvet?” My taste buds perk up. My stomach makes a small rumble.
Sensing victory, Nico’s eyes brighten as he nods. “Yup. Red velvet. With cream cheese glaze and chocolate infused whipped cream. After you meet with the realtor, we could walk back, stop at Sweet Sam’s Cafe, and then I’ll head to work.”
I’m tempted to say yes. Really tempted.
Not just because of the red velvet pancakes, though those do sound amazing. But I would feel better going to meet with the realtor if I had Nico with me.
It’s safe. I’ve reminded myself of that dozens of times since I made the appointment to see the little office space in Midtown—a space I’m hopeful could be the new location for A-1 Investigations.
The rent is way more than what I was paying in Hoboken, of course, but Nico offered to help and I’m seriously considering accepting his offer.
“It’s because of me that you’re moving the business,” he reasoned when we first talked about it.
“So I think it’s only fair that I help with the rent.
I know you’re used to doing things on your own.
But think about how nice it would be, working right in the city.
We could meet for lunch. I could pick you up after work. It would be great. Don’t you think?”
It would be great. And I’m not going to pretend that commuting to Jersey City is something I’m looking forward to.
Not when I’ve been staying with Nico in one of the apartments on the top floor of the Fox & Falcon building for the last month while he searches for a new and safer place for us to move into long term.
No, we haven’t had the official moving in together talk.
Yet. But all my stuff is here, except for the furniture we moved from my apartment into storage.
Nico’s brought me to see several brownstones on the Upper West Side, and he’s made it clear he won’t buy one unless I approve.
And he’s already started redecorating the apartment we’re staying in just for me, right down to the butcher block counters and the plants on the windowsill.
So if I’m going to be moving into a brownstone with Nico, wouldn’t it make sense to move my business closer? And if he wants to help pay the rent in the beginning, until I build up my client list again, is there really anything wrong with that?
My aunt even approves, now that she’s been to visit.
She came for a long weekend two weeks ago, and although she was highly skeptical of Nico at first, he won her over.
“I like him,” she whispered to me the night before she left to go home.
“I didn’t think I would. But now that I’ve actually met him, I do.
And I can tell he loves you, Sofia. Desperately.
A man who loves you like that? You don’t want to let him go. ”
She’s right. I don’t want to let him go. Not again.
That’s why I’m looking at rental properties in Manhattan instead of New Jersey.
That’s why I’ve brought Nico to counseling with me, because I know I’m not the only one struggling.
And that’s why I’m staying with him, even though his father tried to kill me.
In the first few days after everything went down with Luca Caruso, I think Nico was waiting for me to change my mind.
He didn’t say anything, but I could tell he was worried.
It was in the way he watched me, almost warily, like I might disappear at any moment.
It was how he held me as we slept, hugging me close to his chest, like he was afraid if he let go, I might decide to leave.
But I wasn’t going to leave. Not because of something Nico’s crappy father did.
So, after a week of Nico tiptoeing around on eggshells, I sat him down for a talk. I told him I loved him, and that I wasn’t going anywhere. That I truly didn’t blame him for his father’s actions. “I know it’s hard,” I said. “For both of us. But we can do this. Together. As long as you want to.”
Things were better after that. And they’ve only improved since.
I can’t say things are back to normal, because my normal has changed.
Instead of quiet evenings alone at home, I spend them with Nico.
Instead of burying myself in my work, circumstances forced me to take a break from it.
And my circle of friends has expanded from some casual acquaintances and my sixty-two-year-old mentor to include four intimidating but secretly sweet former Delta operators.
It’s funny, I thought my old normal was fine. Satisfying. If I’d been asked, I would have even said I was happy. But I feel a bit like Dorothy entering the Land of Oz—before, everything was colored in shades of gray. But now, my life is filled with a rainbow of colors. And I like it. A lot.
“So,” Nico prods, “the appointment with the realtor? I’ll go with you?”
Oh. Right. The appointment.
Shaking free of my wandering thoughts, I lean over from my stool to kiss Nico’s cheek. “I appreciate you offering. But I think I need to do this on my own.”
He frowns, but quickly hides it. “Are you sure, Soph? I don’t mind.”
“You have to get to work yourself,” I reply. “Going to the appointment and then breakfast after will put you way behind.”
“I don’t care.” Nico cups my cheek. His hand is warm and soft, with the slightest hint of roughness to it. “You’re more important than work.”
It would be so easy to say yes, just like I’ve done all the other times I’ve left the apartment over the last month.
In the beginning, the very thought of leaving the safety of the Fox & Falcon building, with its top-notch security and highly-vetted guards, made me break out in a cold sweat.
And when I finally felt brave enough to venture outside, when Nico insisted on coming with me, I gladly accepted.
“It’s completely normal to be afraid,” my counselor said. “And there’s no need to push yourself right away. Take baby steps. Just go outside at first. Then to the corner. Then two blocks. If you feel better bringing your boyfriend with you, that’s okay.”
But it’s been a month. And even though I’m still nervous about leaving, I’m determined to do it on my own. To prove Elio didn’t win. That I’m stronger than him.
Sliding off my stool, I move between Nico’s legs. Holding his shoulders, I lean in to kiss him, first just a light press of my lips against his, then harder. More passionate.
Nico’s hand comes to my back, pulling me closer. He nips at my lower lip, then strokes his tongue across it. He teases my mouth open and dips inside—caressing, exploring, and tasting.
With his free hand, he tunnels his fingers through my hair. He tips my head back and takes our kiss even deeper. Need blossoms inside me like a spark catching fire, starting at my center and radiating through my body.
My core squeezes, convulsing around nothing, desperate to be filled.
Nico makes a rough, needy sound in the back of his throat. He tugs me closer yet, so I’m flush against his body. His erection pokes at my belly, hard and insistent.
I grip the back of his neck, my nails lightly scratching his skin.
My nipples tighten. Each time they brush against Nico’s firm chest, frissons of electricity arc through my body.
I’m seconds from leaping on him, ripping open his pants and taking him right here, when common sense prevails.
The appointment. At nine AM.
You could skip it, my inner vixen suggests. There are plenty of other places in the city. And you don’t really want to go by yourself yet, do you? Maybe this is a sign to give yourself more time.
But it’s a nice space. The best one I’ve seen in my price range.
There’s a good-sized reception area, if I ever hire an assistant, an office with a window, and a private bathroom.
Plus, it’s five blocks from Fox & Falcon.
Nico could stop by after work. Or I could go there, and we could hang out on the rooftop deck when the weather allows.
And I need to prove to myself I can do this.
Decision made, I drag my lips from Nico’s. Apologetically, I say, “My appointment with the realtor is in half an hour. If I don’t leave now, I won’t make it in time.”
Nico sighs. “Okay.” He adjusts himself, grimacing slightly. “I understand. Although I wouldn’t mind continuing this.”
“Later?” I give him a quick kiss. “After work?”
“Definitely after work,” he replies, his gaze brightening with anticipation. “And you’ve got me thinking about the kitchen now. And this island.”
“The island?”
“Yes.” His eyes darken. “You, laid out on top of it. Or maybe I bend you over and take you from behind.”
Why am I leaving again?
My brain freezes on the mental image of me on the island, my legs draped over Nico’s shoulders, his muscles flexing as he drives into me…
No. The appointment. I’m trying to get my business going again. And I won’t do that if I never leave the apartment.
“That would be really nice,” I manage. Taking a few steadying steps away from Nico, I add, “Really, really nice.”
He grins at me. “I think so, too.”
“Okay.” I wave my hand at my face to cool it. I squeeze my legs together in an attempt to relieve the ache between them. “I need to go.”