Hurt, guilt, and the last remits of anger followed me all the way to town. The guilt grew so much I finally sent Mady a text to tell her where I was going. It didn't surprise me that Dmitri knew I was spending time with Nickoli and that was where the guilt fit in. I did tell them both I didn't date and even put distance between us all because I was getting to close. I never should have kissed Dmitri. That wasn't far to him or me. The last thing I ever want to do was to hurt people I care about but that was exactly what I was doing. Now going to Nickoli's was just another mistake.

Anxiety level soaring, the drive to Nickoli's was a blur until I pulled up front. I did text him a couple times last week but I have not seen him at all. Hoping he would not tell me to go to hell as soon as I walked in the door, I searched for Matt first. Actually I deserved it if he told me to go to hell. I deserved the same from Dmitri.

Disappointment hit me when I saw someone else behind the bar. "Hey gorgeous," Matt said from behind, scaring the crap out of me.

Spinning around toward his voice landed me right up against his chest. "Hey. How are you doing?" Damn he was quiet, of course I wasn't paying attention to anything other than the bar.

That bright smile I liked to see, plastered across his face. "Good. Thanks. You're not looking worse for wear," he teased.

I laughed, "You should have seen me when I woke up. It was definitely not a pretty picture," I told him. "Um...Is Nickoli around?" I asked sheepishly, not knowing if he would be as welcoming as Matt was.

Matt led me to the table that I spent many lunches with Nickoli. "He knows you're here, and will be right out. If you're worried if he's mad he's not," Matt added, noticing my reluctance.

Leaving me alone to sit and to wonder what kind of welcome I would get. Even though Matt said he wasn't mad I wasn't quite sure.

"Well hello Sam. I'm glad to see you," That deep sexy voice came seconds before hands gently squeezed my upper arms and a lingering kiss landed just below my ear.

Just from that voice, my tension eased from the confrontation with Dmitri and the guilt I felt melted away. "Sorry I haven't been down to see you," I was, and missed our lunches, "I heard Cassie was a friend, sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Nickoli said, joining me at the table. "I would say I've been busy all week, which I have been, and I didn't have much time to miss you but that would be an outright lie." Twisting that guilt knife deeper, he continued, "How have you been doing? I heard you were the one that found her, I wanted to come see you, but also heard you were keeping to yourself," his voice was soft with concern and hurt.

"To be honest, better, but I did lose it there for a while," I shrugged, "She reminded me of someone else," I confessed, avoiding eye contact.

Reaching out, Nickoli took my hand in his. "I. too, am sorry for your loss," placing his other hand over mine, I started to pull away, he added, "And I will not bring it up again unless you want to talk about it."

Changing the subject, I asked, "So how was your week, well besides what I already know?"

"Besides missing my favourite redhead and our lunches, but am very grateful she is here now? Work and the rest you know," he said, longing into my eyes.

Butterflies made my stomach nauseous, I swallowed the extra saliva that seemed to be building up. "If your goal was to seduce me and make me feel guilty, it worked like a charm," I admitted.

Nickoli chuckled, "Not entirely. The guilt part was not on the agenda."

Matt arrived at the perfect time with our drinks before things could get out of hand, and much more complicated. Eyes gleaming with mischief, Matt sat our drinks on the table.

"You were right Sam," Matt gleamed, laying a piece of paper on the table.

Eyebrows rose as I looked at the piece of paper he slid to my side of the table. "Right about what?" I asked suspiciously.

His smile spread across his face as he nodded to the paper. Reaching for it, I flipped it over to be stunned on what I saw. He somehow got a picture of me when I was in the kitchen of Mady's before my shower. Eye make-up had run down my cheeks, one side of my hair flat to my head and the other... well a bird's nest looked neater.

My mouth shut closed with an audible pop. "Oh my..." Lifting my head, narrowing my eyes. "Mason?" I sneered.

Matt, no longer fought the laughter he was holding in and nodded his head. "Got to love the net," he said walking away.

Flipping the picture over I mumbled, "I will so get him back for this."

"Oh by the way he gave me a message for you," Matt called from the bar, "He said and I quote, "Remember what happened this morning. Choose your battles." Giving me the message, he headed into the kitchen in hysterics.

"That little..." My attention turned back to the snickering Nickoli. "I had a tiny hangover," I explained, embarrassed at the image and what everyone saw at Mady's this morning.

"I heard you had quite the good time last night," he said, clearing his throat, trying to contain his laughter.

Giving in, joining in the laughter. "I'll tell you what I told Mady this morning. I kept my clothes on and off the table tops so yes, it was a good night." I would find a way to get Mason back for this.

Eyebrow rising giving me a questioning look I added, "Let's just say I had a wild youth and I no longer drink Rye or Champagne when I'm out in the bars and leave it at that," I laughed, thinking back on those days.

Lunch turned into five hours of great food and fantastic company. I needed to head back to Mady's before they started to worry. Looking at my watch, I said, "I've taken up most of your day and I should be heading back before everyone starts to worry. They just told me a friend of theirs is missing and now they want me on lock down pretty much. Ok I'm exaggerating but I was a little pissy when I left and I should apologize. I'll let you get on with what's left of your day I haven't stolen for myself," I babbled on, getting up swinging my purse over my shoulder.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me closer, something he had never done before. Looking into my eyes, "Don't kid yourself Sam, you can't steal what was already yours," he said, seductively right before pressing his lips to mine.

It was a soft, short kiss but not short enough that a friend or family member would give you. There have been other kisses on the cheek, the ear and even the corner of the mouth, but this was a kiss for things to come. Standing there stupefied, I realized things have just gone to a whole new level, just as they had with Dmitri last night.

"I'll walk you out," he said, keeping an arm around my waist, "Before I forget, when do you move and where is this new house of yours? You never did say."

Talk about my upcoming move pulled me out of the daze. "Umm, July 20th and I'm keeping the location a secret, well I'm trying too. So far nobody has found out yet. So you're going to have to wait," I said with a smile.

"Well if you need any help just call," he offered.

"Thanks, but I will be alright. I didn't bring anything that wouldn't fit in my car. Mady has been bugging me to go shopping for furniture so I really should get on that. I will just have the big stuff delivered," I babbled on again.

Nickoli reached for the door as his other hand slowly glided across my lower back, down my hip before taking my hand. "I have a business meeting tonight and I won't be able to get to a phone so I'll talk to you tomorrow. No more making a guy suffer a week between visits," he warned. Before I could respond he kissed me again and any comment I was about to say flew out my ass as soon as those lips touched mine.

This time I pulled away first and the only intelligent thing that came out of my mouth before walking to my car was, "Uh huh." Waving over my shoulder not daring to look back until I was in the car and on my way.

Forgetting to call Mady when I left Nickoli's, I picked up my cell as I drove. On the first ring, a relieved Mason picked up.

"You alright?" he asked, sounding on edge.

"Sorry I forgot to call soon as I left, but I will be there in about five minutes," I apologized, feeling worse for making him worry. I did understand why they were being protective, but I have always taken care of myself and people I cared about, this was still new to me. Saying our goodbyes after Mason kept me on the phone for another three minutes, I pulled in the driveway with a waiting Mason and a pacing Mady.

Taking a few deep breaths, waiting for the bitch fest to start, telling myself repeatedly I would not argue back no matter what. What I got was, bombarded by hugs and "Thank god you're alright."

Wiggling out of the bear hug Mady had me in, "I'm sorry. I lost track of time and this whole situation is going take me a bit to get used to, but I will really try," I said, meaning every word. Looking over Mady's shoulder, not seeing anyone else, I was disappointed that Dmitri was not there but at the same time relieved. "Ah, where is everybody?" I asked, figuring that question was safer.

"There's a meeting tonight and we were just waiting for you to get back before we left," Mady answered, seeming preoccupied.

Disappointment won over relief for not seeing Dmitri after all. "So I get the house to myself tonight?" even to myself, I sounded depressed.

Mady also heard it. "I wish I could stay but I really can't, neither of us can. Stupid work meetings." She looked at Mason. "I know you are going to hate this but I need you to do me a favour, an important one." I was already hating it. Watching Mady squirm I stood there and waited. "I really need you to stay in the house while we're gone. Please Sam, it will make feel more at ease knowing you do," she begged.

Not that I had any plans and the way things were heading with Nickoli and Dmitri I needed a quiet night alone. Time to think. Time to decide. "Of course. I had no plans anyways," I promised her.

Mady giving me another big hug saying thank you repeatedly. Going over the alarm system a few times, 20 minutes later, they were ready to leave and I was officially under house arrest. Waving to Mady, Mason took a step back towards me.

"Thank you," he said, kissing my forehead before running to the truck to open Mady's door, always a gentleman.

"Hey Mason," I yelled, when remembering the picture he sent Matt. "Am I going to regret introducing you and Matt?" I asked.

That million-dollar smile I loved lit up his face. "Probably," was all he said jumping in the truck then left."

A few hours later of wandering around the big empty house alone, the same thing I always did before but now I felt more alone then I had in months. I know I promised to stay in the house but a swim might tire me out enough to go to bed early. Reaching for the door, I heard barking, growling, and howling. Quickly changing my mind, I went back to see if there was something on T.V.

An hour later, hearing nothing but the crickets outside, I decided to try for that swim again. Once more, as soon as I went near the door the barking, howling, and growling started. Not recalling hearing that kind of commotion before, I decided the swim could wait for another night and headed off to bed.