Brianna:

"Hey, girls. I'm going to get going," I said, pushing my glass of water away from me.

"Already?" Lydia asked.

"Yeah," I smiled, looking at the door.

Cora turned, then giggled after seeing Nick walk out the door. "I guess we know why you want to leave."

I stood and walked over to Lydia and Cora, hugging them both. "I'll call you tomorrow."

I sprinted across the room, and as I stepped outside, I looked around for Nick. After not seeing him, my eyes lowered, my mouth turned into a frown, and my heart and stomach sank, feeling he forgot I was at the bar.

"Hey, beautiful. Are you looking for anyone in particular?"

Knowing that was Nick's voice, I quickly turned around, with my lips forming into a wide grin. He reached behind and pulled me to him, crushing his lips to mine and kissing me with much passion, which had me feeling as if I were floating on air. The next thing I felt, I was being lifted and carried, then pinned against the wall as his kiss deepened.

The familiar taste of whiskey that was on his breath had me wanting more. Not only did I want to taste more of him, but I also wanted to feel him inside me after feeling his hardness press against me. I parted from his lips to get some air, and as I looked at him, I could see he had too much to drink and asked, "Would you like me to drive you home? All I've had tonight was water."

My question went ignored. Instead of answering, Nick's mouth went to my neck, devouring it like I was his last meal, then he moved back to my lips and sucked my face in, leaving me breathless when Nick parted and moved back to my neck, causing my nipples to harden like a rock. "No, I don't need a ride. Thanks, anyway, though," he whispered in my ear. "After you left my office, I couldn't stop thinking about you. And then seeing you here tonight, I just had to fucking kiss and showed you how much I missed you before I went home."

I turned my head, found his lips, and forced my mouth back onto his, kissing him hard and more demanding as the temptations I felt were growing much more potent. "You're getting me all worked up, and if you don't stop kissing me like you are. I'm going to make you come home with me," I moaned while our lips moved together.

He groaned, then parted from my lips. He was caressing the side of my face as he looked at me with sadness or hurt in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Bri. I would love to come home with you, but I have to go home. My damn roommate called, saying they need my help," he apologetically said, brushing some stray hair away from my face. "That's why I wanted you to meet me out here. I needed to see and kiss you before I went home to deal with their shit."

I pouted, then sighed, "That's okay. I have work to get done tonight, anyway. I came here tonight because my girlfriends called and asked that I joined them for a bit. At first, I told them I couldn't, but then my mind changed after being told you were here. I didn't come to see them. I came to see you," I smiled.

"Well, I'm glad you did. It was a nice surprise."

"Now you have me all horned up. Thanks a lot," I said, pouting my bottom lip out.

He leaned forward and sucked in my lip. "I do want to go home with you. And I feel bad telling you I can't. I just can't tonight. But I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"Okay," I whispered.

He cupped either side of my face and lowered his mouth to mine. Giving me the I'm so sorry kiss that had me feel even worse. "Maybe tomorrow we can pick this up. Sound good?"

"Okay..."

"I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

As he left me standing there, feeling wet and horny, I was feeling a little pissed while watching him walk to his car like it was nothing to leave me the way he did. I know he didn't mean to make me feel this way, but he did, and it left me feeling confused. He even had me feeling hurt. This wasn't the first time he's done this to me. He always leaves me hanging and blaming his roommate for why he needs to leave.

I don't get it.

I honestly don't understand his way of thinking, and I'm not sure what to do about it.

While driving home, I couldn't stop thinking about Nick. I tried to figure out what my true feelings were and thought back to when we first met. I kept thinking about all the times we've spent together, how he makes me feel each time we're together, then I started thinking about what we did in his office earlier, our heated moment outside the bar, and how I'm feeling now.

I hate being apart from him.

I hate when we're together and when he suddenly has to leave.

I just absolutely hate us not being together and feel I need more of him.

But what I love about him is how he is with me. When we're together, he treats me like we're the only two people on this earth, and he makes me feel that our feelings towards one another are so strong that nothing on this earth could ever tear us apart. And the more I think and think about what I almost said to him in his office this morning; I think I now know I am very much in love with him.

Every time we're together, I feel like the world stops rotating. Like it comes to a standstill.

I believe now more than ever; he is the one.

But the question is. Does Nick feel the same way about me?

******

Today was my day off, and after finishing the presentations for Tessa, I wanted to look my best and impress for Saturday night and headed out to go shopping for that perfect dress.

Alex: Hey, you. It's been a while since I last heard from you. What are you doing?

Brianna: I'm at the mall looking for a dress for my work convention on Saturday night.

Alex: How about I come and help you find that perfect dress? You know me. I have excellent taste.

I giggled. That's one thing Alex does have, and that's excellent taste in clothing. It makes me wonder about him sometimes.

Brianna: Sure!

Alex: Excellent. I wanted to see if you would like to get lunch, anyway. We can do that afterward. Sound good?

Brianna: Sounds good to me. Call me when you get here. I'll let you know where I am.

Out of all my friends, Alex is the only one I can count on being honest with me. Only because of him being a man, I know he always wants his women to look stunning. Whereas for my friends, they'll say an outfit or dress looks good, all because they know I like it and want it to work. Maybe they're truthful, and I'd like to think and hope they are, but I also know they don't want to hurt my feelings either.

As for Alex, he couldn't care less if he hurt my feelings, only because he wants me to look my best all the time and wouldn't want to see me embarrass myself. Especially for the event, I'm attending.

Just as I was about to head into another store, I saw Alex walking my way, phone in hand, and bringing it up to his ear. Then my phone rang.

"Hello," I answered, giggling while walking up to him.

"Where are you?"

"Look up and forward," I smiled, then stopped walking, and held out my hand before he ran into me. "Don't you look where you're walking?"

He chuckled and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Usually, I do, but I was looking at this store right here," he pointed.

"That's where I was heading until I saw you."

"Let's see what we can find," he said—squeezing me as we walked into the store.

"What made you want to go to lunch today?" I asked while eyeing a dress across the room.

"I was bored and knew you had off today, as do I, and thought we could hang out. We never see each other that much anymore, and after what happened the other night at the bar, I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, looking concerned while handing me a dress. "Try this one on for me," he winked.

I took the dress from his hand, then headed for the dressing room. After putting it on, I stood in front of the mirror, scrunching my nose. Ish...

I opened the door and shook my head at him. "I don't like it. What do you think?"

He shook his head. "Me either. Here. Try this one," he said, handing me another one.

I tried on the dress and smiled. "Alex? Are you still out there?"

"I am. Show me how the dress looks on you, woman."

I stepped out and smiled as I posed for him. "This one is perfect. Don't you think?"

The corners of his lips raised high and lowered his hand that was holding another dress. "Damn, girl," he said in awe. "You look smoking hot. I don't think we need to look anymore."

I slowly spun around, smiling ear to ear. "You think so?"

"Hell yeah... now you have me wishing you would quit turning my advances down all the time," he chuckled.

I walked up to him and pointed with a grin. "You know I won't do anything that could ever ruin our relationship. I like you as my friend, and I don't ever want to lose our friendship for something stupid."

"I know. I know. Now, go and change so we can get something to eat. I'm starving."

******

"So. Tell me about this Nick guy you've been hiding from us all this time. I want to know all about him. What he does for a living, if he has any kids, and what it is about him that you like," Alex insisted as he twirled his fork into his lo mein noodles.

"Nick's in real estate. And no, he doesn't have any children," I said, taking a bite of my broccoli. "Nick is a great guy, and I'm sorry what happened the other night. He still feels bad he picked a fight with you."

"I'm over it. But I do worry about you. Nick seems like he has a bit of a temper."

"He overreacted, is all. I should have told him I had a guy friend, and I should have introduced you two a long time ago."

His brows lowered and aimed his fork at me with a serious look. "You do know if he hurts you. He'll have to answer to me."

"I know. And I know that will never happen. Nick isn't that type of guy that would ever lay a hand on me," I said, reaching for Alex's hand. "I know Nick, and I know he wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"Never say never. But I will say that's good. Because I'll kill him if he does," he winked.

I squeezed his hand and smiled. "Thanks for looking out for me."

"Anytime," he said, slurping a noodle into his mouth, and while chewing, he asked, "Do you love him?"

I released his hand, picked up my fork, and stared down at my plate. That question has been on my mind all week, and after what happened last night, I think I figured out that answer. I looked back up and into Alex's curious eyes. "Honestly?"

"Yes."

"I've never told him, but I honestly think I'm madly in love with him. Whenever we're together, he makes me feel alive and makes me feel these feelings I've never felt before. So the answer is yes. Yes, I love him."

He stared at me for a moment, then looked down at his plate. He had a look on his face that I quite couldn't read. He almost looked hurt, but then he said, "I'm sticking with what I said earlier. Suppose he hurts you in any way. I'll kill him."

"Noted," I giggled.

Just when Alex and I were finishing our meal, Nick called. Asking I come to see him at his office, that he had something to show me. With as excited as he sounded, I couldn't turn him down.

Alex walked me to my car, then bear-hugged me before opening my door. "Thanks for your help today and for buying me lunch. I appreciate it."

"What are friends for?" He winked. "Just remember what I said," he warned, shutting my door as I sat in my seat.

******

Great. She's here...

"Are you here to see Nick?" Nick's secretary asked, giving me the stink eye.

"Yes, I am. Nick just called, saying he needed to speak to me. I'll just head back to his office."

"Hold on. I'll let Nick know you're here. Brianna, is it?

"Yes."

Just as she picked up the phone, I spotted Nick walking toward me, and without saying a word, I hurriedly walked to him before his secretary could say anything.

"Is everything okay?"

I turned to the beautiful blonde, then back to Nick. "What's her deal?"

"Why?"

"Because. The two times I've been here, she gives me these dirty evil looks and stares at me like I shouldn't be here."

He leaned into my ear and whispered, "Ignore her. She's a little different."

After entering his office, he pulled me in for a long, passionate kiss that had my panties moistening. "I needed that. Thank you," he whispered, lowering his hands to my ass, squeezing them. "Nice yoga pants," he happily groaned.

"You caught me when I was out running around."

"You can wear those anytime. I like how those pants form to that slender body of yours."

I don't know why. But I blushed.

He walked me over to his desk, where he excitedly showed me a couple of business properties he sold. "Not only is this a huge payday for me, but something else happened today," he said, pulling me down with him as he sat on his chair.

His arms slithered around my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Do you remember that place I brought you to up north?"

"Your parents' place?"

"Yes. That one... my parents signed it over to me. It's all mine."

"How come? Are they I'll or something?

"They both do have some health issues, yes. But lately, it's been too much for them to take care of. Rather than waiting until something happens to them, they figured now would be the right time to transfer everything into my name.

"Wow... that was nice of them. Congratulations on everything," I smiled, turning to meet Nick's lips.

Just as our kiss deepened, his work phone rang. "Excuse me, I have to take this," he groaned.

While he was on the phone, I took that time to walk over to his wall full of pictures, awards, and achievements. As I stood reading one of his awards, I felt his hands rest on my shoulders, with his lips moving along my neck. I reached up, rested my hands over his, and as my eyes closed, my head tilted to the side, giving him better access to my neck.

His hands lowered to the bottom hem of my shirt, and in a hurry, he removed it, exposing my breasts, and massaging them while sucking the soft spot of my neck that sent goosebumps to form throughout my body.

"I fucking need you right now. I need to pick up where we left off last night," he groaned, spinning me around.

"Right now?"

"Yes. I can't wait another minute without having your insides warming me."

I playfully pushed him to the ground, removed my bottoms, then helped remove his before I climbed on top and straddled him. "My turn," I seductively said, raising my hips and placing him at my opening. I lowered myself onto him with force and took him for a wild ride, and bounced on his cock like I was on a pogo stick.

"Fuck me, babe," he moaned, squeezing my breasts. "Yeah, fuck me. Fuck me, Bri," he demanded.

I was nearing my orgasm when he suddenly flipped me onto my back, raised my legs over his shoulders, and began thrusting into me hard and fast. "Nick," I repeatedly moaned each time he hit my magical spot.

"I'm coming!" I squealed.

His mouth covered mine, silencing my moans and screams as his thrusts got faster yet, then he shoved himself as deep as he could and released himself. "You fucking drive me wild," he murmured while lowering my legs.

"I love you," I whispered. I don't know why I said it. It just came out without me thinking.

He didn't repeat it.

He just smiled and continued to kiss my neck, cheek, and forehead tenderly. "We better get dressed before my assistant figures out what we're doing in here," he whispered.

"Yeah. That wouldn't be good," I quietly said as he helped me stand.

After cleaning up and dressing, I couldn't stop thinking about how I told him I loved him, and he didn't say it back. It hurt not hearing him repeat it, but as I was opening the door to leave, Nick stopped me.

"Hey," he muttered, turning me and cupping either side of my face. "I want you to know you mean a lot to me, and I care very deeply for you."

I nodded as he lowered and gently pressed his lips to mine. "I'll follow you out."

As he walked me out, there was nothing else said between us, and as I walked past the blonde beauty, I smiled, waved, and left the office without saying another word. I was feeling confused more than ever, but as I think back to the way he looked at me and to what he said, it had me wondering if that was his own way of saying he loved me too.

I hope the chapter was okay!🤞❤