Natalia broke into a huge smile, displaying her own set of dimples. She really was beautiful. Skank.
“I will take good care of him. He will be dropping panties, and by panties, I mean yours, in no time. Although, I have a feeling that he doesn’t have to do all this to drop them.”
“Nope. Good luck telling him that, though.”
Nick slumped into his chair at work very carefully. Everything hurt. He didn’t have the energy to think. Natalia may be incredibly beautiful, but she was tough. Luckily, he had today off from the gym because she wants him to be ready for the scheduled workouts. Day One, and he was already questioning his decision to see her seven times five days a week. Nick sipped his green smoothie, his new breakfast option, and booted up his computer.
Kalilah had dropped him off after his workout because she’d had a family function that afternoon. They’d chatted a little, but something seemed different. She wasn’t the guarded Kalilah that he’d dealt with that morning, but she also wasn’t the open, easy-going Kalilah that she had been since they started hanging out.
He hoped that she wasn’t going to change her mind. His stomach dropped every time his phone chimed; the last thing he wanted was to get a message from her calling it off. He had to win her full attention back. But how?
Without warning, his brain switched to her arousing kisses and how she’d kept him in a constant state of arousal all weekend. He remembered how it felt to have her soft body pressed against his while he sucked on her nipples. His blood warmed his body, and he felt his skin start to prickle with arousal. Nick tried to shift his focus to work, but his traitor of a brain decided to revisit how it felt to have her hand wrapped around his cock while she moaned his name in his ear. He sucked in a breath.
Why didn’t I fuck her?
He needed to get control over his hormones. Someone knocked on his door, and he prayed it was Kalilah, though he highly doubted it.
“Come in,” Nick responded then took another sip of his smoothie.
Andrew Sinclair strolled through the door like he owned the place. Well, technically he did, but did every fiber in his being have to suggest it?
“Hey, Nicholas. I haven’t seen you in a while.” Nick knew that was code for ‘Why didn’t you visit your mother yesterday.’
“Dad, we work in the same building five days a week.”
Andrew sat down in Nick’s guest chair and crossed his ankle over his knee. He wore a perfectly tailored suit as usual. Today, it was navy with a gray shirt and accents. He looked every bit of rich and powerful. To an outsider, he would look cool and casual. Nick knew his dad well enough to know he was annoyed and disappointed in his eldest. Again.
“Nicholas, could you at least call you mother sometimes?” Nick nodded. “Also, when do you plan to start acting like a VP? You missed another meeting last week, and I have a feeling that you’re not showing up this week. You are supposed to attend meetings, Nicholas. You know? Lead by example.”
Nick sighed on the inside. He could never just ask how he was doing or anything like that. It was always a critique.
“I’m usually busy. I have a lot of work to do, and I always turn my reports in early or on time.”
Andrew sighed like he was having an argument with a child. “I’m not talking about your work quality. I am talking about your work obligations. You refuse to put your office on the third floor with the rest of the VPs, and you are rarely in dress code. Do you even own slacks?”
Nick knew the question was rhetorical, but he answered anyway. “Of course, I have slacks. And I meet all of the obligations.”
Andrew sighed and stood. “Well, I have work to do, and this isn’t going anywhere.” He opened the door. “I’ll see you around.”
Nick was so frustrated with his dad. If he was dramatic, he would push some shit off his desk or throw something. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose and took a few deep breaths. He didn’t know if he would ever be good enough for his dad. He was at a frustrating impasse.
Chapter 10
I t was 10 PM on a Wednesday, and Nick sped down the street to Kalilah’s house. It had been two long weeks, and Nick had yet to get any alone time with her. He glanced at his phone. Scratch that – two and a half weeks since he’d been alone with Kalilah. He cursed under his breath and increased his speed. He knew showing up unannounced was not always best, but he needed to see her even if it was for ten minutes.
Their ugly schedules attacked them in full force. His team had a major outage to handle when one of the cables that ran phone and internet into the company was accidentally cut by a construction company while they were working on a new site. It threw his schedule into overdrive and after it was fixed, he was behind schedule with his regular job duties. All the other departments were affected as well, creating more work for Kalilah. She was at work at least an hour earlier every day and stayed until at least eight at night.
Nick was just as tired; between the emergencies, his new workout schedule, and meal prepping, he was burning the candle at both ends, and he hardly had time to breathe. He was determined to do everything Natalia told him to do.
He smiled with they talked about his progress and looked at his “before” photos. Since his diet was so strict and he worked out with Natalia seven times a week, he’d lost fifteen pounds and a good percentage of fat. He’d also gained muscle; he could see more definition in his arms, shoulders, legs, and back. Nick felt stronger and more alert. The little extra belly fat was gone, and he’d formed the line in his abdomen which meant he could be getting some abs soon.
When they’d talked about his body goals and she learned that he wanted a six-pack, Natalia quickly informed him that his diet was the major factor in determining if he would get ab muscles. He had memorized the diet plan she made him and lived by it like it was a lifeline. He could kiss Natalia; she was really good at what she did. Although, the only person he wanted to kiss was Kalilah.
Nick had talked to her briefly a few times, but nothing substantial, and they hadn’t made any plans. He missed her. He pulled into her driveway and saw her brake lights flash and the horn honk. Did she just lock her car? Nick touched the hood; still warm – she must have just gotten home. Nick rang the doorbell and wiped his palms on his jeans. He was filled with anticipation and his heart started to beat faster. Kalilah opened the door, and his heart almost exploded.
“What the hell…” he said before he realized he’d opened his mouth.
Kalilah raised her brows. “Well, hello to you too, Nick.” She turned and walked toward her kitchen and Nick groaned. She looked over her shoulder. “Are you coming in or do y