The Sculptor

Chapter 33

I stood there, eyes closed, relishing the moment that just passed, even if it was just the smallest of moments. How I felt when he was near was like I was in another world, Nicholas made me, happy. I tried getting my mind on track, it wasn't as easy as I thought. Nicholas was just my boss, I needed to remind myself that, the feelings I had for him were all a joke, they were nothing. I needed myself to get that, but the harder I tried it got worse. I finally came to the realization, I wanted him to be more than my boss. I finally admitted to myself, I was jealous; very jealous.

I sighed finishing up with the kitchen, I had no idea where he went, he was somewhere in the house, I needed to get away. I went upstairs and drew myself a bath, and put on some music. I had some thinking to do, Nicholas was really giving to me. He basically gave me what I asked for and what I didn't, he still gave. From the time I got here, everyone told me not to fall for him, and he wasn't capable of feeling anything for anyone so why did he make feel this way. Nicholas gave me free rein of the house, he rehired Kaiden at my request, he took care of me for weeks, it didn't make sense. I swirled my finger in the hot water as I thought before throwing in the bath salts.

I untied my damp apron and unbuttoned my uniform tossing them on the floor before returning to the bathroom. The warmth of the room was so inviting even though I tipped toed across the cold tiled floor. I dipped my foot in the water before climbing in slowly, my body completely taking to the water. As I got comfortable in the water I laid back feeling the burning heat and the medicated salts around me. Felt good to finally relax, my body was relaxed my aching muscles were finally getting some needed attention but my mind was still running wild.

What are the odds that out of all the people on our over-populated island, he had to find my one and only half-sister. This was what my mother meant, things like this would always happen to me; I was starting to this I was actually cursed. It was the only logical thing to explain why the hell I had to watch him with her. I had to watch his eyes cascade up and down her body like there wasn't anyone else in the room, the way his jaw clinked trying to remain calm, it was all too much. I couldn't believe I was stressed out about him, this was stupid, probably the dumbest thing I've done in the last few weeks. I thought of how he held me close when Dr.Knight came back to take out my stitches. He was so loving and gentle almost as if he was capable of feeling more.

I laid there thinking unsure of what to do, I never got any clear indications of anything just small gestures and moments; maybe I was crazy and it was all in my head. I felt my mind drifting as I got so consumed in my thoughts I went off to sleep my thoughts still entangled. I knew it was bad when I started dreaming about him, what am I 12? I tried to push the thoughts when I started to hear him calling out to me,

"Nylah" it sounded in the distance, "Nylah" he sounded again, "Nylah"

"Yes, Nicholas" I giggled after in my dream,

"Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay? You're here with me" I giggled again, as I leaned back against the porcelain tub, then I felt something on my shoulder, I shrugged it off keeping my eyes closed. Then he grabbed my shoulder, my eyes flew open to see him kneeling next to the tub, "What are you doing?!" I said startled my eyes going from him to my exposed breast in the water before I covered them. He said nothing, he simply stared at me, then smiled a devilish smile his eyes going to my hands, "I asked you a question" I whispered,

"I came to tell you lunch was finished" he replied slowly,

"Okay well you could go now" he stood looking down at me for a brief moment, he bit his lip slowly turning, "You could stay if you want," I said confidently, I had the opportunity now and I should take it. He stopped in his tracks glancing over his shoulder, at me,

"Do you really want me to stay?"

"Well, yes I have a question to ask you"

"Yea? Ask away"

"Could you pass me my towel?" he started to laugh as I tried to hold back my own laughter.

He walked over to the rack and brought it to me, not before his eyes drifted down my body again. His eyes went down my length as I laid there before meeting my gaze again and dangled it in front of me. I took a deep breath before I stood up, the water danced on my body making a downward descent to the water around my knees, for a brief moment I was nervous but after I watched his face and now he got lost in the droplets rolling down my nipples, and down my stomach. I watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed, I took the towel and wrapped it around my body,

"Is that all you wanted to ask?" he finally said,

"I wanted to ask why you're so nice to me?" I stepped from the tub looking up at him, with a pool of water at my feet,

"Don't you know why?"

"Because you're nice?" I whispered as he got closer to me,

"There's just something about you" he cupped my cheek, staring into my eyes, "From the day I saw you there was just something about you that drew me to you," he said with such depth in his voice, it felt honest,

"So haven't you said anything before?"

"Why didn't you?" he retorted,

"What? Me? Why would I say anything" he smirked at me,

"You didn't have to say anything, your body language says it all" he lowered his lips to mine before pulling me into a deep kiss, his strong hands went around my back, mine up around his neck. The towel slid down and he tugged it further causing it to fall to my feet. He pulled me closer to him, I was tipping toe as his lips lashed mine. Having his lips on mine made my knees weak, it was like everything I expected it to be but much more,

"Nicholas" I whispered, as the kisses got hungrier, we were both shaking in anticipation; I couldn't do this right here. I wanted him, and I wanted him to have me but this wasn't the time, I still had so many questions for him. He pulled his lips from mine,

"I'm sorry" he said to me, I felt like saying it too.

He bent down pulling the towel around me again, kissing my cheek,

"So what now?" I asked and he cocked his head to the side, "doesn't this count as work relationships?" he pulled me to him tucking my wet hair behind my ear, breath tickling my neck,

"I make the rules around here"