Chapter 23: .•9•.

Her hands shook as she took off her apron as slowly as she could, dreading what was expecting her right behind that tiny closet door. Another torturous ride in his presence.

He'd already arrived and he was waiting for her right outside. Right by the counter. She thought that she could evade him somehow. That she could ask Dan to give her a lift or maybe even take a bus, but all those ideas quickly evaded her mind as soon as she saw him entering the coffee shop. Looking as flawless as ever.

She thickly swallowed. No. She had to get out of there. She had to be brave and face him. It wasn't like he was going to harm her or something. He was just trying to help her after all.

She hung her apron, shrugging on her denim jacket before grabbing her purse as well. And with an encouraging breath she finally got out of that tiny space, hearing Dan let out an airy chuckle at something that Nicholas had just said.

Look at me, already calling him by his first name, she mentally chastised herself with a mild shake of her head. He was still her second boss. She had to remain professional and respectful. Maintain a certain boundary. She couldn't just go around calling him like that, even if he had specifically requested of it. He wasn't her friend after all.

She timidly approached the counter, her heart jolting as soon as those dark eyes fell on her. Taking notice of her presence.

"Are you ready?" He asked with a smile and she meekly nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

She turned to give her best friend and co-worker a parting hug, hearing him whisper in her ear,

"You better get him, girl, 'cause he's definitely craving for a piece of that fine ass,"

Diana's eyes widened at the sound of that, feeling her cheeks heat up so furiously.

Damn. Why would he say that, and especially now of all times! He knew that she didn't like talking about such things! She usually tolerated his jokes and sexual innuendos, but now was really not the time! Not when she was about to be alone in a car with her boss!

Good god. Now she was going to be even more flustered in his presence. Why did he tell her that? He shouldn't have! She didn't want to know that! About him wanting to... Good Lord.

She almost wanted to squeal from the embarrassment. How was she even going to look at him again now? She mentally whined, her chin dipping as soon as Dan pulled back from the embrace. Her hair fell on the side of her face, acting as a curtain. She could only hope that it was covering enough of her reddened face and that he would not notice.

She stealthily noticed from her peripheral vision that he had risen from his seat, standing in his tall and impressive glory. And after a quick goodbye to Dan they were already heading for the door, the girl quietly following him.

They walked to that same shiny red Mustang, the girl squeaking out a thank you as soon as he pulled the door open for her.

She didn't dare say anything or even look at him for the whole uncomfortable ride, barely able to hold herself still in that seat. She was shaking with nervousness. And as soon as he parked on the alley in front of the manor she shot out of that car as if being burned, not even bothering to wait for him to open the door for her again.

Pleasantries be damned. She wanted out of there. She-

"Wait. Where's my car?" She curiously gazed around at the empty driveway, save for his own car.

"Oh, I had it sent to the service. Hope you don't mind," She startled at the sound of his masculine voice, struggling to stand still as she could definitely feel him standing right behind her now.

"Thank you, f-for giving me a ride back home. A-and for sending my car to the auto repair," she rapidly blurted out, her hands balling into small fists at her sides.

Home. That certain word tumbling past her lips suddenly echoed in Nicholas' mind like a catchy tune, making him abruptly falter. He struggled to recover, wondering what the hell that was even as he proceeded to follow her into the house, easily keeping up with her small and rapid strides.

"I-I'll go change to start cleaning up the...t-the piano for you," the girl rushed to say just as they had entered the foyer, about to start running up the stairs when she suddenly heard him say from behind her,

"Oh, there's no need for that tonight,"

Her heart leapt to her throat as soon as those words registered into her anxious and overwrought mind.

Oh no. He's going to make me clean up the piano naked like Dan said! Oh my god!

She was on the verge of crying now, her small shoulders softly shaking.

"Please don't make me clean up the piano naked!" She squeaked out with a panicked voice before she could even try and stop herself, eyelids screwing shut whilst her hands balled into tight fists at her sides again.

"What?"

She blinked. Brows knitting together at the sound of that evident confusion lacing his tone. She hesitantly turned around to face him, immediately slapping a hand over her mouth at the sight of his visibly perplexed expression.

Oh my god!

Her cheeks practically burst into flames, suddenly wishing for the ground to just open up and swallow her whole. Why did she even say that?

She watched as Nicholas' stunned expression slowly morphed to form a pleased smirk, the sight of it making her eyes widen.

"As much as I would enjoy being graced with such view, I don't think it would be appropriate of me to even try and ask such thing of you," He cheekily commented with a hint of mirth, making her softly gasp from beneath that hand.

"I was going to say that I think that you should go change your clothes into something more...elegant instead. Or not. Pick whatever makes you feel comfortable," He casually said with a shrug, the girl blinking with confusion now as she stared up at him.

"Why?"

"You'll see,"