On getting downstairs, as she neared the parking area, she saw Nikolas standing by his SUV, speaking to the driver.Selene drew in a deep breath,as she swallowed saliva down her suddenly dry throat.
Selene couldn't help as her eyes feasted on,the handsome sight in front of her. The afternoon sun caught his blonde hair,giving it a shiny glow; his Tom Ford suit clung to every muscle in his body, as if custom-made.
She felt her legs wobble slightly, as she could feel moisture gathering between her thighs,soaking down on her panties."Relax, Selene," she muttered to herself "you can do this," exhaling.
At that moment, his gaze locked in with hers. Her heart immediately did a backflip,pounding frantically inside her rib cage.He whispered something to the driver, who immediately excused himself.
Selene stepped outside into the street,she felt the sudden afternoon breeze graze her skin, its cooling effect calming her down as she moved closer to him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Darkos," she greeted calmly, her nostrils flaring immediately filled with the familiar, woodsy scent of his cologne.
"Good afternoon, Miss Selene," Nikolas replied flashing her a smile that made her heart melt as he the door for her.
Settling down into the passenger seat,not bothering to ask about the driver that had just left as her muscles were still reacting to the effects of his perfume.Turing her head to watch as Nikolas climbed into the driver's side. The ride to the restaurant was fast and quiet.
On getting to the restaurant, Selene took her time as her eyes feasted on the surroundings,taking in the soft ambient lighting that made the inside look much more like an evening dinner and selene loved it.
Sitting down across from Nikolas as she placed her phone ok the wide round oak wood table,a waiter approached to take their orders. After several minutes of scanning the menu, she settled on Alfredo pasta and a chicken salad.
Nikolas ordered chicken fried rice and juice. As they seated patiently waiting,Selene skin tingled as she could sense his intense gaze lingering on her, mustering the courage to speak,desperate to end the awkward silence.
"So why did—" she began hesitantly.
"I wanted to—" Nikolas started, but their words collided as both spoke at once.
Nikolas chuckled. "You go first," he said.
Shaking her head as her lips curved with a nervous smile , "You were the one who suggested lunch. Please, you go first," her voice was calm,yet heart beating rapidly.
Nikolas cleared his throat,as he began "So, how do you enjoy working with us?" he asked "aside from the mountain of paperwork?" He laughed nervously, trying to lighten the mood.
"I… er… I'm enjoying myself so far," Selene stuttered, completely surprised by the question.
Nikolas nodded,his lips spreading into a warm smile. "I must say, I've been really impressed with your work lately, especially considering you were brought in from our lower branch. So we had a rare gem like you back there"he said raising an amused eyebrow.
Selene,could feel her cheeks heating up at the praises she was receiving. Sure She knew she was good at what she did, but hearing it from Nikolas was something else entirely.
For a fleeting moment, her gaze fell from his tempting hazel-green eyes down to his full, luscious lips. She skin burned with pleasure as the thought of feeling his lips on her flashed through her mind.
"Thank you," she said with a cheeky smile, as her cheeks burn with a mix of pleasure and embarrassment,at the sinful image she had just conjured up in her mind "and also, thank you for what you did the other day,you really relieved me." She said thanking him properly for that day.
"You don't need to thank me," Nikolas said dismissively. "We can't have you starving yourself under all that workload."
Selene tucked her lower lip, under her teeth biting down on it to stop herself from revealing that the real reason she'd missed lunch that day was because she'd seen someone she never expected to see. So Instead, she just smiled and nodded.
Their meals arrived, in a nick of time,breaking the lingering awkward silence. They both dug into their food. The food had been more delicious than Selene expected, that she didn't notice a small sound escape her, which made Nikolas chuckle.
"I can see you're really enjoying your meal," he said,a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he scooped a spoon full of egg fried rice inside his mouth.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, selene smiled,as she nodded. "Yes, I never imagined the food would taste this good."she said with a mouth full,swallowing her food she continued "I honestly thought it was just hype."
"That's one of the reasons I like them,they truly live up to the hype," he replied,scooping the last spoon of rice into his mouth.
For a moment, Selene watched silently as he opened a bottle of water, taking a long gulp. His Adam apple moving in sync as he drank more than half of the bottle's contents.she swallowed hard almost choking herself as her nipples stood erect from watching him.
She ate the rest of her meal in silence. When the waiter came by to clear their plates, Selene couldn't help but smile.she had not expected have a conversation with Nikolas to be this free,although she still found herself attracted to him,she had actually enjoyed having lunch with him.
"So, back to the reason I invited you to lunch," Nikolas said, his deep baritone snapping her back.
"I would like you to accompany me to the annual business summit this weekend", he explained, clearing his throat before she could speak. "It will be held in the city and as my manager it's part of your job to be my plus one at the event." He said firmly,leaving no room for negotiation as his gaze locked onto hers.
The waiter soon returned, and Nikolas paid. "The invitation will include all the necessary details. If you have any issues preparing for the event, do let me know,you will be meeting with several prospective clients there so your attendance is mandatory,"he added.
Selene nodded, still unsure of what to say.Her heart now drumming loudly in her ears,this was a business event and there was no way she could turn it down.
As they both stood up exiting the restaurant,Selene's mind raced with thoughts. Even though she had somehow survived and even, in some ways, enjoyed lunch with him.
But how on earth was she going to survive an entire evening by his side,she thought as her stomach filled with a mix of anticipation and dread.