Nikolas pressed his foot on the gas, as he steered along the highway, glancing at the time 5:30 PM.
He was on his way to pick up Selene, she had emailed him earlier to let him know she was ready,along with her address. And now he was just minutes away from her house.
Nikolas knew he could have easily gone along with the driver, but he wanted to drive himself.
He needed the distraction, something to ease the anxiety that had been gripping him ever since he asked Selene to be his plus one at the event on Monday.
Sighing heavily, as he steered the car driving down the street that lead to Selene's house.
He could already feel sweat gathering on his palms, his heartbeat drumming loudly in his chest. Why the heck was he this nervous?
Wasn't,this what he wanted? The plan was to invite her out, and spend the evening with her. So why does it feel like his insides were turning to mash potatoes?
Get a damn grip,man, he scolded himself.
His phone buzzed, pulling him back to the present. He stared at the screen it was a message from Selene.
Telling his that she was already outside her apartment, waiting for him.
Nikolas swallowed the sudden lump down his throat as he pulled up to the curb.
Dragging in a deep breath, trying to calm his raging heartbeat, but the moment he laid eyes on Selene, all hope of composure vanished.
As she stepped off the curb,for a flitting moment, time stopped.
She looked breathtaking.
He let his gaze sweep over her, from her long, wavy hair that flowed effortlessly down her shoulders, perfectly framing her heart shape face.
To the exquisite red, flowing evening gown she wore that hugged her figure perfectly, giving her that perfect hourglass figure. To her full lush lips dipped in red lipstick.
Nikolas exhaled shakily, his lungs struggling to keep up with his breathing as he trailed his gaze over her.
"Good evening, Mr. Darkos," Selene said softly, tucking some hair strands behind her ear.
The small, nervous movement she had just done,made his lips twitch upwards. Was she shy?
"Good evening, Miss Selene," he replied, swallowing hard,as his throat suddenly felt dry as he hungrily drank in the sight of her, unable to look away.
Damn. She looked like a fucking goddess. And he? Well he was totally fucked.
"You… look… amazing," he stuttered. The words leaving him as breathless as he felt.
"Oh… uh, thank you." She said. "You clean up really nice yourself."
But Nikolas could barely hear her response. His senses,drowning as the scent, of her delicate floral perfume filled his nostrils,making him feel lightheaded.
God, what was the hell was this woman doing to him?
"Shall we go now?"Selene's soft voice, pulled him from his trance.
Nikolas blinked. Right . Move, idiot.
Without saying another word,he moving forward and dragging out the car door open for her. As she turned to enter inside, his gaze landed on her bare back.
His jaw stiffened.
The gown was backless.
His grip on the car door tightened.breathe,Nikolas, you can do this, he muttered before making his way over to the driver's side and slid inside the car.
That was now filled thick scent of her perfume replacing the air in the car, wrapping him around like a drug.
Nikolas shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his grip tightened around the steering wheel tightly as he started the engine.
He turned his gaze to the road as he drove. Right now,all he needed to do was to just focus on the road.
Trying hard not to think too much about the fact that the most stunning woman he had ever seen was sitting right next to him, looking like sin itself.
Inside the car the air thickened with awkward silence,choosing to fill up the silence between then and for something to distract him from his thoughts.Nikolas cleared his throat.
"Have I told,you that you look really good this evening?" His eyes still glued to the road, not trusting himself to even steal a glance at her. Fuck he should have just let the damn driver take him.
Selene chuckled lightly. "Um… yes, you did. And I said thank you."
From the corner of his eye,he saw type something on her phone before putting it back inside her purse.How the heck was she so damn calm when he felt like his sanity was hanging by a thread?
"And I complimented you too… You did clean up nicely, Mr. Darkos," she added, a warm smile spread across her face.
"Thank you", Nikolas muttered, as he let his gaze sweep over her briefly,before turning his attention back to the road.
Sure he knew he looked good,hell, he was wearing a tailored $5,000 gray Calvin Klein suit,with his hair and facial hair perfectly groomed. He was the picture of a refined businessman.
But for some reason sitting next to her,for the first time in his life, he felt like a two out of ten. And she? She was a solid hundred.
He sure has hell, needed to measure up. And fast.
"So… I was wondering if you could tell me more about this event?" Selene asked, her soft voice dragged him back to reality.
"I've never been to one of these before, and I don't really know how they work or even what I'm supposed to do."
Nikolas felt a smile creeping up his face. "It's mostly a gathering of the most influential and wealthy people in the business world. You could call it a CEO convention." He said jokingly.
Selene let out a soft chuckle, and he found himself craving the sound again.
Lord help him. Nikolas prayed silently.