GOLDILOCKS GETS ACQUAINTED WITH HER NEW HOME
212 Words
Vanessa paced her new (temporary) quarters. She was a ball of nerves. She kept going back and forth on whether or not she'd made the right decision.
“Sweet pea,” she said to her baby, “this situation is crazy.”
Nick paused just outside the slightly opened door to the suite Vanessa would be occupying for the duration of her stay at his mansion, and watched as she paced, unpacked her suitcase and then placed her clothing and toiletries where they belonged in the room. After leaving her apartment to go to his home, she looked rattled and nervous. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d had to work so hard to get a woman to stay overnight at his place, and this one hadn’t even slept in his bed.
“It will be a temporary one though,” she said. “It has to be.”
He turned to walk away.
“It’s clear that I don’t belong here - in this mansion with twelve bedrooms and a staff complement larger than some small businesses. Plus, I’m sure Nicklaus didn’t expect we would come into his life and royally screw it up. But as soon as mommy figures out what to do, we will be out of his hair and he can continue his life as if we had never entered it.”
Nick stopped at the mention of his name, curious despite himself. Turning around, he watched her thick kinky hair bounced against her shoulders as if they had a life of their own. He was fascinated by her hair. He had never dated an African-American and he had a strong urge to touch her hair and feel its texture. He wondered if it would feel as soft as wool as it appeared.
His gaze moved downwards without his permission. She was wearing shorts that revealed her shapely legs, and he noticed her toenails were painted a vibrant pink. Although she couldn’t be taller than 5’1, she moved with a grace and poise that made her appear taller than she actually was. She was ultra-feminine and he found himself being aroused by the direction of his thoughts. He didn’t know why, but he’d liked the combination of strength and vulnerability he’d witnessed in her. She’d been scared but determined to do the right thing for her unborn child.
Placing his left hand over his aching chest, Nick felt what was becoming a familiar twitch in his heart at the sound of her voice.
Deciding he wanted to listen to the rest of the conversation she was having with her baby, he rearranged his posture by crossing his arms over his chest.
“I know he said he has no intention of ever marrying, but if I’m not mistaken, he is only thirty, he has plenty of time to fall in love and change his mind about marriage. By then we should be on the other side of the world because as of now, I'm not entirely sure we should get further entangled with this family.”
Eager to dissuade any notion of moving away, Nick decided to make his presence known. Clearing his throat, he pushed the door farther open.
Giving a jerk of surprise, Vanessa turned to look at him. “You startled me.”
He nodded. “Is your room to your liking? Is there anything you need, that wasn't provided?”
“No. Everything is fine... perfect. The room is beautiful, of course,” she said. “Your entire house is beautiful.”
“The parts of it you’ve seen,” he said, recalling he had yet to give her a complete tour.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“I insist. If you accept my proposal this will soon be your home too, and therefore you should know what that entails. You'll receive the grand tour tomorrow. I can tell you now though, there is a spa room my sister raves about, a library, an outdoor jacuzzi and a garden I'm sure you will enjoy.”
"I don't think I'll be here long enough to enjoy all of that," she replied.
"We'll see about that."
"Hmmm," was the non-committal.
Swallowing a chuckle, he continued to meet her gaze as she smoothed the sheets on her bed that had wrinkled with her suitcase. “And your bed? Is it okay? Too soft? Too hard?” The image of her in bed was bothering him. He couldn’t help wonder what kind of nightclothes she wears, or if she sleeps in the nude. And wasn't he a bastard for having such thoughts?
Laughing, she replied, "you make me sound like Goldilocks, needing a bed not too hard or too soft, but just right."
"I wouldn't say Goldilocks. Rather I think of you more in terms of a stately queen and I, your loyal servant, would like to make sure you are well pleased. How else will I convince you to stay."
Nick knew he was laying the charm on a little too thick, judging by the blush on her face, but he couldn't help it.
“Oh, um...no. I'm no queen. But the bed is very nice, thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve been thinking about my living arrangements and—”
“So have I,” he interjected. “If you’re free for dinner, we can discuss it then.”
She worked her mouth in surprise then shrugged. “I’m free.”
“Okay, then we can eat on the terrace.” He glanced at his watch. “Are you hungry now? I believe the chef would have already prepared dinner.”
“Yes,” she said. “I’m starving. I’ve found my appetite has tripled since I became pregnant.”
He allowed himself a leisurely gaze down her body. He wondered why she made something inside him itch. His eyes landed on her lips, moved to her neck then settled on her generous breasts, he found himself starving too but not for food.
He'd need to figure out exactly where he wanted this to go because if his body and attraction to her was anything to go by, he'd be attempting to jump her bones before the end of the night.
That would be unacceptable. Very unacceptable.
It would make him no better than his old man. And if he hated anything in life, it was being compared to his father. It was bad enough he'd been told repeatedly when growing up how he was the mirror image of his father. So much so, he'd distanced himself from everything his father stood for. He sure as hell wouldn't want Vanessa of all people, to now draw similarities. He was a big boy - he'd control his libido.
- Writer
