The Billionaire's Personal Shopper

Speak of The Devil

Nick was upset with me. A few hours later after hiding in my room like a scaredy-cat, he managed to make me face him. I showered, wore an oversized sweater with tight jeans underneath it and settled on the couch. Nick sat beside me, his eyes narrowed on me. He looked at me like a stern older brother. He was not upset with me, just disappointed.

“We’re going to have this conversation first and then we’ll head outside to grab lunch.”

I nodded, that sounded like a great plan. The fresh air would do us both some good.

“Hiding from your problems is not going to magically make them disappear. You need to face Mr. Blackwood and have a real conversation with him. Preferably not in his office since you apparently have no self-control.’

My cheeks heated, “Nick!”

He didn’t look embarrassed at all stating the obvious. I, however, wanted to crawl back into bed. He was right, that wouldn’t fix anything.

“So I meet up with him in a public place and have the dreaded conversation.”

“Yes.” Nick said in a firm tone, “Hopefully things will work out and you can keep your job.”

That was wishful thinking. I doubted the man would want to work together with someone as unprofessional as me.

“I should give mom a call, she mentioned she made a list of potential clients for me.”

“That’s good, if things don’t work out with Mr. Blackwood you’ll have new clients to focus on.” He flashed me a pointed look, “If that doesn’t work out you can come work for Merigold.” His lips tugged to a smile, “I promise it’s not that bad at the office.”

"I know," I muttered.

It just never appealed to me to work behind a desk nine to five. I knew it entailed more than that but I found something I liked to do and I didn’t want to give that up. That night I shouldn’t have been so bold to kiss that man. He might not have considered it a kiss but I considered it to be one. Then getting worked up over nothing was even worse. I needed to grow up already.

"I will email him back now," I told Nick.

“Good. You do that. I’ll get ready.”

Nick left the living room to freshen up. I grabbed my phone from my room and opened up Mr. Blackwood’s email. Just reading his words made me nervous. This could very well mean the end of our business arrangement. Sighing I started typing away.

Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwood,

I had a great time last night.

Hope you had a good one too.

Monday does work for me but I’d like to meet up at a coffee shop close by if you don’t mind.I do know we have a lot to discuss, some subject might be sensitive so I understand if you want to pick a location. Just let me know what works for you.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind Regards,

Miss Merigold

After pressing send I got up from the couch and headed to the bedroom. I threw on a pair of socks and wore my white sneakers. When Nick left the bathroom I quickly freshened up as well. We headed out the door ten minutes later and walked around to find a place to eat. We walked into a Japanese restaurant since I suddenly had a craving for miso soup. Nick went along with it and ordered himself some sushi. He ordered enough for me to steal one or two.

“So about Fenna-“

Nick rolled his eyes, “I’m not interested.”

I stared at him, confused as to why he wasn’t interested in her. She was a beautiful woman, also quite successful. She worked for Mr. Blackwood himself which would open doors for her if she ever decided to quit her job and find something else to do.

“Can I ask why you’re not interested in a beautiful woman who wants you?”

Nick smiled at me, “You can ask but that doesn’t mean I have to answer.”

I glared at him, “Why won’t you humor me?”

He looked exasperated with me but decided to humor me all the same.

“I don’t have that feeling when I’m near her.”

That confused me even more, “What kind of feeling?”

He shrugged, "You know when you look at the other person and think this is it. That you feel attracted to them and don't mind holding their hand, hug them or kiss them. I don't have that feeling with her. I don't want to do any of those things with her. I'm not going to force something just for the sake of being in a relationship. I'm quite happy on my own."

I nodded, “I know you are.”

Nick was one of those people who didn’t mind being on their own. He could forever stay at home, just doing his own thing. I knew a few people who'd envy him. He was a good-looking guy who had a great career and of course money to his name. He had everything yet he didn't live his life to its fullest potential as an heir. Neither one of us did. We were the outcasts of the rich and famous around here.

“Now my dear sister is in a relationship. When are you going to introduce Lucas officially to us?”

“We just made things official. We’re definitely not there yet.”

Nick pointed his chopsticks at me, “You say that yet mom is already planning a wedding.”

I wanted to roll my eyes and tell him that he was wrong but it could actually be a possibility. Mom had given up hope when it came to my brother so she gave her everything when it came to me. I’d be lying if I said the image of me wearing a white dress didn’t cross my mind. It could be in reach if I didn’t mess things up with Lucas.

"Does he give you that feeling?" Nick asked, grabbing his cup of tea and sipping it like a wise old man who was about to tell me the ancient secrets of a land far away, "Lucas I mean. I know for a fact that you don't mind cuddle up with Mr. Blackwood but he's trouble. Yet if you don't have that feeling when it comes to your boyfriend it would be cruel to him."

“He does make my heart race.” I quickly told Nick, “I don’t feel appalled by kissing him or anything like that. I rather like it. The problem is that I have the same feeling when it comes to Mr. Blackwood.” I gulped as the ugly truth bubbled up, “It might be more intense with him.” I muttered.

Nick sighed, putting his cup down, “Listen I have been telling you to forget about him and focus on Lucas but that’s wrong of me. It’s your life, you can decide who you want to do the dirty with.”

I snorted.

"Yeah well, it might end up in a complete disaster if you chase after a man who is incapable of being in a relationship. But as your brother, I'll be here to help you get through the messy situations." His face scrunched up as if he just bit into a slice of lemon, “So what I’m trying to say is go for it if you want to, you know.”

I smirked at him, “Do the dirty with him?”

Nick scowled at me, “Disgusting.”

Nick ordered some more snacks and tea. I grabbed my phone, curious to know if Mr. Blackwood responded to my email. My whole body heated up while my heart raced. Only this man could make my body respond to a freaking email like that.

Miss Merigold,

I know the place you’re referring to.

I’ll see you there at ten A.M.

You look cute stuffing your face like that.

Mr. Blackwood

I sat up straight, my phone slipping through my fingers and falling onto the table. Nick raised an eyebrow at me in question. I quickly scanned the room. The blood drained from my face when I met Mr. Blackwood’s gaze. He glanced over his shoulder as he was about to leave the restaurant. The little smirk playing on his lips made me wish I was dead.

"Oh my God," I whispered, sinking into my chair.

Nick followed my gaze, only catching a glimpse of Mr. Blackwood.

“Fuck.” He whispered.

He could say that again.

***

After lunch, Nick and I went back to my apartment. He grabbed his bag and decided to go home, he needed some alone time to charge up again. I understood needing to emotionally charge up to feel energized again so I waved him off with a smile spread across my face. Once I was alone again I strolled into the kitchen to grab the items I needed for a quick meal I’d cook for myself. I decided on pasta with tomato sauce and a fresh salad. I chopped up the produce for the fresh salad which consisted of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion. I then put a pot on the stove to start with the sauce. I was really getting into it when my phone rang. Washing my hands and quickly drying them I grabbed my phone and answered it.

“Hello?”

“Nina? How are you?”

I didn't expect to hear from Lucas today. The shock of Mr. Blackwood catching Nick and me at the restaurant still hadn't worn off completely. It left me with a feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach. It would be rude of me to tune out Lucas just because of my stupid mistakes.

“I’m fine, I started preparing dinner.” I informed him, hoping he understood if I sounded a bit distracted, “What are you up to?”

I grabbed a wooden spoon to stir the thick sauce around. The sauce would need some salt and pepper. A lot of pepper actually since I liked my sauce to be spicy. Maybe I could chop up some chili to enhance the spiciness.

“I just dropped off the boss and now I am free for the day. Thought I’d check in on you. See what you’re up to.”

“Just doing some cooking.” I opened the fridge and searched for the ingredients I needed, “Do you want to come over for dinner?” I asked.

It was a more spur of the moment kind of question. I was talking about cooking and he told me he was free for the day so the words just left my mouth before I realized what I said. I couldn’t take my offer back now. It wasn’t like I had any ill intentions with it. It was just dinner.

“Are you sure?” I could hear the hesitation in Lucas’ voice.

“Yeah, of course. It’s just dinner. We can have it together and watch a movie or something.”

“Oh, Owen recommended a new series to me but I haven’t gotten around to it. You want to watch it with me?” He sounded hopeful which made me smile.

“Sounds good to me.”

Lucas chuckled, “Don’t expect much from it, Owen has questionable taste.”

He didn’t sound very convincing, he sounded more amused than anything.

“Something tells me you’re just messing with me, you actually don’t think your friend has questionable taste.”

“Oh, you’ll see for yourself.” Amusement was still very clear in Lucas’ voice.

Hearing the laughter in his voice, feeling his good mood through a mere phone call it made my heart race. It made that feeling appear Nick mentioned. I did want to cuddle with him on my living room couch and maybe do some more than that. Lucas made my heart race which was a feeling I wanted to hold onto.

***

Lucas came over a little after five, we settled on the couch with a warm drink. I made him black coffee and made myself some coffee with a splash of milk and two sugar. He was a big guy, it made me smile seeing him on my couch. I was pressed against his side. The man was all muscle, I felt like fragile thing engulfed in his warmth next to him. It was comfortable and it felt safe. He placed his arm around the back of the couch, looking quite at home at my place. I loved seeing him like that. We found the series Owen mentioned and decided to watch the first episode. We’d have dinner after that.

“It’s actually not bad.” I whispered to Lucas, leaning forward in anticipation of what the pretty brunette would do next to escape, “You were messing with me before, weren’t you.”

Behind me, Lucas chuckled, "Maybe."

The suspense was killing me, I wanted to know if she got her freedom or not. I was so lost in the episode I hardly noticed the movement behind me. I was unconsciously moving closer to the screen when I felt a strong grip around my waist and gasped when I was pulled back, my back landing against something firm.

I blinked when I felt lips press against my hair, “You are adorable when you’re focused like that.”

My smile dropped as I recalled Mr. Blackwood telling me something similar.

You look cute stuffing your face like that.

Why did the universe make me meet two guys quite similar yet so different? Lucas gently placed his hand on my cheek and turned my face so I looked him in the eyes. His deep green eyes were warm and inviting. His grip on me loosened. It was still there but he let me know I had the chance to pull away. He smelled nice, fresh. He slowly leaned in, it was careful as if he wasn’t sure if he could. We had kissed before. I liked it then. This hesitation came from meeting Mr. Blackwood. I couldn’t blame him for it. It was up to me to reassure him, to let him know he didn't have to have doubts about us. I placed my hand on his firm chest and met him halfway.

The kiss was gentle, just there to share our feelings.

I leaned closer to him, Lucas grabbed onto my hips and lifted me up. I straddled his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. Lucas brushed my hair out of my face, his deep green eyes glittering. He pecked him on the lips once. He smirked at the quick kiss I pressed on his lips. He surprised me by suddenly getting to his feet. I squealed, holding tightly onto him.

“W-What are you doing?” I asked.

He walked to the kitchen and placed me on top of the counter.

“I was promised dinner.” He grinned cheekily at me, “Not that I don’t enjoy what you offered before but I gotta say I’m looking forward to your cooking.”

I grinned in response, “Oh, so you just want me for my cooking?”

He stood between my legs, cupping my face with his big hands, “You know it.”

I kissed him once more and flashed him a pointed look, “If you don’t move I won’t be able to plate you up my amazingly spicy pasta.”

He stepped back and held his hand out, “Let me help you.”

I grabbed his hand and hopped off the counter. We plated up dinner and settled on my living room couch again. It was a fun night, us just hanging out and having a good time together. There were no expectations. Lucas made it seem easy being together like this like we belonged together on my living room couch like that.