I had debated on just grabbing my shopping bags and leaving because I didn't know this guy at all. Just because his dad owned the company and because he worked there, that doesn't mean he was a good guy - excluding what Gray and Loke told me about him. This was one of those decisions I had to make for myself based on my better judgement.

I exhaled, completely defeated by my own decisions: had I not bought so much stuff I wouldn't be in this predicament. I could be halfway home by now. I decided to take Natsu up on his offer to drive me home, much to his delight which was written all across his face. I just hoped that I wasn't getting in to the car of a closet serial killer or something. I kept my distance away from him as I carried my bags to his car that didn't turn out to be too far from where he found me. Maybe that's how he found me so quickly.

I dropped my stuff into his trunk and made my way to the passenger seat of his car that turned out to be locked when I pulled the latch. I peaked through the window and saw that he was already buckled in the driver's seat. I knocked on the window and he looked at me with a malicious grin, which made me think about him robbing me. As my panic became apparent I heard the lock release on the car door, which I threw open and hopped in. His car smelled of cedar and cologne, which for some reason, didn't make me feel sick. Being sensitive to certain smells, it was nice not feeling bad as soon as I started breathing it in. Natsu sat there in his seat, looking all cool with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear shift. You'd think he was a model for sports cars with the way he blended in.

However, my irritation at him forgetting to let me in the car outweighed any physical response I had earlier. I was too tired and too hungry to care about anything but getting home.

"Sorry about that," he said, the grin still there.

"Sure," I muttered.

"Aw, come on, Lucy, it was an accident." He tried to sound innocent, but everything on the outside gave him away.

"Can you please drive?" I asked, annoyed. His grin faded.

Without another word, Natsu pulled out of the parking lot and headed to my place.

When he pulled up to my building, I thanked him for the ride and stepped out of the car where I went to fetch my bags. I was displeased when I went to open the trunk, only to find that he hadn't opened it yet.

"Natsu," I called.

He popped his head out. "Yeah?"

I motioned towards the trunk and he instantly understood. Was messing with me this much after a long day at work some kind of game to him? The trunk opened and I raced to grab everything that was mine before I slammed it closed and made my way towards my building without so much as a goodbye.

Struggling to hold the bags on one arm while I dug through my purse for my keys, I put them down so I easily move my arm around. Just as I found them, I bent down to pick everything up when I noticed Natsu standing in front of me, already holding them.

"You looked like you needed help," he said.

"Thanks," I said hesitantly as I reached for my things and unlocked the building entrance.

Natsu held the door for me. "You know," he started, "I think we should go out some time."

I stopped dead in my tracks. I turned to face him, in spite of how sore my arm muscles were becoming and I looked at him. He had that seductive grin on his face - the one from earlier - and suddenly I felt that pull towards him again.

"No thanks," I said.

Natsu's frowned. "You didn't even take a minute to -"

"I don't need a minute," I interrupted. "In fact, I don't need any time at all. I'm not interested in dating anyone, especially someone I don't know."

Natsu leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed, and one leg crossed over the other. God, adding his flirtatious demeanor to the already existing look on his face, any girl would drop what they were doing just to tackle him. I couldn't lie though: I'd probably be one of them if I didn't have my willpower.

"Isn't that was dating is for?" Natsu teased.

I bit my lower lip, completely unsure of what to say next.

"Lucy, come on." He stood up straight and walked towards me. "Who better to show you a good time than someone who already lives that way?"

"I don't need someone to show me a good time," I snapped. "I need you to leave me alone so I can go home and eat."

Natsu smiled even wider, making him look like a happy-go-lucky child. I had to admit it was adorable, but I wouldn't let him sway me. And if there was any truth to the stuff Gray and Loke told me about this guy, that was enough for me to focus on my own career.

"You'll come around," Natsu said in a low voice. And with that, he turned and left the building.

I had a strong feeling that this wouldn't be the last time I encountered Natsu Dragneel in such a way.

I woke up the next morning feeling strangely refreshed. I got home after my discussion with Natsu last night where I put all of my food away, except everything I needed for the gigantic salad I made myself before bed. After I finished eating, I washed my face and slipped into a t-shirt and pajama shorts before I slugged out on my couch and watched a movie until I was too tired to keep my eyes open. After everything that went on yesterday, I was too exhausted to think about much, so I guess that helped me sleep better too.

I slowly slipped out of bed and I turned on my kettle so I could myself a coffee to take with me. After, I got myself dressed in my dark blue slacks and black v-neck shirt, I grabbed my pumps and coffee and headed out to work.

I didn't get a message from Gray today about driving me today, but I was fine with that because the clear skies and fresh morning air made it bearable to walk to work, which was luckily not too far from my place. When I got there I took the elevator up to my floor, where I got off and went straight to my desk. Once I sat down I immediately got to work.

"Good morning, Lucy," a voice came from behind me. I jumped to find Ms. Scarlett standing there.

"G-Good morning, Ms. Scarlett. You scared -"

"I'm sorry if I startled you," she said. "I just wanted to come over and praise you for your had work yesterday."

"Thank you," I said.

"Keep it up." She started to walk away before she stopped and turned to look at me. "By the way, you can call me Erza. Ms. Scarlett just makes me sound...old."

I giggled. "You got it!"

I set about getting back to work when a familiar voice called me. I turned around, and to my dismay once again, Natsu was the one who called. He had his head poked out through his office door, grinning like a schoolboy.

"I need to see you," he said.

I shook my head.

He frowned.

I turned back to my work, pretending like he wasn't acknowledging me. I managed to make it through a few pages before I noticed someone's face inches from mine, leaning over. I jumped in my seat and almost let out a loud squeal before I managed to catch myself.

"Natsu," I whispered. "What the hell?"

He looked at me with a serious look on his face. "I called you."

"And I'm busy." I went to re-read my work before he slammed a hand down on the papers, preventing me from picking them up.

"Are you going to ignore your boss?"

"You're not my boss," I replied, "Erza is."

"Yeah?" He leaned in closer to my face, making me sit back in my seat. "And who do you think her boss is?"

I pretended to think. "Your dad?"

That seemed to hit a nerve, because he bit his bottom lip and something in his eyes changed. They seemed almost darker, more sinister. Within seconds, Natsu had removed himself from my space and walked back to his office without another word to anyone. He calmly closed the door and for the rest of the morning, I didn't hear a single peep from him.