Shari hadn't managed to run very far away from the locker room, when she happened to come face to face with Matt.
The man observed her through narrowed eyes, taking it all in: her flushed face, her lack of breath, the disarray in her usually perfectly neat hairdo and the confusion that lied behind her eyes.
" Shari, love, what is it?" He asked with great concern, as he placed both his hands firmly on her shoulders.
She tried to look away and shrug his hands off. " No, no, nothing, Matt... really," she muttered.
" Listen, I know you..."
" Shari, wait!" Interrupted a voice coming from around the corner.
Its owner, a running and equally disturbed-looking Nicholas Kokoris made Matt trail off and gaze at them with his brows arched. He was no fool and sensed that something had, if not happened, at least transpired between his two friends. Shari was obviously avoiding Nicholas' eyes, while he seemed to have the urgent need to speak to her. So, what was he to do?
With a wicked smile he eyed the pair up and down before muttering a " Look like the two of you have some issues to discuss." which made Shari flustered in embarrassment, and hurried inside the elevator.
Once Matt was out of sight, she tried to walk away from Nicholas, but he wasn't going to let that happen.
" Shari, we need to talk," he stated, grabbing her by the arm.
The woman looked up at him with fire in her eyes. " About what?
" You know very well what I'm talking about," he growled. " Come with me."
With that, he nearly dragged her to his office, carefully closing the door once they were inside.
Shari had never been there and immediately liked the way in which he had decorated his office. It was very manly, yet cozy and she found herself thinking it would be a nice place to...
' Damnit Shari! Stick to your principles!' Screamed her conscience and she shook her head, trying to dispel the images of her and the Greek surgeon on the large leather couch. Because she liked Nicholas, that was for sure.
She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she barely noticed Nicholas was standing very close to her.
" I've been wanting to kiss you since David introduced us," he whispered.
At that, curiosity got the best of her. " Then why...?"
" I didn't want to admit I liked you more than I can put into words, Shari," he admitted earnestly.
This time, she didn't miss it. God, her name on his lips sounded almost celestial.
Nicholas decided it was his time to ask questions. " Why did you leave me?"
Shari shrugged and looked away. " I was… confused, I guess. You were so rude and then..."
" You're simply incredible, Shari," he cut her in. " And, at first, I was jealous of you. But now I simply don't seem to be able to get you out of my thoughts."
His answer and the intense look he finished his statement with agitated the butterflies in her stomach, but she knew that having an affair with him wouldn't work.
Why was she assuming he only wanted an affair with her, will forever remain as a mystery.
" I'm sorry, but I want nothing with you," she replied in her most courteous tone.
That angered Nick and he snapped, " Do you 'want something' with Matt?"
Shari looked simply outraged. " What the f...? Listen, Dr. Kokoris, Matt is my friend, get that? I don't sleep with him, nor I think I'll ever do such thing," she spat at him and turned, ready to leave the room.
Nicholas hurried to apologize. " I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. But your answer was very... unelaborated."
Muttering something under her breath, she turned back to look at him. " OK. The reason I don't want to get involved with you is that I don't wanna get involved with anyone I work with, because..." she started, but Nick didn't let her finish.
" So, you are attracted to me but don't want to give me a chance because we both work at Presidio?" He asked, evaluating the myriad of expressions that emanated from her eyes.
" Exactly," she replied sternly, turned and walked away, not realizing her own admission and missing Nicholas' smile.
Now that he knew she felt something for him, he wasn't going to let her escape so easily. Not when she had managed to set him on fire with only an innocent touch and had caused some feelings to resurface in him that he had thought were long buried.
***
A week later, Shari was just finishing putting the last of the erlenmeyers back in their place, after the routine once-a-year recount of every working laboratory equipment and tool. The cabinet where she was supposed to place them was very tall and she was standing on tiptoe, having trouble putting away the largest flasks. Out of nowhere, an imposing male figure came up behind her, taking the erlenmeyer out of her up-reached hand and placing it on the shelf.
As she put her feet flat on the floor again the full length of her body came into contact with his and he put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Her pulse quickened as she felt a flashing jolt in the pit of her stomach. She knew it was Nick and she could feel his breathing accelerating as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer. He began nuzzling her hair, sending chills down her spine, and making her tremble. Not being able to help herself, Shari turned her head to look up at him.
Nick brushed his lips against hers lightly, looking into her eyes. A low growl came from him as he covered her lips with his own. Opening her mouth she let him explore her, moaning against him, wanting more, even though she had tried many times to ignore the way he made her feel. When she tried to break free from him, Nicholas pulled his lips away reluctantly, his breath coming quickly next to her ear.
" Shari..." he said in a pained whisper.
" I... I have to go now, Dr. Kokoris," she said huskily.
Shari still felt herself vibrating as his hold on her loosened, but didn't let go.
" Don't," he hurried to say. " We both want this, so why do you keep running away from me?"
" I've told you why," she whispered tiredly.
" That's not good enough, Shari."
" Then what do you want?"
" A chance, that's all," replied Nicholas simply. " Let me take you out for dinner, get to know me... maybe then you will see me as something more than a co-worker."
Shari sighed. How could she resist those pleading eyes? She didn't even want to do that, so, going against all her judgment, she caved in.
" Well, dinner doesn't sound so bad..." she said, smilingly, trying to hide her shaky hands. It was finally happening: she was going out with him.
" Then I will pick you up tomorrow at 7PM," was all he replied before turning to walk away. He needed to leave right then or he wouldn't be able to hide his eagerness for much longer.
But Shari stopped him. " Wait, don't you need my address?"
Smiling predatorily, Nicholas turned to her. " I need many things from you, precious. Your address, I already know it," he said, his voice dropping to a low, sensuous growl.
Her eyes widened at that and she blushed furiously. Amused, he tugged on her hair to pull her closer. His kiss to her was deep, possessive, silently demanding that she acknowledge his claim on her. She responded with fervor, exacting the same avowal from him. When they broke away, they were both breathless.
" Then I'll see you tomorrow," Shari said, walking away and shooting him a smile full of promises.