Chapter 7 Nick

It was good that Hank had extended this invitation for drinks after work. Things had been a little strained between them and Nick realized for their safety, that needed to be resolved. Partners needed to trust one another, it was essential, but he admitted to himself there had been a lack lately. Maybe it was this Grimm business. Hank was convinced that not only were Wesen responsible for almost all the crime, but he believed the two of them would be better off if Nick could see them again. Nick just couldn't consciously jump off that cliff. Besides, he thought Hank exaggerated. It seemed like some urban legend, it couldn't all be true.

"Hey, I ordered your favorite drink," Hank greeted him with a smile.

"Thanks," he replied taking a sip. Hank really did know what he liked, he thought appreciating the taste.

"Sorry I gave you such a hard time on that last case. It turned out alright though. Is Trubel still staying in your guest room? I know the kid didn't really have anywhere else to crash," Hank inquired with an understanding grin.

"Yeah, but I've hardly seen her there. Seems our schedules are opposite. She's a good kid, though, from what I can tell," Nick responded with a small smile. Trubel struck Nick as equal parts grit and vulnerability. Toughened by life but still young enough to be somewhat innocent. It was rather endearing.

Just then, with a big smile, Hank turned to someone approaching. "Hey, Nick, you remember Adalind?" Hank knew full well Nick didn't remember the delicate and graceful woman with a gorgeous smile and huge blue eyes fringed in very thick lashes. Hank threw him a wink while she wasn't looking. "What's it been, two years or so since we investigated those murders at your law firm? Then I believe we had the pleasure of saving your life also," Hank finished pointedly. Nick shook his head with a grin while she glanced at Hank. Hank was on the prowl, but Adalind turned to Nick with that smile. Nick felt his breath catch as her eyes seem to lock with his briefly.

"Detectives Griffin and Burkhardt," she started with another long look at Nick. "Nice to see you again. I thought I was meeting a girlfriend of mine here for drinks, but she's late." Then taking out her phone, she scrolled through the screen, and rolled her eyes. "Looks like I'm on my own tonight," she finished in a huff.

"Her loss is our gain," Hank proposed.

"Why thank you, if you don't mind me joining you," she responded taking a seat between them as Hank took the next chair over. "I'm glad I ran into you guys," she glanced back and forth between them but ended again toward Nick. "You saved me from either sitting alone or just going home instead," she continued shyly looking down as those unbelievable eyelashes brushed her pale cheeks in stark contrast. As if she would ever be left alone, Nick thought, imagining a swarm of men falling over themselves at a chance with her.

"So, Adalind, how is the legal profession?" Hank asked trying again.

Politely glancing back at Hank she answered, "Somewhat lucrative, but always abounding with crooks and cheats." She had a quick mind and a sharp amusing wit, Nick observed taking her in from her silk-hair, delicate hands, to shapely legs and all the right proportions in between. Turning back to face Nick with those enormous eyes she asked, "How is homicide?"

He found himself replying, "Murder." He groaned inwardly at such an obvious and banal pun. She smiled despite his trite rejoinder and glanced up again at him through her lashes. Nick found himself conjuring all sorts of inappropriate scenes with that body of hers. Grateful when she looked away, Nick tried to remind himself that he was a gentleman and taking her on the spot wasn't his style.

"My mother was murdered here in Portland while I was out of the country on business," was her next response while looking down at her hands. "I don't believe her killer was ever caught."

Heart swelling with a need to resolve that for her, Nick said, "Maybe we could look into that again for you."

With a kind of panic flashing briefly in her eyes, she responded, "I've made peace with it. My mother and I were never close. It was just such a shock," she finished locking eyes with Nick again. In the background, he saw Hank shrug and lift his hands in defeat then make a motion to indicate that she was all Nick's, which he acknowledged with a small smile.

"Well people I'm calling it a night," Hank stated. "I didn't sleep well last night and it's catching up to me. Nice to see you again, Adalind." With that, Hank bowed out with another wink in Nick's direction.

The next hour was a blur except for every moment she brushed his arm or lightly laid her hand on his. He had a response to her touch that had nothing to do with reason and everything to do with need. When she rose, he did too. "Let me walk you out," he suggested and she nodded with a smile.

While walking outside she took his arm which made Nick take a deep breath. "Can I be honest with you?" She inquired having to look up at him.

"Of course," he responded to her in more than words alone, he realized as desire began to take control.

"I was interested in you when you guys handled our firm's case, but I believe you were in a relationship at the time," she said leaning into him a little. "I'm hoping our timing is right now," she finished when they reached his vehicle and she came around to face him arms slipping around his waist. He couldn't help his reaction and he hoped she wouldn't draw any closer. She tipped her head back and Nick understood her invitation.

With a fleeting flash of Juliette's sullen face going through his mind in regret, Nick knew how this would hurt her. Yet, he comprehended he didn't return Juliette's feelings. She was beautiful to be sure, but whatever had drawn Nick to her in what he had come to think of as his former life, he couldn't reconcile with the woman he knew now. All he had ever felt around her was shame and a heaviness for not being the man she remembered. No, he didn't love Juliette and for that he was sorry.

Looking down at Adalind, there was a desperate hunger in her look that matched his own. Overriding the guilt he felt for a relationship he didn't remember investing in and committing to, he captured Adalind's mouth in a kiss intended to be soft and light. Suddenly her arms were around his neck in heated embrace and Nick, without thought, crushed her against his car drinking deeply of her taste. Passion swallowed them. When they could bring themselves to part, she spoke desperately, "I don't have my own place right now. I'm staying with friends. Would it be too much to ask if I could see your place?" They both knew she was asking for more than just a tour of his house, and Nick couldn't imagine letting her leave, so he answered her with another devouring kiss.

Fortunately, Trubel was nowhere to be seen as the house was quiet and the door to the empty guest room was wide open. They crashed into his bedroom unable to release each other. Nick subconsciously wondered where his control had fled as pieces of clothing were shed without thought. Lifting his head one last time, he drank in her blue eyes dark with passion, before he abandon all else to their demanding desire and swept her onto the bed.