A/N: Happy one month anniversary :D Well, technically it was a couple of days ago, but hey, it's still a one month anniversary. Gosh, it feels like I started this fanfic forever ago :p
Thank you for your amazing feedback and can't wait to hear from you again ;)
Enjoy!
Chapter 14 : Danger in the premises
I don't know how Nick and I landed on the couch, me snuggling against his chest, him holding me tightly in his arms. Never in my life have I felt so safe, so nice and so…right. I'm still adjusting to Nick's genuine kindness and generosity, despite the wrong things I did to him in the past. My whole life, people around me would never show any kind of affection or care unless they expected something in return, so I grew up believing that nothing was free. Every bit of consideration has a price. Yet, here I am, confronted to something completely alien; a man who gives but doesn't take.
My hand flies slowly to his face while his eyes are still closed, my fingers must feel like feather on his strong jaw, in my barely there caress. His slow breathing tells me he's deep asleep. His skin is a combination of roughness and strength. My finger travels down to his full lips, they are surprisingly soft; flashes of the things this very mouth did to me once upon a time bring a blush to my cheeks, as I press my thumb on his mouth, he parts his lips inadvertently. I freeze, scared he might open his eyes and find me admiring his beautiful features, but he doesn't. He must be a heavy sleeper or simply exhausted. Resuming my exploration, I draw a line to his throat and watch his Adam's apple bob, I lift my eyes immediately and sure enough Nick's eyes are wide open, two shining emeralds staring back at me.
I was caught staring, after all. Alright, I can deal with this
"Hi" is all I manage to say. Hey, how would you have reacted in a similar situation?
Nick's eyes drink me in "Hi" he says after a while
My fogged brain whispers something like "Yo, Adalind, maybe we should move away a little, 'cause Mr Burkhardt is trapped between the back of the couch and you" but all I do, is give my brain a day off, because honestly, it's way too agreeable staying in Nick's arms and if he wants to move, he can simply ask. Right?
When Nick doesn't add anything, I decide to interject "You had something on your throat…errr…saliva…yeah, I must have drooled on your throat…not that I drool in my sleep or anything…I used to when I was a little girl, but not anymore…what I mean is that…" did I tell you that I babble nonstop when I'm stressed out? Well, if not, sorry you had to discover it this way.
Nick seems to find my verbal diarrhea entertaining "It's fine" he mutters with a smile as he props on his elbow "I should probably start getting ready for work"
"Right" I retort, still gazing at his beautiful green eyes
Nick's grin goes wider "Could you…?" his eyes move from my face to my hand that's hanging between his neck and his throat, preventing him from standing. Crap. How could I forget it was there? Beyond embarrassed, I jump to my feet and look away.
"Sorry, I didn't realize it was there…But, your throat is perfect…" I blurt out before I have time to process my words "Perfectly fine, I mean" I amend
Adjusting his shirt, he stands up and raises an eyebrow "Is that so?"
I nod twice "Absolutely" I try to think of something intelligible to say "I checked and you can rest assured, you have no goiter. You are perfectly healthy. That's why my hand was there in case you were wondering" I puff my chest proudly. I'm so glad I found a way out but my smile falters immediately with Nick's next words.
"I thought you said there was saliva!" he puts his hands on his hips and the smile playing at his lips tells me he's enjoying the situation more that I would want him to.
That's the problem with lies; you always forget which stupid invention you came up with
I slumber on my words "Yes, that's true, when I wiped the saliva I thought, while I'm at it why not make sure your thyroid is fine"
Baby Kelly interrupts this whole debacle and I never thought I'd be so happy for my son's crying decibels to echo in the walls. I excuse myself and hurry to Kelly's crib. Nick shakes his head bemused and shuffles to the bathroom. When he emerges from it, he's wearing a dark grey Henley and black jeans that compliment him so well. His hair is still wet and his stubble is one day older, but oh does it look good on him.
He sits on the kitchen stool and I hand him a mug of coffee "Where's Kelly?" he asks
"Just changed him and fed him. He's lying in his crib" I lay against the sink opposite him
He starts sipping from his mug, while our eyes stay locked, after few seconds he stops abruptly "Spit it"
Flabbergast, my eyes widen "What are you talking about?"
"You've been chewing on that poor lip for the past five minutes and I spent enough time with you to figure out it's something you do when you're nervous, so spit it, whatever is on your mind" his order contradicts his soft tone and I'm surprised that he's learnt so fast to read me, when my own mother never did. She used to call my chewing my lip a childish behavior.
I start to tell him that it's nothing but his glare dissuades me from continuing, so instead, I settle for the truth "Thank you for yesterday" he nods and crosses his arms waiting for me to say more "Alright, I'd like to apologize for my outburst at the precint yesterday, it wasn't my place to say those things to Juliette, I had no right"
"True" he deadpans and his face is unreadable, but his answer doesn't deflate me
"But, I'm not sorry for what I said and I meant every word of it" I put my mug in the sing and fold my arms over my chest in defiance mimicking Nick's posture
He raises an eyebrow in challenge "Every word?"
My confrontation with Nick's ex plays in my head
Technically he was never your fiancé to begin with, you refused, remember? Probably out of culpability over cheating on him with your boss, who by the way is way inferior to Nick, if you want my opinion…You were already over when we did the deed, and I can't even start to tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves
Holy cow, I can't believe I told her those things, but adrenaline was running in my veins at the moment and I didn't give a darn about the aftermath. However, one thing is undeniable, none of the things I said was a lie.
"Every word" I reiterate with a nod
Nick's phone puts our conversation on hold "Burkhardt" he replies, eyes glued to my face "Alright, I'll be there in fifteen"
Kelly starts crying again and I hurry to his crib "Hey, sweety" I sway him gently in my arms as Nick joins us in the bedroom. His face is serious and all business. He bends a little and plants a kiss on Kelly's chubby cheek, I catch his smell and suddenly I'm tempted to plant my nose in his neck. It's a mixture of soap, lemon and pure male.
"I've got to go" he states
Don't I deserve a goodbye kiss as well? My inner voice complains and I want to smack myself on the face for even thinking about this. I need to go out a little bit more. This is Nick Burkhardt for God's sake. Maybe if I remind myself of our past relationship, I'd stop drooling over his beautiful eyes, amazing body, shining silky hair…Ehhh, Adalind, you're getting a tid bit sidetracked here, sweety.
Oh, reason! Is that you? I'm so glad you're back, I was going insane without you
A couple hours later, I'm at the spice shop sipping herbal infusion with Rosalee, while Kelly wiggles happily in her arms. She tells me about her business and Monroe, she asks about my relationship with Nick and being parents and finally she gives me some insight about how Nick is feeling about this whole situation.
The perks of having common friends I guess
"So, he told Monroe that Kelly is the main reason he hasn't lost his mind" she carries on
I nod "That makes two of us" I hesitate a little before asking a question that's been nagging at me since this morning "Did he say anything about my confrontation with Juliette?"
Rosalee laughs wholeheartedly "Ohhh, yeah"
"What is it?" I prompt her, eager to hear more
"He called it a badass confrontation" she winks
My mouth hangs open in pure shock "He did?"
Rosalee nods, satisfied with my reaction. After that we chat some more, then my baby and I head home. Once in the safety of the fome, I notice a text on my phone, as I open it, I see pictures of Nick sent from an unknown number, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who's the author.
Sean
The pictures have been taken today. Nick is wearing the dark grey Henley and black jeans from this morning. There's a picture of him with Hank in a crime scene. One of him bending near a dead body and another one of him talking on the phone.
Panic washes over me. My heart beats so fast that my breathing becomes labored. Nick is in danger. My first instinct is to call him, but it goes directly on voice mail. Out of despair, I dial Rosalee's cell and tell her what happened, she tries to reassure me, but I hear her own worry in her voice.
Meisner is the next person I contact right after I forward the pictures to his number "We know they're after him, Adalind and we have it under control. Don't worry"
"Easier said than done" I spit. It's not Meisner's fault. Heck, it's not anybody's fault but mine for mingling with the wrong person. But, I need a punching ball.
Meisner sighs "Look, it might look like it to you, but we're working very hard to bring BC down and bring you back Diana. There are many things I can't disclose, but believe me, we're getting closer to our goal with each passing day"
Placing my fingers on my throbbing temple, I exhales "I'm sorry, Martin. I didn't mean to say that"
"It's fine" his deep guttural voice echoes through the receiver "I understand"
The more stressed you are, the slower time passes by. I try to reach Nick several times but in vain. It's already past ten pm and still no sign of him. I'm pacing nonstop in the loft. Kelly wakes up again and I'm grateful for the distraction. I sit at the table in front of the elevator with Kelly in one arm and a baby bottle in the other, trying desperately to stop my mind from creating different death scenarios.
When the elevator doors open, I feel an outburst of emotions at the sight of Nick. I let loose of the breath I didn't know I was holding. When did he become such an important person in my life that I can't fathom his being in danger? Although, relief has replaced my prior worry, my heart is still hammering against my chest. Nick walks slowly toward me, not realizing how preoccupied I was for the past few hours.
"You look like you could use some help?" he instantly lifts Kelly from my arms
"Or a third arm" Sarcasm and humor have always been my escape in difficult situations, but how long will hide behind them to avoid reality
Nick places Kelly delicately in his crib and strokes his cheek. I can tell he missed his son and I seize the opportunity to scan his appearance. Other that fatigue, I don't see any sign of fight or physical aggression.
"I was worried" I confess
His eyebrows furrow "About Kelly?"
"No" I take a deep breath before I admit "About you"
Surprise is written all over his face, then understanding replaces it, without thinking twice, he brings me to his chest and takes me in a much needed embrace and for the first time in my whole existence, here, now, in Nick's arms with our baby sleeping in a crib beside us, I feel finally…Home.