10 - Tastes Like He Can Throw A Punch

Camila~

I couldn't play it cool anymore. "Well don't you know, trouble is my middle name," was all I could manage before I forced my way far from him to the opposite end of the kitchen. My heart was such an idiot to be racing like this on some flirt I just met yesterday!

But Nico was handsome. He must have that effect on every woman, men too, who knows.

"The sugar is up here," he was pointing upwards to the cabinet, "come and get it."

I looked up and did a calculation in my head, "what? Do you think I'm that short?" Then bounced over. He moved away, ready to watch in amusement at how I'd embarrassed myself. The moment of truth was upon me. 

Standing on my toes, I reached upwards, stretching my hands as far as they could go and...Oh no, I am short. I mean, I knew that but, this short?

I heard a faint chuckle from behind, "I would reach up to get it for you," he said, smiling, "but you can do that yourself, can you not? I'm rooting for you." Flashing me a wink, he smirked before leaving the kitchen. 

"I was going to take the milk first anyway!" I spat out. 

"It's in the fridge—"

I did not let him finish, "—the fridge, I knew that!"

The fridge was outside in the living room. My face was flustered with embarrassment at this point. "All because of some stupid tea," I grabbed the milk from the fridge and paused. "Wait, how did I forget?"

I'd been dying to meet Nico all morning just so we could talk about that stupid contract he sent to me. But we ended up...what was that? Flirting? With each other?

My phone buzzed, "oh shoot, 30 minutes more." I headed back to the kitchen to just add milk to my tea and found...everything. 

From whipped cream to sugar, there was even a tray of crackers. "What the..." Did Nico do all this?

I made my coffee and snuck in a few crackers, then wrapped the rest nice so it wouldn't get soft. Stuffing the biscuit in my mouth, I sipped on my coffee. It was getting warm so I tried to chug it all down my throat. 

At the entrance, he called out my name. I turned to find him staring at me. "I'm just heading out. Caleb knows," why was I explaining myself to him just because his expression commanded one?

"Let me drop you off."

"Oh no, it's cool—" 

"I have a sleek ride. Besides, I'm now your boss and I wanna do this. I'm leaving too so it wouldn't hurt to drop you off first." He had been walking towards me by now. 

His brows arched when I wouldn't move out of the way. "Oh sorry," I guess there would be no trying to change his mind. Besides, I could really use a ride.

I described my location and we started our journey. 

"So you want to make your demands? This divorce is really happening, isn't it?"

I didn't know I was frowning already, "well what would you expect me to do, huh? Everybody is just thinking I'm such a proud arrogant fool who's running away from her husband. But there is no husband again! He's made his choice."

"Relax, cupcake. Nobody's blaming you. In fact, I think you're very strong."

"Cupcake?"

"I'm working on it. You prefer garlic?"

I flashed him a soured look, "keep your eyes on the road please."

In twenty minutes we'd already arrived at the restaurant. "Thanks for the ride, Nico. Also, get this, if you don't explain the contract to me like I'm a baby, well, let's just say you're going to have to find a new manager." 

"My pleasure, and also, I understand, hot shot. You know, whiskey shot. Wait, how about whiskey shot?"

"Keep working on it," I said as I made an attempt to unlock the seat belt. "I think it's...stuck," I was trying to..."Or is this car too rich it doesn't work like other normal cars?"

"Relax, I dunno what's happening, I'll get it checked at the auto shop. Wait, lemme see that," 

Damn, I was not prepared for this. Leaning in, Nico's eyes were on the stuck seat belt, but mine were elsewhere. I was forced to glare at those ripped muscles slightly brushing against my skin. The way his lips parted open, eyes so heavily fixated on the belt. 

Please don't look at me, please don't look at me!

Nico was a god. There was something so mesmerizing about his eyes, like, they were intoxicating. I swallowed, I could feel his breath on mine now. I really only see hot guys like this in movies, or read about them. My breath was quickening again, could he hear the pounding in my chest?

I caught his lips...those pink lips...soft...

—moving?

His lips were moving! He was saying something. Clearing my throat, I straightened my posture. "Thank you,"

"Huh?"

"What?" What had he asked me?

"Nothing. Clearly your mind isn't here. Hey, don't worry, you'll be fine." 

Great, I wasn't bursted. "Uh, yea, yup. T-thank you." I reached for the door and opened it to step out. "Uh, I'll find my way back to Mike's. Thanks again," the fresh air eased my breath again. Great, after the whole Nico drama was over, it was time for some Jaxon—

"Camila! What the fuck?" The angry voice turned out to be Jaxon's. 

I blinked. He was rushing towards me. You'd think he was coming to headbutt me. "Uh, Jaxon, you're here early..."

"Who's this man with you, huh!" He demanded, pointing fingers. I turned to find Nico standing outside, raising my phone up. 

"You uh, forgot your phone."

"You slept over at a man's house? Camila I am talking to you, listen to me!" 

The sudden grip on my throat made my legs tripped. I lost my balance. My eyes bulged open in fear, I'd been so terrified. "Jaxon," I coughed out. "We're in public, let go of me!" 

"Let go of you? Oh Camila, I let you out just one day and you're already fucking a guy? I knew it, you cheap slut! Where is my son? Does he know about this?"

I had a feeling people were observing me, watching me...tears had gathered in my eyes. "Jaxon, st-stop!" My hands circled around his, forcing him to release me. But my nails digging into his skin was not enough. I couldn't let Caleb see this. What if some idiot decided to start recording? "Please,"

I didn't know Nico was already behind me. "She said let go," he said then, bam!

His fist met with Jaxon's face and a loud cry escaped his lips. Gasping for air, I looked around to see if anyone might have been recording. Jaxon was grunting in pain, caressing his face like fire was there. 

"Are you okay?" His hands gripped on my shoulders, then he started searching my whole body looking for signs if I'd been hurt elsewhere. "Your neck is bruised. I should get you to the hospital,"

"Camila, this isn't fair! I will sue you, and this man!"

Nico looked at me, then at Jaxon, and a soft sigh escaped his lips. He picked up Jaxon with his shirt, "Listen to me, you crazy ashole, if anything happens to Camila, I will kill you. You understand that?"

"Camila," he turned to face me. "I'll wait for you in the car." 

I could only manage to nod, but deep down, I was glad he would. "Let's go inside, Jaxon. We need to talk."