Chapter 7 The Grand Tour

When she woke up from her nap Nicko was gone, she looked at the watch next to her bed, and it was almost lunchtime. The breakfast tray from this morning had also been replaced. either James or Nicko had come in when she was sleeping.

Feeling refreshed after the morning's activities, She got out of bed and went into her closet to find something to wear, a white summer dress caught her eye. It was the perfect outfit to go with her mood. Then take a tour of the grant Meyer mansion in search of Nicko. Wherever he was in this big house. They still needed to talk.

*****

Nicko tried to concentrate but he could not get anything done. His mind kept on going to the events of that morning. He felt angry at himself for letting his feelings take over like that. He had not gotten any of the answers that he needed but already jumped into bed with her.

He was very aware of how his financial standing could be used against him. Everyone knew who Nickolas Meyer was. His desperation for an heir meant that any woman would be too happy to pin a baby on him, he had to be careful how he handled her from now on, or at least until he was sure of the child’s paternity.

Grace appeared at the door. Putting a halt to his thoughts.

Looking graceful. She had changed into a white dress that cupped up her bust and flowed to the bottom. He found that he couldn’t take his eyes off her pecked-up chest. Scenes from this morning clouded his mind and he felt his body stiffen at the thought of her naked body.

“I was, lonely without you, wondering where you disappeared to.” she entered and sat opposite him.

He drew in a long breath, trying to steady his heart rate. he couldn’t understand the effect she had on him. He had spent so many months angry at her. He had to set the record straight before things went any further. He came around to sit at the edge of the desk. Facing her, he noticed she didn’t have on any makeup and she smelled like fresh flowers.

“Before we commit to anything I need to know for sure about the baby’s paternity,” he spoke so softly that grace almost did not hear him.

The room fell silent for a few seconds. When she did not answer he went on.

“If it's mine, why did you disappear that night?” This was the one question that had been bothering him. “and why did you not tell me sooner, when you found out?”

'questions, questions,'

she twisted her fingers, it was not her secret to tell but she had to tell him the truth.

“When I started working for the cruise ship." she stated with a faraway look “Mr. Morgan, the owner, and captain of the ship took me under his wing. He understood me and he taught me everything about my work. and slowly I gained his confidence. Mr. Morgan was living two separate lives. He had a wife and kids in Germany that no one knows about. He couldn’t send them money through normal channels because of the paper trail...”

“So that is where you came in” cutting her off. It was so stupid, but it made sense.

“you should have told me or left a note or anything damn it!” his outburst startled both of them. “and now you show up here looking like..this” gesturing his hands towards her belly.

“I am here right now and I’m telling you what happened.” she got up, not about to let him put all the blame on her.

“You could have tracked me down if It was that important to you.” she was also fuming now

“you don’t understand, oh my word Grace, you don’t understand.” he was pacing the room now, with his hand on his waist and the other one going through his hair.

“then make me understand.” she was yelling now.

A knock interrupted them and they both turned their attention to the door.