Chapter 8: Fairytale Magic (2)

"Ready to go?"

The shop assistant put the dress in a garment bag and handed it to Nick, "Have a good day sir."

"Thanks, you too." He placed his hand on my back and guided me out of the store, "We'll get dressed in my apartment and head to the party together."

"Your apartment?" I asked, which was a stupid thing to do since I was already safely in the back seat of his car while Miles drove us to said apartment.

Nick reached into his inner jacket pocket and took out his smartphone. I watched him scroll down so I assumed he was reading an email. The frown that marred his handsome face told me he didn't like the email he was reading that much. I was about to ask him about it when he suddenly opened his mouth to speak.

"Sorry about that." He pocked his phone again and gave me his full attention, "Work emails. So yeah, we're going to my apartment because I have people waiting for you to do your hair and make-up. I know you're your own woman and don't give a fuck about what people think and so on, but trust me at a party like this you'll want to put in a little effort because I know women can be cruel."

I couldn't help but to smile, "Deep inside you're actually a nice guy, aren't you?"

He held my gaze for a long minute, his blue eyes darkening as he asked me, "Want to stick around and find out?"

I honestly didn't know how to respond to that so instead, I changed the subject, "You are right, I don't give a fuck about what people will think of me, so you can call off your minions. I'll just put my hair in a messy bun and rock my nude pink lipstick."

He smiled at me, "You know I don't care about what you wear or how you do your makeup. But don't come crying to me when those cold-hearted bitches attack you in the bathroom. You do know that some words are like a sharp sword which cuts through you and make you bleed until there is nothing left of you."

"Then Marissa Swan needs to sharpen hers because that didn't even leave a scratch."

"That's because I shielded you." He tilted his head to the side, his eyes warming up to me, "Can't shield you in the bathroom, Emily."

He was indeed a nice guy who was hiding that behind his cold-hearted exterior. I guess I could play the part of a Disney princess one night. That wouldn't harm anyone. It would make us both feel more at ease.

"Fine, I'll do the hair and make-up thing."

"I'll ask them not to go overboard."

"Thank you."

Then he started texting away. As I glanced ahead a blush spread across my face when I met Miles' gaze in the rearview mirror. The warmth in his eyes took me off guard. I couldn't place that look, if I had to I'd say he was happy for Nick which didn't make a lot of sense. I wasn't the first woman Nick took to his apartment and I was sure I wouldn't be the last either. Fairytale magic only lasted till the clock strikes twelve after all.

As we entered his apartment I left my bag on his leather couch while his minions took me away to which I assumed was his guest room. They stalled out their supplies there and did my hair and make-up while Nick took a shower in his bathroom and got dressed. Once we were both dressed and ready we climbed into the backseat of his car again. This time looking like models who stepped out of a magazine. Nick always looked good, no one would argue me with that. But this time I actually looked pretty amazing too. They didn't go overboard just like Nick asked of them yet somehow it felt like another woman stared back at me when I glanced in the mirror.

"Thanks for the shoes." I said glancing down at my feet which were encased in the most beautiful silver sandals I had ever seen, "They're gorgeous."

"You're welcome." His eyes did an once over again, "You're still you Emily, I'm glad they didn't go overboard." He placed his hand on top of mine, "After all the girl who piqued my interest wears neon colored underwear and rambles on and on without knowing when to stop."

I snorted, "You're too damn focused on my underwear."

Nick chuckled, pressing a button which made the privacy screen go up. So we were probably having a conversation which Miles could not be a part of. I didn't mind though, I rather not share my underwear choices with everyone.

"You want me to focus only on your underwear."

"When did I say such a thing?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, "When you told me not to see Estelle anymore."

"I said that because you told me off about Brandon!"

"So you could leave me at any point you want, you just said those things out of anger?"

I wanted to say yes, but I couldn't. The truth was I didn't want to see another model standing at his side. I wanted it to be me. So I could either keep on lying, playing hard to get and lose his interest. Or I could be honest and stick around long enough to find out who Nicolas Woods really was. Just like he asked me earlier today.

Nick interrupted my thoughts by asking me, "What do you want Emily?"

I took a minute before I answered honestly, not caring what he'd think of me, "You."

I gasped when he suddenly kissed me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulled me up in his lap. It was uncomfortable with my long dress but he pushed it up so I could actually straddle him. My dress would probably be ruined, but I didn't care. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back just as passionately. Nick trailed his hands over my bare legs, sending shivers down my spine, and gripped my thighs firmly in his hands. My hands traveled over his chest toward his stomach, feeling his chest moving rapidly up and down. Nick was not as cool-headed as I thought he was. He was just as lost in the passion as me. I grabbed onto his fly an unzipped his pants, taking his dress shirt out of his pants. He slightly pulled away from me, resting his forehead against mine while he tried to catch his breath.

"We shouldn't be doing this." I heard the smile in his voice, "I don't want to get you all messy."

I brushed my fingers over his lips before trailing them down to his shirt and helping him straighten his clothes again. We were both smiling and kissing each other while we tried to fix ourselves the best we could. Nick brushed his fingers over my dress and let his eyes wander from my head to my toes.

"You are beautiful." He whispered to me, "You do the dress justice not the other way around."

His compliment made me blush all over, even worse than when he brought up my underwear in front of Miles.

"Thank you," I whispered back.

Smiling Nick held his hand out to me, "Ready?"

I don't think anyone could be ready for the social thing we had to do, but I nodded anyway. Just wanting to get this thing over with.

"You need to tune them out." He whispered, "Just focus on me, okay?"

I never voiced out my concerns yet he read me like an open book. I was definitely going to stick around to see where this was going.

It was hard to tune out the flashing lights though, I was still sitting in the car but I already could tell that I'd be blinded by them while we would pass the photographers. Nick tightened his grip on my hand and leaned in, pressing a firm kiss to my temple.

"Just remember what I told you." He encouraged me, before getting out of the car.

He walked around the car, flashing a charming smile to one of the reporters who apparently called out to him. He opened the door for me and helped me out of the car, placing his hand on my lower back while he led me through the crowd. I did what Nick told me in the car and only focused on him. His cologne wrapped around us, and actually had a calming effect on me. Once we passed the reporters who called for Nick's attention, we made our way to the bar where Evan was standing together with a beautiful woman at his side and two other men who seemed to be his friends.

"If it isn't the lovely Emily." Evan called, completely ignoring Nick while he kissed my cheek, "I had a feeling Nick would ask you to accompany him today."

I glanced at Nick who didn't seem very happy with Evan right now, "Since he asked nicely I couldn't refuse." I flashed Evan a charming smile and felt Nick pinch my side playfully.

Nick wrapped his arm around my waist and introduced me to Evan's date who was apparently his sister. She was two years older than me but looked far more mature. I guessed it was because of the lifestyle she grew up with.

"Nice to meet you, Emily." Priscilla greeted politely.

She raised her champagne flute to Nick, "Always a pleasure Nick."

"Don't sound too excited, P." He muttered sarcastically.

I could feel the tension between Nick and Priscilla. It made me wonder if something might have happened between them. Evan, however, didn't give me time to observe it because he pushed a champagne flute in my hand and raised his the same way Priscilla had to Nick.

"Enjoy."

I took a sip from the gold-colored liquid, "Thanks."

After formal introductions to Nick's business associates and some of his friends, he led me to the dance floor. He actually tried to make this an enjoyable night for me. He never left my side and kissed me from time to time. I could feel a lot of stares on us, but I remembered Nick's words from the car and focused only on him. After the party was over Miles drove us to my apartment and waited patiently outside like always while Nick walked me to my apartment. He slowly trailed behind me while I searched through my bag for my keys. After I got dressed in Nick's apartment before he took my bag with him and put it in the trunk of his car so I wouldn't forget it after the party was over. It was very considerate of him. He needed to stop being that charming already. Unlocking the door I opened it and stepped inside my apartment, leaning against the doorpost as I took in the sight of Nick standing in the breezeway. He flashed me his full-on HD Hollywood smile which could blind people.

"I actually had a great time," I told him.

His smile never faltered, "Glad you enjoyed yourself. I also had a great time, Emily."

"That being said-" I bit my lip once and looked away from his piercing blue eyes, "I don't think it's wise for me to invite you in right now."

"That's a wise decision indeed." He agreed which made me frown, "You should make me work of it."

Smiling I beckoned him over and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his jaw, "I'll see you around, Nicolas Woods."

He pressed his cheek against mine, his hot breath tickling my neck, "You'll be hearing from me, Emily." He whispered before he pulled away and gave me a soft kiss on the lips.

With that, he disappeared from sight. Closing the door and locking it I leaned against it, finally letting out a sigh. Giving Nick a chance was probably not a smart move, but I'd hate myself even more if I never gave it a shot, to begin with. So even though I might get burned in the end, I'd give Nicolas a chance and see where this was heading.