Nikola and Sheryl did not go over his schedule each morning. All Nikola had to do was pull up his calendar on his computer or tablet to know of any meetings for the day, but again, he liked this little bit of extra attention from Devyn so he went with it.
“Come in and sit, Ms. Williams,” He said waving her in. Devyn entered his office and sat in one of the chairs directly across from his. As she sat down, Nikola caught a whiff of her perfume. It smelled like some sort of tropical fruit and coconut. Opening up her iPad, Devyn pulled up Nikola’s schedule for the day.
“You have a 9:00 a.m. with Mr. McCallister over the deal with his company. Sheryl left an extra folder with documents you may want to review for that meeting, although she left a note saying they were copies, and you already had the originals.” Nikola nodded. He didn’t want to give away that he already knew his schedule by heart and thoroughly studied the necessary documents. He knew these types of reminders were necessary when working with his brother. Andre was practically a genius when it came to numbers, but he could be extremely forgetful when it came to meetings, signing papers, or anything else having to do with keeping a schedule. Nikola was the opposite; he was meticulous when it came to keeping a schedule. He’d learned the importance of being organized and double checking things at West Point and leading his own unit in the Army. He could keep many important and minut details in his head, easily.
Nikola sat back as he listened to Devyn talking, enjoying the melodic tone of her voice. He found it soothing to him for some reason. He fought himself to resist the urge to close his eyes, as if he was listening to one of his favorite symphonies. The appeal of Devyn’s voice was nearly as pleasurable.
“Mr. Collins…” Nikola heard his name and snapped out of his thinking to see a questioning look on Devyn’s beautiful face. Clearing his throat he asked, “I’m sorry. What was that Ms. Williams?”
“I was saying, we need to work on the details for the Memorial Day Gala. I have a list of contacts that was left by Sheryl. She and I worked on last year’s gala, so I feel pretty comfortable handling most of the details. I wanted to know if you think it best that you and I meet sometime this week to go over the bookings we have so far?”
The Memorial Day Gala was an event Excel held every Friday on Memorial Day weekend as a fundraiser for local and national charities. Most of the who’s who in Atlanta, Miami, New York and even Washington showed up at the event.
“Sure, how about we put aside time to meet each Wednesday and Friday for the next few weeks to plan and go over the arrangements.”
“Okay. I will update our schedules as soon as I return to my desk. Does 3:00 p.m. work?”
“That’s fine,” Nikola replied.
Devyn began folding her iPad, preparing to leave.
“Oh, I almost forgot. There was only one phone message. It was left Friday afternoon. It’s from a Cindy.” Devyn stated looking down at the form she wrote the phone message on. “She wanted you to confirm for a lunch you were supposed to have this week.”
Nikola tried hard not to roll his eyes. He had been putting Cindy off since he had lunch with her the previous week. Cindy was an art curator, and was very good at her job. Her eye for classic art helped him pick out a number of pieces for his home and even for those that would be auctioned off at this years’ Memorial Day Gala, but Nikola was never one for long-term relationships. He told her from the beginning any relationship they had would not last long. It’d been about two months since they first slept together, and he was ready to move on. He would have to let her know they were over, but he’d put it off for a little while, not wanting to deal with any ensuing drama.
“I’ll take that,” he said reaching for the phone message.
“Is there anything else?” he asked.
“No. I’ll be at my desk.”
“Thank you, Ms. Williams,” Nikola watched her walk out his office, and in spite of his better judgement his gazed traveled down her back to her plump behind. He pictured himself squeezing that behind as she rode him or as he pumped into her from the back. He grunted trying to rid himself of that vision. It had been a few weeks since the last time he had sex. Maybe he would avoid breaking it off with Cindy for a little while longer to exorcise the mounting desire he felt for Devyn Williams.
* * * *
“Hi Nik, I’ve been waiting for your call,” Cindy purred into the phone. The sound grated on Nikola’s nerves. Nikola was irritated with himself for calling a woman who he was finding more and more annoying, but he felt like he needed some sort of outlet for his sexual desires.
It’d been a week and a half since Devyn began working in his office. Each morning she brought him in a cup of coffee and met with him to go over his schedule for the day. Nikola began showing up to work earlier than usual, just so he would be in the office when she delivered his coffee. He found himself taking more and more trips to his outer office to ask questions he could have easily picked up the phone and have answered. During their bi-weekly meetings on the gala he had to refrain from sitting too close to her to get a whiff of the scent that he came to identify with her. He had another week and a half before Andre returned, and Devyn would go back to working with him. He was tempted, on more than one occasion, to call his brother and tell him to stay away longer. Andre was scheduled to return a week before the gala. Nikola knew Andre needed to be home in order to be present at some important meetings the week before the gala, as well to get his tuxedo fitted.
“I’ve been busy with work,” he responded curtly.
“Oh, well, I have a friend who gave me tickets to a show next Friday night and wanted to know if you wanted to come with me,” she announced happily.
“What kind of show?” He asked.
“That’s a surprise, but I hear it’s worth it,” she stated avoiding the type of show, knowing he would turn her down if she told.
“I don’t like secrets,” he said flatly.
“I know and trust me it’s nothing bad or illegal or anything. It’s just a performance.” Sighing, Nikola thought of what she could be up to. Figuring that whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly be that bad, he agreed.
“When is this performance and where?” He asked.
“It’s next Friday. I wanted to give you some time, hoping you hadn’t made plans yet.” Nikola hadn’t made plans for the following weekend, but he didn’t want to give away too much.
“What time does it start? I may have a meeting that evening.”
“Oh. Well, the show starts at 8:00 p.m., but I was thinking we could go out to dinner beforehand.”
“8:00 p.m. sounds fine. I will have to check my schedule about dinner.”
“Great. Call me when you check. Maybe we could go out this weekend, if you’re not busy?” Cindy said attempting to sound coy.
“I have a packed schedule this weekend. Let me check my calendar for next Friday and get back to you about dinner. I will call you.”
“Okay. Don’t forget,” she said just before he hung up. Nikola agreed to go out with Cindy the following weekend, but he knew that would be their last date. Usually he had Sheryl send a parting gift of some sort, and flowers to console a woman after their break up, but he didn’t feel right asking Devyn to do this with Cindy. He tried not to think too hard into why that was.
About an hour later, Nikola was working when he heard the familiar laughter of the only woman to ever hold his heart. Rising he strolled out of his office to where he heard voices laughing and talking.
“He was always my stubborn child. Just like his father, he refused to take no for an answer.” Iris Collins was telling Devyn as Nikola rounded the corner out of his office.
“Mama, what are you doing here?” He asked, greeting his mother with a kiss on the cheek.
“Hi, Nicky. How come you didn’t tell me Devyn was working for you while Andre was away? I went to say hello to her while I was here, and found an empty chair, much to my chagrin.” Iris ignored, Nikola’s question. Nikola knew his mother h
eld great affection for Devyn. Whenever she came to visit their office, she made sure to stop by and say hello to Devyn. Iris commented one time that she could tell Devyn had a good heart and would make a great mother. Iris Collins’ only two regrets in this world were that she did not stop her husband from taking the car out the day he had his fatal accident, and that neither one of her sons had made her a grandmother yet.
“I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t know you would be stopping by or else I would have told you.” Nikola managed to look contrite about neglecting this piece of information. He suspected his mother would have pressed him about Devyn working for him if she knew.
“It’s fine. I was just telling Devyn how you were always my hardheaded child, but always protective. Let me tell you about the time he went to beat up the Senator’s son for picking on his younger brother…” Iris started, looking at Devyn.
“Mama, Ms. Williams doesn’t want to hear about my childhood stories. I’m sure she has some work to do,” Nikola said, avoiding eye contact with Devyn.
“Oh well. I’ll save those stories for later. Now, he’s not being too hard on you, is he Devyn?” Mrs. Collins asked.
“No, ma’am. He’s not at all,” Devyn answered honestly.
“Mama, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?” Nikola asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Of course, son. I just wanted to pop by for a visit. You never visit.” Nikola tried not to roll his eyes.
“Mama, I was just over this weekend.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, I just wanted to see you again to discuss this year’s gala. You’re coming this year, aren’t you Devyn.” Devyn smiled brightly, and Nikola’s heart flip flopped. “Yes, ma’am. I am, of course.”
“Great. We will have to discuss our gala attire later.”
“I’ll be here,” Devyn retorted.
“Come, Mama.” Nikola took his mother’s arm, guiding her to his office.
“She such a nice girl,” Iris sighed as she entered Nikola’s office.
“And doesn’t she look fabulous in that red, today?” Iris asked innocently. Nikola nodded, not wanting to give away that his heart rate tripled when Devyn walked into his office this morning wearing a red chiffon blouse with a white skirt with red pumps. Red was definitely her color. In fact, Nikola figured that every color worked well on Devyn, but red was definitely his favorite on her.
“I don’t know what happened, but when she first started working for Andre, she never wore color. It was all blacks, dark browns and blues, but about a year and a half ago she began wearing more and more color. She looks happier too. I wonder what changed.” Iris looked quizzically at Nikola. His mother was very observant. He knew she could hone in on subtle changes and draw serious conclusions. He began to wonder if something made Devyn change her wardrobe, but refused to give his thoughts away to his mother. He shrugged. “I don’t know, Mama. I hadn’t noticed,” he lied.
“I’m sure,” she said in that way that let him know the wheels were turning in her head. Wanting to get her mind off of Devyn, he decided to change the subject.
“Speaking of clothing, have you chosen a dress for the gala yet?” Iris loved the gala and looked forward to it to ring in the summer season. They spent another few minutes discussing the gala, and what they were wearing, who was attending and all the items that had been donated for the silent auction. Of course, afterwards, Iris asked Nikola if he was dating anyone, which turned into another ten minute speech on how she was not getting any younger. Iris Collins wanted grandchildren. Nikola held his tongue as his dramatic mother lamented about not being able to enjoy grandchildren because she would be old and shriveled by the time either one of her sons settled down and had children. Nikola knew that was a lie. His mother was in her sixties, but was still had a very active social life and looked nearly twenty years younger than her actual age. After about thirty minutes, Nikola walked his mom to the elevators, with promises to visit her this weekend, which he often did when he was in town. As he returned to his office, he couldn’t help taking another peek at Devyn as she worked on some report on the computer. She wore her hair up in a high curly puff, once again showing off the column of her neck. When she smiled at him upon his return, Nikola had to put his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching out and touching her.
He sighed. One more week and Andre would be back, Devyn would return back downstairs and everything would be back to normal.
Chapter 6
“Now that the menu has been finalized, I am sure the event will be a success. This caterer is the best in the city.” Nikola looked at Devyn as she talked excitedly about the details of the gala. He was impressed by the ideas she’d come up with for the gala. The addition of an online aspect to the silent auction was already beginning to drum up more interest than last year’s event. He was looking forward to seeing how it all turned out; sure it would be a huge success.
Today was Friday, the last day they would be working together. Andre was scheduled to return over the weekend, and would be back in the office, Monday morning. Despite knowing his brother’s return was for the best, Nikola felt something strangely close to longing, knowing Devyn would no longer be working with him.
“Oh, before I forget. I called the temp agency about sending someone over to work for you for the next few months until Sheryl returns. They sent over the resumes last week, but I haven’t had a chance to look at them. Did you receive them? I forwarded the names to you,” Devyn inquired.
Nikola received the resumes, but avoided looking at them. The thought of someone else besides Devyn sitting in his assistant’s chair did not sit well with him. It had only been a few weeks, but he looked forward to their daily morning meetings and working directly with her on the gala. He knew he would have to choose a temporary assistant soon.
“If you want, I can go over the resumes with you. If you’re too busy, I can even interview the perspective temps.”
“That’s fine, Ms. Williams. How about you print out the resumes and we will review them and narrow the prospects down to two people to interview.”
“Sure, I have the resumes printed out already. Let me grab them from my desk,” she said standing to exit his office. When she returned she was holding four resumes, she fanned them out on his desk. Nikola stood and came around his desk to sit in the chair next to Devyn to get a better view of the resumes. Reaching for the resume she held, his hand brushed hers and he felt an electric current run through his fingers. The way Devyn jumped slightly told Nikola that she felt it too. Nikola wanted to touch her more. He wanted to know if the rest of her skin felt as smooth and soft.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly before reaching for another resume.
“I don’t think this one will work. She doesn’t have the computer skill set you need,” Devyn stated looking at the resume in her hand. He looked briefly at the resume and agreed. Devyn placed that one down and together they went through the other three resumes, narrowing the choice down to two candidates to interview.
“Now, that that is finished let's discuss some last minute details for the gala,” Nikola stated wanting to get off the subject of a new administrative assistant. They went over more details of the gala, Devyn also noting that Andre would need to schedule an appointment to have his tuxedo tailored. They discussed the times and locations the driver would pick each of the Collins family members up.
“How are you arriving to the gala, Ms. Williams?”
“I usually drive.”
“You’re planning on driving?” Nikola was trying to find out if Devyn was bringing a date to the gala. He had never asked about her personal life. He wanted to know if she was seeing someone.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“That’s nonsense. What if you plan on drinking? I’m sure we can arrange a car to pick you and your date up and take you back home,” he said reaching for his phone, ready to call the car service to schedule a pickup for her for the gala.
Devyn reached for his h
and, halting him. “That’s not necessary. I don’t have a date and I don’t drink that much anyway.” Nikola looked at her hand on top of his. This was the first real physical contact they had and he felt the warmth from her touch radiate up his arm and throughout his body. Devyn noting the way he stared at her hand on his, thought he was angry. She quickly removed her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“For what, Ms. Williams?” He asked staring in her eyes.
“Um, uh, for touching you like that. I just, uh, didn’t want you to go through the trouble of requesting a car for me.”
“Is that all you’re sorry for?” Nikola asked cryptically, as he took her hand in his and began tracing circles on the top of her hand with his thumb.
“Uh, huh,” Devyn was having trouble forming words as his thumb stroked her hand, and he continued to stare at her with such intensity.
“So you’re not sorry for driving me crazy for the last three weeks?” His eyes burned into hers.
Devyn swallowed thickly, the touch of his circling thumb sending sensations straight to her core. She stared into his crystal blue eyes and could barely comprehend a proper thought.
“I– uh, excuse me?” Devyn asked finally acknowledging his question.
“I asked, are you not sorry for driving me crazy for the last three weeks? The way you breeze in the office in the mornings handing me coffee in your unintentionally sexy outfits.” Nikola knew he was crossing the line, but he was beyond caring.
“Every morning you come in smelling like some fruit or flower and coconut,” he said leaning in closer as he inhaled her scent.
“Hibiscus.”
“What?” He leaned back and asked.
“Coconut and hibiscus. It’s the scent of the body lotion I use.”
“Shit.” Nikola swore at the image of her lathering herself with the lotion. The hand that was stroking her hand moved up to cup her cheek. “Don’t ever change brands. It suits you.”
Nikola looked down at her full lips, begging to be kissed. He grazed his thumb over her bottom lip and groaned when Devyn stuck out her tongue to lick his thumb. Without further thought he leaned down capturing her mouth with his lips. Nikola tried to draw her closer, but was halted by the arms of both their chairs in the way. To remedy this, Nikola stood, pulling Devyn with him, cupping both sides of her face with his hands.
Black Pearl: a BBW, BWWM, Alpha Male romance Page 3
