Alyssa stared at the gigantic twin towers of the commercial complex in front of her with awe. How did she get an opportunity at such a place with no experience at all? She went straight up the elevator to the seventeenth floor where Cygnus Financial Services spanned the entire area. She loved the extensive and grand office where she would be working if selected. She just prayed that the CEO would choose her! The receptionist directed her towards the lobby in front of the CEO's office and she waited patiently noting that she was the only one there. Did he not summon anyone else for the interview? Alyssa felt nervous being the only one to be interviewed. Did Lucas give in a recommendation for her? The sound of heels clicking towards her made her look up to see a scowling middle-aged woman, elegantly dressed in a pantsuit walking towards her. “Ms. Alyssa Van Every?” she asked in a haughty tone making her cringe and wonder what the woman had against her!“Yes,” she answered, calming her

“Are you planning to go out with me wearing this?” Nicholas asked, his voice heavy with lust. His nearness had a strange effect on her body and she felt aroused with a crazy wish to feel his touch. Remembering the two unfinished kisses they had shared, at that moment all she wanted was to pick up where they left off. “No, you arrived early. I was just getting ready,” she managed to say, finally finding her voice. Her common sense prodded her to push him away and escape to her bedroom to get ready yet she was unable to do so. Feeling his hot breath caress her face, she finally looked up into his eyes. Placing his arms on either side of her, he trapped her between his body and the door. “Damn.. you’re beautiful,” he whispered, lifting a finger to caress her cheek, trailing it down to her lips. His open compliment turned her insides to mush and at that moment, she just wanted to grab him and kiss him full on his lips. With the intoxicating scent of his cologne turning her on, she noted

Nicholas’s reply stunned Alyssa but before she could ask him anything further, their server brought them their dessert. Alyssa dug into her chocolate mousse dunked in raspberry coulis, forgetting about everything around her. With every bite, a moan of pure bliss escaped her mouth leaving Nicholas craving her more. The attraction he felt for her multiplied and he had no idea how to handle it anymore. Although he had his kiss, he now craved for a repeat. After three hours, they returned to pier 36 and to their car but Nicholas kept thinking of ways to ask her out again. “Did you enjoy your first day at work?” Alyssa nodded not complaining about her rude colleagues. That was her problem and she was mature enough to deal with it herself. “It was a great learning experience. Thanks for the opportunity.” Her acknowledgment meant a lot to him. “My pleasure but I don’t think Alexander will allow you to work for long.” Alyssa shrugged not bothering about it. “That’s his problem. I’m going

“Don’t you seem to be in a hurry to throw me out?” asked Nicholas, watching her with hooded eyes as she bustled about in the kitchen. Alyssa was acutely aware of his stare and of his promise of another kiss but she tried hard to look busy. She wouldn’t allow another kiss at all! Nicholas was toxic to her system and she wouldn’t let him crawl under her skin and into her heart. “No, I need to go and see Hayley. I have two tickets to an evening movie show and I want her to tag along.” Contrary to her expectations, that got Nicholas’s attention and he ambled towards her, his eyes fixed upon his prey. “Why can’t I come along?” he asked innocently and Alyssa would have believed him if she didn’t know otherwise. “No, you can’t. Look, I know why you’re chasing me, Nicholas. So why don’t you stop? It’s not working and Alexander isn’t here to see your conquests,” muttered Alyssa. Nicholas’s jaws dropped at her implications. He had that motive earlier but now it was purely out of interest tha

Soon Alyssa forgot their topic of discussion as she munched on the crispy beer battered fish dipped in ranch dressing. “This is amazing! I love this dressing! Where did you get it from?” rambled Alyssa while Nicholas watched her with a small smile of satisfaction on his face. “Let it be a secret so that I can be the one to bring it to you whenever you want it.” Alyssa didn’t mind his creepy retort and tucked into a slice of deep-dish cheesesteak pizza that was her absolute favorite. “I ordered the same thing last week at Lucas’s house and Sienna and mom loved it too.” “Oh, they might be knowing your secret restaurant. I’ll ask Sienna.” She grinned at Nicholas who groaned. It was the first time they ate amicably, without fighting, without arguing. Nicholas told her how he panicked when he received his mom's distress call. “What happened to granny?” Nicholas looked a little upset and told her about granny’s sudden sickness. “She fell unconscious all of a sudden and when mom checked,