ina wanted to run out of his arms, but she liked the warmth and how his muscular arms made her feel safe and content.

A shiver skidded up and down her spine when he whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and bit down on her bottom lip, trying her best to contain the whimper that wanted to escape when his teeth nibbled her earlobe.

Nina placed her hands against his chest and leaned back so she could see his face. What game was he playing? He was so hot and cold, and she was tired of it.

"What do you want?" she asked again, glaring at him.

Her mind was still reeling from when he told her they could never be together.

"I wanted to thank you."

Nina felt the pounding of his heartbeat through her hand. It was fast and steady and she wondered if she was the cause of it beating so quickly.

"For what?"

"For taking care of Nadia."

Nina glanced down at his chest.

"No need to be thankful. It's my job, right?"

Tristan shook his head. "I can tell you really care about her well-being."

Tristan lifted her chin. Tristan bent down so his mouth was only inches away from hers. Nina stared at him and she couldn't help the fluttering in her stomach.

"Don't do this," Nina said, hating the crack in her voice.

"Don't do what?" he asked, rubbing her cheek.

Nina stepped out of his embrace.

"It's midnight. You should go to bed."

Tristan stepped closer in an instant and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You're not acting professionally right now," she said, stepping back.

Tristan sighed. "I was being an ass."

"I'm glad you know that. You really hurt my feelings."

Tristan placed a gentle kiss against her forehead.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled.

Nina glanced up at him.

"You say sorry now but I'm afraid you'll act the same towards me," she said, backing out of his embrace.

Nina wondered if Tristan understood where she was coming from. One moment he was so into her, the next moment he wasn't. It was like she was on a roller coaster filled with Tristan's emotional ups and downs.

When Tristan didn't say anything in response to her she stepped further away from him. She walked towards her door and opened it.

"I'm tired."

Tristan stared at her a moment before he left her room.

Nina trudged over to her bed and cut off the lamp on the bedside table. She snuggled deeper under the covers, wiping away a tear the fell against her cheek.

***

After that night when Nina told Tristan that he said he was sorry but that didn't mean he wouldn't start acting as if she didn't exist, she realized she was right.

Tristan would barely look in her direction when they passed each other or when they ate dinner. He only focused his attention on her when it concerned Nadia.

Nina tried her best not to let the way he acted towards her affect her but it did. She found herself giving him the same treatment. She told herself it was better this way.

She didn't need to start liking someone who would eventually hurt her just like her ex. Maybe Tristan was right. They should strictly keep it professional and not get emotionally tied to one another.

Nina realized that Tristan had left his briefcase at home with all of his important paperwork inside. She had called him to let him know. He had asked her to come to his job and give her the briefcase.

She was reluctant to do so since she was still irritated with him. She knew he had a major meeting with a potential client so he needed the paperwork before the meeting started.

After dropping Nadia off at school, Nina got on the highway and headed towards Tristan's workplace. Nina made it and realized it was one of the main buildings downtown that was a high rise.

The closer Nina got to the building she noticed how the sun hit the building causing it to shine brightly. Nina stepped inside the building and noticed there was a small lobby. It had two chairs on opposite ends and plants positioned in the corners.

Nina walked up to the desk to see a white woman with red hair and freckles typing on her computer. She looked to be in her twenties. She smiled at Nina when Nina approached her with a hello.

"I'm Elaine. How can I help you?" she asked, still smiling.

Nina found herself smiling too.

"Hi, I'm looking to speak with Tristan Thompson."

"Do you have an appointment?"

Nina shook her head. "No, but he's expecting me. He left his briefcase at home so I'm delivering it to him."

Nina noticed Elaine's eyes widened when she mentioned he'd left his briefcase at home. That did imply that they lived together and that maybe Nina was his girlfriend. Nina found herself smiling at the fact of Elaine thinking that she could possibly be his woman.

"Let me call him. One moment please," she said, picking up the phone's receiver.

Nina told her to take her time. Nina glanced around the lobby once more. She saw employees stepping in and out of the two elevators. Most of the employees were smiling and in good spirits.

Nina glanced away from them. Her eyes landed on a large framed photo of Tristan. It was in black and white but it didn't take anything away from how confident he looked. He was smiling showing his straight white teeth. He was wearing a suit and even from that picture you could see how muscular he was.

At the bottom of the picture, there was something written. Nina leaned forward to see the picture better. The writing said, Founder and CEO Tristan Thompson.

Nina smiled at that.

"You can go on up to the twenty-fifth floor," Elaine said.

Nina looked back at Elaine and thanked her.

Nina stepped inside one of the elevators by herself. She was the only one inside it. She punched the button that had the number twenty-five on it. The doors closed and Nina hummed along to the elevator music.

Some people got on and got off by the time she reached the twenty-fifth floor. Nina stepped off the elevator and saw a familiar face sitting at a desk typing on the computer.

"Hi, Greg," she said, as she stopped at his desk.

Greg lifted his head and immediately smiled when he saw her.

Nina had taken a liking to him the first time she met him.

"Nina, how are you?" he asked, standing up.

"I'm fine. I'm here to give Tristan his briefcase."

Greg nodded and laughed. "Yeah, he was angry with himself for forgetting it especially having those important documents inside."

Nina chuckled. "Can I see him?"

"Yeah, let me call him to let him know you're here."

Nina watched Greg do exactly what Elaine did.

Greg ended the call.

"He's anxiously waiting for you. You can go to his office."

"We'll talk later," Nina said smiling.

Greg agreed and returned to typing on the computer.

Nina walked up to his office door and knocked.

***

Hey, guys. Why can't they just be together? smh. Let me know what you think in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to comment, vote, and share :).