His Lovely Obsession (English) novel Chapter 21

Nick felt her her reaction. He frowned then asked, "Honey? Is something wrong?"

Stacey bit the bottom of her lip. "Can you help me to the bathroom so I can clean up? We can't talk properly if we are in this position." she made her tone sound light.

Nick narrowed his eyes but he obliged without saying anything.

***

They are now seated side by side on the couch. He is holding her hand. They just finished eating cake and are now drinking wine. Nick placed the wine glass with his other hand on the center table after taking a sip.

"Honey.." he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Stacey turned her head to her left to face him. He traced the side of her face with his index finger.

"You are so lovely." he said.

Through her sleep mask, she closed her eyes. She likes the feel of his finger running on the side of her face. She had a sudden feeling of wanting to touch him too.

"Can I touch you too? " she asked in a small voice.

"Like before, I will let you touch my face but my hands will guide you. You can only touch me where I will allow you too, okay?" He whispered to her ear in his croaky voice.

She nodded. He took her hands then he let her palms cup his face.

He has smooth skin! Stacey muttered to herself.

After a few seconds Nick led her hands to his chest. "Now you can let your hands roam from my chest down." he said with a trace of playfulness in his tone.

Stacey can sense that he is smiling. She felt the firm and hard muscles of his upper torso.She also let her hands roam on his biceps. She stopped herself from showing a reaction . His body feels like every woman's fantasy. It beats her why he doesn't want her to see him. She wonders what's wrong with his physical appearance.

"Why don't you want me to see you?"

Nick's forehead creased. "I already told you why, didn't I ?" he asked.

She pouted. "Derick, it doesn't matter to me how you look like. I am not after physical features." she said honestly.

Now she is beginning to think of a lot of things. She frowned a little when she thought of a reason why he doesn't want her to see his face. "Are you married?"

She heard him cursed. She quickly removed her hands from his body.

Nick leaned on the sofa and grabbed some of his hair in frustration.

Stacey's hands are shaking a little as she put them on her lap. GOSH! He doesn't want me to see him because he is probably married! She told herself.

Nick leaned forward and got something from the center table.

"I don't want to be involved with married men Derick. "

"DAMMIT honey! What are you saying? I am not married okay?! Will you stop talking rubbish?" he said in an irritated tone before he took her left hand.

" Can you blame me? It beats me why you don't want me to see your face!" she said with a pout.

Nick raked his fingers through his hair. " I told you that you will see me but not yet! " he asked her with a throaty voice.

"When? I told you many times that I don't care how you look like! I will still accept you no matter what!" she said with a trace of irritation in her voice.

Nick sighed. He wants to believe her but he likes their relationship to be deeper before he reveals himself. Stacey is a very special woman. An extraordinary one. He wants to reassure himself that she will like the real Nick not the Nick that most people know.

"Honey...just trust me okay? I want this to work. please." he pleased and she just sighed. "I want to give you this." he added.

Stacey felt something cold around her wrist. "What is it? Is it a bracelet?" she asked. That reminded her of the Pandora bracelet which Tyler wanted to give her.

"Yes. I had this custom-made for you. Don't ever take it off. This is the surprise I told you."

She touched it with her other hand. She almost frowned. It doesn't seem to be just an ordinary bracelet.

"Can't I peek?" she asked.

He chuckled."No honey."

"What if I don't want to accept it?"

Her question caught Nick off guard. He didn't speak for a while. He knows that most women appreciate surprises especially jewelry. His mother's eyes light up when she gets jewelry as a present from his father but Stacey is really different. But he doesn't know if he likes that or not in this situation.

"Derick?"

"And why on earth won't you accept it?" he asked in a cold voice.

"Because I don't accept expensive gifts from men." she said honestly.

"Don't you consider me special? I am not like the other men you know." his tone sounds a little annoyed.

That made her bit her tongue. Definitely Derick is different. He is her devirginizer. They had sex more than once.

"Take it honey. That is really for you."

She pouted. "Can I see it first? I won't look at your face. I promise. I don't think this is just an ordinary bracelet lang."

"You can look at it later ." he said with finality.

She frowned. "What if I accept this? What's next?" She doesn't want to entertain the thought that he would want something in return and she wants him to realize that she can't be bought by expensive things.

"Are you thinking that I want something in exchange of that? Or maybe you think that I am buying or worst paying you?" he asked while gritting his teeth.

She let out a heavy sigh again. He can read her like a book. And she doesn't like that. He can sense how she feels or what's in her mind but she can't do the same with him. He is so mysterious and secretive. It is not fair. She felt him stand up.

Nick raked his hand through his hair. He is pissed because he thought Stacey will be delighted with his gift. It was just a simple present and he doesn't like that she is making an issue of it. But actually he feels guilty because he even thought that she is a gold-digger. Now he realized his mistake. She is not a money-grubber.

Calm down Alcantara! You messed up big time when you thought the worst of her! If you want to keep her, you have to be more patient! He scolded himself.

He got used to getting his way all the time but this is Stacey. He has to be more patient.

This man is so sensitive! Maybe I should just accept this but after seeing it and it is way too expensive, then I will give it back. Stacey thought.

"Don't you want to be my woman?" he suddenly asked out of the blue.

That made her raised her head. She knows that he is just a few steps away from her. She frowned.

"I- I don't know. Our set -up is too unusual. I want a boyfriend who could go out on normal dates with me. A boyfriend who I can see and touch any time I want to. How can you be my boyfriend if you don't want me to see your face? I told you many times that looks don't matter to me." she reminded him.She felt him come near her but he didn't sit next to her.

Nick stood in front of her for a few seconds before he bent one of his knees so he can take her hand and look at her face. Much as he wants her to be his, he has to agree that their set -up is complicated. Patience is a virtue.

" I really want you to be my official girlfriend but I will wait until you say yes .So are you accepting my gift , honey?" he sounded hopeful. He kissed her hand with the bracelet.

She bit her bottom lip . Nick felt relieved when she finally nodded and said yes. He stood up and gently pulled her hand . He kissed her forehead and gave her a smack on the lips.

"You won't be regretful honey." he whispered.

***

Just like before, he let her drive her car while he follows her with his big bike.

When she took off the sleeping mask, she took a look at the bracelet and she gaped.It is very beautiful. Her forehead creased when she realized that it sure looks very expensive.

It's a diamond heart charm bracelet. Sighing heavily, she took it off and put it in her bag. She will talk to Derick about it later.

(Nick)

He got her number and he used another number to text her. They can't often meet because he is afraid that if they do, she might start to be suspicious. They will be seeing each other almost every day at his office, him as Nick. But as Derick, he has to be clean-shaven. His stubble takes more than one day to grow. He could meet her as Derick every Friday. By Monday, as Nick, his stubble would be visible.

But as Derick, he has to call her regularly to make her feel how important she is to him.

In his office as Nick, he has to maintain their boss-employee relationship. He has to practice mind-control all the time because he is positive that it will not be easy being close to her without wanting to touch her. It's not going to be easy but he is willing to do everything just to have the relationship he wants with her.

He was ready to go to the shower when his phone rang. "Billy?"

He heard a heavy sigh.

"Mate! I have been calling you but you're not picking up! What the hell is going on?" his friend asked.

"Going on with what?" he asked calmly.

"I was so excited to see the June edition of the magazine but unfortunately it was delivered late. I just got it this afternoon and to make things worse, the cover is not Stacey Ledesma! What the hell happened?!" Billy asked sounding surprised and a little irritated.