Nicole
No matter how hard I tried to avoid this man, he always found a way to be around me. It was infuriating how determined he was to "protect" me. All he was doing was making me hate him even more.
At least that's what I kept telling myself.
I stood up from my chair when Blake opened the door and greeted an older lady. He took the bags from her before guiding her into the lobby. "This way, ma'am." She followed him towards the elevator and I smiled at her when she looked my way.
"Good morning, ma'am." I greeted with a small wave.
"Good morning," she replied, holding onto Blake's arm when he offered his elbow to her. "Oh, my. You're a strong one." She squeezed his upper arm and he glanced over at me as he awkwardly thanked her. I stifled a laugh with my hand.
They both stepped into the elevator and Blake smiled when my eyes met his. I quickly looked away, because I hated the way I reacted to his smile now.
I watched the number above the elevator, going up and up until it reached the twelfth floor. The door swung open again and I pushed back my shoulders as I turned towards our new guest. Except, instead of giving the usual greeting, I froze. Because a handsome man just walked in. He looked rich. Like... rich rich. The type of rich that wore suits and ties and expensive dress shoes wherever they went.
I didn't know what to say.
He turned towards me and grinned, showing off a perfect, white smile. A smile that had my knees buckling. "Good morning, young lady."
"Good morning, sir." My voice sounded breathless. Useless.
Instead of acknowledging how embarrassing I was being, though, he walked past the desk I was standing behind and waited for the elevator to come down. The elevator that was already arriving at our floor.
The doors opened and revealed Blake, who was grabbing his shoulder and rotating his arm to release some tension. He'd been carrying bags all day, so he must've been exhausted.
When he caught a glimpse of the man now standing in front of him, whatever pain he was feeling must have vanished because the next thing I knew, he was beaming. And I felt the same butterflies I felt every time he did that. Showing off his perfect, straight teeth.
Fuck me.
"Good morning, kiddo." The man said as he patted his head. His smile widened like a child looking up at their hero. It was actually quite adorable to witness. He looked proud to be in his presence.
The man stepped into the elevator as Blake stepped out. But instead of walking back to the entrance, where he was paid to be, he turned around. I could no longer see his face. "Good morning, dad." Blake finally said as the doors started closing.
His dad's smile widened before it was hidden behind the closed doors of the elevator. Blake spun back around and even started whistling as he walked over to his position by the door, his hands clasped behind his back. He caught me staring and had the nerve to wink at me.
"Like the idea of me potentially looking like him when I grow up?" He asked as he removed his hat, combing his fingers through his hair before placing it back on his head.
I shook my head and busied myself with the computer. "You wish you looked like him."
He chuckled, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Well, I obviously can't look exactly like him. I'm a mix of him and my mom after all."
"Wow, you actually understand the concept of genetics? I'm proud of you, buddy."
"Yeah, and I'm a pro when it comes to reproducing..." he paused to think his words over. "Except, without actually reproducing. Want me to show you?"
My cheeks flushed and I opened my book to hide myself behind the pages. "You're a pervert."
I heard him chuckle, and I thanked god when the door opened again. His voice faded as the door closed and I took a deep, calming breath before setting the book down to greet the couple walking towards me. Blake probably stepped out to help someone else with their bags, so I had the chance to fully relax as I helped them find an appropriate room. Or two.
Moments later, Blake walked back in alongside a girl, who was giggling at whatever he just said before she opened the door for him. She followed him all the way into the elevator, and Blake pushed the button to hold the doors open, waiting for the couple. My eyes met his briefly before I looked back at the couple to hand them their respective keys. One for themselves, another for their daughter, who would be staying next door to them.
"Enjoy your stay," I chirped.
"Thank you." They both nodded before turning to walk to the elevator. The man wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him, kissing the side of her head before whispering something into her ear. She pulled away from him and swatted his arm playfully, her cheeks a bright pink.
For a moment, I felt jealous. I had to remind myself that they were just one of the few lucky ones. The ones that actually committed to one another no matter what. Not everyone could have that.
Not everyone deserved that.
I don't deserve that.
I watched them until they got onto the elevator, my eyes sliding over to Blake as he pushed the same button again. This time so that the doors would close, successfully separating us for the twenty-sixth time today.
Not that I was counting.
• • •
"Oh, you have company."
I stirred in my sleep and pressed my pillow over my head when someone turned the light on.
"Sorry..." I heard someone mutter as things got moved around in the room. I could only imagine it was Blake trying to get laid with me in here. Again.
Annoyed and already feeling cranky from being woken up, I sat up and rubbed a hand down my face. A beautiful woman stood by his bed, so beautiful I felt like a gremlin next to her. I quickly brushed my fingers through my hair before realizing what the hell was going on.
"Hello," she greeted me with a small wave and I waved back, confusion taking over me when I realized she didn't look like she went here. She didn't look old, but she didn't look in her twenties either.
I turned to look at Blake, who was grabbing his jacket out of his side of the closet.
"I didn't know you were into cougars now."
The words left my lips before I could even think them through properly and Blake gaped at me. The lady gasped before laughing uncontrollably, bending at her waist from how hard she found it amusing.
"Nicole!" Blake scolded me, and I lifted a brow at the fact that it was the only time he addressed me by my name. No corny nickname this time.
I fucked up, didn't I?
Groaning, I got out of bed, pulling down the hem of my dress when I felt air hit the highest part of my thighs. I knew without looking that Blake was having a feast with his eyes. I was always too damn tired to take it off before falling onto my bed.
"I see you've gotten well acquainted with one of your father's workers," she teased. "Jealous type now aren't we, sweetie?"
"Huh?"
That time, Blake snorted. "No, mom." He emphasized with a pointed look directed at me. "She's my roommate."
At the new information, I stumbled for an apology. However, before I could voice my sorry, she stuck a hand up to stop me.
"No need, dear." She chuckled one last time before extending out her hand for a handshake. "I'll take the cougar comment as a compliment. Though, now that you know I'm his mother, please don't say it again."
I nodded, taking her hand in mine to shake. "Yes, of course. That was dumb of me to assume."
Considering I've gotten that same accusation multiple times, I was disappointed in myself for thinking that about someone else. If anything, I should've assumed it was his mom right away.
She was beautiful and I could see what Blake meant that he was a mix of both his mom and dad. Him and Patricia were blessed with good genes on both ends.
I'd never tell him that to his face, though. He already knew he was handsome.
"Okay, I'm ready." Blake separated us by grabbing his mom's arm and intertwining it with his.
"Lovely to meet you, Nicole." She smiled warmly, making Blake wait just a moment for her to dismiss herself properly.
I nodded and smiled back. "Likewise, Mrs. Ryder."
"Oh please, call me Elizabeth."
"Of course, Elizabeth."
With one last smile, she allowed Blake to escort her out of our dorm and Blake winked at me before the doors closed.
I scoffed, not at his wink, but at the way my heart reacted to it.
I really needed to get out of this dorm. Sooner rather than later.