Unwanted Heat

Kenzie

The flight to Boston is quick, but full of extra security at both airports. I swear it looked like a scene from the movie Men in Black, with everyone in dark suits surrounding the jet when we landed. I overheard Carter informing Nicholas that the jet has been under video and personal surveillance since the flight plan was submitted a few days ago. Then, as of yesterday, security was increased round the clock; even the pilot and flight attendant were provided with security through the airport to insure everything went smoothly. Part of me feels like it’s all a little extreme since the only thing Richard has done is feed lies to the press, but at the same time we know he’s not working alone. We don’t know what their plan is or even why they’re working with him.

Nicholas spent the entire flight working on his laptop and talking with Alex on the phone. He apologized several times and assured me that as soon as he wrapped everything up I would have his attention while we were in Boston. The plan is to spend the next three days here: tomorrow is the fundraiser dinner and then Sunday we will spend the day sightseeing in the city. I’m not sure the plans for Monday other than that we will be flying back to New York at some point.

“You’ll get to see the city Sunday and Monday,” Nicholas says as I stare out the window watching all the large buildings pass us by.

“Are you sure you’ll have the time?”

“I guarantee it,” he kisses me as he pulls me closer to him. “I’m going to be working the rest of today and probably most of tomorrow before dinner, but after that I promise you, I won’t be working until we get back on the jet to head home.”

“If you need to work-”

“No, I want to enjoy Boston with you. I just need to finalize a few things before I can do that…”

“It’s okay, I know how busy you are.”

A few minutes later we arrive at a stunning hotel: the type that when you walk into the lobby you immediately wonder if you belong there. Or at least that was my impression, when we walked through the lobby to the elevator where Ben was waiting for us, having already checked us in. I can’t even begin to imagine what a night in a hotel like this must cost. Of course, it’s not a surprise that Nicholas has the largest suite booked for us on the top floor of the hotel. After escorting us into the room and letting Nicholas know where their rooms are, we are left alone in an incredible suite.

“Wow…” I say, glancing around the elegant space. There is a large great room that opens to a full size kitchen and dining room.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“There are two bedrooms, both have bathrooms attached, plus another bathroom there,” he points to the opposite side of the living room. “There’s a balcony off the master bedroom which you can access through the dining room as well that overlooks the water.”

“You really don’t go small do you,” I giggle.

“I… I like having space-I don’t do well cramped in a room with two beds and a small bathroom. I’ve tried it when I’ve traveled; it’s too… claustrophobic.”

The distant look in his eyes says what his words don’t-he is thinking about where he lived before he was adopted. I immediately regret what I said, chalking it up to being overwhelmed by the enormity of the room.

“How about we take a shower before you go start working again?” I suggest, hoping to pull him out of his memory.

“Yeah… sure…” he takes my hand in his and leads me into the shower.

The shower takes much longer than it should and ends with both of us trying to catch our breath after calling out each other’s names out. I wouldn’t be surprised if Carter barged into our room considering how loud we were. But the mission was accomplished: by the end of the shower, Nicholas is no longer thinking about his horrible childhood. Instead, we have dinner on the balcony that was delivered by room service before turning in for the night. Rather than working like last night, he comes to bed with me after setting his alarm so he can wake up early to get a head start on what needs to be done before the fundraising dinner.

The next day is a lazy day for me, while Nicholas spends most of his day in the guest bedroom working. He stops so we can have breakfast and lunch together before I head off to the salon in the hotel to have my hair and makeup done for this evening with Hunter and Carter in tow. When I return to the room, he is already in the shower, so I quickly change into the gown I am wearing for tonight. I don’t know how he did it but when he arranged for the closet to be filled when I moved in with him, there were so many gowns that I don’t think I will ever be able to wear each one.

“Fuck,” Nicholas hisses when he walks into the great room where I’m waiting. “You look… fuck… there are no words.”

“Thank you,” I blush as I watch his eyes move over me from top to bottom before traveling back up again.

I’m wearing a fitted black gown that is simple, yet elegant. Thin straps hold the dress up close by my neck before crisscrossing to the middle of my back, it’s otherwise open to my waist. When I turn around, I hear Nicholas’s intake of breath as he takes in the entire dress. Grabbing the matching black clutch, I greet him with a gentle kiss.

“Remind me why we’re leaving this room,” he groans as he runs his hands over the smooth fabric that covers my ass.

“Because if we do, I’ll let you take me out of this dress later,” I wink but the knock at the door prevents Nicholas from saying or doing anything in return. He reluctantly follows me to the door where Carter and Hunter are waiting for us.

“Everything set?” he asks.

“Ben is already on site and confirms that all security measures are in place. Jacobs will remain here to ensure the safety of the rooms are not compromised while we are gone,” Carter confirms.

“Perfect.”

A short ride later, we arrive and are immediately led to a large ballroom with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city with the water in the distance. Carter, Hunter and Ben are stationed at various points in the room, though a quick glance around confirms that we aren’t the only ones with security here tonight.

“Do you mind walking around with me until dinner is served?” Nicholas asks.

“Not at all.”

With my hand in his, we walk around the large room, stopping several times to talk to various people. As he introduces me to several people, I’m surprised at just how many people he knows that are here tonight, considering we’re quite far from PFS’s home base. Listening to a few of the conversations, I learn he knows some better than others based on the content of the conversations.

“Would you like a drink?” Nicholas asks.

“Please,” I don’t know why but suddenly I have a weird feeling like someone is watching me. I chalk it up to having so many security team members here, both our own and everyone else’s-hopefully the drink will chase away the feeling.

“I wasn’t expecting you to know so many people here tonight,” I say taking a sip of the sweet red wine.

“Not everyone here tonight is based in Boston. Some I’ve done business with while others, I’ve met through mutual business associates or at different functions.”

Just then, a voice that I swore I would never hear again interrupts the momentary lapse in conversation.

“Mackenzie?”