I needed to wear body armor when meeting up with Mr. Blackwood. The man had proven to be mischievous. He loved making fun of me, I established that after our make-out session in his office and our brief meeting in that Japanese restaurant. The sushi was amazing there, I made a mental note to mention it to Lucas in the near future. I wore a tight, off the shoulder black dress which reached just above my knees. Underneath it, I wore black tights and paired it up with suede black boots. I had done my hair and make-up, taking my time with it because I wanted to blow that man away. I shrugged on my grey coat and grabbed my bag. Once I was certain I had all the essentials I headed downstairs and grabbed a cab.

Hello dear sister,

You'll be meeting Mr. Blackwood in a few minutes.

Just remind yourself to get straight to the point.

If you things do get messy, I'm here for you.

Nick

I smiled, letting out an exasperated sigh. My brother definitely had issues when it came to romance. He was waiting for the right woman who made his heart race and who he didn't mind snuggling up to. I got that. We were both adults, the subject of physical relationships shouldn't be this awkward though. I assumed it became awkward because we are siblings. We needed to speak in code to make it less awkward.

Morning Nick,

Thank you for always being there for me.

I appreciate it.

You are the best brother ever.

Love you,

Nina

I knew he'd get embarrassed reading my email, but I didn't care. Those things needed to be said because they were true. Without my brother's support, I would have lost it a long time ago. I pulled my coat tighter around me, trying to protect me from the morning breeze. It was so chilly these days. I needed a coffee to wake me up and warm up my body. I arrived at the coffee shop a little over ten. Paying the cab fare I quickly skipped inside the coffee shop. The morning rush was over which was a relief. I spotted the man easily, straightening my shoulders I approached him with confident steps.

I could do this.

His eyes glittered as he watched me walk over. He sipped his coffee without a care in the world, looking so comfortable in his seat. He placed his cup down when I pulled back the chair across him and dropped my bag in the seat first.

"You mind if I order first?" I asked him.

His lips curled up to a smile, "No, go ahead."

I grabbed my wallet and walked up to the counter. I could feel his eyes on me, I didn't dare to breathe because I was afraid I'd somehow slip up and fall flat on my face. I told myself over and over again that it was stupid that I wanted to look so perfect all the damn time for that man. I ordered a cappuccino and met up with Mr. Blackwood again. I grabbed my bag, sat down in the chair and dropped my bag in my lap while I sipped my coffee.

"All settled?" Mr. Blackwood asked.

I nodded.

"Good." He placed his phone on the table next to his cup of coffee, "How was lunch with your brother? It looked like you were having a great time."

"You heard everything, didn't you?"

Nick told me to get straight to the point. I would do that, just getting it all out there because at this point I think the only thing which could embarrass me more was indeed falling flat on my face.

"About us getting into something messy and complicated?" He asked, "It was quite entertaining. It made my date behave like a jealous harpy."

I smiled at him, "You never learn, do you?"

He raised a sharp eyebrow at me, leaning closer to me as he quietly asked me, "What do you mean?"

I think I poked the bear, humor left his eyes. The grey glittering eyes turned a stormy black, his posture rigid. He knew what I meant, but he wanted me to say it. I was afraid of what would follow after. I sat up straight in my chair too, trying to tear my eyes away from him yet I couldn't.

"Come on, share your thoughts with me." His voice much deeper and quieter.

I couldn't let him intimidate me like that. He knew what I meant. If he was ashamed of it he shouldn't live like that in the first place. People didn't dare to say it to his face, maybe I was the first person walking this earth to speak up. I would finish what I started. I might be out of a job afterward but screw that. Jacob Blackwood could kiss- there wouldn't be any kissing, I promised Lucas. This man before me could sink through the floor for all I cared.

"Oh, you know what I meant by that." I said it with all the confidence I could muster up, "You just broke up with a woman who went all Edward Scissorhands on your shirts. All the women who paraded through your fancy penthouse were gorgeous but ugly on the inside. Either they were pretending they were Queen Elizabeth herself because they were dating you or they were crazy jealous." I narrowed my eyes on him, "To the point that they could either harm themselves or you."

I'm not sure he followed me because I was on a roll, talking without taking a breath. That was excited me. I couldn't stop myself. I had to get it all out there and then head home to hate myself for saying all these things out loud.

I leaned closer to him, "I think you do it on purpose. Always dating someone you can easily toss aside. You pretend you're looking for something more but honestly you enjoy the thrill of the chase but when you have it, you're done."

He leaned back in his chair, looking more at ease when I settled down. I honestly felt tired putting it all out there, having those words echoing between us. He didn't look as intimidating as before, maybe I made it all up. Maybe he didn't look as scary, to begin with, but because I was afraid of speaking up I made him look scary in my head.

"You done?" He asked.

Nope, it was definitely not in my head.

I gulped, "Pretty much." I mumbled, finally tearing my eyes away from him.

"So you think you know me?"

It sounded like a challenge, I couldn't respond to that. I placed my hands on my lap and clenched them. Reacting to his challenges meant trouble. I did not want things to get messy. I wanted comfortable and safe. I wanted Lucas.

He tilted his head to the side, waiting for my response, "Changed your mind?" He asked.

When I refused to look at him, he chuckled.

"Pathetic." He muttered.

I stared at him, shocked he dared to call me a freaking coward. I narrowed my eyes on him, the anger boiling up in me. I knew he said it on purpose. Deep down I knew it. The little smirk which spread across his stupidly handsome face told me he got the reaction he wanted.

"You're barely home. You only go home to take a shower and change your clothes. You need efficiency in your life because you're living the fast life. Time is money. So you spend an insane amount of money on the latest gadgets to modernize your penthouse and your life. You pick these women who are like living Barbie dolls, who you can dress up and take with you to impress your clients or business associates."

He pursed his lips, looking intrigued by my story about his life. His eyes didn't give anything away, but the little twitch of his lips told me I humored him.

"You make them feel like they are everything to you by hiring me. I buy them everything they desire, you don't care about spending your money on them because they are an investment. You take them with you to these deals, they are the perfect distraction. They also help you get your name out there. Everyone knows who Jacob Blackwood is. The handsome billionaire who switches girlfriends as often as he switches up his designer suits."

He smiled at me then, his smile more sinister than I could ever imagine in my dark mind.

"You are married to your job and you'll always be married to your job."

He placed his hands on the table between us and linked his fingers together, "What about you?"

I frowned, "What about me?"

He gestured between us, "Where do you fit in?"

I was still confused, "In your life?"

He gave me a firm nod, "Do you want to become one of my dolls? Letting me give you everything you desire?" The sinister smile reached his eyes. At this moment he looked like Lucifer himself. Everything within me told me to run for the hills, "You'll be more interesting. You don't desire material things." He grabbed my hand which made me squeak. He brushed his thumb over the back of my hand, "You desire me."

I pulled my hand away from him and collected my things. This was a mistake, I shouldn't have agreed to meet up. Mr. Blackwood was showing his true self and it was scary. I collected my things and got ready to leave.

"Running away again?" He asked, amusement clear in his deep voice.

"This was a mistake," I whispered.

I threw my coat on and bumped into the table, it shook and my coffee cup nearly fell over. Mr. Blackwood caught it with ease, his lips still curled up to a smile. I was glad my erratic behavior humored him. At least one of us was having a good time here.

"You can run all you want, Nina." He got to his feet as well, towering over me to intimidate me, "We both know you'll end up right beside me." He stepped right in front of me and leaned in, brushing his lips near my ear, "Because you want to be in my bed." He whispered.

I placed my hands against his chest and pushed him back. I knew he only moved because he wanted to.

"In your dreams." I threw at him and turned on my heels to leave.

"I know I'm in yours."

His voice trailed after me. I pushed through the door, disoriented because of Lucifer himself. I always assumed he was more like those dark vampires in those young adult books but this man was something else. He was much darker. I needed to stay away from him, he'd completely ruin me if I got close to him.