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Chapter 23: Greg Sleeps Over

Nikola jumped when she saw Greg easily push in the front door to her apartment, without a key or even turning the doorknob. She had forgotten all about it during the party, and now wondered what she would find. She surveyed the apartment and studio as soon as she entered, and was relieved to see that nothing appeared out of place.

Once the adrenaline rush of apprehension had passed, exhaustion hit her. She threw off her shoes and fell onto the couch. She leaned back and curled her toes, her feet appreciating their new-found freedom.

Greg sat down next to her and put his arm along the back of the couch, around her. She leaned back against his body and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt very comfortable and relaxed in this position. It reminded her of evenings with Erik and made her realize how much she missed that kind of a relationship. The constant ally and confidant. It had only happened to her once, and it had been so long ago, that she could hardly even remember what she and Erik did together; but she remembered the feeling of not being alone. The promise of every new relationship, and the promise she felt here. But could she trust it? The attraction was so strong that she knew she had to find out. 

She turned to look at Greg's face and found him looking down at her. As they looked into each other's eyes, he bent down and kissed her gently, first on the forehead and then he moved down to her lips. Her body responded to the kisses with an unexpected passion, and before she knew what she was doing, she found herself twisting around to reach out towards him. As he increased the pressure on her lips, she responded in kind, and lost herself in the kiss. He put his arms around her and ran his hands up and down her back, sending chills through her spine. The excitement spread through her body and gave her goose bumps. She felt his hand move to caress her shoulders, which were left bare by the sleeveless dress she wore. She twisted her body the rest of the way around until it was even with his and resting against it. He responded by pulling her closer until they were pressed against each other, still locked in the kiss.

Nikola felt as if she was entering another time and place. The present flowed from her and with it went all of her nightmares and problems. When Greg pulled the strap of her dress down over her shoulder, she let it happen, losing herself in the sensuality of his touch. They broke off from the initial kiss and he moved his mouth down her neck, and started kissing her neck and shoulders. She leaned back against the couch savoring his kisses, each one sending sparks throughout her body. She let her hands roam over his shoulders and chest, feeling the hills and valleys of his well defined muscles bulging beneath the thin cotton shirt. He stopped kissing her and reached around and below her, picking her up easily in one swift movement and lifting her off the couch. He stood up, with her in his arms and whispered softly into her ear, "Let me take you to the bedroom." 

She hardly heard the words, distracted by feeling his breath tickle her ear, and the heat of his face against her neck. She nodded slowly, at a loss for words. She wondered briefly if she was doing the right thing, but the thought passed in and out of her mind so quickly, that it had no time to take root; her body just followed the flow of the moment.

He carried her into the bedroom and laid her down gently on the bed. He looked at her for a few moments before laying down beside her and beginning to undress her slowly. Nikola had the impression that he was appreciating every moment of their encounter, and it made her feel special and cared for. When they made love, it had the same feel. Afterwards, Nikola felt as if she had really been loved, rather than just physically touched. They cuddled for some time and Nikola fell asleep in his arms, oblivious to the world around her.

Nikola woke up a few hours later and found herself alone in bed. She lay there for a moment, confused, and listened to the darkness. She heard faint noises coming in from the studio, nothing distinct or identifiable, but unusual enough to alarm her. The faint shuffling sounds reminded her of noises she heard in the orphanage, made by other children and mice searching for food during the night. She first assumed that it was just Greg being restless, but the sounds were very different from the footfalls of his usual confident and easy stride, so she decided to investigate.

She got up, grabbed a robe, and walked quietly to the bedroom door. Even though her eyes were well adjusted to the dark, it took her mind a few moments to accept the scene they presented. She could see the shadow of Greg's naked body and he was not alone. In front of him was another, larger shadow. A man stood in the studio section of the apartment, looking at the newest paintings. Nikola stopped short in the doorway, eyes wide, and just stared at the scene. She was afraid even to breathe, afraid to alert the intruder, who would then see Greg behind him.

Greg slowly and silently advanced upon the intruder, making his way across the studio with feline grace. Nikola stared at the man he approached, trying to make out his features in the dark. He had a formidable physique, tall with broad shoulders. He wore black jeans and a matching turtleneck, which provided quite a contrast to the pale skin of his hands and neck. His back faced Nikola, so she couldn't make out his facial features, but something about his stance seemed familiar. Familiar, but at the same time wrong. She couldn't place where she had seen him before.

The intruder raised his right arm up over his head. Nikola saw something in his hand. She examined his hand carefully and saw lights reflected off the object he held. From the reflection and his gesture, she realized that he held a knife. She immediately envisioned the gesture completed: the knife ruthlessly slitting the fresh canvas and destroying her new painting. Involuntarily, she gasped. The intruder heard her and reacted instantly.

He spun around, arm still raised, and faced Greg who had managed to place himself right behind the intruder. He lunged at Greg with the knife. He had the advantage of size over Greg, both in bulk and in height, but Greg had more speed. Greg jumped out of the way of the blade and went for the intruder's right arm, attempting to loosen his grip on the knife. They both went down, struggling. Nikola squinted at the writhing heap of limbs on the floor, trying to make out what was happening in the dark. She saw the flash of the blade several times, as it reflected the city lights coming in through the large windows, but it was impossible to tell whose hand held it. At least it still looked clean. She looked around herself for some kind of weapon with which to aid Greg, but nothing presented itself. Before she could think of anything else to do, she saw and heard the knife slide along the floor away from both of them, towards a far corner of the studio. They struggled for a few moments longer, during which Greg was trying to grab and hold the man, but he was too strong for Greg. He broke free and took off running through the open door. Nikola caught a glimpse of his face as he left. It was like seeing a ghost. It was different than she remembered it, but there was no mistaking the features. It was a face from her dreams.

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