His Toxic Addiction
Chapter 197: Unintended Jealously.

Chapter 197: Unintended Jealously.

Nicklaus opened the wine cellar and after a throughout search, he picked out the wine with the lowest alcoholic concentration in it.

He turned away from the wine cellar but Arissa immediately pointed to a particular wine. "Can I have that?"

"Huh?" Nicklaus was surprised seeing the bottle she pointed at, "The alcohol in that wine_"

Arissa cut him off. "I know and I want it," it would be nice if the alcohol does the talking for her and it was what she was aimed at today.

She just hopes she won’t say a thousand embarrassing words.

Nicklaus raised a suspicious brow at her. "If you say so," he agreed.

In a gentlemanly way, he returned the other bottle to the cellar and picked out the one she requested.

Nicklaus locked the wine cellar and led them into the living room where he had already arranged all of his work equipment for the night before she came.

Gently, he took the glasses she came in with and poured her a moderate amount meant for starters. He passed the glass over to her and walked to the next three settees, far away from her.

He kept the distance on purpose so he would be able to keep his hands to himself but Arissa frowned at his effort.

Not staring at her, he opened his laptop and got to work. The frown on Arissa’s face turned to a pout when she realized it was stupid of her to be here.

She was supposed to have known him by now. He would never ditch his work for someone else and even if he would, she would never be on that list.

Nicklaus glanced at her before fixing his eyes back on his laptop. "I’m beginning to take you for a weakling," he told her, not looking away from his laptop.

Arissa’s brow furrowed. "Why?" she was happy he said a word to her amidst his work but she never expected those words.

Nicklaus raised his face from his laptop, he started at the paperwork beside him for a second longer before bringing his glass to his lips.

He met her eyes when he took his glass off his lips, "You requested the wine and now, you are suddenly so scared of taking it."

"I’m not scared of taking this." she started into her glass, "The truth is I just realized you don’t have a second that could be spared for me. Your workload seems exhausting and _"

Nicklaus cut her off, "We would have all the night to ourselves." he closed his laptop and took it off his lap, staring intently into her eyes from where he sat.

Arissa blinked at his intense gaze, "Are you done?"

"I am," he threw a mischievous wink her way, "How exactly do you want to spend this night Señora?"

Arissa let out a sharp breath when she heard how sexy his Spanish accent sounded. Her heartbeat fastened and her breathing became rough. The mischievous light in his eyes told her he knows what he was doing.

"You speak Spanish?"

"Is that what you prefer doing all through the night?" he brought his glass to his lips, "Asking me to say words in Spanish?" there was a hint of mockery in his voice.

Arissa glared at him, "That was only a question,"

Nicklaus gulped down his wine like it was water before fixing his eyes on her again. "Isn’t that what you want? Or what exactly do you want us to do tonight? Sip our glass out while we stare at each other?"

Arissa rolled her eyes, "That would be boring,"

"Exactly," Nicklaus nodded calmly, "So, what do you suggest we do?"

The thick, rich, and low thick British accent he switched to make her toe curl. Was he diverse in languages and accents?

To arrange her disorganized thoughts, Arissa brought her glass to her lips. Taking it slow, she pulled down a little quantity but still, the wine did not spare her.

She shut her eyes right as the hot harsh liquid traveled down her throat. She opened her eyes and shut them back while she gasped for air with her lips slightly parted.

Her eyes stung from the effect of what just went down her throat. Her chest burned but she acted coy about it, trying not to alert Nicklaus.

A hand fell on her back and rubbed on it. Arissa opened her eyes shocked. She tried not to alert him but he was already before her with his hand on her back.

"Easy," Nicklaus warned her in case of next time, still rubbing her back for her to calm down.

"I’m fine," she smiled at him with red eyes, "You can go back to your seat,"

Nicklaus stared at her one last time before walking away and this caused Arissa’s heart to drop. She had expected him to refuse to walk away and just stay beside her.

"Okay," Arissa cleared her throat when he was seated. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

Nicklaus chuckled. "Of course, you can. You only have to be careful so soon enough, it won’t be the alcohol talking," he cautioned her in an amused voice.

Arissa’s cheeks turned beet red. If that happens, she was sure of saying garbage before him and might even say words she would think of as stupid.

"Don’t underestimate me," she sniffed and without a second thought, she took another glul of her wine, "This burns," she complained immediately.

"Careful, Arissa," Nicklaus cautioned her again, and now his voice was sternly serious.

Arissa smiled at him, "It’s okay. Just a small quantity remaining _"

"We should change the wine," he suggested standing up from his seat.

"No, we mustn’t. Sometimes, people need to try a few more new things and whereas," she took another gulp, "I’m home with my husband and not some strangers so even if I can’t stand straight again, I won’t have to be scared," she blurted out with so much confidence that made the man before her proud.

Nicklaus raised a brow at her words, "Arissa look, I’m not such a gentleman _"

"You are," she cut him off with a hiccup, "You wouldn’t have saved me from that man if you are not. What’s his name again?"

Nicklaus frowned, "I don’t want you thinking about some other man, Arissa," he forwarded her with unintended jealousy.