by Raquel Belle
He holds up a hand. “Grace, let’s not do this in the hallway.”
Nibbling my lower lip because I’m suppressing the urge to chomp my poor fingernails to stubs, I nod. “Of…of course.”
“Let’s go inside so you can take off those wet clothes.”
His words hover between us and I feel my face heat up more than it had a second ago. The idea of taking off my clothes with him anywhere in the vicinity makes me nervous. “Right.” I duck my head and brush past him to open my door. It’s ridiculous how anxious I am to have him in my apartment when he’s been here plenty of times. “Uh...make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a few.”
“Take your time,” he says, heading to the window in the living room. I linger a moment to stare at his back as he peers outside, wondering what’s going through his mind right now. Is he here to tell me he no longer wants me working for him? I mean, as different as our professional relationship is from the norm, I did jump over the line today. In seven years, I’ve never spoken to him like that…and in his office no less.
“I can feel you looking at me, Grace. You’re supposed to be getting out of your wet clothes.”
With a start, I snap out of my daze and scurry out of the room.
After a warm shower, I feel somewhat ready to face Nick again and I march back to the living room, shoulders squared. I guess my false bravado isn’t as convincing as I thought because almost as soon as I step into the room, Nick says, “You can relax. You’re like a ball of nervous energy.”
I blow out a breath and look skyward. “Relaxing is hard to do after a day like today.”
His half smile eases some of my worry. Okay, if he can muster a smile, he can’t be that upset. “We did have an interesting morning.” He nods to the space beside him on my sofa. As if I have any intention of sitting that close to him. I don’t think my nerves or my hormones can handle the proximity.
“Can I get you something to drink or—”
“No, thank you. I’d rather we jump right into things.”
Gulping, I choose a seat across from him with the center table between us. It’s a bad idea because now I’m directly in front of him where I can receive the full brunt of his intense stare. He lifts a brow at my choice of seat but doesn’t comment. “Jump right into things, huh? This is starting to feel like one of your business meetings.”
I feel his eyes drop to take me in, making me self-conscious about my attire. I like to be comfortable at home so I’m wearing shorts and simple t-shirt...which I hope isn’t too thin because I have nothing underneath.
“Hardly,” he says, his eyes lingering on my chest. He’s subtle about it and averts his gaze quickly but I caught it and I squirm uneasily. I should have put something else on.
“Let’s get right to it then. Allow me to finish my apology. I had no right to speak to you like that. I mean, we were at work.”
“Maybe you did.”
“Pardon me?”
“Maybe you did have the right to speak to me like that.”
Stunned speechless, eyes fixed on his face, I wonder if he’s okay. Since I arrived to find him at my door, I did realize that he seemed less...combative. He radiated a more compromising air, but being so nervous, I hadn’t paid it too much mind. “I did?” My confusion mounts.
“We made a deal and I broke it. Your one condition was to keep the personal things out of the office. I demanded you come into my office this morning and proceeded to discuss personal things.”
“We always discuss personal things.”
“But I shouldn’t have brought up anything pertaining to our sexual relationship in the office. You had every right to be upset.”
Shoving a hand through my wet hair, I blow out a breath. “Do you feel like things have become far too complicated between us? You said things didn’t have to be complicated, but...they are. I don’t think I can do this anymore.” I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud. My eyes fly up to meet his. The shift in the atmosphere is immediately noticeable. Nick stills—I mean he doesn’t move a muscle. He’s a statue. I can’t even tell if he’s still breathing. I gulp, wishing I could reverse time and keep my mouth shut.
He blinks—the only movement he’s made since my comment. “Exactly which part can’t you do anymore?”
All of it. Working for Nick, being such close friends, sleeping with him—it’s all too much. Maybe if we’d carried on dancing around the fact that there’s a physical attraction between us and just continued as friends and co-workers, it wouldn’t have gotten to this point. Even now as I look at him, so calm―which is really very irritating—there's a feeling of longing that I can’t keep at bay anymore. I used to be so good at ignoring my feelings for him. It’s near impossible now.
I lift a shoulder. “The sexual aspect…” Everything. Of course, I can’t come out with the whole truth.
Nick’s jaw clenches and I think there’s a slight flare of his nostrils, but neither his posture nor his expression changes much. I search his face, looking into his eyes, trying to see just how much my admission affects him.
“I see,” is all he says.
“That’s it?” Unbelievable. “I’ve been worrying about us for days and all you have to say is I see?”
“I can’t force you to sleep with me, Grace. If you want us to stop being intimate I have to accept that.”
I’m relieved, disappointed and outraged all at the same time. Relieved because…away from his bed and out of his arms, I can think clearer and better protect my heart. Disappointed because he doesn’t even put up a fight—which only goes to show how emotionally detached he’s been this whole time. We really were just fucking. Ouch! And I’m outraged because I hate that he’s so nonchalant while I want to tear my hair out. I could just slap him...and then kiss him after. Damn it!
I take several deep breaths in an effort to control my raging emotions. As I glare in his direction—really staring into those frosty blue eyes—realization hits me. He’s being so aloof because he hasn’t gotten his way. Left up to him, we’d carry on with our affair until we’re old and gray because that’s what he’s comfortable with. He doesn’t like to come out of his comfort zone and when he doesn’t get his way, it irritates the hell out of him, hence the aloofness. He’s such a control freak. If I didn’t know Nick—if I hadn’t spent years figuring out the complex and maddening man—I would be fooled by his cool demeanor. I know his angle. He’s hoping I’ll come around and fall right back into his bed if he’s calm and accommodating enough. Well, I’m not going to give him what he wants...well, I’m going to try my best not to anyway.
Staring at him in challenge, I angle my chin upward. If he wants to play this game, fine. I can pretend to be just as cool and unbothered. “Well, I guess this is it then. We gave in to our desires and the fire has fizzled out. I guess we’re just plain old boss and employee now. Are you good with that?” I’m dying inside. The fire has fizzled out? Far from it! Just boss and employee? Yeah right. I’ll be lusting after him as soon as I see him tomorrow morning.
The only hint of his shock is the slight widening of his eyes. It takes everything I have not to smile in triumph. He clears his throat lightly, the muscles in his jaw ticking. “Looks like it.”
“So, have you changed your mind about that drink? I can still get you something.”
His dark look makes me swallow another smile. “I’ll pass.” Standing up, he peers down at me with a slight scowl. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
His scowl deepens and he pulls in a breath but doesn’t respond. I watch him march stiffly to the door. “Good night, Nick.”
He pauses with his hand on the knob, but he doesn’t turn around. “Good night, Grace.”
Alone, still sitting in the same spot Nick left me, I fall back with a loud groan. How long am I going to be able to keep this up?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nick
“It’s taken me weeks to get
here, but I’m here. Congratulations, bro.” Sean lifts his beer bottle and grins at me like a fool.
I half-heartedly raise my glass. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Gee, I know you made partner a month ago and I’m way late with the celebration, but can you try to sound a little more enthusiastic? For my benefit? I wanted to come as soon as I heard but it’s damn hectic at the hospital. I couldn’t get away.”
Rubbing my eyes, I sigh. “It doesn’t matter how late it is. I appreciate that you’re here.”
Sean rolls his blue eyes, a bit darker than mine, and snorts, “Then act like it.”
“What the hell do you want me to do, fucking back flips? I said thanks.”
Sean falls silent and the chatter and music in the bar surrounds us. He takes a long sip of his beer and leans against the counter. “You’re more crabby than usual. It can’t be a case because you don’t see much action in the courtroom anymore. What is it? A complicated contract that you have to work around or something? Or are you having woman trouble? But, wait…you don’t have woman trouble because you haven’t had a relationship since college...and that lasted only… What? Three weeks? Or was it three months?”
Extremely annoyed, I let him know that I am by giving him a death-stare that I hope is withering enough. The asshole has the nerve to look smug as he continues drinking. “You really think you’re funny, don’t you?”
“I don’t think I am. I’m a riot.”
I feel my mouth twitch at the corners, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of smiling or laughing. We had a rough time of it growing up and I coped by learning to close myself off whenever I needed to. Sean chose to make light of everything. One of us had to be the joker I guess. “You’re a pain in the ass, that’s what you are.”
“Naturally, that’s what younger brothers are for. So, what’s eating at you?”
“Not work.” I try to be as vague as possible. No matter how furious I am with Grace, I’ll protect her at all cost. I don’t know if she wants Sean knowing about our...fling. That’s what I have to call it, right? It lasted all of three weeks and then she decided that she no longer wanted to have sex anymore. Incredible, mind-blowing sex. Who gives up on that? If I had things my way, I’d be at her place right now or she’d be at mine—and we’d be naked and making pure sexual magic. I can’t believe she called my bluff. I fully expected her to come around after I accommodated her wish to end things. No such luck. One week later, Grace is still standing firm in her decision.
I was an idiot. I should have tried to put her mind at ease. We’d still be having fun with each other right now. As worried as she always was, she enjoyed every minute of our time together—I made sure of it.
Sean quirks his brows. “So, the problem is a woman then?”
“Why does it have to be a woman?”
“If it isn’t work, what else would it be?”
“There’s more to life than work and women.”
“Not for you. Well, your life is all about work, so I doubt that women are even a factor for you.”
Gritting my teeth, I give him another glare, but eventually I let out a sigh. I can’t be mad at him—it’s not like he isn’t speaking the truth. Rubbing my eyes tiredly, I give in. I don't usually give up anything so easily but Sean isn’t going to quit and I’m exhausted. I had a long day—made longer and harder by having Grace flit around the office with a smile as if she doesn’t miss the sex. I know she does. “Okay, it’s a woman. So what?”
He falls into silence again, this time his features are twisted with surprise. “I’ll be damned. You mean you actually committed long enough to have trouble with a woman?”
“I didn’t say anything about committing.”
“Obviously it’s serious if you’re in this mood.”
It’s called being sexually frustrated and nothing more, but my brother doesn’t need to know that. “I don’t do serious.”
He scratches his chin, his assessing eyes moving over my face. He’ll get nothing more because I know I’m not giving anything away with my expression. I’ve perfected that skill. “Hmmm,” he hums. “Would this woman happen to be—” he turns to the entrance of the bar and grins broadly. “Grace!”
I’m about to take a sip from my bottle when I freeze. “What?”
My head swings to the door and I’m shocked to see Grace standing there, surveying the room. She’s a lovely sight in jeans and a cropped top that reveals a tempting sliver of abdomen. My eyes linger on the bare skin that I know to be smooth as velvet. I’ve run my hands and tongue over that area many times. “What’s she doing here?”
“What kind of a question is that? Of course I invited her. I assumed she’d tell you that she was going to meet me.”
“To meet you?” Jealousy—hot, ugly and consuming rises swiftly.
Sean shrugs. “Yeah. I called her this evening and told her to meet me here. I assumed she knew you’d be here. Didn’t she tell you?”
“Not if you called after she left the office.”
His brows dip. “I thought she’d call you. Aren’t you two attached at the hip even out of the office?”
Not anymore. She stays away as much as possible when we’re not working. She’s become annoyingly professional. That’s what any other boss would want—a super assistant who’s the epitome of professionalism. Not me. I want my old Grace back. The one who flounces into my office to share a joke just to make sure I laugh at least once for the day. The one who hops onto my desk and lectures me about not having any fun. The Grace who stops at my place simply to ask me if I’ve had dinner. I miss her. But I guess it’s my fault she’s gone. I pushed us toward a sexual relationship thinking we’d make it work, and it didn’t.
“She has her own life to live, Sean.”
He gives me a strange look, but puts his smile back on as Grace nears. “There she is.”
“Oh my God, Sean! How long has it been?”
I grit my teeth as I watch them embrace. I hate that my brother is the one to put that megawatt smile on her face while I haven’t been able to.
“Two whole years,” Sean says.
But they chat on the phone like school girls every chance they get, always sharing stories and laughing. Can I get any more envious or bitter? My God, I need to get a hold of myself. Grace extracts herself from Sean’s embrace and turns to me, her smile slipping just a little. “Hi, Nick. You’re here.”
The hint of disappointment in her tone sends my mood spiraling completely into the ground.
“Of course he is. It’s a belated celebration for his big promotion. I thought you knew that.”
“You didn’t give me much information over the phone.”
I scowl knowing that Grace was willing to come here and hang out with Sean…just the two of them…at our place. O’Sullivan’s is our spot. Thinking about her here with Sean—one on one—makes me want to hit something. Maybe even my own brother.
Looking from me to Grace, Sean frowns. “I thought you two would communicate. My mistake. What does it matter? You two like hanging out. And I’m here. That makes things so much better.”
I watch Grace force out a smile. I always know when she’s faking her smiles. Her eyes don’t light up. Grinding my molars, I swing back around to the bar. She sits between us and I can feel the tension rising.
“What’s your poison, Grace?”
“Irish coffee,” we both answer. Grace glances at me and I snap my mouth shut. I’d absently answered because I knew what she wanted. She always starts with an Irish coffee.
Sean chuckles and shakes his head. “Listen to that. What? Do you two have some kind of weird psychic connection? I thought Grace was the one who always knows what you want before you ask for it. I’ve seen you two in action. Very freaky.” He signals the bartender. “An Irish coffee and another beer, please.”
So far, Sean is oblivious to the tense energy between Grace and I, but he’s sure to pick up that something is wrong sooner or later. “Nick, I hope you don’t
feel left out while I chat Grace up a little. I mean, you get her to yourself everyday you lucky bastard. It’s my turn now.”
“I thought this was supposed to be a celebration for me.”
“Yeah, but Grace is prettier. I’d much rather talk to her.”
“Sean,” Grace reprimands, her cheeks turning pink.
I feel my fingers tightening around my almost empty bottle, I signal the bartender for another. What’s with these two anyway? They’ve only been face to face a handful of times, but they behave as if they’re bosom buddies from childhood. Their banter seems too easy and it sets my teeth on edge. I’ve never thought about it much because their phone conversations seemed harmless. Plus, Grace isn’t a normal assistant. She has become integrated into my life on a personal level―naturally, she’d be familiar with my small family…as I am with hers.
“So, what’s it like working for my big brother now that he’s made partner? Has his ego grown to epic proportions?”
“Careful, Grace, your boss is sitting right beside you,” I say.
Her eyes practically cut into me when she looks my way. “The reminder wasn’t necessary.” Turning back to Sean, she says, “There was no more room for his ego to grow, so no.”
Sean roars, slapping his knee while I glower at Grace’s back. I’m pissed at her subtle insult, yet I want to haul her against me and kiss that comment right off of that smart mouth of hers. There’s no denying that Grace has always been a match for my arrogance—she knows how to take me down a notch when necessary and she does it with amazing class. I feel my lips wanting to curl into a smile and hurriedly lift my bottle to them instead.
“This is why I like you, Grace. You’re good for Nick, you know that?” Shaking his head, laughter still gleaming in his eyes, he says, “I guess Nick hasn’t gotten around to telling you my other reason for being here.”
“The Children’s Hope Foundation event?”
“Oh, of course you’d know. You’re Nick’s right-hand woman. Yeah, I’m going. Please tell me you’re going. I need to know I’ll have someone there to rescue me from boredom. I hate stuffy charity events but it’s for a good cause.”
