by Nana Malone
With a bit of luck, the thought of their underhanded ‘research’ methods being rumbled about would be enough to keep that asshole at bay. Nick wanted nothing more to do with him. Get someone else to hold the shitty end of the stick next time. Now it was time to focus on his own needs. He knew what he wanted—a career and a chance at making it work with Selena.
Maybe it was guilt, or maybe it was just that he couldn’t tear himself away from Selena’s vicinity, but rather than head to class that night, Nick stayed on to finish filing notes. At seven, he glanced at the clock, tempted to call it a night and make the long, disjointed underground journey back home, when Selena’s office door opened. She had a large folio crammed with papers under one arm and her handbag resting on the opposite shoulder. She was about to pull the door closed behind her when she stopped short, her mouth parting on a gasp.
“What are you doing here so late?” she asked, smoothing a lock of loose hair back from her forehead.
Nick smiled and stretched his legs out, placing his hands behind his neck. “Just finishing up. I was about to head off.”
With the door handle still in her grasp, she looked around the empty office, as if scanning the room for witnesses. A smile crept across her lips, which made his heart skip. Shit, he had it bad. He’d seen that mischievous look before and he loved where it led.
“Come here,” she said softly, stepping back into the doorway.
Nick rose to his feet and strode in a straight path towards her. There was nowhere he would rather be, this was a no-brainer. She gestured for him to enter first, and then followed quickly after him, pushing the door shut with the full force of her body. She stood against the door, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her eyes wide and fixed on his.
“Selena. We need to talk.”
“I don’t want to talk. Look I know I’ve been hesitant, but I want to do this. Try. That is, if you still want to.”
Nick took her hand and drew her to him, dropping his forehead to hers. “Selena. You’re right. It might not be that easy.”
“No, you were right. Life is complicated. And for once I want to be carefree. So how about we pretend that everything that’s happened before now doesn’t matter. Except Paris. Can you do that?”
“You know all I want is to make you happy.”
“I know, Nick, so make me happy. Very, very happy. Happy at least twice.” She grinned.
Nick’s blood ran hot with desire as he followed the motions of her breasts moving in her breathless state, up down, up down. Chest tight, he stepped forward and placed one hand on the small of her back, giving a gentle tug and bringing her up against him.
His cupped her fullness, gently rolling her nipples and making her burn, their mouths just an inch apart. Nick could feel Selena’s hot breath on his neck as she examined his face with her rich ocean eyes. He dipped his head to lock lips with her, craving her sweet taste.
This could be real. He could make this real. They could start fresh. His stomach flipped and he knew what he felt wasn’t just need. This was more than that, and he’d known it since that night in his flat. Selena was fucking addictive. He felt high and invincible.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he said against her lips.
“You make me feel amazing,” she replied before deepening the kiss and sliding her tongue against his, coaxing him to come deeper. He did. His tongue slid further into her mouth and she sucked it, turning him to steel.
She pulled back, taking shallow breaths and reaching behind her back for her zipper. Suddenly, her dress fell to the floor and Nick watched her ass sway in black silky panties as she headed for the light switch.
Fuck, he wanted to bite her on that pert ass, but he restrained himself and waited for her to slink back to him. With the lights off, Nick was suddenly aware that darkness had descended on the city and the offices in the building opposite were aglow with bright lights. He could see people in individual offices, working late. They were small, distant people, like little dolls in their giant corporate dollhouse. Selena pressed herself against him again, her bra squeezing her breasts into a perfect valley against his shirt.
“You want to play dirty boss don’t you?” he asked in a whisper. “It’s okay. I’ve sort of been having this reoccurring fantasy since I started.” He nipped her bottom lip. This is your domain isn’t it, Miss Day? You’re in charge here?”
“I sure am,” she whispered, unhooking her bra and baring her nipples against the white cotton covering his chest. He quickly removed the shirt. He would fucking burn the thing, if it meant getting it off that much faster. His dick throbbed in his pants, desperate for freedom.
“I’m the boss in here,” Selena said in breathy tones.
“What do you want me to do then, ma’am?” Nick asked with a grin.
Selena dropped her knickers to the floor and walked around to her desk chair, completely naked apart from a pair of black heels. She sat down in the chair and raised one leg up onto the armrest, baring herself.
Oh my God.
Nick dropped his pants and kneeled in front of her, face to face with her pussy. “You want me to lick you?”
“That’s right. That’s what I want you to do.”
Her lips were wet, ready. She was ready for him so soon. Leaning forward, he licked at her folds, wanting to devour every inch of her. She clasped the back of his head with her hands and groaned.
He lapped at her all the while sinking his fingers into her thighs. He sucked on her clit, making her writhe. He teased and lapped until she called his name over and over on breathy pants. She was so damn close, he could feel it. But he wanted to tease her some more, so he pulled back.
“Nick, please.”
“Big bad boss lady shouldn’t beg.” He kissed up her thigh, then her belly, until he captured her right nipple between his teeth gently. “But you know what,” he murmured. “I kind of like it when you beg.”
He found her soft center with his finger and inserted it oh so slowly. Her muscles clamped around it as she tensed with pleasure. He slowly withdrew it, and then pushed back in, a little deeper this time, making her moan and raise her hips.
“Make love to me, Nick. Right now.”
“Yes boss,” he murmured even as he took a deep pull of her nipple.
Nick wrapped his fist around the base of his dick, slowly running the wet tip against her slickness. With a control he didn’t feel, he let the tip ease in and held himself still. “You’re so fucking slippery, I love it,” he whispered as he gave her another inch.
Selena cried out in pleasure, throwing her head back. Happy side effect, Nick thought—the motion made those gorgeous tits of hers bounce.
He slid in another inch and groaned. Fuck, she was tight. She helpfully lifted her hips and Nick sank his full length inside her, cursing as he seated himself. With a quick roll, he swung the office chair around to reveal their performance to the windows opposite. He watched her radiant smile as the lights from across the street illuminated her face. She laughed and buried her head into his chest. “What are we doing?” she asked.
“This? It’s called fucking, my girlfriend.” Nick growled, giving her a thrust that wiped the smile right off her face, replacing it with a look of sheer, erotic bliss. She bit her lip and closed her eyes before, whispering, “Again.”
Nick held his cock in place, teasing her, refusing to move.
“Do it,” she said, opening her eyes and fixing them on his. “I need it.”
He smiled and pumped into her rhythmically, his heart pounding as the pleasure took over. He thrust quicker and deeper, gripping her hips and holding her in position as he made love to her. She tightened around him pulsing, holding him in. Perfection. If heaven was anything like this he could die right now and be satisfied. She met his gaze as the wave of orgasm hit her and he knew. She was his. He loved her.
Don’t say it, Nick. Not yet. Just make her come. Give her everything.
She cried, “Yes, yes, Nick.” Her whol
e body jerked as she pushed on the glass of the window behind Nick with one foot, causing the chair to rock and creak as she bounced. He held on tight for the ride as his orgasm started at the base of his spine and rocketed through him. Holy hell, she was going to kill him.
“Wow,” she whispered. “I hope the people across the way didn’t see us.”
“I hope they did,” he said with a laugh.
Nick rested his head on her chest, hearing the heavy pounding of her heart through her skin. He realized his bare butt was still facing the glass and he edged around on his knees, bringing the chair around to face away from it. They laughed and he kissed her, pouring everything he had into that kiss.
He’d never been so happy.
38
Selena couldn’t stop smiling as she sashayed into work that morning. Under her dark blue dress she was wearing a cerise pink G-string and matching bra—not the most comfortable set she owned, but she couldn’t wait to see the look on Nick’s face when he saw it. Maybe she’d call him in for a meeting.
She was in a daring mood. The thrill of last night was still hot in her veins, causing a flutter of nerves every time she remembered the squeaking sound of her foot on the glass, or the image of Nick above her, pounding into her, silhouetted by the bright office lights from across the street. She placed one hand on the door handle to her office and turned to see if Nick was at his desk in the open plan office. He was. His eyes met hers and her breath caught in the back of her throat as she stifled a huge grin.
She entered her office but stopped short to see that Brian Calder from the board of trustees was sitting with his back to the door, waiting for her.
All through her childhood she had seen Brian and his wife Mary at family parties. He and her dad had been golfing buddies. Seeing him brought back memories of her dad. She missed that warm family feeling. She smiled, and after hesitating for a moment, threw her arms around Brian. He was solid and she could barely get her arms around him. He stroked the back of her head protectively. It reminded her of when she was little and she would nap on her dad in his study at home. He was always in there, working. But sometimes he would shut the books, let her climb on his lap and float off into a fantasy world with her, telling stories. Those hugs were the only hints of tenderness she ever had. Her mother was not one for hugs and had spent more time shopping than parenting.
“It’s so nice to see you. What are you doing here?”
“Lena, darling, I just wanted to check how things are going. I hear you’ve had a bit of a professional scuffle with your brother.” He eyed her as she frowned and opened and shut her mouth, stuck for what to say. “I knew it was a bad idea for Simon to be given a spin-off company. It’s too close to Shades of Chic, but imagine how impossible it was for your father to choose between his kids. Anyway, you remember Dave, don’t you?”
“Simon’s best friend from school?” Selena asked.
“Yes, his PA now. Well, former PA.” Brian frowned. “Simon gave him the boot for calling a halt to some party or other. He refused to pay Dave what he was owed, so Dave got a little revenge and has come to me with some very… unnerving, information.”
“Oh?” Selena sat down, clutching the arms of her chair tightly, staring wide-eyed at Brian.
“It turns out he had a plant in your team, feeding back details. Simon wants to take your place.”
Selena rolled her eyes. “I knew that. But a plant? A mole? Who the hell would do that for Simon?”
“Someone who needed money,” Brian said. “There’s nothing people won’t do for money.” He rubbed his chin. “Dave wouldn’t say who, but he said someone on your team is being paid a lot to feed ideas back. It’s very disappointing. That boy jumps from one bit of trouble to the next, but you Selena, you are where you belong.”
“Thank you Brian,” she whispered. Her eyes were wide as saucers as she scanned through the team in her mind.
Nancy? No, she’s far too straight-laced to do that. Marnie. Why would Simon ask her, she’s hardly involved in anything? Nick?
She dismissed the thought. He was too new. Simon would have no way to get to him… Or would he? But Nick wouldn’t. Would he? Ice washed over her body…
Oh God. Not Nick. Please don’t let it be Nick. He did arrive at just the right time. And Soho House. Simon has a membership. Was he there with him? Her stomach clenched. She didn’t want to believe it, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. He’d said his brother was in trouble. How far would he go to protect him?
After Brian had gone, Selena turned in her chair, scanning the skyline in deep thought. Her eyes fell on a woman at a desk opposite, which sent a surge of nerves through her gut at the memory of their explicit office performance. She prayed it wasn’t him. But praying wasn’t going to do her any good. She needed answers. She spun the chair round quickly and buzzed Nancy. “Nancy, can I please have the login codes for everyone on the team?”
“Yes, sure, everyone?” Nancy asked cautiously.
“Yes, everyone.”
“Okay, not a problem,” Nancy replied returning to her usual bright manner.
A few moments later Nancy knocked and entered, before striding up to Selena’s desk with a bundle of papers. She was about to turn on her heel but hesitated. “May I sit down?” she asked with a furrowed brow.
“Of course. Is something up?” Selena asked, leaning forward.
Nancy chewed her lip. “It’s none of my business, dear, but things don’t seem right at the moment. Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” Selena replied abruptly, stiffening in her seat and shuffling the papers.
Nancy sat in silence for a moment, still chewing at her mouth as though trying to stop the words from spilling out. “It’s just that, with that ordeal the other day at Soho House with Nick, and then the meeting, now these logins…”
“These logins are for the IT department,” Selena replied briskly, not making eye contact. Lying wasn’t her strong suit. “There’s some maintenance going on at the weekend and they need access to all our computers.”
“Wouldn’t they already have them?” Nancy stopped herself. She cleared her throat. “Anyway, sorry, I’d better get back to my desk, who knows what calls are coming in right now. Can’t leave Marnie in charge for long, she’ll be sending calls all over the building.” Nancy gave a little chuckle and rose to her feet. Halfway towards the door she stopped and turned to Selena. “You know I only worry about you,” she said softly. “I don’t want to see you get hurt by anyone who’s not trustworthy. If there’s something going on and you need help, you know you can ask me. I’ve been with you since day one.”
Selena’s stiff expression softened. “Thanks, Nance. You’d be the first person I’d turn to for help.”
She crossed Nancy off her mental list of possible suspects. Of course it wouldn’t be her. Right now, Nancy was the only person she really, truly knew and trusted.
She scanned the list of employee logins. She’d need to act quickly before anyone had a chance to delete files. But she’d have to be smart about it and choose the perfect moment.
The day passed quickly and with Nick working late, she couldn’t get access to his system. She didn’t dare hang around and tempt him to ask for a repeat performance of last night, either. She couldn’t fully give herself to him again until she’d ruled him out, which she hoped beyond hope would be the case. Jesus, what would she do if it really was him in cahoots with her brother? Her gut lurched. She prayed it wasn’t him. It couldn’t be him. She needed it not to be him.
That night, she lay awake in bed. It was midnight but her mind was still pouring over every detail of the past few weeks, looking for signs of Nick’s betrayal. She’d begged off seeing him tonight and told him she had an early morning. He seemed so sincere. She knew her bullshit radar wasn’t the best—she’d often judged people wrongly in the past, always seeing the positive in even the worst characters. But could it really be this far off?
Her mind kept st
umbling upon the best moments with Nick. He was intense and caring in one gorgeous package of lust. She tingled at the memory of the way his eyes traced over her body, hungry for her. He had touched her scar, which she never let anyone do. The gentle trace of his fingertips along the bumpy tissue somehow felt as though it was part of the healing process. She was beginning to let the scar fade into her subconscious. If someone as dazzling as Nick thought she was beautiful, then surely it was time to start feeling it.
It was impossible to believe that those nights, and that day in the darkened office, were faked. Surely not even the best Oscar-winning actor could pretend to care about her to that extent. Would he really go through all that just to get close to her for Simon? She hated even thinking about her brother.
Since the news had broken within the board that he’d used a source to attempt to steal Selena’s campaigns, Simon had gone AWOL. He was probably snorting drugs off strippers in Las Vegas, Ibiza, or Dubai. He always fled the scene after doing something wrong, rather than face up to things. Brian had called Selena earlier in the day to tell her he was missing. Not missing, in the ‘call the police because we’re so worried’ way, more like the ‘we’ll deal with the little shit when he’s back from his foreign jolly’ kind of way.
She rolled over onto her side and switched on her bedside lamp. There was no point trying to sleep, it just wasn’t happening. She decided to read, but picking up her ereader and seeing a set of sexy abs on the cover of her latest book, she thought better of it. Now was not the time for romance. She was having a hard time not calling Nick as it was.
The message alert light was flashing on her phone. She’d put it on silent earlier to drown out the constant pinging as Nick was trying to get hold of her. She picked it up and scrolled through the texts.
Can’t stop thinking about you. Nick. X
Is everything OK? X
Do you want some company? I can come over. I keep thinking about the other night. X
The other night. A dull ache started between her thighs. That was the last thing she needed to think about right now. Yes, that was amazing. She wanted to believe it was real. Until she knew for certain, she couldn’t afford to get any closer to him. She’d already fallen far enough.
