He thought about her open invitation to spend the night at her place. And he had. Making wild and hot as fire love all night. She’d had no mercy on him, keeping him up until she had used him all she wanted.
They hadn’t discussed the kid thing any further. He got a kick out of the fact she had been the butt of her own joke, not using birth control, hell. And he really didn't care. He did want kids and it appeared out of wedlock might be the only way he’d have them. He would have them with no one but Shel.
He sat down on the couch and looked at the plate of pasta he had made for himself. "What a loser,” he groaned. When he had finished most of his lonely meal in front of the TV, the phone rang. A tearful voice of a woman came through the line, unnerving him. He thought she had the wrong number until she identified herself.
"Kate?" His fork clattered off his plate and onto the floor when he stood. "What's going on?"
He listened to her while moving around the apartment, gathering up his wallet, keys and a jacket. The call ended and he ran from his apartment, heading out to meet Shelby's weeping secretary at a popular Westport restaurant. He hadn't fallen apart while Kate hinted something might happen to Shelby. He held it together while driving to the restaurant, but when he found a parking space, he bolted from the car and ran for the door of the dining room. Inside, he scoured the crowd for a familiar face. She wasn't there.
He found an empty booth in the back of the place and slid into the seat. He waited for what seemed like an eternity. He ordered and drank two cups of coffee and smoked several cigars. He’d chosen the smokers section, knowing he’d be wanting a cigar before the meeting was over. The ashtray overflowed and his patience had dried up. He stood when he spotted Kate pushing her way through the crowd. When she approached and stood by the booth, and he reached out to grab her wrist, pulling her into the seat.
"Okay, lady. Start talking and do it now." He couldn’t control the warning in his voice.
Kate pulled her coat collar up about her chin and spoke in a hush. "I don't want Shelby to be hurt."
He knew he would be arrested if he didn't keep his anger under control. He tried. "If you don't talk and damned soon, I'm dragging you to the nearest police station. You hear me?" He tapped her shoulder. "Spill it."
She drew back as if he might hit her. “Okay. Mark told me he could do things to Shelby. If you don’t give him a half million dollars to leave her alone.” She took a sip of water and swallowed hard. “He wants the cash by tomorrow night.”
Nick studied the thin young woman in mute fascination for a second. He couldn't believe what he heard. "You're serious? He sent you here to tell me?" The frigging man had a death wish.
She started to weep and her voice broke. "That's not all.”
Nick inhaled in exasperation. "Somehow I figured there had to be more." He snapped his fingers in impatience. "Well?"
"Shelby always trusted me, let me be in her office while she opened her computer. I had no problem getting her password to download your plans." She started to squall. "I had to help Mark. He needed a good plan."
Nick gestured in irritation, rubbing his chin while staring at her in disgust. "Okay, so you stole from me and Shel, but for crying out loud, it’s not enough to be making a late night confession. You should have told Shel first, a long time ago. You understand me?"
She wiped at her eyes and sobbed. "You don’t understand. There’s more."
Nick fought to control his fury while he gazed at her through narrowed eyes. "What else?"
"After he got the plans, he borrowed a lot of money. From money-lenders. He can't repay them and they're going to kill him. He has twenty-four hours to get the cash. I did it for him. I love him.”
With barely contained anger, he tossed her a wad of napkins. "How could you do this to her? You know of course, you're no better than that piece of scum you hang with."
"I know and I'm not asking for forgiveness. Just don't do anything to hurt Mark. Please."
Nick almost laughed with sarcasm. Not hurt him? He wanted to put a bullet in his head. "Listen, Kate. The only reason I don't have you arrested is your decision to tell me what's going on. Unfortunately, you probably waited until nothing will save my relationship with Shelby.” He ground his cigar into the ashtray. “For both your sakes, you’d better pray she’s okay.”
She covered her face and sobbed louder. Nick ignored the scowls he received from nearby diners. "Kate." He gripped her arm. “You go set it up for tomorrow night. I’ll meet him in the West Bottoms. Tell him to wait for me behind the old toy manufacturing building. Nine o’clock and he’d better not be late.” She nodded and jerked her arm back. "He'll be there." Her face contorted with a new wave of tears. "I'm so sorry. I'll make him leave town after this is over."
Nick couldn't put a name to what he felt. Rage mostly, and plenty of regret. He had broken his beloved's heart. For all her beautiful brass, Shel was fragile and he had crushed her under his careless foot. He could hardly speak, but gave her final instructions. "I'll have the money, Kate. You just make sure he shows up."
"He will."
Nick waited until Kate left before going to the cashier to pay his tab. He could hardly stand the assault of twisting emotions waging war on him. He wouldn't be deprived of hurting Mark. Getting Savage to watch his back would be no problem. The plan had been set in motion.
After checking in with the PI that watched over Shelby, he drove to Savage’s place and roused him out of bed.
“What in the hell are you doing in bed already, man?” Nick more or less shouldered his way into his friend's apartment.
Savage finished snapping up his lounge pants and laughed. “You couldn’t have waited five more minutes, pal?”
“I suppose you have a woman in your bedroom. I’ll tell you what I want and you can go back to your fun.”
The two men nodded in agreement and went into the den to talk. The conversation lasted over an hour and several glasses of Napoleon consumed.
“Okay, Nick. I’m in and ready to be arrested if it comes to that.”
“Damn straight, pal. I’m not forgetting the fight after the football game that landed me in the can.”
Savage laughed and punched Nick on the shoulder. “Yeah, sure I owe you. Isn’t that the night we got the tattoos on our asses?”
Nick rubbed the cheek of his rump and downed the last of his drink. “Yeah, and that Sun Devil kept me out of the seminary.”
Savage grinned, pouring himself another drink. "Okay. Tomorrow night. You pick me up and wear dark clothes.”
“Why?”
“That’s how it’s done in the movies.”
“I hope you take this a little more seriously tomorrow night. We don’t know what that son-of-a-bitch has planned.”
"I know what I had planned before you busted in here." Savage walked toward his bedroom, leaving Nick to let himself out. "Later, man."
Nick picked up the bottle of Napoleon and took it with him. His horny attorney would never miss it. He left and got into his car, driving to Shelby’s place to park where he could see her terrace.
“Hang on, baby. By this time tomorrow night, we’ll be in heaven.”
* * * *
She remembered Nick kissing her and hearing the lock in the living room door click soundly when he closed it on his way out. She pulled the pillows close to sniff in his good scent and dozed for a few minutes. She finally left the bed and sauntered across the floor, stopping when she caught sight of her naked self in the dressing table mirror.
She sighed and touched the triangle of curls between her legs, shivering with pleasure as she remembered his pet name for it. His sweet kitten. Well, this kitten was tired, but she had to make it into the office to see if the temp showed up.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, she grabbed her purse and car keys. In the lobby, she frowned with disappointment. No coffee, again. But, when had she last shopped? She couldn’t remember. Maybe Alfred had some going in his station cubicle. He
r hair was still in a knot of damp curls from her shower, but she didn’t have time to mess with the dryer. Maybe someday, her life would get back in order. She scoffed at herself. That would never happen, especially since Nick apparently decided to stick around. But for how long?
She wasn’t kidding herself. He wanted her in the sack, wanted her bad, but that could be temporary. And the comment about them having kids bordered on just plain crazy. No marriage, no kids. So, that meant, no little Shelbys or Nicks in her future. He would want a so-called ‘good woman’ to have his kids when he got serious about having a family. The thought hurt and she sucked her breath in, leaning against the wall until the elevator arrived.
Inside, she glanced at the huge man that had recently moved in the building. He read the morning paper and drank coffee. He nodded and moved over to make room for her. It seemed odd, she thought. He seemed to have her exact hours, no matter what time she left or arrived home.
The door opened and her new neighbor quickly forgotten when she spotted Alfred. He shared his gourmet caffeine with her and the latest gossip.
“Oh yes, that fellow has a lot of money I would say.” Alfred handed her a piece of coffee cake. “He drives a fine sedan and wears only Italian garments and shoes. And I know his cologne costs well into the hundreds.”
Shelby chewed and smiled, enjoying the gossip session with her friend. “How many women does he have?”
“Oh, goodness. I have no idea.” Alfred refilled her cup. “He signed a short term lease. Special services I hear.”
“That sounds interesting.” She figured the guy must be a hood. “I’ve got to go, but you can fill me in on the rest when I get home.”
Alfred pressed a Styrofoam cup of coffee into her hand. “Have a good day, Ms. Rand.”
She grinned and waved at him before she took the stairs down to get her car. Have a good day? How the hell could she help but have a good day after the night she’d had?
As she climbed into the rental car, it reminded her she had to call about her own wheels. The baby Mercedes was nice, but she liked her Jag. Belting herself in, she checked out the narrow seat. There was no way she could entertain Nick in here. She couldn’t help smiling as she drove out of the garage.
There had been no need for her to concern herself about the temp. Jackie Redman showed up and in her usual good mood. She hadn’t even been resentful that Shelby ran late opening the office.
“Oh heck no, Ms. Rand. I read a magazine and talked with that cute security guard.”
“To make sure you can get in, take Kate’s keys until I find the spare set. I never know what time I’ll be getting here.” Shelby hid her grin brought on by memories of guilty pleasure and unlocked the door. When she started for her private office, Jackie stopped her.
"The cute little security guard said some guy left this for you." She held out the clipboard in both hands.
"Nick remembered." Shelby smiled and took the heavy paperwork. "Look around and reacquaint yourself with the place. I'll be out in a few minutes to answer any questions you might have."
After a quick run-through of where to find everything, Shelby left Jackie, confident the office would hum in its usual manner. She sat at her desk, reading the requests a new client had for a villa in Texas. The family had a half dozen children and she looked forward to designing the home for them.
She couldn’t push aside the mental images of the children she would have with Nick. Beautiful, golden babies that never squalled or made messes. She laughed under her breath. If they had a drop of Nick in them, they would terrorize the neighborhood. Enough of that. Work continued to pile up and she needed to get back in the swing.
Remembering it had been a while since she had checked her money situation, she pulled her account up to see if she had any money in the bank. When it flashed on the screen, her eyes rounded. That much, huh? Nick had deposited her fee plus a hefty early finish bonus. She considered being resentful about the extra money, but what the hell. She deserved it after the long months of crap he’d put her through. His conscience apparently began to bother him. It wasn’t smart to think about Nick too much. Expect nothing and life will be much easier.
The big highlight of the day came when Nick entered her office later that afternoon. He closed the door behind him and crossed the floor to her, pulling her from her chair.
“You looked so cute when I left you sleeping this morning, I had to come by and see if it could have been a trick of my imagination.”
She pushed his face away and laughed. “I don’t think I know you, sir.” His gaze secreted fire and exotic pleasures she couldn’t deny herself. “But, I can be sweet talked into doing certain things.”
He brushed his lips over ears and rubbed her back, hugging her close. “Shel, what would you say to moving in with me?”
She pushed him away, shocked and hurt by his suggestion. “You know how I feel about shacking up. If I wash your shorts, I’ll be more than your belly warmer.”
His warm laughter played around the room and finally settled on her ears. “I know you’ll never wash my dirty shorts, lady. I’ll use the same fancy laundry you send stuff to.”
“So, what are you up to?” She narrowed her eyes. “You haven’t done something to get me evicted, have you?”
"Me? Nothing."
She pinched his butt. "Not long ago, you tossed me out of your place."
"Well, damn. I was just playing with you."
"Oh sure and I just remembered the price of my services just spiked.”
"Something tells me I'll be paying the rest of my life." He caught her lip between his teeth and sucked noisily. "You still got your key to my place?"
"Yes, but I don't intend to break in anymore.”
"Oh, come on, Shel. Go on over there and get the bed warmed up. I'll be home around midnight or so."
"And where might you be while I'm warming things up?"
"A job starting in Wichita. Have to go line things out for a new project."
"No. I'm going straight home for a real night’s sleep."
He frowned lightly but didn't let her go. "Okay. Then I'll see you in the morning and we'll talk about whose laundry we'll use." He patted her rear and kissed her slowly and deeply before releasing her. He started to leave but turned back to smile at her. "Don't take any detours on the way home tonight. Okay?"
She laughed. "Me? Thanks to you, I'm too tired to go anywhere but home."
"Strictly my pleasure."
She stared after him for several minutes. He drove her nutty with his ever changing moods. Something big was in the air and she couldn’t help but worry. "Damn you Nick,” she mumbled to herself. "What's going on?"
Chapter 15
There came the time when she had no excuse to not go home. Shelby looked at the fancy Italian clock on her desk, the clock a gift from Nick. Seven-thirty and pitch black outside. Plus, a cold mist began to fall. She went to the window and looked out at the wet street. A car sped by and she figured the streets might be okay. She’d gotten sick of cold weather and it wasn't even winter.
Knowing she would be alone in her apartment and bored to death when she could be in Nick's didn't sit well with her. She grabbed her things and locked up the office, hurrying outside.
Inside the warmth of her car, she yawned and sighed with resignation. She needed to sleep at least one night without working herself into exhaustion with Nick. As she drove by Country Club Plaza, the twinkling lights called to her like a floozy to a drunken sailor, but she resisted and bypassed the posh shopping district.
The security gate had been dropped when she turned into the entrance of her apartment garage. While she waited for the steel barrier to lift, another car pulled in behind her. For a split second her blood pounded in her ears, memories of another car ramming into her own was still fresh in her mind.
She breathed easier when the gate lifted and she could drive into the garage. The other car followed her, but soon pulled into a parking space like any resident w
ould have done. She had to get hold of herself.
The lobby seemed unusually quiet with no sign of Alfred. He probably had already left for the evening. She noticed boxes of Christmas decorations stacked on a chair near his desk. Lord, decorating started earlier every year. On the way up to her apartment, she decided to buy a tree this year. A real tree, not a plastic one.
Stepping out of the elevator into the hallway, she noticed someone standing near the stairwell door. Startled and then afraid, she fumbled in her pocket for her keys and dropped them on the floor. She knew her heart stopped beating when she leaned over to get them and a hand snaked out to grip her arm.
"Shelby."
"My God." Shelby straightened and grabbed her chest, gasping several times. "Kate? For heaven’s sake. You're supposed to be on vacation. Are you alright?"
"I'm here to tell you something." Kate glanced around the hallway.
"Well, come on in so we can get comfortable." Shelby tried to put her key in the lock, but Kate stopped her.
"No, I don't have time and you need to hear this now."
"Okay." She didn't know where the fear and premonition came from, but Shelby sensed it had to be bad news concerning Nick. "Tell me."
"Mark's extorting money from Nick. He got a big loan from an underworld gang and can't pay them back." Kate had begun to cry.
Shelby frowned in confusion. "What's that got to do with Nick?"
"It all started when I stole a copy of Nick's plans for Mark." Kate wrung her hands with apparent impatience. "Mark knows Nick has money and would do anything for you. He came up with the idea of telling Nick he's going to hurt you if he doesn't pay him off."
"That’s the nuttiest thing I've ever heard." Shelby eyed the nervous young woman. "You're telling me the truth. You know where Nick is right now, don't you?"
Backing away from Shelby, Kate began walking to the stairway door. "I had to tell you because I have hurt you enough."
Shelby ran after her and grabbed her coat sleeve. "You're not leaving until I hear the rest of your damned story. Where's Nick?"
Hot For Nick Page 14
