by Conn, Claudy
“That’d be great. Thank you.” He set the package on her desk and started to leave, but paused. His stance relaxed and he rocked back on his heels. “This morning, I, um, forgot to apologize about the coffee burning your hand again.” He looked at the floor. “So, anyway, that’s it. I’m sorry.”
She did a double take and squinted. Since she’d started to work for Nick he’d never apologized. No matter how wrong he was.
He looked up and his gaze meshed with hers with such intensity she wasn’t sure if the man scared her or thrilled her. This was the side of him True didn’t get to see often. Nice Nick? Concerned Nick? Whatever it was, she liked it. But did she trust whatever it was?
“Thank you. I appreciate your apology.” Her breath hitched as his gaze held hers. Nick was so handsome, and, right now, even more so. He should act like this more often. “I’ll send this now.”
“Let me know when the courier delivers it.” He strode back into his office.
She relaxed into her chair and realized she and Nick had spent five whole minutes together without him yelling or shooting her the evil eye. Her panic had stopped when he’d apologized. It’d worked faster than her breathing exercise.
She rubbed her hand where they’d touched. Had Nick felt the familiar heated connection between them, or had it been only on her end? It didn’t matter. He was nice and it had been fun to watch him stumble over his awkward apology. But he was part of her past and her future didn’t involve ever trusting him or any man again.
True made arrangements with the courier service, then worked on the travel plans for Nick’s January business trips. He hadn’t had her book travel over Christmas break. A week off was one of the nicer perks of working for Cantrell Enterprises. He might try to come off as Mr. Scrooge to her, but he had a big heart he couldn’t hide.
She couldn’t imagine he didn’t have getaway plans with one of the women he dated. Then again, he really hadn’t been out with anyone for several months, and True would know because she booked all his dinners and weekend trips. Or maybe he’d quit having her make reservations because of the awkwardness of having an ex set up his dates. Nick was one of New York’s most sought-after bachelors. She’d seen plenty of press photos and the women with him were always beautiful.
She’d bet he was Nice Nick to the women he dated, and they got to see the sweet side of her grumpy boss. The one she’d caught a glimpse of today. The way he’d been with her when they’d first dated.
Enough time spent on wondering how Nick’s love life was doing. It was none of her business and she had work to do.
She sorted the pile of mail on her desk. The address on one of the envelopes caught her eye: Nick Cantrell’s Assistant.
Since that was her official title, she tore it open and a piece of paper slid out. It had one simple word written on it.
Slut.
Okay, maybe not so simple. Scott had called her that several times while he attacked her. The memory of his words and the attack made her nauseous. Her forehead beaded with sweat.
Her heart pounded out of control. The note slipped from her hand and she bit back a scream. Scott hadn’t contacted her since that night, and, according to gossip, had left town and had a girlfriend now. It couldn’t be from him.
She flipped the envelope over a few times. No return address. It had to be a mistake. Her breathing evened out as she rubbed her chest. Only Amy and Brad knew what Scott had done to her. Maybe it was meant for Nick’s last assistant. There were plenty of office rumors about the way the woman chased Nick. Yep, that was who the note was meant for. It had to be. True wiped her damp forehead and tossed it in the trash. Out of sight, out of mind.
She grabbed her purse, then went to the ladies’ room to rinse her face with cool water. It was time to meet Amy for lunch and forget about the note.
True looked at her reflection in the mirror and reassured herself, “It wasn’t meant for you.”
Lunch had been just what True needed to take her mind off crazy mail and a certain hot boss who used to be her lover. She had a job to do. Nick ran a multi-national company that dealt in computer software, programs, and hacker protection services. That meant a lot of work for him, and, as his assistant, a lot of work for her. And the job kept her busy. Like today, she had a long list of to-do items.
She’d finished the third item on her list and was about to tackle number four when Brad showed up.
“Hey, True. What’re you up to?” Brad tossed a few papers onto her desk. “Thought I’d hand-deliver your insurance updates for next year so I could say hello.”
“I’m working, Brad.” She wasn’t totally comfortable around him yet, but she was getting there. She had to remind herself constantly that all men weren’t going to jump her bones the first chance they got. Something she hadn’t thought would be possible six months ago. Learning to trust was hard, and it was another one of the things her therapist had warned her would take time.
“Looks more like you’re daydreaming.” He parked his chino-covered ass on the corner of her desk and played with her glass water globe of New York City, tossing it from hand to hand.
She took the globe from him. “I’d rather not see this broken.” It had saved her during Scott’s attack. On days she was having a hard time dealing with her ordeal, it was a reminder just how strong she could be. “What did you need? I really am swamped right now.”
He shrugged. “Have you decided if you’re going to go to the holiday party with me?”
“Please don’t ask me that. You’re the head of HR and should know better than anyone how out of line it is.”
“There’s no policy about dating co-workers. So what do you say?”
“It’s a company party, and unless you’re bringing a spouse or significant other, you don’t need a date.”
“That’s my point, True. I want to date you.”
“We’ve had this discussion. I don’t want to date anyone.” She fidgeted in her seat and looked past Brad to make sure the exit was clear.
“I hired you, True. I know about your ex-boss and I get why you’d have trust issues with men. I’m not like that. Give me a shot.”
“Sorry, Brad. I’m not ready.” She wiped the beads of sweat forming above her lips. She hit a few keys on her computer, trying to look busy. “If that’s all you stopped by for, I really need to get back to work.”
“Got it. But if you change your mind, you know where I am.” He caught her off guard when he tried to take her hand again and she gasped.
“Stop—”
“True, what’s going on out here?” Nick’s voice boomed and Brad sprang from the edge of her desk to face Nick.
“Nothing, boss. Just catching up with True and talking over a few plans.” Brad stuck his hands into his pockets. “Right, True?”
“You can visit with your girlfriend on your own time, Easley.”
Girlfriend? “But, Mr. Cantrell—”
Before she could explain, Nick held up a hand and walked away.
“Dammit, Brad. You let Nick think we were any more than work acquaintances.”
“What’s the big deal? You got the hots for the guy?” He took a chocolate from a candy dish on her desk. “Never mind. I forgot. You don’t get the hots for men. Besides, Nick Cantrell is way out of your league.”
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I meant he’s a little rough around the edges, and if you have trust issues, he’s not the man for you.” He popped the candy into his mouth and left down the same hall Nick had.
She couldn’t believe the way Brad had insulted her, so coming up with a snappy, put-him-in-his-place reply was out of the question. But he was right. Nick—and men in general—were off-limits until she pulled herself together. The thought of a man touching her was enough to send her into a full-blown panic attack.
Chapter Three
“What the hell does True see in Easley? He’s a prick if ever I’ve met one.” Nick paced in front of Adam’s desk. “I
don’t get it. I even made nice and apologized for making her splash the fucking coffee on herself.”
“I hope someone got that on tape. I can picture the news trailer now. We have a breaking story. Nick Cantrell is nice to his assistant and apologizes for burning the fuck out of her hand.”
Nick flicked the back of Adam’s head. “Don’t be a wise guy.”
“Why do you give a flyin’ fuck, Nicky? You have no claim on her. You keep trying to say you don’t even like the woman.” Adam rubbed the back of his head. “You had your chance with her once.”
“I don’t like to see employees hook-up is all.” Nick’s answer sounded reasonable to him.
“For a man who doesn’t care about True, you sure seem frustrated. If you ball your hands up any tighter, you’re nails are gonna draw blood.”
Nick unclenched his fists and glanced down. Adam was right. He’d left deep imprints on his palms. “I want security to keep an eye on Easley. Lately, I’ve seen some changes in his personality. In fact, let’s look at transferring him to the new division when it opens in a few months. We’ll need an HR person there.” He rubbed his hands together and got the blood circulating again.
“I know what you mean, Nick, I’m not sure what it is about him, but something is definitely off lately. There’ve been a few complaints about him hiring people who aren’t qualified, and promoting his friends over others.” Adam leaned back in his chair. “The head of HR has to put the good of the company first. But I’m not sure Easley does. I think he needs to stay here so we can keep an eye on him. Not push him off on another office. I have a feeling he’ll give us good reason to sack his ass before long. As Cantrell Enterprises’ in-house council, that’s my legal opinion. As your friend, that’s my gut feeling.”
“Fine. Let him stay.” On the plus side, it’d give Nick time to figure out what was going on between Easley and True. When he’d walked out of his office and saw the guy’s hands on her, he’d wanted to pound the bastard. He’d built his company on good business decisions, not emotional ones, but something about Easley rubbed him raw. “I just hope whatever major fuck-up he pulls, it doesn’t involve True. He’d better not hurt her.”
“Says the man who dumped her a few years ago and doesn’t give a shit about her.”
“Fuck you, Adam.”
Adam raised a brow and grinned. “Sorry, Nick. I don’t swing that way.”
Nick sat behind his desk, beating out his favorite drum solo with a pencil. Right now, work was the last thing on his mind. Figuring out what the hell was going on with True was all he could think about. Was she really dating Easley? She didn’t seem very fond of men in general. Especially Nick. But that’s what he’d wanted. It’s why he went out of his way to bark orders at her and act like the biggest shithead on the face of the earth. Apparently, he’d been very successful.
Or so he’d thought.
He’d touched her this morning—twice—and she hadn’t seemed to mind. It was as if time had stopped and they were still together.
When he’d walked out of his office, he’d caught her pulling away from Easley and frowning. That wasn’t the action of a woman who was interested in a man. Now that he replayed the scene in his mind’s eye, Nick realized True had looked terrified of Easley. What the fuck was that about?
A tap on his door stopped his pencil solo and the instant replay of True and Easley. “Come in.”
The object of his thoughts walked into his office. He would love to throw caution to the wind and let her know he wanted her back. It was time to quit being an ass. It hadn’t worked anyway if Adam had seen through his charade. But had she figured it out?
He forced himself not to frown or snarl at her—his usual reaction when she was around. It was time to stop the pretense. It was obvious she was wary of men and had no interest in him with or without him being an ass. “Good afternoon, True.”
Saying she looked shocked at his friendly greeting would be putting it mildly. “I wanted to give you the courier receipts for the Muffleton contracts. They’re now in the attorney’s hands.” She handed them to him.
“Great. That gives his lawyer all of Christmas break to go over them.” Not being an ass didn’t suck as much as he thought. He liked making her smile for a change. An old, familiar warmth coursed through him.
“Mr. Cantrell, about earlier with Brad—I’d like to explain—”
And just like that, he was pissed. The warmth he’d enjoyed turned stone cold. What was it about this woman? “I’ve got a four o’clock conference call.” He grabbed the landline and his grip threatened to crush the receiver. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to stop the pulse pounding in his head.
True looked like someone had kicked her in the gut. Oh, damn. Were tears forming in her eyes?
She sucked in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Yes, sir.” She backed away from his desk. “If you want anything else, I’ll be at my desk.” Her voice was a whisper.
What he wanted was to end the bullshit. To grab her and kiss those delectable lips of hers. Fuck it all. He was going for it. He wanted her back. “Wait.”
He slammed the receiver onto the phone’s cradle and stormed around his desk. His blood pounded inside his head and rushed straight to his cock, making him hard as stone. Damn, the woman stole all sense of right and wrong from him.
He stopped before he reached for her. What the hell was he thinking? That was just it; he didn’t think around True. He ran a billion dollar company and never lost his head. But, with True…
She looked terrified. She’d gone pale and wrapped her arms around herself like a protective shield.
“Mr… Mr. Cantrell. I didn’t mean to upset you,” she stuttered.
He felt like an ass. He’d scared the crap out of her. “True, I’m not angry with you. It’s me. I’ve been dealing with a few strange things lately.” It wasn’t a good explanation, but it was all he had for now. If he told her how he felt when she wasn’t ready to hear it, he could drive her away further than he had seven years ago.
He moved in front of her. She caught her breath, but didn’t try to back away. The more time he spent with her, the more he was sure someone had hurt her more than he had. Physically or mentally, it didn’t matter. She was afraid and it made him want to wrap her in his arms and protect her.
“Breathe, True.” He tipped her chin up. “I realize I’ve been an ass to you. I’m going to change all of that. Starting now.”
Not waiting for an answer, he touched her shoulder gently. Her body relaxed beneath his hand. God, how he wanted to kiss her. And more. What he wouldn’t give to break down the wall she hid behind and run his hands all over her. But he refused to scare her any more than he had with his obnoxious behavior.
“True, you can talk to me. I know I messed up back when we were together and didn’t end things well, but I’m here for you now. I’d like to think I’ve grown up since then.”
“I appreciate the gesture. Thank you.” She laid her fingers on the spot he’d touched and her gaze found his.
For a moment, he thought she was going to kiss him or at least tell him what was going on. Instead, she seemed to fall apart right in front of him.
“True, are you okay?”
“I… I… have to go,” True had barely stuttered the words and he was sure she was trembling.
He hadn’t said or done anything to make her uncomfortable, had he? There was definitely something going on with her and he planned on finding out exactly what it was.
Maybe the note was meant for her. True might not be a slut, but she had to fight the urge to kiss Nick. She hadn’t wanted Scott or Brad, but Nick? The man stole her breath away. Back when they were still together, he’d taken her to places with one kiss that no other man had ever come close to. Any remaining fear she’d had of him disappeared the moment he’d touched her shoulders and lifted her chin. He made her feel excited without frightening her.
Nick’s touch was so gentle, she truly believed he
cared. There was nothing frightening about him. Right now, he seemed like the Nick she’d known years ago. The man she’d missed. The man she’d loved. He was nothing like Scott.
Damn it. Just the thought of Scott made her heart race and she knew what would follow. No, God, no. Please don’t let me fall apart in front of Nick. The trembling began and she took a few steps backwards toward the door.
“True? Talk to me.” He sounded so concerned.
“I can’t.” How could she explain the panic? He’d think she was bat-shit crazy. There was no way to rationalize to someone the panic she didn’t fully understand herself. A flashback of Scott grinding his pelvis against her struck like lightning, igniting a storm of memories. She could feel Scott’s fists pulverizing her face and the way his knees dug into her thighs as he ripped away her clothes. She could hear the echoes of his voice taunting her, telling her how much she wanted him. Quit playing hard to get, he’d chanted a million times during the assault.
She held her arms against her chest and fled from Nick and his office. Or was she running from the memory of Scott? Her therapist would love that she actually questioned what was happening. She kept moving, tears streaking down her face, until she landed in Amy’s office.
“Jesus, True. What’s wrong?” Amy pulled her in for a hug. “Start talking or I’m going to call security.”
True shook her head so hard she was afraid it would fly off her neck. “No. Don’t call anyone. I’m fine.”
“You looked fine at lunch. You sure as hell don’t look fine now.”
“I need a moment.” She bent over, hoping she didn’t throw up.
“Okay.” Amy walked her to the couch and they sat side by side, her friend never letting go. “Tissues?” Amy passed her a box.
“Thanks.” She wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
“That’s better. Now talk, True.”
“I… I want my life to be back to normal. I don’t understand why every move I make has to center around the… attack. I can’t take much more.”
Amy gathered her into a hug. “You’re so much better, sweetie. Especially compared to six months ago. Sure, there’s bound to be setbacks, but overall, you’re doing pretty good. What set this off?”
