by Conn, Claudy
A car came to a screeching halt next to them and the door opened. Brad stepped out. “Is everything okay over here?” The sharp, accusing tone in his voice made her skin crawl.
“We’re good, Brad. I stumbled and Nick was nice enough to catch me before I hit the pavement.” She scooted away from Nick. “You can go, Brad. I’m sure you’ve got things to do at home.”
“If you’re sure you’re all right.” Even though Brad was speaking to her, his eyes never left Nick’s. Both men’s hands were fisted and they looked like they were ready to jump on each other. She suddenly felt the urge to run. The idea of violence repulsed her. She’d leave the two men to rot in their own testosterone poisoning.
“True says she’s fine, Easley,” Nick growled.
Brad glanced at her chest, ground his teeth, then looked back at Nick.
She chanced a peek at what Brad had seen. Oh God. Her shirt was untucked and Nick had managed to somehow open a few buttons. Tugging her coat back together, she gathered her purse from where it had dropped when she’d stumbled. She hustled to her car. There was an envelope on her windshield, and she grabbed it, then climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the ignition on.
That caught Nick’s attention and he yelled something she couldn’t hear.
True waved as she drove past.
At the first stoplight, she opened the envelope and pulled out the short message. It was identical to the first one she’d received. She stared at the paper until the word slut seemed to jump out at her. There was no way a second letter, delivered to her car, was meant for anyone else. A boulder-sized lump stuck in her throat.
The car behind her honked and she realized the light had turned green. True crumpled the paper and tossed the note onto the floorboard. She had to admit, throwing herself at Nick tonight and making out in a public place were actions that screamed slut. But no one had the right to call her that.
***
“Have you found anything on Easley yet? The bastard is more fucked-up than I assumed.” Nick stood in front of Adam’s desk, arms crossed, insides churning. The more he thought about the outraged looks Easley had sent his direction last night, the angrier he got. And he wasn’t real happy with the way True had taken off without him. She didn’t look too pleased about the way he was playing a beat-on-my-chest stare-down game with Easley.
“You can’t fire an employee because he interrupted your make-out session with a good-looking woman.”
“True is more than that to me. We have a past, and I want to renew our relationship. I believe she wants the same thing. This really isn’t about me wanting to get rid of the competition. There is something seriously off with the man. You didn’t see the look on his face. The hunger in his eyes for True was borderline psycho, and the death rays he sent in my direction were way fucking out of line.”
Adam brushed a piece of lint from his suit jacket. “I’ll check on how things are going with background search on him. We have to be extremely discreet digging into old records.”
“Thanks.” Nick didn’t ask for details. “I don’t handle frustration well.”
Adam’s brows drew together. “No shit.”
“You don’t have to be a smart-ass.” Nick tugged his tie loose, then undid the top button of his shirt. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen True around today.” She’d taken off like a bat out of hell and hadn’t answered his calls last night. It’d taken every ounce of strength he had not to go to her brownstone and pound on her door.
“I imagine she’s in the tenth floor ballroom setting up for the holiday party. She’s in charge, right?”
“That’s right. She’s been handling everything and working with the event planner. I can’t believe I forgot.” He really needed the holiday break to get his shit together. Maybe he’d get True to go away with him to somewhere tropical. That would lift his spirits. They’d always talked about a beach vacation when they’d dated. Now he could actually afford to take her on one.
An image of True in a bikini flashed before his eyes.
“You do remember you gave most of the employees the afternoon off to get ready for the big shindig tonight, right?” Adam asked.
“I imagine True copied me somewhere on that.” The picture of a bikini-clad True was stuck in his mind. If his dick got any harder, it’d rip a hole through his pants. “Gotta run.”
“Tell me you’re not heading to the tenth floor?”
“No, I’m not. I have a few things to do.”
Nick leaned back in his chair and stared out the window, his hands clasped behind his head. He’d spent most of the day thinking about True. He couldn’t remember a woman he’d ever thought twice about. But for the life of him, even after all these years, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He’d tossed around the idea of telling her how he felt to see how she reacted. If she was as enthusiastic about him as he was about her, great. After all, she had made the first move last night. Maybe… maybe he really would see if she’d like to head somewhere exotic with him for the holidays. Oh yeah, and get her in that bikini.
And out of it.
***
True sprawled in the middle of her bed, a pile of dresses and shoes surrounding her while Amy continued to unload accessories from her suitcase.
“I’m serious, Amy.” True fluffed a pillow behind her head. “You need to pack this stuff up and head home.”
“No way.” Amy tossed a tiny bustier on the bed. “I drove all the way to my cousin’s house to pick this crap up for you.”
“I’m grateful to you and your cousin, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m not going tonight.”
“Oh yes you are. You planned the party, you have to be there.”
“Technically, I don’t. I spent most of the day making sure every detail was handled. The party will go off without a hitch whether I’m there or not.”
“I don’t understand why you’d want to miss the biggest Cantrell party of the year. Especially considering all the time you’ve put in to make it happen.”
“I’m exhausted. You can text me photos and videos.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily enough. Between making a fool out of herself once again last night and someone leaving slut-o-grams that scared the crap out of her, she needed the break.
“Is this because of what happened with Nick last night? You can’t avoid him forever.”
“Wanna bet? I’m not going back to Cantrell Enterprises after the holidays. I’m going to send my letter of resignation tonight.” She’d crossed a line last night, and, after a sleepless night, realized she and Nick had had their shot at a romance years ago. It was too late to go back. She was a different person now. She was no longer that young woman who wasn’t afraid of anything and trusted easily.
“Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind, True? You can’t quit.” Amy stood still, a flimsy dress clutched in her hand. “I’ve never heard such crazy talk.”
“I can’t face Nick. I threw myself at the man in a damn parking garage like some kind of cheap tramp. If that wasn’t bad enough, Brad showed up and interrupted us.”
“Oh, sweetie, there’s nothing cheap about you.” Amy scooted up against the headboard by True. “You can’t let something like that run you off. I would wager Nick didn’t push you away.”
True remained silent.
“Well, did he?”
“No. It was as if seven years hadn’t separated us. I didn’t panic either. It felt good being his arms. I think he was as into me as I was him… at the time.”
“Then what’s the big deal?” Amy slipped on a crystal bracelet and admired it.
“Now that he’s had time for an instant replay and Monday morning quarterbacking, there’s no telling what he thinks.” True covered her face. “I thought he and Brad were going to kill each other.”
“Damn, girlfriend. You got to experience every woman’s fantasy. Two men willing to go mano-a-mano for the woman they love.
True lowered her hands. “Now who’s talking crazy? I can assu
re you, neither Nick nor Brad love me.”
“Then they lust after you, and that works, too.”
“You’re impossible, Amy.”
“Maybe so, but I’m not letting you stay home alone. I’ll sit right here with you all night. I don’t mind missing the party. I can wear my new gorgeous, and, I might add, very expensive dress, another time.”
“You are so not going to guilt me into going.”
“By the way, did you notice the five pounds I’ve lost so I’d look extra hot tonight in the dress that cost me two paychecks to buy?”
“Five pounds? That’s a low blow, my friend.”
“Yes. It’s okay, though. Now I can pig out on Christmas cookies and we can watch a cozy Christmas movie.” Amy hopped off the bed and began clearing away the dresses. “I’ll pack this mess up and then we’ll order pizza and eat cookies.”
“You’re giving in already?” Amy was up to something.
“Of course.” Amy folded a black gown. “I wonder what they’re serving for dinner.”
“You know exactly what’s being served. I planned the menu. With your help.”
“Oh, that’s right. I guess it slipped my mind.” Amy laid the black dress inside the suitcase. “You think Rob from accounting will be there?”
“You know his R.S.V.P. said he will.”
“I suppose I do.”
“Are you really willing to miss the party for me?”
“Sure.”
Damn, Amy was the best friend ever. She couldn’t let her miss the event. “All right, Amy. You win. I’ll go, but I’m only putting in an appearance. Promise me you’ll not make a big deal of it when I cut out early.”
“I hope you didn’t change your mind because I made you feel bad.”
“I can tell you’re all torn up.” True stood and stretched. “I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t mention me resigning to anyone.”
“I won’t. Under one condition.”
“Depends on the condition.”
“You have to promise me you’ll take a couple days to think about things before you tender your resignation. Jobs are not easy to come by. Especially one that pays like Cantrell Enterprise.”
True had already considered that. She’d checked her savings, and, if she was careful, she had a couple months before things got tight. “I’m not making any promises.”
“True, is something else going on with you? You seem a little nervous tonight.”
Maybe if she told Amy about the notes, she’d have some ideas on how to handle her new fan. “This has to stay between you and me.”
“I don’t tell secrets.” Amy crossed her heart.
“I think I’ve made somebody angry with me. Someone has left me two notes that have the word slut written on them.”
“Just the one word?” Amy’s usually happy face turned to one of concern.
“Yep. I thought the first one might have been meant for someone else. But two? They’re meant for me.”
“You have to go to the police. I’ve seen movies with stalkers. They bring on some bad shit, True.”
“I think you’re right. I’ll take care of it in the morning.”
“No. Call them now.” Amy shoved her cell phone at her. “I know you don’t like the police after what they let Scott get away with, but this is serious.”
“I realize that, but if I’m going to the party tonight, I don’t have time call and wait for them to send a cop out to make a report.”
“You’ll call in the morning?”
“First thing. Now, let’s talk about something else.”
“I don’t like it, but you win. But I’m staying with you tonight.”
“If it makes you feel better.”
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Amy held up a sequin-covered dress. “What about this little number?”
“Explain to me again why I need to borrow something from your cousin to wear tonight?”
“Because it’s sinful to waste such awesome dresses. Rizzy is pregnant and will probably never fit in these again. And I don’t want you looking like someone’s grandmother.” She tossed the black dress on the chair and held up a slinky red dress. “If you’re leaving the company anyway, at least go out with a bang.”
Knowing Amy would never shut up if she didn’t at least look at the clothing she’d brought, True dug through the stack of dresses. “I can’t believe you dragged all this stuff here.”
“Anything for my bestie. Besides, I don’t want to show up with you dressed in clothing only fit for a nun.” Amy held a blue and black print dress with a dangerously low-cut back against True’s body. “I think this is the one. Try it on.”
True took it from her and studied it. The front had a sexy split that went as high as legally allowed. “I don’t know, Amy. There’s not much to this thing.” She didn’t need to give whoever was sending the slut notes any encouragement.
Oh, God. Was he watching her?
“Exactly.”
True slipped the dress on and stood in front of her mirror. “It’s kind of tight.”
“It’s not tight. It’s figure-hugging. You’re used to buying your clothes at the Tent-and-Awning store. This is perfect. A piece of art on you.”
True turned from side to side, checking the fit from every angle. “I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve worn anything like this.” She swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. “I’m not sure—”
“Dammit, True. You’re doing it again. Don’t let what happened continue to rule your actions. Scott doesn’t deserve to ruin your life forever. Don’t you see? He controls everything you do.”
True swallowed a few more times. “I know. Believe me, I’m trying.”
“I know you are, sweetie. I just hate to see you waste away.”
“You’re right.” True straightened her back and ran her hands down the dress. She’d decided to kick the fear to the curb last night, hadn’t she? “This is perfect. Look out world.”
“There’s my girl.” She led True to the dressing table. “Sit.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to put some make up on you and fix your hair. Tonight, you’re wearing this beautiful head of hair down. No more librarian up-do’s or school-girl ponytails.”
True started to protest.
“Un-uh. Sit still and let me work my magic.” Amy placed her palms on True’s shoulders. “Think of me as your fairy godmother.”
Chapter Six
“I can’t do this.” True wobbled on the four-inch stilettos. “The damned things are killing me. It’s been over six months since I’ve worn anything but flats.”
Amy dug inside the last suitcase she’d brought in. “Here, try these. I guess two inch heels won’t totally massacre the look. Besides, for a short girl, you have long, sexy-looking legs. I can work with that.” She flipped the front slit of the dress. “There. Let it hang open. Oh yeah, now we’re talking.”
True switched out the shoes. “God, that’s so much better. I may live after all. By the way, do I need to remind you we are the same height?”
“I always wear heels which always makes me four inches taller than you. So no, technically, we’re not the same.”
“You make that sound so logical, it scares me.” After another look at herself, True went to her closet and slid some hangers across the rod.
“What are you looking for?”
“I need a shrug to cover up a bit.”
Amy dragged her from her closet excavation and slammed the door. “No way. You are not allowed to mess up my masterpiece. You look totally amazing.”
“I look like I’m asking for trouble.” That was what Scott had said that night.
“Don’t even go there. This is about you. Not some asshole who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. You could’ve been in a potato sack and Scott would’ve attacked you.” Amy adjusted the straps on the evening gown she’d had put on.
True’s eyes began to fill.
“Oh no y
ou don’t. No crying allowed. It’ll mess up your make-up. I must say, by the way, it’s one of my finer pieces of work.” Amy handed her a tissue, then walked her to the mirror. “We look awesome, girlfriend.”
True dabbed her eyes and grabbed her evening bag. “Fine. Let’s go before I change my mind again. We’re already late.”
***
“Do you think she’s decided not to come?” Nick set his untouched glass of wine on a server’s tray. “Cocktail hour is almost over.”
“I can’t imagine she’d miss this. Taking charge of the party was one of the first assignments you gave her when she joined the company.” Adam finished his scotch and rattled the ice in the glass. “Unless you really embarrassed her last night or pissed her off big time, she’ll show. Her friend, Amy, hasn’t arrived yet either. They’re probably together.”
“I think I’ll have security check the police scanners for reports of car accidents in the area just in case. I better have them call the area hospitals, too.”
“That woman’s got you twisted up big time, Nick. Calm down. She’s fine. Women are always late. Believe me, I—”
Nick laid his hand on Adam’s arm. “She’s here.”
True seemed to float into the room on a cloud of blue and black glitter. She looked absolutely stunning. Her dress hugged every inch of her body. Damn, what he wouldn’t give to be that dress right now, wrapped around her luscious curves. Her hair hung loose and swayed with each step she took. Nick wished he’d still had his drink. It would’ve given him something to do besides drool.
Oh Christ. The killer dress was slit all the way up her thigh, showing him a better glimpse of her long, endless leg. He almost stumbled over his own feet when he started toward her.
Adam steadied him. “Take it easy, Nick. You don’t want to scare the poor woman.”
“I got this.” Nick headed her way again. Her eyes met his, and, without so much as a kiss-my-ass smile, she ducked behind a few people from the Purchasing department and hid from him.
Pissed? Embarrassed? Maybe both, but it looked like Adam was right. The make-out session in the garage may have been a bit over the top. Damn. Nick would slow things down. He’d apologize if he’d done anything to hurt her. Assuming he could manage to catch up with her, that is.
