Oh well, now was not the time for such thoughts, Nick realized. In just a few moments they’d pull into the parking garage of the huge building that housed Barrett Global and Nick would have to at least try to put his game face on. He didn’t think carrying her caveman style into his private office and kicking the door shut would go unnoticed. Calling upon the gentlemanly manners that his Southern mama had drilled into him, he sighed in resignation while reassuringly squeezing the hand he still held.
She was so lovely sitting there in a gorgeous designer suit that had surprised him when she walked out of the dressing room earlier. So far he’d seen her as a cowgirl, a yoga devotee, and a California girl. The serious businesswoman was unexpected and sexy as hell. She’d been sweet and adorable as a teenager in that All-American, girl next door, kind of way. The woman she had become was a revelation. Confident, sassy and possessing of a natural wit and intellect that challenged him, she was also lovely beyond belief and completely, drop dead beautiful.
She’d tamed her glorious hair into a tidy chignon and hung delicate amethyst jewels from her ears. The obviously designer suit was a subtle copper color that beautifully highlighted her coloring. What appealed to him most, though, was the feminine style that suited her perfectly, instead of the pseudo-man suits he’d become used to in today’s business world.
In place of something severe and structured, the fitted jacket was a three-quarter sleeve, collarless design meeting at a deep, open V before being gathered rather than buttoned by a contrasting silk ribbon. The ribbon wove through the fabric, appearing in a short segment at her waist before ending in a center bow. Underneath the jacket was a silky, low-cut sleeveless top, which, along with the upswept hair, accentuated her glorious long neck. A delicate silver chain dangling with a tiny teardrop amethyst hung at her throat. He thought she looked amazing.
Ever since having her long, lithe legs wrapped around his hips, he’d been able to think about little else, and right this second was no exception. There wasn’t anything overtly sexy about the matching skirt, but there was something about the way the copper-colored fabric molded her voluptuous derrière that took his breath away. Ending a few inches above her knees, the short skirt and autumn-colored L.K. Bennett pumps completed the outfit and made her legs look fabulous.
That he knew the designer of her shoes was hilarious. Ever alert to small details, he had remembered the maker when, after having admired the shoes and calling them quite sexy, she had preened and pranced a bit, showing her delight with her favorite “Duchess Kate” footwear. When he’d admonished her to be careful teetering on heels with a still-bruised ankle, she had presented him with a sexy pout and declared all men thick before grabbing her bag and flouncing out of the room.
In retrospect, he’d enjoyed the flounce quite a bit. The sight of her amazing rear end so beautifully outlined in the trim skirt as she sashayed past him had been nothing short of fantastic. The cute way her hips swayed when she got all full of herself was magnetic. He’d wanted to haul her back against him and hold her tight and fast. From there the images got wild and very hot, making Nick rein in his wandering thoughts yet again.
He hoped his conservative attire wasn’t too boring. There was certainly nothing shabby about his customary two-button formal business suit, and he was pretty sure he looked damn good in it. He might not be David Beckham, but he could hold his own in an underwear ad if he had to. Next to her graceful loveliness, he just didn’t want to come off as an oaf.
Christ, but she brought out some very uncharacteristic feelings of insecurity in him. Serves you right, an inner voice sneered when he considered that he’d pretty much made her feel like an inferior nuisance that day he’d tried to kill her feelings for him.
His last thoughts as they made the turn into the private parking area were chaotic and unfocused—just what he needed. Clenching his jaw, Nick made a final valiant effort to pull himself together before the in-your-face reality of his business life intruded in the bubble they’d been creating around themselves. Was it too late to cross his fingers?
* * *
Shannon was oddly calm as she gathered her new Hermes Birkin bag, a rare self-indulgent luxury for her that she hadn’t been able to refuse, and made ready to leave the confines of Nick’s executive limo.
Living in Los Angeles and hobnobbing with the rich and famous through her business meant that Shannon already had a clear picture of how the fabulously wealthy lived. Even so, she’d been nothing but surprised every step of the way on how totally misconstrued her vicious, judgmental narrative about Nick’s imagined wealthy lifestyle had been.
He was no spoiled trust-fund baby who inherited his entire existence at all. The debauched images of an uncaring, self-centered playboy had been well and truly buried under an almost-unending onslaught of revelations about the real life he led.
Having regarded his wealth as the root of all evil for so long, Shannon was replacing that former opinion with a complete 180-degree swing. Nicholas Barrett was a man to be taken seriously. He’d swashbuckled his way through the business life he’d inherited and molded it to fit his terms.
He in no way flaunted what she was coming to understand was the kind of wealth that staggers the regular person’s mind. While everything about him was undeniably top drawer, it was subtle, understated, and not flashy at all. At times she felt he seemed uncomfortable with dwelling on the privileges his birthright had gifted him.
The private 727 jet was the first real indication that she was now traveling in a different strata altogether, once who he really was came out of the shadows. Even that had proved to be less an indulgence and more a practical means to an end after their charming encounter with the Reyes family. Seeing firsthand how Nick had insisted that accommodations available to him were put to other uses whenever feasible had been an eye-opening revelation.
She’d expected a Manhattan penthouse, too. Some architect’s version of an ultra-modern bachelor pad all decorated in minimalist style. Shannon had envisioned a home devoid of feelings or warmth, because after all, that’s exactly how she’d been imagining him all these years. The elegant but cozy brownstone where he actually lived wasn’t just a surprise—it was a complete shock.
True, he was surrounded by luxury and every possible amenity, toy, and opportunity one could imagine, but he was also more down-to-earth than most of the people she was acquainted with. He was the Nick she’d known, only in grown-up form—bolder, bigger, and way more powerful than she remembered.
He was speaking softly to Mr. Allen on the car phone, something about arrangements for later in the day, as she let her thoughtful gaze wander over him and their surroundings. She had to admit that the plush luxury of the limo was indeed quite nice. She’d been amused when they entered the car to see that when Nick was working it served as a sort of mobile office. Another reminder that the man she was faced with today was a serious executive wielding incredible global influence. Shannon rather liked that. It suited him, she had to admit.
He had switched off the morning business news as soon as they were seated, apparently not at all interested in how the stock market was doing or what the latest news was on a global merger that probably should have gained his interest. She smiled an inward woman’s smile, confident that his thoughts were on other things, intimate things, and felt a sense of satisfaction warm her.
Turning to peer out the window as the large car turned into an underground security garage, Shannon felt the brief flutter of nervous butterflies in her tummy and pressed her hand there for calm. They were way beyond baby steps right now with this full-frontal introduction to a part of Nick’s life she’d never seen, had resented for such a long time, and didn’t fully understand. This was a giant leap. The way her stomach was doing back flips, it may be closer to a free-falling bungee jump.
Once she’d made her decision, or rather once her heart had decided to push her along to the inevitable conclusion, Shannon knew they’d have to step into his real life at some po
int. She’d have to see whether she could find a niche in his world where she would fit, and none of her usual calming, coping mechanisms were making that inescapable truth easier to handle.
Suddenly assailed with nervousness and needing to feel his reassurance, Shannon lifted worried, self-conscious eyes to his. He was looking at her with such undisguised pride and affection that all the doubts and fears that had crowded her mind just seconds ago vanished completely.
As if sensing her anxiety, Nick smiled a lover’s smile and said, “You look amazing, little one.” His sweeping appraisal and undeniable approval wrapped around her heart, giving her the courage she needed to reach out and take what was hers, no matter the changes she’d have to confront.
This was going to be an adjustment for them both, and that thought gladdened her heart, knowing they were together in uncharted waters. Smiling quickly, Shannon pushed images of her cowboy pirate navigating them through their newly launched journey to the back of her mind. It wouldn’t do to let her lascivious thoughts show through just at the moment he was introducing her to his life.
They traveled to the executive floors of the multi-story building in the Wall Street district of New York in a private elevator that afforded Shannon a brief opportunity to check that she was all in one piece. Smoothing down her skirt with a slightly trembling hand, she caught sight of the two of them in the polished steel walls of the enclosed space. She was instantly struck by how well they looked together.
He was tall and gorgeously attired in a classic black business suit with a crisp white shirt and a grey satin tie that made him look impressive and slightly dangerous. The superb cut of the custom suit framed his impossibly broad shoulders, offering just a hint at the incredible male physique it covered. His immaculately cut and styled hair, handmade leather shoes, and long legs made Nicholas Barrett a tempting package indeed.
Standing next to him in her fashionable designer outfit with her favorite high-heeled pumps, she complemented his powerful masculinity with a counterpoint of stylish femininity that completed the pleasing picture they presented.
He put her hand through his arm, keeping her close to him from the moment she’d stepped from the car arriving at his side. She liked the possessiveness of his actions, something she’d never thought was a part of her emotional makeup. Seeing herself in terms of being a strong, independent woman, Shannon was endlessly amazed at how perfect she felt whenever he was doing his macho thing.
The other thing she liked very, very much was that his eyes rarely left her. He was ever watchful and aware of her every move, immensely protective of her and the seeds of hope they’d sown. Shannon felt safe with him, so when the awareness of trust and faith necessary to feel that kind of security shifted into her consciousness, she instinctively tightened her fingers and hugged his arm briefly in acknowledgment.
Putting his free hand atop where hers rested in the crook of his arm, Nick leaned down and chuckled at her, saying, “Maybe we should stay ten paces apart. I seem to have a one-track mind around you!”
When she looked at him in confusion, he added, “Actually, I take that back. You may have to walk in front of me unless we want everyone and their mother’s brother seeing evidence of what your presence by my side makes happen in my pants.”
When the elevator doors swooshed open, anybody looking their way would have caught a glimpse of an openly grinning Shannon and a quietly laughing Nick as they shared a lighthearted moment.
“Showtime,” Nick muttered as he ushered her across the beautifully decorated reception area on the executive floor where his private office was situated.
Nick tried not to look at her legs when he heard the soft tap, tap, tap of those elegant pumps hitting the tiled floor as they made their way, her hand still firmly resting on his arm, around the open spaciousness that made up the private floor of exclusive offices.
Several people congregating in the lobby area looked up at their appearance and immediately stood at attention in the presence of the Barrett CEO.
“Good Morning, sir,” a bland-suited woman said. “Glad to see you back. Did you enjoy your vacation, Mr. Barrett?”
“Yes, I did, Gloria, and good morning to you, too,” Nick answered. Guiding Shannon closer to the group of people, he introduced her without hesitation.
“Shannon, this is Claire’s admin team.” He nodded in turn to each person as he mentioned their names. “Gloria Haynes, Anthony Burke, and Miguel Estaban, this is Shannon Reynolds.”
The curious expressions thinly veiled with shock on each of his employees’ faces told Shannon that Nicholas Barrett having a female on his arm was not a normal everyday occurrence. And certainly not at the office. She remembered the searing hurt of having felt for so long as though she wouldn’t fit in his world, was not the proper social class to be at his side, and gloried in the sound of pride that infused his voice as he’d introduced her. That and the way he wouldn’t let go of her hand shone a bright, beaming light of happiness into her soul.
The enthusiastic welcomes being showered on Shannon were interrupted when Claire Dennison rounded a corner, saw them, and made directly for her boss’s side.
Shannon watched her approach and privately admired the woman’s professional demeanor and the way she handled herself. Claire had been the sole of efficiency in dealing with the Reyes family and all the arrangements necessary for Nick’s guests and for the man himself upon his arrival back in New York. She had to admit to herself that she’d be lying like the proverbial rug if she didn’t own the fact that she’d be out-of-her-mind with jealousy over Claire’s closeness to Nick if not for the fact that the woman so obviously rooted for the same-sex team.
Shannon was surprised to realize she was feeling rather possessive where Nick was concerned. Thinking of him with other women had the effect of a deep freeze on her already shaky emotions. Knowing that the smart and savvy woman walking toward them was the height of discretion and obviously quite high on the loyalty curve where he was concerned made up for any leftover anxiety.
“Good morning, Ms. Reynolds.” Claire smiled with pleasure. “It’s a pleasure to see you again so soon,” she added, earning curious glances from the staff present. Shannon appreciated that Claire was making it abundantly clear to her team that Shannon’s appearance at Nicholas Barrett’s side was not a surprise, not to her anyway.
Smiling back, Shannon finally eased her hand from the crook of Nick’s arm to gently wag her finger at Claire while declaring, “You promised to call me Shannon, Claire, and I am holding you to it!”
“It’s a deal then, Shannon,” Claire said before turning to her boss, adding, “Good morning, sir. Mr. Allen alerted me to your arrival, and I’ve quickly arranged for you to meet briefly with the Santiago merger team. They are waiting for you in the conference room.”
With all the skills of a seasoned pro, Claire quickly dismissed her team with directives and requests, causing them to all rapidly scatter after expressing delight once again at meeting Shannon followed by quiet nods to Nick and Claire.
Once alone, Claire told Nick, “I’ll give Shannon a tour while you talk merger details and we’ll meet back in your office in half an hour?” More a statement than a question, Shannon marveled at the woman’s take-charge persona while she smiled at Nick when he turned worried eyes her way.
“Is that alright with you, Shannon? I’m sorry to leave you, but this merger is time sensitive and I’d like to clear it from my schedule for now.” The implication that he wanted to free himself of work responsibilities reminded Shannon again that they were in uncharted territory.
“Nick, you go on and take care of business. Let Claire show me around your mighty kingdom.” She laughed as she enjoyed the infinitesimally brief look of astonishment on his PA’s face at her obvious needling of the great and powerful Nicholas Barrett.
“Besides, how can I find out all your secrets if you don’t let me grill your PA?”
When she shot him one of those enchantingly shy, dow
ncast-eyes-sweeping-up-to-his expressions that filled him with happiness, Nick threw back his head and laughed with complete delight at how cheeky she was being earning the attention of everyone in their vicinity. He noted absently to himself that apparently laughing out loud was something he must rarely do if the stupefied expressions of those nearby were anything to go by.
God, he liked how having her back in his life felt. Liked how suddenly carefree and joyous his outlook was. He also very much liked that Shannon seemed relaxed and cheerful. This could only mean that, as he had hoped, the careful steps they’d been taking on the road to overcoming the past were paying off.
Seconds later he got swept away by clamoring voices coming from the open doors of the conference room where they’d made their way. Claire pushed him along, assuring Nick the whole way that she would see to Shannon’s every comfort and would, yes, walk slowly and not put any further stress on her wounded ankle.
Once he was drawn into the crowded conference room and the door shut behind him, Claire turned her full attention on Shannon, immediately asking if she was okay to tour the executive wing.
The next half hour melted by as Shannon listened with increasing interest to Claire’s tour-guide explanation of the green technology and systems Nick had insisted on even here in Barrett’s inner sanctum. She couldn’t help but be impressed by how seriously he approached this particular business philosophy and remembered exactly how passionate and determined he’d been as a younger man when it came to addressing some of the planet’s more immediate and pressing environmental and societal challenges.
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