“Nice to meet you,” Nicole lied as she briefly shook the other woman’s hand.
“And your name?”
“Nicole.”
“So you’re the new employee.”
“You’ve heard of me? I wish I could say the same of you.”
Nina’s eyes shot daggers at Nicole’s carefully aimed barb.
“A word of advice, dear. Watch out for big bad Alex. He eats little girls like you for breakfast.”
“I’m not a little girl, and whatever plans Alexander and I have are our own concern,” Nicole smoothly responded and was satisfied when the other woman’s smile was replaced with an angry sneer.
“I would say it was nice to see you again, Nina, but I’d be lying,” Alex interjected, guiding Nicole away, leaving Nina glaring after them.
“She’s a lovely woman,” Nicole said with such sarcasm that Alex laughed out loud and impulsively pulled her close to his side.
“You handled her beautifully. I wish I knew who invited her.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She draped her arm in his. “Forget about her and concentrate on me.”
“That won’t be hard to do.” He smiled at her. “How about some champagne?”
“I’d love some.”
“I’ll be right back,” he promised, squeezing her hand as he walked off to find a waiter.
While she waited for Alex, Nicole was shocked and giddy as Felipe Varcellegao came up to talk to her. She didn’t know if she’d ever get used to being in the same room with the biggest names in fashion.
* * *
“Felipe Varcellegao seems taken with your little toy.” Nina intercepted Alex as he was headed back to Nicole’s side.
“We have nothing to say to one another, Nina.”
“She seems very chummy with your competition.” Nina continued to block his way. “Doesn’t she?”
Alex glanced over her shoulder and fought off a frown. “They’re just talking.”
“That’s how it starts.” Nina sipped her champagne. “Isn’t it?”
“Not everyone has your lack of loyalty or back alley ethics.”
“My my, you’ve sharpened your barbs, haven’t you?”
“They’re not barbs. They’re the truth.”
“If your precious Nicole is happy with Alexander’s and you, why is she taking Felipe’s business card?” Alex’s eyes shot back to Nicole as she placed a white card in her evening bag. “Maybe there’s trouble in paradise after all.”
“I don’t know what I ever saw in you,” Alex snarled and walked off. Thankfully when he reached Nicole, she was alone. “I saw you talking with Felipe.” He handed her a glass. “What was that about?”
“Nothing.” She sipped her champagne. “He was just congratulating Alexander’s on a fabulous show.”
“That’s nice.” He pushed all doubts out of his head. Nina was a troublemaker, and he wouldn’t allow her to ruin his and Nicole’s evening. “May I have this dance?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She took his hand and walked with him onto the dance floor. Soon they were surrounded by other dancers, and neither of them noticed Nina positioning herself within hearing distance.
“Alexander...?” She paused, thinking better of her unspoken question.
“What?” She shook her head, but he persisted. “What is it, Nicole?”
“I just wondered if you wanted to talk about Nina.”
“No,” he quickly said. “Suffice it to say that woman was my worst nightmare, and I’m glad to be rid of her.”
“I’m so sorry she hurt you. I don’t understand how anyone with a soul could ever hurt you.” His heart somersaulted at her genuine words.
“I think you’re a little prejudiced.”
“I am completely,” she vowed.
“I’ve never been happier than I have been with you, Nicole.” He didn’t know what the future held, but he wanted her to know.
“We’re just getting started.” At his silence, she asked, “Do you believe me?”
“I want to.”
“Then do,” she softly ordered, and he smiled.
“What do you say we swing by the office on the way home?” He purposefully switched subjects.
“Alexander.” Nicole shook her head tolerantly. “Tonight is for play, remember?”
“I know, but ideas for my new designs are dancing in my head. You know what that’s like.”
“I do.” She lowered her voice, “But you promised me the rest of the night, and I’m very selfish when it comes to my private time with you.”
A pleased smile lit up his face. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” She fought down the urge to kiss him, and when his eyes shifted to her lips she knew he was fighting the same battle. “How much longer should we stay here?”
“At least an hour.” He chuckled at her groan. “Let’s go and mingle and see if we can’t speed up our timetable.”
“What a wonderful idea.” She touched his arm and moved closer, whispering, “Then I want to go home and have our own private party, lover.”
“Make that thirty minutes,” Alexander growled.
“Better and better.” She squeezed his fingers as they left the dance floor.
* * *
“Hi, Gus. Know who this is?” Nina used her sexiest voice for this important call as she exited the boring party. She listened and laughed seductively. “I know, it’s been too long, baby. That’s why I’m calling. Are you at work? Perfect! Hang on a second.” She gave the attendant her claim ticket and walked outside to wait for her car and to continue her conversation in private. “How would you like to make a quick twenty grand? All you have to do is unlock a door. Yep, that’s all. I’ll give you the details when I get there. See you soon, baby.”
She pressed a button to end the call and waited impatiently for her car. She couldn’t wait to create a little trouble in paradise. Nothing made her happier.
* * *
“I am glad to be home,” Alex proclaimed as he and Nicole entered his bedroom.
“Me, too.” Nicole sighed. “It was quite a night, wasn’t it?”
“I hope it’s not over with yet.” Alex’s arms snaked around her waist, pulling her tight.
“It’s just beginning for us,” Nicole promised, pushing him onto the bed and following him down.
Their lips gravitated together and they kissed reverently, drawing each other into the waiting vortex. Their hands made quick work of divesting each other of their clothes, and then they showed how much they cherished each other. Their breath intermingled in satisfied sighs, limbs intertwined in perfect synchronization as two hearts and minds blended seamlessly into one before the excruciating pleasure built inside of them until all they could do was pray for sweet release.
“Oh, God, Nicole!”
“Alexander!”
The world exploded, showering them with the white-hot sparks of fulfillment from their culminated passion. When they had finally come back down to earth long minutes later, they basked in the sweet afterglow, constantly touching.
“I can’t imagine my life without you, Nicole.”
Her heart contracted happily at his unsolicited admission. She slid up his body until they were at eye level with each other.
“I’m so glad I have you.”
“You do have me—forever, Alexander. I love you.” She sealed her promise with a sweetly tender, lingering kiss that she was certain made him believe her—if only for a little while.
Chapter 17
After a most romantic night, Nicole entered Alexander’s on cloud nine. She was certain she and Alexander were on the verge of making a long-lasting commitment. He had dropped her off at her apartment earlier to change and then
went on to work. As she exited the elevator, the happy smile on her face fell quickly as she witnessed the unusual chaos in the office. People were milling about or huddled together talking animatedly among themselves.
“Nicole, I need to speak with you.” Alexander appeared out of nowhere and took her hand. “Let’s go to my office.”
She followed him, and once they reached the seclusion of his office, she touched his rigid arm. “Alexander, what’s wrong?”
“My designs were stolen last night.”
She gasped. “Which ones?”
“For the new line.” He paused before pointedly adding, “The ones I only showed you.”
“How could they be stolen?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out. Everyone’s workstation is being searched as we speak.”
“You don’t think it was anyone working here, do you?”
He ran fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Alexander...” The way he was looking at her halted her words.
“I need to search your station, Nicole.”
Her mouth dropped open at his cool statement. She tried to convince herself that his request was routine; everyone’s station was being searched, and though he knew she was innocent, he had to search hers for appearance’s sake.
“All right.”
“Let’s go.” He followed her out. She didn’t know why she felt such dread as they walked to her desk; she hadn’t stolen his designs, so they wouldn’t be found there. But she still had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“I’m sorry about this, Nicole,” Monique said.
“No, I understand.” She spoke the words, but she had no understanding of this distasteful situation at all.
Nicole unlocked her desk and stood back while Monique and Alexander emptied the contents onto the desk top. She gasped when Monique pulled out a large envelope addressed to the competitor she had been chatting with at the party last night.
“What’s this, Nicole?” Alexander picked up the envelope and showed it to her.
“I—I don’t know.”
He opened the envelope, and she knew from the clenching of his fingers crushing the paper what was inside.
“These are my designs.” Alexander’s voice was strained. “The envelope is addressed to Felipe Varcellegao, whom you were speaking with last night.”
Her voice caught in her throat as she whispered, “What are you implying?”
“I’m just stating a fact. How did my designs get in your desk, Nicole?”
“How should I know?” She placed a hand to her aching head. “Alexander, you know I didn’t do this.” At his deafening silence she asked, “Don’t you?”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
“You don’t know what to believe?” She whispered in shock. “You actually think that I...” She was unable to finish that distasteful sentence. “How could you think that of me?” Without waiting for him to respond she continued, “When did I have time to steal your designs? I’ve been with you constantly until you dropped me off at home this morning.”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I don’t know anything anymore, except that my designs were in your desk.”
“But I didn’t put them there!” She gathered her purse and slung it on her shoulder. “You should know that!”
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“We’re not finished here, Nicole.”
“I’m definitely finished here. If you want to stop me, call security!” She stalked off past curious, shocked eyes, including the gloating ones of Crystal.
“Did you have anything to do with this?” Nicole stopped long enough to confront Crystal.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Nicole continued on her way. It didn’t matter if Crystal had set her up or not—the important thing was Alexander’s complete lack of trust in her, and she couldn’t blame anyone for that except him.
Monique shot Alexander a murderous look before running after Nicole. She caught up with her at the elevator and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“Good morning, ladies.” Victor’s greeting to Monique and Nicole wasn’t reciprocated as they entered the elevator.
* * *
Victor frowned as Alex approached him. “All right, bro. I’m here at this ungodly hour. What in the world is going on?”
“In my office, Vic.” Alexander walked off with his brother following. His head was spinning, and his stomach was tied up in knots. He didn’t want to believe the worst of Nicole, but what was he supposed to think? He felt like a magnet for deception. “Alexander’s was robbed last night.”
“What? How?” Victor listened as Alex related the events of the past twelve hours.
“Alex, you didn’t accuse Nicole, did you?”
“No, I simply asked her—”
“Oh, brother!” Victor sighed in disgust. “No wonder she looked about ready to kill someone.”
“I had every right—” Alex began, and Victor’s upheld hand silenced his angry tirade.
“You were wrong, and you know it,” Victor softly interrupted, his quiet definitive tone taking all fight out of his brother. “There are other, much more plausible culprits than Nicole.”
“I considered Nina or even Crystal, but no one knew about my new designs except Nicole.” Alex felt sick saying that. He didn’t want to believe Nicole would do this to him—not Nicole.
“Have you never heard of a setup?”
“The designs were in Nicole’s desk, Vic, and she was the only one who knew where I kept them.”
“I still put my money on Nina. She didn’t like being dismissed by you, personally or professionally,” Victor said.
“How did she know about my designs?” Alex asked. “More important, how could she have gotten past security?”
“Please, we’re talking about Nina—whomever she had to sleep with or bribe to get what she wanted, that’s what she did,” Victor said as Alex snatched up the phone.
“This is the second call I’ve made, and I assure you it will be the last before I replace the lot of you,” he warned. “I want all security personnel in my office in five minutes. Everyone!” He slammed down the phone.
Victor took out his laptop. “Let me run my security program to check the PCs.”
“What good will that do?” Alex paced in front of his desk.
“A bonus of my new software is a built-in security program that utilizes hidden cameras and runs constantly, which is why I was adamant the monitors had to remain on standby at all times. Only I can access the program.”
Alex stilled and frowned. “You never mentioned that before.”
“I had a few bugs to work out first—and you know what a perfectionist you are.”
“Check it out and let me know what you find.”
“We already know what I’ll find.”
“Damn!” The knot in his stomach moved to his throat, almost choking him. He needed to talk to Nicole. He thought about calling her, but she probably wouldn’t answer. He’d go in person as soon as he could.
“You should call Nicole.” Victor read his mind.
“Once I get to the bottom of this.” Had he been wrong not to trust Nicole?
The security team arrived, and Alex interrogated all of them except Gus, the one who had been on duty last night. The head of security was o
n his way to Gus’s house. Minute by minute, the knot in Alex’s stomach grew bigger. When Victor glanced up from his computer screen, the look on his face said it all.
“Well, what did you find?” Alex asked.
“Just what I expected to find.” Victor set his notebook down in front of Alex and pressed a few keys. “Here’s the security footage Gus thought he erased.”
They watched the screen, and Alex’s fist clenched when Nina was let into Alexander’s by Gus. She handed him a fat envelope full of cash and received a key in return. Once in Alex’s office, she used the key to unlock Alex’s desk and found his designs shortly thereafter. Then she went into the designer’s area and searched until she found Nicole’s desk, where she planted the stolen sketches.
“Dammit!” Alex’s fist smashed on his desk.
“Go,” Victor ordered. “You’d better make it the best apology you’ve ever given.”
“I’ll try.” Alex looked forlorn. “I don’t know if any apology is going to be enough.”
“You can do it.” Victor slapped him on the shoulder for encouragement. “Nicole’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, Alex. Go and tell her you’re sorry. She’ll forgive you.”
Alex wasn’t so sure, but he knew he had to try.
“I hope you’re right.” He walked toward the door but stopped and turned to glance at his brother. “Thanks, Vic. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing...but...” Victor smiled. “Does that mean I can borrow the Ferrari?”
“Wouldn’t it be simpler to just buy one of your own?”
“Why spend all that money when I can borrow my loving brother’s?”
Alex laughed, fished in his pocket and took the Ferrari key off his key ring and tossed it to his brother. “You earned it.”
Victor kissed the key, then said, “Let me drop you off at Nicole’s. I don’t want you in a cab again.”
“Thanks.” Alex managed a small smile as they walked out.
* * *
Alex stood on Nicole’s threshold, praying Monique wasn’t home so they could speak privately. He had some major apologizing to do, and he’d rather do it without an audience. He tapped his foot impatiently and knocked for the third time. Finally, the door opened, and Nicole glared unwelcomingly at him.
Our First Embrace Page 18
