"I should get to bed. I'm tired. And I'm meeting Kat for brunch early." I go straight to the bathroom, strip to my underwear, wash my face, brush my teeth.
He's standing there in the hallway, all strong and untouchable.
"Thank you for the poker. And the rest." I adjust my bra and underwear in the hopes of feeling less exposed. It doesn't work.
Nick's eyes scan my body for a moment. Then they're back to mine. "Of course." He motions to the briefcase. "I am a man of my word."
"Oh, right. Take your half."
He opens the briefcase, slips a few stacks of hundred dollar bills in his slacks, then nods to me. "Do you want this here or in the safe?"
"There is fine. I'm really tired, so I'll see you tomorrow." I find the bed, get under the covers, and lose the underwear.
He's still standing there.
"Nick, I'm not going to be able to sleep if you're standing there watching me. It's strange."
He doesn't leave.
He locks the door, stripes to his boxers, and gets in bed next to me.
I say nothing. I'm speechless over how good his body feels against mine.
How much calmer I feel with his arms around me.
How much warmer the bed is with him here.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
In the morning, he is gone. I spend the day with Kat, but my thoughts are with Nick. She asks me what's wrong a dozen times. Every time I lie and say it's nothing.
I hate lying to her.
Monday, I arrive at work at eight on the dot. There are bagels and coffee on Nick's desk, like everything is normal. Our two hours together are intense and they’re focused exclusively on programming. When we're finished, he leaves for a meeting.
I stay busy so I don't get lost in my thoughts. There's a change in the atmosphere today. People are talking about something juicy.
Sitting in the break room listening to Gabriel and David whisper does nothing to make my homemade sandwich more appealing. I pull the crust off my bread while I eavesdrop.
"Second month in a row he's flown to SFO. What else could he be doing on those trips?" Gabriel talks with his mouth full.
"I'm sure it's a woman."
"Nah, Marlowe would fly the girl to a hotel here. He's got plenty of pussy in New York. Why would he go three thousand miles for more?" Gabriel looks past me, to Jasmine's desk.
I drop my sandwich with a gentle thud. They glance at me then turn back to their conversation with knowing smiles. I'm next to Jasmine on the list of women in New York who Nick can fuck.
Which means they don't know that I am fucking him.
David's voice breaks my concentration. "I hope Tech Edge is right. I've been trying to find an excuse to move to San Jose."
I load the Tech Edge homepage on my phone. It's right there—Google Poised to Buy the Next Siri.
The article is conjecture. There's only one decent fact in it—the owners of Odyssey Industries are fielding offers for their AI virtual assistant software.
Rushed footsteps break my concentration. A woman's high heels and a man's dress shoes.
I turn and there are Nick and Jasmine, whispering on their way to his office. I wait until they pass then duck behind a desk to listen.
"I'll call a meeting, but I'm not lying to anyone here." She folds her arms over her chest, not shy about confronting him. "The story broke two hours ago."
"Are you gossiping?"
"Phoenix, you'll know if I'm gossiping. You'll feel the stares on your back as everyone wonders how many—"
"You made your point."
She leans in, lowering her voice. "He's left three messages already. If you meet with him, apologize about last year—"
"Out of the question."
"You have no control over this. You know what he's like."
His voice is soft. "You don't need to—"
"This is my job. I shouldn't have taken it if I can't handle corresponding with one of the co-owners." She adjusts her cardigan. "Prepare a statement for the staff. I'll set a meeting for two o'clock."
"Thank you."
"Nick, I..."
My stomach twists. I don't like their familiarity.
"He flew in today." She bites her lip. "I'm sorry. I should have forwarded the call to you, but you were with Miss Wilder and I know... how much those mornings mean to you."
"It's fine."
They share a look of understanding. I hate it. I hate everything about it.
Jasmine turns back to her desk. Her eyes connect with mine then go to the floor.
"Miss Wilder." Nick's voice booms. "Can I speak with you?"
His eyes bore into me. His brow is furrowed. His jaw is clenched. He's angry, but that can't all be directed at me. Not for something as trivial as eavesdropping.
"Now."
I press my hands to my sides. "Of course." Five steps and I'm in Nick's office, the door closed behind me.
He stands three feet away from me. His expression gets intense. "Lock the door."
"What?"
"Do I need to explain?"
His intention is right there in his eyes.
He stares back at me, challenging me. I take a deep breath, willing my judgment to kick in. Maybe he does need to explain. I don't know what he wants from me.
But, whatever it is, I want it too.
I lock the door.
Nick points to the couch. "Sit down."
I do.
"Unbutton your blouse."
"What are you—"
"Now."
I undo my buttons one at a time.
His expression is half frustration, half desire.
"Are you going to explain what's going on here?" I ask. "With the company?"
"Soon."
"To me?"
"Yes." He sits on the couch next to me. He's not patient today. He cups my breast over my bra. The lace fabric rubs against my nipples, rough and soft all at once.
"You keep wearing the lingerie I bought you." His touch hardens. "Is this what you were hoping would happen?" He brings his lips to my neck.
My eyes flutter closed and the rest of the room fades away. My world is Nick–his teeth, his hands, his breath.
"I asked you a question," he groans.
"Yes."
Nick removes my glasses. He sets them on the arm of the couch and grabs my knees.
He pulls me over his lap, so I'm on my stomach, my face pressed against the couch cushion. His fingers trail over the backs of my tights.
"Nick," I breathe. "What are you doing?"
He rolls my skirt to my waist. "If you want me to stop, say the word."
My skin buzzes from his touch. I'm already keyed up, but there are too many different feelings whirring around my brain. "Is this a punishment?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"I need to feel you submitting." He peels the tops of my tights over my ass and down my thighs. "If you want something else, tell me to stop."
My sex clenches.
No. He can't stop. Not now.
I press my hands into the cushion. "Are you going to fuck me?"
"Tonight."
"Am I going to come?"
"If you're quiet."
Nick drags his fingers over my thighs. He adjusts me so my ass is hanging off his legs, like I'm waiting to be spanked.
Fuck. I am waiting to be spanked.
Desire collects between my legs. He has such a hold on me. How is that possible?
He teases me, dragging his fingertips over my skin. They trace the outline of my thong from one hip to the other then back again.
He presses his palm against my sex, over my panties. "God dammit, Lizzy. You're dripping."
I swallow hard.
"You like being spanked?"
"Yes."
He lets out a low groan.
Nick brings one hand to my lips. He drags his thumb over my lower lip, that same gentle, tender movement that really makes me believe he cares about me.
I press my eyelids together. How can it feel so caring, him bending me over his knee to spank me?
He slides his fingers into my mouth. "Suck on me if you want to scream."
He's teasing me again.
God, how he teases.
Without warning, his hand makes contact with my flesh. It's more of a tap than a smack. I suck on his fingers to keep from begging.
He hits me again. Harder. The sting of pain reverberates all the way to my mouth. I suck harder. When that's not enough, I bite him.
He groans as he hits me again. His hand is inches above my sex and I'm throbbing, desperate for him to touch me. Tonight. Not now. Not soon but tonight.
How am I supposed to wait that long?
A knock on the door interrupts.
Jasmine's voice is muffled by the door. "Mr. Marlowe, I need to speak with you. Whenever you're... finished. Take your time. Sorry about the intrusion."
There's this awkward tone to her voice.
She knows what we're doing.
She knows I'm fucking Nick.
I push myself off the couch, landing on the floor with a very unpleasant thud. My mid-back tenses. It will be trouble later, but right now my main concern is putting my clothes back on before I completely throw away my judgment.
I pull my tights to my waist, fix my skirt, and reach for the door. No. I still need my glasses. I grab them off the couch.
Nick grabs my wrist, stopping me. "Your shirt is unbuttoned." He pulls me into his lap, his grip tightening. "I didn't tell you to leave."
"Red." I break free of his grasp and fumble over my buttons. "What the fuck happened to this relationship being a secret?"
He says nothing.
"Any other secrets you share with Jasmine?"
"Yes."
I grab onto the door, but I can't turn it yet. I'm too unsettled.
"Lizzy, it's not personal."
"No, how could it be personal? You don't even trust me enough to let me touch you."
"Let's talk tonight. I'll take you to dinner."
Right on cue, my stomach growls. "How come you get to make all the terms? Do you know how hard it is for me to keep things from my sister?"
"Yes."
"And you tell your fucking secretary?"
"She's not my secretary. We have a history."
"Do you think I'm stupid or just naive?"
"Lizzy."
With a deep breath, I open the door and walk back to my desk. I'm acutely aware of eyes on me.
I try to work, but I can't think. I lock myself in the handicapped stall of the women's bathroom so no one can disrupt me.
My phone is no solace. There's a new text from Nick. Instead of reading it, I turn the damn device off.
Once I've calmed down, I leave the office in favor of the coffee shop across the street. I don't return until well after the meeting is over.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The office clears at five, but I'm too behind schedule to go home. I focus on my work, only stopping to get water or use the restroom.
The lights turn off around eight. All but the one streaming out from Nick's office. The door opens and he steps into the main room.
It's not fair that he's so handsome. It makes it harder to resist him.
His eyes meet mine. "I ordered you shrimp scampi. I have sriracha in my office."
"You've been hoarding hot sauce?"
He nods.
"I should probably finish this."
"It's your decision." He steps into the elevator.
My work no longer holds my attention. I'm too tired and too drained to think straight. I might as well take solace in spicy noodles.
The elevator doors ding open. Nick steps into the main room holding a paper bag. He motions for me to follow him into his office.
I do.
He leaves the door open. "We are alone, so—"
"Planning to make good on your promise to fuck me tonight?"
He passes a takeout container and a fork to me. "Would you really want that?"
"I don't know." I consider it. "Yes. I would. I understand you when we're having sex. Other times..."
The smells of garlic, tomatoes, and shrimp waft into my nostrils as I pull off the lid. It's just like the last time we tried to eat a meal in his office. There's still a wall between us. He still has all the cards.
He hands me a bottle of sriracha. "Jasmine was my brother's high school sweetheart. She helped me whenever I had a problem with him. She was always trustworthy."
"How did she end up working for you?"
"I offered her a job after they broke up. He was planning on staying in the Bay and working at another startup, and I was set on Odyssey being in New York."
"Why?"
"People are serious here. They don't spend their weeknights slamming shots. They don't come to work in hoodies and t-shirts."
"You don't like the laid back Silicon Valley thing?"
"Do you?"
"No. There's a word for it, you know, 'brogrammer,' like a bro programmer. Those guys crash Stanford parties on the weekends and pick up college girls by bragging about their six figure salaries. They're all assholes." I stir hot sauce into my pasta. My mid-back tenses. No amount of wiggling or stretching helps. "Thanks for dinner." I stuff pasta in my mouth so I won't have to respond.
"Jasmine asked if we were sleeping together a few weeks ago. I could tell she knew the answer."
"You must be close to know her expressions that well."
"I'm not interested in her."
"But she's your friend. You trust her."
"I trust you."
There's regret in his eyes. He's barely touching his food.
I take another bite so I won't say something stupid. Once again, all I want to do is wrap my arms around him to wipe the pain from his expression.
I can't keep doing this. I can't care about him this much. Not if he's going to withhold things from me. Not if this really is casual.
After my next bite, I push my food aside. Wipe my face. My eyes meet Nick's. "You don't have to explain. Your company is your first priority. You want casual. And this isn't feeling very casual anymore." My eyes go to the table. "It's better if we end things before we get too invested."
"Is that really what you want?"
No. But I'm not seeing another choice. I open my mouth to speak, but I can't bring myself to add to the hurt look in his eyes.
If I'm wrong, tell me I'm wrong.
Please, Nick. Please tell me I'm wrong.
He doesn't.
"You said that you didn't want to hurt me." I play with my hands. "If that's really true—"
A knock on the door interrupts me.
Dammit, this is getting to be an annoying trend.
The person, whoever he is, doesn't wait for a response.
A man in a navy suit steps inside. He looks a lot like Nick. Just as tall and broad. Just as handsome. Same dark hair but his eyes are blue.
He looks from me to Nick with an amused expression. "Where is Jasmine?"
"I sent her home," Nick says.
"Shepard Marlowe." He extends his hand to me.
I only barely manage to shake it. "Lizzy Wilder." My gaze goes to Nick. Shepard Marlowe. No way his last name is a coincidence.
And he called Jasmine by her first name.
Shepard makes eye contact with Nick. Frowns. "You're still pretending like I don't exist?"
"You were on a leave of absence until last month." Nick grits his teeth. "Miss Wilder, this is my brother, Shepard."
"CFO of Odyssey." Shepard takes a step backwards.
"So you're the person trying to sell the company?" I ask.
"Yes." He taps his toe impatiently. "I hate to be rude, but could you give us a minute?" He looks at Nick. "I doubt you want your girlfriend to hear this."
"I'm not his girlfriend," I say.
"Whatever you'd like to call it." Shepard folds his arms, waiting. "Did you get tired of Jasmine or did you inherent Dad's phi
landering streak?"
Nick's brow furrows. "Lizzy, give us a minute."
I don't like the frustration on his face. I want to stay, to do whatever I can to protect him.
"Now," Nick says.
"Of course, Mr. Marlowe." I leave the door open a few inches on my way into the main room.
I stay close enough to eavesdrop. The tension in my back spreads up and down my spine. I need to lie down with a heating pad and a heavy dose of ibuprofen. Even that might not be enough.
I should go now. Before it gets really bad.
But I can't go until I hear this.
"Jesus, I thought Jasmine was young for you. How old is that girl?" Shepard asks.
"I never touched Jasmine."
"Sell whatever story you want. I'm flying back to the bay tomorrow. I need a number or I can't negotiate." There's a pause, like he's waiting for a response. "How much is Odyssey worth right now?"
"A tenth what it will be worth in three years."
"How much is it worth today?"
"If you want out, I'll buy your share."
"I don't want your money."
There's a pause. I can't see them, but I can feel the tension all the way over here.
Nick breaks the silence. "If you want to hurt me—"
"My life doesn't revolve around you." Shepard's voice gets irritated. "Give me a number so you can get back to your plaything."
"Don't talk about her like that."
"I'm sure the two of you are in love and you're going to live happily ever after. It's not like you're her boss and she's what–your intern?" Shepard scoffs. "You should thank me for selling this company before she sues you for everything it's worth."
"Don't talk about Lizzy like that."
"Nick, I'm not interested in hearing about your sex life. Tell me how much the IP is worth so I can leave."
Nick sighs. "Thirty million to most companies. A hundred million to the right company."
"I'll get two hundred."
There's silence for a moment.
Shepard breaks it. "You're going to get wrinkles frowning so much."
The door opens, and Shepard steps out. He and Nick are both staring at me. I'm sure that with my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open, I'm giving away that I heard everything.
Shepard looks at me. "Be careful. Nick doesn't love anyone but Haley."
My eyes catch Nick's. There's so much frustration in them. I can't stay here, desperate to comfort him. I need to get away now before I'm in too deep.
The Billionaire's Need: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire's Deal Series Book 3) Page 12
