“Don’t worry. Eloise’s Irish feistiness prevented me from getting all ugly on her.”
“I didn’t want to give any leverage to Jakob because he’s an unscrupulous bastard and since we’re still unsure what his true motives are, it’s best to play it cool.”
We all nod in agreement.
“I don’t know about you, but Marna’s big reveal was a bit of a party pooper. I think Eloise and I are going to head home. I’m sure you may want to talk to your family about this.”
“No. I think Ciara and I are going to follow in your footsteps and leave. It’s already getting quite late and before I speak to my parents, I want to dig a bit more and find out what my brother has up his sleeve.”
Martin stands up and stares down at his best friend, concerned. “Nik, I’ve been telling you for weeks now Jakob is up to something. He has you stuck here forced to prove you should remain a part of the family business and out of the blue he starts dating a woman you had a brief affair with. I’m terribly sorry, Ciara, to have to bring this up.”
“No, Martin, I understand. I’ve tried my best to warm up to him, but everything about Jakob makes my skin crawl.”
“Welcome to the club. Nik, this last little bombshell suggests whatever your brother is planning, it’s big. Don’t let him blindside you.”
“Thanks, Martin. I won’t. I agree with all of you. I have to tread carefully here. Obviously, my brother has been masterminding something. It’s a matter of figuring it out before he hurts too many people.”
BOOK 5—SINFUL DESIRES
Chapter Nine
“I have to go, my love.”
The minute his lips touch my forehead I wake up. “Huh? Good morning, baby.” Why is he fully dressed? “Where are you going?”
“The car is waiting for me downstairs. I’m heading to the office.”
“What time is it?” I ask, yawning and stretching my body in his bed.
“It’s ten to six.”
“Oh my God, it’s insanely early. Did you even sleep?”
“Not very well.”
“Why are you leaving so early? Why not stay in bed a little longer? I thought you weren’t meeting your brother until nine?”
“Indeed, but I have to get ready to confront him, so I’m meeting my legal team at seven this morning at the headquarters of our family business. Jakob can try as much as he’d like, but he can’t remove me from the board of directors.”
“Honestly, your brother is a pest.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more… and like with any other vermin, it’s a question of controlling or crushing them.”
Nikolaj is sitting on the edge of the bed clean-shaven and wearing a beautiful pinstripe navy-blue suit, a crisp white shirt and a red silk tie with geometric shape motifs. He looks like he means business. I reach out and pull at his tie, hoping the warmth of my body will convince him to stay a little longer.
“Ciara, are you trying to prevent me from leaving?” he asks with a mischievous smile.
“Me? I wouldn’t dream of it, but my body feels otherwise. Last night you fell asleep before I got out of the shower.”
He turns his head to avoid my gaze. “I’m sorry. Between the copious amounts of champagne and the news about Marna, I was exhausted. I’d love nothing more than a morning fuck, but I have a grueling day ahead.”
It’s not like Nikolaj to pass up on sex when we haven’t done it in such a long time. This news about Marna’s baby must have upset him. I can only imagine the bloodshed about to take place in a few hours between him and his brother. “I can’t believe you’re forcing me to wait until tonight.”
“Not necessarily.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, turning my head against the pillow and looking at him incredulously.
“You’re meeting me at twelve for lunch and with a little luck, we can also have an afternoon quickie. A short kinky interlude should hold you until later tonight, baby.”
His words are sensual, but his body language is so stiff. Something is up with him.
“I’ll be there at twelve.”
“I’ve already made arrangements with my chauffeur and he’ll be here at eleven thirty, but I’ve left his number on the kitchen counter and I also texted it to your phone.”
“Thank you. You think of everything and you take such good care of me.”
“I want this time with me in Copenhagen to be as worry-free as possible for you.”
“Well, you’re surely doing a phenomenal job,” I joke.
“Good. My chauffeur’s name is Felix and he speaks English quite well. There won’t be any language barriers between the two of you.”
“Great. Danish is not a language I’ve mastered yet.”
“Knowing you, you’ll speak it well in no time. Felix also knows the exact location of our offices, so you don’t have to worry about anything. I did text you the address and the main reception’s phone number just in case, but I doubt you’ll need it,” he says, leaning in to kiss my forehead again.
He pulls away from me before I have time to wrap my arms around his neck. He gazes so deeply into my eyes it’s as if he wants to put me into a trance.
“Ciara…”
He stops, looks up at the ceiling in search of an answer, looks down at me again and opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. After a few seconds he turns his head to avoid my gaze again.
What the hell? “Nikolaj, you don’t seem like yourself this morning. Is everything all right?”
He hesitates before speaking. “I have a lot on my mind. I wanted to say I love you with all my heart. You do know how crazy I am about you?”
“Oh, baby, I love you so much and it hurts me to see how this situation with your brother is upsetting you.”
“A few unexpected things have emerged and I’m still uncertain how to handle them.”
“Oh.” I knew there was something he’s not telling me. “What is it?”
“Why don’t we talk about it over lunch,” he says, looking at his watch. “I have to go or I’ll be late. My father’s driver is downstairs. My parents got on a plane at the crack of dawn to spend the next four weeks in Brazil, which leaves Felix at your service for the rest of the day.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in six hours. I’ll be counting every minute,” I say, blowing him a kiss.
“Damn you for making it hard for me not to strip out of this suit and jump back in bed with you.”
“Since today is Friday, we won’t have to deal with Jakob for the next few days and we can spend the entire weekend kissing, fucking and enjoying each other. I’m dying here. We had to restrain ourselves while we stayed with your parents and last night you fell asleep. I need you inside me.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I promise to make it up to you.”
Huh? No raunchy repartee?
“I have to go.”
“Okay, have a great morning and I’ll see you soon.”
He kisses the tip of my nose and rushes out the door.
Nikolaj has been so distant since we got in the car after the gala, I’m wondering if there’s not more to his taciturn mood. He seemed to be fine until he got a text and then he became as silent as a monk.
It’s a quarter past six and I’ve only had four hours of rest. I’m going back to sleep.
BOOK 5—SINFUL DESIRES
Chapter Ten
Shit, I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry.
I slept a little longer than expected and I have to meet Nikolaj in forty minutes. Unfortunately, there’s no time for me to properly unpack this suitcase. Since we only moved to his own house an hour before we had to leave for the gala last night, I’m still living in my bags until I make time to hang my clothing in the extra space he’s created for me in his walk-in closet. I’ll do that when I come back from lunch and my city tour.
After a hot shower, a light breakfast and a quick makeup job, I’m squatting in front of my bags, rummaging through my stuff, trying to find my grey oversized cas
hmere turtleneck and black straight wool pants. It’s so chilly today I need to wear a warm sweater or I’ll freeze my ass off.
Since I woke up late, I didn’t take time to wash my hair so I pull my mass of post-gala curls into an easy ponytail. It looks a little messier than usual, but hey, I don’t have much time. I fasten the double heart diamond necklace Nikolaj gave me the day of his love declaration and pop in my go-to diamond studs.
No one will be able to see the necklace under this big sweater, but I love having these hearts near my own.
I slip into my black rider boots before buttoning up my black wool coat and I pull up the fur collar to keep me warm before heading to the car.
The second I close the door behind me my phone buzzes. I pull it out of my handbag and glance at it, expecting a text from Nikolaj, but it’s Diego.
I’ll answer him later. He must want to rub my nose in the fact he’s on vacation in a warm part of this planet and I’m not.
“Good morning, Ms. Herrera,” the driver says. “My name is Felix and I’ll be your chauffeur for the day.”
“Good morning, Felix.”
As much as I hate to admit to it, I could get used to this pampered lifestyle of chauffeured cars, private jets, galas and expensive jewelry.
“My English is not perfect, but I hope you can understand me?” he says, holding out a hand to help me into the car.
“Nonsense. Your English is great,” I say, winking at him as I slide to the back of the car.
“Great. I was a bit nervous when Mr. von Henningsen said I’d have to speak English most of the day.”
“I’m easy-going.” Felix looks at me, perplexed, and I quickly clarify my thought. “You have nothing to worry about because I understand you perfectly.”
The chauffeur grins ear to ear before turning back to face the steering wheel. “Thank you for the compliment. I’ll drop you off at the von Henningsen headquarters and I’ll wait while you have lunch. Mr. von Henningsen mentioned you’d like to discover quaint parts of the city. He’s asked his assistant to put together an itinerary and it will be my pleasure to be your driver and guide this afternoon.”
“Felix, I have a feeling I’m in good hands.” I beam.
“Mr. von Henningsen is an excellent employer and it’s only fitting I take good care of the woman in his life.”
“Oh.” I’m surprised by the chauffeur’s answer.
Felix and I lock eyes in the rear view mirror for a few seconds before he turns on the engine.
* * *
As I ride the elevator to the offices of Von Henningsen Corp, I can’t help but wish with all my heart Nikolaj has been able to deal with whatever has been troubling him since our ride back home last night. I don’t think it was a text from Jakob because Nikolaj usually lashes out at his brother’s dirty moves. Whatever flashed across his screen caught him by surprise. It must be serious if he won’t open up about it.
When the elevator doors open at the sixth floor, I’m shocked to see the elegant reception area. Given this is a Danish vodka company, I expected a more rugged look since the Danes are totally into the old-world rustic style of many Nordic countries, but this is extremely chic and upscale. The daring purple couch is a bold accent to the neutral grey and brown shades adorning the walls and ceiling in the reception area.
I could be fooled into thinking I’ve just walked into a London office.
“Good afternoon and welcome to Von Henningsen Corp, the premier vodka company in Denmark. My name is Lea. How may I help you?” A stylish young blonde with brown eyes greets me with a warm smile.
Gosh, I hope she doesn’t have to say the same line every time someone walks through the doors. “Good afternoon. My name is Ciara Herrera and I’m here to meet Nikolaj.”
“Of course, Mr. von Henningsen did mention you’d meet him here. I’m afraid he’s still tied up in a meeting and he’s asked me to have you wait in one of our boardrooms. He says he’ll be an extra forty-five minutes or so. He apologizes profusely and he asked me to take good care of you.”
“Oh. I see,” I say, looking at my watch. “I can wait in the boardroom. It’s quite sweet of you to be willing to take care of me like this.” I smile.
“It’s my pleasure. Let me reroute the incoming calls to a colleague and I’ll take you to the room.”
“I’m in no rush.”
It sounds like he’s had a brutal morning. I’m sure Jakob managed to get under his skin.
Once the receptionist pushes a few keys on her hi-tech phone, she returns her attention to me. “Would you like some coffee?”
“I wouldn’t say no, since I didn’t have time this morning.”
“Oh my God, how have you been able to survive the last few hours? I’ve already had a quick espresso before I left home and three large ones at the office,” she says, flashing four manicured fingers. “What would you prefer?”
“Do you have any espresso?”
“Absolutely. Black?”
“I’d love a dash of hot milk and one sugar, please.”
“A macchiato it is,” she smiles. “If you’ll follow me, you can take a seat over here and I’ll be right back with your coffee,” she says, pushing open a heavy-looking glass door.
After thanking Lea for a much-needed cup of dark coffee, I walk towards the large window overlooking the industrial part of Copenhagen and pull out my phone to answer Diego’s text.
Why would he text so early in the morning when he’s away at his home in the Cayman Islands with Mom?
“It’s only six o’clock in the morning there,” I say aloud, trying to figure out what would be so urgent considering my parents are spending time in what I like to call paradise.
I’m so immersed in my thoughts I don’t even hear when Jakob walks through the doors and I’m startled when he speaks. “Ciara, you look as beautiful today as you did last night.”
Crap. What does Jakob want? I turn around to face my boyfriend’s annoying brother. “Jakob. What a pleasure to see you again,” I lie through gritted teeth.
“What brings you here to our little vodka company?”
“I’m no expert in the vodka business, but I’m not sure I’d call what your father has built little.”
“Dad gave this a good run, but between the two of us, I’m the one who’s transformed Henningsen Vodka into the market leader it is today. Dad’s views about marketing are so dated he can’t keep up with what’s working now—the old man can barely spell the words ‘social media’.”
What an arrogant bastard. “Surely, Jakob, you recognize the obvious—without your father’s vision, you wouldn’t have anything to transform?”
He puts his hands in his pockets and sizes me up before speaking. “You are a very smart woman, Ciara,” he says with a cold and calculated smile. “Hmph. I see why Nik is so taken by you.”
There’s a long silence between us. We’re facing each other and our eyes are locked in an icy stare. Thank God Lea walks in with my coffee and breaks the awkward tension in the room.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. von Henningsen. I didn’t realize you would be joining Ms. Herrera,” she says, panicked.
“Don’t worry, Lea. I won’t stay long. I simply wanted to say hello to the beautiful woman who’s stolen my brother’s heart.”
Lea looks at me uncomfortably as she places my coffee on the boardroom table. I smile warmly to reassure her. “Thank you so much, Lea,” I say, pulling out a chair to sit.
“It’s my pleasure. I went ahead and added a few traditional Danish desserts. Mr. Nikolaj asked me to buy a few for your delight.”
“How wonderful. I can’t wait to indulge. Thank you, Lea.”
“My brother uses employees to fetch goodies for his girlfriend? What an unprofessional request, considering he’s only part of the board of directors and he’s not the one running the day-to-day operations in this company. Lea, you should have consulted with me before leaving the office.” Jakob’s tone is so uncalled for, I simply cannot sit there wi
thout reacting.
“Jakob, I’m sure she was only being thoughtful.”
“Ciara, why don’t you mind your own business?”
Both Lea and I are taken aback by his rudeness and I bite my tongue to avoid destroying him verbally in front of his employee.
“Lea, go back to the reception area and I’ll talk to you later about your conduct.”
The blonde nods before turning on her heel and leaving the boardroom.
Fucking asshole.
“You don’t know anything about this company. How can you come in here and add your two cents when no one asked for it?”
“You’re right, Jakob, you didn’t ask for my opinion and this is not my company. However, I do run a successful business and scorning an employee in front of a stranger will never elicit loyalty or respect.”
“Why don’t you keep your American motivational bullshit for your own team and spare us all the headache.”
I get up and grab my bag, ready to leave, but he stops me.
“Ciara, please don’t leave yet. We started on the wrong foot and it’s entirely my fault. I had a hectic morning, which would explain my foul mood.”
I stand in front of my seat, clutching my handbag, trying to decide if I stay or if I go. I only endure this arrogant pig because he’s related to Nikolaj.
“I apologize. Let’s get to know each other a little bit better. You’re part of the family now. We should find a way to get along.”
I don’t trust him, but I’ll give him ten minutes and one cross word and I’m out of here.
“Please sit down and enjoy your coffee,” he says, gesturing like a maestro.
Fucking Jekyll and Hyde.
I sit down reluctantly and turn my attention to the cup of coffee sitting in front of me to avoid looking at his stone-cold eyes.
“My mother tells me my brother constantly talks about you.” He pulls a chair and sits right across from me. I wish he’d leave me alone instead of pretending to be interested in me.
“Does he?” I take a gulp of my macchiato to calm my nerves. Being around this guy truly makes my skin crawl.
Sinful Desires Page 10
