Strictly Business (Mixing Business With Pleasure Series Book 1)

by Ace Gray

  “She…she…” I was stunned. “She was outside of your apartment this morning.”

  Without warning, Ally’s face flooded into memories of the past few weeks in the most unexpected places. She’d been everywhere. I’d seen her, I just hadn’t realized. Vomit churned in my stomach and I had no idea if it was the information or the booze.

  “Pull over.”

  “Kate, you’re not getting out.”

  “Pull over! I’m going to throw up.”

  Nick banged on the security screen and we swerved to the curb. I opened my door just in time to lean over the gutter. Bryant lunged to grab my hair. He held it and gently rubbed my back. My throat burned, my jaw ached, and my fingers went numb. It had nothing to do with the alcohol or getting sick. Eventually I slumped against the leather and slammed the door.

  We sat at the curb and my mind raced. I was being followed. No, worse. Stalked. She’d been in my building. Did that put Laura in danger? I swallowed hard. He thought Ally could hurt me. Hurt me how? Apparently, she started following me when I left his office—the day I dumped him. He spoke like he knew firsthand. If that was the case, it was a whole other can of worms.

  “Did you have me followed while we were apart?” I sounded like death.

  “That’s what you’re choosing to focus on?”

  I didn’t answer; I just leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes as Bryant spoke.

  “Yes, of course I did. How many times do I have to tell you that you mean everything to me? When will you believe me?”

  My head was spinning.

  Definitely going to throw up again.

  “I’m going to be sick.”

  Bryant opened my door, gently collected my hair, and held me as I puked. I sat back into the car when both my jaw and ribs thoroughly ached from heaving, and decided to slip my shoes off. I curled up onto the seat, and to my surprise he pulled me close when we started driving back to One Madison.

  “Are you OK?” He spoke into my hair.

  “I don’t fugging know,” I grumbled into his chest

  “You shouldn’t drink that much.”

  “It’s not about the alcohol. This whole Ally thing makes me nauseous.”

  He sighed, relieved at my acknowledgment of the situation.

  “It’s all my fault. I know people close to me get hurt, but I just couldn’t stay away.” He held me closer. “I tried so hard, too.”

  “It’s not your fault she’s a certifiable psychopath.” I closed my eyes, praying the car would stop moving soon.

  “You’re not upset with me?”

  “I’m a little mad you didn’t just tell me what was going on. Do you know how much more cooperative I would’ve been?”

  “What?” He was surprised.

  “Did it ever occur to you that I’m a rational human being? Well, when I’m not drunk or pissed off, anyhow.”

  My tongue felt thick; the words were getting harder to spit out. “I would’ve understood there was a legitimate concern.”

  We pulled up to One Madison and I couldn’t bring myself to move.

  “Are you going to be able to make it upstairs?”

  Oh God.

  “I’ll just sleep in the car.” I leaned back and almost toppled from his lap. “The car’s easy to secure, right?” I couldn’t help my awfully timed giggle bubbling up.

  “You’re not sleeping in the car.”

  I didn’t have to open my eyes to imagine the swirly mess his were. I shrugged. At this point I really didn’t care. The door clicked open and Nick climbed out. He bent and pulled me from the backseat and into his arms.

  The flashbulbs went wild as he held me. He smoothed my dress to make sure my butt was covered. I rested my head on his shoulder and snuggled against his chest. Even though my body was going numb, I was better resting in his arms. He carried me all the way to the bedroom.

  “You want a shower or just bed?”

  “Bed, please,” I said roughly.

  He set me down and dumped my shoes at the foot of the bed. I was about to lay back when he stopped me.

  “I know you’ll get too hot in that.”

  He pulled me up to sitting and peeled my dress off, revealing my silky lingerie set.

  “And I’ll get too hot if you stay in that.”

  He gently removed my bra and thong. Even drunk, I didn’t miss his hum of approval, and my body naturally responded. My nipples beaded and I squeezed my thighs together. I couldn’t stay upright, though, and clumsily fell back onto the bed with a puff of the down comforter.

  “Just one more minute, Sweets.”

  He grabbed one of his shirts and pulled me back up. He slid it on over my head and helped me push my arms through; just his touch was lighting my skin on fire. I was a mix of arousal and booze, but I laid back and let booze win.

  My feet were still on the floor and I kicked them against the soft carpeting. Nick grabbed both of them and shifted me over to my side of the bed. He traded his suit for a pair of sweatpants and quickly joined me, pulling me as close to him as he could.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Nick said, softly.

  The apology did nothing to ease my churning insides.

  25.

  There was an acid taste in my mouth that matched the pain in my joints and the godforsaken marching band playing in my head. I turned to find Nick sprawled across his side of the bed. He had to be exhausted to sleep like that. He usually hugged me tightly or passed out in a bedroom chair.

  “Nick.” I nudged him gently. “Nick, I feel like shit. I need to go for a run.”

  He didn’t budge or even grumble. He wouldn’t be happy but I’d start throwing up again if I didn’t get some fresh air. I called down to Jaime, asking if he and Trevor would run with me. Since Bryant had been honest about the situation, I wasn’t about to go alone.

  I found my gym clothes hanging in the closet courtesy of Romana. I yanked on capris and kept Nick’s tee as a layer under my loose sweater. I sent him a quick text so when he woke he would know where I was. I heard the phone buzz against the brushed steel next to the bed but he continued to sleep, dead to the world. I crossed my fingers he’d be appeased by the gesture.

  Jaime and Trevor both greeted me when I came out of the private elevator. Jaime smirked, knowing the amount of pain I was in. I probably looked on par with how I felt. I didn’t think I would last long so I left my phone and iPod knowing they’d only make my head hurt.

  We started slow since each step jarred my brain. The fresh air was crisp, cool and refreshing against my skin. Sweating in the brisk morning air would help me detox. And clear my mind. Once my thoughts sharpened, I was livid Bryant had hid Ally’s actions from me. I had a right to know about something that significant. I ran over the whole evening in my head, lingering on our conversation in the car, or what I remembered of it.

  Maybe bad things do follow Bryant around.

  I shook that off quickly. Whatever he said, and whatever Laura thought, I didn’t really believe that. I was a big enough target on my own, and even if in some weird twisted universe this situation was his fault, he was worth it. I hated that he blamed himself. Guilt would add to his brooding, shitty attitude. If only he’d listen to understand I could be a partner, not just a possession.

  I arrived back at One Madison sweaty and squishy, but no longer feeling horrific. Now my brain hammered for a totally different reason. As soon as we yanked the door open building security jumped on us.

  “Jaime, Trevor, he’s been frantically calling down here, screaming about Ms. Elliott for the past thirty minutes.”

  Jaime’s head snapped toward me. “Kate, didn’t you tell him we were going on a run?”

  “He wouldn’t wake up, so I left him a message.” I shrugged and bit my lip knowing it was a flimsy excuse, particularly in Nick’s eyes.

  “Are you trying to get me fired?”

  Apparently that wasn’t sufficient for Jaime, either. His reaction made me cringe; that
had never been my intention. Building security said something else, but I missed it. I was scrambling for excuses to protect Jaime. I didn’t even notice he put his hand on my back until he was ushering me into the elevator.

  “If we get up there right now, we might get away with this.”

  My shoulders rose with the elevator. The doors opened into the apartment and I braced myself for yelling; instead, there was nothing. I took two steps toward the stairs. Romana was the only person I could see, busy in the kitchen.

  I expected Bryant to be waiting, a screaming ball of fury. His eyes would be that terrifying flat, steel gray. I wasn’t sure if I should try to find him or wait for the storm to find me.

  Fuck that.

  I wasn’t seeking out a screaming match. I decided a shower was my best course of action and started up the staircase for the bedroom. I only took two steps before he appeared, every bit as angry as I imagined.

  “What the fuck did you think you were doing?” he hissed. The quiet seethe scared me more than shouting would have.

  “I went for a run.” I backed away from him.

  “I was worried sick. Do you remember anything I told you last night?” He was struggling to keep his voice from skyrocketing.

  “I tried to wake you a few times, and I left a text.” It was a meager defense and I knew it, but I wasn’t going down without a fight.

  “That doesn’t count. I imagined a thousand things that could’ve happened to you. You didn’t even have your goddamn phone.”

  “I’m sorry. I really didn’t think it would be a problem. I took Jaime and Trevor like you asked.” I looked him dead in the eyes rather than down at my fingers like I wanted to.

  “That’s the problem. You didn’t think at all.”

  “I said I’m sorry.” The attack made me bristle. “I’ve forgiven you for far worse.” My temper pooled so close to the surface.

  “Your safety was involved, not your fucking business. I have never been this angry. Ever.”

  His gaze narrowed, and I felt like he’d slapped me. Vesper was my life and he’d screwed with it, almost ruining everything, including us. Now he was calling that whole debacle irrelevant. I’d taken everything fairly well so far, but now he’d gone and pissed me off.

  “Join the fucking club, Bryant. I haven’t been this angry in a long time, either.”

  My teeth were breaking skin on the inside of my cheeks, and my nails dug deep into my palms. I sidestepped him and continued up the stairs when a female voice called out his name.

  “Nicholas? Nicholas where did you go?”

  I froze. There wasn’t a single word in the English language to describe the amount of fury that bubbled up inside me.

  “Shit, my mother.” He spoke under his breath.

  What?

  It only took a moment to understand why he was so angry with me. He’d hoped to get rid of me gracefully before she arrived. I spit the words out at him without even thinking.

  “Had I known she was coming I would’ve just run home.” I barreled up the stairs. “I had no intentions of ruining your morning.”

  “I didn’t know she was coming. She dropped by unexpectedly.” He reached for me but I yanked my arm away and kept walking.

  “I know you want me to have absolutely nothing to do with your family. You’ve made that quite clear. I’ll get my things and go. Don’t bother with a car.” I took the last few stairs in two leaps.

  “You aren’t going anywhere!”

  His anger finally broke through and he yelled after me at the same moment his mother rounded the corner into the living room. Bryant stopped, mid-step behind me. I froze as well.

  “Darling, am I interrupting something?” She looked from him to me and back again. When neither of us spoke, she continued. “No? Wonderful. Now that that’s settled, perhaps an introduction? Who is this delightful woman?”

  She was beautiful the way I expected Bryant’s mother to be. Not overly tall but willow thin and perfectly polished. She had long, golden locks that had flecks of gray and white. Her eyes were the pale gray that Nick’s tended to turn. She had subtle laugh lines around her eyes and a mouth that made her appear warm and friendly. Charm oozed out of her pores and I instantly liked her. Before Bryant had a chance to reply, I interjected.

  “Don’t mind me, I was just leaving.” I forced my biggest, fakest smile across my face.

  “No, you’re not,” Bryant barked.

  “Seems I was wrong. You two do have something to discuss. I’ll be happy to come back later, darling. I should’ve called in the first place. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as you can have my car brought around.”

  “You’re not leaving either, Mother. Make yourself at home in the dining room. If you need more coffee Romana will accommodate. We will join you shortly.”

  She narrowed her eyes at her son’s command but turned on her heel and headed back the way she came. His voice had a finality I wouldn’t have questioned, either.

  “Nicholas, just remember that I don’t like it when you speak to me that way. Or any other woman for that matter.”

  She didn’t even look back as she said it, but I got the feeling she knew I cracked a genuine smile. I didn’t want to give Bryant the satisfaction of seeing it, so I stormed up the last flight of stairs to the bedroom. I was snatching my things when Bryant grabbed my hand.

  “Please don’t go. I’m angry, but I should’ve told you she was here and asked you to stay.” He’d calmed, but his cloudy eyes were a dead giveaway of his tumultuous feelings. “I would love for you to spend some time with my mother.”

  “Forgive me for not believing you. When I’ve asked about your family, you’ve screamed at me.” I added a dramatic hand gesture and he sighed.

  “Kate, I know I don’t handle things well all the time…”

  “All the time? Try ever,” I interrupted.

  “Kate, I’m trying. I tell you all the time that I’m trying.” He bellowed at me but then his temper mellowed and his eyes calmed. “Please stay.” He’d kept hold of my hand and went to kiss my palm. “I would like you to meet my mother, and I would like to spend the entire weekend with you. I was hoping you would accompany me to a black tie event this evening.”

  As upset as I was, intrigue wormed into my veins. An invitation to meet his mother was an opportunity to finally discover something about his family. It was also something deeper than sex, far deeper than expected actually. Not to mention my heart was slamming around in my chest at the idea of a weekend filled with silky suits and steamy sex.

  “Let me change clothes.” I was caving but I wasn’t completely pacified.

  “Don’t bother. It’s just breakfast, and I have plans afterward.”

  His eyes went hazy and I understood exactly what he meant by plans. My skin prickled and my breath caught. After our blowout fights we always had the most amazing make-up sex. Anticipation coursed through my veins and a look of smug satisfaction crossed Nick’s face. He smashed his lips to mine feverishly, and I scrambled to pull him closer. He backed away with no notice and started pulling me toward the stairs.

  “Sweets, I forgot to say good morning.” He kissed my forehead.

  “Yeah, what with the yelling and all. Good morning yourself.” I smiled where I leaned against his shoulder and let him pull me into the dinning room.

  His mother looked up from the Times when we walked in. “There, that’s better. How about that introduction, now?”

  “Of course. Mother, this is Kate Elliott. Kate, this is my mother, Julia Winthrop.”

  “Kate, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  She reached for my hand. Her grip was surprisingly tentative and soft. I’d expected a fraction of Nick’s fortitude.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you as well, Mrs. Winthrop.” I smiled as I sat in the chair opposite her.

  “Oh please, sweetheart, call me Julia. Even Jules. All my friends call me Jules.”

  I smiled at her sweet tone.

  “
Will you two please excuse me? I have to speak with Jaime and Trevor.”

  Nick kissed my head as he left the room; I couldn’t help turning slightly to watch him go.

  “Well, I must say it has been delightful to see you both in the paper, and I’m thrilled to find you here. I was starting to believe he meant it when he swore off relationships.”

  Julia gauged my response over her coffee cup. She was evaluating, but not in a malicious way. I didn’t mind; I’d gotten used to being sized up years ago. She’d similarly piqued my curiosity.

  “He swore off relationships?” I didn’t miss a beat.

  “Yes, when he was twelve.”

  She laughed gently. It was a sweet, sad sound and it shook her shoulders ever so slightly. She waved it off with her perfectly manicured hand.

  “And it stuck?” He’d said he didn’t date but had blamed it on artificial women and a lack of free time.

  “I thought it had until I saw your photos.” Her smile spread again. “They love to photograph you two.”

  “That they do.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll never understand it.”

  “Oh, darling, they love the young, the beautiful, and the rich. The fact that you both are wildly successful and have a flare for the dramatic only makes you more appealing.”

  “You think we have a flare for the dramatic?”

  “Just slightly.” She winked.

  I was absolutely charmed by her. She was sweet—almost overwhelmingly so. I couldn’t understand how she had raised such an opposite son. I also couldn’t imagine why Nick hadn’t wanted to speak of her.

  “He used to be photographed with different women all the time.” I cocked my head, remembering the photos I’d seen prior to meeting him.

  “Not in day-to-day life. Those pictures were always taken at night and in fancy clothes; he was being photographed with appropriate escorts. My son knows when it’s expected of him to fill a chair.”

  “Huh.” My brow creased, thoughtful at her observation.

  “Regardless, I’m glad he wasn’t serious at twelve. I think you and I are going to be good friends.”

  “I’d like that.”

  I blushed, feeling a little shy around her. She made me remember what it was like to have a mom. I had to keep talking to avoid getting sentimental.