“Park it in the front, will you?” he said.
The valet’s eyes widened at the sight of so many bills. Seeing that they were hundreds, he grinned. “You got it, sir.”
Kadeen nodded to him before striding confidently to the front door of the club. The doormen nodded to him, opening the door as he walked through. It was too early for there to be a line, but Kadeen was confident that he would have received the same treatment even if the line had been around the block.
The club contained a dancefloor with several VIP areas surrounding it. It was one of the most exclusive places in town, and Kadeen just happened to be a good friend of the owner. Glancing around, he found that very gentleman sitting in a VIP booth in the back, doing some last minute calculations before the night got busy. Kadeen headed in his direction, though the man didn’t look up.
“Seriously? You haven’t balanced out until now?” Kadeen asked, sliding across from his friend.
Jake looked up, his young face sporting a pair of glasses that he removed as he glanced at his friend. “We had a party last night that didn’t end until eight in the morning. So yeah, this is when I have time to get my numbers lined up for the night ahead.”
Kadeen took a look at the pile of papers Jake was going through. “Aren’t you too young to be using such antiquated methods? Get yourself a computer, man. You can afford it.”
Jake replaced his glasses on his nose and continued his calculations. “I like to be able to write in my numbers. Looking at a screen isn’t helpful, and I don’t want to cram myself in an office somewhere in the back.”
“So instead you’ll go over the private financials in the middle of the club where anyone can see.” Kadeen said, leaning over to read some of the papers. “A two-hundred-grand bar tab! Who paid for that?”
Jake glanced up again as he finished writing out his last numbers. His grin dug into his cheek, revealing a dimple. “We had a celebrity or two in here last night. You know how they like to show off.”
“I don’t know if it’s showing off so much as the inability to manage money, but who cares when we reap the profits?”
“You said it,” Jake agreed, sitting back and looking at Kadeen. “You’re early. I didn’t expect you until much later.”
Kadeen shrugged, leaning back as well. Jake’s table was one that had a view of the entire club, and it was permanently reserved for him. Like Kadeen, Jake was a young entrepreneur who had become successful well before thirty, and for that reason the two had become fast friends.
“Figured I’d get your attention before you get swept into another party.”
Jake nodded. “You’re a smart man.”
“I pride myself on it.”
“Come on, then,” Jake said, collecting his paperwork and scooting out of the booth.
Kadeen stood and followed as they made their way past the bar and through a back door, to Jake’s office. Kadeen had often wondered why his friend refused to do business there. The space was elaborately luxurious. The walls were lined with books, though Kadeen could hardly guess what they would be about, sitting in a night club. The walls were adorned with art, which was what had brought Kadeen to the establishment in the first place. He glanced around until his eyes landed on the piece he had come to evaluate.
Jake watched him closely, instantly noticing the direction of his gaze. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
Kadeen continued to stare at the painting, his mind working fast to evaluate it. While Imogen was certainly a pill, she was a useful pill, and he found himself wondering if he shouldn’t have brought her with him on this excursion. “I don’t. Tell me what you know about it.”
“Oh, but you didn’t say please,” Jake teased.
When Kadeen didn’t take the bait, Jake sighed and joined his friend in front of the painting. It was of a beautiful woman holding a cornucopia filled with fruit. She was naked, lying on a blanket in a lush forest, her hair the same color as the bark in the trees. Kadeen wondered if Nicole could tease that color out a bit more back to its original timbre. Thinking of Nicole while he stared at the painting elicited thoughts he did not want to acknowledge, so he changed course and began considering the price.
“I know this is seventeenth century, very likely a genuine van Poelenburgh, though you would probably have to get that tested. It didn’t occur to me that you might actually want the stupid thing—it was handed down to me after my father died, so I just took it. The truth is, I want to redo this entire room. It’s way too stuffy for my taste.”
“Didn’t you design it when you bought this place?” Kadeen asked.
Jake shook his head. “I wish. We got it as the previous owner left it. The cost to upgrade wasn’t worth the expense at the time. After going over last night’s takings, though, I think it might be time to make a change.”
Kadeen nodded, turning his attention back to the painting. “How much do you want for it?”
“Ah, straight to the point, no dillydallying. I’ve always admired that about you, you know.”
When Kadeen only stared at him, Jake crossed his arms, enjoying the suspense.
“Two million,” he said finally.
Kadeen laughed. “You make two million on a typical Friday. You don’t need that kind of money. I’ll give you five hundred thousand.”
“Hey, I’ve got other expenses, too. Besides, this painting can fund the renovation I’m looking to complete on this place.”
Kadeen stared him down, crossing his arms.
“One million,” Jake said.
“Nine hundred thousand,” Kadeen countered.
Jake mulled the amount over for a moment, pursing his lip as he considered. He held out his hand for Kadeen to shake, which he did.
“You have a deal. Take it, and good riddance.”
Kadeen grinned, then, and his smile reached his eyes. “You can have it in my car by the time I leave?”
Jake nodded. “Of course. What kind of establishment do you think I’m running here? Now, tell me you’re going to stick around and have a drink with us. I’ll even buy you one.”
“I suppose it’s the least you could do after bilking me of nine hundred grand.”
“Like you can’t afford it.”
“Good point. I’ll have the money with you tomorrow.”
Jake shrugged. “I know you’re good for it. Now come on. Let’s get drunk.”
Kadeen followed Jake back out into the club, which was starting to fill with scantily clad women and men who would make fools of themselves for the chance to take them home.
Jake led the way to his table, where he ordered a round of drinks and motioned for a bouncer to invite a few girls up. Moments later, four undeniably beautiful women arrived at the table, sticking out their chests and pouting their lips, making sure everything was on display. The very male part of Kadeen instantly responded to their charms. The part that was being stubborn for no good reason felt like pushing all of them away.
Frustrated at this turn of events, Kadeen began flirting with a redhead, who was more than happy to listen to everything he said, though it didn’t seem like she understood a word of it. There was only one woman who understood and loved art to the same extent he did, and he did his best not to think about Nicole’s deep blue eyes, hidden behind her glasses as she worked over yet another a masterpiece.
“So what do you say?” the woman asked.
Kadeen blinked. He had completely stopped paying attention.
“I’m sorry, say about what?”
The woman smiled and swatted him playfully on the arm. It was not a gesture he found endearing.
“You’re such a tease!” she giggled. “What do you say to taking this party back to your place, Your Highness?”
“Who told you to call me that?” he asked, setting his drink down.
Kadeen wasn’t normally one to turn down good liquor, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to imbibe. He had gotten what he came for, and it was time to go home.
&nb
sp; Before the woman could answer, Kadeen turned to Jake. “I’m heading out,” he said.
Jake frowned, leaning in to better hear over the loud music. “You can’t go yet, the night hasn’t even started!”
“My schedule isn’t the same as yours. I have a plane to catch in the morning.”
Jake sighed dramatically, but he waved over a bouncer and gave him instructions, presumably to fetch the painting for Kadeen.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Jake. Until next time.”
Jake waved back at Kadeen before turning his attention to the two women on either side of him.
Kadeen cleared his throat, waiting for the redhead to move so he could get out, and she pouted.
“You don’t want me?” she asked, as she scooted to the end of the booth and stood.
Kadeen rose and stepped away from the table, considering just walking away. The pout could very easily be fake. Women were excellent at playing games. His conscience wouldn’t let him.
He turned to face her. “I’m sure you’re a lovely person. I’ve just got to get going. Have a good night, and good luck.”
Without elaborating, he turned and made his exit. A bouncer was waiting by the front doors with the painting covered in a black sheet. When Kadeen stepped outside, the valet was quick to hand him his keys.
“Thanks, kid,” the Sheikh said, tossing him another hundred-dollar bill.
The valet nearly bowed out his gratitude, but instead smiled broadly and wished him a good evening.
With the painting safely tucked away in his Jag, Kadeen sped for home, thinking about the work Nicole could do on such a specimen.
Of course, it wouldn’t do him any good to think about Nicole at all.
FIVE
Nicole
A loud, annoying ring was penetrating Nicole’s blissful sleep. She rolled over, wrapping a pillow around her head to block out the sound.
Even then, it seemed to get louder.
In the haze of Nicole’s sleep-ridden mind, her brain began piecing together why there might be such a noise. She shot up, tossing the pillow off the bed as she ran for the front door and pressed the button for the speaker.
“Hello?” she said, her voice scratchy from sleep.
She ran a brisk hand through her hair, brushing stray strands from her eyes. An annoyed voice sounded on the other end.
“Nicole Hawthorn? Is this the correct residence?”
“Yes, it is,” she said, breathless from her dash across the room.
“I’m meant to take you to the airport for your flight, miss. We’re going to be late if you don’t come down right away.”
“Got it. I’ll be there in a minute!”
She waited a beat to hear if the man would respond. When he didn’t, she removed her finger from the speaker button and dashed back across the room, stripping out of her pajamas as she did so.
Nicole was a notoriously heavy sleeper. Having nearly failed a test in college after sleeping in once, she had learned to set around ten alarms for herself all through school. It worked pretty well unless she forgot to set them.
Sliding into a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater, Nicole tossed a coat over it all and threw her toothbrush into her purse and checked she had her passport before bolting out the door and running down the three flights of stairs to the main floor. When she stepped out into the cold winter morning, it was still dark out.
A long, black limousine was waiting at the curb. The driver was leaning against the vehicle, but when he saw her he stood and moved to take her lone suitcase.
“Sorry,” Nicole said.
“It won’t be me you’ll have to apologize to,” the driver replied.
Nicole gulped, knowing he was right. While Kadeen was a kind man, it had been made very clear from the beginning that when it came to business, he didn’t mess around. He expected a lot from himself and his staff, and the last thing Nicole wanted to do was let him down.
The driver packed her suitcase away in the trunk before opening the limo door for her. Nicole slid in, relishing in the warmth of the interior over the cool darkness of the world outside. After a moment, the driver slid into his seat and pulled onto the road, heading towards their destination. Nicole allowed herself to relax a little, then, tilting her head back, closing her eyes.
The last thing she wanted to do was fall asleep again. She sat up a little straighter and looked out the window, the better to wake up with the lights and sounds of New York to distract her from the cozy warmth of the car. She was a little surprised that Kadeen had sent a limo to pick her up, though this was the first time Nicole had interacted with him outside of the office. Perhaps this was simply how billionaires operated?
Noticing a small bar to her right, Nicole scooted further into the cabin, perusing her options. There was some light breakfast fare and a cooler with orange juice and bottled water. Choosing a water, Nicole sipped delicately as the car drove smoothly through nearly empty streets. Finally, the car took a turn Nicole wasn’t familiar with, and a moment later they were pulling into what appeared to be an airport hangar.
The limo drove through the warehouse-sized building, and all around them were private planes and jets of all shapes and sizes. There, leaning against a sleek, medium-sized jet, was Kadeen, looking none too pleased.
Yikes.
The driver pulled up alongside the jet, and Nicole bided her time waiting for him to open her door again. Once he did, she saw her suitcase waiting for her just outside, and knew there would be no hiding from the consequences of her actions. She took a breath before stepping from the vehicle and meeting Kadeen’s steely gaze.
“I said six thirty. It’s six forty-five.”
“It’s my fault. I slept in,” Nicole admitted.
Kadeen stared at her for another minute, then glanced at the driver, whose gaze was equally as cold. “I know. My driver is never late. You must have made him very grumpy.”
Nicole glanced at the driver before peeking back up at Kadeen. Was that a glint of humor in his eyes?
“I did, and I’m sorry, but if we stand here dressing me down all morning, that won’t get us on our way any quicker. Might I suggest we move on, so we can get there as close to on time as possible?”
“A very prudent suggestion,” Kadeen agreed. He nodded to the driver. “Thank you, Alan. That will be all for today. I’ll be in touch upon our return.”
“Very good, sir. Have a safe trip.”
“Thank you,” Kadeen said, placing a hand on Nicole’s shoulder as he led her toward the steps.
She tried to ignore the instant awareness that shot through her at his touch. Instead, she focused on the plane before her. She took each step delicately before entering the cabin, and she tried to hide her awe as she took in the details of the interior.
There were two rows of creamy leather seats, and a large television at the end of the cabin for watching movies. A chic bar was stocked with exotic liquors and fresh, organic food. Nicole had been up long enough to eye the food with more than a small amount of longing.
There was a storage area for their suitcases, and Nicole noticed that Kadeen’s was already in place. She put hers next to his before taking a seat across from him, relishing the comfort of the luxurious, private setting.
“How long is this flight, anyway?” she asked.
“Around twelve hours,” he said, and Nicole gulped.
“That is quite the journey,” she observed, and Kadeen nodded, pulling a glass from the bar and pouring himself a vodka with orange juice.
“It is indeed. Still, I think you’ll find it passes fairly quickly, in these conditions.”
“It really is a lovely plane,” Nicole said.
“Thank you. Would you like a drink?” he asked, gesturing to his glass.
“No, thank you. It’s a little early for me.”
“Suit yourself,” he shrugged, stirring his drink and taking a sip.
A man in a pilot’s uniform entered the cabin to let them
know that they had been cleared for takeoff, and would be leaving momentarily. Nicole sat in awkward silence, not really sure what to talk about. She knew next to nothing about Kadeen, outside of his playboy reputation, and that was enough to keep her playing it safe for as long as she possibly could.
Still, as she alternated between looking out the window and sneaking glances at him, she realized he looked different than usual. After a moment she realized it was because he was dressed casually, with jeans and a button-down shirt, rather than his usual business attire.
The plane had taxied onto the runway and taken off before Kadeen looked away from the window and back to Nicole.
Baby Maker - A Secret Baby Sports Star Romance Page 17