Contents
PROLOGUE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
PROLOGUE
She has no idea she is being watched. Her routine is the same, Monday to Friday. Each morning, emerging from the Tube station shortly after 8.30am, blinking in the morning light, holding a coffee. She is never late. Never sick.
The kind of young woman you notice, perhaps stare at, maybe even turn around for. There's grace and elegance in the way she moves. An equine quality, like a fine Arabian, the breeze lifting her kohl-black mane to reveal milky skin and lapis eyes. Her strawberry lips demand to be kissed.
Always smartly dressed in corporate attire but with her own quirky little twist, like the pretty silk scarf today tied around her neck. The best view of her is from the park bench. She stops and talks to the Big Issue seller, gives him a coin but won't take the magazine. It's a short walk across the square to the entrance of the office. And then she's gone.
So pretty. So kind. So perfect.
Bitch.
CHAPTER ONE
I feel amazing as I leave my flat for work. Another warm day with hazy sunshine, possibly the last of this Indian Summer. I love London - the excitement, the buzz, the rush, the life - yes, the life!
Here I feel really alive and today is a day that I can make it happen. Today I'll get noticed. I'm feeling so positive about this. I have spent the entire weekend working on the presentation and I'm radiating confidence as I walk into the office foyer clutching my Starbucks. The lid on the coffee cup wobbles but no worries. Nothing can go wrong today.
The lift is filling and I make a dash, pushing my laptop bag against the now closing doors. I'm met with scowls for the most part but one guy smirks and steps back to let me in. More people crowd the small compartment and the lift is now packed.
I'm conscious of my coffee, hoping it won't spill on me or anyone else. It could start a lift war. Coffee carnage at Cathwell. Then suddenly I'm aware of ... it can't be. What is that sticking in my backside? No way. It's a hold-up. Has this guy got a hard-on?
As quickly as the thought enters my head, he pushes around me as the lift halts at the next floor. A flush creeps across my cheeks and I tilt my head so my hair covers my face. I didn't do anything. What just happened there?
Just before the lift doors close again I can see the guy striding towards the Senior VP suite. Tall, purposeful, obviously knows his way around. I have never seen him before but we have people coming and going all the time from our overseas offices. Should I feel insulted by his silent introduction? Well if I should, I don't. I clear my throat and smile.
When I reach my desk Louise is already there. As usual, she's looking for gossip. "You're looking very pleased with yourself Holly, good weekend? Come on, 'fess up!"
Not a chance, girlfriend. Louise sits at the desk beside me and spends most of her time talking about everyone else.
"It's a gorgeous day, Lou, and it keeps getting better," I smile. Nosey cow.
"On the happy pills again?" Lou turns back to her monitor. "I hope you're ready for the big presentation."
As ready as I'll ever be. This is my big chance.
***
At 10:00 AM sharp we shuffle in for the usual Monday morning team meeting. Today's the day, I've got it all planned. This is when I show the powers that be what I'm really worth.
I've been acting up for my manager Eve, who is on maternity leave, for the last seven months. I know that the people who matter are impressed with my work. My presentation needs to blow them away. There's a promotion up for grabs and my name's on it.
Inside the conference room, my earlier confidence evaporates. I close my eyes and take a calming breath. My mouth is dry and my hand shakes as I pour myself a glass of water from the heavy jug.
Come on, Holly, you can do this. Hold it together.
I have a sudden urge to bolt from the room. I exhale slowly several times until the feeling passes. I'm not going to let last minute nerves get the better of me.
My colleagues are pouring coffees and chattering about their weekend exploits. There's hearty laughter from the lads as Mike regales them with the sordid details of his latest hook-up. Sounds like he's been doing the girl from Accounts again. Dopey Dave is wolfing down the Danish pastries, as usual. The familiarity of the scene, the same every Monday morning, restores my calm for the moment.
The arrival of Bill, Senior VP and our department boss, is the signal for everyone to quieten down and take their positions.
"Good luck!" Lou mouths across at me.
Seated already, I'm distracted by Bill and his companion. I have to do a double take at the scene unfolding at the top of the table.
This cannot be happening. Please let this not be for real.
The others share my confusion and we eye each other questioningly.
"Good morning everyone, and what a great morning it is," Bill starts with his trademark cheesy grin. "I have an announcement to make and I'll get straight to it. As some of you know, Eve will not be returning. We are very grateful to Holly for the wonderful job she's been doing covering for Eve in the interim."
Cue another smarmy smile from Bill, and this time it's especially for yours truly. I don't like the way this is going.
Bill continues, "I'm delighted to introduce you all to Eve's successor who is joining us today on secondment from our New York office. Please welcome Nicholas Van Hoogen to the team. I'm sure you will all make him feel at home. Cathwell London are very lucky to have him on board."
There's silence in the room. Ever the showman, Bill shakes Van Hoogen's hand with vigour and slaps him on the back. Van Hoogen surveys the room.
We are blindsided by the announcement and that's the way Bill likes it. Across the table, Louise is trying to catch my attention, her eyes popping out of her head. I look away, purposely not meeting her gaze. She's not the only one staring my way. I can feel the pitying glances turned on me, not all sympathetic. But there's one pair of eyes boring into me harder than anyone else's, and they belong to Van Hoogen.
You didn't see that one coming, did you? Did he?
"So," Bill continues, "I'll leave you in Nick's very capable hands."
My tummy flips. I didn't expect to be in Nick's very capable hands quite so soon. Reaching for my water, I take a sip. I can feel the heat in my cheeks and rising up the back of my neck.
Steady, Holly, steady.
My mind's a blur of surprise, confusion and dismay. One thing's clear though. Cute, horny bastard from the lift just got my job.
CHAPTER TWO
Nicholas Van Hoogen sits at the top of the table. All eyes are now on him. I study him intently as he goes through the usual intro. How excited he is to be taking on this role, how much he's looking forward to working with our team, blah, blah, blah. He is assured, well spoken, and his delivery smooth and professional. He asks us all to introduce ourselves in turn.
I didn't get a proper look at him in the lift. He's very good-looking. Fair hair, grey-blue eyes, chiselled features. Not my usual type a
t all. His dark grey suit is understated but the cloth is expensive and it is exquisitely cut. He speaks with a slight Dutch accent, but there's an American twang there too. For some reason I'm drawn to his strong, tanned, hands, which are lightly drumming the table.
Big hands, big feet, you know what they say.
He catches me off guard, as if he's reading my mind. "OK then, let's start with you." He's staring straight at me. I hesitate. He raises an eyebrow.
"Me?" I hear my voice stammer. Get a grip.
"Yes, you. Unless of course you're too shy to go first." He's teasing me with the same smirk he gave me in the lift.
"No, not at all, I'd be delighted." I rise to the challenge, and to my feet. I rub my clammy hands on my skirt.
He slowly looks me up and down, his smirk becoming a full smile. I note the neat, white teeth. My head whirrs into overdrive. What do I say? I hate these ice-breakers.
Keep it simple, stupid.
I muster my strongest voice, addressing Van Hoogen, "My name is Holly Martin. I joined Cathwell two years ago on the Graduate Fast Track. I love my job."
Van Hoogen looks at me blankly. Is that the best you can do?
I quickly add, "I'll be Senior VP by the time I'm thirty."
His eyes stare at me intently, his smile curling the corners of his mouth. "Thank you for the elevator pitch, Holly. I'm sure I can count on your support while I'm finding my feet."
This prick thinks he can waltz in here with a twinkle in his eye, take my job, and count on my support. How dare he condescend to me like that in front of everyone.
Maybe you should watch your back Van Hoogen. Just wait, big dick. It's only a matter of time before I'm sitting in your chair.
He's already moved on and it's Trevor's turn and then the next, each one of us desperately attempting to sell ourselves to the new boss. Nicholas Van Hoogen is polite throughout, thanking each of us in turn.
I can't help noticing how his gaze constantly returns to me. What a brass neck! Does he know it was me in the lift earlier? I'm sure there was emphasis on 'elevator' when he replied just there, after my little speech. Is he playing games with me? I make myself lose the thought. I can rise above this.
"Always professional, always delivers." That's what Eve used to say about me. So far, it seems this strategy is getting me precisely nowhere.
Everyone has had their chance to speak and Nicholas quickly wraps it up. "OK, thank you all. I'll be meeting you individually to get to know you better but I'm certain we can all do some really great work together. Let's put this team on the map."
Just when everyone is thinking we've got a cool new boss, he sets a ton of project tasks to be completed for the next day.
How can a day that started so brilliantly turn out so bad? My promotion is doomed, my presentation totally forgotten about. I'm going to be working all evening to keep the new boss happy.
I won't be able to go to the standup gig tonight with my roommate Tara, which will really piss her off. Her friend has a slot at the comedy club and I promised I would be there for support. I've not been out with Tara in ages. Too busy with work. I hope she understands, she always does.
Worst of all - Nick the prick, aka lift hijacker / promotion thief / my new boss is actually really, really hot.
Whoa Holly, stop right there ...
CHAPTER THREE
Meeting over, we return to our desks. I can feel everyone's eyes on me again, in an attempt to gauge my reaction to the unexpected turn of events. I hate open plan offices. Soon, I'll have my own room. Just maybe not as soon as I'd thought.
Lou looks like she's going to burst. Before she can start on me, I flash her a look which says, “Zip it”, before turning away. I bury my face in my hands for a moment or two, in an attempt to regain composure. Most of the team know I've taken a knock-back, but Lou and some of the others think I'm too ambitious and won't be sorry.
I set about trying to work, hoping my disappointment isn't too obvious. What I really want to do is run out of here and scream.
I stare at the screen, not really seeing what's there. There's a storm raging in my head. All my efforts of the last months have amounted to nothing. When will another opportunity for promotion come up? Who the hell is this guy Van Hoogen anyway and who does he think he is?
I lift the phone and speed dial IT support. "Adam? It's Holly. Can you meet me in five at the usual place? Cool, bye."
After I set the phone down to Adam, it rings again immediately. I'm already getting up from the desk but something tells me to take the call. I lift the receiver in exasperation. "Holly Martin," I chirp, in my best fake, cheery voice.
"Hello, Holly Martin." My heart skips a beat as the voice registers in my brain. It's Nicholas, and he wants to see me now.
With butterflies in my stomach I carefully straighten my skirt and walk towards his room. It's one of the coveted corner offices with views across the Thames. The office that should have been mine. He's got his name on the door already. Fast mover.
I knock the door twice before opening it. Nicholas is seated at the desk.
"Oh, Holly Martin. Yes, come, come." He motions towards the chair across from him. I sit. He smiles. "I apologise for earlier ... making you go first … but you were the only one I'd already met."
"Already met?" I enquire. I am pretty sure where this is going but I want to make him say it.
"Yes, this morning … in the lift?"
An awkward pause.
I can feel myself blushing again and hope it looks like anger. I remember how this morning I had enjoyed our encounter. Funny how much can change in an hour.
"I would hardly consider that as having met," I reply, indignant.
"No, I apologise, these are my silly games," he admits, suddenly sounding very foreign.
I almost laugh aloud at the clumsiness of his defence. I'm still cross with him, with the situation, and how badly today is going. Yet, in this close proximity, there's a tangible attraction in the air. Nicholas leans across the desk as he explains how he needs to schedule a meeting with me, to discuss the Henderson pitch. He smells good enough to eat.
I feel a stirring, deep inside me, that I can't ignore. The nagging pull of desire. My heart is beating so hard I'm surprised he can't hear it. I catch my breath as Nicholas pauses for a second and looks at me expectantly. I nod in feigned agreement, unable to speak. I can't stand everything about this guy but I WANT him bad.
Nicholas is talking through his plans while all I can do is drink him up with my eyes. I try to look coherent, picking up the odd word, but when he says debrief I'm thinking of which knickers I'm wearing and how soon he might take them off.
I'm jolted back to reality with a text alert from my phone. Nicholas is shrugging, an embarrassed laugh as he tells me he's having trouble syncing his calendar. Jeez, what a dork.
I check my phone to see a message from Adam:
Order me to meet you, then keep me waiting. Diva :(
Oh hell's bells. Adam's been down there waiting for me all this time. In the fuss of the moment I forgot to let him know Van Hoogen had summoned me.
I swipe the screen to call Adam. Van Hoogen looks at me in disbelief. "Excuse me?" he says, the irritation obvious in his tone.
I meet Van Hoogen's gaze and proceed with the call anyway. "Adam? Hi, I'm in Nicholas Van Hoogen's office. He needs some IT support. Can you come up please? Yes, Eve's old room."
Nicholas's knitted brow lifts and a slow smile builds. He looks me up and down in that unmistakable way. It's clear to me the attraction is mutual. With no attempt at subtlety, he's peeling away the layers, imagining what's underneath.
I try to resist the temptation washing over me. In your dreams, Van Hoogen.
But it's futile, as my arousal heightens. My knees loosen and part slightly. I'm afraid of losing my dignity if I don't get out of here. Light-headed, I daren't stand up. Breathe you idiot.
Mesmerised, we stare at each other in silence, locked in the moment.
"Is everything ok, Miss Martin. Are you unwell?" Van Hoogen looks concerned, his eyes softening, and rises from his chair to come round to the other side of the desk. "Here, let me help you."
Reaching for my hands, he helps me to my feet. His touch sends a jolt of warmth through my body, and a tingle of pleasure up my back. I swear he must be able to feel me tremble.
"I'll be fine, thank you," I mumble, "It's just been a weird day, that's all. Sorry."
I bite my lip self-consciously then turn and walk to the door. With each step I can feel the wetness between my legs.
In my dreams too, Van Hoogen, and that's where you'll have to stay.
As I leave the office, Adam is approaching. "OK?" he mouths.
"Meet me after. Coffee bar," I reply. He nods in agreement.
CHAPTER FOUR
Adam appears downstairs within minutes. "Hey, you OK, Hols?"
"Oh, Adam," I sigh. "What a day. Let's run away together. Fuck it all!" I stir sugar into my double shot of espresso. It's not even lunch time yet but I could do with something stronger.
"Tut, tut. Language, young lady," he mock scolds me.
I muster a smile, even though I'm on the verge of tears. Adam is my one true friend at Cathwell's. It's a cut-throat environment and I don't entirely trust any of the others in my department.
We met two years ago on the same induction program for the new intake of company recruits, when we hit it off instantly. Adam was wearing jeans and a T-shirt of a band I really love. I admired the way he hadn't felt the pressure to turn up in a shirt on the first day. I was such a rookie I thought he was a rebel, not knowing then that IT dress code is a law onto itself.
He has a quiet confidence about him, and even though he's older than me by several years, his boyishness is endearing. He has a wicked sense of humour and he's really smart too. I've always suspected that Adam plays down his intelligence, for reasons known only to himself. I suppose there's no crime in not wanting to be a high flyer. There's no doubt he could go far if he ever decides to play the corporate game.
Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1) Page 1