Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1)

by Knight, K. T.

  I have a niggling feeling I'm going to be disappointed with Nick. I was so sure he liked me. Maybe I got it wrong. So what anyway? Besides, I behaved impeccably on Friday night and I've nothing to be ashamed of. It's a pity Nick hasn't called, but it's his loss. Or so I keep telling myself.

  "I suppose I should phone Adam, and thank him for getting me a cab. I was in a right state.” I shudder, remembering a flashback from last night. "Do you think he's annoyed with me?"

  Tara shrugs. "Nah, I don't think so. He hooked up with some bimbo. I'd leave it if I were you. He'll probably still be at it."

  Ouch. Tara's remark stings like a slap on the cheek. Why do I even care if Adam copped off right after I went home? Just as well I'm not interested anyway.

  Tara lifts last night's tube of Pringles and gives it a shake, confirming there's still some inside. Armed with Pringles, Diet Coke and co-codamol, she disappears back to her room. I don't expect to see her again until tomorrow.

  There's a phone call I need to make but I put it off until I've done some work. I dial the number and wait until a familiar voice answers.

  "Holly, is that you pet?" I can hear the joy in the voice and feel the love as if it's travelling towards me through the airwaves.

  "Hi Mum, yes it's me." I hope my mother can sense my smile shooting right back at her. My Sunday evening call to my parents is a weekly ritual ever since I left home for university. We never miss it. I look forward to catching up with their news, and sharing mine. It sets me up for the week ahead, keeps me grounded, and helps me remember what's important.

  "Well, love, tell me what's been happening there. Your father's in the greenhouse, tidying it up. He's very upset, his latest crop of beans are infested. Now then, did you hear about the new job yet? We didn't want to bother you but we were hoping you might have texted." Mum pauses for breath and I know now she's been worrying about me all week.

  You should have called her.

  "Oh, Mum. There's been so much happening here, it's been crazy. I got passed over for the job, but everything's fine. They brought in a new boss …" and I give mum the censored version of the week's events. If she knew about my lusty thoughts or drunken antics then she really would have cause to worry.

  When I've finished, Mum sighs. "Oh dear. Well try and keep on the right side of the Dutch man." Underneath him would be perfect. "There'll be other promotions, when the time is right. How's that nice Adam chap? Oh, here's your dad! Don't mention the beans!"

  And sure enough, by the time Dad has given me the run down of his vegetable planting schedule, I'm half asleep and ready for bed.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Amazing what can change in a week. As I enter the Cathwell foyer I think of last Monday morning. There's no sign of Nick in the lift today, and when I get to our floor he's not in his office. I hope no-one notices me walk the long way round so I can go past it and check.

  I log on to my calendar and see that the weekly team meeting is cancelled. Lou arrives and before she's even taken her coat off she's giving me the third degree.

  "Really Lou, there's nothing to tell," I insist.

  "Oh come on, he just walked you to the Tube? You can't expect me to believe that." Lou continues to fish for more information.

  "Yes, he just walked me to the Tube. Honestly."

  Lou rolls her eyes and turns to log in.

  Yes, he walked me to the Tube and he kissed me but it was just another kiss to nowhere.

  As the days pass, I'm starting to think that Nick has disappeared. Maybe it's all been a dream. I don't want to bring the subject up for fear of sounding too interested, but Lou is one step ahead of me as usual.

  "Does anyone know where the fuck Van Hoogen is?" she wails on Wednesday afternoon, after a particularly fraught phone call with a client she can't pacify. "Isn't it bloody strange that they bring in this big shot and then he disappears off the face of the earth? What's the point? You should have got the job, Holly, you were robbed."

  There's a few murmurs of agreement. "I wish I knew what was going on, but I don't," I reply. "Yes. Enough's enough! Leave it with me."

  I jump up from my desk and take a wander over to Alexa, Nick's PA, the gatekeeper on guard outside Nick's empty office. As I approach, Alexa is chatting on her mobile phone. "Flat-line, I'm telling you. Dead as a dodo. Bring on the next contender." Alexa looks up and sees me. A guilty flash crosses her face and she wraps up her call. "Gotta go, catch you later. Ciao."

  Alexa flashes me a megawatt smile, showing off her dazzling white teeth. She is catwalk ready at all times, in case a casting call comes through. She moonlights as a glamour model and often disappears from the office at short notice. Adam swears he's seen her in an adult movie. His No. 1 Cathwell's ambition is to sit beside her at the Christmas party.

  She twists a strand of her perfectly coiffed hair, waiting for me to speak.

  "Hi Alexa, is Nick around today?" I smile sweetly. Alexa's not the sort of person you want to cross. "I need to see him urgently."

  "Hmmm, let me check the diary," Alexa makes a show of looking intently at her screen and rolling and clicking her mouse. I wince at the sound of her nails scratching the desk as the mouse scrolls. "He's still in New York, but he might have a window."

  New York? WTF?

  "Sorry Holly, no can do. Nothing until next week. Shall I put you in for next Tuesday at 2.00 PM?" Alexa looks up at me expectantly.

  "Um, no it's OK. Look, do you know what's going on, Alexa? Because no-one else seems to."

  Alexa looks at me blankly. "I've no idea what you mean, Holly. I can get a message to him if that's any help?" Her dumb blonde act is pretty good, but it's lost on me. I can tell from her eyes that she knows exactly what I mean.

  My pride tells me not to ask Alexa to send a message to Nick, even though it's work related. "Never mind, I'll speak to Bill. Thanks Alexa," and as I turn away I can feel tears pricking my eyes. I feel confused, angry, and hurt, but most of all stupid. He asks me to dinner then doesn't call. Now I find out he's living it up it in New York leaving me to deal with all his crappy work, without even having the decency to tell me what's going on. Way to go, Nick.

  Why am I such as fool?

  It's nearly home time when Adam's face pops up on the internal message system. I haven't spoken to him since Saturday. To be honest I'm avoiding him. I've been so preoccupied with Nick. Although I usually talk to Adam about everything, I can't tell him about this. Then there's the girl he hooked up with on Saturday night. I'm not even sure why, but that bothers me.

  He persuades me to meet him for a quick coffee downstairs, and I know the minute I see him, he's bursting to tell me something. We find a quiet corner.

  "Hols, have I got news for you? I've got the skinny on Van Hoogen." He sounds triumphant.

  "Right. And?" I try to look unruffled, although my stomach is churning.

  "Yeah, so get this - he's in some sort of trouble with the police in America and he's been arrested. He came to London on the run and now he's been caught. You might get that corner office after all." Adam leans back in his seat with a self-satisfied look on his face.

  The story is so unbelievable I can't believe Adam's even entertaining it. "Adam, don't be ridiculous! He's away on a business trip. Alexa told me."

  "No, for real. That's the official story but don't forget I see everything," Adam replies with a conspiratorial wink.

  I'm more shocked about Adam's unethical behaviour than the stupid story about Nick. "I think technically, you're not supposed to hack people's e-mail or remote their computer without permission?" It's not the first time Adam's used his IT access rights to uncover confidential information, but he seems to think it's one of the perks of his job.

  "Oh Hols, you know how it is. All's fair in love and war!”

  It strikes me that's an odd thing to say. Adam hasn't asked me if there's anything going on between me and Nick, but clearly the office gossip has reached the IT department by now.

  I bite back at h
im. "How the hell do people even start to make this stuff up? The rumour mill can be really nasty at times. It's vicious attacking someone's character like that when you don't know anything about them. That story is just pure speculation and gossip. In fact, it's a load of bullshit."

  Adam's looking smug. "Holly, it's all true ... I have proof. It's all in his cloud. Look, I'll show you." Adam whips his iPhone out but I stand up, furious.

  "Adam, you need to wind your neck in. I don't know what you're up to but you're on very thin ice. This might be a bit of a laugh to you, but it's someone's life and reputation you're ruining. And if it's true, what if someone finds out about your shady snooping? You'll be fired in a heartbeat and you'll never get another job. Is that what you want? Is it really worth it?" I stand up, my entire body shaking.

  Adam's face turns grim. "Calm down. I don't know why you're so defensive of him. And no-one's got anything on me, don't worry about that. I thought you'd be pleased to know the shit on that prick. Forget it. Next time I won't bother."

  "You know what? I'd do the same for anyone who was being unjustly accused. Adam, I don't know about you but I need this job. You know you could get into a lot of trouble spreading lies about senior people in the company like that. Please don't bring me into this, I want nothing to do with it."

  "I wasn't spreading lies, and I'm only telling you because I care," Adam spits, with a nasty look in his eye that I haven't seen before.

  I turn and walk away, still shaking. I feel sick in the pit of my stomach. I've never known Adam like this before.

  Jesus Nick, where are you?

  Back at my desk I try and settle myself but my mind's a storm. It's nearly home time and just as I'm debating with myself whether to go home early, a message over the tannoy pages me to go to reception. My mind made up, I grab my coat and bag.

  "Are you OK?" says Lou, watching. "You look ill. Can I get you anything?"

  "I'm not feeling great," I admit, grateful for Lou's concern. Her heart's in the right place. "I'll just see what they want downstairs, then I'll probably head home. See you tomorrow," I smile at her as I leave, adding, "and thanks, Lou."

  In the lift going down, it occurs to me I've no idea why I've been messaged, and I panic momentarily that it's a client appointment I've forgotten about. I leave my coat off, just in case.

  In the lobby, approaching reception, my heart skips a beat when I see a huge bouquet of flowers calling out to me. The most beautiful pink, purple and white dahlias I've ever seen, hand tied and wrapped in fancy tissue paper.

  The girls on reception are looking at me excitedly. "Yes, they're for you!" they squeal, pushing them towards me as they wait for me to open the card. My heart is racing in a rush of excitement. I smile and pop the card in my pocket.

  "Wow," is all I can say, and my voice is a whisper. I lift the flowers and walk outside, and only when I'm out of sight of the office do I stop to open the card. It reads:-

  "Dinner this Sat night? N.V.H."

  I breathe a sigh of relief. You daft bird. Of course he's not in the bloody clink.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  I feel like a kid at Christmas as I walk into the restaurant. I'm wearing a flirty dress and knee boots. I don't want to look like I've tried too hard, even though I've spent all afternoon getting ready. I splashed out on some new silk underwear. It's my little secret underneath, that makes me feel wonderful. I'm hoping that Nick gets to see it later.

  We meet in a cosy, candlelit Italian in Soho. Mr. Van Hoogen has chosen well. He stands to greet me as I arrive. I realise I've never seen him not wearing a suit. He looks younger in his casual shirt and jeans.

  "You look gorgeous, Holly." Nick's lips brush my cheek and the bolt of electricity he sends through my body is in danger of knocking me out. Holy fuck, batgirl. I sit down quickly in case my knees give way.

  "Thanks, Nick." My cheeks flush. I'm flattered by his compliment. I meet his eyes and drink him in. My heart is beating so loudly I'm sure he must be able to hear it.

  “I took the liberty of ordering some Champagne. I hope you like it?" Nick lifts the bottle and pours me a glass.

  "Perfect," I reply. No going Dutch with this guy!

  We clink glasses and for a moment I'm tongue tied, before Nick chips in. He leans over the table, and his look is earnest. "Holly, I'm sorry I've not been in touch before now. Something came up urgently and I had to go to New York. Unfinished business, you know?" He reaches out and squeezes my hand.

  I don't, and I want to ask more, and berate him for not having contacted me, but there's something about the look on his face that tells me to leave it. He seems tired, and sad, somehow. I think of Adam's ridiculous allegations but quickly put it out of my head. As if he can read my mind, Nick smiles warmly and squeezes my hand again. His touch sends tingles up my arm and shivers down my spine. He glances down at his menu. "I hope you're hungry. I hear this place is superb."

  I'm hungry for you, Nick.

  We talk easily like old friends. The food is delicious and the Champagne is flowing, but I'm careful not to drink too much. All I can think about is later.

  The waiter brings the dessert menu. "Would you like something else?" Nick asks me.

  I summon up all my courage. "Um, yes, but it's not on this menu," is my bold reply. Meeting Nick's eyes, there's a swarm of butterflies fluttering inside me. A rejection from him would be devastating.

  Nick nods, meeting my gaze, and his eyes light up. There's a moment of understanding, and I flush. His eyes are melting me, and my longing is stirring places that shouldn't be stirred in a public eaterie.

  "Just the bill, please," he tells the waiter, "oh, and a taxi. To Mayfair."

  The minutes seem like hours until we're finally outside. The anticipation of what lies ahead is sweet agony. Then we're in the back of a taxi and he's kissing me hard and deep, his hand slipping under my coat and inside my low cut dress cupping my breast under my soft, sexy bra. I have to contain a sharp intake of breath as my nipple stands erect at his touch. Juices fill my groin and my crotch contracts to contain my desire. I hope the taxi driver isn't copping an eyeful of what's unfolding.

  It's a short journey to Nick's apartment and luckily there's not much traffic. We walk, quickly, hand in hand past the concierge who nods and says "Good evening, sir."

  Then in the lift, before the doors have closed he's pushing me against the wall, and I can feel his hardness as he kisses my neck, his hands reaching up under my dress. I feel his fingers in my knickers as he strokes my pussy. With a gasp of surprise a finger slips inside my wetness.

  "Oh, Nick. I want you so bad," my husky whisper is barely audible. He covers my mouth with his and I can hardly catch a breath. There's an urgency in him, a hunger that must be satisfied. I am so aroused I know it won't take much to make me come, but I want to savour every moment of this ecstasy. The lift comes to a stop and we are interrupted by the bell.

  Nick swoops me up in his arms, through the open lift doors and carries me down the hall. I laugh, kicking my legs. "Put me down you lunatic!" I beg, but he bends down and his kisses silence me once more.

  "I'm the boss, remember?" he grins, and his strong arms hold me tighter. Only when we arrive at his door does he release me long enough to open it. I have barely seconds to take in the luxury of the apartment before his mouth devours me again.

  We somehow get to the bedroom in a stumbling swirl of passion. Discarded coats and boots mark our trail. He pulls me to him, but my boldness from the restaurant is still with me. I break our kiss and gently push him down to sit on the low bed. A little laugh escapes from him. I reach for the buttons on my dress, steadily gazing into his steely eyes as I slowly undo each one. He stares back at me with a look that says all the things I've wanted to hear from him. I feel sexy and beautiful and as I lift the dress up over my head I hear him inhale deeply as he sees me semi-naked for the first time.

  "Beautiful.....so beautiful," he murmurs.

  "Me or the underwear?" I joke wit
h a smile.

  "We need to get that off," and he runs his hands up the sides of my thighs and round the back to stroke the silk-covered cheeks of my ass. He pulls me closer and gently nibbles my stomach. I run my fingers through his hair as his head moves lower until I can feel his breath between my legs as he nuzzles and plants kisses near the spot. I reach behind my back and undo the bra and let it fall to the floor. At the same time, with a thumb in each side, he slowly pulls my knickers down and then I'm standing fully naked in front of him.

  He pulls me onto the bed and I kiss him hard, with urgency, my searching tongue begging for more. I want to feel his bare skin on mine. I straddle him and unbutton his shirt as he lies looking up at me. He lifts his shoulders from the bed a little and I peel the shirt away from his beautiful, muscled torso. Then I fall on top of him and there's a bolt of electricity through my body as our skin connects. I rub my breasts against his chest. My nipples are hard and engorged.

  "I've wanted this since the first morning I saw you in the lift," says Nick, softly, stroking my butt, and pressing my crotch into his hardness. His words excite me even more.

  Then we roll and he is above me. I can't wait any longer. I know what I want. Reaching for his belt, I struggle to undo it in the frenzy of our embrace. He moves back and in a few swift actions his trousers are down. I can see his huge hard-on straining in his shorts and then he's naked. I stare at his erect cock, hungry to taste him.

  "Oh, Nick, I want you so bad," I say, reaching out and taking him in one hand. I feel the length of his shaft, the straightness and stiffness of his erection, the satin softness of the skin. His perfect cock, and it's all mine.

  I bend down to suck him.

  "Not yet, you little minx, not yet," Nick teases as he gently pushes me back down on the bed. "Ladies come first."