Welcome to Lake Ventures (New Haven Book 2)

by Dawn Doyle

  Oh my God. I slept with Nick!

  Sitting bolt upright, regretting it due to the pain as she sat, her pulse raced.

  She ran her hands through her hair before getting up and going for a shower.

  “I slept with Nick.” She whispered to herself in the mirror, a huge grin on her face.

  Then it fell.

  I slept with Nick! He’s my boss!

  She didn’t know what to do. Obviously it was what they both wanted, but what if he only wanted that one night? What if he regretted it; thought it was a mistake?

  “Oh shit!”

  I love Nick. If he regrets last night it’ll kill me.

  He’d assured her that he’d kissed her first, that must mean he felt something for her. But what if it was because he just wanted a one night stand with her? Was that his plan all along?

  No. She couldn’t believe that. After what he’d told her, there was no way he was only after a quick roll in the sack.

  There was nothing quick about the night before.

  He’d taken his time. Making sure that she was comfortable, that she was pleasured and that he wasn’t hurting her. Touching her like he was committing every inch of her to memory.

  He hadn’t been in a hurry to the finish, he’d made love to her.

  The thoughts ploughed through Emily’s mind like a runaway train.

  She knew Nick wouldn’t treat her the way Jeff had, not in a million years, but he was her boss after all. There couldn’t be anything more, could there?

  All she knew was that she had to face him at work, see how he reacts to her. If he ignores her, she’d know he was only after one thing.

  Shut up Emily! He’s not out to use you!

  Emily had just finished showering when her phone rang.

  “Who were you with last night?” Holly asked happily down the phone.

  Oh my fuckin’ God!

  “What makes you think I was with someone?” she asked innocently, even though she had an idea how she would know.

  “Don’t play coy with me, Em. Riss just texted me and said there was banging against your wall last night and that she heard screaming too.

  “Oh dear God.” She complained.

  “So? Who were you with? ”Holly asked like she already knew.

  “Nobody.”

  “So you did all that by yourself?” Holly asked sarcastically.

  “No of course I didn’t!”

  “So you were with someone. Spill.”

  “Holly, I have to get ready for work. Anyway it’s three o’clock there now, shouldn’t you be tangling yourself up with Alex right about now?”

  Holly had gone to England to visit their Nan, a few days ago and there was eight hours time difference between the zones.

  “Well…um…”

  “Rabbits! Anyway, baby girl, I’ve gotta go.”

  “I’ll text you later, and I want details!!”

  Emily ended the call.

  Shit.

  Now it was going to be even more awkward than before.

  *****

  Nick had bared his secret to Emily and she wasn’t disgusted in him. She was angry because of what happened. Seeing how she reacted to the details had hurt his heart. Especially when she cried, for him.

  Nick couldn’t help the stupid smile plastered across his face. He felt amazing after having the best night of his life with Emily, in her bed, in her arms.

  Her body had felt incredible, looked incredible. She’d hidden herself well under her clothes. He would have never guessed that her body was so tight, toned and… developed.

  His groin strained as he recalled every inch of her. Every touch, every sound she made as he kissed her. When he’d made her climax with his fingers, he’d almost come himself.

  He’d never wanted another woman since that night and he’d never wanted another woman the way he wanted Emily, before it.

  Pushing in to her had been bliss. She was so tight and, knowing he was big, he paused letting her adjust to him.

  Rocking into her, he felt everything. Her core clamping around him, her hands on his skin, her breath in his ear as he brought her closer to the edge.

  He almost told her how he felt, stopping himself in case he freaked her out. Instead, he whispered into her neck. Just so he could confirm it out loud without her hearing him.

  When she tightened around him as she came, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching his limit too. He wanted to make sure she was fully satisfied before he took what he needed from her.

  Emily was what mattered the most.

  I love her.

  Picking up his ringing phone, he saw that Ryan was calling.

  “Hey Ry, what’s up?”

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “In my apartment, why?” Where else would he be at that time in the morning?

  “Ok, so what have you done this morning?”

  “What? What are you taking about Ryan?”

  “Just answer the question, bro.”

  “I got up, had breakfast, showered, and now I’m going to work. Why?”

  Well, I got up and left the most beautiful, sexy woman in her bed so I could go and get ready for work!

  “Oh.” Ryan sounded disappointed.

  “What’s going on Ry?”

  “Dude, I’m so sorry.”

  “Ryan.” Nick said, getting irritated.

  “I thought you were with Emily. Man, I know you like her and Riss and I thought you were with her. We heard some serious noises coming from her apartment and we didn’t hear anybody leaving. I thought it was you. Sorry dude.”

  Oh. My. God.

  Nick didn’t think that Emily would want them knowing her business. He especially wasn’t going to say anything before asking her first.

  “Nick? You still there, bro?”

  “Yeah… um… I’m sure Emily wouldn’t want you prying in to her business, Ry.”

  “Yeah. It’s just that we all know you like her, we’re not stupid, and when Riss texted Holly, Holly texted back after she spoke to Em and she didn’t say anything to Hol. I’m sorry dude.”

  What if she regrets it?

  A sick feeling went through his stomach. If she regretted their amazing night, making love to each other, he wouldn’t know what he would do.

  “Ryan, Emily’s business is her own so just drop it ok? I don’t want you, or anybody else, saying anything to her.”

  “Cool. No worries.”

  “Fuck!” Nick shouted after he ended the call. He had to speak to Emily; find out how she felt about their night together.

  Getting out of the elevator, Nick saw that Emily’s desk was empty. He’d seen her car in the parking lot, so he knew she was there.

  “Good morning, Nick.” Diane smiled from her desk.

  “Good morning, Di. How are you?”

  “I’m great, thank you. Also, thank you for the extra day off. Cadie was happy I could spend another day with her.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you had fun.” He glanced to the elevator. It wasn’t making any sound suggesting it was coming to their floor.

  “You look different. You have color in your cheeks today.” She said, narrowing her eyes.

  “I do? That must be because I get to see your beautiful face again.” He said with a huge smile.

  “Oh, Nick.” She smiled shyly. “Be off with you.” She waved her hand at him to shoo him away.

  Nick walked to his office but stopped by Emily’s desk. Looking back so Diane wouldn’t catch him, he swiped her pen lid from her desk. She’d chewed it and it belonged in the trash.

  He entered his office, leaving his door open, sat at his desk and booted up his iMac. He was waiting for Emily. He needed to see her; missing her the moment he’d left her apartment that morning.

  He kicked himself for leaving before she’d woken up. He’d spent half an hour just watching her sleep. Watching her smile and then relaxing.

  His heart beat faster when she pressed her face into his nec
k and inhaled him. He’d held her close until the very last minute before he had to leave.

  Will she think I just left? That all I wanted was one night?

  Nick started to panic.

  He got out his phone and checked. No missed texts or calls from her and no emails.

  Before he could get up and go look for her, she appeared and sat down at her desk. He noticed that, as she sat, she winced a little before relaxing.

  She was in pain.

  He knew it wasn’t her first time but, judging by what she’d told him, she hadn’t had a lot of sex, and only ever with that douchebag. Ten awful times, or less, over a year and a half and none since then.

  He couldn’t have her again, right away, not if she was sore and he planned on having her over and over for as long as possible.

  He rose from his seat and took a few steps before she started looking around her desktop for something.

  “Di, did you put my pen lid in the bin?” She asked, still looking.

  “No, Honey. That’s where it belongs though. I can’t believe you chew that thing.”

  Nick walked through the door and Emily froze mid search, seeming to sense his presence, and turned to face him.

  Her cheeks were flushed and she looked nervous.

  He’d seen that look on her face many times before.

  “Hi.” He said, smiling at her.

  “Hi.” She said, looking down to her hands as her fingers fidgeted with each other.

  Nick looked to Diane, who was taking an avid interest in their interaction, before looking to Emily again. She’d noticed Diane’s stare too.

  “I’m sorry I left early.” He whispered. “I had to change for work.”

  “I understand. It’s ok.” She whispered in return. Her eyes saying something different. Like she thought he was making excuses for leaving her.

  “Emmy. I don’t…” Nick was interrupted by a man getting out of the elevator.

  His first meeting of the day.

  “I need to go to this meeting, but I need to talk to you, ok?” He felt Diane’s eyes still on them, and now the attention of the man, so he couldn’t reach out to her like he wanted. He didn’t know if she would want that.

  “Ok.” She replied and carefully sat down in her chair.

  *****

  Oh my God. He regrets it.

  Emily felt nauseated. She didn’t know what was going to come next when the guy got out of the lift, but she didn’t think she wanted to know.

  What could possibly come next?

  ‘Emmy. I don’t… think we should have done that… think we should see each other… want to repeat last night.’

  Taking a deep breath, Emily attempted to work through the monthly reports she’d gotten from the accounts and marketing departments.

  Everything was running smoothly and no problems had arisen. Especially since she’d figured out the two businesses who were trying to rip him off.

  Rip his clothes off… slowly.

  Emily’s mind wandered back to the night before as images of Nick’s insanely ripped and sculpted body took over her thoughts.

  Biting her lower lip, she recalled how his hands felt on her, all over her, removing her clothes. Worshipping her body like a lover was supposed to.

  Feeling him enter her, filling her, bringing her to the edge and pushing her over, making her cry out in sweet agony.

  Her parts throbbed with want, bringing her back to earth.

  She couldn’t have him. He didn’t want to have her again.

  Emily couldn’t wrap her head around that because they way he made her feel, had her believing that he wanted her. Really wanted her.

  She had to know but she wasn’t sure what he would say, and that made her all the more nervous to talk to him.

  “Hey there sweetie.” Diane called from her desk. “Is everything ok?”

  Diane looked concerned. Her eyebrows knitting together as she looked over the top of her glasses.

  “Yes thanks, Di. I’m just reading through the monthly reports.”

  “Ok, Honey. Do you want to go to lunch later?”

  Emily wanted to go but the way her head was, she didn’t know if she would be good company for anybody.

  “Yeah. That’s great.” She replied, decided just to go anyway. It might even take her mind off the way Nick had made her feel the night before.

  Emily’s phone beeped for a text message. She didn’t want to answer whoever it was, she wasn’t in the mood, so she ignored it and carried on reading.

  However, the person texting didn’t want to be ignored, and texted again. Emily blew out an irritated breath and swiped her phone to read it, not checking who it was from first.

  N: This meeting is boring.

  N: What are you doing?

  Why is he texting me from a meeting?

  Emily answered, but she had no idea why Nick would want to text her during his meeting.

  E: I’m reading through the monthly reports. Shouldn’t you be paying attention to your potential client?

  Nick answered almost immediately.

  N: I can’t.

  E: Why?

  N: Are you kidding me?

  Emily cringed. She knew that sounded like she wasn’t bothered, but she was. She just wanted to know why he couldn’t pay attention. It was killing her because he was the reason why she couldn’t concentrate.

  Thirty minutes went by and the conference door opened.

  Nick and the guy shook hands and the guy left, but not before looking at Emily for longer than she felt necessary.

  Nick didn’t look pleased about it.

  He walked over to her desk and placed a hand on the back of her chair, causing shivers down her spine. The guy in the lift looked between them before the doors closed.

  “I need to talk to you, Emmy.” Nick whispered as he leant forward. His clean soapy smell surrounding her as he did.

  “Huhhhh.” Emily’s breath came out shaky and very audible.

  Nick smiled, his sexy smile noticing how he’d affected her.

  Emily looked towards Diane, who was happily chatting away on the phone, her voice low so that she couldn’t be overheard.

  “What do you want to talk about?” She whispered.

  “Well, first, I want to ask why you didn’t know why I couldn’t concentrate in there.” He said, gesturing to the conference room. He said as he leant against her desk, his hands either side of his hips.

  “I don’t know, Nick. That’s why I asked.”

  “Bullshit, Emmy. You know exactly why. Don’t try to play this like nothing happened between us.”

  Emily heart crept up into her throat, her pulse rapid.

  “I’m not. At all.”

  “Then what the fuck? This morning, I was about to tell you that I don’t regret last night, then Simon came in for the meeting.”

  Emily closed her eyes.

  Oh God! I was so wrong!

  “What’s the matter?” He asked, realisation spreading across his face. “Emmy, you thought I did, didn’t you?”

  Emily nodded her head, ashamed that she had those thoughts.

  “You’re wrong, Emmy. I didn’t want to leave you this morning, but the meeting was booked and I had to get ready for work. I’m sorry if you thought I was trying to brush you off.”

  Emily looked up in to his eyes and her breathing stopped. The way he was gazing at her, he meant what he was saying.

  He let his fingers caress the back of her hand as it rested on the table, before he stood.

  “I know this may feel awkward for you, because of what you went through, but Emmy… you have to know that’s never going to happen to you again.”

  Emily thought he was going to lean forward and kiss her, but when she glanced at Diane, she saw that she was paying attention to them again.

  Nick turned as he walked in to his office and winked at Emily, before closing the door, tingles flowing all the way to her still sore parts.

  I’m in so much trouble. />
  *****

  Nick blew out a breath and plopped himself down on his sofa.

  Emily had thought he regretted last night. Did that mean she had? He didn’t think so but he couldn’t be sure.

  I should have woken her before I left. Made her certain that it wasn’t just a one night thing for me.

  He knew Emily’s experience would make her second guess their involvement. That somehow she’d let herself get in the same situation she’d been in before.

  He meant what he said. That was never going to happen to her again.

  Rubbing his face with his hands before getting up, he made the decision to give her some space. Give her time to feel comfortable with him, understanding that he’s not going to hurt her…ever.

  He couldn’t just ignore her though, she had to know.

  N: I’ll give you some time to think about what happened. I want you to know I didn’t show up at your place with that intention, but I’m glad it happened.

  Nick waited and waited for a reply, but he got nothing. He’d closed his door, so she wouldn’t see him worry. But now he was, more so, because he couldn’t see her.

  Walking to his door, he looked through the keyhole like a spying child, and saw that her desk was empty and her phone was on her desk. She must have forgotten to take it with her to lunch.

  Taking the elevator, Nick went to grab lunch himself. Only he wasn’t going where the girls usually went. He didn’t want to make Emily uncomfortable with him being there.