by Alice Tribue
CHAPTER EIGHT
All night long, I tossed and turned. I kept playing everything out in my mind over and over again—how Nathan and I met, how he tracked me down, how he pursued me until I barely had a choice. I must have been a foregone conclusion for him. I just don’t understand why he would go through so much trouble to get me to want him. I’d say he was just using me, but we never even had sex. None of it makes any sense.
I hate him, I tell myself, taking one last look in the mirror before I head out of my apartment and into my awaiting car. I finally turn my phone on once I’ve settled in the backseat. I thought I’d be bombarded by a slew of voicemails or text messages, but I’m not. There’s only one text and a voicemail from Nathan. I don’t read his message, and I don’t listen to his voicemail. They don’t exist as far as I’m concerned.
I make it to work, rushing into the office. I walk right past Ivy’s desk, not giving her a second glance and barely muttering a greeting. I slam the door to my office, toss my purse on the desk, and plop down into my chair. Ivy saunters in with a cup of coffee in hand just as I’m powering up my laptop.
“Bad night?” she questions, putting the cup in front of me and taking the chair opposite my desk.
“Typical.”
“Well, a typical night for you lately is spent with a hot guy.”
“Nope, no hot guys for me. I had dinner with my dad and went home and watched movies.”
“Where was Nathan?”
“I don’t know, probably getting cozy with the girl who answered his phone last night.”
“No way. Victoria, no way. He’s so into you.”
“He’s into her, too.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
“Well, I’m not sticking around to hear it. I’m done being a fucking fool; he can go get his kicks somewhere else.”
“Well, did he call you? Did he try to explain?”
“I have one stupid missed call from him and one text message. He hardly made an effort.”
“Is that what’s bothering you? You want him to grovel now?”
“No. Groveling isn’t necessary because I’m done with him. He could say whatever he wants; it makes no difference to me.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“I didn’t get this far in life by letting people walk all over me.”
“Victoria.”
“Speaking of which, are you ever going to get back to work?”
She looks at me for another moment, knowing that this conversation is officially over. She nods her head before getting up and walking out of my office. The look of pity on her face makes me want to throw something. The last thing I need is her or anyone else’s pity.
I resolve to push all negative thoughts out of my head and focus on work. That’s exactly what I do—for all of ten minutes. That’s because that’s how long it takes Nathan to show up here and barge into my office. I look up from my computer, my eyes going wide at the sight of him. He looks pissed—wait—why in the hell does he look pissed? I’m the one he just screwed over. I glower at him and open my mouth to speak, but he beats me to it.
“Do not ever do that shit again.”
“Excuse me? You are unbelievable. I can’t believe you actually showed your face here,” I say outraged, putting both hands flat on my desk and pushing back my chair to stand.
“Sit down,” he commands, and I do because there’s something raw in his voice that I’ve never heard from him before. I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t scare the shit out of me. It’s not the first time I’ve heard men sound that angry, and in my experience, it never ended well.
He shakes his head at me. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Look at me like that. Like you’re fucking scared of me. You know I’m not going to do shit to you.”
“What do you want, Nathan? I’d assumed you figured out the fact that I don’t particularly want to see you. Ever.”
“I called you and texted last night and you ignored both.”
“You called one time. You weren’t exactly falling all over yourself to reach me, and by that time, I’d had heard all I needed to hear.” I shrug my shoulders. “I had absolutely nothing to say to you.”
“Well, I had something to say to you,” he shoots back.
“Well, then you should have answered the fucking phone when I called.”
“Victoria.” His tone sends a chill through me. It’s a tone of warning, but I give nothing away. My face is impassive even though inside I’m raging, gearing up to do battle.
“Say what you need to say so that I can get back to work.”
“Did you enjoy hanging up on Jennifer last night, babe?” he asks smugly.
“Jennifer?” I repeat her name with venom.
“Yes, Jennifer, my sister.”
My entire body goes completely rigid at his question because, if he’s telling the truth, then I’ve seriously just fucked up.
“Yes, you heard me right. My sister is in town until tomorrow afternoon, and she surprised me with a visit. Well, actually, she came out to visit NYU—see, she’s checking out their master’s degree program and the reason I only called you once is because I was dragged into work last night.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh. Big fucking oh.”
“Nathan…” I’m at a loss for words. I want to come up with an excuse, a reason for my behavior, but I have nothing.
“I get it,” he says, stalking forward, putting his hands on my desk and leaning forward until his face is merely inches away from mine. “I really do. I’m sure I wouldn’t like it at all if some strange man answered your phone, but you better believe for damn sure that I’d be finding out who the fuck he was. I would not automatically assume the worst.”
What can I say; he’s right. I should have asked, but I’m so used to men being jerks that I let my mind automatically think the worst.
“I don’t know what happened to you in the past, and you don’t have to tell me, but don’t let your past dictate what happens to you and me. I’m not them.”
“I don’t know what to say.” It’s the truth. I’m a little disappointed and a lot embarrassed by how I handled this.
He smiles. “You can say ‘I’m sorry for thinking the worst of you, babe.’”
“I’m sorry for thinking the worst of you, babe,” I repeat sweetly.
“You called me babe.”
“You told me to.”
“I like it.”
“I like it, too.” I reach up and touch his cheek. “Please don’t be mad at me. I’m not used to adult relationships, okay? I’ll try to do better.”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“You were pissed.”
“Can’t stay pissed at you, baby. That’s going to be a problem for me.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re probably going to pull a lot of shit like this, and I’m probably going to let you get away with it.” He lets out a sigh of mock horror.
“I don’t see the problem.”
“You wouldn’t,” he says with a grin. His eyes turn molten. “Come here.”
Normally, I’d never respond to a man telling me what to do, but with Nathan, I don’t hesitate. Maybe it’s because I realize how close I came to ruining this. I get up and walk around my desk and right into his arms, resting my forehead on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.
“I’m sorry, Nathan.”
“It’s okay.” He wraps his fist in my hair and tugs, forcing my head up so that I can look at him. Our lips touch, and almost immediately, it turns from sweet to heated. His arms around me squeeze tighter and his kiss grows more intense. I’m about ten seconds from stripping bare for him when he pulls away. “I’m getting out of here and letting you get back to work before we get a little too carried away.”
“I’ve been known to get carried away a time or two.”
“No. You? I don’t believe it,” he
teases.
“When will I see you again?”
“I promised Jennifer that I’d take her around the town tonight. How about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s good.”
“Good.” He lowers his head to mine and kisses me again then pulls away and heads to my office door. He takes a quick look around and turns back to me. “You know you should really consider having a security guard here. It’s just you and Ivy, and it would be really easy for anyone to storm in here like I did.”
He has a point; I contract with Kyle on occasion when I need to make a statement, but he doesn’t do full-time security. It definitely wouldn’t be a bad idea to have someone in the front office to make sure it’s safe.
“That sounds expensive.”
“It can be, but you know me, remember? I can set you up with someone, and I’ll waive my fees. You’d really just be paying his salary.”
“You would do that?”
“For you? Yeah.”
“Okay,” I reply, thinking that I need to broach this carefully. Letting him get this close is not the way I normally operate, so regardless of how I feel about him, I need to protect myself. “The only thing is that anyone who works here signs a non-disclosure agreement.”
He cocks his head to the side looking at me with curiosity. “Why would they need to do that?”
“Well, because I deal with a lot of clients on the holistic end and with me having some of their medical records and private information on premises, it’s just easier that way.” Liar! I scream at myself internally.
“I see.” His eyes haven’t lost the curious gleam they had a moment ago, but he nods his acceptance. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
“Okay, great.”
“I’ll call you later and let you know who I’m sending over. You let me know if you like him, and we’ll go from there.”
“Thank you for this.”
“It’s my pleasure, baby.” I get one last smile before he walks out, leaving me hoping that I haven’t just made a big mistake.
CHAPTER NINE
A few hours after he left my office this morning, Nathan called to let me know that he was sending Rick, my new potential security guard, over. He showed up a little bit after noon, and I gave him a tour of the offices and chatted with him a bit before giving him the go-ahead to start on Monday morning. After I had done that, I had a mild panic attack and had to call Ivy in to talk me down. She suggested a girls’ night out, or demanded actually, seeing as when I tried to leave the office at six o’clock, she blocked the doorway.
That’s how I ended up here at this trendy little lounge with comfy seats, a bar with nothing but top-shelf liquor, and Ivy and Sage giggling about every little thing.
Sage shakes her head at me. “Okay, tell me everything about Nathan. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”
My relationship with Sage is complicated, to say the least. She started off a few years ago as one of my escorts and somehow ended up falling in love and then getting married to her first and only client, Jackson Stone. Jackson also happens to be a close friend of mine, though ever since he met Sage, his availability has plummeted. He’s all about her and their little family now, and I can’t say that I blame him. She’s absolutely stunning.
“There’s nothing to tell. He’s sweet, kind, and smart.”
“Don’t forget hot. The boy is hot as fuck,” Ivy chimes in, taking a gulp of drink number three.
“Really?” Sage squeals with excitement.
“All right,” I concede with a giggle. “Yes, he is pretty damn hot, but that’s not why I like him. I’m not that superficial.”
Sage gives me a grin. “Then what’s the problem?”
“You of all people should know what the problem is. I can’t let just anybody into my life; there’s too much risk involved.”
“Then stop, Victoria. You have to know that the more time you spend doing this, the more time that passes, the deeper you get. If anything ever went down, you could end up…”
“Don’t say that shit; this is supposed to be a fun night out,” Ivy whines.
“She needs to hear this; this is her life,” she barks at Ivy. She faces me again. “I know that I ended up working for you briefly but that doesn’t make any of this okay. You need to get out now, Victoria, before you end up in jail. You’ve made a fortune and you don’t have to work another day in your life if you choose not to. Plus, you still have the spa. You’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
“You’re never going to be able to settle down with someone with this hanging over your head. If it’s not Nathan, then it will be some other man who you want to be with and it’s going to be clouded in secrets and lies. You can’t live like this forever.”
“You’re right. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but there are just so many variables to think about.”
“No, there are only two factors that you need to consider, guaranteed freedom or possible incarceration.”
“Jesus, I need another drink,” Ivy says with a sigh. She gets up and walks away.
I smile and shake my head at Sage. “I hear everything that you’re saying, and I get it. I promise that I’ll consider it.”
“Good.”
“Now, tell me what to do about this thing with Nathan and his guy coming to work for me. I’m kind of freaking out.”
“Well, it’s not like he’s going to have access to your office or private records, right?”
“Right. He’s just there to make sure we’re protected at all times since there’s no security in the building.”
“It’ll be fine, Victoria. You’re worrying over nothing.”
“You’re right,” I agree sipping the last of my drink.
“So, why aren’t you with Mr. Wonderful right now?”
“His sister is in town, and he’s spending time with her.”
“Well shit, it’s almost eleven o’clock. They can’t be out this late.”
“We are.”
“Text him.”
“What? No.”
“Yes. Text him right now and tell him that you want to see him.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but make it flirty.”
I don’t know if it’s the two drinks I’ve downed or Sage egging me on, but I pull out my cell and type out a text message.
Me: Out with the girls, wish you were here.
I want to take it back as soon as I hit send, but it’s too late now. It takes a few minutes but he finally responds.
Nathan: Where are you?
Me: Rooftop bar
Nathan: Are you still wearing that dress you had on this morning?
I try to suppress the giggle that is trying to emerge as I type out my answer.
Me: Yes
Nathan: You want me to meet you there or at your place?
“Shit,” I say to no one in particular as I stare at the phone in disbelief.
Sage bounces up and down in her chair. “What, what’s happening? What is he saying?”
“Shut up, shut up, shut up,” I half yell at her while trying to deal with the fact that I’m completely flustered.
Me: Wait, what?
Nathan: Don’t answer that. I’ll be at your place in twenty minutes.
Me: Seriously? What about your sister?
Nathan: Tori, pay your tab NOW and meet me at your place.
I put the phone down and stare wide-eyed at a grinning Sage.
“Oh, shit.”
“What?”
“He wants to meet me at my place.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? I’ve got the tab, you go.”
“Oh, shit, really?”
“Yes, really go.” She shoves my arm with a laugh.
“Okay, thanks.” I get up, grabbing my purse as I go. “Oh, tell Ivy I said bye.”
“She’s with a random guy at the bar; I may never see her again. I’m going to sext my husband for a few while I finish my drink.”
<
br /> “Is that a game you should be playing with Jackson?”
“Absolutely not,” she says with a wink. “Now go.”
I shake my head at her before turning and rushing out of the restaurant. I’m glad things have worked out so well for her, and a part of me is jealous of that because deep down I want that for myself. It takes me longer than I anticipated to flag down a cab, and I curse myself for telling Parker to take the rest of the night off. My phone beeps just as I finally hop into one.
Nathan: You better be on your way home, babe. I’ll be there soon.
Oh. My. God. What in the hell is happening right now? I’m so fucking turned on right now that I squeeze my legs together to try to relieve some of the pressure that’s building up. It feels like it takes forever to get to my building, but I have a few minutes to spare. I’m hoping this gives me some time to freshen up before Nathan gets here. I pay the cabbie and rush out of the idling car. I attempt to break into a run but the hard body that I’ve just slammed right into foils my attempt. Strong arms around my waist hoist me up and fantastic lips assault mine. I open my mouth, allowing the kiss to deepen, and I melt. I melt into him, into everything that he is, everything I want him to be, what I so desperately need him to be.
“You rushing home for me, baby?” I hear when the kiss finally ends.
I lean back so that I can look down at Nathan, his handsome face darkened by the same exact lust I feel.
“Yes,” I reply breathily.
“Well then, let’s get you home.”
“What about your sister?”
“Took her out and now she’s at my place relaxing. Told her that I’d be back to take her to the airport, but she told me that she’d hired a car service. I said my good-byes before I left.”