“Hello, ladies,” a man I recognize says as he braces a hand on the back of my mother’s chair.
“Hello, Ted.” My mother’s face lights up.
Ted? Do I know a Ted? I don’t think so, but there’s something familiar about him that I can’t put my finger on. But I swear I know this man.
I stare at him, trying to place where we’ve met before. I rack my brain, but nothing comes up.
“I saw you here, Mrs. Dupree, and I wanted to say hello. Also, I couldn’t believe it when I saw Nicole with you,” he says with his eyes locked on mine. “Looking as beautiful as ever.”
“Yes.” My mother smiles at him and then me. “You remember my daughter, don’t you? You two went out one time I believe.”
He gives me this grin, and it hits me. Onion boy. I remember now.
“You guys had a great time if I remember.” She continues as if I’m not seconds away from kicking her under the table. “I’m so glad you’re here tonight so you can reconnect.”
Ted’s eyes meet mine. “I know I remember. Do you, Nicky?”
No one fucking calls me Nicky, certainly not a tool who actually tried to make me pay for not only my dinner but also his. “I don’t.”
“Oh, sure she does, Ted. She’s just kidding. My Nicole has always had such a sense of humor.”
I glare at the back of my mother’s head, waiting for her to turn and look at me. She promised there wouldn’t be any attempts to set me up tonight, but I should’ve known better. She can’t help herself. After a few moments, she still hasn’t turned, and I’m done playing nice. “Oh.” I snort. “That’s right.” I smile warmly. “You were the guy who was cheap and whose breath smelled like onions.”
That gets my mother’s attention. Her eyes meet mine with the fire of hell burning in them. “Nicole.” Her voice is full of anger.
“What?” I lean back, putting my napkin onto the table.
“It’s okay, Mrs. Dupree,” Ted says. “Nicole made me laugh quite a bit on our date.”
If that’s what he wants to call it, that works for me. Though, it wasn’t a date nor was I being funny. I was being truthful.
I opened my mouth to say something, but the stranger I have been watching all night claps Ted’s shoulder with a smile. “Ted and I should let you both get back to your dinner. We have a bit of business to attend to.”
Holy fuck he has a British accent.
Take my panties now please.
He’s even hotter up close. He’s taller than Ted, but it isn’t just his height that makes him imposing, it’s everything about him. I have a much better view now, and I have to say that I’m loving how well he fills out his suit. I could tell from a distance that he was broad, but when he’s standing before me, I can see I underestimated his size. I scan his body, down to his hand and find no ring.
Score.
“You can stay.” I offer the sexy foreigner who I’d like to hang around a bit more. I’ve never found someone in this club so tempting.
The men who are good-looking are all idiots. Their mothers dictate their lives. Their fathers dictate their futures, and their future wives will be the accessories meant to make babies.
I’m not an accessory. I’m the entire ensemble.
He chuckles. “That would be delightful, but I’m afraid we would bore you with details of our business contract. I apologize.”
“Shame.” I give him my bedroom eyes. I’d like to do some business with him myself. “I’m sure I wouldn’t bore you.”
The sexy Brit smirks. “I’m sure you wouldn’t.”
“Excuse my daughter.” Mother steps in. “I blame the wine she had.”
Ted ignores the sexy stranger’s pass on joining us and pulls out a chair. “Sit, Callum, one drink won’t hurt us.”
“Yes, Callum, please sit.” I grin. Maybe dinner at the club won’t be so bad after all.
Chapter Two
Nicole
One drink turns into three, and Ted hasn’t shut up once.
“Tell Nicole about your new job,” my mother urges.
I fight off an audible groan. I wonder if eardrums can rupture from annoyance? If so, I’m on the brink of it.
The only thing keeping me from walking out that door is Callum. He’s sitting beside me, not saying much, sipping his scotch with one cube of ice. But every now and then, his royal blue eyes meet mine, and I’m lost. I’ve never seen more hypnotic eyes before. His cologne lingers in the air around us, and I lean a little closer to him, wanting him to touch me.
“I’m managing overseas companies, helping them expand into the . . .” He keeps talking, but I zone out.
I try not to stare, I really do, but I can’t help it. And then that voice. Not wanting to wait another minute listening to Onion Boy and his boring stories, I drop my hand to rest on Callum’s and make my move.
“Tell me, Callum, what is it that you do?” I ask, stopping Ted’s talking.
He gives an apologetic smile to Ted and then looks at me. “I own a real estate investment company. You?”
“Nicole is a designer,” Ted answers for me.
“Thanks, Teddy boy,” I say with acid in my tone. “But yes, I’m a designer. In fact, I own my design firm, so sometimes I get to . . . appreciate the finer details.” I move my hand from his, letting my skin graze his a touch longer than socially acceptable. “And other times, I get to be in charge.”
Ted clears his throat. “Don’t let her fool you, Callum, Nicole is always in charge.”
If I could stab him with a fork, I would, but then my mother would beat me for it.
“That must keep you quite busy then?” Callum asks.
“I make time for fun.”
This man has sin, sex, and power exuding from him. I could drown in it and still want more.
“As we all should.”
Yes, let’s have fun, Callum. Lots of sweaty fun with some screaming thrown in for good measure.
“Tell me, are you in the States for long?”
He shakes his head. “Just another day or so. I’m here for . . . personal reasons, but I took a few meetings before I head back to London.”
I run the tip of my finger along the rim of my wine glass. “What a shame, I would love to show you around.”
Callum coughs and takes another sip. “I’m sure I’d rather enjoy that.”
“Oh, I bet you would,” I say before draining the remnants of my wine.
My mother clears her throat. “Oh, Nicole, they’re playing music.”
They always do . . .
“Yes?”
“You and Ted should dance,” she nudges.
If I didn’t look horrendous in orange, I would kill her. First, she promised no setups at this stupid club. Now, I actually have a guy I’d like to know more about, and she’s pushing me to Onion Boy? No.
Ted takes my lack of answer as a yes and gets to his feet.
Damn it.
“You know, I’d really love to,” I say quickly as he walks around the table. “But I hurt my ankle today, and I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
He stops, and his smile falls. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but it’s best to stay off it, you understand?”
Ted nods. “Of course. Mrs. Dupree, would you like to dance?” he asks my mother.
“Oh, Ted,” I clutch my chest in fake awe. “She would love to dance. She’s been just dying for a dance partner. That is so kind of you to offer.”
Now it’s my turn for the glare. Turnabout is fair play and all.
Mother doesn’t know how to be rude, so when Ted extends his hand, she graciously takes it. If I wasn’t slightly afraid of her, I’d be rolling on the floor laughing. Serves her right, she can deal with his nasty breath in close quarters.
I sit here, in an odd predicament. I’m usually very blunt and have no problem coming on to a man. Sometimes, the hunter likes to be hunted, but sometimes, it’s best to be the prey.
I guess my quandary r
eally is whether I want to be prey because Callum is most definitely a dominant man.
He’s the perfect guy for me, really. Doesn’t live in the area, no expectations, and I would very much like to hear him talk dirty to me with that accent.
Callum leans back, and his arm drapes over my chair. “You could give him a little hope,” he says with a chuckle.
I shift and run my tongue along my lips. “Why would I do a thing like that?”
“It’s bloody painful to watch him try while you continue to smash his dreams.”
“Then turn away,” I suggest.
“But then I wouldn’t be able to see you.”
Well, how about that. “And that would be such a shame, wouldn’t it?”
Callum’s body turns, his deep blue eyes lock onto mine. “It damn well would.”
We both stare at one another, and the air crackles around us. I can’t remember the last time I felt like this—pulled to another. It’s as if everything but Callum is gone, which is insane because I just met him. But there’s something different about him, and his presence is larger than life. His lips turn up into a smirk as if he can read my thoughts, and I snap myself out of it.
I tuck my blonde hair behind my ear, fill my glass, and drain the wine.
Jesus Christ, when is the last time I felt flush over a man?
Not since . . . him.
Not since I was stupid and let my heart open to another only to end up crushed. I was a foolish girl who thought love could be enough. My world existed for only him, and when I learned the truth, I was broken beyond fixing.
“Where in London are you from?” I ask, wanting to get back onto safe ground.
His hand touches mine. “Piccadilly. Have you ever been?”
“Once right after college, but we didn’t stay long. I remember loving it, though.”
He nods. “I thought so.” His smile is warm.
“Why is that?”
“Just a hunch.” Callum finishes his drink and then spins the glass.
“A hunch, huh? That I would like London?”
Callum grins. “It’s a place that a designer would love. If you love art, décor, and architecture, then England is a wonderful place. Also, you’re beautiful.”
I smile at the compliment tossed on at the end. “Am I?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome. Tell me, are you planning to go home with Ted?”
I look up, meeting his gaze. “No.”
He smiles slowly, and I fight back a shiver. I don’t need to hear the words to know what he’s saying.
I’ll be going home with him if he has his way.
“Is there someone you’ll be going home to?” Callum’s deep voice warms me to my core.
My heart races as Callum watches me. Instead of saying a word, I shake my head. Everything inside me—my chest, my stomach, my muscles—tightens. When he looks at me, I can’t breathe.
I need to say something. To figure out what this crazy attraction means or get it under control because this is so not me.
Before either of us can speak, a hand touches my shoulder. “Nicole?” my mother asks.
“Yes, hi.” I turn to see her.
“I was talking to you.” Her eyes move from Callum to me. “Did you not hear me?”
“Sorry.” I shake my head, trying to erase the fog that surrounds me. “I was . . . “
“Callum,” Ted says with a bit of harshness, which I didn’t know he had in him. I would be impressed if I didn’t already think he was a total moron. “Would you help me with the drinks?”
“Of course,” he replies back and winks at me. “Excuse us.”
I watch them walk away, noting the distinct differences. Callum carries himself with confidence, as if he owns the room, whereas Ted is just walking in his shadow. I’ve known many powerful men, slept with a few too, but there’s something about him that I can’t put my finger on.
Most of my friends would run from a man like him, but I’m not that way. I thrive on the power play. In both business and the bedroom. The thrill of the chase is what I long for. I once thought the picket-fences life was for me, but then I saw the devastation that happens when the reality of marriage sets in. My two best friends are divorced and the other one almost was, but they “worked it out” after a year of utter hell. What kind of life is that? Being with a man who treats you like shit, belittles you, and saddles you with kids so you feel trapped? No thanks. I’d rather be happy.
“Nicole, what exactly is your problem with Ted?” She just won’t let it drop.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, I am not,” she says with anger.
I’m not sure where she’s confused. Ted is definitely not the kind of man I would ever be with.
“The fact that you think I would ever date a guy like that shows that you know nothing about me,” I tell her with indignation.
“No, you’d much rather date a man like your father.” My mother’s eyes drift away as the sadness starts to overtake her.
“Of course, you would think that.” She doesn’t even know Callum, but she always assumes the worst of me. What she fails to understand is that I’m more like my father than any man I would ever date could ever be. My father would never be hurt by another human being. He’s built walls around his heart, not allowing a single person entry. In both business and his personal life, no one has the power to hurt him.
“So you think Callum is like Dad? How? Why? Neither of us even knows who he could be like because we just met him. But you thinking that I would date Ted leaves me wondering what you’re smoking. I could never be happy with a man like him. Is that what you want for me, Mom? A marriage to a man like him?”
My mother shifts in her seat, trying not to appear as if she’s shaken. “It’s not like that, Nicole. All I want is for you to be happy, get married, have children, but you don’t want any of that. I don’t understand you.”
And that is the heart of the problem. She doesn’t care that I’m not the daughter she wants me to be. She doesn’t see that who I am is exactly who I want to be.
I’m the girl that wants to live life to its absolute fullest.
I’m the girl who wants to be happy, no matter what that looks like.
I’m the girl who is seeking something but can’t seem to find it.
I’m the girl who just wants to be loved.
I’m the girl who will never let anyone know that I’m a bit broken.
Chapter Three
Callum
Fuck. She’s absolutely breathtaking.
I didn’t come to America wanting to find anyone. If I had my way, I would continue to just have my one-night stands and move on with life. Yet, here she is, making me wonder things I haven’t wondered in a long time. I feel like a bloody fool for even thinking about Nicole like that. I’m here to bury my father, not sink my cock into an American girl. I need to keep my head straight, focus, and get the hell back home.
But all I’ve been able to think about since walking in the room is her.
I stand at the bar, trying not to look over her way, and fail miserably. What is it about this girl?
“So, do you think you will have the paperwork rectified tonight?” Ted asks.
Oh, the deal. I completely forgot about that. While I should have been focusing on making sure the deals with my father’s—my company are secured, I’ve been making bedroom eyes with the blonde.
“I bloody well hope so.” I laugh. “I assume the lawyers will get everything in order.”
My eyes find her again, seeking her out without even realizing it. She reminds me of everything I lost once. Everything I hoped for with a woman.
I love a woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. Nicole definitely seems to be unafraid.
“Good.” Ted slaps me on the back. “I’d much rather focus my attention on the girl I let get away.”
He’s an idiot. She wants nothing t
o do with him, and he can’t seem to see that or, if he does, he doesn’t want to believe it.
“Ah.” I smile. “You fancy Nicole?”
“We have history,” Ted explains. “It’s just a matter of time until she comes around. She’s sort of resistant, if you know what I mean?”
No, Ted, I do not know what you mean. She isn’t resistant, she just doesn’t like you.
However, it would be bad business etiquette for me to state that. So, I shrug.
It’s been five years since I’ve looked at another woman in the way I look at Nicole. I don’t know what it is, I can’t explain it, but she calls to me. The way she tucks her hair behind her ear. The way she smiles when no one else is looking. The way her eyes follow me as I move around the room, and the way she tries to pretend she isn’t watching.
I want her, and I know she wants me.
“That’s interesting.” I smile as I take a sip of my scotch. “I guess we weren’t feeling the same vibes. American women must be different.”
Ted watches me, smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but I see the hatred burning in his eyes.
That’s right. You should hate me, because I’m going to get exactly what you want—her.
“Like I said, we have history.”
One thing that Ted should know about me is that I always win when I find something worth fighting for.
The barman places the other drinks on the counter, and we make our way back to the table where Nicole and her mother are sitting. From across the room, our eyes meet, and we both watch each other as I approach. She doesn’t have to say a word for me to see what’s burning beneath her eyes—desire, passion, lust . . .
Ted brings the drink over to her mother first, which leaves me the opportunity to sit in the chair beside Nicole. As soon as I’m close enough, the air between us shifts, proving that my absence didn’t lessen our attraction, instead, it brought it to a boil.
Not Until You Page 2