Sweet Seduction Surrender (Sweet Seduction, Book 4)

by Claire, Nicola

  Oh boy.

  "Sweetheart," Dominic said, a whole lot of apology in that word. "It was for the best."

  Gen stared at him, mortified, for several long seconds. We all waited. I think everyone knew what was going to happen, but with Gen there's just no preventing it. It's a knee jerk reaction and now she's pregnant, I can imagine it'll get a lot worse.

  "Dom," she cried in a pitifully small voice, and then the tears started falling. My heart ached for her, she'd worked so hard to plan this evening and it had all gone to hell.

  Dominic was beside her in a second, so keen to reach her before she crumbled that he pushed Eric out of the way roughly, making him fall into the wall and another photo frame to tumble. Ben made an angry sound at the damage, Dom muttered some sort of excuses, pulling Genevieve away to have more privacy and then, for some reason, all eyes turned to me.

  Nick was the one who spoke.

  "Do you have something to tell me, Katie?"

  "What do you mean?" I shot back, sounding completely guilty.

  "Is there something going on between you and Jason Cain?"

  "That's none of your business," I replied, eyeing Eric, Koki, Adam and Ben. There were a lot of unnecessary people in on this conversation.

  Nick didn't seem to care about that right now. He was fuming. I couldn't tell if he was angry at me or Jason, though.

  "He's the wrong man for you," Nick said, and from his tone he meant every single word.

  My mouth fell open in shock. I could not believe my imbecile brother would say that. What on earth made him think it had anything to do with him, or that I would listen to his ridiculous overprotective ideas about who I should and shouldn't date. Of course, Jason and I weren't dating. I had no idea what we were doing, but he had said this was only the beginning.

  Like he had at my house. Which made me feel all sorts of warm and wonderful when I shouldn't have been feeling anything but anger, facing off against my brother and his posse of men.

  I lifted my chin defiantly.

  "You don't know what you're talking about, Nick."

  He sighed. "Katie, I know more than you do. You're just going to have to trust me. Stay away from him. OK?" No, it was not OK. "Anyway, you've got a date tonight, what the fuck are you doing entertaining Cain?"

  "It's not how it seems," I defended Richard's presence, and by extension the way it made me look like a hussy.

  "How about you concentrate on the man in there," Nick said pointing purposefully back at the lounge where Richard had been left, "and forget all about Jason. He's wrong for you, Katie," he semi repeated.

  "Nick," I started, really getting annoyed now, but then surprisingly Eric, of all people, butted in.

  "Sweetheart, Nick's got this right."

  "Yeah," Ben added, on a sigh. "He has, Kat."

  "And the rest of you?" I demanded, arms crossed over my chest, eyebrows arched.

  Various nods of agreement from Koki and Adam. An awkward silence followed. It lasted a very long time, because, for the life of me, I just didn't know what to say. How to defend Jason against something I wasn't even privy to. I could ask, what exactly made Nick think this, and I wanted to. I even opened my mouth to say the words, but Nick just raised his hand to stall me.

  "You just have to trust me, Katie. When have I ever put you wrong?"

  I blinked at him, wanting to argue the point, but there didn't seem to be much chance of winning that right now. Nick was determined, he'd said his piece, he meant every word. I'd have to get him on his own and pick away at his resolve in order to get any answers now. He was too strong willed to break his silence in front of his men.

  "I don't think I can be around any of you right now," I said. The truth. And it seemed to be a slap in the face, each one of them grimacing at my words and tone. "Please give my apologies to Genevieve and Dominic."

  "Katie!" Nick attempted to stop me mid spin away. I ignored him and walked stiffly back into the lounge.

  Richard was in conversation with Brook, one of Nick's men, and my parents. Making an impression, if the smiles and avid conversation was anything to go by. I'd hoped he'd been cornered by one of the Sweet Seduction gang, then escape would be easier. But getting my parents to understand our early departure was going to take some doing.

  I sucked in a deep breath, tried to still my anger-filled rapid heartbeat, and crossed the space to stand beside him. His smile down at me was genuine. It did absolutely nothing to my heart rate. Didn't speed it up. Didn't make it trip. Nothing.

  I offered a wan smile in return and his lips dipped slightly, a frown attempting to come out.

  Well, no time like the present to announce our imminent departure.

  "I'm afraid we have another appointment," I said, aiming my words at my parents, but avoiding eye contact with my father. Guilt was gnawing at my conscience already. "We have to leave, unfortunately. Genevieve and Dominic are aware." A slight exaggeration of the truth, but Dom would figure it out soon enough.

  I could feel Richard tense beside me, now alerted to the fact that something drastic had happened while I was out of the room. I hated dragging him into this, but my ticket out of here was him. I'd make my apologies once we were well away.

  Of course getting well away was never going to be easy.

  "Katie, don't you think you should have some dinner before you go?" Mama suggested softly.

  I checked my watch to make my point. "I'm sorry, but we have to leave." My eyes flicked to Richard's, pleading for him to back me up.

  "Yes," he said, jumping in to save me with smooth grace. "My fault, actually. I made our reservations earlier than Catherine had planned, and we can't change them now or we'd lose our table."

  "Where are you dining?" Papa asked, voice steady, but I could tell he saw through the ruse. I'd heard that tone many times before, but usually when he confronted one of my brothers, not me.

  "Kermedec's," Richard replied without hesitation, naming one of the top restaurants on Viaduct Quay.

  "Oh, how nice," my mother voiced. "I guess you can't stay then."

  "You can reschedule, surely?" Papa suggested, eyeing me thoughtfully. "A family barbecue should take precedent over dinner out."

  "Papa," I said, having to meet his eyes for the first time. He had that look on his face. Concern edged in disappointment. I would always be his little girl, always be a worry of some sort or other to him. But I was also letting him down tonight, leaving an event before it was socially acceptable. Family barbecue or not.

  "Go if you have to, Katie," he said, dismissing me with a slight turn of his back.

  My mother frowned, well aware that I'd somehow upset my father, but also embarrassed by both our behaviours right now.

  "It was lovely meeting you, Richard," Mama said, picking up the reins my father had dropped and carrying on with Anscombe integrity. "I do hope we get an opportunity to see you again. For longer, perhaps."

  "I too would like that, Mrs Anscombe." Richard nodded his head towards my mother, offered a smile to Brook, who had remained quiet throughout this little battle of wills, and shook my father's hand. At least Papa had remembered himself at the last moment.

  I kissed Mama on the cheek and went to follow Richard, who had taken a step away, towards the exit.

  "Katie," my father called, before I had a chance to catch up to a rapidly retreating Richard. "Is everything all right?"

  I almost sighed aloud. Everyone seemed to be asking me that question, but I don't think they really wanted to know the answer. Katie Anscombe was always all right.

  And in that vein, I said, "Of course, darling. Splendid."

  Papa's face fell, just briefly, then he caught himself and frowned instead. I didn't stay long enough to see the disappointment.

  Richard was waiting for me at the door, he helped me into my coat and we slipped out without another confrontation. He didn't say anything as we walked down the front path to his Lexus, or as he opened the door for me to slip in. He still hadn't said a wo
rd by the time he had joined me and started the car. It wasn't until we were several meters down the road that he spoke.

  "Do you wish to talk about it?"

  I smiled over at him. "Not really. But thank you for the rescue."

  "It was a rescue attempt, then?"

  "I'd say it was a success, not just an attempt. Wouldn't you?"

  "That's not my point, and you know it. You required an escape from your brother's house," he said purposefully.

  I didn't feel at all comfortable talking to him about this. Yes, technically, he was my date. But he was also a client and I didn't know him well. Besides, what would I say? I'm in love with my eldest brother's soon-to-be brother-in-law, and my other brother's employee, who happens to think there is a reason that Jason is wrong for me. What a mess.

  "I think we have more pressing matters to discuss, Richard. You're heading off tomorrow and we need to finalise your featured pieces. If we get this sorted and you agree to my quote, I could have a design finalised by Tuesday morning."

  "You don't need to quote, I've already committed to you being my designer. I'll pay whatever you suggest."

  "That's highly unusual," I said, surprised at his lack of business acumen.

  "I'm not really in a position to negotiate, Catherine. I need this completed in ten days time. It's a finite time-line, and as such, I am at your discretion. I'll even sign a contract this evening, to get the ball rolling. Could you have the design completed by tomorrow night?"

  I blinked at him, stunned. Not so much at the speed with which he wanted things progressing, he'd made no bones about that, but that he'd simply sign a binding contract without a quote in place. I couldn't make a number up off the cuff. It would take some calculation. I could give him a ball park figure maybe, once we'd agreed on the final pieces to be featured. But it would have to be extremely elevated, in order to protect myself. I'm not in the business of ripping off my clients, but I am also not in the business of setting myself up for a loss.

  Richard would have to look after himself, I couldn’t and wouldn't do it for him. But this left an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Still. A job is a job. "Yes, I believe I could have a design finalised by Sunday night." My heart stuttered at the impossibly short time-frame I'd just verbally committed myself to. But it was a much more favourable sensation than the ache that had been there for way too long. I grasped the adrenaline rush, pushing all other unwanted emotions away.

  Anything I could do to replace that anguish and confusion I would.

  "Brilliant," he replied, with genuine enthusiasm. "The other reason why I don't want to wait for a quote is, I would also like security included in the final finished product. And I expect it would be difficult for you to estimate a costing on that."

  "Security?" I asked, confused. "Richard, I'm an interior designer, not a security consultant."

  "But your brother runs a security firm," he pointed out. "Surely you have worked with him on properties before."

  I had worked with Anscombe Securities and Investigations before, or at least the securities division. Which included mainly Eric, who was their security guru and also the consultant ASI used to install security systems on those properties they were contracted to protect. Many of my clients had asked if I could suggest a reputable security and alarm company, and of course, I had pointed them in Nick's direction. Richard's suggestion wasn't that unusual. But he clearly wanted me to deal with them, rather than do so himself.

  "Usually my clients converse directly with ASI themselves," I decided to admit.

  "Yes, yes, but I really don't have the time and as we've established, I must have the showroom open in ten days time. I very much desire for you to do this for me. As a favour, if you like. I will also be more than happy to compensate you for your time and effort. And really, how bad can it be dealing with your brother?"

  He had no idea. Especially now. But then, I could make sure that all my communications went through Eric and not Nick. Even if Eric was of the same opinion as my brother and his men. And none of those boys could resist an opportunity to push their point of view. Oh Lord, what was I going to do?

  "I'm afraid I would have to charge significantly for this, Richard," I tentatively said. If I was going to put myself through this, then damn it, I would make it worth my while. "It is highly unusual, and could interfere significantly with the time I need in order to meet your deadline."

  "Of course, I understand and would expect nothing less. You don't seem to be the sort of business woman who would sell herself short. And to be honest, Catherine, you would be doing me a favour. I just don't have the time myself and after talking to Brook, was that his name? It all fell into place. How much of a coincidence is it that my designer has inside access to a top notch security firm? This would kill two birds with one stone for me. I could not be happier. So, please, my dear, charge away."

  Something about this made me feel uncertain. Maybe it was just the unexpectedness of it. The new territory it would make me traverse. Not to mention the fact that I would dearly like to have nothing to do with Nick and his men right now. But whatever the reason was, it would be rather irrelevant in the end. This could well end up as a very lucrative deal for me. And truthfully, all I would be doing would be liaising with ASI on Richard's behalf.

  "All right, then," I said, with a smile. "We'll finalise the pieces tonight, have you sign a contract, and I'll take care of the rest."

  "Ah, Catherine, you are a dream come true," Richard said, as we pulled up outside a wine bar in Mission Bay.

  The rest of the evening went uneventfully. We sipped delicious wine in a softly lit and cosy atmosphere, and managed to pin down exactly what pieces Richard wanted on display and roughly where they would go. The how would be left up to me, but I'd worked with artwork my entire career. I knew exactly the right way to make a piece shine.

  By the end of our date I was eager to get on with the project. Even the notion of incorporating security measures into my time wasn't a hardship any longer. The passion for design had surpassed all other slightly negative emotions and I was floating on a joyous cloud of anticipation. I even thought I might get a few sketches down before I headed to bed, despite it being well after midnight when the Lexus pulled up at my front gate.

  In order to have Richard sign a contract, I had to invite him inside. Which was a little unnerving, what with the late hour and the few glasses of wine I'd had. But he waited in the lounge for me to retrieve the papers, not bothering to sit in a comfy chair. And signed the documents with only a brief scanning before committing ink to paper. I'd used a generic contract, and quickly incorporated a few caveats about pricing and the security consulting I would be required to do. Other than that, it was fairly vague. Just a commitment on both our parts. For me; the completion of the project in a given time-frame, and for Richard; payment of the final price up to a certain maximum limit. I'd been generous in the baseline quote, but he hadn't even blinked an eyelash when he read it.

  After the deed was done, he stood upright, lazy smile in full swing... and then looked at his watch.

  "It's getting rather late and I have an early start. Will you forgive me if I don't stay for a nightcap." I hadn't offered him one, but was immensely relieved with his need to leave straight away.

  "Not at all," I replied, walking to the doorway and opening it up to the night air.

  He stopped on the threshold, turned back and looked at me keenly. The security lights had come on as soon as the door opened and he was backlit by brilliant white.

  "I enjoyed tonight," he murmured, his lids lowering slightly with his voice. I held my breath, hoping he'd just depart and not attempt anything uncomfortable for both of us.

  But if wishes could be horses....

  He leaned forward, his hands coming up and lightly grasping my upper arms to stop any backward movement I might have endeavoured, and kissed me on the lips.

  It was pleasant, his lips soft and warm. But that was all, re
ally. Other than an uncomfortable feeling that grew as I didn't allow him to deepen the moment. He pulled back slightly irritated, I think. At least he looked put-out when my reluctant eyes met his.

  "Good night, Catherine," he said formally. "Please phone me when the design is ready to be viewed."

  And with that he spun on his heels and disappeared into the night.

  I let a much relieved breath of air out and shut the door behind me. I was really unsure of what I was doing. Perhaps this was a huge mistake. Business and pleasure never mixed well, and especially not in my current frame of mind.

  After gathering myself sufficiently, I took a step away from the door, intending to switch the lights off in the lounge and head to my office and jot some ideas down. No more than that one step away and a soft knock interrupted my plans. I spun back around and glared at the closed door, thinking, as my stomach fell, that Richard must have changed his mind.

  I wasn't sure if I was up to fending off his advances. Everything was just so messed up, the night had been a roller coaster, I really didn't think I had any fight left in me.

  My hand shook as I turned the knob on the door and swung it open. My eyes bulged, a gasp left my lips, as my chest ached for more reasons than just the sudden increase in speed of my heart.

  "Did you even check the peep-hole?" Jason demanded, in his signature telling-off attitude, arms crossed over broad chest, scowl in place.

  Oh, good Lord. Could this day get any worse?

  Chapter 17

  It Was A Promise I Fervently Hoped He Could Keep

  "What are you doing here?" I managed to say, unoriginally.

  "We need to talk," he replied, then promptly pushed past me, without waiting for an invitation, and walked into the lounge.

  He glanced around, as though he was looking for something, but obviously didn't find it. Or maybe he did, because his shoulders relaxed and he took a seat on the couch. He lifted tired looking chocolate brown eyes up to mine.

  My heart clenched. It hurt. For a moment I couldn't tell if it was remembered pain at what he had done, or the sight of him looking so uncertain, so defeated, so lost. I didn't want to feel anything for him, but I'd be a rotten liar if I said that I wasn't aching to soothe away his pains.