From Boardroom to Bedroom

by Jules Bennett

  Sophie swallowed, unable to form words to follow his declaration. This was getting too deep, too intimate... But she knew tonight was just a stepping stone for the future. She wasn’t innocent enough to think they’d just stop here.

  “I could say the same,” she replied, still recovering from his touch. “I just didn’t expect any of this.”

  She had to tell the truth where she could. Maybe he’d even turn out to be understanding. After all, he’d have to see that her attraction to Nigel had nothing at all to do with her plan to reveal Miranda for the ruthless gold digger Sophie believed her to be.

  But what if he took it badly? What if he threw her out...and then called Miranda to tell her everything? She couldn’t bring herself to risk it.

  Lying to his face made her miserable. She’d never felt so guilty, so ugly. But she’d already started this and she would see it through.

  “The new responsibilities I’ve given you have nothing at all to do with this attraction,” he told her. “I need you to know that. In a very short time, you’ve proven to be a worthy asset.”

  Sophie smiled. “I didn’t think you gave me an extra project to get in my pants. But I’m glad to know you find my ideas of value.”

  At least she could be a little proud of the effort she’d put into this faux job. If she’d learned anything from her father, it was how to work hard no matter the occupation.

  She just wished her father would’ve thought more of her and her brothers and shown some real care toward them—in his life or in his death. Money and assets aside, she didn’t know why he wouldn’t leave them a part of his legacy. Why he would throw it all at Miranda like she deserved more in her blingy, snobby life. The woman mainly stayed in New York with her friends and outgoing lifestyle. Her place in Royal was just a getaway.

  Even though Sophie and her father had had a strained relationship, having everything removed from her life where he was concerned seemed so final, so heartbreaking. Like she just had to sever any ties she had with him. He was her father, she still loved him and she had nothing of his to hold on to.

  “I’m glad you decided to go to the ceremony with me tonight,” Nigel interrupted her thoughts, reaching for her hand and lacing his fingers with hers. “You may not believe me, but I typically go alone.”

  Sophie tipped her head. “I do find that hard to believe.”

  Nigel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in closer to his solid, powerful body. “And I find it hard to believe no man has captured your attention or your heart yet.”

  She stilled. “Is that what you’re after? My heart?”

  Nigel slid his hands over her backside and squeezed. “I’m not looking to fall in love, not when I’m busy building an empire and a name for myself. But I wouldn’t mind some companionship while you’re in town.”

  “A fling?” she asked.

  “That’s such a juvenile, crass term.”

  He slid his lips over hers, so softly she had to grip onto his shoulders to keep herself grounded in the face of the tenderness.

  Sophie eased back and studied his face. “Then what do you mean?”

  “There’s no reason we can’t enjoy each other’s company,” he told her. “I like being with someone whose body isn’t the only sexy part. You’re a match to my business mind and that’s refreshing in this industry. You challenge me to be better and that’s quite an admirable trait.”

  Again, she was flattered he found her useful and formidable, and that he noted she was smart. That meant so much to her because she did pride herself on being an educated woman.

  “Is that all you want my company for?” she asked.

  “Hell, no.” He slid his hands up over the curve of her hips to settle at her waist. “I want to be the man who continues to awaken this inner vixen. I want to be the man who shows you what intimacy can be. I’m a jealous bastard and I hate the thought of any other man being any of those things to you.”

  Sophie shivered at his commanding, authoritative tone. She’d learned vital information about Nigel tonight: he was a giving lover and he was a force to be reckoned with. As strongly independent as she prided herself on being, she couldn’t ignore his advances and she didn’t want to.

  But why couldn’t she enjoy Nigel’s company while she was here? She was a grown woman and didn’t need to make excuses for going after what she wanted. She wasn’t going to hurt him or Green Room Media. All Sophie wanted to do was find some juicy dirt on Miranda and then she’d be on her way.

  But Sophie needed to find the scoop sooner rather than later. Her week was nearly up, and she had nothing to take back to Texas other than the best sexual experience she’d ever had. She wasn’t ready to go, the thought of leaving had knots of anxiety and tension balling up within her.

  Emotionally, she couldn’t afford to keep up this charade. Even though she’d devised a sneaky scheme, she truly wasn’t a ruthless person and she didn’t like stooping to this level. But, if she left, she’d be leaving Nigel and she wasn’t ready.

  “You seem to still be thinking.”

  Nigel’s words cut into her thoughts and she redirected her attention to him.

  “Maybe I wasn’t persuasive enough,” he added, bending down to run those talented lips along her exposed neck.

  Sophie dropped her head back and curled her fingertips into his shoulders. Did anyone ever say no to this man?

  “I’m yours,” she muttered, helpless against his persuasion. “For as long as I’m here.”

  She didn’t know if she should hurry and get out before she got hurt or take her time and enjoy the ride.

  * * *

  “We haven’t received confirmation of your plus one.”

  Nigel pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He could handle the cat fighting and nit-picking of the ladies from Secret Lives without breaking a sweat, but when it came to his grandmother, he somehow resorted to a child being scolded.

  “I haven’t sent in my plus one, yet,” he replied, blowing out a sigh.

  “Yes, I’m aware. Hence the nature of my call.”

  Dame Claire Worthington never failed to choose sharp, witty words and there wasn’t a soul in the family, or anywhere else in Cumbria, that dared cross her. In addition to being strict and demanding, she was also loving, loyal, respected...and that’s why he hated letting her down.

  Nigel turned from the wintery view of the city to face the leather sofa...the one he’d had Roslyn spread out on just last night. He’d told himself that he’d come up here to think and get away from the office for the day, but perhaps he just wanted to return to the scene of the best night of his life.

  He had no clue what was happening with his new temporary employee, but he knew he wanted more from her...professionally and personally. Why couldn’t he have both? He made the bloody rules and owned the company. He wanted her to stay on permanently, not just because he wanted her in his bed, but because she’d already brought so much to Green Room Media. Workplace romances happened all the time—there had to be some kind of protocol they could follow to keep everything scandal-free.

  “Nigel.”

  “Yes, yes,” he stated, shifting his attention back to his grandmother. “I know. Plus one.”

  “The RSVP was due in by today. I’m sure it slipped your mind with as busy as you are with your city life, so that’s why I called. You can just tell me you’ll be bringing a date to your sister’s wedding and I’ll make sure catering gets the accurate number.”

  As if an inaccurate count of his one date, or lack of, would throw off the filet Oscar-style menu. His grandmother made it no secret he was only getting older and that she disapproved of the fact that he still hadn’t settled down, let alone started working on producing the next generation of little Townshends.

  His grandmother was old school and British...there was no arguing with her and she damn w
ell knew it. But for all that, she certainly wasn’t the pearl-wearing, tea-sipping elderly woman. She worked hard all her life, raised her children without a nanny and ran their horse farm alongside her husband. She understood his reasons for wanting to build his own empire and the move to NYC, but she wasn’t backing down on his settling soon to start a family.

  “You are cutting this close,” she added. “The wedding is next week, you know.”

  “I’m aware.”

  His sister was marrying the love of her life...or so she said. They’d chosen Valentine’s Day as their wedding day, which was just a little too cutesy for him, but she hadn’t asked his opinion.

  Nigel had met his soon-to-be brother-in-law a handful of times when he’d gone home and the guy seemed like he’d fit into the Townshend family perfectly. But Nigel was in no hurry to bring home a woman. It would take someone special to get him ready to introduce her to the rest of the clan.

  An image of Roslyn flashed through his mind.

  No. Hell, no. First of all, when he brought a date, they wouldn’t expect her to be someone from the office. Second, he couldn’t bring Roslyn because...well...

  Why not? She would actually be the perfect candidate. She was poised, she could definitely hold her own and there was nobody else he’d want on his arm.

  Nigel couldn’t prevent the smile that spread across his face. His family would have no way of knowing Roslyn was from the office. If she came as his plus one, it would give him another opportunity to get to know her on a deeper level. He wasn’t ready for that commitment his grandmother was after, but spending more time with Roslyn would give him more insight to her. A fake relationship for the sake of his family wouldn’t hurt anything, right?

  After that, he could explain they broke things off and nobody would have to know.

  That is, if Roslyn went along with this crazy plan.

  “And for pity’s sake, wear a tie,” Dame Claire scolded. “I know you have your own style, but this is a black-tie affair.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ideas rolled through his mind on how to approach Roslyn with his proposal. “I promise I won’t do anything to embarrass you or the family.”

  “Oh, please,” she chided. “Nothing embarrasses me, but I do have standards. I expect you and your date to be here no later than Wednesday. The wedding is Saturday.”

  “I’ll be there,” he vowed.

  “You both will be here,” she corrected.

  Nigel laughed. Of course she’d assume he was bringing someone simply because she said so. He told her to give everyone his love before he disconnected the call.

  He stared at the phone another second and finally shot off a text before he could think better of it.

  Going up against a persnickety, hardheaded old grandmother called for drastic measures.

  Meet me at the office penthouse.

  He hit Send, then quickly added another text.

  I need a favor.

  It was Saturday night, so maybe she was out on the town, but he didn’t think so. Roselyn worked hard and seemed to put her career above socializing. He didn’t want to discuss his family’s drama and wedding issue via text. And he just wanted to see her...the wedding was just the perfect excuse.

  Nigel didn’t want Roslyn to think he was a complete jerk who only wanted to get her undressed. He’d meant what he’d said when he told her that he respected her and planned to take his time.

  Time would prove to be the ultimate foreplay, especially since she’d already said yes to his advances. And a trip to his home? He couldn’t wait to take her back to the place where he had grown up, where he’d dreamed. He’d continue to charm her with the grand estate of Shrewsbury Hall. The home itself rivaled Buckingham Palace with all the rooms, windows, ornate architecture and decor.

  Roslyn would love his childhood home if he could get her there. He couldn’t imagine any interior designer not falling in love with the rich history and all the stories behind each room and heirloom.

  Nigel had to talk her into being his plus one first. Coming off their encounter last night, he hoped fate was in his favor.

  Nine

  “Meet your family?”

  Sophie knew getting physically involved with Nigel was risky, both to her heart and her mind, but flying all the way to Cumbria, England, to be his plus one at his sister’s wedding? And for Valentine’s Day?

  That was more than just taking a step in a dangerous direction—it was practically bungee jumping off a cliff. Meeting the family, attending a wedding that would equate to something from royalty and pretending to be his girlfriend for the sake of duping his family?

  More lies might just do in her mental state and she wasn’t sure she could keep all of them straight.

  “I know this is out of nowhere,” Nigel stated, raking a hand through his hair, clearly stressed.

  She’d only known him a short time, but she’d never seen him this flustered. Clearly he was in a bind and wasn’t any more comfortable asking her than she was being invited. She also had to assume that he wouldn’t have come to her had he’d had another choice.

  “My grandmother is quite persistent,” he added, his dark eyes pleading with her.

  “But, what about my job here?” she asked, still reeling from the out-of-the-blue request. “I mean, what will everyone think? First I’m hired as a consultant, then I’m put in charge of heading up the marketing for the wedding episode that may or may not happen, then I go to an award ceremony with you and now a family wedding back at your home?”

  Her mind was spinning just saying all of this out loud. Talk about a whirlwind experience. But the biggest issue for her was the thing she didn’t dare say aloud—between getting swept up with Nigel and his charm and sex appeal, and her inability to deny him anything, she was running out of time to uncover information on Miranda. Every angle she’d tried ended up a dead end. Everyone she spoke to absolutely loved the woman.

  “I know it looks crazy... It is crazy,” he amended, reaching for her hands. “Nobody here has to know about where we’re actually going. I can say I have you going on a trip to scout potential locations for the show.”

  More lying. For someone who used to pride herself on honesty, she’d fallen down the rabbit hole of deceit and she wasn’t sure she’d find her way back out anytime soon.

  If she went away with him, Sophie knew they’d pick up where they’d left off the other night... That both thrilled and terrified her. She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Nigel and that was what scared her most. How could she ever let him go?

  Nigel’s strong hands held hers as he continued to stare at her, imploring her with his eyes.

  “How long will we be gone?” she asked.

  A toe-curling smile spread across his face. “Five days.”

  Five days in an English countryside estate with a man she was quickly falling for, during which she’d have to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family would get off his back. Seriously, what could go wrong?

  Sophie had lied to get to this point and now she was taking this acting skill on an international tour. What would her brothers think when she told them about this venture?

  Maybe she should keep this part to herself. She didn’t want to use Nigel. That part kept niggling at her. She may be lying in her position here, but she wasn’t lying about her growing feelings or attraction. She wasn’t that good of an actress. But all of these emotions were completely unexpected and causing issues she hadn’t planned on.

  “I don’t want to pressure you,” he told her. “I just didn’t want to ask anyone else.”

  The fact he trusted her with meeting his family and only added to her shame. He was being so transparent with his life with her, as far as she knew, and she was a complete phony.

  Yet she couldn’t say no. She wanted to spend more time with the man who made her wish this were all
real. He made her daydream about a real relationship, a real attraction...a real affair instead of one based on lies.

  “I’ll do it,” she told him. “I’ll go to England.”

  Nigel’s shoulders relaxed as he stepped closer her and gripped her hands to his chest. “You will love my home and my family. Dame Claire can be overwhelming at times, but she does everything out of love.”

  Sophie wasn’t sure how she’d deal with a large, loving family and a doting grandmother...especially one with a title. Sure, she and her brothers were close, and she’d loved her her mother, but the relationship with her father just left her feeling broken.

  What would her life be like if she had a close relationship with her father? Maybe the outcome of the will would’ve been different and Sophie and her brothers would have had their legacy given to them.

  She only had her brothers now and they were depending on her. Even though Kellan had said she could come home, she didn’t want to let them down. She wanted to be the one to make everything right. She wanted to give them back what had been taken away.

  “What should I pack for this wedding?” Sophie asked, ignoring the blaring horns and red flags in her head.

  Nigel quirked a brow. “I’ve got everything covered. My jet will be ready to go Wednesday morning and your dresses and jewelry will be on board.”

  And Sophie fell just a little deeper into this Pretty Woman scenario.

  * * *

  Central Park was absolutely gorgeous in the winter. Freezing, but breathtaking and so picturesque.

  Sophie huddled deeper into her coat as she walked along the curved path through the park. The brisk air gave her a freshness that she didn’t find in Texas heat. Besides, she’d wanted to get out of the office and take a much-needed break.

  She’d tried calling Vaughn, but she’d only gotten his voice mail. She stopped at a park bench that had been cleaned off and took a seat, pulling out her phone to call Kellan.