From Boardroom to Bedroom

by Jules Bennett

  Sophie. The name seemed to fit her, yet it was so strange to think of her that way. Like a bloody fool, he’d watched too many of her videos. Maybe he was just a masochist, but he’d wanted to see the real Sophie Blackwood in her element.

  She’d positively shined and was so personable, so fun.

  He hated to admit that he recognized in her the woman he’d started falling for. He’d thought Roslyn had been just a facade, but Sophie was the same, just like she’d said. And yet there was such a difference that he couldn’t put his finger on. He tried yet again to push the thought away and refocus on work.

  The gray skies didn’t help his mood right now, neither did the fact that he couldn’t pinpoint a location to have the farewell party for Seraphina. He wanted to make things as easy as possible for her and Clint.

  His cell vibrated on his desk with an incoming text and Nigel glanced over his shoulder. Ellen’s name popped up.

  On a sigh, he grabbed his cell and opened the message.

  I haven’t heard much from you. I’m worried. Nana doesn’t know anything because she just messaged me about “that nice American girl” coming back next month and doing a girls’ luncheon.

  Bloody hell. His grandmother would be heartbroken over all of this. Perhaps he should stick to the original plan of just telling her they broke up. He didn’t want to tell her that Roslyn was really Sophie and that she’d lied to them all.

  Granted, he’d taken Sophie home under the pretense of her being his girlfriend so he’d lied, too.

  This entire situation was a mess. So much deceit, so much pain.

  Nigel typed back a quick text, telling his sister he was fine and just busy at work and that he’d take care of Nana.

  He hadn’t even put his phone down when it rang and Miranda’s name appeared.

  Nigel swiped the screen to answer.

  “Miranda. What can I do for you?”

  “I hope this isn’t a bad time,” she replied.

  Considering he was wallowing in his own self-pity party, this was the perfect time for a distraction...unless there was more bad news.

  “You’re not leaving the show,” he commanded.

  Miranda’s soft laughter came through the phone. “No, I’m not. I’m not calling about work. I’m calling about your personal life.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Listen, I’ve never stepped foot into your private affairs, but I need to now,” she went on. “I know Sophie was in New York trying to find something damning on me. I also know she was working for you.”

  Nigel crossed his office and sank down onto the leather sofa. “Did you know the entire time?”

  “I found out before I left the office,” she stated. “I pondered what to do with the information.”

  Nigel dropped his head back on the cushion and pulled in a breath. “So that’s why you are calling me? She didn’t find out anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. There’s nothing negative about you to be found here, no matter how hard she looked.”

  “Well, I appreciate that, but that’s not the reason for my call.”

  Nigel really didn’t want to talk about Sophie to anyone. He’d even dodged talking to his own sister during these past several days.

  There was no question he’d been falling in love with Roslyn, even though he’d tried to deny his feelings because he’d wanted to wait. The fact was, he’d been falling from day one. The pain wouldn’t be so crippling and crushing if he’d just wanted her for sex. He missed her. He missed her smile, the way she’d hold his hand, her quick wit and sharp mind... He missed everything.

  “I’m the last person who should come to her defense, but I am,” Miranda went on. “Sophie and her brothers feel like they were wronged in the will after their father’s death. I can’t blame them for that. They’ve always thought I was after the Blackwood fortune. I wasn’t, but given the way things happened with the will, their suspicious do make sense.”

  “Not to anyone who knows you,” he informed her. “You don’t have a callous bone in your body.”

  “Well, Buck left me strict orders before his death and I’m just trying to respect those wishes,” she said. “Sophie is loyal to her family, Nigel. I truly believe she never meant to hurt you in any way.”

  Stunned, Nigel listened as Miranda defended her former stepdaughter. Nothing about that should have surprised him, though. Miranda was always the peacemaker, the one who would jump in to help anyone with no questions asked. She had a natural need to see those around her happy...even, apparently, those who were set on destroying her.

  “I’m not sure why you’d want to help her out,” Nigel said.

  “Honestly, I’m helping you both,” Miranda replied. “You know how gossip spreads. I learned that you took Sophie to England to Ellen’s wedding. That tells me you really like her. I’ve never heard of you wanting to take someone home, let alone for a family wedding.”

  “It was a front to keep my grandmother off my back about settling down,” he mumbled.

  “That may be part of it,” she agreed. “But don’t discount your feelings. You don’t have to tell me what they are. Just be honest with yourself. Enough lies were told and I wanted you to know the type of person Sophie really is. Her father wasn’t the easiest man to love and he wasn’t always the best to his kids, but he’s trying to right a wrong from the grave and unfortunately, he’s using me to do it—setting up enough of a mystery that the kids see me as an enemy.”

  Nigel had no clue what was all going on with that mess. But he knew Miranda’s kind heart just wanted to make peace. He also knew she wouldn’t have called if she didn’t believe Sophie was a good person.

  “You can do what you want, but I just had to share my thoughts,” Miranda added. “And, if you were wondering, Sophie is going to be working on the Texas Cattleman’s Clubhouse renovations. She’s doing so free of charge and paying for the decor she uses. That information isn’t public knowledge because she didn’t want people to know. I believe that speaks to the type of woman she is.”

  Miranda said her goodbyes, leaving Nigel even more confused with his thoughts and his jumbled emotions. He had no clue what to do right now, and for the first time in his life, he felt utterly out of control.

  All he knew was that he wanted this ache to cease. How the hell did he get over the one woman he wanted, but shouldn’t?

  * * *

  Lulu smiled across the table at Kace.

  “So, what do you say?” she asked, barely able to contain her excitement.

  She’d asked Kace to lunch...not a date. This couldn’t be a date. It just couldn’t.

  But the sexy cowboy attorney from Texas might just be the best add-in to Secret Lives if he’d simply agree to make a few guest appearances. When the show had filmed in Royal, the viewers had positively eaten up all the Southern charm those men had.

  Of course there had only been one man who charmed Lulu enough to capture her attention and he sat right across from her still battling himself with the answer.

  “Did you ask Nigel or the other women about this?” he finally asked.

  Lulu picked up her water glass and took a drink. “I wanted to see what you said first. As for the other ladies, they’ll totally be on board.”

  Who wouldn’t? The man was a walking fantasy in a Stetson and shiny boots.

  “Is this for the show’s ratings or because you can’t stand to be without me?” he asked with a smirk.

  “The ratings, though I’m not sure we have it in the budget to pay you and your ego.”

  Kace eased back in his chair and propped one large strong-looking hand onto the table. Lulu couldn’t ignore the desires just the sight of his hand pulled from her.

  So what if her intentions to get him on the show were because she wanted him around her more? She was human with basic needs. Maybe they’d been at
each other’s throats at one time, but sex changed everything.

  “Just say you’ll do it and leave the rest up to me,” she urged. “Unless you hate the city life.”

  He let out a low sexy laugh. “New York isn’t exactly my speed, but it’s doable every now and then.”

  Lulu barely resisted the urge to leap over the table, straddle his lap and hug him. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

  His kissable lips twitched. “If you can line up everything and get all the working parties to agree, I’ll do it.”

  Lulu let out a slight squeal and clapped her hands together. “Perfect. You won’t regret this.”

  Kace leaned across the table, taking her hands in his as he lowered his voice. “Make no mistake. You’ll owe me.”

  And that sounded like the most delicious promise ever.

  Seventeen

  Sophie stared at her sketch pad and what she’d laid out so far, then she stared back at the nearly completed room. The architect and contractor had done a marvelous job of restoring the burnt portion of the clubhouse. Now she was trying to find a way to keep the decor true to the rest of the clubhouse, plus add in some special touches to really celebrate the reopening of this wing.

  “Looks like some things still need decorated.”

  Sophie nearly dropped her sketch pad as she spun around at the familiar voice. “Nigel,” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  He casually leaned against the doorway that had yet to be trimmed. With a gray T-shirt and worn jeans and even a pair of cowboy boots, he fit in perfectly. She’d never seen him in boots and she couldn’t help but smile.

  “Are you relocating to Texas?” she asked, nodding to his new attire.

  With his hands in his pockets, he shrugged. “I figured I should at least try to look the part. I draw the line at the hat, though.”

  How could he have her smiling when looking at him hurt so much? But as conflicted as she felt, she knew he was here for a reason. She only hoped she was that reason.

  “Did you come here looking for me or are you filming in Royal again?” she asked, unable to stand the anticipation.

  “Maybe both,” he replied.

  Nigel pushed away from the door and took a slow walk around the open space. He didn’t say a word as he continued to survey everything...which consisted of drywall, paint cans and etched glass windows.

  Maybe he’d come to drive her crazy and make her pay for what she’d done to him. Although, she didn’t know how much more she could suffer because living without him had been pure hell these past few days.

  “I hear you’re doing the decorating,” he finally said as he focused his attention back to her.

  Sophie clutched her pad to her chest. “I am. I wouldn’t trust this to anyone else.”

  “I’ve seen your videos—you’re good at what you do,” he replied. “They’re lucky to have such talent.”

  Stunned at his accolades, Sophie simply said, “Thanks.”

  Nigel took one step, then another, until he came to stand within inches of her. His eyes roamed over her face, her hair, before landing on her eyes.

  “You dyed your hair back,” he murmured, reaching out to smooth a strand behind her ear.

  Sophie shivered at his touch and leaned in just enough to feel his warmth. “I wanted to get back to myself now that I’m home.”

  She didn’t know how long they were going to do this small talk and dance around the proverbial elephant in the room. Seeing him again only reminded her of all that she’d had that she’d then thrown away...not that she’d thought of anything else since returning to Royal.

  “I like this better,” he told her as he dropped his hand, but didn’t take a step back.

  The familiar woodsy scent of his cologne enveloped her, making her recall laying against his chest and sleeping when they were in England. Making her remember when he’d first wrapped her in his jacket on that snowy night.

  So many memories made in such a short time. Nigel had packed such a powerful impact on her life and embedded himself so deeply into her heart.

  “Why are you here?” she asked, unable to stand the silence and the nerves eating away at her.

  “I’m here for you.”

  Fear ebbed away as hope flowed in. Sophie wanted to reach for him, but she needed to hear what he had to say. What had made him come all the way here instead of calling or texting? What happened in the five days after she’d left?

  Because since she’d been back, all she’d thought of was where she could’ve righted her wrongs. But once she was caught in that downward spiral, she’d been completely out of control and she’d had no way to stop.

  “I got a call from Miranda,” he added.

  Sophie blinked. “Miranda? What did she call you about?”

  “You. She came to your defense without hesitation.”

  Seriously?

  Sophie didn’t know what to say to that remark. She’d never known Miranda to want to help her out. Of course, there was all those people who sang her praises and swore that Miranda was practically a saint, but Sophie hadn’t experienced that side of her. Truth be told, they’d never really interacted much, not even when Miranda and Buck had still been married.

  “What did she say?” Sophie asked.

  Nigel smoothed a hand over his jaw and the back of his neck. He seemed so exhausted, which only matched her own situation. She hadn’t slept for replaying the past few weeks over and over in her head. She wondered if he’d been awake all night thinking of her, too.

  “She basically said that you had valid reasons for coming to New York.”

  How the hell had Miranda known Sophie was in New York? Had she seen her that day?

  “I found out that Craig mentioned my new consultant when he was chatting with Miranda,” Nigel went on. “I had actually talked to her about meeting you, obviously not knowing the truth, and then Craig was talking about how amazing you were and how you could be on the show because you’re just as stunning as the others. I mean, you know how Craig gossips. He ended up showing Miranda a photo.”

  “She could’ve called me out right then,” Sophie murmured. “Why didn’t she?”

  “I’d say she knew why you were there at that point,” he told her. “But when she called me, she explained how you and your brothers feel cheated with the will and everything.”

  “We were cheated,” Sophie reiterated. “We still don’t understand why we were cut out.”

  “I get that.” Nigel gave an understanding nod. “I don’t get why you continued to lie to me, not once we started getting so close, but I know why you initially came to New York. You were trying to save your family’s legacy. Believe me, I above anyone else understand the importance of showing family loyalty.”

  “I still don’t understand why she came to my assistance,” Sophie thought out loud.

  Nigel reached for her arm and slid his fingers down to hold her hand. “Maybe because she’s not the monster you all think she is. Maybe because she wants to see you happy. I truly believe she wants to fix her relationship with you and your brothers.”

  Sophie wasn’t so sure about fixing things, but she also wasn’t so sure that Miranda was out to take everything. She’d seemed just as surprised at the will as the rest of them. Maybe that hadn’t all been an act.

  “And her call made you come?” Sophie asked.

  He squeezed her hand. “Her call made me think a little more about what this must have been like from your point of view. For years I’ve been somewhat of a black sheep for leaving England and not marrying or settling down. Family is important to me, even though I’m not jumping in to produce heirs.”

  Sophie smiled. After having met his grandmother and sister, and seeing where he came from, the archaic sounding trait wasn’t so bizarre after all.

  “Honestly, I couldn’t stand be
ing without you,” he finally said. “The office was lonely, even though my staff is bustling all over the place. Every time I looked at events for the show coming up, I wondered what you would think or how you would change things. I can’t even go up to my penthouse because I see you displayed on that couch. And now I can’t go back to England because Nana thinks we’re a couple.”

  Sophie smiled. “Is that all?”

  Nigel took another step forward until they were toe-to-toe. He framed her face with his hands and leaned in, barely a breath from her mouth.

  “No, that’s not all,” he whispered. “I love you and I want you. I won’t ask you to give up your life here. I’d never do that. I’ll fly back and forth if need be. I don’t give a damn at this point, I just need you.”

  Sophie’s heart nearly exploded. She never thought he would forgive her, and she sure as hell never thought Miranda would be the one to turn him around.

  Had Sophie been wrong all this time? Was Miranda really just misunderstood and wanting to make things right?

  Sophie wrapped her arms around Nigel’s waist. “I need you, too. I’ve been miserable knowing that I hurt you. I just, I didn’t know what to do and my loyalty was so torn—”

  Nigel covered her lips, cutting off her sentence and any other thought she may have had. Nigel was here, he was holding her, kissing her and loving her. None of this was a dream and while she didn’t deserve his forgiveness, she wasn’t going to turn him away. She’d never take him for granted again.

  Sophie eased back, sliding her fingers through his hair. “I swear, I’ll never lie to you about anything ever again.”

  Nigel smiled. “That’s good, but I hope you know what you’re getting into with me.”

  “I have a pretty good idea.”

  “Maybe we’ll need to make you an extra on the show,” he stated. “I’m sure ratings would skyrocket with the most sought-after designer.”

  Sophie laughed. “Well, we’d have to marry and divorce since the show is about exes.”