Charming You (Thirsty Hearts Book 1) (13 page)

S
itting
down with the women for dinner was much less awkward than Nick had anticipated when he'd gotten their work location out of Brittany, the perky receptionist. First, he tried calling Micky's cell phone and didn't get an answer, so he called Azur's offices.

"I'll be so excited when the final PowerPoint slide has rolled, and we wrap this thing up," Taryn said. "Then, we'll have a few days to relax in the most beautiful city in the world."

"I can't tell you how many times I've thought this event might be the death of us," Micky confessed.

"Why's that?" Nick asked.

Micky and Taryn exchanged glances. Without even thinking, he examined the papers still out on the table in front of Micky. Most of it made no sense to him. He looked back at Micky. Her laptop angled toward him enough for him to catch a glimpse of the screen. He couldn't make out most of the words, but he saw the document heading in bold type at the top. It read, "Midsummer announcement." Everything he and his contacts at Moran Financial had heard suggested Azur was in the early stages of negotiation with someone. Now, Nick wondered if they hadn't already found a dance partner.

"The company typically waits until this event each year to make a big market splash. The attendees have a lot of expectations," Micky explained.

"Are you making a big splash this year?" Nick asked with a smile.

"That's top secret," Taryn responded. "We could tell you, but of course, you know the rest."

"And I have no idea of the best spot to dump a body in the Trinity," Micky added.

Nick smiled while noting their deflection. He'd heard of Midsummer. He knew they were in somewhat the same business as Azur. He grabbed his phone and navigated to the camera setting. Positioning it carefully, he zoomed in and captured a snapshot of Micky's screen.

His mind raced away with this new piece of data, leaving his heart and his conscience to catch up. Micky laughed, easy and relaxed, and took another sip of the drink he'd bought her. If his maneuvering came back to bite her, he'd never forgive himself. Nick shoved away his doubts. He could make sure that didn't happen. He didn't have to share the information. He'd only use it for research.

At least his prying could be over now. He had enough to juice Moran Financial. He wouldn't have to see Micky again. In fact, he shouldn't see her again after Saturday.

Nick found the thought impossible. Why couldn't he keep seeing her? Once this business with Azur was over and done with, they could continue what they'd started. He finally allowed himself to envision it.

"Sounds like you two are getting pretty busy. By the time you get done, you'll have earned some relaxation time," he noted.

"That's true enough. Plus, I love visiting new places. Being in a different environment can change your view on your entire life. Get away. See new things. Eat new food. Hear new languages. I'm looking forward to it even if it's only a few days. What about you? Any time off planned?"

Nick paused. He had structured his work so that by early summer he'd be able to take time for the wedding and a honeymoon. Now that the engagement was off, he figured he'd just work through. He never took much vacation and often found himself with vacation days left over at the end of every year that kept rolling over as he pursued his partnership. He probably had five or six weeks of unused time banked.

Hearing them talk about time away made him reconsider. He'd love to show Micky around Paris or to explore some new place together. He could see her on the beach, in a bikini, drinking fruity, girly beach cocktails. Nick looked at Micky's martini.
Okay, so no girly drinks.

Nick snickered softly. "I don't usually take much vacation, but you're making the case for time off sound pretty good. I used to travel and love it."

"What's your favorite place you've been?" Micky asked.

"France is wonderful, but Italy is probably my favorite." Micky flinched. "Not a fan?"

"I've never been actually, but I've always wanted to go."

"You should. If you play your cards right, I might even volunteer as your tour guide. We can run off together." Micky's smile lost some of its ease. He kicked himself mentally for once again coming on too strong. He looked at Taryn for help, but she avoided eye contact and drained her champagne.

"Maybe so. I haven't had much luck in the running away together department, but there's always a chance for change, right?"

"Uh oh. Whatever whoever did to you, he was a pig," Nick said.

"I'd drink to that, but my glass is empty," Taryn observed, raising it from the table.

"Another?" Nick asked.

"No. I need to get out of here. I'm supposed to call Jeff tonight about some wedding stuff. It was nice seeing you again," she said before throwing some cash on the table for her part of the tab. Nick opened his mouth to object, but Micky had already snatched it up.

"See you tomorrow bright and early. We have a meeting at six thirty. The time difference is getting to be a pain," Micky said.

"I know. See you. Bye, Nick." Taryn headed out, leaving Nick and Micky alone.

"I'm glad I stopped over here. I wasn't sure you two would want an interloper."

"Your interloping was fine. And you got to have dinner with two hot chicks. How often does that happen?"

"Not often enough," he said before quickly adding, "Kidding. I like dating one woman at a time."

"I remember. Women bring drama."

Nick closed his eyes and dropped his head back. "I never should have said that."

"It's okay. I was being a little prickly that night. That's a good lesson to have learned."

"That's a good lesson to have learned," Micky repeated. "We should get the check. Honestly, I need to head out too."

Nick gestured to the waiter who quickly walked by and dropped off the check. He picked up the faux-leather billfold.

"You're not mad?" Nick asked.

Micky smirked. "Not if you're picking up the check."

"Women. Always wanting me for my money."

"I've never wanted a man for his money a day in my life. Besides, I can only imagine what you want from me."

Nick stilled. No, she couldn't. He couldn't even decide what he wanted from her. Micky's brows came together as he sat silent, his conscience dogging him again.

"Seriously, though, I can't let you pay for all that we ate and drank all afternoon. That would just be embarrassing," she said, reaching for the check.

"Of course, you can."

"Fine. I had to try at least—even if I'm reaching for the check with T-Rex arms."

"T-Rex arms?"

Nick watched as Micky held her elbows close to her body while flailing her hands ineffectually toward the bill. Then, she threw her head back and laughed. Her hazel eyes sparkled, and with her head tipped back, he got a nice view of the sweep of her neck. He followed it down to the swell of her breasts straining against the buttons of her blouse. Even in her relatively prim shirt for the office, he could tell there was a dynamite body underneath.

The loosened-up version of the woman he first met her made his heart pound. He thought about what her full cleavage would look like with just one more button undone. He didn't want to push his luck, but the tightening of his body wreaked havoc on his concentration. He paid the check and then walked Micky to her car.

The rain had stopped, and everything glistened under the streetlights.

"Well, thank you for the late lunch, and dinner, and drinks," Micky said as she pressed the button on her keyless remote.

"You're very welcome. Any thoughts on going to that basketball game?"

"I'm in. You'll have to help me out, though. I'm a sadly stereotypical female when it comes to sports. I know nothing about basketball, or what's going on with the team, except that the Mavericks won a championship a few years ago, and their billionaire owner is all over the press. But I've been to some games. It's always a good time."

"It will be. I'll call you to iron out the details, but maybe I can pick you up around six, and we can head downtown."

"Great."

Nick grinned.

They reached for her car door at the same, and their hands touched.

M
icky pulled back
to let Nick open the door for her. She turned to look up at him before getting in. The roller coaster of feeling inside her looped again. Her mouth went dry, and she licked her lips, catching the fullness of her bottom lip slightly between her teeth.

Staring into his eyes, she wondered if he was going to make a move. Up close, they shined, reflecting the streetlights and telling her to "go." She grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him toward her until their mouths met.

In an instant, she felt a vibration through her entire body like a shock. At first, her lips just grazed his, but then he pushed for more, lingering and then gently probing her mouth with his tongue. His arms pulled her around the waist as she wrapped hers around his neck. Her nipples hardened with the warmth and growing insistence of his kiss. Then, he pressed her back against the side of her car.

The weight of his body felt like home. The urge to wrap herself around him overwhelmed her, and her left leg opened slightly and began coiling around him almost with a will of its own.

"Get a room!" Someone yelled in the parking lot, and then the fading sound of laughter hit Micky's ears. It was a split second, but it broke the spell.

"He's right," Micky said and pulled away. "Not about getting a room! Way too soon for that! Just, uh, we probably shouldn't be making out in the parking lot."

"I suppose you're right." Nick took both her hands in his and pulled her closer again. "Not that getting a room doesn't also sound like fun. Ahh, if those were my choices…" He trailed off, and he squeezed her again.

"I barely know you. You're a mystery to me." Micky replied. Her leg trembled. She pushed away from him, stabilizing herself against the car.

"We'll just have remedy that won't we," Nick told her before planting one brief kiss on her cheek. "Good night, gorgeous."

"Good night." He turned with a wave and walked toward his car. Micky stayed leaning back on her car for a few seconds, gathering her breath.
Damn. She was in trouble.

D
amn
. He was in trouble.

Walking back to his car, the stiffness in his pants showed no signs of easing up even though he no longer had Micky in his arms. Kissing her should have been out of the question. Now that he'd tasted her, though, he couldn't fathom any "shoulds."

He remembered the softness of her lips, the fullness of those round breasts pressed on his chest, and the urgency that rose in him when she started curling her legs around him. He'd never wanted to get a woman naked more than he had Micky at that moment.

If those kids hadn't yelled out, he might have had a chance. He'd have pulled down her business trousers, discovered what kind of beautiful panties she wore, and then ripped them off and fucked her in the damp night air.

An hour later, he fell into bed. He didn't feel much better—even after dispatching some of the tension in a hot shower, then turning the water full blast to cold. He wanted her. She'd said she barely knew him. True. She said it was too soon to get it on. Maybe. He wanted to know her. Micky made him feel more interested and more alive than he had in a long time.

She was right. They needed to get to know each other, but her knowing more about him and what he'd been up to would throw a bucket of ice on his chances. Wouldn't it? Nick thought of coming clean, but rejected the idea immediately. Getting aroused by a beautiful woman was not special, even if his heart told him Micky was.

Nick had made a lot of assumptions in the past, jumped into relationships with an agenda and hadn't taken the time to find out what the woman wanted and whether they were in sync. He needed to know if his passion signaled something deeper—sooner rather than later. His last thoughts for the night were about how he could speed up the process.

At seven sharp the next morning, Nick visited the best florist in town on his way to work, the minute the shop opened. He supposed he could have called in an order, but he had no idea which flowers would suit her, and he didn't want to get her clichéd roses. So, he picked out a tightly bundled bouquet of Peruvian lilies ranging from an intense lavender to deep violet with splashes of pristine white flowers flecked with purple.

"You sure you can deliver them this morning?"

"No problem, Mr. Halden. No problem at all. Is that the card?"

Nick sealed up the tiny florist card, slid it across the counter, and then headed to work, having trouble getting Micky out of his mind.

M
icky slept restlessly
, unable to shake the imprint of Nick Halden from her body. No one—not even Eric—had made her feel as wanton as Nick had the night before…and in public! She had been about sixty seconds away from doing enough to get arrested. Micky could only imagine how much Lila would have shaken her head at that.

Regardless, Micky forced herself out of bed and into the office. She'd buried herself in proofreading all of the event handouts when Brittany called from reception.

"This is Micky."

"Someone must have an admirer. You have an amazing delivery."

"Oh, thank you."

Micky walked toward reception with a mix of excitement and dread. Of course, Nick must have sent her flowers. However, she didn't feel like answering a pack of questions from Brittany, who would tell the entire office her version of Micky's romantic adventures. She rounded the office, expecting to see a bouquet of roses, but found a gorgeous vase with beautiful tropical flowers sitting at the administration desk. Brittany could hardly contain herself as Micky approached.

"Oh, my God! They're unbelievable! Is it from that lawyer from upstairs? He called about you yesterday," she exclaimed. Micky blushed.

"Really?"

"I told him that you'd gone to that restaurant. Did you see him?"

Micky ignored the last question.

"They're from a friend."

"Those flowers are for more than friendship."

"You know how men are. Always trying to be impressive," Micky said breezily, both trying to calm the excitable receptionist and trying to keep getting flowers in perspective.

"Aren't you going to read the card?" Brittany asked.

"When I get to my office," Micky replied curtly but then smiled at the young woman. She picked up the beautiful crystal vase and started back to her desk. As soon as she got to her office, Micky ripped open the tiny envelope.

Normally, flowers didn't impress her. Any man can send flowers—certainly if he has money and a secretary to arrange these things for him—but she knew Nick had picked these out himself. The color was beautiful. Oddly enough, the deeper flowers were the same rich color as her bedroom walls. Not that he could know this. Smiling again to herself, she picked up the phone and called Nick's mobile number.

"Good morning, beautiful," he answered.

"If this is how you answer your phone, you must have a lot of friends," Micky replied.

"This is how I answer the phone for you."
Such a charmer
, Micky thought.

The compliment and the deep timber of his voice froze her for a second. "I'm just calling to thank you for the flowers. They're gorgeous—and unexpected."

"I'm glad you like them. I wanted to send you something unique."

"You hit the mark," Micky responded as Taryn stopped by her office, saw the flowers, and raised her eyebrows in appreciation before gesturing that she'd come back. "You've made me the envy of every woman in the office."

Nick laughed. "I guess that's one reason to send a woman flowers. I was only hoping to impress you. And maybe get another date."

"I'll see you Saturday, right? I listened today on the radio when they talked about tonight's game. I'm brushing up on my basketball knowledge."

"Yes, I'll see you Saturday, or if you're not busy after work tonight, we can maybe grab a quick bite. There's that great tapas place around the corner."

Micky had vowed to take things slowly, and not rush into some whirlwind, but rationality didn't sound like much fun at all. "I'd love to, but I might have to work late tonight. I have a staff meeting in about half an hour, and I'm pretty sure my boss in going to have a laundry list of things to finish. How about I let you know this afternoon? By three, I should know which way the wind is blowing. If not, tonight, definitely another time, though, okay?"

"Absolutely." Nick's voice dropped with disappointment.

"Great," Micky replied as another coworker circled past her office. "I've got to get going. I'll text you at three. Talk to you later, Nick."

"Bye, gorgeous."

Micky hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Every time she talked to Nick, he left her flushed and a little giddy. She couldn't go into her meeting looking like a blushing school girl. She turned to her reports and tried to refocus as Taryn bounded into her office.

"Okay, the flowers are gorgeous, Micky. I'm not going to ask about what happened after I left last night," Taryn remarked. "If he sent these, I don't guess I need to."

"Nothing happened. We left shortly after you did. Now, we need to make sure we're on the same page about what we've got left to do on the event plan. Have you set up the meeting with the multimedia guy? I want to walk through the show plan and make sure we have all the graphics set for the keynote and the transitions between each speaker. We also need to leave room for an executive Q and A. Don't list the speakers yet. That's TBD."

Executives from Azur and Midsummer wanted to do a question and answer session on the joint venture.

"Seriously? Nothing?" Taryn asked. "Fine. We need to prep for the meeting, but you and I are going to have drinks tonight when we finish, and I'm getting a full report."

Micky sighed and gave Taryn a little smile.

"If it looks like I'm getting out of here before nine tonight, I'm going to call Nick and see if he still wants to meet up for a drink. He asked if I was free. And that's all the news you're getting right now. We have to anticipate any open items that Ben will ask about. You know how he is."

"Let's get moving because we need to get everything lined up so you can get laid."

Micky blushed.

"I am not getting laid tonight. I barely know him. I enjoy his company. Plain and simple."

"For Christ's sake, Micky. You need to enjoy something more than company. How long has it been since Eric the snake? It's been, like, a year. You haven't sniffed it in over a year!"

"Taryn! Jesus! I don't need sniffs. I need a guy who wants more than sniffs, but we're not going to talk about that." Micky paused. "Agenda. Graphics. Signage. Did you get Ben to sign off on the lighting plan?"

Taryn threw up her hands. "He wouldn't respond to my emails. We've got to get an up or down out of him this morning."

"Alright, what else?" Micky jotted notes down on her to-do list with purpose. In the back her mind, the thought of sleeping with Nick hovered. It was way too soon, but she wondered how long it would be before she slept with him. How would it happen? She imagined his arriving to pick her up on Saturday, opening the door and just saying, "Fuck it," and throwing herself at him. What did she care about the NBA? His tongue on hers. His hands on her breasts. Him naked, pinning her to cold tile of her foyer.

"Micky? Hello? Did you talk to the hotel about the conference meeting rooms?" Taryn stared at her.

"Umm, yeah. We have three rooms for meetings and an executive suite like we discussed. You'll need to maintain the schedule for press and analyst interviews."

"You know, once you do him, he'll be out of your mind, and you'll be able to focus," Taryn said, smugly. "When I started dating Jeff, I couldn't get him out of my mind. He's so tall and handsome, with the most luscious lips I'd ever seen on a man. The fantasies I had about those lips kept me up at night. Then, I tasted them. Spent a whole weekend with them."

"And that got him out of your mind? You're engaged. Obviously, it didn't get you over him."

"No, I fell madly in love with him and with his adorable little girl. But, it settled things down. I could focus on other aspects of our relationship. I'll never get over him. Or his lips. Or his tongue. Or any other part of him."

"You are so inappropriate. I'm calling HR."

"I'm a truth teller, Micky. Think it over. We better get to that meeting," Taryn noted, glancing at the clock.

As Micky stood up to go, she thought about Taryn's other grand idea: That having sex with Nick would erase his mystique. Somehow, she doubted it.

By three o'clock, it was pretty obvious Micky wasn't getting out of the office anytime soon. She had hours of meetings left and then a few items to pull together with Taryn so the marketing team in France had what they needed by morning. While sitting in yet another status briefing with the client on a conference call, she shot a quick text to Nick.

She hated putting him off until Saturday, but it might be good. Her mind—another other less intellectual parts of her—were getting a bit carried away. She didn't want to move so fast. Ever since their kiss, she'd been drowning, euphoric and afraid.

Micky didn't need Eric 2.0. She'd see Nick on Saturday. With that, she turned her full attention to the spreadsheet projected onto the wall of the conference room.