Down With Cupid Shorts Bundle (11 page)

He brushed aside the ache in his heart. This was for the best. Might as well end it now before he was really up shit’s creek. Before he began to consider slowing down, changing the way he lived. He should be grateful. And he would be. As soon as the taste of her faded from his memory. Since he knew two months wouldn’t do it, he had to look forward to a very hard next six months, at least.

He fucking hated it.

Her face had smoothed into a mask of professionalism and nothing penetrated the facade. The simple truth—she didn’t want him to have any part of the business. The ache dug deeper. Sebastian didn’t want all of Limelight, although he could have asked for it. He didn’t want to cut her out, because she loved this crazy job, this crazy business and specifically Limelight. He kept that in mind throughout the negotiations. A weakness. He had asked for a split that would leave equal shares between himself, Nicole and Anna, knowing the owner would do the right thing. And, Nicole knew—she had to know he’d want a piece of the business. Still, a piece was too much for her.

Sebastian straightened. “As a favor, because I still do have a lot of respect for you and the work you do, I’m going to forget this conversation. Hard feelings would only get in the way of what we do best.”

She picked up her phone, tapped the screen. “Already past it. Like I said, earlier, keep me updated.”

Sebastian had to force himself to turn around and leave; he’d seen the tremble in her fingers. Two months ago things between them were over as they should have been the moment the hotel door clicked closed behind her. This interlude between them had a momentary relapse. Nothing more. A one night stand that had lasted a few more days than necessary. One that involved a few too many secrets and intimacies, and pesky emotions that made him want things he hadn’t in long time. He’d get over it.

He didn’t acknowledge there shouldn’t have been anything to get over. Instead he turned off the mute button, because Jeremiah’s voice still buzzed in his ear. “Good job. I think you don’t need me anymore. When you’re done, call Nicole.”

He ended the call without another word, stepped into Anna’s office and let his ambition soothe him.

Chapter Eight

Nicole fisted her left hand and wished for a moment alone in the ballroom as a happy cherubic naked-baby balloon flew in her face. She wanted to punch that rosy-cheeked face. She had to pretend this Valentine’s Day was peachy keen and wonderful when every inch of her felt achy and angry. Down with love. Down with cupid. Hell, anything that involved fluttering hearts and men so ruthless they didn’t have a heart to break.

She had to smile instead of scowl and mutter. No ranting about men who, after someone pointed out their lies and deceptions, only reminded the person of why she had a damn good reason for breaking things off. A man who had the nerve to look hurt and angry when someone accused him of sleeping with her for a leg up in their competition.

All the man had to say when she accused him was he couldn’t be in the same room with her and not touch her, that he needed to have some part of his body in contact with hers. But ruthless men didn’t make confessions like that. No. Men like that convinced you saying it first was the best course of action. A simple truth that hurt no one once spoken.

“Down with men like that,” she muttered, and Jeremiah glanced at her.

“Did you say something?”

“Don’t look so nervous.” The smoothness in her voice didn’t waver. “None of these women will bite you.”

She hoped. These things could get out of hand sometimes. The low lights in the ballroom didn’t dim the cougar glint in some of the women’s eyes as they passed the mogul. The other bachelors were every shape, size and nationality. Still, there was something about Jeremiah that gave him an untouchable appearance. The suit helped. Also, the light bronzer she’d tricked him into putting on. She’d changed the labeling with one that said sunblock. It gave the dusky-brown hue to his skin a glow. She’d almost pay good money to have him throw a smolder her way. So would any woman in the room. Her job was almost done.

“Where’s Sebastian? I want to go over some things I should say again.”

He’s somewhere becoming my boss.
“He’s not here yet. You can ask me. That’s what I’m here for.”

“I don’t know. It’s the way he said it.”

Nicole wanted to growl, but she plastered on a bigger smile. “What was it about? Maybe I can spin something of my own.”

“No matter the woman, you can always find something attractive.”

“That’s true. The same can be said about men.”

He squinted as though trying to remember something else. “Talk to her. Listen. Get to know who she is. Keep it light.”

Sebastian broke his own rule, dammit. They hadn’t kept it light and now look where they were. Maybe she wouldn’t have lost her mind if he’d pretended not to notice how upset she’d been. If he hadn’t held her when she’d cried, there wouldn’t be an ache now. Maybe, if she hadn’t wanted to keep all of Limelight and her heart too,there wouldn’t be an ache..

“For tonight that’s perfect advice.” She glanced at him. “What exactly can’t you remember?”

“What to say first. To get to know her.”

“Have I seen you before?” Sebastian’s voice broke in.

She gripped the clutch purse and turned around. “It’s a cheesy line that gets you nowhere.”

But it’s what Sebastian had said when he sat on the barstool beside her when they first met. If he hadn’t said those words with a mile-wide grin, she would have sent him on his way. If she had, Nicole wouldn’t be feeling the stupid ache in her chest now.

The bastard.

“You should go mingle,” Sebastian said. “Standing next to your publicist makes you look like a loner.”

“I am one.”

Sebastian tsked. “Appearances, remember?”

“A minimum of one drink,” Nicole reminded him.

“One real sip. Six closed-mouth ones and then give the rest to a passing waiter,” Sebastian added.

“And then pick up another,” Jeremiah finished for them. “I will find someone else to be around. Together you guys are worrisome.”

And then her only excuse to not look at Sebastian walked off into the crowd of dancing couples. Nicole faced the front again. She had to remind herself to let go of the tight hold on the purse and to look relaxed, poised. She’d practiced in the mirror and knew he wouldn’t be able to see how much being this close to him unnerved her.

“He’s only socially awkward around women,” Sebastian noted.

“I know. That’s why he kept rescheduling.”

“You knew?”

“Of course. I did my research. He’s an adult male who never had a long-term relationship. Ever. He’s the reason why the stereotype of geeks living through their avatar lives on. Why else do you think I signed him up to do a bachelor auction?”

“Doesn’t hurt pretty much every woman in here is drooling over him.”

“I’m not blind.” Nicole clenched her teeth to keep from saying more and glanced at him.

Intent, his gaze stayed on her face. She could see the longing still there, and it damn near broke her. Sooner or later it would disappear. It had to. Not like before. This time it would.

“Well,” she said and gestured to the room.

“We should mingle.”

“Right.”

Neither of them moved for a second. She took a step to the left at the same time he did.

Sebastian sighed. “I’ll be going right.”

“Good. Good.” She made her escape and headed straight for the bathroom to let go of the appearance of being fine, of not wanting him in every way, for a little while. She could tell herself over and over again being near him hadn’t made her heart flutter at all.

*****

Sebastian gave himself that one moment alone in the banquet hall’s hallway to feel regret and the emptiness in his chest. He could hear the bathroom doors opening and closing around the corner, but no one came his way and left him to it.

He should have said something. Apologize first and then he knew Nicole would’ve too for accusing him of fucking her into submission. That was far from the truth and so belittling to what they shared. He could see the longing for them to make it all right in her gaze. He hated this and wanted to put things back to where he was her lover and didn’t mind the label at all.

Except they’d screwed it up, and neither of their personalities allowed for going back. He cursed and slammed his palm against the wall. He would have done it again, but he heard the methodical click of heels and pulled himself together.

Anna moved seamlessly down the hallway, her hair up in a twist. The black dress looked elegant—so unlike the woman. A frown marred her brow. “Sebastian, I was looking for you. We need to talk.”

He hadn’t gotten a word in edgewise during their last meeting. Since his head was elsewhere after arguing with Nicole, he hadn’t minded.

“Sure.”

“I noticed the little exchange between you and Nicole.”

Everything within him went on alert. He didn’t like the tone of this conversation, and she hadn’t even started yet. “I don’t have a bad word to speak about her. She’s an incredible publicist. A much more incredible publicity manager. Seeing the work she did for Limelight is the reason I decided to work for you in the first place.”

“Of course you wouldn’t have a bad thing to say about her.” Her tone grew snide. “And, of course, you decided to work for me because of her.”

She pulled out her phone and checked something as though he or this conversation was on her to-do list. That pissed him off, but Anna had a tendency to disregard common courtesy with her employees.

She sighed and met his gaze again. “I think we should be clear about her. Before I hired you, I planned to make her managing director. I’m a business woman and money talks. Something I think we can both understand.”

Lead lined his stomach. No wonder Nicole had been so pissed, so hurt. She’d believed Sebastian had a hand in her not becoming a co-managing director. Fuck, no. He’d assumed Anna would do the right thing and split what was left of the business with Nicole. If not for her, Anna wouldn’t have had half of her clients.

Wary, but still on alert, he said, “Money talks for me because I have a long-term plan which includes running my own PR company. Leaving my last agency, where I was getting nowhere fast, and buying into your business puts me where I should have been two years ago.”

“And as a business-minded man, emphasis on man, you should know better than to fuck the help. End it. I’d really hate to have to get rid of her because you couldn’t control yourself.”

Sebastian took a step forward, cold spreading from his from his heart to head. At the moment they both agreed about what needed to be done. He had been played and used to hurt Nicole. And, Nicole had been played and used for far too long.

Anger shot adrenalin into his system. Sebastian stepped into shoes he’d worn a long, long time ago. There wasn’t any question how he felt about Nicole. The last time he felt this cold instinct to destroy he’d been a young man still reeling from heartache.

“Are you finished?” His voice could have cut glass. Anna stepped back. “I think we do need to be very clear about Nicole Harrison. You wouldn’t have a business if not for her. She’s carried you for the last couple of years. For whatever reason she didn’t push you into making her a director. She’s not ruthless, which is a good thing for you.”

He took another step and Anna’s hand went to her throat. Good. “Unfortunately for you, I am, and I care a great deal about Nicole Harrison. You will never again call her
the help.
Nor will you describe what we do as fucking. What we do after hours is no longer any of your business. Matter of fact, since we’ll be signing papers soon, what we do during business hours is also none of your concern.”

He smiled and he knew it was one of a shark. “Lastly, are you aware that
getting rid of her
, in the manner in which you imply, might be considered quid pro quo? Not only is that an insult to a woman who has worked tirelessly to be your best publicist, it’s just a heinous thing to say. And because I do care a great deal about Nicole Harrison, I take offense on her behalf. I think this requires an apology before I hand over any money.”

Another step and her eyes bugged out of her head. “I’m sorry for the way I spoke about Nicole.”

“Not good enough.” He tilted his head back. “I’m going to give you a moment to think
really
hard about what’s a sufficient way to show you too care a great deal about Nicole. Let me draw you a picture.” He whipped out his phone. “Now my contacts aren’t as impressive as hers, but the ones I do have pack a punch. As you know, I have a way to make people listen.”

He paused to let his words sink in, really well, and then said, “First order of business would be letting Nicole know exactly what you said and how you said it. I’m guessing she’d love to share her contacts with me afterward. I will then go through the list and methodically call each and every single one of them and let them know I’m starting a business with
the Nicole Harrison.
”

He put his phone up for her to see the contact. She paled. He put his phone back in his pocket. “Now I do think she coddles her clients a little too much, but again she’s not ruthless like me. That has made quite a few people loyal to her, not the PR firm.”

He held her gaze. “With that said, what do you think would happen?”

Anna looked nauseated, but she forced a smile to her lips because she was in the PR business. Appearance was everything. “So glad we had this talk. I think the next best course of action is to split what’s between us and include Nicole in this new partnership. An equal share for all of us. If that sounds good to you?”

“It does.”

Anna made a noise between an assent and a whimper. “I’ll drink to this new and surprising avenue.”

He smiled again. “You do that.”

Anna stepped away and faltered. He followed the woman’s gaze. Nicole stood at the end of the hallway. Nothing on her face showed she’d heard the conversation, but it wouldn’t. She nodded to Anna as the woman passed by and then disappeared around the corner. With pursed lips she walked to him, stopped an arm’s distance away.