Keeping Her Guilty Secret (Forever Yours Trilogy) (4 page)

Max lifted an eyebrow and shot his brother a withering glare. “Don’t bother.”

“You can make the salad, Reed,” she said.

Max stepped around the butcher block island to the stove. Nicole tossed him her apron. “Just in case you need to protect your clothes, you know, from any splatters.” His laughter ensured he understood her reference to him wearing her coveralls earlier. Gorgeous, he smelled good, was sexy as all get out, nice, liked his parents, and he could laugh at himself, too. Oh yes, hard to resist, indeed.

He grinned at her, folded over the top part, which had hung around her neck and tied the strings around his waist.

“Step aside and let the master have at it.”

He gave her a wink and pulled her out of the way. Their eyes met. Her pulse rate soared and every nerve ending inside tingled. He dropped her hand and she stepped away. Had he been as affected by the contact as she?

The kitchen door burst open and Kate entered. “Good, I’m not late.”

“You’re just in time,” Nicole replied and set to work mashing the potatoes.

They sat down at the table, and Max took the seat opposite her. Ashley regaled them with more wedding plans while they ate, although Nicole wouldn’t have been able to recite them back if her life depended on it. Her only focus had been on Max. The way his strong hands gripped the utensils and deftly sliced the meat on his plate, the satisfaction evident in his grin when Reed begrudgingly admitted the gravy was delicious, and the heat in his eyes when he glanced over at her and found her staring at him. It sparked an answering fire inside her.

“What do you think, Nicole?”

Oh crap.
“About what?”

“Max returning to Paradis and McNamara?” Reed asked.

Returning?
Okay, Obviously she’d missed something important here.

“Well?” Ashley prompted.

“Um . . .”

Ashley’s eyes narrowed. “You haven’t been paying attention to a word we’ve been saying.”

Nope. She’d been ogling Max. Fantasizing. Again. “I think it’s up to Max.”

“You don’t have a problem working with me?”

She glanced up at Max and found him gazing down at her with those gorgeous sapphire blue eyes. Tiny frissons of pleasure radiated through her. How was she going to get any work done when one look from him got her all hot and bothered? But, no way could she tell him that mortifying little truth. “No, of course not.”

Reed smiled. “Good, then you’re out of excuses, Max. There’s no reason why you can’t come back.”

Max shot him a stony glare. “I’ll think about it.”

Max didn’t want to return to Paradis and McNamara, the company he’d started from scratch? Why? Oh yes, she’d definitely missed something important while gawking at him and not paying attention to the conversation going on around her.

The front doorbell ringing a few minutes later was a welcome relief to the sudden tension that filled the air. “I’ll go see who it is.”

She opened the door and immediately tried to slam it shut again.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

Carlo stuck a foot in the opening before it closed and forced his way in. “Not so fast, sweetheart.”

Nicole glared at him. “I am
not
your sweetheart.”

“Baby,” he chided and ran his hand down her cheek. “Is that any way to talk to me after everything we meant to each other?”

She slapped his hand away. “I meant nothing to you. Now, get out of here.”

“No problem. Just give me my money and I’ll leave.”

“Will you keep your voice down? My sisters are inside and if they come in here, there won’t be any reason to pay you.”

“I want my money,” he repeated. “And you will pay me or you know what will happen.”

No! “Carlo, be reasonable.”

His eyes bore down into hers. “I have been reasonable and I’ve given you enough time to come up with the cash.”

She squashed the fine tremors racing through her. “It’s only been two days, and I don’t have that kind of cash sitting around.”

He grabbed her wrist. “Then I suggest you start liquidating your assets. Now.”

What assets? She didn’t have any. She tried to pull away from him. “You’re hurting me.”

He yanked her back and squeezed her wrist harder. “I—want—
my
—money.”

“Let go, or I’m going to call the police.”

“Nicole, is everything all right? I heard someone at the door.”

Carlo dropped her hand.

Max ambled over, put an arm around her shoulder, and kissed her cheek. “I didn’t realize we had company. I’m Max Paradis. And you are?”

Carlo’s lips tightened into a thin white line. “This is obviously a bad time. I’ll call you later, and we’ll continue our conversation then.”

She closed the door and let out a sigh of relief as Carlo’s car sped off down the road.

Max raised his eyebrows and eyed her curiously. “So, ex-boyfriend or what?”

“He’s none of your business.”

“Okay, but I heard you threaten to call the police.”

Dear lord, what else had he heard?

Max cupped her chin and gazed down at her. “You’ve gone pale. Does he bother you often?”

She shook her head.

“Let me help you, Nicole. There are legal ways of making him stay away from you.”

His care and compassion soothed her battered soul. Maybe she could confide in him?

“I’m concerned for your welfare,” he said quietly. “You seemed frightened of him. If he hurts you—”

“I . . . He—” She closed her eyes. They barely knew each other. How could she consider trusting him with her secret? What if he didn’t believe her? No one else had. Reed would fire her if he learned the truth. Same as her previous employer. Worse, he might end his relationship with Ashley because of the things she’d done.
No way will I ruin Ashley’s happiness!
She jerked away from him. “It’s none of your concern.”

“Okay, okay, I was just trying to help.”

Right. He was being nice, again, while she was being down right nasty. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. It’s just—”

“You don’t have to apologize. I shouldn’t have interrupted.”

“No, I’m glad you came along when you did. He . . .”

Max rested a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “He what?”

The door to the kitchen opened, and Ashley stepped through. She shot them a wary glance. “Is everything okay in here? We heard loud voices.”

Nicole stepped away from Max and the comfort his gesture had provided. “Everything’s fine.”

Ashley frowned. “Who was at the door?”

“Wrong address,” she lied. “They were looking for the McNaughtons.”

Ashley shrugged. “Oh. By the way, do you have any plans for tonight? I’m hoping we can start looking for fabric for my dress. Spring break is over at the end of the week and I want you to have as much time as possible to work on my gown while I’m here.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t today.” No way could she give up another waitressing shift. “How about tomorrow, or Tuesday, after work?”

Ashley’s face fell, but then her expression cleared. “Ah, you’re seeing your mystery man again tonight. This guy must be pretty special to you. You’ve been seeing a lot of him for the last few months.”

Max’s lips tightened. She’d been seeing that asshole for a few months? And yet she’d kissed
him
with wild passion—and responded
to him.
Why had he thought Nicole different from the rest of her sex? What an idiot he’d been.

Would he ever learn?

Chapter 5

On Tuesday evening, Nicole browsed among the many tables loaded with decorative baskets and other items at the silent auction being held to benefit the college where Kate attended school.

The gymnasium floor sparkled and the wooden bleachers had been pushed back to open up the room. Throngs of community supporters gathered around roulette and poker tables to cheer players on. Others surrounded the craps tables and a small crowd congregated near the entrance for a game of Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Several slot machines set on the right side of the room completed the makeshift casino.

Since she wasn’t much of a gambler, Nicole spent her time roaming through the displayed items deciding which to bid on.

The crowd roared and she turned to see what had caused the ruckus. Max sat at one of the roulette tables, a wide grin on his face.

What was he doing here? Curious, she went over and joined the growing mob surrounding him and, heaven help her, just one glimpse of him dressed in a Hickey Freeman traditional black tuxedo with a crisp white cotton shirt had her heart pounding. He was easily the most handsome man in the place.

He placed another, rather large, bet on the table. The croupier spun the black ball opposite the moving wheel. A hushed silence fell over the group while the ball jumped and skipped. It lost momentum and landed on a number.

“Lucky seven,” the dealer cried.

The crowd erupted with another roar of cheers.

Max gathered his winnings along with the three stacks of chips in front of him and handed all of them to the man standing beside him. “My donation to the college, Jerry,” he said.

Jerry scoffed. “Too bad this isn’t real.”

“I’ll make a contribution worth the total winnings.”

Jerry’s eyes widened. “But, there must be at least ten thousand here.”

Max grinned. “Lucky for the school.”

His eyes caught hers and his expression sobered.

“Hello, Nicole.”

Cool. Aloof. Good. Much easier to resist. “Hello, Max.”

“What are you doing here?”

She wondered the same about him. “Kate studies art here at the school. What about you?”

Jerry grinned and clapped Max on the shoulder. “Max here is an alum of the business school.” He extended his hand toward her. “I’m Jerry Thorndike.”

Nicole shook his hand. “The college president?”

“Yes, that’s me, and you are?”

She smiled. “Nicole Bradford.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Nicole. How do you know Max?”

“My sister, Ashley, is engaged to Max’s brother.”

Jerry winked at her. “Well, if your sister is half as lovely as you, then Reed is one lucky man.”

Max growled. “Lay off, Jerry, or I’ll tell your wife.”

Jerry waved off his threat. “I’m a notorious flirt, but she puts up with me because she knows I’m head-over-heels in love with her.”

Her smile widened. “That’s so sweet.”

Max scowled, grabbed her hand and turned to leave with her in tow. “Later, Jerry.”

“Hey, wait a minute. I wasn’t through—”

He stopped and glared down at her. “You shouldn’t flirt with him. He’s a married man.”

“I wasn’t flirting. It’s called being nice. And, what business is it of yours anyway?”

Color invaded Max’s cheeks.

Jerry laughed. “Nice meeting you, Nicole.”

She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a little wave. “You, too.”

Max glowered. Which of them he was more annoyed with, she wasn’t sure.

“Are we going to see you on Thursday, Max?” Jerry asked.

“I’ll think about it.”

Nicole’s eyebrows furrowed. “Think about what?”

“The guys are getting together to play over at Jake’s place on Thursday night. Jerry asked me to join them.”

Ah . . .
A friendly game of poker with the boys. “You and Jerry must go way back.”

He nodded. “Since freshman year of high school.”

“Are the other guys friends from high school, too?”

“Yes. I can’t believe they’re still playing together. I thought the group broke up after Jimmy got married.”

Broke up?
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not talking about getting together for a game of cards?”

His belly laugh had another wide smile spreading across her face.

“No, I was talking about the band we had back in the day.”

“You were in a band?”

“Yes.”

Nicole let out a loud snort. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t seem the type.”

He arched up an eyebrow and stared down at her, an arrogant expression on his handsome face.

The look would have had most people retracting the statement they’d had the audacity to make and apologizing profusely. Not her. The haughty expression made her grin. Again. “What did you play?”

“Guitar. Sometimes drums.”

She regarded him thoughtfully. “Yes, I can see a little bit of bad boy rocker in you after all.”

He chuckled, and there were those warm tingles skittering down her spine again. Okay, there was more to him than good looks and a sexy smile. He was kind and nice. Not to mention he’d come to her rescue when Carlo showed up at her house and issued more threats. Sure, she didn’t
need
a man, but maybe . . .
Oh yes, definitely in a whole lotta trouble, here.
“Are you going to do it?”

“Probably not, I haven’t played in years.”

“Come on, you know there’s a part of you, deep down inside, that wants to.”

His eyes narrowed. “Oh really? You think you know me so well after just a few days?”

No, but she wanted to. And that was the trouble. She gave a casual shrug. “It was only an observation based on the fact that you seemed happy when you reminisced about it. I must have been wrong.”

“Ah, right.”

She tried not to smile at the picture he made, with his imperious expression and a little embarrassment thrown in for good measure, but couldn’t quite mask her amusement.

“So . . .” He shifted uneasily.

When he made no move to further their conversation she said, “It was nice seeing you again, Max. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” She turned away and walked back to the silent auction tables, making a concerted effort to shut Max’s handsome face from her mind.

“What are you bidding on?”

His deep, rumbly voice startled her. She turned and stared up at those gorgeous smiling eyes and wide grin. Her heart skipped a beat.

“I want to make sure you don’t outbid me on the Devil’s Head ski package.”

She gestured toward the table. “By all means.”

“You don’t like skiing?”

She shook her head. “No. I mean I love to ski, but I wasn’t planning to make an offer for the package.” The bidding had already exceeded two thousand dollars, putting it out of her reach. Practically everything here was out of her reach from a financial perspective, especially with the upcoming wedding.

Don’t forget Carlo’s threats,
the voice inside her taunted, even though she wanted to do just that.

Max eyed her curiously, then jotted down an offer that made her eyes bulge.

“Maybe we can all go if I win?”

Spend the weekend with Max?

The memory of his kiss flitted into her mind, the way his tongue stroked over hers, how his mouth caressed, nibbled . . . A shiver skittered down her spine and she almost groaned out loud. No way.
Not even going to consider the possibility.
“Maybe we can.” The words were out before her brain could stop them.
Oh, lord, please, let somebody outbid him.

None of the items remaining on the table captured her interest so she moved on to the next. Max followed.

“Wait,” he said when they passed by a golf basket. He doubled back and threw down a bid. “Do you play?”

She laughed. “Not in the sense you’re referring to.”

He grinned. “Oh, do tell.”

“I play what Ashley refers to as aerobic golf.”

He tilted his head as if considering her words. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of the game. How does one play?”

“It’s very easy and doesn’t take much practice at all. As a matter of fact, even a novice can excel at aerobic golf in no time.” She hunched over as if getting into a golfing stance. “You address the ball as you do in the normal version, only when you swing, you miss. Then you swing and miss a few more times, hence the aerobic part.” His warm chuckle made her stomach flutter.
Oh my.
“Anyway, after several curses and grumbling about needing a bigger face on the club or better yet a bigger ball to aim at, you pick up said ball, let out a disgusted snort and shove it into your pocket, then stomp back to the cart, where you drown your sorrows in an ice-cold beer. Then you repeat the process again on the next hole.”

He let out one of his belly laughs again. Lord, she could get used to hearing that on a regular basis.

A voice came over the PA system and announced there were only five more minutes left before the bidding closed.

Max grabbed her hand. “Come on, let’s see what else there is.”

She turned and dragged him in the opposite direction. “Over here. I want to see what the bidding is at for the baseball tickets.”

Max stopped in mid stride. “You like baseball?” he asked hopefully.

She grinned and started moving again. It was a long shot, but she might just have enough to get the two tickets up for grabs. “Damn straight, I do.”

He shook his head. “Don’t toy with me, woman. You never toy with a man when it comes to baseball.”

She crossed her heart. “Swear to god, diehard fan here.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “White Sox or Cubs?”

“Born and raised on the Sox. My dad had season tickets. He took me to every weekend game when I was little. Taught me every stat for every player for the last twenty years.”

He eyed her skeptically, “Prove it. Who was . . . ?”

His words trailed off and the grin on his face disappeared, then every muscle in his body froze. She turned around to see what had caused the change in his mood. Eve Pendleton, one of the researchers from Paradis and McNamara, stood two tables away, a horrified expression on her face.

Interesting.
Obviously something had gone on between them in the past and it hadn’t ended well. But what? An affair gone sour? No, she couldn’t imagine Eve staying with the firm if that had been the case. She couldn’t.

Reason number three not to get involved with Max, especially if he changed his mind and returned to Paradis and McNamara.

Maybe Eve had been the one to end things? It might explain the anger radiating from every pore of his skin.

Eve seemed to recover first. She held her head high and strode toward them. Oh yes, something had definitely gone on between them.

“Hello, Nicole,” she said with a smile, then she turned to Max. Her smile faded.

Was that fear on Eve’s face? Nicole wondered. No, it couldn’t be.

“I heard you were back in the States. When did you return?” Eve asked.

Max’s lips tightened and a muscle in his neck twitched. “A few days ago.”

“Welcome home,” Eve said.

Max let out a disgusted snort.

“Here you are, Eve.”

Nicole turned to see who belonged to the melodic voice that cut through the palpable tension. A woman with dark curly hair came forward and joined their little group.

The color drained from Max’s face. If he’d been angry when Eve arrived on the scene, he was furious now.

“So, it’s true,” the newcomer said. “I wondered if we’d run into you here tonight.”

Who is she?
Nicole raised her eyebrow at Max in mute question, but he didn’t respond. He probably didn’t even see the gesture. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the newcomer.

“We shouldn’t have come,” Eve muttered.

“Nonsense. I’m an alum of the business school, same as Max,” the newcomer said, then wrapped her arm around Eve and kissed her.

Nicole’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the type of kiss you gave a friend or a family member. It was soft and slow and extremely intimate. One two lovers would share. Not that she had a problem with that. It was just . . . unexpected.

Max flinched.

The newcomer ignored him and turned to face Nicole. “Since Max is being extremely rude, I’ll introduce myself.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Angela, Max’s ex-wife.”