“I have to say, Lulu, we were all blown away by your designs.”
“All?” I ask, arching an eyebrow. I know Will knows who I am referring to with my question.
“Yes, of course.” Will’s cheeks go pink. He’s a terrible liar. Which must be a drawback for a lawyer, I think. I let it go. I already know whowasn’tblown away. There’s no need to embarrass Will by asking.
On my way out, I’m not so lucky. Nick comes to the door of his office as though he was lying in wait for me.
“Ms MacLeod. How nice to see you again.” He looks like a shark about to attack when he smiles at me. If I didn’t already know he was a lawyer, I could take a good guess based on his expression alone. “I was wondering if I might have a word. Regarding my office.”
With Will standing beside me, there is no way I can politely decline. “Of course, Mr Pierce. What would you like to discuss?”
Without a word, he steps to the side and sweeps his arm through his open office door so I have no choice but to enter, getting a lungful of his delicious cologne as I pass, which sets off all sorts of unwelcome reactions in my lady parts.
“Okay, well, I’ll leave Nick to see you out, Lulu. I look forward to seeing those minor adjustments and getting started.” Will pumps my hand, his eyes flicking from my face to Nick’s, seeming to sense something is afoot, before he returns to his office.
“Please, have a seat.” Nick indicates a chair and perches on the edge of his desk, crossing his legs at the ankles and folding his arms, body language stiff and uncomfortable. I remain standing. Whatever it is he wants to say, I’ll listen and get out as quickly as possible. Being too close to Nick Pierce is not healthy for me.
“I’m fine standing. What is it you wanted to say?” My pulse is racing, and I don’t know whether it’s seeing his gorgeous face again, nerves at what he wants to say, or maybe anger because he made some negative comments about my designs. Oh, let’s face it. It’s all of the above. What I do know is that if I sit down, my leg will start to jiggle, and I really don’t need him to witness that. I feel myself crossing my arms in a classic protection move mirroring Nick’s, and I have to force them down to my sides. Showing fear is not an option when faced with a shark. The air in his office is thick with tension.
“I wanted to apologise.” His tone is formal, making it clear he is trying to establish some distance between us. Which should feel good but somehow has the reverse effect.
“Apologise? For what exactly? For your appalling behaviour on Friday? Or for not even giving my designs a fair and unbiased viewing?”
If he had the grace to look even a little bit ashamed, I might have been able to calm down. But his face remains a mask, although he can’t seem to quite meet my eye, and there’s a distinct pinkness on his perfect cheekbones.
“Both.”
“Right. Well, you can keep your heartfelt apologies, Nick. I have no need for them. Or of your good opinion.”
“I assure you my apologies are genuine, Ms MacLeod, and I am well aware you haven’t the slightest concern for my good opinion. You do, however, have them both. Your designs for the offices were impressive and professional, and it was churlish of me not to say so. I wasn’t …” He peters off, and as his silver eyes finally lock with mine, a jolt of arousal shoots straight to my core. Dammit.
“You weren’t …?” My whole body is hot, cheeks flaming, nipples tight. My voice quivers ever so slightly.
“I wasn’t thinking clearly. I was taken aback by the … intensity of what had happened. And concerned you might misinterpret my intentions.”
My spine stiffens.
“Yes, because you’ve made it quite clear you’re completely smitten with me.” Ah, sarcasm, my old friend. “Let me reassure you. I’m not that naïve, Nick. Nor that blind.”
“No. Your message was delivered, loud and clear.” He looks down as if contemplating the tips of his shoes.
“Right. Well, if that’s all, I’ll be on my way.” I turn to leave, but he stops me with a gentle hand on my arm. I feel it all the way to the bone.
“There was one more thing, actually. It appears we didn’t use any form of,”— he clears his throat, visibly uncomfortable with what he’s about to say— “protection.”
That stops me cold. He’s right. Shit. I’d forgotten that priceless little detail. I never do that. Even though I have an implant, I always insist on a condom.
“Worried I might try and trap you, Nick?” Which is a bitchy thing to say in the circumstances, but as always, I can’t seem to help myself with him.
He looks a little offended. “If you were to find yourself pregnant, I assure you I would take my responsibility very seriously. You need have no concerns on that score. I also want to reassure you there is no risk of me passing on any infections.” His tone is so formal I can almost imagine him as a Victorian gentleman caller. It’s pretty obvious this whole conversation is torture for him.
“I’m clean too. And you don’t need to worry about being my baby daddy. I have an implant. So, it looks like we’re all good.” And even though we’re talking about pregnancy and STIs, my body continues to heat, remembering the feel of his hands and mouth and cock, imprinted on my skin like an invisible tattoo.
“I’m glad. I just wanted to clear the air and make sure we both understood where we stand.” Despite his cool words, I feel the heat rolling off him in waves. He finally looks up and his gaze burns as it travels my face from my eyes to my lips. I don’t remember moving, but somehow, I’m right in front of him. He straightens from the desk, uncrossing his arms and suddenly we’re nearly touching.
“Wedon’t stand anywhere, Nick. I’m here to do a job. Nothing more.” My voice is a husky whisper.
“Good. You’re a very attractive woman, Ms MacLeod, but there can be no further … personal contact between us. It would be improper and ill-advised.” His words feel like lines from a Regency romance novel. I picture him as Mr Darcy, and despite the circumstances, almost smile.
