“That was the first place I looked. He’s definitely targeted my grandfather’s company, and from the list of shareholders that was in his possession, I’m wondering if Remington empire is going to try and buy them out.”
“We can’t let him do that. Half of the people in Maple Springs depend on the company to keep food on the table.”
“You’re not telling me anything new.” Nicole rubbed her forehead. The throb in her foot was matching the persistent pain in her head. “Now what?”
Mary sighed heavily. “Now is when I come up and we take some pictures.”
Nicole grimaced and her stomach churned. “Mary, I don’t know...”
“Stop it, Nicole. This was part of the plan, and you know it. Now listen for my knock and let me in. This needs to be done before he awakens.”
“But blackmailing a billionaire—”
The line lost connection. Nicole groaned and massaged her forehead as she moved back to the bed. She couldn’t possibly go through with Mary’s plan. There must be another way. Although Mick Remington would ruin people’s lives when he took over the company, she would ruin his life with these pictures. Two wrongs didn’t make a right. And yet, this was her grandfather’s company she fought for. This would behercompany one day.
Cautiously, she crawled on the bed and touched Mick’s neck to find his pulse. She sighed with relief that it was still strong.
She placed her hand on his chest and frowned. She needed to undress him. Well, at least unbutton his shirt and pants. Her gaze dropped to his belt buckle and her hand moved to that spot, but as soon as she touched the square steel of the buckle, she snapped her hand away. No! She wasn’t going to undo his pants – and neither was Mary.
Nicole redirected her hands. One-by-one, she slid the buttons loose from his shirt. As his chest came into view, she found herself holding her breath. Dang, he was built like Adonis. And his muscles...oh my!
Once his shirt was unbuttoned, she pushed his shirt open wider. Her throat dried, and her hands itched to touch his smooth-looking chest. He wouldn’t know if she touched him just one time, this time to seek pleasure...
The small knock at the door startled her and she jumped off the bed as though it was on fire. Instead, it was her body that burned.
She hurried to the door and opened it. Mary stood in front of her, clutching a high-tech camera in one hand and an empty bottle of tequila in the other. Nicole grabbed Mary’s arm and yanked her inside before closing the door. Her friend’s eyes widened.
“Nikki? Why is your face so red?”
Nicole rolled her eyes. “I’ve been trying to tell you... I can’t go through with this.” She pointed to her face. “This is what happens when I unbutton a man’s shirt. I’m not the person for your blackmail scheme.”
“You unbuttoned...” Mary whipped around, looking for the bed. She gasped and rushed to the edge, staring down at the half-naked man. “Oh, glory,” she muttered as she tucked a small lock of her black hair behind her ear. “He’s better looking than I thought.”
“Imagine what he looks like awake.” Nicole folded her arms and tilted her head. “His eyes are dreamy enough to melt a glacier.”
Mary snickered. “What? He’s already melted you?”
Nicole huffed and slapped her friend’s arm. “No, and I don’t plan on letting him.”
Mary motioned toward the bed. “Get on the bed and help me maneuver him. I brought this empty liquor bottle to have in the picture. It’ll make him look like he’s passed out drunk.”
Mary opened her purse and pulled out a bra. Nicole gasped. “Why did you bringthat?”
“Blackmailing someone means they need to be in situations that they’re embarrassed about. If the pictures with him looking like a drunk won’t work, this bra will.” Mary’s grin widened. “We’ll make it look like he wears women’s—”
“Absolutely not!” Nicole’s voice rose before she realized she needed to whisper. She scowled at her friend and lowered her voice again. “You have a warped mind, Mary.”
Her friend moved closer. “Remember, we’re doing this to save the company.”
Nicole sighed. Why did they have to be so deceitful while trying to keep their jobs? “Fine.”
Nicole crawled on the bed. Mary moved to the other side to help adjust Mick on the bed, but as she started to scoot him, Mick groaned and turned on his own, rolling toward Nicole. She met Mary’s wide eyes. Both of them froze, waiting to see what Mick would do next.
“Did you give him both pills?” Mary asked.
Nicole nodded. “Maybe he’s waking up.”
“No,” Mary whispered, “he’s probably just having a dream.”
