“Mick, sweetie-pie.” Tara hurried toward him on three-inch black stilettos, her long hair flapping behind her.
“Tara? What are you doing here?” He walked toward her.
“Mick, I’m so glad I caught you before you left.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a kiss on the mouth.
He quickly broke the kiss, not wanting the paparazzi to see and take pictures. Nicole’s heartbroken face flashed through his mind and tightened his chest, once again.
“Tara? Why are you here?”
“You called me yesterday, remember?”
“Of course, I remember, but my message told you to call me back – not come to Maple Springs. I’ll be very busy closing a big case.”
She laughed in a sultry voice. “But I thought it would be more fun to surprise you. I’ve never been to Colorado.” She glanced at the mountains and frowned. “I had imagined there’d be more snow, though.”
He rolled his eyes. “Tara, it’s not even October. There won’t be snow for at least another month, maybe later.”
“That’s okay. We’ll have more time to be together.” She batted her fake eyelashes.
“No, Tara. I’m here on business. I don’t have time for pleasure.”
“No time at all?” She pouted. “You always make time for pleasure.”
He kissed her cheek and pulled away. “Tara, go get yourself a room at the hotel and rest for a while. I’m sure you’re exhausted from jet-lag. We’ll have dinner tonight and talk.”
She smiled and grasped his hands. “Oh, yes. I have so much to tell you about my trip to Switzerland.”
Inwardly, he groaned. He’d definitely have to start off their conversation tonight. If he let her tell him about her trip, he’d never be able to break up with her. She wouldn’t give him any time to speak.
“Tonight, at seven. Okay?” He turned toward his car.
“Okay, Mick. Love you.”
He climbed in the car, not wanting to give her a reply. He didn’t love Tara. He’d never had those kinds of feelings for the super-model, and it wasn’t until he’d shared that electrifying kiss with Nicole that he realized he needed to break things off with his current girlfriend. There was no use making Tara think there was more to their relationship when there wasn’t.
Ten minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of Adkins Dev-Tech. Once again, he was hit with nostalgic memories. This was where he’d met James Adkins – the man who’d treated Mick as though he was very important and meaningful in his life. James knew who Mick’s father was, but Adkins had never held that against him. It was actually his relationship with James that had made Mick want to get to know his father better.
That had been a huge mistake. Although it had made Mick a rich man, he’d rather be a hard-working poor man with a father who loved him without limitations. Money didn’t amount to unconditional love. Not in his father’s life.
Mick grabbed his briefcase and hurried into the three-story building. As he entered the elevator, he checked the time on his cell phone.Three minutes late!That was unacceptable for Mick Remington.
The elevator took forever, it seemed, but when he finally exited onto the floor where Nicole’s office was located, he took quick steps toward her office. Just before reaching it, the door opened, and she walked out, holding her briefcase.
His legs locked, stopping him in mid-stride, and his breath caught in his throat. She was gorgeous. Why had he never noticed one this lovely before?
The cream-colored dress she wore fell to her knees. The form-fitting garment hugged her delightful curves that made his mind whirl in several different directions. Her black heels complemented the black trim of the neckline and flared sleeves.
She’d left her hair long today, and the brown locks fell over her shoulders and down her back. Silently, he prayed that he’d be able to focus during their meeting today, but he doubted the Lord would respond to Mick’s prayer. In fact – he grinned – he looked forward to itnotbeing answered.
“Oh, good. I’m glad you’re finally here,” Nicole said as she walked by him. “I have gathered the shareholders together. We’ll be in the conference room. Follow me.”
Followher? Inwardly, he groaned. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see the backside of her, knowing full well what she’d look like since he’s ogled her several times already from that angle.
It wasn’t until he walked into the conference room when his brain finally registered what she’d said. They wouldn’t be alone today. The shareholders would join their meeting.
In a way, this was a good thing. Then Mick wouldn’t try to charm his way back into her heart again. With the others present, Mick had no other choice but to concentrate on doing his job.
They both sat at the table; Nicole at the head and Mick to her right. The others in the group – six men and one woman – pierced him with their glares. Apparently, they knew who he was and had heard of the Remington reputation.
