Bait: Alpha Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (5 page)

Chapter 6

The sun disappeared fast over the horizon when I finally left the office. I huddled at the edge of the sidewalk waiting for a cab, the bright yellow neon lights of the Chinese takeout place across the street mocking me. I knew inside it was warm and toasty. With delicious grub that could fill the rumbling hole in my midsection. But I’d need my first paycheck before I could partake. Massive student loans coupled with the expense of the city had wiped me out.

It was chilly out tonight, I hadn’t planned on leaving so late, so had forgotten my heavier jacket. Together with my short skirt and the thin fabric of my blouse, I wasn’t prepared to wait more than a couple of minutes for a ride. Where were all the taxis in Manhattan tonight?

My feet already ached, so hoofing it across town to my apartment was out of the question. I guess the bus was my only other option on this chilly night. Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned to see that Nolan was at my side, whistling a show tune from Wicked. His hands in the pockets of a wool coat.

“Nolan,” I said as my eyes swept over his stylish frame, complete with Burberry scarf. “I thought you’d already left for the day.”

“No, late meeting with my father,” he replied as his black, polished town car pulled to the curb. “May I offer you a ride?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to ward off the sudden chill. “No, thank you,” I said, eyeing the car and eyeing him. Nothing good could come of getting in to that vehicle.

His soulful brown eyes scanned up and down my body from the gooseflesh on every inch of exposed skin to my warm breath brightening the evening air with its mist. The corners of his lush mouth tugged upward. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, the cool air taking my voice away. Or, maybe it was the fleeting fantasy of Nolan walking a few steps, closing the gap and warming me with the heat off his body.

He put his hand on the door handle. “It’s nice and warm in my car. I even have heated seats.”

“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

“Why would it be an inconvenience? I couldn’t forgive myself if I left a damsel in distress on the sidewalk to freeze to death. Now seriously, get in the car or I’ll have to write you up for insubordination.” He ruined the severity of his threat with a laugh as he motioned toward the car with his thumb. He opened the door and waved me over. “After you … Charlie.”

Well, when he put it like that, how could I say no? I slid inside the car, giving the driver my address.

He was right. The seats were heated; my tush had never felt so comfy. Gradually, the back of my thighs thawed out. Nolan got in after me, his legs touching mine as he settled. My fingers gripped at the edges of the leather seats as I desperately tried to think of something clever to say or do. God, I hated being out of my element. I never indulged in banter. Flirtation. Anything.

Never indulged.

Nolan reached inside of the beverage compartment and pulled out a bottle of rum and began making a drink with the skill of a bartender at the Ritz. “What a day,” he said. “Have you reconsidered my proposal for dinner? You have to be hungry.” He handed me a crystal glass filled with dark rum and some fruit concoction.

I took a tentative sip. It was delicious. “Mmm, sorry but I really can’t tonight. I promised my roommate that I would accompany her tonight to Ruffalos. Her boyfriend is celebrating his big 3-0.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so there’s no real hot date?”

I chuckled. “Not that it would be any of your business, but no. Just a night with friends.”

His perfect teeth widened into a voracious grin. “You could always stop by my place afterwards. We could have dessert.” With that, his hand reached over to brush a strand of hair away from my face.

My heart hammered as Nolan leaned close to me. His mouth so close to mine, his full lips opened slightly. He was going to kiss me. I leaned back, but he put both hands around my neck and pulled me forward as his mouth descended. It was a brief kiss, sweet and short. Like he was giving me a taste of what might come later. I brought my palms up to push him away, but it was as if all of my limbs had suddenly been reduced to liquid mush.

“Why did you do that?”

Damn, I needed to get out of this car before I did something I regretted. Like surrender. Why was Nolan so damn sexy? The driver braked suddenly when he saw the lights of HOT NAILS, the salon in the retail space below my apartment. I doubt that Nolan had ever graced this side of town, the East Village.

“Practicing for the Winter Ball. Are you having second thoughts?” Nolan asked when I didn’t get out of the car immediately.

The ache between my legs made me want to slide on his lap and show him my naughty side. The one I’d never explored but was starting to think I might possess. The one that made me want to unzip his pants and take him in my hand. The prudent professional in me knew that I couldn’t sleep with my boss — it wouldn’t end well. I reached over him for the door handle. “Goodnight, Mr. Banks.”

His hand was on mine before I could get it open. They were warm and strong. “Nolan. Anyone I’ve kissed is on a first name basis. You have my number if you change your mind.”

“I won’t.”

I brushed his hand aside and pulled on the handle. I was just someone he perceived as a challenge. Off limits. That was the only reason he wanted to pursue me in any way. And I could help him with the Grant Project fundraising. He leaned back to let me out, no doubt checking out my ass as I climbed over him. I hurried to my apartment entrance, half hoping he would follow me, and half hoping he would set his sights on someone else so I wouldn’t lose my job.

I turned around just as Nolan’s car pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the gloomy, cold night. I ran up three flights of stairs to my apartment, still remembering that lingering kiss, and pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge to calm my shaky nerves. I hoped I hadn’t screwed up by turning him down.

***

We pushed our way through the throng of the crowd at Ruffalo’s. It was almost midnight and I was ready to go home. After an exhausting day at work, the only thing I wanted to do was get in a hot bubbly bathtub and drink wine until I passed out. My roommate had other plans. Tonight was Kyle’s birthday party and he and Melissa were determined for me to meet someone.

“What about that guy over there?” Melissa asked pointing to a hulk of a man sitting on the barstool. He was looking our way. Like he wanted to throw me down.

I took a peek at him. He wore a pullover that showed off massive bulging biceps. The guy looked like he worked out twenty-four-seven. “Ick, Mel, gym rats are not my cup of tea.”

“Well, what about that guy? He’s been staring at you for the last fifteen minutes.” She nodded inconspicuously toward the other side of the bar.

I gasped when I looked over and saw him. Sitting in the VIP section, flanked by hoochies, with several bottles of champagne littering the table in front of him, sat Nolan Banks.

“That’s my new boss,” I commented, surprised my mouth functioned enough for words to come out.

Melissa squinted her eyes and took another look. “Nolan Banks is here?”

I hadn’t had the chance to tell her everything that had transpired between Nolan and me. Especially the invitation to the Winter Ball, the invite to dinner, and the kiss in the limo. “I guess so.”

“Well, go talk to him.” Melissa pushed me in his direction. “He obviously likes you.”

Nolan caught me staring back and he waved us over. I realized I couldn’t ignore him now without it being considered rude.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.” I grabbed Mel’s hand and dragged her across the dance floor to the VIP section, where you had to spend a minimum of ten thousand dollars on booze just to be let through the velvet ropes. I didn’t want to be alone with him again so soon.

Nolan met us at the entrance as I introduced my best friend to him. “Charlie has been a great asset to our company so far,” Nolan told her.

Melissa covered her mouth with a giggle. “She’s got a lot of great assets.”

My roommate was officially drunk.

Nolan cracked a smile, obviously amused by Melissa’s flirty intoxication. “It’s your boyfriend’s birthday, right?”

“Yeah.” Melissa pointed toward the bar. “He’s over there waiting for us.”

Nolan whispered something to the VIP attendant. “A round of drinks on me. Bring your boyfriend over here and all of you can join us. Let’s toast the big day with another bottle of Cristal.”

This felt like a big set-up to me. I forgot I’d told Nolan where I was going tonight. Obviously, he couldn’t take no for an answer when I told him that I couldn’t hang out with him. So he’d decided to come here instead. Stalk much? Jesus, he was exhibiting the same damn behavior he’d accused Georgia of engaging in. When Melissa went to retrieve her boyfriend, I took the opportunity to grab Nolan by the arm.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He waggled his eyebrows at me. “I kind of dig this new and feisty Charlie. What else do you get excited about, Ms. De Monaco? Do you squeal in ecstasy when you come? Scream a man’s name? Scream your own?”

I hissed in a breath at the crudeness of his comment. He must be drunk too.

“You know what I mean. You only came to Ruffalo’s because you knew that I would be here.” I threw my hands up. “What’s up with that? Don’t you have enough women in your contacts?”

“Calm down. I happen to have a good reason for being here tonight.” Nolan covered my hand with his and led me away to a quiet corner. We sat down on the sofa. “I had business here.”

I nodded to the bevy of gorgeous women who were still occupying the sofa where he was sitting earlier. “I see what you mean.”

Nolan laughed. “I’m part owner of Ruffalo’s. As my personal legal advisor, you should know that already.”

Shit.

He was right. I should know that. But Nolan and his family owned most of Manhattan. He’d hit me in my Achilles heel, but then he knew that already. He knew that I took my education and professional reputation very seriously.

“You’re right. I was just surprised to see you here,” I said. “The timing seemed a little … off.”

Nolan brushed his hand across my shoulder and down to my collarbone. I trembled under his touch and hoped he was too drunk to realize the effect he had on me. “I’m glad you’re here. So I can do this again. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind, Charlie. How you feel. How you taste.”

He brushed his lips against mine, tasting of strawberries and champagne. I kept my lips closed tight. It was sweet, tender, and I didn’t want it to end. But my senses caught up to me. I pushed him away.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”

This was my boss. I didn’t want to ruin a good thing. I implored him with my best pleading look. I needed and wanted to do this pro-bono work and he was wrecking it and willing to blow it up with his inability to keep his impulses under control.

“What’s wrong?” Nolan asked.

“I have to go check on my friends.” I escaped the VIP area and didn’t plan on going back. The kiss was nice. It was better than nice. But Nolan remained off limits. Forever.

I met up with Melissa and feigned not feeling well. Taking a cab home, I admonished myself for falling for Nolan, even as my fingers touched my lips. I would not let that happen again.

Chapter 7

Monday morning came around too quickly. I fretted all weekend about returning to work. Nolan entered my thoughts. My fantasies. Every night, I dreamed about how it would feel to have those lips travel up and down my flushed body. I didn’t want to be alone with him again because I didn’t know how much longer I could resist.

I had settled into my office when Nolan rushed in with coffee and a white bakery bag in his hands.

“Good morning, Charlie,” he said, putting the items on my desk. “We have a busy day today.”

When he’d advised Jasmine that I’d now report directly to him, I’d thought that would mean an occasional e-mail or request from his assistant. These visits were disconcerting. His presence got to me, causing frissons of awareness on my limbs and wetness between my legs. I wasn’t used to having to resist a man. Especially one I worked with.

I looked on my desk calendar. There was nothing on it except a meeting with a new developer who was interested in buying a commercial property Nolan had for sale. “Did I forget something?”

He reached in the bag and pulled out two blueberry muffins, handing one to me. “We’re heading over to the site of the Grant Project. I want you to meet Mr. Raminsky.”

I took a tentative bite of the blueberry muffin. Homemade. And delicious. “Really?” I asked, pieces of muffin falling gently to my paper planner.

Nolan ate his breakfast in three large bites. “It’s important for him to see who will be heading up the project.”

“What time do we leave?”

“Now,” Nolan said. “So wrap up the muffin and let’s go.”

We took the company car to the site. Nolan explained that it was located next to the luxury office building he was developing. I knew that we closed on that site on Friday. Once we had the deed for the office building, Raminsky would hand over the deed to the vacant land next year. This vacant land would be dedicated for the low-income housing project.

When the car pulled to the curb, I saw a balding older gentleman standing on a mound of dirt. He was wearing pressed khakis, a button down shirt, and black work boots. He carried a white, plastic hard hat under one beefy arm.

“That’s Raminsky,” Nolan said as we got out of the car.

I shook the man’s hand and he gave me my own hard hat. “So this is your new girl?” Mr. Raminsky boomed in a thick Jersey accent that seemed more fitting on Tony Soprano.

“Charlie is working in our legal department,” Nolan said, wrapping an arm casually around my shoulders. “She’ll also be working on the housing project with us as my personal legal advisor.”

What in the world was Nolan doing? This was supposed to be a business meeting and he was acting like we were intimate. I knew that Raminsky was his godfather, but it was no reason for him to be so casual around me.

“Where are you from, sweetheart?” Raminsky asked.

“Originally from Georgia,” I answered with a smile.

“I thought I detected an accent.” Raminsky hit Nolan on the back. “You went and got yourself a southern girl, huh? Sexy.”

“Charlie has been keeping me on my toes,” Nolan answered. Then he surprised me by kissing me on the forehead, right underneath my plastic headwear.

What in the world? I felt like I was in an episode of
Twilight Zone
. Before I could respond, Raminsky started walking around the surveyor’s stakes.

“Your taste in women has improved,” Mr. Raminsky thundered. I secretly wondered if he wore a hearing aid as the man had only one volume. Ten decibels.

Nolan put his hand in mine as we followed behind Raminsky. I tried to wrangle away from him, but the more I tried, the more Nolan tightened his grip on me. I had no idea what Nolan’s endgame was, but I had a feeling I was about to find out.

Mr. Raminsky continued, “I’m so happy that you’ve found someone, son. Not saying that I didn’t believe you, but I’m glad you brought her by today.”

I opened my mouth to correct him, but Nolan squeezed my hand. “Charlie is more than just a pretty face. She’s going to head up the fundraising for the Grant Project in addition to handling all the real estate closings. She’ll be prospecting with me at the Winter Ball.”

“Good to know,” Raminsky bellowed. He turned his attention to me. “Why is this project so close to your heart?”

“Tell him what you told me at dinner. About your family.”

I blew out a breath. “My mom passed away when I was younger. My dad raised me. We went through some tough times … not having a place to live. We slept on a lot of friends and family’s couches, sleeping in our car when we had no other place to go, digging through restaurant trash for food.”

Raminsky reached out and touched my hand. I hadn’t told Nolan all the gritty details, and he looked pretty shocked. I was angry with him for pulling this stunt on me, so I wasn’t going to hold back. If he wanted to get to know me, then he was going to know the truth about my upbringing. If Nolan Banks was a smart man, he’d run. Fast. Before the baggage that was Charlene de Monaco hit him in the head like an errant missile from an airport carousel.

“When I was old enough to work, I spent high school waitressing and bartending to help my dad make ends meet. I continued to make straight A’s in school because I knew it was my ticket out of poverty. It was a relief to get a full academic scholarship to UGA. I finally escaped a life of misery by going to college. It was while I was at UGA that I decided to become a lawyer. I wanted to help other children in similar situations to mine.” I dug a toe in the dirt, not wanting to meet Nolan’s eyes. To witness his disgust. “That is why this project is important to me.”

And why I’m putting up with your bullshit right now, Nolan Banks.

Raminsky hugged my neck and said to Nolan, “Well, my boy. I say you have a keeper. I’m relieved you’re finally settling down with the right woman. I’m a family man and I couldn’t see just giving away this land to someone who didn’t deserve it. Godson or not.”

“You know it’s in good hands,” Nolan said, his arm now around my waist.

I hated to admit it, but I loved the way he made me feel protected. Cherished. Like my feelings mattered. Like
I
mattered. But damn, I wasn’t going to let this man give Nolan the land under false pretenses. We were not a couple.

“Actually, Mr. Raminsky. I’m not—” and then I jumped back as Nolan pinched my arm.

“Charlie is just nervous,” he said, mischief clouding his eyes as he kissed me on the cheek. “We won’t let you down.”

I gritted my teeth, playing along. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.” What I really wanted to do was shove him in the mound of dirt. And grind his smug smile into it with my
serviceable
pump.

“You’re doing great,” he whispered in my ear.

“Nolan, you’re bringing Charlie to the Winter Ball, right? I want our new princess to meet the long suffering Mrs. Raminsky.”

“No worries. We’ll be there.”

“Good to know.” The older man reached down and retrieved a set of plans from his side. “Now, let’s get down to business. Here is what I had in mind for the building …”

***

Once we were back in the car, I turned to him. “I’m not sure what the hell that was all about, but I don’t like being bamboozled.”

“How come you never told me all that? You and your dad having to sleep in your car?” Nolan started, his warm eyes so filled with compassion and something else.

My face burned as emotion pooled behind my eyes. “Would it matter?” I wiped away a tear, thinking about all the things my dad sacrificed to make sure I had a good life. Thinking about all the times I’d already gotten emotional in this man’s presence. This man I’d known all of a few days. “My dad did the best he could to make sure I had the things I needed. He still works every day.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t warn you beforehand. I thought if I did you wouldn’t agree to come with me.” Nolan explained that Raminsky wouldn’t give him the land if he didn’t start settling down. “I told him that I met someone and it went from there. I never meant to lead him under false pretenses. Besides, who is to say that we won’t have a good time together at the Winter Ball and …”

“Just stop right there. This is a business arrangement right now. That’s all.” I didn’t like being manipulated personally or professionally, and he needed to know it.

I knew the moment he decided he would kiss me again. It was like we were drawn together by some crazy electromagnetic force. He swooped down and claimed my lips in a kiss so searing it bordered on possession. His tongue slipped past my lips to merge with mine. I was falling. I was helpless. I was gone.

“We can’t,” I whispered against his lips. I wanted too. I didn’t want too. I was a flipping conflicted mess. “I need to get back to work.”

I fumbled around for the door handle while he continued to shower butterfly kisses on my cheeks and forehead. Once I found the latch, I got out of the car as fast as I could and ran inside the office building. I just hoped Jasmine wasn’t on the prowl for me because I was sure uncontrollable lust was written all over my face.