Just Tell Me (The Justice Series) (6 page)

“
Now then Miss Shaw, I must say I was impressed with that presentation of yours” he kept her talking and she replied to his answers enthusiastically and professionally but her mind was elsewhere.  She needed to get away from him but fifteen minutes passed as they talked about law, she managed to excuse herself and she walked quickly to the lift. 

Her reflection stared back at her from the
mirror. 
What am I doing?
She wondered, it was totally out of character and she felt shaky as she pressed the button to the penthouse and unfastened another button on her blouse. All she needed was a pair of glasses and she would look like one of those sexy secretaries. 

She tapped lightly on t
he door and Daniel stood in front of her, he had a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair was wet, he had just got out of the shower, his face was serious and she didn’t know where to look.   She couldn’t meet the intensity of his stare and she suddenly felt embarrassed as she walked past him into the apartment, her earlier confidence had gone.
What am I doing here?
  She was back to being her usual shy self, he was so attractive and she felt self conscious.

“I didn’t think you were coming” Daniel had paced the room after his shower, convinced that she didn’t feel the same connection, that she wasn
’t coming up to his room again. Now she was here he could sense she was embarrassed again, her face a mask and he could sense her nerves.  She looked up to meet his gaze as he glanced down at her outfit “God Nicole I need to take you out of these clothes, you look like my bloody accountant”.

“Thanks, I thought it might look sexy”
she started laughing with him, her confidence returned and she took her jacket off. Daniel reached out for her, pulling her close and he kissed her lightly on the lips, his hands trailed down her neck and undid the buttons on her blouse.  He expertly undid her bra, gently caressing her bruised back and kissed her shoulders as he traced the outline of her neck with his fingers. 

“I read once it’s possible to make a woman orgasm just by playing with her nipples” he ran his fingers down her body and she closed her eyes as he kissed her neck, gently teasing her nipples.  She could feel the lust running through her body and her breathing became faster. 

“Christ, you could be right” Nicole whispered, unable to bear the intensity she found his lips and kissed him, her tongue found his.  She dropped her skirt to the floor and removed his towel, she could feel how hard he was and she ran her hands down his hip, taking him in her hand and he shivered as she touched him.

“O
h God Nicole I have been thinking about you all day” he whispered as he picked her up and took her to the bedroom, he laid her down on the bed and lent down to kiss her thighs, she moaned as his lips moved higher and her hands ran through his hair as his tongue teased her.

“Daniel” she whispered, unable to move as he
eased his fingers inside her, teasing her.  He watched her as she lay on the bed, so beautiful laid naked in front of him and he lent down, keeping his fingers inside her he expertly used his tongue.  He felt her body shudder as she moaned in pleasure and he could tell she was close to orgasm.

“Don’t stop” she cried out as
he teased her and stopped just as he knew she was on the brink.  He moved up the bed and lay down next to her, a smile on his lips as she kissed him and could taste herself on his lips, her hands ran down to touch him and he moved her away.

“W
ait” he breathed as he traced her face with his fingers and ran them down her body and she looked at his face, his fingers ran over her nipples and she took a sharp breath as he lent over and kissed them.

“That’s not fair, I can’t wait” she spoke
, her voice was shaky, and she needed to have him.  She pushed him back on the bed and sat on top of him. He was surprised as she held his arms above his head; he gasped and closed his eyes as she slid down onto him.  She didn’t move and she released his arms.  He opened his eyes he ran his hands over her thighs, this time she was in control and he was powerless to move as she traced her hands over his stomach. She sat back and could feel him deep inside her and knew he wanted her to move.

“So, now you think you can invite me to your room and seduce me? Well I’m afraid that’s
not going to happen” she spoke breathlessly, she could see the effect she had on him, he couldn’t reply and it was turning her on. She wanted to make him wait a little longer and started to slowly move on top of him, the slowest of movements but enough. He groaned as she sat back and pushed herself deeper onto him and he ran his hands over her body as she was on the brink of orgasm as she moaned in pleasure.

“O
h God Nicole I can’t stop” Daniel murmured, watching her on top of him was too much and grabbed her hips and pulled himself deeper into her she felt him orgasm inside her, and her body rippled with the release of the most intense orgasm she had ever had.  He pulled her down and held her close, their hearts beating together and he kissed her lips tenderly. She had screamed his name and felt embarrassed at the way she had lost control.

“Hi” he
smiled at her “I’m glad you came back, I didn’t know if you would, I need to take your mobile number”

“
I was thinking about you all day” She looked at him, serious for a moment. “Even though I don’t really know you”

He kissed he
r arm “Good” and sat up in bed his face serious “Nicole I’m going to tell you something now, I wanted to say it this morning but couldn’t find the words, I feel like you do, we have spent more time together than apart in the last three days, that’s the equivalent of about six dates” He pretended to count “Maybe even seven”

She started laugh
ing “That’s ridiculous, it doesn’t count”

“
Who says?” He kissed her on the lips and smiled “Isn’t seven dates in the realms of a serious relationship?”

She looked at him “D
o you realise I don’t even know your last name, oh God that’s awful, you know seriously, I am not that type of girl at all, I have never had a one night stand before”

Daniel kissed her again
silencing her words, he didn’t want to tell her he was Daniel MacIntyre just yet with his playboy reputation.  She might not have even heard of him, she didn’t seem like the type of woman who read gossip magazines either but he wanted to choose the moment.  He didn’t want to break the bubble, he had never met anyone like Nicole and she captivated him.

“I will tell
you my last name later, all about me in fact.  If you promise to stay again tonight”

She
smiled at him and kissed him “Ok you’re on”. 

“And Nicole?”  He looked at her “I don’t think this is a one night stand, not for me anyway.” 

Nicole felt her heart skip a beat as he spoke and he stroked her cheek as they lay together. The tenderness in his eyes released her emotions and finally she felt her heart soar with happiness and plummet into fear. He held her tightly as the tears fell and she sobbed properly for the first time in years, he felt her emotion run through him, she needed this release. Daniel felt her pain, their connection was like nothing he had ever experienced and he was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Leave him?” he whispered to her “I will take care of everything
Nicole” she looked up at him “You deserve better than this” he sat up and wiped her face “God I need a drink”.

She watched him
as he stood up and walked naked into the lounge and she heard the pop of a cork.  He couldn’t take care of her situation. How could he? They had only just met, this was ridiculous, a fantasy. She felt, what?  Love? After two nights together?  She didn’t know anything anymore it was surreal and he returned back with a bottle of Prosecco and handed her a glass. She raised it, her face wet with fresh tears and she wiped her cheek self consciously. 

“To no regrets Daniel”
She smiled as the tears fell again. Part of her was scared to leave Andrew, to tell him. When she got back to the apartment and reality sank in, and the first blow hit her, would she be able to leave him? All this would seem like a dream, Daniel just looked at her and climbed back into bed, he could read her mind she was sure of it. 

“He’s an evil bastard Nicole, you have to just walk away
, it’s only money we can work it out”.

“I will
, but it’s not your problem.  I just have to find the right time.” She spoke and a humourless smile played on her lips, she had to say it all now “Even if I never saw you again after tonight it’s changed my life being with you” She paused when she saw the confusion on his face but he let her finish “I’m just saying.  I know what you mean I feel like I have known you forever in a strange way, I mean the sex is amazing” he raised his eyebrow at her and she was distracted for a moment but she wanted to tell him more, but what could she say?  I think I’ve fallen in love with you even though I’ve only know you two days?  Too corny. She stared down at her glass, her face was dry now and she had regained some composure. “And I still can’t believe you won’t tell me your last name”

He laughed at her words, breaking the
moment and kissed her gently “Tonight, but Nicole I want to see you again, I have to. All the time in fact. We will work out a plan OK?” she felt her heart sparkle at his words “What are you doing this weekend?”

She shrugged unhappily, the thought of returning to
Manchester was like lead, “I don’t know, Daniel I can’t think that far ahead there’s a lot to sort out in my head and the flat”.

He told her again about his
gatehouse in the woods of the Hambelby estate, and that he wanted to take her there, make a picnic and go riding.  He searched her face looking for a sign, in case she thought it was ridiculous but she smiled back at him.

“T
hat sounds like my perfect weekend” she put her glass down on the table “I want to come back Daniel.  It’s just…. ” She looked at him, his face full of concern “It feels too good to be true, like something will ruin it, and I have so much to sort out”

“Nothing can go wrong” he whispered and kissed her gently on the lips. “Just leave him and come and stay with me. We will work it out I promise”. When she replayed the conversation later she would describe it as lovingly.  He ki
ssed her lovingly on the lips. Ridiculous word for someone you have just met.

“Oh shit”
she glanced over at the clock “Oh shit I’ve got fifteen minutes before dinner, I’ve got to go Daniel, I don’t want to” She looked at him sadly. “See you in the club later?” 

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world” he murmured into her hair and kissed her one last time.

Chapter 4

Nicole rushed back to her room
to get ready for the night ahead. She pulled out the tight dress she had packed for the dinner. Her eye makeup was dark and smouldering and her lips were dark red and full, she left her hair loose around her shoulders. She looked different; her reflection stared back at her.  Professional for the dinner, but she sparkled. It was Daniel. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, the way he spoke and how he made her feel; she didn’t want to leave him and she knew she had fallen in love with him.
This is crazy
. They had only just met but she felt that they shared something, she felt close to him, the way he already seemed to know what she liked and the sex was mind-blowing. 

She remembered the last 48 hours of her life. 
I feel wanton
.  She laughed at the word and she had to tell her friends at home they wouldn’t believe that she had done this; her thoughts were broken when there was a knock at the door and she looked at it expectantly.  Daniel?  Her face fell as she opened the door, registering Andrew standing in front of her, his face stony and harsh in the windowless hotel corridor.

“Where the fuck have you been?
I’ve been ringing you” He walked into the room with his bag and suit hanger, closing the door behind him.  He looked her in the eye and she turned away, the guilt was all over her face, she knew he could sense something different about her. “Take all that make up off Nicole you look like a slut”. He dumped his overnight bag on the bed, unzipped the suit holder and started to get undressed.

“I’ve been working.
  What the hell are you doing?” She watched him put on his tuxedo, he expertly fastened the bow tie and pulled on his jacket. He smiled at her, a sneer on his lips and she turned away.

“I saw the partners downstairs, they invited me to your wo
rk dinner” he squinted at her “What?  You don’t look pleased to see me.” He stood closer to her. “You look different” his eyes trailed down her body “Actually, keep that outfit on, you look hot.  I will deal with you later” he winked at her and she felt sick. 

She needed to tell him but she couldn’t end it right now,
he was scaring the shit out of her as it was, and besides it would jeopardise her career causing a drama at the dinner. They were already late and she didn’t have any time to talk to him as he grabbed her arm to walk to the lift, the familiar dig in the pit of her stomach. She could sense he was angry at her and the only reason he had come to Edinburgh was to check up on her.

They sat with the senior partner
s and discussed mergers over the fine dining meal, speeches were made and morale was high, Andrew was the perfect gentlemen in public, he poured Nicole’s wine and was polite and funny.  No one would ever suspect the monster he was in private, she watched him as he charmed her senior partners, his jokes and stories were just the right tone for the night and hatred ran through her.  She wished she could just stand up and walk away. Why didn’t she? 

Andrew glanced over at her and she saw the look in his e
yes, he wasn’t pleased and dread ran through her veins, the fear was paralysing. Daniel. She needed to tell him not to meet her but she didn’t have his mobile number, a knot of anxiety filled her stomach thinking about the night ahead, she would end it with Andrew here in this hotel when they were alone, her main priority tonight. Daniel would find her, if he had real feelings for her he would.

As the dinner finished, the murmur of going to FuFu
’s spread and Nicole looked at Andrew. She could lose him in this club, find Daniel and get away from him he scared her and she had to get away.

“I’m not going
to a club” he sneered at her “We can stay here, we have business to attend to Nicole” he ran his hand up her leg and she felt sick as she pushed it away.  He pulled her away from the table and they walked through to the bar area. Why was she stuck with this vile man?  He repulsed her and she felt the strength return as she thought of Daniel. 

“No Andrew
, I want to go” 

“No? Did you just say no? Don’t be so fucking stupid Nicole” He hissed to her
and pinched her arm hard, then turned to smile at the waitress and ordered some more wine from the bar.  He sat her down at a table and her senior partners joined them before she had chance to tell him anything, she couldn’t just walk away now. Oh shit. 

The night was not going as she had expected and again she felt out of co
ntrol, Andrew knew exactly what he was doing and she put her mask of professionalism on as her partners settled down in the leather tub chairs.  She played the corporate game again, her heart was beating so quickly, Andrew was angry at her and she needed to keep the pretence going.  This was her career, not Andrew’s and he could go to hell, why was he even here?  There was nothing he could do in front of her boss, was there?

Daniel had got to the club early, he needed to see Nicole, he couldn’t stop thinking about her and he knew
he was falling in love. He had never felt this way before and had no control over his emotions, he had let someone into his life and even though they had only just met he felt more alive than he ever felt before.  The sounds of The Imagine Dragons sounded distorted as he walked to the bar and ordered a vodka and lime.  The waiter gave it to him with a straw and a wink, Daniel winced at what his mothers reaction would be this to this, but smiled back. He looked around the room for Nicole but he couldn’t see her through the crowds. It was gone 10.30 now. Where was she?  

Daniel
finished his drink and regretted not taking her mobile phone number but he was sure he would see her tonight and sort out the details. He knew her room number so he decided to return to the hotel, see if she was OK.

He had a bad feeling as he walked into the r
eception and towards the bar, he saw her sat with a group of men and watched as the one he recognised got down on one knee in front of her. He couldn’t move as he realised it was Andrew Black and the waitress brought a bottle of champagne to the table. What the fuck? Daniel felt a pain in the pit of his stomach; he watched as Nicole took a glass from the table, her face was strangely blank as she stared at its contents. The glint of the ring on her finger.  She glanced up and saw him as he turned and walked away, oblivious to the sound of breaking glass as she stood up to go after him.

What the fuck was I thinking?
He’s proposed to her and she accepted? He wasn’t a fool, his face clouded, he felt embarrassed and betrayed. He needed to get away from Nicole, she wasn’t who he thought she was after all.
Just another gold digging bitch
.   His driver was waiting for him, he threw the single red rose he had bought on the ground and stood on it like he was extinguishing a cigarette as he got in the car.  He instructed his driver to take him to Hambelby and the car drove off into the night. 

As he sat in the
back of the car he watched the night city fly past him, he felt like he had been taken advantage of by Nicole, she wasn’t who he thought she was and he thought they had shared something. His heart stung, he had let his guard down, allowed Nicole’s apparent innocence to captivate him, he thought she felt the same as he played over the conversation they had only a few hours ago.
So why did she just say yes to Andrew Black?

He looked at his
Blackberry as though it had the answers and sent a message to the hotel informing them he wouldn’t be returning, they could return any of his belongings to Hambelby.  He owned the hotel, they knew where to find him and he knew he couldn’t go back to that penthouse, not now. 

Nicole
had stared at Andrew in horror as he got down on one knee. What the hell was he doing?  She looked at her bosses as they nodded expectantly. Andrew knew she would never agree to marry him, not ever so why was he doing this?  She knew in a split second why.  It was the flat and her position within the company. A lot easier to manage when they were husband and wife not just co-habiting. She had watched him in horror as he had spoken, knowing she couldn’t say anything.

“Nicole, it’s about time I made an
honest woman of you. I have wanted to ask you for a while and coming to Edinburgh tonight seemed the perfect time. Will you marry me?”  She thought she was going to be sick as she stared into his eyes. The old solicitors assumed she was stunned into silence and ordered some champagne as Andrew forced the ring onto her hand, it was a size too small and he writhed it onto her finger, she looked at the stone as her finger swelled red around it. It was fucking awful. She looked up and saw Daniel watching the whole thing from the doorway and his face darkened as she stared at him, he turned to walk away and she stood up, almost unaware that she had a glass in her hand as it tipped onto the table.  Andrew didn’t miss her reaction and he watched as she ran out of the bar.  He looked at the partners of Nicole’s law firm, he had made some good contacts and some good impressions tonight, they could do business and he smiled apologetically.

She ran to the door to find him, her hand automatically tried to get the ring off
her finger but it was too late and the swelling would have to go down, it was too late for Daniel too, he had already gone

“Daniel!” she exclaimed and suddenly her head was clear, she knew he would have seen her with Andrew and got the wrong idea. 
He wasn’t the type of man that would deal with that well
.  She had to find him, the hotel would know his last name and she ran to the reception. The woman looked at her with interest as Nicole spoke, her make up was running from the tears and she knew who she meant, Daniel MacIntyre; he owned the hotel and others across Scotland.  She was under strict instructions to never give out any personal information on Mr MacIntyre; it was more than her job was worth.   She also knew the reputation he had with women and felt quite sorry for this girl.  She knew exactly who she was, and the hotel staff had already gossiped about Daniel’s latest conquest and the consensus was Nicole certainly wasn’t his usual type. 

She bent down and whispered “I’m not supposed to say, but he sent a message saying he had checked out, he’s not coming back tonight hunny, I’m sorry”. 

Nicole couldn’t stop the tears as they ran down her cheeks; she wiped them away as she felt the presence of Andrew behind her.

“What’s going on?  Why did you run from the table Nicole? What’s wrong wi
th you?”  His voice was hard, she knew he would drag it on all night and the receptionist watched in interest.

“It was a shock.  Why did you ask me to marry you Andrew?  In front of my partners?  You knew I had no choice but to say yes didn’t you? Why?”  She stared at him in the hotel foyer and the st
rength returned.  This was it, she was going to leave him.

“It’s collateral Nicole. 
See it as an opportunity, you think anyone would want to marry you?”

“
I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth” she looked at him levelly “I hate you. Have the flat I just wish you would leave me alone” the tears ran down her cheeks from anger and frustration and she wished she had picked up her bag from the table. She wanted to run to her hotel room and hide away, her mind was spinning. She had slept with the first good looking man who had paid her any attention and she felt used, as she thought about her wanton lust for a passing stranger and how she had poured her heart out to him, and what had he thought when he saw Andrew? Now she had this mess to contend with, she had to be strong and she wiped her eyes and strode over to the table, the partners were watching her with interest.

“Gentlemen I’m sorry
. It’s been a long night and quite a shock I think I need to go to bed now” she smiled thinly picked up her bag and walked away from them. It wasn’t the celebration they expected and she knew words would be said, gossip for the office but she no longer cared, she walked towards the lift and Andrew followed her. 

“Look Nicole” his voice softened and she knew he
was trying a different tactic “Come on, I just thought” he looked at her, the man she had fallen in love with years ago stared back, not the monster he had become. “I thought it could be a fresh start, for both of us” He reached out for her arm, a sickly smile playing on his lips and her stomach churned in disgust as the lift doors opened. 

“You can come to my room for your bag and then that’s it, you’re not staying with me
”.  She wasn’t having any of it, there was no way she would ever consider being with him not now, not after how she had felt with Daniel. 

Andrew
was taken aback by her resolve and he felt the anger return as they walked through the corridor. She fumbled with her room key, she wanted him out of her room and he bent down to pick up his bag, her hand went to her finger again as she tried to remove the fucking ring. He turned to look at her and she knew he was wanting a fight. 

“You touch me in this hotel Andrew and I
swear I will call the police. We will talk about this properly at the flat” Nicole pushed him out of the room before he had chance to speak and locked the door. She was safe, for tonight.  Her heart sunk at the thought of poor Daniel, what he must have thought and how she could salvage the situation. Even if she never saw him again he had given her the strength to leave Andrew, she would kept that strength inside her it was the only thing she had left.  She would do it this time, she would leave for good she promised herself.