Page 36 of Fifth Avenue Devil

Her use of my childhood nickname makes me smile. "Should we go see Mr. Fordham, Lor-Lor?"

Lori chuckles. "Yes. We'll talk more about the other situation later."

I open her office door and Nate is right there, scowling at me.

"Mr. Fordham!" I say. My cheeks are probably the color of a ripe summer tomato about now. "Were we expecting you? It's almost six thirty."

He smirks. "You should always expect me, Annalise."

His eyes burn into my face. I swear, I could actually die from embarrassment. Mercifully, Lori cuts in.

"It’s nice to see you, Mr. Fordham.”

“Ms. Parker.” Nate shakes her hand, looking her up and down. "You know, you actually went up against my brother Cash's start-up a number of years ago. They were making a new block chain currency and you sued them for some reason?"

Lori lights up. "I remember. Block chain currencies are a scam. That's still a hill I will die on."

Nate grins. "They're mostly used to trick the unwise into parting with their money. There are some exceptions, of course."

Lori gives him a knowing smile. "Of course." She turns to me. "Well, I won't keep you. I imagine you two have quite a bit to hash out before you get to the contracts, right?"

Nate and I exchange a look. "Actually, I'm going to take Annalise out to dinner."

"Oh!" Lori smiles. "That's nice. Well, you two have a great time. Annalise, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Does that include moaning Nate's name? Because I have a feeling that I'm going to be doing plenty of that tonight.

"I'll be careful," I say with a wink. "See you around, Lori."

Nate puts his elbow out and I take it. He escorts me from my office, not saying a word until the elevator doors close. He presses the button for the lobby, then turns to me.

"You look good in that dress, Kitten."

I look down at my dress, a Givenchy design. I paired it with something from my own wardrobe, an oversized black sport coat with gold accents on the pockets.

"Of course you like it. You chose it." I bite my lip. "You look good. But you always look good."

Nate leans down and gives me a single, searing kiss. I kiss him back, feeling my engine begin to rev up.

He quickly moves away, flashing me a grin.

"Later. I promise. First, I want to take you somewhere special. Are you ready, Kitten?"

I want to roll my eyes at his use of my ridiculous pet name. But I don't.

If I am being one hundred percent truthful with myself, I think I am starting to like the sound of the word rolling off my lips.

Kitten.

"I'm just waiting for you," I say with a secretive smile. "Lead the way."

He kisses me again and I forget everything else.

Fourteen

Nate

When my driver pulls to stop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s distinctive Greek revival-style entrance, I smile. I have set up the perfect date. A private showing during the hours that the famous museum is normally closed to visitors. A self-guided tour through the most famous gallery. Dinner for two set up in the grand rotunda while a string quartet plays Bach and Handel.

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