Page 102 of Worth Every Penny

I don’t want them. I want you.

He said it all those weeks ago, when he booked me into the spa on my first day. I didn’t know how serious he was, but I probably should have. He’s Nico Hawkston. He always gets what he wants, and my objections have well and truly fallen by the wayside because I want him, too.All of him. All the fucking time.

I can’t hold back my smile, butterflies skittering in my stomach. How the hell am I going to survive a meeting in Nico’s presence without burning up?

The meeting with Argentum is on the ground floor, in one of the larger meeting rooms. Jack and I arrive early, sitting together in the lobby waiting for David Webster to arrive. My pulse flutters like a caged bird, knowing it won’t be long until I get to see Nico again.

Jack’s twisting a biro round his knuckles. “When did you last speak to Nico?”

The question hits me like a bucket of ice water.

Crap. I’ve never been good at keeping secrets. I hate them. And I don’t want to lie to Jack. It feels weird. But at the same time, I can’t break it to him when I have no idea what I would say. We’re fucking? We’re making love? We’re having casual sex and it’s really great? It’s not as though Nico’s my boyfriend. Arewe even exclusive? If it’s only sex—let it not be only sex—then perhaps I can keep quiet and let it fizzle out.

I almost laugh at the idea of anything between usfizzlingout. If it’s going to end, it’ll be with a bang.

“Last week?” I say, keeping my response deliberately vague.

“And you’re okay with him being at your meeting?” Jack leans forwards a little, as though he wants to be sure he has my full attention.

“Yes.”

“Great. Progress, then.”

A short burst of laughter explodes from my lips.Progress. If that’s what you call being fucked every which way for forty-eight hours by a man I cannot stop thinking about. Jack shoots me a look like I’ve lost my mind. And it must seem like I have, because this reaction makes no sense to anyone but me, and maybe Nico. Thankfully, the clip of footsteps distracts us both. We jump to our feet, Jack’s back ramrod straight.

Nico rounds the corner, the sight of him hollowing me out. Even if I woke up next to him every day for the rest of my life, I don’t think I’d ever get used to seeing a face so ruggedly exquisite.

He’s freshly shaved, his square jaw irresistibly exposed this way. None of the rough stubble that grazed my most private area remains. I lament its removal, like he’s shedding memories of me.

What a stupid thought. I really am losing it. I must be.

He approaches us, his expression serious. “Jack.” He takes my brother’s hand in a tight grip. “This won’t take long. A quick meeting to let them know we’re all on board. Hawkston and Lansen all lined up. United front. That’s the best way forward.”

“Excellent,” Jack says.

Nico turns to me, giving me a tiny professional nod. “Kate.”

He’s good.So cool. There’s no indication he knows me any better than any other random member of staff, and certainly not that we spent the past couple of days naked and contorted in every possible position. I get a flash of riding his face until I screamed and heat rages through me.

Shit.Get it together.

Nico, on the other hand, is completely dispassionate; perhaps even a tad aloof. If he hadn’t messaged me earlier, I’d be convinced he’s indifferent.

He offers me his hand, and I shake it. The contact sends a zap of energy up my arm. I don’t want to let go, but before I’ve even processed the thought, Nico releases me.

He didn’t even squeeze. Nothing. I can hardly believe this is the same man I shared a bed with all weekend. This is his public persona; it’s sexy as sin, but it’s a mask he wears for the world. The fact that I’ve seen what’s behind it—what’s under that tailored suit—makes my heart race and the back of my neck heat.

He turns to the main entrance, nodding his head to indicate we follow him.How does he make a simple head tilt so commanding?

David Webster walks into the office, precisely on time. Father Christmas in a pinstriped suit. “What a building this is,” he says as we approach, gazing up at the high lobby ceiling as if it’s the night sky. “Pretty different from the old place, eh, Kate?”

I nod in agreement and we all exchange pleasantries before Nico places a hand on Mr. Webster’s shoulder, directing him towards the meeting room. “Let’s focus, shall we? The Knightsbridge spa project?”

When we reach the door, Nico allows me to pass before him. His fingers skate along my lower back for the briefest of seconds, but even the meagre contact has flames scorching beneath my clothes. I try to catch his eye, but he’s deep in conversation with David.

Nico strides to the front of the room and begins the introduction. I’m barely listening to his words, too fascinated by the way he commands the space and holds the rapt attention of everyone who was already seated in the room when we arrived.

I tune back in just in time to hear him say, “We look forward to working with Argentum.” Nico points at David Webster, who bows his head. “And now it’s time for me to hand you over to Kate Lansen.”

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