Page 76 of Worth Every Penny

I storm down the corridor, intending to go home. I’m not waiting for some man who may or may not show his face. I don’t want to be like Teresa and the others, desperate for some glimmer of his attention.

But first I need to check out that story. I pull out my phone and put Nico’s name into the search bar. I add Amy Moritz for clarity. A dozen stories pop up, each with a variation of the picture Teresa just showed me.

Has Amy Moritz finally tamed the eternal bachelor, Nico Hawkston?

Bachelor billionaire Nico Hawkston, spotted with the music industry’s brightest star.

Is Nico banging Amy?

Emotion whirls in my chest. My fingers are shaking as I scroll. I need to get out of here now, before I scream. I put my head down and hurry my steps towards the lift, slamming my hand on the button.

The lights above show it’s coming up.

The lift dings to signal its arrival, and the doors open.

And there he is.

Just him; no one else. My surroundings go mute as his presence consumes my senses. That unmistakable scent, which I swear must be made of pheromones, assaults my nostrils. No matter how pissed off I am, I’m unwillingly catapulted into a state of arousal.

He’s wearing a gorgeous navy suit. A pale blue silk tie hangs from his neck over a pressed white shirt. How he looks immaculate at the end of a workday, I do not know.

He tips his head to one side, full lips tilting into a close-mouthed smile. Dark eyes meet mine, shining with an irresistible mischief, as if I’m exactly the person he’s looking for. And whatever he’s thinking, it’s not PG. My chest tightens and blood surges to the lower half of my body.

He strokes a hand down the length of his tie, not taking his eyes off me. The doors begin to close and, calm as ever, he presses the button to hold them open. “Are you getting in?”

My heart splutters. Why does this feel so dangerous?

I glance over my shoulder. We’re completely alone.

“Aren’t you going to the drinks?” I ask.

“Not if you’re leaving.”

My mouth dries out, and perspiration gathers under my arms.What does that mean?

Run. Take the stairs.

I probably ought to listen to my flight response, but my whole body is vibrating with Nico’s presence. I’m powerless to resist his pull.

I step inside and stand next to him as the doors close. The right side of my body is sparking at his nearness. The air is thick, charged with the promise of sex.

There’s no way he can’t feel it. In fact, I’m sure he’screatingit.

Another wave of arousal washes over me. He’s not even touching me and I’m drowning in it.

Nico presses the button for the twentieth floor, and the lift descends. The back of his other hand grazes mine. It’s a small point of contact, but I feel the burn of iteverywhere;a tiny taste of what my body craves.

“I haven’t heard from you,” I say.

He looks down at me, his dark eyes full of heat. “Did you want to?” His tone is curious, but his voice level, as if my answer has no bearing on him.

How can he be so cool?My body temperature is skyrocketing.

I glance at the lit-up numbers shifting as we pass through the floors. How long do I have in here with him? What happens when we reach his floor?

“Are you going to answer me?” he asks.

“I don’t know.” I say, twisting to face him. “Are you dating Amy Moritz?”

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