Page 32 of Nico
Handing his key fob to the valet, he pulled his long overcoat around him and headed for the building. He was planning on going to the club but was not certain he was in the mood for socializing.
By the time he reached the glass doors, his heart was racing. It had been more than a month since that fateful day at her place, when they had parted and it felt like years. An attendant opened the door for him and took his jacket. Giving a nod of thanks, he stepped through the foyer and into the main room. People were milling around. Ignoring the curious looks cast his way, he scanned the room and saw her instantly. His heart slowed and then picked up speed as he stared at her hungrily. She was wearing black. A snug black wool dress that came just short of her knees to meet her boots. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she was chatting up someone and gesturing with one slender hand.
He felt the piercing straight through his heart and wanted to devour her. He had taken two steps towards her, when she turned and saw him. For a second, the atmosphere seemed to freeze, and it was as if they were the only two people in the room. He saw naked pleasure flash on her face before it was carefully schooled.
She came to meet him, a polite smile pinned to lips coated in dull red.
"Nico. What a pleasant surprise."
"Is it?" He wanted to haul her into his arms and ravish her lips. It must have shown on his face because she took a step back.
"There's been a lot of interest shown in..."
"I don't give a damn about that." He growled. He did not care that they were the center of attention, nothing mattered except that he was near her. Within touching distance and oh how he wanted to! "I've been calling..."
"How's your little girl?" Sadie felt as if she was suffocating. She had to get away from him. He was wearing a thin black sweater over wrinkled jeans, and his hair was unkempt as usual. Her finger itched to brush the strands off his forehead.
"She's fine. Adjusting. Look..."
"Oh, here is Robert!" She reached for the man and almost dragged him forward. "Robert Wilson, this is Nico Coulter."
Aware of the tension emanating from the couple, he smiled and held out a hand. "I have been admiring a few of your pieces. Especially the mother and child. Very endearing and heartfelt. Makes you want to own it."
"That's good." He stared at the man and felt the almost violent need to smash his face in. His blue eyes were twinkling and worst, Jesus! Much worse was the fact that he had his arm around her waist. The violence erupted inside him like a geyser. He had to take a step back and prayed for calm. It would not do to create a scene here. And he was not a man who ever created one, until now.
"Could you tell me..."
"I need to speak to you." He swung his gaze back to Sadie, his expression resolute.
"Perhaps later." She dug her fingers into Robert's arm and felt her heart hammering.
"Now, Sadie. I need to speak to you." He flicked a glance at the man. "Excuse us, will you?"
She thought about refusing but had never seen Nico like this before. His face was hard and determined, his jaw rigid. She had a feeling if she did not agree to see him, he was going to cause a scene.
"I can give you five minutes." Turning her head, she smiled at Robert and prayed that she could keep up the charade. "I'll be with you shortly."
He looked from one to the other and then nodded and stepped away.
"This way." She wove her way through the throng of people who did nothing to disguise the fact that they were avidly taking in the drama.
Shoving the door to her office open, she whirled around as he closed the door.
"Say what you have to say and let me get on with my work. In case you have not noticed, there is a function going on and I should be in there."
"Who the hell is the guy?"
Her chin lifted. "We're involved."
He thought he could not hurt much more, but he was wrong. He simply stared at her. "You're seeing someone? We just broke up a month ago."
"Six weeks." She could have bitten off her tongue for making it seem as if she was counting the days. "Besides, it's none of your business."
"You certainly moved fast." The bitterness in his deep voice moved her.
"I saw no reason to wait."
"Are you sleeping with him?"
