"What if he won't let me in next time? What if he doesn't want to—"
"Don't be silly. I saw his expression before you closed the curtains, and he was hungry for you. And I mean hungry. The guy looked like he was going to explode any minute, all over that nice couch. I'm surprised you actually got him into the bedroom."
Abbey relaxed and giggled. "And made him wait until I'd finished."
"Really? That long? Wow, this guy's got stamina."
"Or sheer willpower. I got the impression he doesn't often let his emotions rule him like they did tonight."
"That wasn't emotion ruling him, that was a very impressive appendage between his legs."
Abbey giggled as Lucy grinned back at her over her shoulder.
Lucy's smile faded a little as they waited at the elevators. She shook her head and wisps of short blonde hair fell into her eyes. "The guy doesn't have willpower. You saw the profile, he's had sex with more people than me! No, willpower he hasn't got when it comes to having sex with strangers."
Abbey frowned but said nothing. The mention of his mistresses reminded her of his wife, and that she was now a statistic as far as Damien was concerned. Just another notch on his belt. And she was the 'other woman', even if only temporarily.
Her stomach tied itself into a knot. The thought sickened her.
Strange thing was, she was picking up completely different vibes from Damien than what she should be. If Abbey hadn't seen his file, she would've said he was a man who got what he wanted when he wanted but rarely let his hot-blooded emotions get in the way. Otherwise he would've jumped her bones straight away on the couch instead of needing so much encouragement. In fact, she wouldn't have even had to make up a story about the free massage, her outfit should have been encouragement enough for Damien Vane.
And the way he'd looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror hadn't been lustful at all. More like concern that he'd hurt her and perhaps a little curiosity. So her instincts told her, anyway.
But then again, she'd thought Tarken loved her, so her instincts were useless.
They traveled down the elevator to the ground floor where the burly building supervisor with the profile of a Neanderthal was sitting at his desk reading the Herald Sun. He looked up and grinned at Lucy. She pecked him on the lips and he groped her perfectly round bottom through the tight black hipsters.
"I'll call you tomorrow, Big Boy." She winked at him. "I might need this place tomorrow night again. That okay?"
His grin widened. "That'll cost you extra."
"You just name it," Lucy crooned, "and I'll do it. You know that."
The Neanderthal looked like he would drag her into his cave right there and ravage her, but he held back, hooked his thumbs into his pants, not caring to cover the telltale bulge, and lasciviously watched Lucy's behind as she walked away.
Abbey took note of the way her friend walked. One foot directly in front of the other so that her hips swayed sexily and her butt had the right amount of wobble. She would have to try that. Tomorrow night.
***
The seminar was a success so far. Nick's introductory speech had been well received, and the software was bug-free so the demo was easy. He'd have to ring the VP of Development later to congratulate him and offer bonuses to his programmers.
Nick had never felt so relieved in all his life. He'd done speeches before, he'd taken over large corporations, and small ones, and he'd rubbed shoulders with elite businessmen around the world. But he'd never given a demonstration of software in his life. It wasn't that hard, if you knew what you were doing and had a great program.
Maybe he could do the next one in March in the U.S. If he did, there would be nothing for his VP of Marketing to do. Which meant he could fire him. Good, because Vane had crossed the line this time.
Nick had put up with a hell of a lot from Vane. Coming back to the office drunk after a lunch meeting, groping the female staff, turning up late to work every day because he'd been out all night partying. For a forty-year-old that was a hell of a lot of partying.
Nick was tired of it. Usually he wouldn't allow anyone in his employ to treat their work and colleagues with such disrespect, but Vane was good and came with a wealth of experience. But Nick couldn't put up with his behavior anymore. Enough was enough. Skipping out just before a major seminar where he was supposed to give demonstrations to potential clients was more than he could put up with.
Nick strolled up King Street toward Collins Street and his hotel, laptop case slung over his shoulder, suit jacket over his arm. He'd taken it off and rolled up his shirt sleeves when he left the air conditioned Crown Complex where the seminar was being held. He'd been inside all day and the heat hit him like a force field.
He blew out a breath and kept walking, the heat prickling his skin, engulfing him like a blanket. It was already five o'clock but the sun still burned fiercely.
A typical hot summer's day. The sort of day he'd have spent down at the beach in his youth, catching some waves, lying in the sun with a gorgeous girl next to him. Not anymore. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone to the beach. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this hot. Usually he drove everywhere in his air conditioned BMW, or sat in his air conditioned office or North Shore house.
It was actually kind of liberating—sweating, feeling the sun on his bare arms, wanting to drink a beer, wanting to feel a soft woman in his arms...
Nick swallowed. He hadn't thought of Abbey all day, thank God, but now her image was returning to haunt him thick and fast. He wanted nothing more right now than to lie with her, naked, surrounded by sand and the crashing waves. He would take her, slide over her hot body, enter her slowly, tease her a little before plunging deeply until she called his name...
He cleared his throat and moved his jacket in front of him, covering his painful erection. He glanced around but everyone was bustling home after a day at the office, not taking any notice of him. He drew in a deep breath and blew it out again.
He forced himself to slow down. She wasn't coming back, and even if she did, he would send her packing this time. He, Nick Delaware, investor and multi-millionaire, didn't go in for that sort of thing. And not with that sort of woman.
No, Nick would have to settle for a cool shower, a cold beer and an air conditioned bar. He had more demonstrations to prepare for tomorrow and he wanted to brush up on the potential clients he'd scheduled into the day.
As soon as he got back into work mode the better, so he could stop thinking about Abbey.
"Going somewhere, Big Boy?"
The familiar voice jolted him from his thoughts. His head, and another part of his anatomy, jerked up. "Abbey?"
He stared back at the woman who appeared in front of him, suddenly not sure what he should say to her.
What do you say to a hooker after an incredible night of passion?
CHAPTER 3
Nick cleared his throat. "It is Abbey isn't it?"
Abbey wore her hair long. A few strands fluttered around her face and Nick resisted the urge to catch them and tuck them behind her ear. She wore sunglasses so he couldn't see her eyes, which was a pity because he liked her eyes—bright blue and piercing.
Abbey nodded and smiled. She had a pretty smile. Probably because she had such soft, luscious lips—lips that would look great wrapped around...