"What are you doing here?" he asked gruffly, silently thanking the powers-that-be for his jacket.
She shrugged a bare shoulder. She wore an even skimpier top today. This one was strapless and defined her full br**sts perfectly beneath the thin fabric. She looked like she was wearing a bra today, also strapless. Nick wondered how quickly he could make the ni**les peak through the fabric of both bra and top. Could he do it without even touching her?
She wore a flighty, thin skirt again, almost to her knees. It had a dangerously high split up one side that displayed the soft flesh of thigh and hip. Her legs looked silky smooth, almost glossy. Nick had an overwhelming urge to run his hand up them to her thigh, her hip, her ass...
"Thought I'd drop past and say hello."
He frowned. "Why?" Then he realized—he hadn't paid her. It was a harsh reminder of who he was dealing with. Or rather, what he was dealing with. "Oh, right. Come upstairs and we'll sort it out."
Abbey flushed pink. Had he shocked her with his suggestion? Maybe discussing money in the street was taboo for these sort of women.
Since when did hookers blush?
She glanced around, biting her lip. Suddenly she looked less like the confident girl-about-town and more like a young woman out of her depth.
She was really green. Not like she'd been last night. Last night she knew exactly what she was doing.
"Actually, uh, I thought we could have a drink first. Then maybe something to eat." She checked her watch. "Then maybe come back here about ten. That okay?"
He hesitated. So she didn't just want to be paid—she wanted to do it again. Which meant he would owe her twice as much. That wasn't a big deal—he could afford whatever price she named—it's just that he didn't want to continue with this. It was wrong and it wasn't his style. Although it had felt damned good last night.
Maybe just once more, then he'd call it quits. He'd take her out to dinner, somewhere nice that she wasn't used to going to. He'd tell her that this was definitely the last time. Then, after an hour or two of passion back at the hotel, he'd pay her for both nights.
That's if someone else hadn't already paid her. The thought that one of Vane's bizarre friends was pulling the strings and had perhaps paid her already was still a possibility, although to do it twice was a little odd. Once, as a joke or gift, he could understand, but twice?
Or maybe Vane had prepaid her before he'd decided to skip out to wherever he'd gone for the week. Well, if that were the case, Nick might as well enjoy it. He could find out about the arrangement later. He might as well relieve some more stress. As long as he kept the situation under his control this time there was nothing really wrong with it. He knew what he was doing. He always did.
"Sure," Nick said. I spotted a nice bar over there." He pointed to where a few people sat at outdoor tables up the road. "Let me go upstairs, have a quick shower and change. I'll meet you there."
"You like to take charge don't you, Damien."
Nick balked at the name. He hated anyone thinking he was Vane but it was necessary. Anyway, what did it matter who she thought he was? She expected Vane, and that's who she was going to get.
Nick glared at her.
"I know what I want and I don't waste time getting it. I've found that's the best way to be in my line of work." He turned to go inside the hotel but stopped. "I don't expect you to understand."
He thought he saw her stiffen as he turned back to the hotel again but he couldn't be sure. Maybe his words were a little harsh, but he wasn't about to apologize for being a decisive person. Not to a hooker.
The doorman must have been watching the odd scene being played out in front of him because he quickly looked away. Fine, let him look. Nick knew no one in Melbourne so what did it matter if he was caught chatting to a woman dressed in next to nothing? It was his prerogative.
Inside the hotel, the cool blast of air instantly soothed his hot skin, but not his hot temper...or his groin. He couldn't wait to go upstairs, get changed and come back down. Abbey would be waiting for him.
Hot, sexy Abbey.
Part of him wished she hadn't agreed to wait for him. He knew he wouldn't have disagreed if she'd suggested she follow him up to his room. On the other hand, this way he would get to think about their encounter all through dinner. He could imagine her naked, her smooth skin, her inviting lips. And when it finally came time to return to the hotel, it'd be all the more thrilling because of the wait.
He quickly showered in ice-cold water to dampen his erection, then dressed in light beige trousers and a casual white cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons left undone. He made sure he was wearing his tightest shorts underneath. It may be painful if she got him excited, but it would keep him in check.
Something told him she was going to make him excited just by looking at him through those thick black lashes.
Nick barely noticed the heat outside. He couldn't stop thinking about Abbey.
"Hi." Abbey emerged through the glass door to the bar. She pouted at him, her lower lip protruding. Kissable.
"Not having second thoughts, I hope," she said lightly. She grinned.
He hesitated, caught between his warring emotions. He should go. He didn't need a hooker. Finally, pride won—he didn't run away from anything, especially a challenge.
"No, of course not." He had to pay her for last night anyway. He might as well have a few drinks, pay her then send her on her way. He didn't have to succumb a second time, but it was common decency to pay for the services he'd already used.
"I ordered us a bottle of Chardonnay," she said opening the door for him. "I hope that's okay."
"As long as it's cold."
She turned and glanced at him over one naked shoulder, a cheeky smile playing on her lips. "A bit hot and bothered today are you?"
"Hot, yes. Bothered, never."
They sat at a table in a dark corner of the restaurant. The red and black décor was modern and fresh. The wine list was long and didn't have prices, and the waiters wore crisp black suits. Thankfully, it was cooler inside than out, but it wasn't cold like many places are in summer with their air conditioning turned up too high.
A few other patrons sat alone on bar stools, or in couples in other dark, recessed booths. Considering it was Tuesday night, it was probably as busy as the place would get.
Good. It was unlikely he would see anyone from the seminar. He sat with his back facing the door just in case.
Abbey sipped her wine. She looked sensational with her sunglasses perched on top of her head, holding her mass of hair off her face. Nick liked that. He liked to see her features—she was an extremely attractive woman.
Her makeup wasn't as heavy as the night before, which was a good thing too. He liked his women to wear as little makeup as possible, and she didn't really need it.
His gaze wandered lower to her br**sts land the strapless top. Not really appropriate for such a salubrious place. She looked like a hooker.
"You seem uncomfortable," Abbey said, a cheeky grin lighting up her face.
Nick liked the way she seemed to find everything amusing.
"Worried about being seen with me?" she asked.
"No! No, of course not." He shrugged. "I don't know anyone in Melbourne anyway, so..."