Bound By His Desire (21 page)

Looking at him, the steely glint of determination in his eyes, it was a battle she was going to lose if she tried to fight him on it.

‘I forgot I have no home to go to. My house is being leased at present.’ She shrugged. ‘I kind of thought we were going to be overseas a little longer than we were. So I didn’t think to make alternative arrangements.’

‘Is that all?’ Nick laughed and, using the hand that was covering hers, released her seatbelt. ‘I can fix that, come stay with me.’

Her heart leapt at the thought of being able to spend more time with Nick, but it also scared her. Their relationship so far had been a game of one step forward, five steps back. Who knew what was going to greet them when they walked out of the plane. Disaster could’ve happened with a business deal while they’d been in the air and Nick would go all cold and distant on her again.

On the other hand, spending time with him, living with him, sleeping with him could only enhance their relationship. Without a shadow of a doubt Pam knew she loved Nick. Wanted to spend her life with him. Wanted to be the one to make him smile when things got tense. Wanted to ease the stress of work out of him when he came home. She wanted to carry his child and make him smile all the time.

The thoughts of a future with Nick pushed the cautionary voice to the back of her mind. The voice telling her to find her own place and not become too dependent on Nick because he could hurt her.

‘Fine, I’ll come with you. But Nick,’ she reached out and cupped his face. ‘We need to talk about what happened in New York. What you told me and what I told you. If this thing between us is going to develop into something more serious, then we need to talk.’

Pam held her breath, waiting to see what his reaction would be. She’d all but admitted out loud that she assumed they were in a relationship. How would he take it? What was he going to say?

He inclined his head briefly. ‘Okay.’

Satisfied that she’d had a small victory, she leaned over and placed a kiss on his lips. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

Pam woke up, disoriented for a moment, her heart beating a rapid tattoo. Something had woken her but she didn’t know what. The bed she lay in didn’t feel familiar. The pillows were soft, and warmth cocooned her body. She relaxed against the heat as it was so welcoming, and an arm snaked out, over her waist, pulling her against a hard chest.

‘Nick.’ The word sighed out of her and she closed her eyes as her heart slowed to a normal pace, the anxiety that she’d woken with disappearing with each lazy stroke of Nick’s hand across her belly.

‘You okay?’

‘Yes.’ Her heart melted at the concern in his voice. Opening her eyes, she rolled over so she was facing him. His eyes burning with desire, the early morning light filtering into the room. Pam didn’t want the sun to rise, even though it signified a new day. A new day meant going to work and all she wanted was to remain locked in Nick’s arms, forever.

After getting off the plane they’d headed straight to his apartment, high on the hill overlooking the city. The view she was sure would be magnificent, but the moment they’d got into his home, Nick had dragged her to the shower, undressing her on the way. They hadn’t moved from the bed after that.

Now, with the morning light, their little escape from the world was over and they’d be heading into the office. She could now contact the real estate agent and find out what the next move would be. If there was a way she could sell her house, even with a caveat over it. She needed to sell her house or find a way to get some money to lift the caveat and then she could sell.

Sometimes it sucked to be a grown-up. She wanted nothing more than to hand over all her problems to someone else to fix. As tempting as it was to unload everything to Nick and ask for some financial help, she wouldn’t do it. She didn’t want him to think she was seeing him purely because of his bank balance. He’d told her time and time again women had thrown themselves at his feet, all for the financial security marrying a man like Nick would give them. She wasn’t going to be one of them. She would sort out her financial issues by herself.

‘Why are you thinking so hard?’

‘It’s what I do. What I’ve always done.’

Nick rose up on his elbow and looked down at Pam. She was sexily rumpled and the desire to kiss her and make her troubles go away was strong. Like him, there were secrets in her past she didn’t want to share. She’d given a little background about her father walking out but nothing else. He suspected there was something deeper happening with her right at this moment. Something to do with her house but he couldn’t be sure, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know either. Knowing would give a permanence to what they were sharing and he wasn’t ready for that. Not yet anyway.

He would act on his initial impulse to kiss her. There would be plenty of time to talk later — much later.

‘Well, let me see if I can make you think of something else.’

He closed the distance between them and took possession of her lips. Her body opened up beneath him. Welcoming his hands as they trailed over her smooth curves. He couldn’t believe how openly she reacted to his touch. With every touch a sigh escaped her. Her body arching into his hands, encouraging him to take what he wanted, and she would give him what he wanted.

He fumbled with the protection and donned it with Pam’s help, her hands following his movements as he rolled the condom down. It took everything he had not to thrust into her hand. Her touch tentative but enticing. He slipped his hands under her hips, lifting her to meet his thrust. He honestly believed he could never get enough of her. His feelings and emotions were like none he’d ever experienced with anyone before. His body came alive with every thrust into her.

He couldn’t hold back, and when her body contracted around him he let go of his control and let his orgasm roll over him. He collapsed on top of her, spent and peaceful in a way he’d never felt.

‘You make me feel so special, Nick.’ Pam whispered into his ear, her breath tickling the sensitive flesh of her neck.

‘Ditto, sweetheart, ditto.’

‘Any idea what you’ll be working on next?’ Pam asked as Nick drove them to the office. Her body was still relaxed from the morning wake up call Nick had treated her to.

‘Not sure, Luc wants to meet with me when I get in. He mentioned something about us sitting in on the marketing presentation for Jeffrey’s new jewellery line.’

Pam recalled how Luc had been able to entice the brilliant but reclusive jewellery designer, Jeffrey Courteux, out of hiding to design a collection for the Regent Hotel chain Luc had bought a year ago.

‘I can’t wait to see the collection. Jasmine’s rings are gorgeous and the necklace Luc bought for her while they were in Broome is breathtaking. How on earth did Luc convince Jeffrey to design a new collection? Do you think he’ll be at the meeting?’

Nick laughed at her excitement and she knew she sounded like a gauche school girl, but everyone she knew wanted to own a piece of Jeffrey’s jewellery and she had every chance of meeting him today.

‘I would imagine Luc presented a convincing case as to why designing a new collection would be of benefit to him. And yes, Luc would also make sure Jeff attended today’s meeting. It helps that the three of us went to university together too.’

Pam swivelled in her seat in surprise. ‘You went to university together? All three of you? I didn’t realise you had to go to university to design jewellery. I would’ve thought art school would’ve been the place to study.’

‘Yes, we did all meet up at university. Jeff initially majored in business and minored in fine arts. But he found he definitely preferred the arts to business so he switched his majors and went from there.’

Pam was having a hard time comprehending the information Nick had imparted to her. She also couldn’t believe that in a few short hours she’d be getting to meet a world-famous designer.

‘Why does he keep himself away from everyone?’

‘I don’t know. He’s never told Luc or I what happened. He finished his course and went over to Europe to study further. When he came back he bought a property on the outskirts of Broome and kept his contact with us to a minimum.’

‘So something happened while he was away but he never told you or Luc about it?’

They pulled into the underground car park and, once Nick turned the engine off, he turned to her. ‘No, he didn’t. He pretty much kept to himself. Luc obviously saw him more than I did. Luc was determined not to let Jeff forget he had people who cared, so he made sure he contacted him regularly. So if at some stage Jeff confided in Luc, Luc hasn’t told me.’

‘I’m glad that you and Luc didn’t give up on him.’

Nick gave a negligent shrug of his shoulders. ‘Friends don’t give up on each other. They’re always there to help when things get difficult.’ He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. ‘Don’t forget that.’

Pam recognised a hidden message when given one. Nick hadn’t forgotten about what they’d talked about that morning, he’d just given her the impression that he had.

‘I won’t.’

Pam exited the car and they made their way to the underground elevator that would take them to the executive floor. Excitement corralled through her. She’d enjoyed being Nick’s assistant in New York and she couldn’t wait to continue in the position.

The moment they arrived at the office, one of the marketing personnel immediately took Nick aside to discuss the upcoming meeting. Nick pointed her to an office at the end of the hallway.

‘I’ll be with you in a few minutes, Pam,’ he got out, before the other man ushered Nick into another room.

Pam headed down the hallway and opened the door of the office Nick indicated. It was a large room, which had a desk she figured would be hers, and another door just to the left of the desk. Walking in, she placed her handbag on the desk and then opened the other door. As she’d suspected, it opened up to another room; a large desk dominated the room, and two sofas with a table in between them were placed to take advantage of the spectacular city view.

She walked over to the windows and looked out. The river sparkled in the morning light as it wound its way around the city. It felt good to be home.

‘Pam, you’re back. How was New York?’

She swivelled around to see Jasmine standing in the doorway, looking gorgeous. She moved towards her to give her a hug. ‘Jasmine, it’s good to see you. You’re looking beautiful today.’

Jasmine laughed and patted her protruding stomach. ‘Thank you. So what did you think of New York? It’s amazing, isn’t it?’

Pam thought about all she’d seen and done in the short time she had visited New York. ‘Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe it. I don’t think there are enough adjectives in the vocabulary.’

‘It is a bit that way. So, with you being here, does this mean you’re going to stay working with us? Just because I am taking a step back, doesn’t mean you have to leave.’

Pam acknowledged the truth in Jasmine’s words. She’d reacted instinctively about resigning. ‘No, I plan on staying, that is if you think Luc will want to keep me on.’

‘I’m sure he will, you proved your worth in getting that deal back on track in New York. I knew you would be fantastic.’

Heat crept up her neck from Jasmine’s compliments. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome, and now that you don’t have the stress of looking after your mother, may she rest in peace, you can travel and live a little.’

Pam was saved from answering the question by the phone ringing. Her mum dying had left her with more stress but Jasmine didn’t know that. No one did.

Jasmine waved on her way out as Pam dealt with the person on the phone. Pam smiled her goodbye.

When she’d finished with the call and made the necessary notes to pass onto Nick, she reached into her purse and pulled out her mobile. Scrolling through the numbers, she found the one she was after.

The time had come to find out exactly what she had to do to lift the caveat and be able to sell the house. Then she could concentrate on her career and Nick.

Nick perused the papers outlining the goals and objectives of the upcoming meeting. He paused outside the suite of rooms housing his office. With the door ajar, Pam’s voice floated out to him. His hand hovered over the handle to push it open and let her know he was there, but something compelled him to wait.

‘I just need a little more time,’ her voice rose with each word and his curiosity was piqued. She needed more time for what?

‘I told you I was in the process of making arrangements to get you the money.’

What was Pam talking about? He should make his presence known, he really should, but he wanted to see what she would say next. Did she have a gambling problem? If she did, she’d showed no signs of it while they were away. She showed no signs of any sort of addiction that would cause her to owe people money.

‘Look, I’m trying a different avenue now, something I’m pretty sure is going to work out, and then money will be no problem, trust me, I’ll have plenty to pay you and then have some left over.’

Dread filled Nick’s stomach. There was a cynical edge in her tone. An edge he’d never heard before. Had he gotten Pam wrong? Was she like every other woman he’d gotten involved with, only interested in him because of his bank balance?

Surely he couldn’t have read her wrong? It didn’t seem possible that everything he thought about her was the opposite of what she really was.

‘Fine, I’ll speak to you next week. By then I hope to have everything sorted out.’

Nick heard the phone being placed on her desk and the soft curse she emitted. He would act as if he hadn’t heard her basically admitting she had found her ticket out of a financial hole and he happened to be that ticket. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the room, pushing the door open with more force than was strictly necessary.

‘Nick, you scared me.’

He narrowed his eyes, watching her reaction with interest. Her eyes shifted between him and the door. He knew what was going through her mind — how much had he heard? A guilty flush crept up her neck, fanning out over her cheeks as she squirmed a little on her chair.