Deadly Obsession (49 page)

A slight movement of her head brought her lips into contact with his palm. Her tongue darted out and swirled against his skin. Nic bit his tongue to suppress the shudder that started at the top of his spine. Her mood seemed mercurial. Volatile. So different from the cool professional woman he thought he knew. Had she been this way before, and he just hadn’t seen it? Or was this something new? As her friend, he should have noticed, should have tried to help her through whatever problems she was having.

Vivian shot a death glare in Rémi’s direction. Nic touched her arm to draw her attention. Cold, hard eyes met his, chilling him to the bone. His remaining doubts evaporated.

Hers were the eyes of a killer.

Nic made a show of grabbing Rémi by the front of his shirt and hauling him out into the hall. “Don’t you ever go near her again, you asshole,” he shouted. “She’s mine, you got that? I’ll never share her, not even with you.”

Rémi held up his hands in surrender. “I was just having a little fun.”

“Get out of here, both of you.” Nic shoved him toward Kaden, who’d remained near the top of the stairs. Rémi glanced behind Nic, then his expression turned serious and he mouthed, “Be careful.”

Nic nodded and returned to Vivian’s room. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed at the knees, cool and calm as ever. “Interesting friends you’ve got, darling,” she said with a smirk.

After forcing his face into a pout, he went to sit beside her. “It’s like living in a frat house. All they think about is having fun and partying.”

“Sounds to me like they’re using you, too. They can’t get their own women, so they hang around you, waiting to grab up your leftovers.”

Jaw set, eyes blazing, he turned to her. “But Rémi will never get you.”

“Of course he won’t.” She pressed a kiss to his mouth. “I
never
share.”

On the surface, her words sounded like a promise, but the underlying threat was clear. Nic brightened his expression and smiled. He’d give her what she wanted. Or at least the illusion of it.

He brought her hand to his mouth and trailed little kisses down her arm. He lowered his voice. “I need you. Right now.”

Tunneling her fingers through his hair, she whispered, “Darling, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that.”

Stay in character
. He pushed aside his revulsion and kissed her deeply, curling his tongue against hers. When she tried to make him fall back onto the bed, he wrenched his mouth away. “
Chérie
.” The word would catch her attention.

Tears shone in her eyes. His subconscious started to niggle at him. How could she look at him with such love after everything she’d done to him, to Lauren, and to Summer? Either she was a fabulous actress, or she believed her own press. He needed to hear her confession.

“
Chérie
, we can’t make love here. The last thing I want is someone banging down the door and ruining our first time together. I want it to be as special as you are.”

“Do you have some place in mind?”

Nic thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. “I’ve got the perfect place.” Rising to his feet, he added, “Unpack and freshen up. I’ll come get you when I’ve got everything ready.”

“I do love surprises.”

Bending down, he whispered against her lips. “I promise I have plenty of surprises in store for you tonight.”

As he headed into the hall, Nic offered up a silent prayer to St. Genesius, patron saint of actors. His performance had better be Oscar caliber.

Or one of them could end up dead.

CHAPTER 24

As soon as she heard Nic’s footsteps going down the stairs, Vivian shut the door. If that half-breed friend of Nic’s saw it open, he’d probably try mauling her again. And then she’d have to kill him.

Nic wouldn’t like that, though.

None of it mattered, because tomorrow she and Nic would pay off the
blackmailer
, and then she’d whisk him away to their new home.

She spread her suitcase on the bed. Her cosmetic bag where she’d stashed the Rohypnol lay on top of the clothing. Would she need it tomorrow when she took Nic away from here? She’d planned to kidnap Nic to bring him to the island. But today, everything had changed. From what he’d said, he was ready to start a new life with her.

Vivian’s hand trembled as she touched her lips, reliving the feel of Nic’s mouth on hers. Although he hadn’t said he loved her, the way he’d touched her and tasted her, the way he’d stood up for her, had said it for him.

Sliding her hand along the edge of the suitcase, she retrieved the switchblade. With a flick of her thumb, the long blade extended. She brought the strip of shiny metal to her lips and kissed it. The knife’s twin had served her well when Summer had tried to hurt Nic. And it would serve her well again if anyone tried to keep them apart.

No one would get in the way of her happiness tonight.

She slipped the knife into her purse, and then threw in the packet of Rohypnol. As she dropped her purse on the dresser at the foot of the bed, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her business suit was elegant, but it was hardly ideal for tonight. This evening would be their first time together. Whatever she wore had to be spectacular. Spectacularly sexy.

Rummaging through the various outfits she’d brought along, she spotted the light blue teddy she’d picked out with him in mind. She’d been keeping it for when they got to the island. Should she wear it tonight instead? It was certainly sexy enough.

An idea came to her; the tailored black skirt with the slit along the side would be perfect. Carefully, she pulled on the threads, lengthening the slit so it ended high enough that the teddy would be visible. As for the top, any blouse would do, as long as it was mostly unbuttoned. Her pulse sped up as she imagined Nic’s face when he saw her. She’d finally get to hold his hard cock and work it as she’d watched him do in the shower. And if he was a very good boy, she’d give him a blow job he’d never forget.

Of course, she’d wear the Louboutins. A guy hadn’t been born who didn’t like seeing his woman in fuck-me heels and a teddy. Maybe he’d even want her to keep them on when he got down on his knees and sucked her pussy. If he made her come that way, she’d forgive him for pleasuring that slut
Lorna
, for forgetting that like the rest of him, his mouth belonged to her.

Vivian couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she changed her clothes. Nic was hers now. Of course, he always had been; he just hadn’t known it. But now he did. Her heart contracted as his shout echoed in her mind.
She’s mine
.

That shout said it all: she was special, he wanted her, she was his.

There would be no more interfering women.

No more interfering friends.

It would be just the two of them. Alone. Forever.

Click, click. Click, click.

Lauren’s fingernails tapped the coffee mug cradled in her hands. Because Nic had insisted, she’d agreed to remain in this room, above the studio, where she’d be safe. But the wait was killing her.

Careful not to give away her location, she’d watched Vivian’s arrival through a small window facing the house and even though she hadn’t been able to hear anything, she’d seen more than enough. And she sure as heck had seen the Louboutins Vivian had been wearing.

The way Vivian had slithered up Nic’s body and kissed him made her stomach churn. Although she’d known Nic was acting, Vivian
wasn’t
. Jealousy had flared in her heart, and poor Jake had practically had to restrain her to prevent her from storming out into the lane and physically pulling Vivian off Nic.

Lauren took another sip of coffee.

Click, click. Click, click. Her nails tinged against the ceramic.

A hand wrapped around the cup, trapping her fingers. “Ma’am, I know you’re worried, but, please… stop.”

“Sorry.”

Jake released her hand and smiled. “You don’t have to be nervous. When we were in Afghanistan, Kaden took a bullet with my name on it. Trust me, your fiancé is safe. And I’m right here if either of them needs backup.”

“Thanks for telling me.” And strangely, she did feel reassured. Surely nothing too terrible could happen with Kaden, Jake, Tommy, and Rémi keeping watch. Except… they’d interfere only if his life were in danger.

But what about his heart? What about hers? How far would Nic have to go to get Vivian to confess? Could he live with himself if he had to do more than kiss Vivian? Could she live with herself? Yes. Even if Nic had to have sex with Vivian, she’d deal with it. Vivian wasn’t going to win, no matter what. Lauren wouldn’t let her.

Beside her, Jake straightened in his chair and pulled on a pair of headphones. “Someone’s coming.”

Lauren adjusted her own headphones and watched the monitor as Nic entered the studio. He made a thumbs-up sign in the direction of the camera and proceeded to lay out the props he’d need for tonight’s seduction: several thick blankets and cushions, candles, champagne, and a picnic basket. When he was done, he lit the candles and pressed the button to lower the window blinds. She was relieved to see he stopped the blinds a few inches short of the frame, as they’d agreed, so Kaden and Rémi could keep watch from outside. A CD player sat on the desk next to her new computer along with a selection of music. Nic picked a CD and inserted it into the machine, setting the volume low so the video camera could still capture anything that was said in the room.

Maybe they should have involved the police. Even with Kaden, Rémi, and Jake standing by, any help they could give was after the fact. Nic would still be alone with Vivian. Alone with a killer.

Downstairs, Nic pulled out his cell phone. Her gut contracted painfully when she heard him say, “Hello,
chérie
.” That was his name for
her
.

Breathe, Lauren. He’s acting
.

He invited Vivian to join him in the stables. It took a little cajoling but in the end, she agreed. When Nic laid on the charm, no woman, Vivian included, could resist him.

Before hanging up, he looked straight at the camera. “I promise,
chérie
. This will be a night to remember, for both of us.” Lauren’s eyes welled up. Nic meant this promise for her. Tonight, the nightmare would end.

While Nic waited for Vivian, he went through some sort of warm-up routine, shaking out his arms and legs, rolling his neck and breathing deeply. When he raised his head, the changes to his appearance shocked Lauren.

Gone was Nic Lamoureux and in his place was Nic The Lover. He’d relaxed his jaw, and his mouth appeared softer. His eyes became heavy-lidded and had a slight sheen to them. Even his skin seemed darker, flushed somehow. He drifted over to the champagne and poured the liquid into two flutes, his movements more languid and fluid than usual. Each change was small, subtle. But put together, the effect was dramatic.

Nic turned as Vivian entered the studio. Smiling, he held up the flutes. “I thought we could start with a celebratory toast.”

Vivian returned his smile and sauntered into the room. Lauren scowled when she noticed the slit on Vivian’s skirt and her undone blouse. Why had the woman bothered to wear anything at all?

Nic handed her one of the flutes. “To the future,” he said, raising his glass.

“To the future,” she echoed.

Vivian drained her glass and held it out for more. Nic laughed and refilled it. She arched a perfectly shaped brow. “To our love?”

Even to Lauren, it sounded more like a question than a toast. She steeled herself for Nic’s response.

He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, and clinked their flutes together. “To our love.” Lauren gagged. Did his voice have to be so low and sound exactly like it did when he had sex on his mind?

“Easy there, ma’am,” Jake murmured.

Lauren nodded. She
knew
he was acting even if she couldn’t help reacting like he wasn’t.

When she returned her attention to the monitor, Vivian was looking around, squinting to see better in the dim lighting. “What is this place?”

“It’s usually for storage. But Rachel wanted to get photos of the kids on their favorite horses. Since it’ll take about a week to get all the photos taken, I’m letting the photographer use this room.”

She sniffed the air. “Have any horses been in here?”

Nic laughed. “Not yet. They’re starting on Monday.” He took her hand and led her over to the makeshift bed. “Are you hungry?” he asked, pointing to the picnic basket.

When she sat down, she managed to expose even more of her legs through the slit in her skirt. “Maybe a little.”

“Some strawberries and whipped cream to go along with the champagne?” He pulled two containers out of the basket.

Vivian’s eyes widened. “You remembered?”

He chuckled. “I told you. Since the beginning, it’s always been you.” He selected a strawberry and dipped it in the whipped cream before bringing it to her lips. She opened her mouth and bit. A drop of juice dripped to her chin. Nic leaned over and licked it. “Mmm… delicious.”

Amazed, Lauren watched Nic begin his seduction. Not a hint of his true feelings showed in his face. If this were a movie, she’d totally buy his sexual interest in Vivian.