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  “You’re right. I was just surprised to see you here,” I said. “The timing seemed a little … off.”

  Nolan brushed his hand across my shoulder and down to my collarbone. I trembled under his touch and hoped he was too drunk to realize the effect he had on me. “I’m glad you’re here. So I can do this again. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind, Charlie. How you feel. How you taste.”

  He brushed his lips against mine, tasting of strawberries and champagne. I kept my lips closed tight. It was sweet, tender, and I didn’t want it to end. But my senses caught up to me. I pushed him away.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”

  This was my boss. I didn’t want to ruin a good thing. I implored him with my best pleading look. I needed and wanted to do this pro-bono work and he was wrecking it and willing to blow it up with his inability to keep his impulses under control.

  “What’s wrong?” Nolan asked.

  “I have to go check on my friends.” I escaped the VIP area and didn’t plan on going back. The kiss was nice. It was better than nice. But Nolan remained off limits. Forever.

  I met up with Melissa and feigned not feeling well. Taking a cab home, I admonished myself for falling for Nolan, even as my fingers touched my lips. I would not let that happen again.

  Chapter 7

  Monday morning came around too quickly. I fretted all weekend about returning to work. Nolan entered my thoughts. My fantasies. Every night, I dreamed about how it would feel to have those lips travel up and down my flushed body. I didn’t want to be alone with him again because I didn’t know how much longer I could resist.

  I had settled into my office when Nolan rushed in with coffee and a white bakery bag in his hands.

  “Good morning, Charlie,” he said, putting the items on my desk. “We have a busy day today.”

  When he’d advised Jasmine that I’d now report directly to him, I’d thought that would mean an occasional e-mail or request from his assistant. These visits were disconcerting. His presence got to me, causing frissons of awareness on my limbs and wetness between my legs. I wasn’t used to having to resist a man. Especially one I worked with.

  I looked on my desk calendar. There was nothing on it except a meeting with a new developer who was interested in buying a commercial property Nolan had for sale. “Did I forget something?”

  He reached in the bag and pulled out two blueberry muffins, handing one to me. “We’re heading over to the site of the Grant Project. I want you to meet Mr. Raminsky.”

  I took a tentative bite of the blueberry muffin. Homemade. And delicious. “Really?” I asked, pieces of muffin falling gently to my paper planner.

  Nolan ate his breakfast in three large bites. “It’s important for him to see who will be heading up the project.”

  “What time do we leave?”

  “Now,” Nolan said. “So wrap up the muffin and let’s go.”

  We took the company car to the site. Nolan explained that it was located next to the luxury office building he was developing. I knew that we closed on that site on Friday. Once we had the deed for the office building, Raminsky would hand over the deed to the vacant land next year. This vacant land would be dedicated for the low-income housing project.

  When the car pulled to the curb, I saw a balding older gentleman standing on a mound of dirt. He was wearing pressed khakis, a button down shirt, and black work boots. He carried a white, plastic hard hat under one beefy arm.

  “That’s Raminsky,” Nolan said as we got out of the car.

  I shook the man’s hand and he gave me my own hard hat. “So this is your new girl?” Mr. Raminsky boomed in a thick Jersey accent that seemed more fitting on Tony Soprano.

  “Charlie is working in our legal department,” Nolan said, wrapping an arm casually around my shoulders. “She’ll also be working on the housing project with us as my personal legal advisor.”

  What in the world was Nolan doing? This was supposed to be a business meeting and he was acting like we were intimate. I knew that Raminsky was his godfather, but it was no reason for him to be so casual around me.

  “Where are you from, sweetheart?” Raminsky asked.

  “Originally from Georgia,” I answered with a smile.

  “I thought I detected an accent.” Raminsky hit Nolan on the back. “You went and got yourself a southern girl, huh? Sexy.”

  “Charlie has been keeping me on my toes,” Nolan answered. Then he surprised me by kissing me on the forehead, right underneath my plastic headwear.

  What in the world? I felt like I was in an episode of Twilight Zone. Before I could respond, Raminsky started walking around the surveyor’s stakes.

  “Your taste in women has improved,” Mr. Raminsky thundered. I secretly wondered if he wore a hearing aid as the man had only one volume. Ten decibels.

  Nolan put his hand in mine as we followed behind Raminsky. I tried to wrangle away from him, but the more I tried, the more Nolan tightened his grip on me. I had no idea what Nolan’s endgame was, but I had a feeling I was about to find out.

  Mr. Raminsky continued, “I’m so happy that you’ve found someone, son. Not saying that I didn’t believe you, but I’m glad you brought her by today.”

  I opened my mouth to correct him, but Nolan squeezed my hand. “Charlie is more than just a pretty face. She’s going to head up the fundraising for the Grant Project in addition to handling all the real estate closings. She’ll be prospecting with me at the Winter Ball.”

  “Good to know,” Raminsky bellowed. He turned his attention to me. “Why is this project so close to your heart?”

  “Tell him what you told me at dinner. About your family.”

  I blew out a breath. “My mom passed away when I was younger. My dad raised me. We went through some tough times … not having a place to live. We slept on a lot of friends and family’s couches, sleeping in our car when we had no other place to go, digging through restaurant trash for food.”

  Raminsky reached out and touched my hand. I hadn’t told Nolan all the gritty details, and he looked pretty shocked. I was angry with him for pulling this stunt on me, so I wasn’t going to hold back. If he wanted to get to know me, then he was going to know the truth about my upbringing. If Nolan Banks was a smart man, he’d run. Fast. Before the baggage that was Charlene de Monaco hit him in the head like an errant missile from an airport carousel.

  “When I was old enough to work, I spent high school waitressing and bartending to help my dad make ends meet. I continued to make straight A’s in school because I knew it was my ticket out of poverty. It was a relief to get a full academic scholarship to UGA. I finally escaped a life of misery by going to college. It was while I was at UGA that I decided to become a lawyer. I wanted to help other children in similar situations to mine.” I dug a toe in the dirt, not wanting to meet Nolan’s eyes. To witness his disgust. “That is why this project is important to me.”

  And why I’m putting up with your bullshit right now, Nolan Banks.

  Raminsky hugged my neck and said to Nolan, “Well, my boy. I say you have a keeper. I’m relieved you’re finally settling down with the right woman. I’m a family man and I couldn’t see just giving away this land to someone who didn’t deserve it. Godson or not.”

  “You know it’s in good hands,” Nolan said, his arm now around my waist.

  I hated to admit it, but I loved the way he made me feel protected. Cherished. Like my feelings mattered. Like I mattered. But damn, I wasn’t going to let this man give Nolan the land under false pretenses. We were not a couple.

  “Actually, Mr. Raminsky. I’m not—” and then I jumped back as Nolan pinched my arm.

  “Charlie is just nervous,” he said, mischief clouding his eyes as he kissed me on the cheek. “We won’t let you down.”

  I gritted my teeth, playing along. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.” What I really wanted to do was shove him in the mound of dirt. And grind his smug smile into it with my serviceable pump.r />
  “You’re doing great,” he whispered in my ear.

  “Nolan, you’re bringing Charlie to the Winter Ball, right? I want our new princess to meet the long suffering Mrs. Raminsky.”

  “No worries. We’ll be there.”

  “Good to know.” The older man reached down and retrieved a set of plans from his side. “Now, let’s get down to business. Here is what I had in mind for the building …”

  ***

  Once we were back in the car, I turned to him. “I’m not sure what the hell that was all about, but I don’t like being bamboozled.”

  “How come you never told me all that? You and your dad having to sleep in your car?” Nolan started, his warm eyes so filled with compassion and something else.

  My face burned as emotion pooled behind my eyes. “Would it matter?” I wiped away a tear, thinking about all the things my dad sacrificed to make sure I had a good life. Thinking about all the times I’d already gotten emotional in this man’s presence. This man I’d known all of a few days. “My dad did the best he could to make sure I had the things I needed. He still works every day.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you beforehand. I thought if I did you wouldn’t agree to come with me.” Nolan explained that Raminsky wouldn’t give him the land if he didn’t start settling down. “I told him that I met someone and it went from there. I never meant to lead him under false pretenses. Besides, who is to say that we won’t have a good time together at the Winter Ball and …”

  “Just stop right there. This is a business arrangement right now. That’s all.” I didn’t like being manipulated personally or professionally, and he needed to know it.

  I knew the moment he decided he would kiss me again. It was like we were drawn together by some crazy electromagnetic force. He swooped down and claimed my lips in a kiss so searing it bordered on possession. His tongue slipped past my lips to merge with mine. I was falling. I was helpless. I was gone.

  “We can’t,” I whispered against his lips. I wanted too. I didn’t want too. I was a flipping conflicted mess. “I need to get back to work.”

  I fumbled around for the door handle while he continued to shower butterfly kisses on my cheeks and forehead. Once I found the latch, I got out of the car as fast as I could and ran inside the office building. I just hoped Jasmine wasn’t on the prowl for me because I was sure uncontrollable lust was written all over my face.

  Chapter 8

  A message was on my desk when I arrived back from our field trip. It was the attorney for paternity suit girl. I started to pick up my phone and call her when Jasmine rushed into my office.

  “Where have you been?” she asked.

  It was a common question lately and I was getting tired of it. “Nolan and I had to meet with Raminsky on the office building deal.”

  “We may not have a deal unless you take care of that paternity suit. I don’t think you realize how important it is to maintain Nolan’s reputation. These matters are yours to deal with.”

  I gritted my teeth. “I’ve got it taken care of. I called her attorney and told him that we were not giving them one dime until she undergoes a paternity test. It can be done while she’s pregnant. All we need—”

  “I told you to settle, Charlene,” Jasmine interrupted. “Your job isn’t to make decisions about Mr. Banks and undermine people with greater tenure than yours. Offer the girl some money to make all this go away.” Jasmine picked up my phone and handed it to me. “Call them.”

  I cursed Jasmine under my breath while I called the attorney. I hope he had some good news for me. I put the call on speakerphone so she could hear the conversation. When his assistant picked up the phone, she said, “Miss de Monaco, thank you for calling me back. He’s in a meeting, but he wanted me to pass along a message to you. After reviewing your findings to our client, she’s decided to drop the suit.”

  I clenched my fist and shook it in the air. Jasmine looked like she’d sucked down a lemon. “Thank you for the good news.” I disconnected the call.

  I thought I would get an apology from Jasmine. Instead, she raised her voice. “You got very lucky. Next time I tell you to do something, you better do it. You may have cost this company millions of dollars, not to mention bad publicity by not following instructions.”

  “Are you kidding me?” I wanted to throat punch her. “Did you not hear that conversation? I saved the company a substantial settlement that we did not owe.”

  “Next time something like this happens …” Jasmine continued her tirade with a veiled threat.

  “You’re fired.”

  Jasmine whipped around as Nolan’s voice cut through the oppressive tension. He’d been standing in the doorway, and now leaned casually against it, his large and imposing frame enveloping the space. Jasmine crossed her arms over her skinny chest and cut me with a knowing look. Then she chuckled.

  “Jasmine,” Nolan said as he walked deeper into my office to tower over the woman. “I said you’re fired. Security will escort you out of the building and your personal items will be mailed.”

  Suddenly the whole office was quiet. Jasmine’s eyes went wide. “Mr. Banks, I didn’t know you were here. You — she — you can’t fire me …” she stammered. Then she pointed at me. “She’s the one who deserves to be fired.”

  “I’m pretty sure my name is on the door.” Nolan pointed toward reception. “I can do whatever I want.”

  Jasmine vacillated, clearly not sure what she should do next.

  Nolan waved toward the doorway. “I suppose we could have a little meeting with my father and discuss the aggressive behavior you’ve exhibited with our new employees. Of course, you’d just lower his zipper and suck him off like you did the night of the company Christmas party.” At her hiss of surprise and horror, Nolan leaned over and placed both of his large palms on either side of the chair in which she sat. Rigid. “I saw you both. First rate performance. However, I would expect the outcome would still be the same … except this time without a significant severance package.”

  Jasmine flung Nolan’s hands out of the way and pushed her way past him to flee down the hallway before he could finish his sentence.

  Meanwhile, I slumped down in my chair, trying to process what just happened. Ding dong, the witch is gone, or something like that. Nolan had stood up for me. I’d never had someone stand up for me before other than my dad and Mr. Richards, my third grade teacher. And I never thought my savior would be Nolan Banks.

  Nolan sat down in the spot that Jasmine just vacated. “Are you okay?”

  “I can’t believe you just did that,” I said, still in shock.

  “It was a long time coming,” he admitted. “My dad has a soft spot for her. Or, a hard spot as it were.” Nolan’s eyes lit up and he gave me a knowing look.

  “Who will take her place? We have a closing next week and I’m not …”

  He cut me off. “Congratulations, Charlie. You’re now the Director of Legal.”

  I gawked at him, unsure of what he’d just said. I think it was something like I was in charge of the legal department. But, I had zero leadership experience. What did I know about organizing an effective team of lawyers for a real estate firm?

  “I hope you will forgive me for what happened today with Raminsky,” he continued.

  “Is this why you fired Jasmine? As a thank you for following along with your scheme?” I sucked in a breath as it hit me. “Are you trying to bribe me in to play acting as your straight-laced girlfriend, Nolan Banks?”

  He shook his head. “I fired Jasmine because she’s a bitch. Everyone hated her and she’s a liability. An employment law suit waiting to happen. My dad will understand once I fill him in, no matter how spectacular her tongue gymnastics are. I didn’t like the way she treated you or the other employees for that matter. I got rid of a bad apple. It was bound to happen and you had nothing to do with it.”

  That made me feel a little better. Only a little because I couldn’t help but think I was just a
pawn in his twisted game.

  “I’ll let you get back to work.” Nolan stood up to leave. “Don’t forget the ball this weekend.”

  How could I ever forget?

  Chapter 9

  It was one of those nights where I tossed and turned, unable to get Nolan out of my mind. I tried everything I could think of to get to sleep. Hot chocolate, ice cream, my favorite shows on Netflix, yet the sandman stayed absent.

  Wrapped up in my ultra-soft blanket with my footie pajamas on, I lit a lavender candle and picked up a romance novel I’d been too busy to read. Melissa was out with Kyle — lucky for her. I would love to talk to her about my feelings about Nolan and the whole Winter Ball thing. I was still in a state of confusion about the way he treated me in front of Raminsky.

  Was he really interested in me or was he using me to get what he wanted out of the old man? As I pondered that thought, my cell phone buzzed on the nightstand. The caller ID showed Nolan Banks. I wondered what fiasco had happened now that he’d need my help to clean up. I answered the call.

  “What’s going on? Need a prop for a photo op tonight?” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

  Nolan chuckled on the line. “Can’t I just call to talk to you without the verbal assaults? Jeez, Charlie, you can be prickly and not in a good way.”

  “I’m sure you have a dozen women at your beck and call.” I knew that to be true as I witnessed the night before at the bar. “Seriously, what do you need? I’m sitting here in my Victoria Secret ensemble with a glass of wine in one hand and a vibrator in the other.” I slapped my hand over my mouth, unable to believe I just said that.

  “Love the visual, but I beg to differ,” he answered. “I’m betting on flannel, chamomile tea and a romance novel with Fabio on the cover. Am I right?” When he was met with nothing but silence because of how close he actually was to my evening set up, Nolan rushed forward. “I wanted some company tonight and I thought of you.”

  I rolled over in bed and considered his proposal. I was already tingling from the low, sexy tone he was using. The low, sexy and persuasive tone. “I don’t think that’s in my job description. Besides, I’m already in bed.”