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  “You’re so tight. So hot,” Nolan gasped as he ran his free hand through my hair and braced his weight with the other.

  I loved the way he felt inside of me. So full. So right. His rhythm sped up and I matched him stroke for stroke. Our climax building, slowly at first, then with an urgency I had never felt before. The pressure of reaching for something. Something deeper than pure release. I couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “Nolan, I can’t wait.”

  “Let go, baby girl.” Nolan plunged inside of me hard as I came and ground into my engorged clit. I grabbed onto his hair as I bucked up against him. I didn’t want this feeling to end. Nolan climaxed with me, his thick cock pumping his own release inside of me.

  For a moment, neither one of us moved. We struggled to breathe as he collapsed on top of me in a sweaty heap. Oh God, what had I done? Realizations of what had just happened hit me hard. I’d just had sex with my boss. I had sex with Nolan Banks. The Nolan Banks.

  I pushed him off of me.

  “What’s wrong?” Nolan asked.

  “I have to go.” I jumped up and reached for my pajamas and robe, throwing them on as fast as I could. I stood and searched for my moose slippers. I’d walk all the way back to my apartment like a crazy person on the sidewalk if I had to. I needed to get the hell out of his penthouse.

  “What did I do?” he demanded. “Charlie, I don’t know what I did wrong.”

  He stood there next to the sofa, arms askew in a questioning pose. Looking stricken. Looking like I’d hurt his feelings. Was that even possible?

  “We shouldn’t have—” I finally found my slippers and jammed my feet in to them, causing the felt antlers to sway back and forth.

  “Don’t fight this, Charlie.” His hand was on my shoulder, trying to stop me from leaving. “Don’t run away from what’s happening.”

  “Please, I just need to leave,” I said as firmly as I could. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was going into a full-blown panic attack. I could feel my skin redden and prickle. I didn’t want to do this in front of him. I needed fresh air. I had to get out of here. Now.

  “We can make this work, Charlie. Please … I don’t want you to go.” He followed me into the foyer. My pulse quickened and I felt like I might pass out. Terrific. Just what I needed; to embarrass myself even further in front of someone who fucked untold numbers of women in this very apartment every night of the week. And here was Charlene de Monaco, a lawyer, acting like a high school cheerleader. My heart pounded out of control. My ears started to ring. Oh god, what did I do? I was such a fucking idiot to come here and put myself in this situation.

  But that was just a pathetic excuse. Because deep down, I’d wanted it. Wanted him. Grasping at something I’d never been able to have and never would again.

  “Charlie, honey. What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Nolan tried to wrap his arms around me. I pushed him away. “I’d die if I ever hurt you.”

  “Please, I need to go home.” Tears welled in my eyes. I tried to stop them. I couldn’t and one lonely drop escaped and trailed a lonely rivulet down my flushed cheek.

  “Okay, at least let my driver take you home.”

  More tears threatened to fall, but I wouldn’t let them. I hissed in a breath and used everything within me to stop them from escaping. “Nolan, we can’t ever do that again. I don’t want to ruin anything. My job—”

  “It’s okay,” he said, his voice low, like he was speaking to a frightened child. “Nothing has changed.”

  He was wrong. Everything had changed. We couldn’t take it back.

  “This is all my fault.” Nolan took me in his arms. “I shouldn’t have rushed you.”

  “I’m not one of your one night stands. We have a professional relationship.” I said, gulping for air. “You need to forget this happened.”

  “Charlie, you know that’s not true.” He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering there. “I promise you that this means more to me than that. I would try to tell you how much, but you’re not listening, not hearing me. You’re scaring me.”

  “I have to go. I’m sorry.” I pulled away and reached for the handle of the door. I was in the hallway in just a few seconds. I hid my face so he couldn’t see how destroyed I was. Or worse, how much I wanted to run back to him.

  He blew out a long breath and I heard the frustration that went with it. “Okay, I’ll call you in the morning. We’ll talk more before we leave for the Winter Ball.” Nolan pressed a button on the intercom, calling for his driver. “Henry will meet you downstairs.”

  I rushed down the hallway for the elevator. Just before the doors slid shut, I saw Nolan standing about ten yards from me, making sure I got safely on the elevator. I had forgotten all about the Winter Ball tomorrow night. How the hell could I pretend everything was okay? This was the most ignorant decision I had ever made. It had cost me my self-respect and made me feel decidedly stupid. I just hoped it wouldn’t cost me my job.

  Chapter 11

  The moment I became conscious the next morning, I replayed the previous night in my mind. I’d had sex with my boss. Spine tingling, toe curling sex. The best of my life. Three orgasms. Three. Nolan Banks was an overachiever. My body flushed at the memory and I ran my hands over my fevered skin.

  “Dammit!” What the hell did I do? I’d never felt so conflicted in my life. Rehashing the evening, part of me quivered with delight at the remembrance of his touch. The other part of me wondered where to go from here. One thing was for certain. I’d never forget it. For the rest of my life, I’d pull it out of my fantasies every long, lonely night to savor over and over.

  Then I remembered the Winter Ball. With Nolan. Tonight.

  “Shit!”

  Seemed all my big brain could produce this morning was a string of curses as I remembered I didn’t have anything to wear. I knew from looking through pictures of last year’s ball on the New York Society web page that it was a black-tie affair and the women wore elegant gowns that cost thousands of dollars. My best dress was a little black chiffon number that I bought on sale at Macy’s last year. That wouldn’t cut it. I could max out my Visa card and buy a gown at Neiman Marcus. It would take me a couple years to pay off, but it would be worth it. I would look amazing. I could go a step further and have my makeup and hair done at the salon this afternoon. A knock at my bedroom door startled me.

  “Are you decent?” Melissa asked.

  “Come in.”

  “Whatcha doing?” She sat next to me on the bed. Like she had a sixth sense. Like she knew. “We haven’t talked in a while.”

  It was true. Between the late hours at work and Melissa spending more time at Kyle’s place, we hardly saw each other. I blew out a breath and just spat it out. I told her everything. The kiss. The sex. My post coital walk of shame. Why deny it? Melissa was so good she’d verbally beat it out of me anyway. I just saved us both the drama.

  “Oh my god,” she said, her voice as giddy as a little girl. “How was it? I bet it was good. He’s so fucking hot.”

  I blushed. Not wanting to talk about the intimate details of the most spectacular night of my life. Even with Melissa. “I don’t know. I’m having second thoughts about everything. Tonight is the Winter Ball. I have nothing to wear and I want to look good on Nolan’s arm. I can’t disappoint him. In spite of everything.”

  “That’s not a problem,” she assured me and crossed her legs. “There’s a second hand store in Soho that rents evening gowns. You’ll only pay a couple hundred dollars and a dry cleaning fee. Problem solved.”

  The idea was appealing, but I really didn’t want to wear a hand-me-down or anything that was last season. I wanted to shine. Just this once.

  “It wouldn’t hurt to just go take a look. I have the day off. I’ll go with you.” Melissa jumped off the bed and took a bow. “I’ll be your personal fairy godmother.” She twirled in place and waved a fake magic wand over the top of my head.

  I chuckled. “Okay.”

  The doorbe
ll buzzed.

  “I’ll get it.” Melissa walked out the bedroom calling over her shoulder, “Coffee is on. You look like you need a cup.”

  I stretched out, noting the strange soreness between my legs. Whatever I decided to do about hair and wardrobe, I needed to get busy. I only had a few hours before Nolan was supposed to pick me up. I grabbed my robe and headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

  “Charlie!” Melissa yelled, coming fast down the hallway. She almost bumped into me. Holding a large white box in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other, she said, “This was just delivered for you.” The poor girl was nearly out of breath.

  We went back to my room and she laid the stuff on my bed.

  “Who’s it from?” I asked, but already knew the answer.

  I ripped open the card attached to the large white box while Melissa sniffed the bouquet of white and peach roses.

  For my princess. I’m sorry I hurt you and I’ll do anything to make it right. See you at eight.

  Nolan

  I opened the box and rifled through a mound of white and gold tissue paper, recognizing the Bergdorf Goodman logo emblazoned on it. The most beautiful evening gown I’d ever seen was nestled inside the box. I pulled it out and gave it a little shake. Melissa gasped.

  It was a floor length ivory gown with intricate gold beading.

  “Try it on.” Melissa hopped up and down as she clapped her hands together. “Right now.”

  I stepped out of my PJs and with Melissa’s help, I slipped the gown over my head. She zipped up the very low back. In fact, I didn’t know what kind of undergarments I could even wear under this thing. Going commando was more than my nerdy, chess club loving heart could take. Staring at my floor length mirror, I sucked a breath in. It fit me perfectly.

  The neckline plunged a few inches past my breastbone. The waist was cinched with rows of gold beading, and the gown gathered in a mound of fabric at my feet. How in the world did Nolan know it would cling to my curvy body like a glove?

  “You’re gorgeous,” Melissa said. “You’re going to knock his socks off tonight.”

  I hoped so. God, could it be possible?

  “There’s more,” Melissa panted.

  Also inside the box was a pair of matching shoes, an evening bag, and a necklace and earrings encrusted with diamonds. Actual real diamonds that probably cost three times my salary. I picked up the necklace and draped it around my neck.

  “I take that back.” Melissa laughed. “You’re going to knock his pants off!”

  Chapter 12

  Walking on the red carpet to the entrance of the gala was like a dream. Cameras flashed from every direction as New York’s elite glided into the ballroom. I spotted several celebrities including Julia Roberts, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. It was hard not to stare.

  The ballroom was decorated in white and gold. Everywhere I looked there was elegance — sparkling lights, pressed white tablecloths, white roses in gold vases, and gold balloons — including the patrons who all wore variations of white and gold. The men dressed in tuxes with gold cummerbunds. Waiters walked around the room holding gold trays filled with Dom Pérignon champagne and bite size appetizers. Everything took my breath away.

  “In case I haven’t told you, you look amazing tonight,” Nolan said as we walked in the ballroom arm in arm. “I’m really proud to have you here with me and I can’t wait to show you off to everyone I know.”

  I smiled. Yes, he had told me that I looked amazing. And beautiful. And gorgeous. About a million times before we even got to the event. Nothing was brought up about last night and that was the way I wanted it. For now. After tonight, we would go back to being boss and attorney. I would work with him on the Grant Project and it would be nothing but business. Professional business and not monkey business.

  Who was I kidding? I really didn’t know if I could resist the pull between us. It was so electric.

  “Raminsky and his wife are here.” Nolan whipped me around in their direction before whispering in my ear. “Remember, we’re a couple tonight. I want the chance to do some good with you by my side.”

  I scanned the room and found the couple over by the bar. Raminsky was looking rather dapper in his tuxedo. His wife looked very elegant in a shimmering gold gown that accentuated her deep tan and blonde hair. They saw us approaching and Raminsky started to wave. His wife gave a nice warm, inviting smile.

  “Relax,” Nolan said. I didn’t realize how tense I was, but I knew this moment was important.

  “I’m fine,” I said and planted a kiss on his cheek. He gave an answering caress to my exposed back. Shivers erupted on every inch of my skin.

  Raminsky and his wife smiled with approval. I felt that all eyes were on us as we walked across the ballroom.

  “Hello, my godson,” Raminsky greeted us. He introduced me to his wife, Simone. Soon other couples surrounded us, some I’d seen in the society pages or in the business section of the New York Times. I tried not to feel so intimidated. It was comforting having Nolan’s arm around my waist as he talked to everyone.

  “Nolan, where have you been hiding?” cried Cameron Rutherford, who had just been dubbed a ‘Top Businessmen to Watch’ by Forbes.

  “Busy as usual,” he answered, shaking the other man’s hand.

  “I hear you’re moving forward with the low-income housing project?”

  “Yes, with this lovely lady’s help,” Nolan said, squeezing my side. Like I made him proud. An unexpected feeling overtook me. A feeling of belonging.

  “Why doesn’t this beautiful woman have a drink?” Cameron asked.

  Nolan squeezed me again. “Good question. Would you like something?” He kissed me on the temple. Raminsky looked pleased as punch.

  “Champagne, please.”

  “Champagne, it is,” Nolan said. He wrapped his arms around my waist and dipped me, giving me a long hard kiss on the lips.

  The crowd ‘oohed and awed’ as Nolan put me back on my feet. My head was spinning. That was going a little far. “What are you doing?” I hissed in his ear.

  “Just play along, remember?” Nolan clutched my hand. “I’ll go get our drinks.”

  Okay, I could do that. As soon as he turned around I gave him a playful slap on the ass. Payback’s a bitch, Nolan Banks. “Hurry back, sweetheart.”

  Raminsky hooted and said, “You got a lively one, Nolan.”

  Nolan looked back in surprise, laughing. “I guess I do.” Then he dragged his eyes up my body from my stilettos to my messy bun, lingering on my braless breasts. He gave a salacious wink before he turned.

  “So, Charlie. What are your fundraising plans for the project?” Raminsky asked.

  “Ah, I actually haven’t gotten that far yet. I was hoping tonight would be a jumping off point for getting the funds we need to break ground.”

  “My wife would love to work with you on that. She’s hell on wheels when it comes to raising money for good causes.” Raminsky pinched his wife gently on the cheek. His love for her shined through in every motion.

  “I would be glad to donate whatever time needed to help you, darling,” Simone offered.

  That was nice to hear. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

  “Maybe we can get together for lunch next week and discuss plans.”

  “Okay,” I agreed. This was off to a great start. Not only could Simone be a fundraising force to be reckoned with, but she could be a friend and ally.

  “You and Nolan look good together. I’m so happy that he finally found someone to settle down with.” Raminsky gave my hand a squeeze.

  Oh boy. It was going to break this man’s heart when Nolan and I staged our breakup. As much as the little girl in me held tightly to the fantasy, I had my big girl thong on tonight. Nolan Banks wasn’t meant for me.

  “I hope you spend as many years together as Simone and I have,” Raminsky continued. “Treasure the good times. That’s my best advice. And don’t fight over the little things.”


  Nolan came back with two flutes full of bubbly. “Here you go, love.”

  “Thank you, honey,” I said, batting my eyelashes at him.

  “So, how did you two meet?” Simone asked.

  “We work together,” I answered. “I’m his lawyer.”

  “As soon as she walked into the office I knew I had to have her,” Nolan answered. He stroked a finger across my cheek. “Sexy, smart, feisty. She’s kept me on the straight and narrow ever since. And that’s not always easy.”

  “I’ve always liked a woman who knows how to control her man,” Raminsky said with a wink.

  Nolan’s arm tightened around me. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was having a hard time believing what was real and what was just his wicked fantasy. Or just part of the game we were playing with Raminsky.

  Could I be the best thing that ever happened to him?

  Or was I just another notch in his belt?

  Or simply a means to an end?

  I wasn’t stupid. Okay, sometimes I clearly was, but not about this. I saw the looks all the beautiful women in the ballroom gave him. He could have his pick of any girl in this room. I wondered how many of them had screamed his name as they soared toward their pleasure. I saw Georgia in the corner, giving me her best glare. I shook my head to chase the ghost of conquests past.

  Nolan continued, “And we have a lot in common. We share the same philosophies about life and work. We even like the same type of movies. And food.”

  My heart surged at his mention of movies. It was the first time he’d referenced our romantic evening together. The night that I’d given my body for the first time in three years. The night I’d given him everything.

  “It was love at first sight,” I cut in sassily, spearing Nolan with an adoring look before kissing him on the cheek.

  “She’s a keeper, for sure,” Raminsky bellowed. “This one is going to keep you on your toes!”

  “That’s why I picked her,” Nolan agreed. Then he glanced down and blushed.