Chapter 6

Seeing her stepping out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her slender frame did something to him. He had gotten through the night by staying as far away from her as possible.

Now, he was paying for it by suffering from aches and pains and tension in his back and neck from trying so hard not to touch her. She was a roller and a restless sleeper. He would be nudged from his nap to find her curled up perilously close to him.

In the early morning hours, he had quit fighting her and the urge to wrap his arms around her. He had also missed his damn alarm and woke up to find the space next to him empty.

Thinking she had left him, he swung his legs off the bed and took two steps towards the bathroom, stopping as she walked out, wearing the towel.

“Hi.” He greeted her inanely.

“Hi.” Her dark brown eyes twinkled as she stared at him. “Bad night?”

“You never stay on your side of the bed,” He muttered without thinking.

“Should I apologize?” She asked with lifted brows as she headed towards the vanity.

“No.” Shaking his head, he stood looking at her as she slid onto the padded stool. He watched as she unpinned the large twists she had done her hair in and started to untwine them. “I am running late.”

“The bathroom is all yours,” she reminded him. But he continued to stand there as if rooted to the spot.

“Marcel?”

“What?”

“Is everything okay?”

No! He wanted to shout. I am being inexplicably drawn to you and don’t know how long I can hold out.

Instead, he shook his head and forced a smile. “Yes. I have to.” He lifted one hand and gestured toward the bathroom. “I have to go and take a shower.”

She nodded, staring after him curiously before looking at her reflection in the mirror.

Stepping into the bathroom was another source of torture for him. She had used the bath, and the steam was still rising out of the tub, the scent of raspberry permeating the air. Her toothbrush was left on her side of the sink, and the mirror was smeared.

Shaking his head at how messy she was, he stripped off his clothes and dumped them inside the hamper. She had shed her thin, wispy, dark blue silk nightgown beside the hamper. He would have to increase the housekeeper’s wages because of his wife”s extra work.

Stepping into the shower install, he showered quickly to try to get out of there and into the office. Being so close to her was driving him crazy. He had just stepped into the bedroom when he stopped and stared, his heart hammering inside his chest.

She was wearing plum-colored lace underwear. Her face was lightly made up; her hair brushed ruthlessly back into a neat chignon at the nape of her neck. And she was so unbelievably sexy that he felt himself hardening.

“What do you think?” She had disappeared into the closet and returned, holding up a chic-looking raspberry pink dress with a short raspberry and white jacket and a teal blue pantsuit with a fitted jacket.

“Pardon?”

“Your preference, Marcel.” There was a note of impatience in her cultured voice as she stared at him. She was standing directly before him, and he was aware of the flesh protruding over the delicate lace.

Her stomach was flat, and- snapping his eyes back up to her face, he wondered how he was still standing when his legs felt as weak as a damn kitten.

“I- er- the raspberry.”

“Why?”

He blinked at her. “I don’t understand.”

“Why the raspberry?” She asked slowly as if she was talking to a two-year-old.

“Um - I - it’s beautiful.”

“And it’s new.” Stepping back into the closet and giving him a reprieve, she called out. “I called Monique last night and spoke to her. She will be sending some things over sometime today. I must donate some of these to the Goodwill store to make space.”

To his acute relief, he realized she was getting dressed inside the closet.

Taking advantage of that, he hurriedly dragged off the towel and went to the drawers to put on underwear and a T-shirt. But he realized he would have to enter the closet to get dressed.

Dragging his fingers through his damp hair, he shook himself and moved purposefully towards the room. He was brought up short again when he witnessed her slipping into the dress.

His eyes met hers in the full-length Cheval mirror.

“Perfect timing. Can you zip me up, please?”

Walking heavily toward her, he sucked in his breath and eased the zipper up, doing his best to avoid looking at the soft skin and the insane need to kiss the back of her neck.

“There.” His voice was brisk, and with his breath strangling inside his throat, he stepped over to his side to pick out a suit. His heart jolted when she stepped over. Plucking the ash-gray suit from his hand, she chose one in dark blue instead and selected a teal blue shirt to go with it.

“What? No tie?” He asked mockingly.

“I was getting to that.” Stepping over to the revolving shelves of ties, she picked one out with tiny red and blue stripes and handed it to him.

“Shoes?”

She grinned at him before walking over to the shelves and picking a pair of brown Italian loafers. “Here you go. You are all set.”

“Why, thank you.” He had meant it to be sarcastic, but it was the opposite.

“You are most welcome.” She went over to her shoe shelves and picked up brown leather heels.

“Black,” he said automatically.

Turning around to face him, she nodded and exchanged it for a pair of glossy black heels.

“Aren’t you afraid to walk in those?”

“The extra height gives me more leverage when presenting my case.” She slipped into the shoes and gripped his arm to find her balance.

It struck him then how easily they had eased into domestic mode. They were dressing together and in the same space seamlessly as if they had been doing it for years.

“You do realize that sounds ridiculous, right?” He stood there and waited for her to finish putting her shoes on.

“Ridiculous or not, it works.” She let go of his arm and walked unconsciously to the chair to put her jacket on. “See you downstairs.” Stopping at the arched doorway, she looked at him. “What time does the housekeeper come?”

“Nine or ten.”

“Okay.”

He watched as she walked out of the room and stood there staring at the space for several minutes before he could move. Shaking his head, he set about getting dressed.

*****

The scent of coffee hit him as he descended the stairs, and the sight of her in the chic raspberry dress, with the coffee cup in her hand, pacing the length of the gleaming tiled floor, had his heart thumping inside his chest.

“I poured you some coffee.” She moved the phone from her ear and gestured to the cup. “I have Miller on the phone, and he is chomping at the bit.”

“What for?” Picking up his coffee, he stared at her with a frown.

“The tech company owner is vacillating over the merger. It’s fine. I am going to the firm now and will sort this out.” She listened again for a few seconds as she took a sip. “Yes, it’s fine. Just don’t say or do anything until I get there.”

“You are hitting the ground running.”

“I am.” Finishing the coffee, she put the cup in the sink before leaving. “I will see you at the office.”

Cradling his cup between his palms, he sat down and inhaled the scent of her exotic perfume as he finished his coffee.

*****

Nikki had gotten accustomed to the towering glass and chrome building in the busy metropolis with the quaint storefront buildings. These old-fashioned structures had been remodeled during the last twenty years and still maintained the quaint early eighteenth-century era.

Hadley, Hadley, Hadley Baker occupied the entire fifty-sixth-floor building in the middle of the massive grounds. Staff parking was at several underground levels, with security guards manning the various booths.

The firm”s upper echelons had designated parking spaces close to the private elevator that soars directly upwards to the senior partner’s office. As a junior partner, she was relegated to a parking space several feet from the coveted area. But as she was about to turn into the space, a guard she was familiar with waved her to a stop.

“Buddy, what’s going on?” She asked, narrowing her window.

“Mr. James made some changes during your absence.” The tall, thin black man with the shiny pate told her with a friendly smile.

“What changes?”

“Your name was added to the selective parking space. Over there.” He pointed to the space next to Marcel’s name.

“Oh. Wow. Thanks.”

“Welcome back, Mrs. Hadley.”

“I- Thanks.” Shoving the lever into reverse, she drove to the area and slid into the slot. Grabbing her briefcase and pocketbook, she opened the door and walked swiftly towards the elevator.

The car was empty, which was a relief to her. She had yet to learn what the reception would be like. She was now a Hadley and no longer one of the gangs. Stepping off onto her floor, she was surprised to see James and Matthew waiting for her.

“The welcoming committee?” She asked with a pleased smile.

“Of course.” James moved forward to envelop her in a warm embrace. “Where is your husband?”

“On his way. I had to come in to deal with the Miller crisis.”

“Right back into the thick of things.” Matthew hugged her briefly, a warm smile tugging at his lips.

“We have a surprise for you.”

“I am not sure my heart can take anything else. I have a new parking space.”

“Of course, my dear.” Taking her hand, James slid it through his arm. “Let’s go back inside the car, shall we?”

She did so without question and waited silently as they were zipped up to the top floor.

“Here we are.” With a flourish, James led her to a pair of large Redwood double doors and pushed them open. “This office has been emptying ever since we lost Adrian Copeland. We managed to redecorate it to your specifications during your absence. Ah, your assistant is right on time.”

Nikki entered the vast, elegant space with the paneled wood and thick gold and white carpet in a daze.

“It’s mine?”

“All yours.”

“I am not a senior partner.”

“That will be only a matter of time,” James assured her. “This office is a few feet from your husband’s and perfectly suitable for your new status.”

“As Marcel’s wife.”

“Yes.”

“The board-”

“They have all signed on,” he assured her swiftly, giving Nikki the impression that he had powerfully armed them into agreeing to the change.

“I don’t know what to say.” She said slowly.

“Say you like it.”

“I love it. Thanks.” She divided a glance between the two men.

“Then our work here is done. We will leave you to get acquainted with the new space and get out of your hair. Again, welcome back.”

Nikki waited until they had left before turning to her legal secretary.

“Oh my goodness, Marge! Did you know about this?”

“They swore me to secrecy, Mrs. Hadley,” The middle-aged woman said in an uncharacteristically formal tone.

“Mrs. Hadley?” Nikki stared at her with a frown. “First order of the damn day - go back to calling me Nikki, or I am going to replace you.”

Instead of smiling, the woman flinched, her plain face going white.

“Marge, what the hell is going on?” She demanded.

“It’s just that you are married to the boss’s son-”

“And?”

“Things are different.” She finished lamely.

“The only difference is that I wear these fabulously expensive square-cut diamond rings and sit in a bigger office. Is this what everyone is thinking? That I am different?”

Marge nodded. “You are now a Hadley-”

“I get it. But you work with me and have been more than an assistant; you are supposed to be on my side.”

“I am.” The woman told her swiftly.

“Then act like it and help me to check this space out. After we finish that, I need you to get Miller on the phone.”

*****

“How was the honeymoon?” Matthew watched his brother close the file before pushing it away from his desk.

“Fine.”

“Just ‘fine’?”

Marcel spared him a glance as he walked over to the cabinet to pour himself a glass of orange juice.

“You know as well as I do that it was not a love match.”

“You mean to tell me you spent a week in that beautiful city with that exquisite wife of yours, and nothing happened?”

“Precisely. I thought you came in here to discuss the Aldridge’s merger?”“In a minute.” Matthew gave him an unrepentant grin. “I assume you already know your wife is a few feet down the hall.”

“This is Something that should have been discussed with me first. What the hell were you and Dad thinking?”

“That Nikki is now part of the family and deserves a bigger space.”

“The senior partners will believe this is some sort of favoritism.”

“Since when are you concerned about what they think?”

“Since I am part of this damn charade,” Marcel growled. “Her former office was big enough for her status as junior partner.” Taking his drink back, he sat on the edge of his desk. “Or is that going to change as well?”

“It might.”

Swearing under his breath, Marcel glowered at him. “She needs to work for the position, not have it handed to her like candy.”

“She is your wife-”

“In name only.” He hissed. Leaning over, he pressed the intercom. “Millie, I said no interruptions-”

“It’s Mrs. Simone Wellington, and she says she must speak with you.”

Looking at his brother, he saw the expression on his face and was about to tell her to instruct the woman to call him back, but decided to take it.

“Put her through.”

“I am staying,” Matthew told him coolly.

“Suit yourself.” Punching the button, he picked up the receiver. “Simone, how are you?” He listened for a minute, angling himself away from his brother as he listened.

“That’s not going to be possible.” He listened again. “Because I just returned, and I am swamped.” He listened again. “I will call you later.” Another pause. “Yes, I promise.”

Hanging up, he went around his desk and sat down. “I am waiting.”

“You don’t want to know what I am thinking.”

“Let’s have it anyway,” he said shortly.

“You need to cut that off.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“You have a wife-”

“That dad bought for me.” He reminded Matthew with a twist to his lips. “Do you know how often I thought about forgetting that aspect and taking advantage of what she represents?

The entire damn time. It’s torture living in the same space with her. Her scent is inside my bathroom, and her clothes hang inside my closet. But I cannot touch her. Do you know why? Tell you she was bought for me, and I cannot get past that.”

“Marcel-”

“I don’t want to talk about my marriage. Let’s get on with this, shall we?”

*****

“Where is she?”

“Mr. Hadley, sir.” Marge jumped to her feet as the man strode into the office. She had been so caught up with the contract she had before her on the desktop that she had not heard him come in.

“Where is your boss?”

“Oh. She had to step out.”

“She is not answering her phone.”

“She got a call from the nursing home where her mother is.”

“Is everything okay?” Marcel asked with a frown.

“I- She did not say anything much, but I did overhear her say something like a stroke.”

“Her mother had a stroke, and she did not call me?”

“I am -”

“Do you have the address?”

“Yes, sir. It’s right here.”

Taking the paper from her, he strode from the office.

*****

He found her in the parking lot of the nursing home, just sitting inside her car.

Pulling to a stop next to her vehicle, he alighted. She was leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed, and he realized he had never seen her look so vulnerable.

It did something funny to his insides to see her like that. And he was going to get her a new vehicle, he thought, looking at the Nissan—probably a BMW or a Tesla. Walking around the passenger side, he opened the door and slid in as her eyes flickered open.

His heart took another jolt when he realized that she had been crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“How did you-” She shook her head. “Mom had a heart attack.”

“And you are here in the parking lot because-”

“Trying to gather my composure.” She sniffed.

“Where is she?”

“Heavily medicated and back inside her room. The doctors said it was a mild heart attack, but it triggered some other complications. They are going to watch her for the rest of the night.”

“Are you going to stay?”

“No. They will call me as soon as she is awake.” She turned her head to look at him.

“It’s not as if I am not grateful for you being here, but why are you?”

“I was calling your phone, and you were not picking up, so I went to your office, and your assistant told me what happened.”

“And you decided to come and offer our support. How sweet.”

“Yeah, that’s what I am, a sugar cube.”

“You are.” Turning her head away, she looked out her window. He could see the disconsolate look on her exquisite face, and suddenly, he wanted to do something about it.

“I have an idea.”

“Yes?” Turning her head slightly, she looked at him.

“Why don’t I take you to dinner?”

Her eyebrows lifted.

“You want to feed me?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t feel like eating.” She told him, swallowing the lump inside her throat.

“What do you feel up to doing?” He persisted.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“I just want to go to the house where she lived with me and my dad and just sit in the living room or on the porch for a bit.”

“Then that’s what we will do.”

“No.” She shook her head. “We have things to do. We just got back-”

“What’s the point of being part of management if we cannot exercise the privileges?” He asked her mildly, reaching for his phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling Dad and letting him know we are through for the day.”

“Marcel-”

“Dad.” He held up a hand to stop the rest of her sentence. “I am here with Nikki.” He glanced at her. “Yes, she is trying to hold it together.” He grinned as she rolled her eyes at him. “We are both taking off for the rest of the day.”

He listened for a few seconds. “I will make sure she is all right. Yes, I will tell her to call you later. Bye.” He hung up and looked at her. “It’s official. Ready?”

“Can you come with me to check on her?” She whispered huskily.

“Of course,” he told her gently.

Getting out of the vehicle, he came around to open her door, and to her surprise, he took her hand. She was about to start walking when he held her back.

“What?”

“Do you have something comfortable in the car?”

“Like what?”

“Another pair of shoes, one that’s not going to make you end up breaking your damned neck.”

“Oh.” She laughed, and the sound of it warmed his heart. “Inside the glove compartment.”

“Let me get them.” Taking her key fob, he pressed the button to open the door. When he returned with the soft mules, she held onto him like she had done this morning and changed out of the heels. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched him take the heels back to her vehicle and lock up.

“Ready?”

At her nod, he took her hand and led the way.