Angel (NSC Industries) (9 page)

His
desk stood against a colossal window, overlooking London. On one wall was
another door, presumably Nate’s private bathroom and to the side of this was a
huge, wall mounted flat screen television above a mini bar.

On
the opposite wall to his desk were a large couch and the coffee table Nate had
steered me towards.

“Sit”
he ordered. Placing myself down on the sofa, Nate sat next to me and reached
towards the table, where there was a selection of breads, meats and fruits.

Placing
a selection onto a plate, he handed it me along with a napkin and then
proceeded to pour me a glass of wine. He raised his own glass to mine in a toast.
“To being on your knees, baby” he winked.

Shaking
my head at him, I took a bite of the fresh, crusty bread. “Mmmm” I chewed,
closing my eyes. It was delicious, crusty on the outside and soft and airy on
the inside.

Nate
growled low in his chest. “That good, Angel?” he whispered huskily.

My
eyes flew open as I stared at him. It had been twenty years since I’d heard him
call me ‘Angel’ and it stunned me back to the time he had first said it me.

We
had been snuggled together after making love, both lost in our own thoughts. “I
love you, Liv” he had said softly gently stroking my back. Nestling deeper into
his chest I had murmured my own loving declaration. “You own me. You’re the
other half of me Liv, the angel of my soul” he had breathed. Ever since then he
had adopted the ‘Angel’ pet name every time he told me he loved me.

 His
fingers touched my cheek, bringing me back to the present. He took my plate and
placed it on the table.

His
gaze was intense as he gazed at me, burning me up and stunting my breath. His
fingers trailed down to my mouth as he leisurely glided his thumb across my
bottom lip.

My
tongue sneaked out and swept across them, attempting to replace the moisture he
had wiped away. His breath caught and his lips parted, imitating my action on
his own lips. 

His
eyes were blazing; his pupils had dilated intensifying their blueness.

Very
slowly he leaned into me and his hot breath mingled with my own, as his mouth
lingered next to mine without touching. His hand snaked round the back of my
head and he pulled my face closer, his lips finally met mine with a hungry
clash.

A
low moan escaped my throat and he growled in response, kissing me deeper.
Sliding his tongue between my lips he drove it into my mouth, seeking my own to
frolic with.

I
kissed him back passionately, twenty years of pent up want and need flowing
out. Twenty years of missing him so much it felt like he had took my soul with
him when he left.  

His
hand dropped to my back and he pulled me onto his lap, his back to the couch as
I straddled him with my skirt bunched high on my hips to accommodate my open
thighs.

My
hands lifted to his head and grasped his hair fiercely, pulling him into me as
my need to devour him took over. My body remembered this was my man, my love,
my soul and it roared to life as desire flooded me.

His
mouth left mine as his lips targeted my neck, kissing and suckling his way down
my throat.  His fingers slid up the outside of my bare thighs and continued up;
leaving goose bumps on my skin as he gently worked his way to my breasts.

Returning
his mouth to mine, the hunger in the kiss grew stronger as his hands found
their goal. My breath hitched and I ground onto his erection as he caressed me.
 

“
Jesus
baby
” he growled as his head slumped back against the coach and his eyes
closed.

His
fingers found my hard nipples through my shirt, pinching and rolling them as I
pushed further into his touch. My own head dropped back on my shoulders and I
closed my eyes as I pulverised his groin, sliding my wetness against him in a
frantic crave for release.

“
Oh
God Nate
” I cried as I took his mouth again, kissing him vehemently.

Just
as I was nearing the intense orgasm I knew was going to smash me into
smithereens, I felt his fingers start to unbutton my shirt.

Shaking
my head to him as I continued to kiss him, I removed his hands. “Baby, please.
I need to feel your skin. I’ve missed you” he breathed alongside my lips.

 I
shook my head again as I resumed the kiss and replaced his hands over my
breasts on the outside of my clothing.

As
he massaged my breasts his erection grew harder under his trousers and he
ground his hips into me, desperate for his own relief. The friction was getting
feverish, as we kissed and ground wildly.

Then
he restarted his relentless mission to free my breasts, popping the buttons
with determination. Grumbling a warning to him, he intensified the kiss,
sucking on my tongue as he continued working at my buttons.

“I
can’t do this Nate!!” I cried, pushing off his lap and pulling my shirt
together, swiftly refastening it as my heart hammered inside my chest. “What!?”
he scoffed, flummoxed “What did I do?”

He
stood up and adjusted his lap, his hardness straining painfully against the
material. 

“Nothing”
I gulped, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to surface. “I
have to go” I said, looking away quickly, collecting my bag off the floor.

As
I reached for the door his hand slammed against it, holding it shut. “Talk to
me dammit, Liv” he growled.

“I…I…I...”
I tried but shook my head, the tears now spilling freely down my face. “Baby”
he agonised, wiping at a tear, and placing it on his lips.

I
looked into his eyes, trying to display a heartfelt apology in my own eyes. He
cocked his head to one side, an unvoiced question.

Shaking
my head to him I removed his hand, opened the door and walked through, my heart
still in his office.

I
didn’t see Nate again for a few days. Josh had appeared Monday afternoon with
my car keys and a message saying it was fixed.

On
Thursday I received a text from Nate.

NATE:

Hey,
sorry been quiet, been mega busy

You
still ok for sat night?

Xxx

ME:

No
probs and yh still ok

Xxx

NATE:

Good,
pick u up at 7:30

Xxx

I
was not looking forward to spending an evening with the high and mighty. These kinds
of events always made my stomach lurch and my jaw ache from all the fake
smiling I did. 

I
only had one cocktail dress and I’d had to take it to the dry cleaners because
it hadn’t been aired for about 3 years, Nate’s text reminding me to pick it up
on the way home.

True
to his word, Nate had had my car fixed and Betty was back to her usual reliable
self. I didn’t realise how much I relied on my car, having to use the bus on
Saturday to take the dress to the dry-cleaners. I had ended up standing because
the damn thing was packed to the rafters and I’d had a face full of a sweaty,
drunk man when the bus broke too hard and jerked to a stop.

Googling
a local hairdressers, I booked myself in for a hair and nail treatment on
Saturday afternoon. While on Google I decided to do a sneaky search on Nate.

I
was astounded when hundreds of pictures of him popped up. Most calling him
London’s most desired billionaire bachelor, others featuring him at charity
events and some from news clippings over the previous years as his company had
flourished.

There
were plenty of him with women but the majority were of him and a tall,
beautiful redhead, looking at him affectionately. They were definitely an item,
according to the images but I was stunned he hadn’t mentioned her.

I
knew he must have had relationships in the last twenty years but the images
aroused an intense jealousy in me, making my heart jolt and my stomach clench.
Shutting down the internet pages, I knuckled down with my work, a much needed
diversion from the pictures.

***

Saturday
night arrived and by 7pm I was growing nervous. Applying my make-up in the
bedroom mirror, Erin walked in. “Wow mum, you look stunning” she declared,
taking the make-up brush from me and took over the application.

She
was studying hair and beauty at college and make-overs were her favourite
factor.

Expertly
finishing her task, I was extremely pleased with the end result. She had
perfectly lined my eyes and chosen colours that emphasised my large brown eyes.
My cheek bones were highlighted to make them a prominent feature on my face and
my lips skilfully painted my lips to fill them out.

My
hair had mostly been left long with various thick strands pinned up with
diamonique pins.

 “Nice”
she complimented herself, pleased with her own handiwork. Passing me my shoes
to step into, she regarded me. “Is Nate the one?” she asked directly.

Choking
slightly, I looked at her “He’s…” I was thankfully interrupted by Matt shouting
up the stairs “Mom, Nate’s here.”

Shrugging
at her, I picked up my bag and proceeded down the stairs where Nate was stood
at the bottom.

My
mouth dried instantly as I took in his figure, encased in a tux, his sharp suit
accentuating his broad shoulders and his slim, jet black trousers hanging
perfectly off his lean hips. He looked heavenly, making me lick my lips
hungrily and wonder if I would be able to rein in my attraction for him all
night. 

He
looked up at me and drew in a large breath as his eyes shifted down my elegant red
dress.

It
was floor length, cut high to the thigh on one side and high collared. The red
gossamer material was shrouded with black lace and it clung to my curves,
accentuating my slim waist. I had teamed it my favourite red and black
stilettos.

As
I reached him, his mouth dropped open and he was speechless. “God Liv… WOW! You
look beautiful, baby” he drooled.

Erin
giggled behind me. “Take care of her Nate, she’s very delicate” she specified.
“Exquisite more like” Nate amended.

“That
as well” Erin giggled again.

Nate
took my hand and led me to the car. “Good Evening Miss Adams” Blake addressed
me “You look stunning.”

Giving
him a shy smile I verbalized my thanks and delicately climbed in the car.

Nate
entered from the opposite side and took my hand again as the car pulled away.
“You look nervous, Liv” he specified.

“I
am a little” I acknowledged. “Don’t be baby; I won’t leave you alone with the
vultures. Especially how beautiful you look tonight” he said, grazing over my
body again.

Looking
back up to my face, he took my chin between his forefinger and thumb “You going
to tell me what Monday was about?” he probed.

“No
Nate, leave it” I pleaded, turning my gaze out of the window.

“There’s
something you’re not telling me” he persisted, narrowing his eyes on me.

“
LEAVE
IT
” I hissed through my teeth.  Sighing angrily, he submitted and turned to
look out of his own window.

The
atmosphere in the car grew intense as Nate sulked all the way to our venue.

As
we pulled in, Blake tapped on the dark glass privacy screen, alerting us to our
arrival. “Wait!” Nate barked as I reached for the door handle. “There’ll be
lots of paparazzi Liv,” he informed me “they’ll be shouting me and taking photos
of us. Just keep a smile on your face and keep hold of my hand. Don’t fuckin’
let go. Okay?”

I
nodded my head, stunned and scared, the last thing I needed was to have my face
plastered all over Google. “Nate” I gulped, “I can’t have my photo in the paper
or on the internet” I said, flustered.

He
gave me a questioning look with a huff of annoyance and shook his head “Just
keep your head down and your face hid against my shoulder and it’ll be fine.” 

With
a sinking feeling I anticipated how the night was going to develop. I hoped Nate’s
mood lifted otherwise it was going to be a depressing dinner.

My
door opened and Nate seized my hand, helping me from the car and swiftly led me
up some stairs towards a huge manor.

There
were flashes and shouts from the journalists and their photographers but I kept
my face hidden in Nate’s shoulder and we made it alive into the mansion.

It
was a vast, imposing building and it scared the shit out of me. “God Nate, it’s
a bit dramatic” I complained, hanging back “I’m way out of my depth here.”

“Don’t
be ridiculous Liv. You’re beautiful and I’m honoured to have you as my date for
tonight. I’ll be the envy of every man here” he encouraged as he kissed my cheek;
inhaling my scent as he lingered, “you smell amazing baby… always” he breathed.

Smiling
inwardly, I returned the compliment grateful for the shift in his mood.

On
entering the great hall, I took in my surroundings. The room was as magnificent
in design as it was in size; the astronomical height of the ceilings gave the
hall an even greater sense of size.

The
furnishings were lavish and sumptuous, a display of wealth and status.

High
society creatures were gathered in clusters, each group boasting their
self-importance to each of their acquaintances; Individuals bidding to outdo
the other, in a war of status and prominence.

In
other words, my worst fucking nightmare!

A
waiter approached, holding a tray of filled champagne flutes. Nate snatched a
couple and handed me one as he surveyed the room.

“Over
here, Liv” he said, pulling me across the room to a group of men stood
chatting. One of the men turned as we came close and his eyes targeted me.

“Oh
My God! Little Liv Thomas” he cried, scooping me in his arms for a fierce hug.
“Saying ‘little’, you’ve grown, woman!” he proclaimed.

Wiggling
my shoes at him from under my dress, his eyes widened “Damn girl,
hot
shoes.”

“Ollie”
I laughed, hugging him back fiercely.

Oliver
had been Nate’s best friend at university and was a genuinely decent bloke. His
graciousness and charming personality made him a popular guy and Nate always
said he was honoured that Ollie had chosen him as a firm friend.

“Where
have you been hiding?” he asked, holding me back and scrutinising my face.
“Here and there” I replied, evasively.

“Well
it’s about time Nate found you again” he announced, sliding his gaze to Nate
and narrowing his eyes. “You two back together?” he inquired, looking at our
joined hands.

“Just
friends” I informed him, dropping my hand from Nate’s grip. “For the moment”
Nate declared, giving me a stern look and repossessing my hand.

“Oh
shit, here comes trouble” Ollie winced, looking behind Nate. We all turned to
watch a woman approach and Nate groaned.

Oh
fuck!

It
was the redhead on Google images.

Never
taking her intense stare from Nate, she strolled up and put her hand on his
shoulder as she kissed him hotly on his cheek. “Nate Darling” she drawled “I’ve
been missing your enchanting company.”

“More
like his dick” one of the men in the group snorted, and I stiffened
immediately. Nate instantly turned on him, narrowing his eyes in a fierce glare
“Shut the Fuck up, Barnett” he threatened.

Barnett
held his hands up in a submissive gesture, “Only joking, Nate” he succumbed.

“Oh,
Nate! He’s only telling it like it is Darling” redhead purred, seductively
stroking her fingers up and down Nate’s arm.

“Eleanor”
Nate addressed redhead with a sickening sneer, “I’m with intellectual,
interesting people tonight
Darling
” he mocked, raising my hand to his
lips and kissing it seductively as he looked in my eyes, “So run along and play
with someone nearer your IQ” he ridiculed, tipping his head in a mocking
gesture.

I
squeezed his hand, letting him know he was being cruel but he ignored it. “Fuck
you!!!” Eleanor spat at Nate “not good enough now am I? Now that you’ve got
yourself another
Tart
!” she sneered, glaring at me. 

Opened
mouthed, I raised my eyebrows at her. “Pardon Me?” I challenged, stepping
towards her.

Nate’s
hand now squeezed mine, telling me to back down.

No
way was this pretentious bitch calling me a tart, when all I had done was come
here as Nate’s friend. I wasn’t
stealing
him away or even flaunting
myself with him.

She
glanced at Nate and then our clasped hands “You better keep a tight hold of him,
love” she jeered to me “He has a tendency to fuck you hard, and then
fuck
off.
”

She
whirled round abruptly and stalked off. “Well that went well” Ollie hooted,
slapping Nate on the back.

I
pulled my hand from Nate. “Excuse Me” I uttered, twisting round and walking
away. “Liv?” Nate scowled “Where are you going?”

Huffing
loudly, I turned back to him, “Bathroom Nate. Is that okay with you?” I asked,
my eyes blazing.

“Of
course, sorry” he apologised.

I
entered the plush restroom, checked my appearance in the mirror and settled in
a cubicle.

As
I sat on the toilet a group of giggling females flowed in. Trying to wee
quietly as not to give away my presence, I listened to the conversation.

Voice
1:
(giggling excitedly) Hey, you see
who’s here?

Voice
2:
who?

Voice
3:
who?

Voice
1:
(squealing) Nathan Carter.

Voice
2:
(high-pitched) Oh My God!!!

Voice
3:
(shrieking) God, he’s sooo fucking
hot.

Voice
1:
 yeah, I know. I’d definitely nail
him.