Suddenly Beautiful (Entangled Covet) (15 page)

With a wave of her hand, she faded from the room, the sparkles slowly winking out of sight.

“She makes quite an exit.”

“Yes.” Tor released her hand and stood, not saying anything further. He gathered his papers and walked to the door.

“Am I in trouble?” Nikki rose to her feet but couldn’t seem to make them work.

“Yes,” was all he said before pulling the door open and leaving.

“Crap.”

The weight of her transgressions pressed down on her. Things had been going so well before the meeting. Curse Demetria Mirrors and curse Ares too for giving her these irresistible powers. Nikki trudged out of the conference room and back to her office.

Tor’s door stood menacingly open. She dropped her portfolio onto her desk and sat, wondering what she should do. Maybe it was best to let him cool off a bit. Hopefully he’d realize that what she’d done was not such a big deal.

No such luck.

“Nikki, would you please come in here?” Tor’s deep command ripped through the thin veil of optimism she’d been trying to muster.

Her shoulders sagged. So much for avoiding a reprimand. The squeak of her chair sounded overly loud, like a bugle trumpeting her execution. Grown men had crumbled under Tor’s stern stare. She prayed she didn’t cry when he read her the riot act.

She stopped at the threshold of his office. He stood at the door, his hand resting on the edge, waiting to imprison her within the room. With as much bravado as she could fake, she walked a few steps into the office and stopped. The door clicked behind her. She took a shallow breath and soldiered forward, deciding it was better to go on the offensive.

“I’m sorry about Demetria, and I promise I won’t use my powers against her again.” There, she’d confessed her guilt and repented.

“Really?” Tor approached, stopping directly in front of her. “Because you don’t sound sorry.”

“Well, I am—sort of.” Truth be told, she was only sorry if her actions got her fired. And even if she was terminated, seeing Demetria barking like a dog was a gift she would carry with her to the grave. “I mean, it was Demi after all.”

“I think you may have made an enemy of her today.”

“Today?” Nikki snorted. “She has always hated me.”

He was standing so close that her neck ached from looking up at him. Though he didn’t appear to be that angry with her, it was hard to gauge his mood when he slipped that expressionless mask on.

“But before, you were just a rival for my attention. Now you’ve humiliated her. It was a personal attack, and one she will retaliate against.”

That bit of information wasn’t news to Nikki. She would have been more surprised if Demetria let the incident go. “Am I a rival for your attention?”

His hands skimmed her waist and rested on her hips, sending a rush of heat to her nether regions. “No.”

A sinking feeling dragged at her chest. “Oh.”

He inched closer. “You’re not a rival because she was never in the running.”

“Oh,” Nikki said, her mood instantly lifting. “So are we going to do this then?”

“I hope many times.”

He bent his head to kiss her, but Nikki pushed a finger against his lips, stopping him before he reached her mouth. “I don’t mean make love. I mean a relationship.”

He sighed, his hold sliding from her waist as he straightened. “You certainly know how to kill a romantic mood.”

“I just want to know where I stand.” Things between them had been strange and unpredictable. She didn’t want to spend the foreseeable future guessing his intentions. “Are we a couple?”

“I don’t know.” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “If I was going to have a relationship it would be with you, but as you can see, the exact reasons I stated for not getting involved keep happening.” He walked to the window and stared out. “Besides, you know what my life is like. I’m always working, and I’m not good at relationships.”

Of course she knew what his life was like. She lived it nearly every day. Her instinct was to push and get her way, but she knew that would only drive a wedge between them. Being intimate with him before the meeting with legal seemed to have knocked down another barrier. Maybe she wasn’t that sorry for falling so easily into his arms. But if she continued to drop her drawers every time he touched her, then he’d never have to make a commitment. She loved him, but she also wanted to get married and have children some day.

“All right.” She crossed the room and stopped in front of him, resting her hand on his chest. “We’ll go slowly, and I won’t expect anything from you.”

He covered her hand with his. “I find that hard to believe.”

She did too, but what other choice did she have? “For now. I’ll be honest, Tor, I want a relationship with you. But I won’t wait around forever while you figure out if you’re ready… And of course this means we can both still see other people.”

His face paled at that last announcement, but then he seemed to catch himself. “Fair enough.” He reached for her waist and pulled her to him. “I’ll just have to keep you fully occupied.”

Her libido screamed “Yes!” but her rational mind won the battle. “Not at work. I need to keep my business and private life separate in case things don’t work out.”

Again she dangled the carrot. If she didn’t allow him to get frisky at work, he’d have to make an effort to call her at home or come over. If she agreed to encounters at the office then there would be no reason for him to pursue her during their non-work hours. Eventually he’d be forced to make a decision—one way or another. Even if he chose not to be with her, at least she would know where she stood. No more waiting in the shadows, hoping somebody would notice her. It was time to stand up for herself.

And hopefully the threat of her dating somebody else would get his commitment-shy butt in motion.

She stepped away, disengaging her hand from his. “I’ll be home tonight.”

Tor groaned and reached for her again, but she pivoted and walked to the door. Getting away from him would be the only way she’d be able to stay strong, because what she really wanted to do was throw him down on the desk and ride him like he was the prize bull at the rodeo championships.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to get back to work or my boss will fire me.”

With a little swish of her hips, she exited his office. The next move was up to him.

Let’s see if you decide to play.

Chapter Twelve

It had been twenty-eight hours and sixteen minutes since Nikki had walked out of his office yesterday, leaving him worked up and unsated. It had been twenty hours since he’d finally bitten the bullet and called her last night. The conversation had been strained at first, and they’d only talked for about five minutes, but it had been enough for him to know that he was in big shit trouble.

Their discussion had been about generic topics at first. She’d asked what he had for dinner. He’d asked what she was wearing. She’d laughed with that sexy purr she got when turned on and told him she was in a pair of red boxers and a tank top. The image of her lying in bed, in her little pajamas, while she talked to him, roused his lust. He hadn’t been able to sleep the rest of the night because he’d been thinking about making love to her.

It had taken every ounce of his mortal and immortal strength of will to not bend her over the desk today. She’d worn a clingy black pair of pants that hugged the curves of her thighs and ass. He knew exactly what she was doing, keeping herself off-limits during their time together at the office, yet letting him know if he made an effort, he’d be rewarded.

Tactically, it was a good plan; he just didn’t know if he’d be able to push aside his preconceived notions about relationships. His mother hadn’t been the best role model in that arena, and history had shown him time and again that women were controlling creatures, driven by emotion rather than logic. He knew Nikki was different, but even now she was trying to control him in her own way.

“You look troubled.”

Tor spun his chair to see his mother sitting on the brown suede couch, holding a newspaper. “I hate when you pop in, Mother.”

“I know.” She gave him a sweet smile. “Why do you think I do it?”

He harrumphed. “What do you want?”

“It looks like you made the front page of the
Inquisitor
.” She unrolled the paper. “Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Love Baby.”

“What the hell?” He stomped to the couch and snatched the paper out of her hand. On the front was a picture of him and Nikki out by her desk. “Damn paparazzi.”

“Is it true?” His mother sat forward on the couch. “Am I going to be a grandma?”

“Of course it’s not true.” He wadded up the paper and tossed it in the trash. “This is another one of Demetria’s stunts.” He glared at his mother. “Why you hired her is beyond me.”

“It was a simple concession to make with Narcissus. He wanted her out of his hair and now he owes me a favor.”

“Well, your little pact is making my life miserable.” He walked to his desk chair and plopped down. “Okay, you showed me the paper. Is there something else you wanted?”

“I was curious if you’d thought anymore about my proposal.”

“You mean giving me the business if I marry Nikki?” The idea sounded even more repulsive when spoken out loud. “Of course, Mother, I rushed right out and bought her a ring.”

“It’s nice to know you still take my offers to help so seriously.” She sketched tiny circles into the couch arm. “I only want what’s best for you.”

“You want a connection to Ares.” He scowled at her and drummed his fingers on his desk. “Anything else?”

She held up her hand in a silent “fine.” “I spoke with Ares.”

That got Tor’s attention. “Why?”

“He and I have a special relationship. I think he deserves to know about you and Nikki.”

“There is no me and Nikki, Mother.” Though the gods had eyes and ears everywhere, it made him feel better to pretend he still maintained some privacy in his personal life. “And even if there was, I’d appreciate it if you’d butt out.”

“Too late for that, I’m afraid. When I told Ares his daughter was in love with you and Nikki didn’t want anything to do with him…” Her eyes rounded, her brows lifting to nearly her hairline. “Well, let’s just say he wasn’t happy.”

Tor sat forward in his chair. “He didn’t threaten her, did he?”

“Threaten? No.” Black curls jiggled when she shook her head. “Not exactly.”

“What exactly did he say?” By now Tor was on his feet.

“Something about ruing the day she rejected her father. Nobody shuns the god of war, blah, blah, blah.” She waved a hand in the air. “You know how he gets.”

“Shit, Mother, did you even try to calm him down?” Tor checked his watch—six o’clock. Nikki should be home by now. He had to get over there. “No telling what Ares might do to her.”

“I tried, dear, but the minute he heard Nikki didn’t want to see him, he went on his tirade and then popped out before I could stop him.”

“You should have told me this first thing.” Gods, he’d never get used to their inability to grasp the concept of time or urgency. “I’m going over to her apartment.”

“Maybe I should go with you.” Aphrodite rose and followed him across the office. “I’m pretty good at calming Ares down.”

Tor nearly ran Demetria over when he barreled out his office door. “I’m in a hurry, Demi. Whatever your emergency is, it’s going to have to wait.”

“Where are you going?” Demetria toddled after him. “What’s wrong?”

“Not now, Demetria,” his mother said from behind him. “Tor, wait. Let me give you a ride.”

“I’ll take a cab.” He pressed the down arrow on the elevator and waited. “Come on.” He sent a compulsion for the doors to open, but that didn’t seem to move the elevator any faster. He punched the button again. “Hurry up, you stupid machine.”

“It will take too long for you to get there. It’s rush hour.” His mother laid a hand on his arm. “Let me help you.”

He looked at her, understanding that she meant to magically transport him to Nikki’s house. Every old argument he ever had about allowing her to help him with her powers warred with his need to get to Nikki. “I’ll try to call her first.”

Why hadn’t he thought of that to begin with? It was probably the sheer panic from hearing that Ares was on his way to Nikki’s and he was pissed. Tor pressed her speed-dial icon and waited. Her phone rang at the other end. He absently pressed the elevator button again, knowing if Nikki didn’t answer he would take his mother up on her offer to transport him. A second time her phone rang.

“Come on, Nikki, pick up.” He glanced at his mother. The phone rang a third time. “Where could she be?” At the forth ring her phone switched to voice mail, and he ended the call. “She’s not answering.”

His mother approached, holding out her hands in question. If it was anybody else he’d chance a taxi and use his own powers, hoping to get there in time, but only full gods had the power of teleportation.

He held out his hand. “Let’s go.”

Aphrodite stepped forward, grasped his hand, and in a blink of an eye he was standing in the stairwell of Nikki’s building. He recognized the paint-chipped railing and fading yellow strips running along the edge of each step from the day of her mugging. He released his mother’s hand. “Thank you.”

“Would you like me to go with you?” She looked concerned and it touched him that she was willing to face Ares as his protective mother, not as a goddess.

“No.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “But thank you for offering.”

She blinked as if surprised by his action and then smiled. “Anything for my son.”

Before he could reply, she was gone. Tor took the steps two at a time, winding his way up the narrow stairwell. The heavy pounding of his boots ricocheted off the walls. An elderly lady led what looked like a tan rat down the fifth-level stairs. The dog had to be as ancient as his owner, moved just as slowly, and gave a single gruff bark when they passed him on the landing. Tor practically sailed up the last two flights of stairs, skidding to a stop at the metal door.

He flung it open and raced down the hall to apartment 7B. Though not completely out of breath, the sprint up seven levels of stairs had winded him. As he raised his hand to pound on the door, the knob turned and opened. Surprised, Tor backed up a step, unsure if Ares would block Tor’s way into Nikki’s apartment.

Relief washed through him when she backed out of the door, fumbling with her keys. “Nikki.”

She jumped and pivoted. “Tor, what are you doing here?”

“Are you okay?” He moved forward and pushed open her door. “Did he hurt you?”

“Who?” She followed him inside. “What’s going on?”

The apartment was tidy but empty of any gleaming, all-powerful gods. He bent and rested his hands against his knees, inhaling deeply. Then he stood and turned to her. “I thought your dad showed up.”

She scrunched up her nose in that cute way he liked. “Why would you think that?”

“Mom said she talked to him, and he wasn’t happy that you said you didn’t want to meet him.”

“Are you kidding?” She propped her hands on her hips. “What a jackass.”

“Nikki, please.” Tor shut the front door and walked back to where she stood. “Stop calling the god of war names. You’re going to get us both killed.”

“Fine, but if he shows up in my house—uninvited—I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”

Even though she was so much like her father it was scary, Tor refrained from making the comparison. Adorably aggravating, she wore her righteous indignation like a cloak of honor. Yep, just like Ares.

Her gaze softened. “Did you rush over here to save me from my father?”

The way she was looking at him, all sweet with girlish wonder, made him feel a bit like a knight in shining armor. “I guess I did. Though I’m not sure what I could have done.”

“That is so sweet.”

She sauntered toward him and that’s when he noticed that she was dressed for an evening out on the town. A tight black dress that looked like it was made from strips of black gauze hugged her body. As usual, when he was around Nikki lately, desire spiraled through him and all the blood in his body headed south.

“Were you going out?” It was Friday night and he’d just assumed she would be at home now that they were
trying
to… He scrambled for a description of what they were trying to do. She wanted a full commitment and he’d called her once, which really amounted to no effort at all. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She smoothed her hands along her waist and hips. “I was going to meet some friends for dinner and drinks.”

Suddenly he remembered. “Creed?”

“Yes, but my friend Stacey is meeting us there after she gets off work.” She took another step toward him and ran her index finger down the buttons on his shirt. “Would you like to join us? Maybe afterward we could come back to my place and…”

She let the possibilities hang between them. Her proposition was too good to resist, but the surge of jealousy and anger he felt toward his new creative director took him by surprise. “What about Creed?”

“Sure, we can bring him back, too. I’ve never had a threesome before.”

He yanked her to him. There was no way in hell he was going to share her with anybody. The quirk of her smile told him she’d only been teasing, but he still hated the idea of another man touching her. “The only one you’ll be coming home with is me.”

With her black spikes on, she nearly looked him in the eye. She wound her arms around his neck. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

His mouth came down on hers, and she opened to him, pressing her chest tightly against his. Every curve of her body fit perfectly into his palm. It was as if she’d been made specifically for him by the gods. He pulled away and looked at her. Maybe she had been. Maybe his mother had seen something in Nikki that it had taken him six years to realize. Maybe he had been the biggest fool in history.

“What?” She smiled and rubbed the spot between his eyes with her index finger. “You look contemplative.”

“Why did I never see how beautiful you were?” He cupped her face in his hands. “Every day you’ve shown up for work and done everything I asked without complaining. Even things you didn’t have to do.” He rubbed his thumb against her cheek. “You’ve always taken care of me, and I didn’t even realize it.”

Her smile faded, and it was her turn to look thoughtful. She traced the curve of his cheek and chin. “It’s because I love you, Tor.” Her eyes cut to his. “I always have, from the first day I met you.”

Though he knew she’d had strong feelings, he hadn’t understood just how long she’d carried a torch for him. To be in love with someone and never ask for anything in return was the ultimate act of giving. Words clogged in his throat, not that he would have been able to say what he knew she wanted to hear. It was a step that he still wasn’t ready to take, but one that also didn’t seem so scary anymore. “I don’t deserve you.”

A sweet smile laced with understanding and amusement creased her mouth. “Now that is a statement I will never argue with.”

“Cancel tonight. Let’s stay in and do naughty things to each other.”

She laughed and pushed out of his hold. “As tempting as that is, I can’t cancel.”

He scowled, his jealousy putting in another appearance. Emotions, what a pain in the ass. “Why? You don’t have a thing for Creed, do you?”

“No, not a
thing
.” She walked to the door and opened it, ushering him out with a sweep of her arm.

Her words were cryptic, rousing his curiosity. He crossed the room and stopped in front of her. “Not a thing, huh? Then what?”

She lifted her eyebrows and shrugged. “You’ll see.”

“You’re very mysterious tonight.” He brushed his fingertips over her collarbone and followed the swell of her breast. He felt her breath hitch. “I like it.”

She stepped forward, pressing her body against his, and whispered in his ear. “And I’m not wearing any panties.”

“Really?” One arm snaked around her and held her tight against him. His hand slid down her back and over her firm ass, feeling for panty lines. There weren’t any. “You probably shouldn’t have told me that. I might not be able to resist tormenting you when we’re in public.”

She pushed away and eased out the door. “That’s why I told you.”