"Hey," he said, frowning. "You called me Vane. I'm Nick Delaware remember." He leaned in as if to kiss her. "Silly girl."
"Don't give me that crap. I know who you are. What I want to know is why the secrecy?"
Vane shifted his weight and chewed on his lower lip. "How long have you known?"
"Since this afternoon."
"So why the big charade at the party?"
"You tell me. You and the real Nick Delaware seemed to have concocted some elaborate scheme to trick me. I want to know why. I want to know what’s going on, and you’d better tell me. Now!"
Vane held his palms up, defensive. "Beats me. You should ask him, he's the boss. He doesn't let me in on his reasons. Although I do know it has something to do with a woman. I assume that woman is you."
Abbey blew out a breath. So she was right. Nick was trying to fool her for some reason. Damn him. What was he playing at?
"Looks like his plan backfired though," said Vane, suddenly grinning.
"What makes you say that?"
Vane placed both hands against the door, one on either side of Abbey's head. "You're here with me aren't you? Something tells me that wasn't part of his plan."
She shrunk away from him. "Aren't you worried about losing your job?"
"He's already fired me, so I don't think it matters if I sleep with his girlfriend."
"I'm not his girlfriend."
"Then why did he drink himself into oblivion while watching us? Looked like jealousy to me."
Abbey shrugged in a way she hoped was casual, although her heart had skipped several beats. Nick was jealous? "Maybe he was just enjoying the free champagne."
Vane shook his head. "I've never seen Delaware drink so much before. It's not in his nature. He likes to be in control and that means staying sober." He smirked and backed away from Abbey. "I didn't think he was human until tonight. You must have had quite an effect on him to get him into such a state."
Abbey lowered her eyes so Vane couldn't see them. Damn. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to feel sorry for Nick. All she wanted to do was make him jealous and then leave him. Forever.
She'd achieved the jealous part it seemed. So far so good. Then why was her heart thumping so hard? And why did the leaving part make her stomach churn?
"I have to go," she said. Suddenly all she wanted to do was find Nick.
She opened the door and was into the corridor before Vane could stop her.
"Hey, where are you going, Babe?"
"None of your business. And I'm not your Babe."
Vane chuckled. "Going to find Delaware? That the guy just put you through a test and you failed. I don't think he's going to be too receptive towards you."
Abbey spun round. "A test? What do you mean?"
Vane shrugged. "I think that's what this was all about. He was testing you to see if you went for me thinking I was Delaware. You know he's loaded. He thought you were only interested in the money." His lips curled into a grin. "Guess he was wrong, since you already knew who was who and you still came back with me."
Abbey's head was spinning. She turned around slowly, not really aware of what she was doing, and headed for the elevator. Nick had put her through a test? That's what this was about? He thought she was only interested in him for his money?
She felt ill as she pushed the button for the elevator. As she waited, the illness disappeared and was replaced with the heat of anger.
That slime! That son of a bitch! He'd tested her as if she were some kind of experiment. He really didn't believe her when she'd said she wasn't a prostitute. Now he just thought she was a different kind of hooker. The kind that goes after rich men and marries them for their money.
Damn him!
The elevator door opened and she stumbled blindly into it. She pushed the button and rode up to the next level. She stepped out into Nick's corridor and knocked on his door.
There was movement inside, but it took several moments before the door opened. That gave Abbey long enough to think about what she was going to say.
She'd give Nick a taste of his own medicine and teach him a lesson.
"Abbey!"
Despite her new resolve, Abbey's heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him. Nick was disheveled and definitely drunk, but still looked damned sexy. He'd discarded his tie and his shirt was undone. It gaped open, revealing a swathe of toned chest muscles and washboard stomach.
She swallowed and reminded herself why she hated Nick Delaware right now. She tore her gaze away from his body and lifted it to his face. Not much better. Concentrate Girl!
Nick stepped aside and she moved past him. He clumsily tried to catch her arm but she shook him off.
"Abbey," he said quietly. "We need to talk."
She shook her head. "I've had enough of talking." She drew in a deep breath, turned around and smiled. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his chest. The muscles were taught under her fingers.
"I want you."
Nick's Adam's Apple jumped. He touched her hand and withdrew it from his chest but trapped it inside his own. Abbey stopped breathing.
"Abbey, I want to talk to you. It's important."
The last thing Abbey wanted to do was talk. Not only was it not part of her new plan, but it was also not very possible with Nick looking so delicious.
"Later," she said, husky. "There's something I have to do first. Something I need to do." She lifted her hands and linked them behind his head. Gently she drew him down, although he needed little encouragement. They kissed, long and slow. A fire burned in her belly and spread to her thighs and her ni**les as every part of her begged to have this man inside her.
Nick's kisses increased in ferocity. His tongue explored, hers responded, and before she knew it his hands were behind her, caressing her bare back, pulling her to him. His erection was rock hard and was proof of how much he desired her.
His hands didn't stay long on her back. They roamed to her rear, cupped her cheeks and squeezed. Then they moved down, brushing against her flesh at the edge of the dress. His hands lifted the hem and moved upwards, slowly caressing every inch of her thighs until he reached her bottom again. She was wearing a thong and when he realized this, he let out a strangled cry.
"Oh, Abbey," he whispered hoarsely against her lips. "My sweet Abbey."
His words and velvety voice sent a thrill through her body, puckering her skin in anticipation of what was to come. She realized she'd never wanted any man as much as she wanted Nick. Somehow, tonight, she felt as if things were so much more intense between them. So much more than just sex. There was a need there, a desire that ran too deep for words.