Addy listened to Henri Wineberg tell her how great he was doing after his latest investment.

“Really, Addilyn,” he said in that monotone voice, making her want to fall asleep on her heels. “You should let me take you out to dinner so we can discuss what my client can do for your company.”

She smiled, trying to be polite but knowing full well there was no chance in hell she’d go out to dinner with Henri. Not with his slippery eel hands that were common knowledge. Everyone in her circle knew full well he was looking to get a second or third mistress and that was not going to be Addy.

“Your client sounds fascinating, Henri. Maybe you should set up some time for him to talk to one of my directors and get him to give a full presentation on his ideas for working with the company.”

Henri would have moved closer, but a waiter stopped to take her wine glass and give her a fresh one. She didn’t miss the way Henri’s gaze stuck to the low-cut neckline of her form-fitting dress, nor the way he boldly glanced down her entire body with a disgustingly hungry look that made her want to throw a blanket over her shoulders.

But she would not cover up, seeing as her dress was perfectly decent and it was really pretty. Her designer friend had made it just for her. Blue to match her eyes in a sheer wrinkly gauze material that was almost see-through. There was a full-length skin-tone slip under it that hid everything but the dress still gave the impression of showing off a lot, even though it didn’t.

“How about just you and I work out some details over dinner or drinks,” Henri said again. “This hotel has great breakfast,” he told her. “If you wanted to stay the night and chat, I’m sure we can work something out.”

Seething from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips together and counted backward and forward to keep from slapping the sleazy grin off his face. “I don’t think—”

“There you are, darling,” said a familiar voice and then a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into a hard body. “You’ve got to stop hiding from me, love.”

She turned slightly and glanced up to meet Nick’s gaze. “Nick. What—”

“Hi,” Nick interrupted her and offered his hand to Henri, who was scowling at him. “I’m Nick Gates, Addy’s boyfriend. She says she loves my pancakes, but I think she really only wants me for my body.”

Addy tensed, but Nick massaged her waist with his fingers and she had a hell of a time not relaxing into his touch.

“Nice to meet you,” Henri said without a hint of truth. “Addilyn. I’ll speak to you another time. We can set up something about that business idea.”

“Have your client call my office,” she said as Henri walked away.

She waited until he was out of ear shot before she turned fully to face Nick. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

At her attempt to pull away, he leaned farther into her and lowered his head to her ear. “Careful, your friend Henri is watching us. Now act like you’re in love or he’s going to make you uncomfortable the first chance he gets the minute I walk away.”

Addy didn’t look for Henri. That would’ve been stupid. Instead, she allowed Nick to hold her and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

He gave a sheepish grin that made her insides melt. The guy was gorgeous. How could her sister have ever let him go the way she did? Just thinking of Gracen and her selfishness made her forget she was annoyed with Nick.

“I wanted to apologize and found the best way to do it, since you weren’t taking my calls, was to come to one of the events you would be at.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Shit.” Then he met her gaze. “Sorry.”

“Sorry for—”

There wasn’t a chance to finish the question. His head came down fast, his lips taking hers, and for a second, she wasn’t sure what he was doing, until his tongue licked the seam of her lips. Then she knew. And she opened for him. Oh, she definitely opened to Nick and the one thing she’d been dreaming of for too long. His kiss.

His lips pressed over hers, sucking lightly while his tongue swept into her mouth to curl over hers. The kiss was sexy, slow, hot. It wasn’t like any other kiss she’d ever gotten. Nick wasn’t like any other man. His hands pulled her tightly to his body. His hardness made her ache. She wanted more of Nick. More of this heat he’d ignited in her and she wasn’t sure how to handle.

Then it stopped. He pulled away and her mind argued to bring his lips back. Her body desperately sought more of that warmth. She licked her lips and met his gaze.

“Was he looking?” she finally asked, her voice hoarse.

Nick raised a hand to her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. “No. I just couldn’t stop myself from kissing you.”

She pulled out his arms and turned to people watching them and making comments. This wasn’t Addy. She wasn’t into public displays. She made sure to keep a very professional image and was careful whenever she dated to keep men at arm’s length. The last thing she wanted was to be confused with Gracen.

“I’m sorry about the way I treated you,” he said.

She cleared her throat and glanced around, looking for a place they could talk where everyone wouldn’t listen. “Come on.”