CHAPTER 11

NICOLE HAD BEEN TO THE Clarks Tower twice in one week. She mumbled to herself, “Why can’t people value other people’s time?” Nicole was already irritated that she had to come back into the office this week for a task someone else should have been able to do, but now the person she was supposed to meet was late.

She stood outside her office pacing back and forth. Periodically, she checked her watch. Where were they? Nicole wasn’t sure if it was her medication or what, but she was anxious. “Claire?” Nicole turned to her assistant who was exhausted from watching her walk in front of her desk. She was glad that her heels weren’t click-clacking. Fortunately, they were casual with soft soles.

“Yes, Mrs. Chatham?”

“Are you sure they said the representative was on their way? If I don’t leave soon, I’m going to be late.”

“Yep.” Claire popped the p in her response.

“Well, I’ll give them ten more minutes, then I’m leaving.”

A slightly accented and deeply male voice responded from behind her. “I apologize for my tardiness, Ms. Chatham. An overseas call took longer than I expected.”

Nicole recognized that voice. She closed her eyes, scrunched up her nose, and mouthed the words—DAMN. However, Nicole smiled when she turned to face him. “Mr. Abboud. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted an up close and personal tour of the American foster care system.”

“I have to admit; I wasn’t expecting to see you again unless it was in the boardroom of the Angel Foundation, not here at our KidCare offices.”

“Rome. Please call me Rome.” He scratched the side of his head with a finger. “I live temporarily on the top floor of this building. I figured it was quite possible that I would run into you again.”

“I didn’t know there were living quarters in this building.”

He continued to flash her a million watt-bulb smile. “Yes, there are.” He glanced around. “Isn’t KidCare and the Angel Foundation the same company?”

“No, they are not, but they share certain resources like these offices.”

“Interesting. Well, I’m still pleasantly surprised that you are my point person.”

Nicole didn’t believe him for a second. She folded her arms across her chest and lifted an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Of course, he was lying, but Roman would never admit it. If KidCare wanted his financial support, he had made it perfectly clear that they would only get it, if Nicole were available for the ride along and anything else he asked for. That was why his people phoned her boss to ensure that she would be along for this little adventure. “I was told someone from Children and Family Services would meet me.”

“KidCare works closely with that government organization, but I am the representative for the day.”

“Oh. I thought you only charmed men like me out of money. I didn’t know you worked this close to the ground.”

“I don’t charm anyone for donations, Mr. Abboud.”

“Rome. Please call me ROME.”

She ignored him. “In answer to your question, I don’t usually handle the in-person visits, but apparently there was an emergency, and the woman you were supposed to be with today couldn’t be here. I’m stepping in because there was no one else available on such short notice. So, if you’re serious about what we’re doing today—”

“I am.” He stared her down, challenging her doubts.

Nicole quickly ran through all the reasons why she shouldn’t believe him. But then common sense kicked in. Why wouldn’t Mr. Abboud be serious about how his money is going to be used after donating ten-million dollars? She could only take him at his word. Nicole dropped her arms to her side. “We will go to a couple of the Children and Family Service offices as well as visit a few homes where we’ve placed several children.”

Roman nodded. “Sounds easy enough.”

She snapped. It was an automatic response when dealing with him. “Let me clue you in on a couple of things. One, this is not easy. And, two, determining if someone is telling you the truth is often harder.”

He could tell by her clipped tone that she was referring to him. “I’m not a successful businessman because I am overly trusting, Nicole. May I call you that? Nicole?” Roman said her name like a soft caress.

What was she supposed to say? Hell no? He had already been calling her Nicole. Why was he asking now? Technically, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Still, she narrowed her eyes. “Mr. Abboud, what we are about to embark on is serious business. It is not fun and games. The quality of these children’s lives just might depend on us. And I . . .” She stressed the word. “I am not a game and won’t take too kindly to being played with.”

“Rome. Is that so hard for you to say?”

“You said your friends call you Rome, correct?”

“Yes. So, please—”

“We are not friends. I prefer to keep our relationship professional, and that means I will call you, Mr. Abboud. Understood?”

He saluted her. “Understood.”

Claire watched the back and forth between them with heightened amusement. There was a tension there that was undeniable. It was apparent that Nicole was going to have her hands full with Mr. Abboud.

“Great. Now that you have set the rules and established the boundaries . . .” He checked the time on his wrist as Nicole stared through him. “We should probably get going. I wouldn’t want to make you late.”

He was mocking her from her earlier statements. Nicole brushed past him toward the elevators. “I wish someone had told you that an Italian suit might not be the best attire for this field trip.”

Nicole and Roman spent the entire morning at two Children and Family Service offices and then made two wellness care visits. They were riding in her car and hadn’t spoken very much after their last stop. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

Roman was pensive. He stared ahead as he spoke. “I had no idea this could happen here in America. This country is rich. Some of the conditions these children live in are deplorable.”

Nicole glanced at him, and her gaze softened. He cared. “Today was actually a good day—things can be and are often a lot worse. I’m just happy that the children we placed appear to have been matched with decent homes. It’s temporary, but, who knows, maybe it will even lead to adoption.”

Roman finally turned to her. “Is that what you hoped for? To be adopted?”

She shrugged. “I s’pose. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a family?”

“Me.” Roman let out a hearty laugh. “I have thirteen brothers and sisters. No one ever had an opportunity to get lonely.”

Nicole stopped at a red light. “Thirteen? I would have loved that.” She smiled at him.

It was the first genuine smile she had given him all day. Hell, since he’d met her. It was like a ray of sunshine. He returned it with one of his own. “Did you like the flowers I sent?”

Her smile faded. “I thought I told you. They were nice, too expensive, and very inappropriate.”

“I’m rich. How were they inappropriate?”

“I have a husband who didn’t take too kindly that some strange man that he has never met would send his wife such an expensive gift.”

“I should meet him.”

Two alpha’s circling each other both trying to prove who was manlier? She was not up for that. “No. I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Hmm . . . would he be jealous?”

“He has no reason to be jealous.”

That didn’t answer his question exactly. “What did he do with them?”

“Do? With what?” Nicole pretended not to understand his question.

“The flowers. What did he do with them?”

A smile threatened the corners of her lips. “Truth?”

“Nothing but.”

“He had a bonfire with our kids in the backyard.”

Roman laughed out loud. A big hearty laugh. “I probably would have done the exact same damn thing.” When his laughter died down, he noticed Nicole’s guard had come down with it. Now was a good time to make his move. “I’m hungry. Do we have time to grab a quick bite to eat before our next visit?”

Nicole stuttered. “L-lunch? Um . . . I’m not sure . . .” They weren’t supposed to be sharing personal space, and it threw her off. So much so, that she didn’t notice the traffic light had changed.

“It’s just food. You said we’re not friends. Maybe we should work on that. Again, it’s just lunch.” Roman pointed. “The light . . . it’s green.”

She tore her eyes away from him. “Right.” Nicole pulled off. Roman made her nervous. Her palms were damp as she held on to the steering wheel. “Alright. How about we stop by a drive-thru and pick something up?”

Roman was enjoying the fact that Nicole was off balance—that was a good sign. “As in fast food? Surely, you can do better than that. I’ve been more than respectful. I would say, I’ve been on my best behavior. You’ve made it perfectly clear that you are happily married. I’ll respect that.” He wouldn’t, but she didn’t know that. “Haven’t I earned a decent American meal?”

Nicole was being silly. Roman had been nothing but a gentleman. “You have been on your best behavior, and we do have a couple of hours to spare before our next visit.” Instead of going back to her office, she decided to have lunch. Roman was just a harmless flirt. He had shown her that today and, by the way he treated those kids, that he wasn’t an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk.

Roman leaned back in his seat. “Yes, I have, and yes, we do. Come on. I’m starving.”

Reluctantly, Nicole gave in. “Fine. What do you have a taste for?”

You. I have a taste for you, Nicole Chatham, and, with a little more time, I plan to have you. “You choose. I’m going to put myself in your hands.” Roman’s demeanor was innocent, but his intentions were anything but.