Chapter Thirteen
The sun streaming through the windows woke her. For a moment, Summer had no clue where she was. She blinked and pushed herself up, pulling the sheet over her breasts. She was in the biggest bed she had ever seen.
White cotton sheets and a black-and-gray throw. Very masculine.
And she was naked. Her dress lay on the floor beside the bed, her shoes just inside the door, her panties across the black metal bedstead.
There was no sign of the owner of the bed.
She hadn’t taken in much of the room last night. Her mind had been too focused on other things. Now she looked around, if only to stop herself thinking about Nik.
And what came next.
Did they go back to being friends?
Could they go back?
The night had been beyond anything she could have ever imagined. Nik had made love to her over and over through the long hours of darkness. He’d taken her from behind, with her on top, spooning—waking her in the middle of the night, his lips hot against the back of her neck.
There was an ache between her thighs. But a pleasant ache.
She should get up and get dressed. Get out of there. The night was over. It was time to get back to real life. But she didn’t move. Instead, she just lay staring out the window at the deep blue of the sky.
She didn’t know how much later it was before Nik appeared in the doorway. He’d pulled on his jeans—it wouldn’t do to bump into the servants naked—but nothing else, and he was so beautiful, he made her ache.
His hair was messy, his jawline shadowed. And he was carrying a tray.
“I brought you breakfast,” he said.
“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?”
“I wanted to do it myself.”
Aw. He was sweet.
As he placed the tray on her lap, the scent of warm bread wafted up, and her stomach rumbled. There were two mugs of coffee and two plates of scrambled eggs on the tray, plus a basket of warm rolls and butter. He picked up one of the plates and a fork, then settled himself on the bed beside her, his long legs crossed at the ankles. “Eat.”
So she did. She cleared her mind from worrying about what came next and concentrated on the food. “Did you make this?” she asked, between mouthfuls of fluffy scrambled eggs flavored with smoked salmon.
“Of course…not.”
“I suppose your housekeeper is used to making your lady friends breakfast.”
He buttered a roll and handed it to her. “I’ve never brought anyone here before.”
“Oh.”
He was doing her head in with those sorts of comments. She didn’t know what to think. Why he was being like this?
Nice.
She bit into the roll and chewed slowly. While she’d denied it to herself, because it was pretty unbelievable, she’d always known deep down that he wanted her. Right from the start, it had been there in his eyes. She’d tried to ignore it, because she’d felt the same way, all the time knowing a relationship with Nik could go nowhere beyond a brief sexual fling.
There were still so many lies between them. No relationship built on lies could ever succeed. And she couldn’t risk telling him the truth and jeopardizing her mother’s happiness. Her mother’s financial security was based on the proceeds of the first job Summer had done—stolen money. She’d used part to buy and convert the house her mother now lived in, and with the rest, she’d set up a trust fund that gave her an income and independence. If Nik should turn on her…
She put down her fork and her half-eaten roll. “I should go.”
“No, you shouldn’t. I thought we might go out.”
“Go out where?”
He shrugged, a frown flickering across his face. “Go for a walk? Somewhere we can talk.”
Talk about what?
She cast him a sideways glance and found him studying her in return.
“I don’t know why or what,” he said. “But there’s something between us. Something good. Hell, better than good. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”
“You don’t like that?”
“I like it and I hate it.” He put down his plate and scrubbed a hand through his already-messy hair. “I lost my faith in people a long time ago.”
“I get it. You’ll never trust me.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I suppose the question is—do you want me to? I thought I was everything you hated. Rich, immoral…”
“And I’m a thief.”
“We make a good pair.” He sighed. “One thing—I’m rich enough that if you stay with me, you’ll never need to steal again.”
She went still at his words. He clearly had no faith in her ability to remain honest. And she had no clue what he was suggesting. Stay with him? It had such a sound of permanence. She’d expected him to say he wanted an affair. Get this attraction out of their systems as he’d suggested back in the beginning.
“You’re thinking too much.” He picked up the tray and put it on the table beside the bed. “There’s one way I can persuade you.” He took her in his arms, lowered his head and…the phone rang.
Nik went still, then slowly pushed himself upright. He blew out his breath. “I have to take that. They wouldn’t have put it through if it wasn’t important.” He picked up the receiver and listened for a moment. “I’ll be right there.”
He put the phone down and looked at her. “Stay here. Finish your breakfast. Go have a shower or something. I’ll be back.” He got up, grabbed his shirt from the back of a chair, and pulled it on, and then he was gone. Her appetite had vanished, but she sipped at her coffee and kept her mind blank.
She didn’t know what to think. And it was making her head hurt.
By the time she finished her coffee, he still wasn’t back. She pushed herself out of bed, picked up her panties and her dress, and headed for the huge bathroom with its enormous tub and a walk-in shower. She eyed the tub for a few seconds, but decided against it. Instead, she showered slowly, her body aching in all sorts of interesting places. He’d pushed her to the limits, and she’d loved it.
Now he wanted to go for a walk.
What did that even mean?
And talk.
She was purposefully not thinking about the “stay with him” comment.
Anyway, it wasn’t happening. At least, not today. She was due at her mother’s for lunch. She was finally going to meet the not-a-boyfriend, Pete. At least that would give her a little breathing space, some time to decide what to do. She needed to figure out whether she wanted to see where this went, or if she was going to move to the opposite side of the world. Except that would be a violation of her parole.
How had her life gotten so messy?
She waited five minutes, pacing the room, itchy and on edge. Finally, she decided she was going to find him, say her good-byes and…run away.
She glanced at the elevator, but in the end, she went out the door and down the wide staircase. She didn’t come across anyone, but she heard voices as she arrived on the ground floor. Should she tiptoe out? Instead she followed the voices and found Nik talking to a woman in a large, airy living room. His back was to her, and she hesitated in the open doorway, not wanted to intrude. He was talking in a low voice, but she could sense frustration wafting off him.
The woman was stunning. At least five feet eleven, and slender, her perfect figure shown off in black leather pants and a white fitted shirt. She wore diamonds at her ears and her throat. If they were real, they were the biggest diamonds Summer had ever seen.
For a moment, she presumed this was one of Nik’s supermodel girlfriends—how inconvenient—but only for a moment. A closer glance told her that the woman was much older than Nik’s thirty years. She had long honey-blond hair, perfectly styled, olive skin, and Nik’s dark eyes. His mother?
The woman didn’t look any happier than Nik, her shoulders tense, her mouth a tight line. She’d gone silent when she’d caught sight of Summer, her eyes widening. Nik must have sensed something, because he turned slowly. He ran a hand through his hair, his brows drawing together.
“Summer.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Sorry, I didn’t want to intrude, but I need to leave and wanted to say…good-bye.”
“Just give me a couple of minutes. And we can talk.”
The woman was glancing between the two of them, no doubt taking in Nik’s bare feet and messy hair—he looked like he’d just gotten out of bed. Which he had, of course.
“No really, I—”
The woman came forward, her hand held out. “Hello. I’m Nik’s mother.”
Summer glanced at Nik as she shook the outstretched hand. He appeared more resigned than anything else and gave a small shrug when he caught her gaze.
“Hello, Mrs. Masterton.”
The other woman pursed her lips. “And you are…?”
God, this was awkward. She glanced at Nik, but he just gave another small shrug. She was clearly on her own here.
“I’m…Nik’s assistant. Just temporarily, while Lisa is away.”
“His assistant?” A small smile curled her lips. “And is he paying you overtime?”
“Mom!”
She turned wide-eyed to her son. “It’s a perfectly reasonable question. Are you going to introduce us properly?”
“Mother, this is Summer Delaney, who is working for me at the moment. She’s also a friend.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Summer. What a pretty name. And I’m so glad to see you here. It’s the first time Nik has introduced me to a girlfriend in…I don’t even like to think how many years. I’m absolutely delighted. It might even take my mind off the whole horribleness of the day so far.”
Nik shook his head. “What’s so horrible? It’s your birthday, and Dad bought you diamonds. You like diamonds.”
His mother’s face crumpled. “They’re too much. He only got them for me because I’m old and need cheering up and—”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake.”
Summer was attempting to follow the conversation, but she had no clue what was going on.
“He loves you,” Nik said.
“He only married me because I was beautiful and I was pregnant. Now I’m old.”
“You’re still beautiful, and you’re not old.”
“I’m fifty.”
“So what? Dad’s seventy-five.”
“It’s different for men.”
Someone cleared their throat behind Summer. The other two were too focused on each other to notice, but Summer turned around. Harry stood in the open doorway.
Great, just great. If there was one person she would like to see less right now…
He gave her a nod, then looked to Nik, and a slow smile curved his lips. He stepped up beside her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Shouldn’t that be my question?” He looked her up and down, amusement glinting in his blue eyes. “Are you casing the joint?”
“Yes,” she snapped.
Nik finally seemed to become aware of Harry’s presence. “What the hell is this? A fucking party?”
“Nik!”
Harry grinned. “Your dad sent me to look for your mom. Apparently, she’s running around London in over a million worth of diamonds.” He sent Summer a sideways glance. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned that in the present company. The temptation might get too much.”
“Yeah. If you two will leave us alone for a moment, I’ll mug her and be out of here in a flash.”
Nik’s mother cast her a look of speculation at the comment, but then sniffed. “And he couldn’t come himself. He had to send you?”
“I was around and he was…busy. With your surprise party, actually.”
Nik turned to his mother. “Go home, Mom.” Then to Harry. “And you—just go.” Finally, he looked at Summer. “And you, stay here.”
“I have to leave. I have an appointment, and I need to go home first and…” She trailed off. Really, it was none of his business. Fake boyfriends, even ones you spent the night with, didn’t get to know your every move.
His mother sniffed again. “And I suppose I should go see what your father is up to…if I can’t persuade you to keep an old woman company.”
Nik rolled his eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.”
His mother gave a nod and then turned her attention to Summer with a sly smile. “Are you coming to my party tonight?”
“No.” The word fell out before she could think of a more politic way to say it. Like…she hadn’t been asked, but she wouldn’t come anyway, sort of thing.
“Please, do say you’ll come. Nik wants you to come.” She turned to her son. “Don’t you, Nik?”
“I’m sure your family doesn’t want a stranger there.”
“At the last count, there are five hundred guests,” Harry murmured in her ear. “I doubt one more will make a difference.”
She fixed a smile on her face. She didn’t want to be rude, but she also didn’t want to go to a party with a lot of rich people she didn’t know. Besides, if Nik had wanted her there, he would have already asked her. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Nik asked.
She blew out her breath. “I don’t have anything suitable to wear.”
“We can go shopping.”
Agh! Was he crazy?
“I told you I have an appointment. I don’t have time to go shopping.”
“Cancel.”
She gritted her teeth. “I don’t want to.”
He stepped up closer, lowered his voice. “We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t. I’ll see you on Monday.”
She turned to go, but nearly collided with Harry and Nik’s mother, both standing watching the two of them, like a solid wall between her and the door.
Let me out of here.
His mother reached out a hand and rested it on Summer’s arm. “Please come, Summer. You’ll make an old woman very happy.”
Beside her, Harry snorted.
“I—”
“I have loads of friends in the fashion industry. I’ll get them to send something over for you to wear.”
“But—”
She patted her arm. “Come and walk me down to my car,” she said. “And you can tell me your exact size and favorite color.”
Somehow, Summer found herself being guided out of the room. She glanced back over her shoulder. Nik caught her gaze and gave a shrug.
“I guess I’ll see you tonight then,” she said.
…
Nik watched as Summer and his mother disappeared into the elevator that led to the underground parking garage. He felt as though he’d been hit by a steamroller. He’d had to physically restrain himself from tossing his mother and Harry out and dragging Summer back to his bed. Where they could communicate. Okay, maybe not communicate, but at least they connected.
She’d shut him out again.
“So, you’re sleeping with her,” Harry said. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Nik turned to face him. His best friend had that vaguely amused expression on his face. Again. It was becoming a permanent feature.
“I think it’s none of your business.”
Harry grinned. “I’m your best friend. Of course it’s my business.” He studied Nik, his head cocked to one side. “Don’t you think you’re taking advantage of a vulnerable woman?”
Was he? “I thought she was a hardened criminal.”
“She could be both.”
Nik sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Again. He’d woken that morning with Summer all soft and warm in his arms, and he’d experienced a feeling of optimism that made him realize how bleak his life had been over the last few years. He’d been going through the motions.
The feeling had scared him in a way.
But at least with Summer, he wasn’t going to be disappointed. He knew exactly what motivated her. Money.
Could he live with her, knowing that?
Then again, could he live without her?
Anyway, maybe he had no say in the matter. She couldn’t get out of here fast enough. Where was she going? And why wouldn’t she tell him?
Because it was none of his business?
But he wanted it to be. And whatever Harry said, he didn’t see her as vulnerable. She had her issues, but inside, she was a strong woman. And he would swear she had strong moral values.
Except when she was stealing.
“At least you don’t look bored anymore,” Harry said, breaking into his thoughts.
“I don’t get bored,” he replied. “Only boring people get bored.”
“You’ve been going through the motions since your divorce.”
“No, I haven’t.” Well, maybe he had, but he wasn’t going to admit that to Harry. Smug bastard.
He needed coffee. He headed out, down the hallway, and into the kitchen, Harry close behind him. He got down two mugs and filled them from the coffee machine, then handed one to Harry. “Just what are you doing here, again?” he asked.
“I was at your dad’s place. He’d roped me into helping with the last-minute party stuff. And I arrived just after your mom ran out, saying he didn’t love her anymore.”
Did his mother and father love each other? Nik had always presumed it was expediency that kept them together. And habit. And his mother’s love of money. She’d been a trophy girlfriend his dad had only married because she was pregnant. A young girl going out with a rich man more than twice her age.
Was that love?
“Why didn’t Dad come after her?”
“Your father was waiting for the terrible twosome to turn up.”
His twin sisters. Twenty years old and crazy as shit. They were both at college in the States and were flying back for their mother’s birthday.
“Anyway,” Harry continued, “I offered to come after her. And here I am.”
Nik drank his coffee, feeling Harry’s gaze on him. He clearly had something to say, and Nik was guessing it was about Summer. He didn’t want to hear it.
At least she’d agreed to the party, so he would see her again. Though he wasn’t so sure how he felt about her mixing with his family. They weren’t exactly normal, and he didn’t want anything else—other than the blackmail—to put her off him. She clearly had no high opinion of people with money.
Could there be more wrong between them?
All he knew was, he didn’t want to let her go.
“So,” Harry said. “You and Summer.”
“What about me and Summer?”
“I knew all along you wanted her. All that crap about rehabilitation. You just wanted to get into her pants.”
“Fuck off.”
“The interesting thing is, you know what I said about you going through the motions?”
“No. I wasn’t listening. I never listen when you talk rubbish.”
“Well…” Harry ignored the interruption. “The only time since your crap marriage that you haven’t been going through the motions was that month or so when you were having your little secret meetings with Summer—or rather Sarah. I knew something was going on. It was like you’d been switched back on.”
“Is there a point to this?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“What?” He put his mug down and looked at Harry. He appeared to be serious.
“I thought when I found her that you’d get her out of your system and move on. But no. And here she was, all nice and cozy, in your home.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“Actually, I like her. But whatever else she is, she’s a thief. There’s no doubt about that.”
“People can change.”
“Do you think she has?”
“Yes.”
“You sound almost too certain.”
He turned away for a minute to get his thoughts together. The thing was, he wasn’t sure she needed to change. There was something about Summer he didn’t understand. The big “why.” Why had she stolen? It certainly wasn’t for a love of money or material goods. “She’s hiding something,” he said. “I don’t know what, and she won’t open up to me.”
“You want me to restart the investigation into her? See if I can dig anything up?”
“No.”
What he wanted was for Summer to talk to him, to tell him what she was thinking and feeling and… Jesus. He was a mess.
“Christ, you’ve got it bad. She’s going to break you, just like Jocelyn did. And I’m going to have to pick up the pieces.”
Nik ignored the reference to his ex-wife. She hadn’t broken him, just bent him out of shape a little. But she’d changed him. This situation, however, was totally different. He knew what Summer was, what she wanted from him. Didn’t he?
“No, you won’t. Because I know what Summer is.”
“Do you?”