Exposed Page 11

  If only she could convince herself.

  * * * * *

  Deciding to get a bit of fresh air, Matt took a few minutes to stroll through his gardens. Lindenfield really was beautiful this time of year, with the flowerbeds blooming all shades of pink and lavender, the grass a rich green. Breathing in the fragrant air, he recalled the smell of Nicky’s naked skin as he’d nuzzled her neck just moments ago. Like the night before, the sex had been exquisite, and, he was half-ashamed to admit, deeply relaxing after such an arduous day. The mood around the office was growing tense, and all due to Cromwell Incorporated. The way that company was buying up Anderson stock reminded him of a kid with eyes bigger than his stomach.

  That analogy, which he’d used today at his board of director’s meeting, was more than appropriate. Cromwell was a small firm, less significant in the scheme of things even than Unwinn Press, another company that was considered Anderson’s chief rival. Yet, Cromwell was suddenly growing brazen, expanding in uncustomary ways. Ways that, quite frankly, scared the hell out of him.

  As he made his way back inside through the small kitchen and then on through the dining room, Matt picked up his briefcase from where he’d left it earlier on the dining room table. Deciding to get rid of his work before fixing himself a cold drink, he approached his office door, surprised to see it closed. Perhaps Frank had shut it during his rounds in the afternoon. Turning the knob, he pushed it open a crack and peered inside. Then, feeling very pleased with what he saw, he slipped quietly inside.

  Nicky was standing behind his desk facing the door. He’d caught her in mid-motion, tucking her little camisole top back into her skirt. But she didn’t see him—not yet. Her jacket was pinned behind her arms, allowing him to get the full effect of her perfectly round, plump breasts. Breasts that, less than an hour ago, he’d held in his hands. An inch or two of her toned abdomen was showing too.

  He cleared his throat and then watched her look up abruptly, her mouth falling open as her eyes grew wide with surprise.

  “I hope you realize the guestroom is still available for your use,” he said smoothly.

  “Oh, yes. I know. It’s just that I wanted to make another call.”

  Matt watched a soft flush creep from the low neckline of her camisole up her neck, coming to a full bloom in her cheeks. But at the same time, he noticed her eyes were steady, her expression unflinching. Unlike yesterday, she didn’t look at all flustered as she flipped her hair back over her shoulders and gazed back at him.

  Then, ignoring him, she bent over his desk to write something on a large, brown envelope.

  “Do you think you could leave this with Frank?” she asked, pushing the envelope across the desk toward him. “I already called the courier. They’ll be here in an hour to pick it up.”

  Matt stepped closer. He took his time laying his briefcase on his desk before picking up the thick envelope. “What’s this?” he asked.

  “Just the photos I took this morning, and yesterday.”

  “Ah yes, the photos. I hope you enjoyed the darkroom?”

  He watched her bite back a shy-looking smile. “Yes, it was perfect, thank you. I’m nearly finished my work here,” she went on coolly, not missing a beat. “By the way, how’s my car coming along?”

  “Fine,” he mumbled, glancing down at the package and wondering what was inside. Why did he suddenly feel the tables had been turned?

  He moved towards the window, trying to buy some time. She’d said she was nearly finished with her work here, but she couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible, or was it? Of course, she’d probably found the letter he’d planted, but what else had she found? He felt the envelope in his hands—it was thick and heavy. He only hoped she hadn’t found out the truth. Was that why she was suddenly playing so cool? Did she know he was lying?

  “So, where is it?”

  Her voice startled him. He turned and stared blankly at her, trying to recall what they’d been talking about. “I beg your pardon?”

  “My car,” she said flatly. “Where is it?”

  “Oh yes… It’s out back, looking like new.” He cleared his throat. “Say, my—fiancée is flying in tomorrow morning for the weekend. Why don’t you stay overnight? Then you can meet her. You two might have more in common than you think.”

  He noted a change in her eyes as he spoke. “Sure, why not?” she replied with what sounded like false enthusiasm.

  False or not, Matt was pleased she’d been so easy to convince.

  “Good. Now, about dinner—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she blurted, cutting him off. “I mean, last night was great, and breakfast was delicious, but I can always just make myself a sandwich and…”

  He held out a hand in the air to stop the flow of words. “Not to worry. I’ve already made reservations. We’ll leave in an hour. Is that enough time?”

  She looked askance, then glanced down at her watch. “I, uh, sure. That’s…fine.”

  “Good. It’s quite a nice little establishment, I think you’ll like it. Oh, and feel free to help yourself to something else in the guestroom closet.” Matt threw her a grin as he turned and strode out of the room. There. He’d managed to gain control of a situation that seemed to be slipping out of his grasp.

  But even as he wandered back down the hall, he knew he was kidding himself. The fact of the matter was that things were beginning to even out between himself and Nicky Evans.

  First, there was this package that he needed to have sent just as much as Nicky did. After all, he wanted his mother off his back, didn’t he? Still, the unknown contents made him feel a little on the defensive.

  Then there was this desperate lie he’d just blurted about his girlfriend coming tomorrow. He’d said it on the spur of the moment, and all because he could see Nicky was going to leave. Sure, he still had her car up on the hoist, which had kept her high and dry in his absence. But now that he was home, there really wasn’t any reason why she couldn’t get her car back and leave his life forever. The lie had managed to prolong her stay, but for how long? How long before she realized she was being taken in?

  But he already knew the answer to that—less than twenty-four hours. And then she would hate him for deceiving her.

  Sauntering into the kitchen, he decided he really needed that drink now. He swung open the refrigerator door, his gaze glossing over the various bottles and cans. The problem was, he didn’t know what he needed or wanted. And every time he saw that damn calendar posted next to the refrigerator, he realized he should hurry up and find out.

  Matt pulled out a cold bottle of mineral water, cracked it open, and took a sip. He thought of Nicky, going back to her room to change. Then, as he pictured her standing in the study just now with that ripe mouth, her flushed skin, those perfect breasts and her haughty voice, a slow smile made its way across his lips. Perhaps he hadn’t lied, maybe his woman of choice would be here tomorrow after all. And if so, Nicky would be surprised to learn she was closer to her than she ever imagined.

  Chapter Eight

  Nicky stood staring once again into the enormous guestroom closet. Here she was on a Friday night, being paid to go out with probably the most eligible bachelor of the year. Most of the women she knew would do anything to have this chance. And yet, here she was, utterly miserable. Why? Because Matt Anderson was in love. It didn’t take a private eye to see the way his face had lit up when he mentioned the weekend, hinting of secret passions, of hours spent in that big bed of his with Janet or Jennifer or whomever. The mere thought was taking away her appetite.

  So how could she feel good about accompanying him to dinner tonight, especially after what had just happened in the darkroom? How could she even get dressed for such an occasion? Darn Smith and his red file. She’d just about kill to be in Mexico right now, hanging out at beach towns, maybe even meeting a man who was actually available.

  Nicky stepped into the closet and saw her own scowling face reflected back at her in the full-length mirror. Well
, she’d better change that part of her first. She might as well try to make the most of her last night at Lindenfield. With Matt’s fiancée arriving tomorrow, she would soon have all the evidence she needed to put this case to bed, so to speak. Her car was fixed and ready to go, and now, dammit, so was she.

  Nicky met her own eyes in the mirror and saw something unusual there, something she hadn’t seen for a long time. Sadness. Turning away from the mirror, she realized she had no time to cave in to her feelings. She had less than an hour to get herself dressed and changed out of this gloomy mood into something more appropriate for a night on the town.

  She pulled out a fistful of hangers and inspected the items hanging from each one. She figured she needed something on the conservative side tonight. Last night had been a little different. At that point she hadn’t known for certain whether Matt was attached or single. She’d still felt she could have a little fun with him. But tonight would be more serious. Tonight she would try to forget what had happened between them and go out with him as an acquaintance. An acquaintance she’d once slept with.

  Finally, she decided on a sleeveless sequined top and a flowing taffeta skirt, both in jade green. Yanking off her clothes, she stepped into the dress and zipped it up as far as she could reach. Once again, she was amazed at the fact that it fit her. She looked at herself in the mirror, surprised by what she saw. The sequins glittered like emeralds, subtly reflecting the color of her eyes. It was perfect.

  Perfect for what? she asked herself critically.

  Perfect for dinner at a nice restaurant, she answered herself. Nothing more.

  * * * * *

  Matt washed up, shaved for the second time that day, and changed into a silk-spun blue shirt and black linen pants. Taking his mineral water and lemon concoction with him, he decided to pass some time in the library until Nicky was ready. He sank into his favorite wingback chair and pulled out the financial section of the daily paper. Yes, there it was again, an indication that Cromwell was doing well. Too well. Their stock unit price closed up again for the third time this week alone.

  No sense worrying about that tonight. First he had to get another part of his life in order. In just a few days it would be the fourth of July, which meant his birthday was less than a month away.

  He customarily celebrated the first of August by giving his staff the day off. But this year there wouldn’t be much to celebrate if he didn’t make some quick moves in his personal life. Knowing how incompetent Larry was, Matt knew if he didn’t soon find himself a bride, the office staff might end up taking some permanent time off. Which left him with the same old question, what was he going to do about it?

  He put down the newspaper and folded his arms as he leaned back in the comfortable chair, his gaze rising to the ceiling. The answer to his problem might be above him right now, getting changed.

  Why not? Nicky was intelligent, amusing, and attractive. And she didn’t have that plastic, superficial beauty like so many of the overly groomed women his mother had tried to set him up with. What Nicky had was deeper—a sensual, penetrating kind of splendor that left him hungry for more as soon as he left her. And then there was the sex. Incredible, mind-blowing—

  “Hello there.”

  Matt heard the sultry voice behind him and turned to see a vision float into the room. She was beautiful. There was no disputing that as she took a step towards him. He savored the image she made standing in his library, her bright eyes reflected by the green shimmering dress she was wearing, her sun-kissed arms falling into the soft folds of the voluminous skirt. For the first time he could remember, he was speechless.

  “I was wondering if you could help me out,” she said, turning around.

  His eyes fell on her hair that she’d wound into long, loose curls flowing down over her shoulders like a turbulent, red river. It took a moment for him to realize she was talking about the zipper that spanned the sumptuous territory from the small of her back all the way up to the nape of her neck.

  “Here—I’ll get my hair out of the way.” She wrapped her hands around her fiery curls and held them up. He reached out and clasped the zipper. Ever so slowly, he guided it along the closing path of her silken skin. Even with the zipper standing between his fingers and her back, she felt so good to him, the gentle curve of her spine reminding him of just hours before when his hands had roamed freely over this perfect landscape. Matt felt a strong yearning to go there again.

  “Is it zipped up?” she asked, still holding her hair over her sexy nape.

  He wanted to say no. He wanted to unzip the dress, bring her down to the soft rug beneath them and make passionate…

  “Thanks,” she said, as her fingers felt the top of the zipper at the back of her neck. She put an abrupt end to his fantasy as she turned around, shook out her hair, and raised her red eyebrows. “Ready?”

  He nodded, still searching for his voice. “I was just checking the news,” he muttered for lack of anything better to say.

  “Ah, the Independent Courier,” she said, looking down at the paper strewn over a small side table. Then she smiled one of her wide, captivating smiles. “So you read your own paper.” Her voice was full of laughter, as if she found that endearing somehow.

  Matt shoved his hands into his pockets. “Why not? It’s the best around, after all.”

  She gave him a knowing look and started towards the hall, glancing back to see if he was following. He smiled and quickly caught up to her, directing her through the house and into the garage where he’d left his black Mercedes-Benz. Of course, he had several other cars at his disposal, both antique and modern, but tonight it had to be this one—his favorite.

  Opening the sleek passenger door for her, he expected to hear the usual compliments he always got from women. But Nicky seemed utterly unimpressed by his car. In fact, she appeared unimpressed by everything he owned. In her eyes, he seemed to be stripped naked of all the beautiful things that normally clothed his life, which protected him and made him appear special. Right now she even seemed unimpressed by him, which could be a problem if he was going to set his plan in motion. He’d definitely have to work on improving that situation tonight.

  Matt walked around to the driver’s side and let himself in, pausing to inhale Nicky’s perfume as he leaned nearer to fasten his seat belt. He instantly recalled it from their encounter in the darkroom, a mixture of citrus and jasmine and a few other floral notes he couldn’t quite place.

  “You look a little cleaner sitting behind the wheel tonight compared to yesterday,” she said, leaning back to study him.

  It wasn’t like him to be nervous, so why did the steering wheel feel so slippery beneath his grip? “What do you mean?” he asked, realizing he was almost embarrassed. He also wasn’t used to women commenting on his looks. Usually it was the other way around. Women asked him how they looked, and then waited for a compliment. Not Nicky. But, as he was finding out, there was nothing usual about her.

  “It’s just that you really did look like a mechanic sitting behind the wheel of that old car,” she said, smiling wryly.

  He laughed, but his throat was dry, turning his laughter into a cough. He fired up the engine and backed out of the garage, glad to have something to do. “So, are you saying that mechanics aren’t your type?”

  He listened to her gurgled laugh and decided he liked that too.

  But does that mean you can spend the rest of your life with her? a little voice asked from somewhere inside of him. He drove past the house and waved to Frank, who was watching them from the kitchen window. Where had he heard that laughter was one of those things that drew you in the beginning, but then drove you crazy after listening to it year after year?

  They motored along the driveway in silence. At last they were out on the open road.

  “What’s so amusing?” he asked, eyeing her dimpled smile.

  “To go back to your first question, I suppose mechanics are my type, though I’ve never dated one. You see, that was my f
ather’s occupation.”

  “So he’s retired now?”

  “Actually, it wasn’t just a job to him, it was his life. He was very passionate about cars. But others things too. And he was a great father,” she added.

  Matt noted the way she had ignored his question, plus her use of the past tense and realized he’d just stuck his foot in his mouth. Frowning at his clumsiness, he wondered if he should change the topic. But then again, this might be some common ground. Something they could share. “You know, Nicky, you’re not alone. I understand where you’re coming from,” he said as gently as he could. “My own father passed away six years ago.”

  She said nothing but looked at him with a small, quivering smile. “I—wondered,” she finally replied. “Thanks for telling me that.”

  As she turned her face away from him to the passenger seat window, he remembered she already knew all about his father. She’d have to know at least that much to be sent on this assignment.

  Matt swore silently as he steered the car towards a sharp bend in the road. “So, Nicky. Have you ever been to Stockbridge?”

  She shook her head. “I’m afraid my knowledge of my own state is pretty embarrassing. I guess that’s what happens when a person loves to travel, but doesn’t have the money to do a lot of it.”

  “Which means?”

  She smiled. “Which means a travel bug like me tends to go to more exotic places when the money becomes available. I guess, in the back of my mind, I take all of this for granted because it’s in my backyard. I can see it anytime. So, given the choice, I’d rather take my limited funds to a beach in Mexico than to one in Cape Cod.”

  He hesitated, then nodded. “I think I understand…” You’re striking out, here, Anderson. He hadn’t thought money would be an issue between them. He certainly didn’t expect it to be a stumbling block. But why wouldn’t it be? Wasn’t money always the problem in his previous relationships with women? Instant wealth and a secure future was the prized carrot he saw reflected in their eyes. Prized carat, more like. But with Nicky, it was a question of downplaying his wealth, something that wasn’t all that easy to do given the fact that he had so much.