Chapter 21: Chapter: 21

ANDREA

The next day, as Nicklaus was preparing to leave for a business trip to Australia, I was a little relieved; the embarrassment of yesterday was still fresh in my mind, but I pretended like I didn't even remember whenever I was in his presence.

Nicklaus was in his office, waiting for his pilot to call; he was going on his private jet. Knowing he had a private plane was shocking to say the least.

Since he was flying on his own plane, there was no need for me to book him a flight, but I had called his pilots to check in and ask when they would be able to take off. I had already booked his accommodation in advance in a very expensive hotel.

I had also rescheduled all his previous meetings until he returned. The trip to Australia was sudden and wasn't supposed to be this week. Or at least it was.

But Nick's previous PA had forgotten to reschedule his other meetings for the upcoming conference in Australia.

It was a good thing I saw the conference date before it was too late. Poor Ann has already taken her maternity leave.

After I reminded him about the conference, Nick told me to make his travel arrangements, including calling the pilot and booking his hotel room.

After I'd made sure everything was ready, the call from his pilots finally came through an hour later. I decided to notify him about the time he should be at the hangar, so he doesn't waste any time. I knocked on his office door.

“Come in, Andrea.” I step inside the office with my planner in hand. Nick was looking through some files. He looked utterly beautiful; his hair, as always, was tousled over his forehead, probably because he'd run his fingers through it several times.

His coat was draped behind the chair he was seated on, and a few of the white shirt buttons he wore were undone. And he's rolled up his sleeves to show his elbows and arms.

I swallowed hard, looking at the tattoo peeking from the V in his chest below his collarbone.

I had never thought or imagined Nicklaus as the type of man who loved ink on his body. I felt an irrational urge to touch his skin, trace the tattoo, and find out whether there were more tattoos and, if so, where exactly they were located.

I was biting my lips and imagining different places he could have inked on his body when he cleared his throat loudly.

“Andrea?” My name, called in that deep, husky voice, plus the throat clearing, startled me from ogling him. His dark eyes were glinting, his mouth slightly quirked as if he knew what I was thinking. He couldn't have. Could he? Well, there's a seventy percent chance he could.

I mean, the poor man just caught me eye fucking him. Again! What is wrong with me? I'm never like this.

Never! And an inexperienced virgin shouldn't be like this, right? If she's fucking blind, she definitely shouldn't. My inner voice retorts.

I place the blame for messing with my head and libido on Nicklaus. Ever since he told me how he enjoys foreplay, my thoughts kept thinking of obscene images of him in my head. It was maddening! I composed myself and tried to act professionally.

“Mr Montgomery, the pilot just called me. They're waiting for you.”

“I told you to call me Nick.” Yes, he did. And I've been calling him Nick in my head, but I find it difficult to call his name in front of him.

Saying his name feels too intimate, and I find I can't call his name without my voice coming out breathy.

Ann had mercilessly teased me nonstop about it. The day I'd call him Nick in front of her, the first week I started working here.

“He also called me. Are you ready?” He asked, getting up on his feet, and packing and depositing his things inside his briefcase.

“Excuse me?” I asked, confused. “Sir.”

I added it at the last second. He glanced back at me, his shapely dark brow arched.

“Your things, Andrea, I take it you brought them with you?” I bite my lip, feeling like I'm missing something here.

“Sorry, sir, I'm still not following. Why would I bring my things here? And what things are we talking about?” He raises that arrogant brow again.

Though this one is different from the others, this was a sign I've come to recognize when he was confounded or irritated.

“You're my PA, Andrea. As my PA, you're expected to travel with me on business trips, unless I say otherwise. Now we don't have the time for you to get your clothes or whatever it is you women need for a week's journey from your home. You do have a passport, right?” He ushered me out of his office and walked ahead of me.

“I'm, yes, sir, I do?” I stumbled after him.

“Where is it?” he asks, taking long strides with his long legs. I walked faster, trying to catch up with him.

“At home,” I replied. He stopped by my desk and waited for me while I put my things in my bag.

“Alright, let's go get your passport. I will get someone to deliver a change of clothes for you, so you don't travel in your current attire.” He said, running his eyes over my jeans-clad legs, hot pink blouse, and white blazer.

My cheeks heated when his eyes lingered for some seconds on my chest. I fight the urge to fold my hands on my chest and protect my modest breasts from his scrutiny, then his eyes stare at my mouth.

My fingers twitched, but before I could do anything. He raised his eyes to meet mine. Then his face became impassive; he turned sharply and walked in those long, strong strides.

I dutifully followed, relieved over what I don't even know? I'm supposed to make him notice me, and he is finally doing so, but I find I'm conflicted and uncomfortable with the role I was playing.

A part of me is warning me against what I'm about to do, warning me that Nick's more dangerous than I thought.

“We'll get you clothes when we get to Australia,” he continued.

We rode the elevator to the ground floor, then strolled to the underground parking lot, where his chauffeur and security were waiting in the front seat.

His bodyguard got out and hurried to open the door for Mr Montgomery. It was barely opened when Nick swiftly got into the limousine.

“Well, get in,” Nicklaus ordered when I hesitated to enter.

I smiled at the bodyguard and thanked him, then I scrambled in. He closed the door, went around to the front passenger-side door, and got in.

The driver raised the privacy screen between us, the moment the car started, and drove smoothly.

I had never been in a limousine, so I gawked, running my hands over the soft, smooth leather seat. It's so soft. Nick wasn't paying attention to me; he was busy with his phone, typing furiously.

I was like a curious kitten; I began to survey the limousine's interior, stroking and touching everything that caught my eye.

“Here, I guess you'll be needing this.” Nicklaus handed me a remote control; his dark eyes amused, his beautiful lips quirked a little. His hand grazed mine, and I shiver inwardly when I reach out to take the remote, smiling and a little embarrassed.

I took it and thanked him. Then he went back to work and completely ignored me. I pressed a button and was surprised to see a stocked bar with a variety of drinks, from hard liquor to wine and soda. Champagne, tequila, Scotch, vodka, red wine, water slide open, and for the next five or so minutes.

I embarrassed myself by mooning over the bar counter, stereo systems, climate change, and the sliding, raised roof. It wasn't until I finished my embarrassing episode. I suddenly felt shy.

I sit back demurely and use my long hair as a shield to obscure the left side of my face from Nick's scrutiny. I feel his eyes on me like phantom fingers stroking me.

My heart beats a staccato when Nick reaches out and holds strands of my hair, rubbing them between his fingers, his head tilted, watching me, my breath hitched, my palms damp, I gulp, none too discreetly.