Chapter 27: Chapter: 27

ANDREA

Nick had provided all the clothes I needed and jewelry. I had done my best to look pretty: my lips were painted a nude lipstick, my eyes were made up in a dark smoky look, and my lashes had been straightened with mascara.

I donned the eight-carat diamond hoop earrings Nick had brought me—I meant borrowed, I'm returning them. I looked beautiful and sophisticated.

When I came out of the room, Nicklaus and Logan were already waiting. My breath hitched when I first saw him. Nicklaus looks gorgeous in a black tuxedo, a crisp white shirt, and an equally dark bow. His dark hair was impeccably styled at the sides.

He looks so good that I couldn't take my eyes off him, even if I tried. If he weren't a cheating bastard, he would be the perfect man on earth.

When his gaze finally fell on me, his dark eyes darkened to a dangerous degree. He slowly ran his gaze over every inch of me, kindling flames in my body with his eyes alone. I bite my lips trying not to squirm, as my nipples respond, tightening. He took slow steps towards me.

“You look….exquisitely beautiful.”

“You look beauti—I mean handsome,” I stuttered. He grinned, flashing straight, beautiful white teeth.

“Come, we don't want to be late, right?” His hand took possession of my lower back as he guided me to the door. I involuntarily shiver when I feel his hand on my naked flesh.

“Right.”

“Hi, Logan, you look good.” He did. For the first time since I met him, he's wearing a white shirt under his black suit, instead of his usual black shirt.

His answer, yep, you know it, a grunt. My heels made a click-click sound as we left the penthouse and rode the elevator, Nick, Logan, and I.

Thirty minutes later, we walked into the hotel where the after-party was going on, the same hotel where the conference had taken place.

Everyone was dressed elegantly: men in tuxedos and suits, women in beautiful gowns ranging from short to long, all billionaires in their own right with their male or female partners.

Nick's hand was still on my lower back, driving me crazy with his thumb's lazy teasing strokes on my waist. Logan is on my other side. The party was in full force when we entered the hall.

Every time a set of eyes found us, it would leave, then glance back quickly. Even Logan looked handsome today, but Nick was magnetic, calling every man and woman's attention to him.

Logan was a repellent, scattering men and women alike, away with his frightening, hard scowl. I guess his scowling makes his job easier.

Nick was in control; he maneuvered us to the bar, not to his business associates, where I had expected him to take us. He got a glass of scotch and got me a glass of red wine.

That simple act shouldn't have touched me, but it did. We drank, chatted, and then dined on the delicious finger food arranged on the big dinner table at the far left.

Logan stayed at the bar, his eyes would sweep across the hall, then come back to Nick, always on Nick. I was curious about whether Nick's life was in danger, but I don't think it's my place to ask.

I had tried to drink a glass of scotch when I became parched after I'd finished my wine, but Nick had quickly taken the glass away from me.

He called one of the waiters instead and had him fetch me a second glass of wine from the bar. Then he took it from the waiter's hand and passed it to me.

“It's water; you are already tipsy as it is.”

I muttered a thanks and took the glass from him, embarrassed about my drunken behavior days ago, even though I didn't remember doing anything wrong or anything that could be constituted as bad.

It's cute that he still remembers that I'm a lightweight and that he prevented me from drinking Scotch. I guess he knew I didn't particularly like the scotch he'd served me days ago.

Nick held onto me all night. Together we made the rounds inside the party hall. Smiling, chatting, and laughing with his partners and business associates.

My hormones were going haywire being this close to him. Whenever Nick whispered in my ear, pointing out a business associate or a partner.

His hot breath tickled the hair in my nape. My skin would break out in goosebumps, and I would involuntarily shiver. His dark eyes would glint wickedly, and his hand would tighten possessively on my back.

I tried to act casual, normal. Like his maleness and that addicting smell I've come to associate with him isn't playing havoc with my senses.

I had already finished the glass of wine in my hand and was drinking water, which he had ordered a waiter to bring for me again.

I'd excuse myself a couple of times to go to the bathroom. I needed a few minutes of solitude to tamp down the lust shooting through every nerve in my body.

I had taken a few minutes' respite, reminding myself that it's okay to lust after Nick. It will certainly help with the job.

But I shouldn't let myself fall for him, which is easier said than done. Nick was like a home beacon for every woman. I have seen the women in this party extend an invitation to him in a non-discreet way. Not caring that he had—a, a woman on his arm—b, a wedding ring on his finger.

I almost felt sorry for them whenever he'd curtly turned them down, in a less-than-pleasant way than another man might.

But I really couldn't muster any compassion for them; they are trying to steal my show. I have to make sure I snare him soon, not for myself, of course, but for the job.

Fortunately, Nick's doing just as Jules had predicted; he's interested in me, I know this. From the dark look in his eyes, a look that sent a shiver of anticipation every time. It says, " Soon, Andrea, soon!

At least that's how I'd interpreted it. The party was still in full swing when we left for the beach penthouse. I was bone-tired, but there was something I needed to do before we left Australia.

I thought Nick was going to ravage me instantly when the doors to the penthouse closed, but he didn't. He actually kissed me on the cheek, which was surprising, then he said goodnight—the jerk—and walked into his room.

I thought maybe it was because Logan was there that he would soon knock on my door, and then I would be able to do my job.

He didn't.

I was pissed that he had mercilessly teased me with little touches here and there, setting me on fire, making me ache in places I'd long since neglected, and not satisfying it, than I was over not getting to do my job.

When I realized I was upset because Nick didn't come and fucked me. I was shocked. I felt so guilty and disgusted for wanting Nick. I remind myself Jules doesn't deserve my betrayal for her kindness!