Chapter 113
Please, God, let him nail it. He deserves this.
“A major component of the rebranding we're working on is modernizing our stores and businesses while still maintaining the class, graphics and professionalism that we are recognized for. We’re seeking a fusion of classic and contemporary, while retaining our established customer base and inviting a younger clientele. And, of course, a wider profit margin. Here is just one example of how we plan to accomplish it.”
He shifted to the side, and the slide on the screen displayed the new logo he'd shown her weeks ago and they'd both contributed to the and her heart pounded, pride straightening her shoulders even as tension and tendrils of nervousness curled inside her.
“Intimate Curves is an online lingerie boutique that caters exclusively to plus-size women. It also sells lotions, jewelry and other merchandise from local artisans and entrepreneurs. The business has been in operation for four years and has been hugely successful. I’ve included numbers for the last two years in your file so you can see for yourself. Intimate Curves has not only enjoyed a very healthy profit, but its reputation is also exemplary both regionally and nationally. As a matter of fact, the company was recently the recipient of this year’s Small Business Award from the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs.”
Warmth flooded her, and under the table she tightly clasped her hands together. She didn’t know if anyone else in the conference room could detect the pride in his voice, but she did. God, she did.
He went ahead to talk more about his ideas, and hers too for a few more minutes, not failing to mention how they'd both come up with the ideas and how they planned to implement them before he concluded and Todd cut in, “Is everyone fully on board with this, including Ms McKenna?”
Everyone nodded, and Nick's gaze briefly rested on her but shifted away. “Yes, she is.”
“I am,”
The words escaped Michelle before she could think. Staring into Nick's gleaming eyes, she wasn’t so grateful and proud, knowing that he'd involved her on purpose. Knowing that this was going to change her career for good.
Briefly, she added more to what Nick had said, “—This will cultivate new business partnerships while still maintaining established relationships. The idea isn’t to alienate our current client base, but to retain them and attract more. And with this marketing plan in place, I believe the chain will be more successful and profitable than ever before.”
Nick continued with his presentation for another fifteen minutes, and when he finished, she barely managed not to break out in spontaneous applause. Barely. Regardless of how things had ended between them romantically, he was first and foremost her best friend, and she, more than anyone, understood what this proposal meant to him.
As the vote on it went forward, she held her breath. And when the majority of people voted for the rebranding, approving the proposal, the air released from her lungs on a delighted sigh. When they voted again in favour of adding her to the team, her heart pressed against her sternum, seeming to expand until her chest couldn’t contain it. She glanced at Nick, and as if he’d been waiting on her, his bright gaze captured hers. A slow smile curved his sensual mouth, and she returned it.
Shortly after, the meeting adjourned, and she waited at the back of the room. Congratulate him and leave—that was the plan.
“I believe congratulations are in order to you, too, Ms. McKenna,” a tall, olive-skinned man said, stopping in front of Michelle. Thick, dark hair tumbled over his forehead and framed an indecently lush mouth and solid jaw. Glittering black eyes stared down at her with an intensity that verged on unnerving. “The inputs and ideas were very impressive.”
“Thank you, Mr....”
He extended a hand toward her, dipping his chin. “Nico Morgan” A faint smile flirted with his mouth, but it didn’t reach those onyx eyes. And as she shook his hand, a shiver tripped down her spine. “I look forward to working together, Ms. McKenna.”
Nodding again, he released her and exited the office. She stared after him for a moment, then shook her head. He was intense.
“Michelle? Can we talk for a minute?” A warm, big hand wrapped around hers, and the crackle that rippled up her arm and sizzled across her breasts telegraphed who touched her before she turned around.
Briefly closing her eyes, she pivoted and offered Nick a polite smile. “Congratulations,” she said. “You did a great job, and everyone recognized all your hard work, like I knew they would. You were brilliant, Nick.”
“Thank you, and congratulations to you too. But you helped so much. If not for you and your ideas, the proposal might not have been approved. You had my back—you’ve always had my back. Michelle,” he murmured, an urgency entering his voice, his hold tightening on her hand. “Give me five minutes. I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking for it, anyway. Please.”
It was the “please” that did it for her. Not that he’d never said that word to her before, but for him to use it now... Well, she didn’t have the armor to resist it.
“Fine. Five minutes. I have to get back to work.”
Not true, but Nick didn’t have to know that.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
Still grasping her hand, he led her out of the conference room and down the hall to his office. She should remove her hand. Should insist he not touch her. Should do a lot of things. But, dammit, she couldn’t. She wanted his touch. Missed it.
As soon as they entered his office, she summoned up the strength to withdraw from him. Rubbing her thumb into her palm, she tried to erase the brand of his hand on hers. The craving it stirred for more.
“Thank you, Michelle,” he murmured, and she tried not to get lost in his eyes. “Thank you for coming here, first of all. I didn’t think you’d come if I invited you, so I apologize for the subterfuge. But I wanted you there for the presentation. First, because you contributed a lot and I couldn't have done it without you. Second, for more selfish reasons, I needed you there. I’m at my best with you, and I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I’ve never been so proud. So happy for you.”
“I’m proud of myself.”
A smile flirted with his mouth and, unlike Nico Morgan, Nick's pleasure reached his eyes. “You should be.” He held out his hands, studied the palms, then lowered them. And when he lifted his head, she stifled a gasp at the pain in his eyes.
“Michelle, I don’t have the words to express how much I hate that I hurt you. That I was the one who caused you pain, who rejected you. For a long time, It's been my job to be your soft place to land just as you’ve been mine. And I tore that safety net out from under you, and I will never forgive myself for that. But I’m not above asking for your forgiveness.”
He clenched his jaw, the muscle there working.
“Nick,” she whispered, unsure what to say, but he shook his head, cutting her off.
He moved closer and then held her hands in his, then he stroked his hands up her arms, over her shoulders and neck until he cradled her jaw. “I love you. I’ve been in love with you for so long that I can't remember a time when I wasn't. There’s never been anyone else who has owned my heart. And when you accused me of being scared, you had no idea how right you were. I’ve been terrified of telling you how much I love you. Afraid you could never see me as more than a friend. Afraid of losing you. Rather than take a risk and tell you the truth, I hid the truth. But I’m tired of hiding. I want to live free. With you.”
He pressed his forehead to hers, his breath mingling with the soft pants that broke on her lips. Joy, hope and disbelief warred for dominance inside her. He’d been in love with her. Damn, he was a fantastic actor, because she’d never guessed, never known. So much wasted time. She wanted to kiss the life out of him and smack him in the back of the head.
“Please, sweetheart, don’t take your heart from me. Just when I finally had your love, I threw it back at you, and I’m begging you for another chance. You can trust me. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you, proving you can trust me with the most precious thing in this world—your heart.”
“No more secrets,” she said, circling his wrists. “Complete honesty between us from now on. And I’ll start right here...”
She tipped back her head farther, met his bright, piercing gaze and basked in the love there as if it was the sun, warming her. “My heart and my trust are yours and only yours. First as my friend and now as the love of my life. I love you, Nick.”
Murmuring her name, he bowed his head and kissed her, taking her mouth in a hungry, furious kiss that weakened her knees and sent love and lust spiraling through her. This man. He did it for her.
And she was claiming him as hers.
Forever.
He broke the kiss and stared at her, “I know this is probably not a good time, but I've been curious about that issue with your brother. How did it go with him and your sister in Celestria Islands?
Michelle took a deep breath, “It's over, but the whole thing was crazy. How about we go get some coffee and I'll tell you all about it?”
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THE END
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