Five

Mick Remington lifted his drink to his mouth while keeping his gaze on the incredibly beautiful woman. He’d seen his share of pretty women, but there was something about Nicole that held his interest. He liked the way she looked at him as if he was her rescuer. It was refreshing to be someone’s hero for a change, instead of the ruthless villain.

However, he couldn’t stop the doubts from sneaking into his mind. After all, this was James Adkins’ granddaughter. Mick had seen a picture of her on her grandfather’s desk a couple of years ago when Mick had visited James. Nicole’s enchanting green eyes had haunted his dreams for several months afterward.

And now… her grandfather was ill and his company was in trouble. Although Mick wanted nothing to do with the Remington empire – especially their reputation – he forced himself to work beside his father just to learn the ropes. He hadn’t spent any time with his father while growing up, and as an adult Mick was determined to become as successful as his old man… but in a different way.

Mick had never been proud of the Remington reputation. Most people saw him as the corrupt son of the elder Remington. If only they’d look past the name and see what was in Mick’s heart.

It wasn’t until he realized his father was going after James Adkins’ company that Mick decided to change his ways of dealing with companies that were going under. Several years ago, James had been the first man who believed in Mick and had given him his first loan. Mick was the only person who could help James right now, and he prayed he wouldn’t fail.

After meeting with his associates earlier this evening, Mick wracked his brain trying to figure out a way to save James’s company, but no decision had been made. Plain and simple, they didn’t have any brilliant ideas. And then Nicole came into his life… and actually fell on his lap. It didn’t take him long to realize she was his answer.

More than anything, he needed to gain her trust. By doing that, she’d convince the other shareholders to trust him. Mick would do anything to make her like him – even taking her to his room just to show her what a nice – and respectful – guy he really was.

Nicole looked absolutely stunning tonight but she was innocent. He liked that. Innocent women could be trusted more. How far would she go to save her grandfather’s company? Far enough to take Mick on as a partner?

He stroked her hand. “What’s your answer, sweetheart? Does an evening of entertainment with me sound interesting?”

She lifted her glass to her lips and her hand quivered. As she set her Sprite back on the table, she took a deep breath and smiled.

“I will on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I want you to know that I’m not that kind of girl.” She flipped a lock of her long, chestnut-colored hair over her shoulder. “I’m sure you don’t find that often in your line of business, but I’m not easy. I’m only going with you to get to know you better, and so that I can stay off my foot until the swelling goes down. If that’s not what you were hoping for, then we can part ways right here.”

“That’s all I want to do is get to know you.” His smile widened as he lifted his glass. “To the beginning of a very pleasurable evening.”

She clinked her glass against his. Her gaze stayed glued to his as she drank her Sprite.

Eager to get her alone, he drank his Colorado Bulldog as fast as he could. His body was accustomed to this drink, and he was confident that the alcohol wouldn’t go to his head. Besides, he was sure the bartender hadn’t added a lot of vodka to it, since earlier tonight Mick had told the bartender that he wanted to stay sober tonight.

Mick assisted her out of the booth before wrapping his arm around her waist. She leaned on him, but she still tried to put pressure on her swollen foot. She didn’t have to tell him how much pain she was in, her grimacing and the way she squeezed his arm every time she stepped on it was enough for him to know.

The idiot cowboy who had stepped on her foot, peeked over his shoulder at them. A grin stretched across his face, widening the man’s mustache. Mick wanted to deck the guy in the face for his behavior with Nicole.

Just before they reached the door leaving the lounge, Mick lifted her in his arms. Gasping, she threw her arms around his neck, holding on tight. He grinned. He couldn’t have planned this any better.

“Mick, really… I can walk.”

He met her wide-eyed gaze. Their faces were so close he could smell the lilac-scented perfume surrounding her. He liked that. He also enjoyed the feeling of being her hero by carrying her. Hopefully, she’d allow him to do this manly gesture.

“There’s no way you’ll be able to walk to the hotel, sweetheart. Please, don’t fight me on this. I know how much you’re hurting.”

Her mouth thinned and she nodded.

He suspected that she didn’t want to be seen entering the hotel in his arms. He understood fully. There was nothing worse than judgmental eyes watching every move he made, especially the paparazzi who constantly took pictures and flashed them all over the tabloids, accompanied by lies about what he’d been doing in those pictures. He hated when they spread lies, especially now when he wanted to change the Remington reputation… at least the Mick Remington reputation.

The sun dipped on the horizon. As orange and yellow highlighted the cloudy sky, the majestic mountains sprinkled with autumn colors added to the spectacular backdrop. In a few months, winter would be upon them, and snow would cover the tips of the Rockies. He hoped he’d find an excuse to leave his Manhattan office to visit Colorado during those months. And with any luck, Nicole would keep him company – and keep him warm – on those cold evenings.

Just before he walked through the automatic double-glass doors of the hotel, he moved his gaze back to the adorable and innocent woman in his arms. “Bury your face in my chest. That way, nobody will know the identity of the woman I’m carrying up to my room.”

Her tight expression relaxed, and she followed his instructions.

The people gathered in the lobby gaped at him as he carried Nicole to the elevator. So far, he hadn’t seen any journalists, but knowing them, they were lurking somewhere, waiting for him to do something newsworthy.

He hurried into the elevator, pressed the twelfth floor, and stepped back to wait for the doors to shut. Seconds before the door closed, a man rushed inside. He pressed the eleventh floor. The short and stubby balding man nodded, giving Mick a smile. He returned the polite gesture.

When the man faced forward, he reached into his suit coat pocket and withdrew a cell phone. It was then when Mick noticed the journalist badge hanging around the man’s thick neck. By now, Mick found those badges easy to spot.

Inwardly, Mick groaned. Would those people ever leave him alone?