Six

Nicole slowly raised her head, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the journalist sneak a peek their way as he raised his cell phone. Immediately, Mick knew the man was trying to take a picture. Without another thought, Mick quickly pressed his mouth against Nicole’s to keep that from happening, blocking the man from seeing her.

She sucked in a quick breath and her body stiffened. But he couldn’t let her break the kiss. Not until the bald guy exited his floor.

Mick’s arm crept up her slender back to her neck, bringing her closer. He moved his lips with hers, gently pecking, and then nibbling before caressing his lips against hers, but taking it very slowly. Soon, her body relaxed, and it didn’t take long before her mouth participated.

Heat shot throughout him like he’d just touched an electric current. The rhythm of his heartbeat quickened, as did the urgency flowing through every nerve in his body. It amazed him that this woman’s kiss could give him that reaction. He was helpless to stop the passionate moment. But slowly, his energy seemed to drain from him. No matter, he wouldn’t stop the contact he had with her. She kissed like an angel – and yet, he sensed a demon lurked somewhere behind the intimate kiss. She was so very enchanting, turning his mind to mush.

Nicole’s gentle fingers threaded through the hair at his nape. Everywhere she touched nearly melted him with desire. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss. His head swam dizzily, and for some strange reason, he could swear he was floating on clouds.

Never had he experienced such a sensual kiss – and he’d kissed many women. But Nicole was so very different, and from the reaction of his body, he knew he never wanted to kiss anyone else ever again.

The ding of the elevator’s doors opening brought Mick briefly out of his dazed state. He didn’t stop kissing this sexy woman in his arms, but he knew the exact moment when the journalist left. Once the doors closed, Nicole pulled back. Her breathing was as ragged as his. Their gazes locked.

She licked her lips. “I’m… assuming that kiss was to entertain the man who was with us?”

Mick chuckled. “He was a journalist. I saw his badge and his cell phone. I didn’t want him looking at your face – or heaven forbid – taking a picture of the woman in my arms.”

“What makes you think he didn’t take a picture of us kissing?”

“Oh, I’m sure he took some, but I didn’t hear his phone clicking. The only thing ringing in my ears was the beat of my heart hammering out of control.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you all right?”

He laughed, assessing his feelings once again. For some reason, he couldn’t catch his breath. And although the kiss was over, his head still swam as if he was under water. His hearing seemed muffled like he had entered a dark tunnel.

Inwardly, he groaned. Had that drink gotten to him after all?

When the elevator doors opened, his legs seemed sluggish as he made his way toward his room. Balancing her with one hand, he fished in his pants pocket for the room card with his other hand. The hallway tilted… or was that just his vision?

No doubt about it, he was going to pass out. But he wouldn’t embarrass both of them by doing it here in front of the door. He’d wait until he was inside his room and on the bed.

As he stepped into his room, she slid from his arms. When her injured foot touched the floor, she limped.

“Mick, you don’t look good at all. Your face has lost color.” She hooked her arm around his and led him toward the bed. “I think you should lie down for a minute. Let me get you some cold water.”

The room spun out of control, but he made it to the bed and flopped on his back, looking up at the ceiling. He wasn’t drunk. He’d been drunk before, and he didn’t feel like that. So, what was happening?

She crawled next to him on the bed, cupped his face, and peered deep into his eyes. “Do you want me to call a doctor?”

Her beautiful face blurred before him and he blinked slowly. When her face came back into view, she was looking at him differently. She didn’t seem to be panicked that he was feeling this way. Instead, the look on her face told him she expected him to be this way.

Had she drugged him? Her kiss had definitely intoxicated his mind, but… was she responsible for making him feel so dopey?

Sweet, innocent Nicole. He groaned. Why did he get the impression she wasn’t so innocent after all?

* * * *

“Mick? Can you hear me?” Nicole gently patted his cheeks, but he was unresponsive.

Worriedly, she looked upon his sleeping form. Perhaps she shouldn’t have given him two pills. After all, he had been drinking alcohol, and alcohol and sleeping pills don’t mix well.

Using her fingertips, she found his pulse on his neck. It was still beating… She sighed. She’d just have to keep her eyes on him and make sure that his heartbeat didn’t become weak.

She jumped off the bed and limped while she searched for something – anything – that might help her find dirt on him. First, she searched through his briefcase, but all she could find were newspaper articles about Adkins Dev-Tech and a list of shareholders.

Her heart dropped. Would Mick try to buy out every one of them? If he did that, they were doomed from the beginning.

After she searched through the briefcase, she moved to his dresser drawers. He’d kept only a few items of clothes in the drawers, and his suits were hanging in the closet. Nicole went as far as to search through pockets, but she came up with nothing.

Growling, she stomped her foot before realizing that was the swollen limb. Cringing, she limped to the nearest chair and sat.

She pulled out her cell phone and called Mary. After one ring, her friend answered.

“Mary, I’m not finding anything,” she said in a low voice, not wanting to disturb Mick’s sleep.

Her friend grumbled on the other end of the phone. “Nothing at all? Not even in his suitcase?”

“That was the first place I looked. He’s definitely targeted my grandfather’s company, and from the list of shareholders that was in his possession, I’m wondering if Remington empire is going to try and buy them out.”

“We can’t let him do that. Half of the people in Maple Springs depend on the company to keep food on the table.”

“You’re not telling me anything new.” Nicole rubbed her forehead. The throb in her foot was matching the persistent pain in her head. “Now what?”

Mary sighed heavily. “Now is when I come up and we take some pictures.”

Nicole grimaced and her stomach churned. “Mary, I don’t know…”

“Stop it, Nicole. This was part of the plan, and you know it. Now listen for my knock and let me in. This needs to be done before he awakens.”

“But blackmailing a billionaire—”

The line lost connection. Nicole groaned and massaged her forehead as she moved back to the bed. She couldn’t possibly go through with Mary’s plan. There must be another way. Although Mick Remington would ruin people’s lives when he took over the company, she would ruin his life with these pictures. Two wrongs didn’t make a right. And yet, this was her grandfather’s company she fought for. This would be her company one day.

Cautiously, she crawled on the bed and touched Mick’s neck to find his pulse. She sighed with relief that it was still strong.

She placed her hand on his chest and frowned. She needed to undress him. Well, at least unbutton his shirt and pants. Her gaze dropped to his belt buckle and her hand moved to that spot, but as soon as she touched the square steel of the buckle, she snapped her hand away. No! She wasn’t going to undo his pants – and neither was Mary.

Nicole redirected her hands. One-by-one, she slid the buttons loose from his shirt. As his chest came into view, she found herself holding her breath. Dang, he was built like Adonis. And his muscles… oh my!

Once his shirt was unbuttoned, she pushed his shirt open wider. Her throat dried, and her hands itched to touch his smooth-looking chest. He wouldn’t know if she touched him just one time, this time to seek pleasure…

The small knock at the door startled her and she jumped off the bed as though it was on fire. Instead, it was her body that burned.