Best Laid Plans (Dearly Beloved) Read Online Free Page B

held her hand as he walked her to the door. She’d never forget the way his scent washed over her as he leaned down to meet her eye-to-eye. She breathed deeply, let the musky scent of leather and whiskey lightened with a touch of citrus fill her lungs. He smelled of the boardroom, of three-piece suits, and business deals; but also of something deeper, more primal.
    Her heart fluttered against her rib cage and she wondered if a man with this much sex appeal could cause a heart attack.
    “We will have dinner again, Claire.” His warm breath tickled her cheek as he whispered.
    “I-I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Mister—”
    Nick sighed and cut her off. The air he exhaled set an errant curl to dancing, and sent more shivers through her. She locked her knees.
    “Nick. That’s your first order of business, Claire. You are going to call me Nick.” He leaned away from her and she noticed the crinkles at the corners of his eyes for the first time. Good heavens. The man might even laugh occasionally. “Even my executive assistant calls me Nick, as much as I terrify her. If she can call me by my first name, I don’t understand why you can’t.”
    “Terrify? You think I’m afraid of you?” Without thinking she leaned closer, eyes narrowed and heat flushing her cheeks. Before she realized her mistake, he’d kissed her. His encircling arms pinned her against his chest, one hand splayed across her back, the other cupping her head as he angled his mouth across her lips, demanding her surrender. And she had. Her body melted against his, her lips softened and firmed in turn as he coaxed her response.
    Claire blinked rapidly once he stopped. Her cheeks still radiated heat and her chest rose and fell with the effort to breathe. No one should be able to kiss like that. No one! Nick didn’t look discombobulated. Or even mussed. Or breathless.
    “Perhaps you’ll invite me in for a nightcap?”
    Her body insisted this was an excellent suggestion. Her heart lobbied for the same but a very small part of her brain ordered her to take one step back, put space between them, and think about the consequences.
    “No.” She hadn’t intended to sound so blunt. He chuckled, his wonderful eyes crinkling again. His grin looked almost boyish and far too much like the rascal who just got away with mischief. “I have a busy day tomorrow, as I’m sure you do as well. Don’t you have some small country to buy or something?”
    Nick’s chuckle deepened to laughter. “Or something. I take lunch at one. Will you be at the house or your office?”
    Claire opened her mouth but no words came out. She clamped it shut before she stuttered something inane. How did this man have the ability to fluster her so easily?
    “I’ll send the car for you at your office. We’ll have lunch and compare notes for the wedding. Good night, Claire.” Nick turned on his heel and strolled down the walkway. Without looking back, he called, “Be sure to lock your door.”
    She fumbled with the door, managed to get inside, closed the door, and locked it as ordered. She leaned against the sturdy wood and caught her breath. “Claire Vitale, you are in so much trouble now! There aren’t enough cold showers in the world to keep you immune from that man’s appeal.”
    ****
    “May I ask you something?”
    Claire tilted her head, curious that Laurel would ask permission before blurting out whatever was on her mind. Generally, unless her father was around, words bubbled out before the girl ever thought about them. Why would she ask permission now? “Of course, Laurel.”
    “Why won’t you admit that you and Dad are dating?”
    Her mouth snapped shut after gaping for a moment. “Dating? Who said we were dating?”
    “Dad. But you keep denying it. I’d like to know why.”
    What could she say? Claire did deny that she and Nick were dating. She denied her attraction. She denied that her heart raced when her cell phone played the ring tone she’d assigned him. At