Some Kind of Incredible

“The memo should go to all staff in the Marketing Division.”

“Just our team or domestic, too?”

“Domestic, too. I’m handling this announcement.”

“Promotion?” she asked hopefully.

“I wish it were.”

“Subject?”

“Grey Enterprises,” he said, pacing across the room and stopping in front of the Zen rock garden that he adjusted every day or so.

Uh-oh, she thought. Nick’s deep-blue eyes reflected the frustration and anger in his tone.

“Dammit,” he said under his breath.

“Nick?”

“Have you heard the rumors of a takeover, Lila?”

“Yes, but I’m sure they are unfounded.”

“They aren’t.”

Shock rumbled through her, and for a minute she saw herself back in that duplex she’d grown up in. The government-subsidized housing that had been her world until she’d gone to trade school and accepted this job. She saw herself back in that world she’d struggled so hard to get out of. She saw her dreams slowly dying and vowed that she’d do whatever it took to prevent that from happening.

“What the hell should I say to the staff? Don’t worry, we’re not going to let you lose your job?”

“I don’t know. Is that true?”

“Hell, I wish I knew.”

Lila’s hands started to shake and she realized that this wasn’t just change happening around her. This was the sky falling in. This was—

“Don’t worry, Lila. Clerical staff is hardly ever let go. VPs on the other hand…”

“No one’s going to fire you, Nick.”

“Lila, sometimes you are naive.”

She wanted to argue, but knew that to a suave sophisticated man like Nick Camden, she must seem a little small-townish. “But the board loves you.”

“We might have a new board member.”

“Grey Enterprises?”

“Yes. Marcus Grey, their CEO, has bought eight percent of the common shares on the market. He is now the fourth-largest stock holder.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Whatever we can to survive. I’ve worked too damn hard to give this up without a fight.”

He still stood with his back to her, searching, it seemed, for answers in his Zen garden. She stood, set her laptop on the chair and crossed to him. All her protective instincts told her to cradle this man in her arms. To comfort him and draw strength from the comfort he could offer her.

She knew it was dangerous, though. Nick held her dreams captive, what would happen if she gave him the keys to her reality?

“What can I do to help you?”

He pivoted on his heel and faced her. His deep-blue gaze brushed over her, and when he spoke his voice was huskier than usual. He moved a few paces closer. She could feel his body heat and started to back away. But something in his eyes challenged her to stay where she was.

“For me personally?” he asked.

For work, she wanted to say, but knew that wasn’t true. Her words caught in her throat and she could only nod.

“Let me hold you.”

She wasn’t sure he’d really spoken. It was just like the dream she’d had the night before, in which he’d asked her to come into his office and then made passionate love to her.

“What?”

“I know all about sexual harassment and this has nothing to do with your job.”

“Just hold me?” she asked.

“No,” he said.

She waited.

“I’m going to kiss you, too.”

She didn’t hesitate to close the gap between them. She knew he was reaching out, as everyone in the office had been today. Just searching for some comfort in this time that had become troubled. But deep in her heart, as he lowered his head, Lila hoped it meant something more. Just a little bit more to him.

Nick knew that he was manipulating the situation, taking advantage of Lila because she was weak and vulnerable right now. But he’d wanted her for a long time. He didn’t look too closely at himself because he didn’t want to admit he had any of those feelings. The last time he’d felt this shaken was when Amelia had been diagnosed with cancer.

He brushed her lips lightly with his. She tasted like a bittersweet fruit and he wanted more. She sighed as his tongue slid past the barrier of her lips and teeth, learning the inside of her mouth.

Her hands clutched at the back of his neck and all semblance of control vanished. His groin hardened almost painfully. He clutched Lila’s hips in his hands and held her closer to his lower body, feeling her move slightly. He thrust against her, sharpening the sensations in him.

He knew that Lila wasn’t like the women he’d dated in the past, other executives from outside firms who were hardened by life and more cynical. No, Lila was different. She baked bread for the office when morale was low. She offered life, he realized, and though he knew he couldn’t have it forever, he wanted a small slice of it for himself. He needed to believe for a few moments that he wasn’t alone in the world.

Nick wanted to be a tender dream lover, but his body was on overdrive and he held on to his control by a string. His hands shook with the need to touch all of her. The low lighting in his office cast the room in a comforting glow. He loosened the buttons on her blouse, and met her clear gaze with his own.

No matter how badly he wanted this, he wasn’t going to push Lila to move too quickly. He didn’t analyze why.

“Okay?” he asked, dipping one finger beneath her collar.

She nodded.