Ethan watched as she stalked away, completely mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the way her tight skirt hugged that delectable backside. He felt a stirring in his groin and grimaced, utterly disgusted with himself for his lack of control where Erin was concerned.
Her threats rang in his brain and somehow, a part of him knew he would do well to take those threats seriously as Erin did not strike him as the sort of woman who made idle threats.
Ethan sighed, and made his way past the busy lobby, his thoughts in turmoil. He shouldn’t have riled her up that way…his initial plan had been to ignore her – keep her firmly at arm’s length and forget about the sexy firebrand that was Erin Gosling.
It had been a damn challenge sitting next to her in the boardroom, his entire body all too aware of her alluring presence, the soft yet intoxicating scent of her flowery perfume that called out to him – reminding him of one warm night of passion. It had taken every ounce of will to ignore her – to concentrate on dealing with her father, keeping his wits about him while his body had raged with the need to damn the consequences, hurl her out of that room to somewhere more private and ravish her thoroughly.
Angry at himself and at Erin for threatening his precious equilibrium, he’d lashed out at her. He had felt like a low creep when he’d seen the hurt cross her face at his words – had wanted to take back those words and do the unthinkable: to apologize. But instead, he’d done nothing.
And now, Erin wanted his head on a stick.
“This should be interesting.”
Ethan’s lips twisted in a grim smile then his eyes narrowed as he noticed the couple that had just walked in through the revolving doors.
Nicky Gosling looked the perfect picture of happiness as she clung to the sandy haired man walking beside her. Ethan recognized him as Ryan, the fiancé.
He deliberately slowed his steps to watch the laughing couple as they headed towards him, completely oblivious to the fact that he was also in the same room.
Nicky looked as classy and sophisticated as she always did in a white pantsuit that hugged her slender body. Her hair was swept up in a neat chignon, accentuating a long graceful neck that had once set him to fantasies.
Now however, Ethan found himself devoid of any stirrings of desire as he watched her approach. Where she had once dazzled him with her beauty and cool- headed poises – now all he could see was the cold, spoilt and spineless woman she was.
Odd. But unless his tastes had changed overnight… he now found he much preferred full curves, wide hips and a temperament that could flay a man alive.
Very very odd.
Nicky didn’t notice him until they were just a few feet away. The laughter froze on her face, eyes widened in what Ethan guessed would be amazement and shock.
Her steps faltered and she came to an abrupt halt, still staring at him. Ryan shot her a puzzled look, then followed her gaze till it landed on Ethan.
“Ethan!” Nicky said, the words coming out in a breathless whisper. Ethan’s lips curved in a cold smile as he watched her grip tighten on her fiancé. “What a pleasant surprise!”
He raised a mocking brow at the hot color that suffused her cheeks. If he didn’t know any better, he would say Nicky looked…almost guilty.
“Indeed it is a surprise.” Ethan replied, watching the play of emotions on both faces. Ryan looked curious and Nicky looked…apprehensive? The question rang in his mind and Ethan wondered why.
“Ryan and I were just going to see my uncle. I-I certainly didn’t think you would be…. here.”
The brow rose higher. “That so? Are you suggesting I should not be here?”
Nicky shook her head vigorously, wisps of blonde hair swaying with the movement. “No, that isn’t what I’m saying at all.” She managed a nervous laugh and clutched the fiancé tighter. “I just mean…well…given the circumstances and all..”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed at the statement. What the hell was Nicky implying?
“Excuse me?”
Nicky realized her gaffe and blushed. “Forget I said anything.” She murmured, recovering her poise almost immediately and levelling Ethan with a polite smile. “It’s good to see you again, you look well.”
The words caused a sardonic smile to cross Ethan’s face. How typical of Nicky to remember her manners even in an awkward situation. Even when she’d told him she wasn’t ready to commit to marriage five years ago, Nicky had executed it with enough grace to make any socialite envious. Hell, he’d been the one to apologize for asking her to marry him, certain that he’d moved too fast and she simply needed more time to get comfortable in their relationship.
What a fool he’d been.
He should have realized that even though Nicky had been willing to overlook his lack of money and affluence – her family, most especially Erin, would have never accepted him.
Ethan’s lips curled at the memory of the disdainful look Erin had given his battered car that night at the restaurant. She’d made it very clear that she hadn’t considered him suitable boyfriend material for her precious cousin. He hadn’t needed a physic to tell him Erin must have said something to Nicky that night…in fact, Nicky had been the one to tell him Erin’s opinions.
“Ethan?” Nicky’s voice drew him back to the present. She and her fiancé were both giving him questioning looks.
“My apologies.” Ethan replied, the words abrupt. He adjusted his hold on the briefcase, careful to keep his expression neutral. “My mind was on business.” He cast a glance at Ryan, to find the latter watching the exchange. From the expression on Ryan’s face, Ethan could tell the guy was curious, but either he was too good mannered to prompt an introduction or he – and Ethan could bet a hundred dollars on the second opinion – was too much of a spineless wimp.
Ethan decided to up the ante. His lips twisting in a mocking grin, he shifted his gaze back to Nicky.
“I think you’d better make the introductions.” The words were as mocking as his expression. “Your companion must be dying to know who I am.”
Nicky flushed. Ethan raised an eyebrow at the rush of hot color. Indeed things were about to get interesting.
“Of course.” Nicky’s smile was so obviously forced that he was tempted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. She turned to her companion and began the introductions. “Ethan, meet Ryan, my fiancé. Ryan…this is Ethan – an old friend.”
Ryan Silverton’s smile was just as forced as he held out a hand to Ethan. “Pleasure to meet you Ethan.” His accent was definitely upper class Boston, polite yet distant. Ethan smiled as he watched Ryan do a head to toe assessment of his person.
How interesting. Ethan’s brows shot up his forehead as he directed a questioning look at Nicky. “Fiancé?” The question was asked with a tinge of mockery. “I assumed the wedding festivities would have been over and done with by now.”
It was Ryan who answered, slipping an arm around Nicky’s waist and drawing her to his side. “I’m afraid not, we decided to postpone the wedding until her uncle was much better.”
“Ah.” The single word was followed by a nod.
“I know you.” Ryan studied Ethan for a moment, then grinned. Beside him, Nicky paled and Ethan heard a small gasp as she stared up at Ryan…her expression a curious mixture of panic and dread.
“Honey, I’m not sure you do.” Nicky’s words were whispered and no doubt meant for Ryan alone, but Ethan still heard it.
His eyes narrowed as a thought crossed his mind, still he kept his expression pleasant as he looked at Ryan askance. “Is that so?”
“Yeah.” Ryan nodded enthusiastically, a lock of blond hair flopping over his high forehead. “You’re the CEO of Holbourn…. Ethan Lachlan. Am I correct?”
The look of relief that swept over Nicky’s face almost made Ethan laugh out loud, his suspicions confirmed. Nicky had obviously chosen not to tell her soon-to-be husband about her past relationship with him. Somehow, that fact did not surprise him though it did make him wonder.
His lips twisted in a wry grin as he nodded. “Yes, I am.”
Ryan looked inordinately pleased with himself. “I thought so. Though I had no idea you and Nicky knew each other?” He shot the question at Nicky.
He had the satisfaction of seeing the pleading look Nicky shot his way before it was masked. So little Miss Perfect had failed to disclose details of her past relationship?
Nicky opened her mouth to speak, but Ethan cut her off. “I wouldn’t say we know each other that well.” He replied, his gaze boring into Nicky. She had the good grace to look guilty and ducked her head. “Isn’t that right Nicky?”
“Yes.” The words were a mere whisper.
Ethan turned back to Ryan, lips twisted in a smirk. “I’m not surprised she hasn’t mentioned me at all.” He replied. “I’m not exactly a welcome person in the Gosling household.”
Nicky paled while Ryan looked even more confused, the polite smile slipping to be replaced with a frown. “Really?”
“What are you still doing here?” Erin’s pissed off voice interrupted the conversation. Ethan turned to watch as she strode up to them, looking like she’s just tasted something sour. She came to a halt beside him, aiming a freezing glare in his direction. “I should have known you’d hang around and try to make more people as miserable as you feel.”
The caustic words only served to lighten Ethan’s mood. He allowed a slow lazy grin to spread over his face as he raised an eyebrow. “Sorry Sweetcheeks, I didn’t know I made you miserable. My bad.”
Her stare turned frosty, brown eyes glaring icy daggers at him. For once, Ethan was thankful looks couldn’t kill otherwise he would be in serious danger of being murdered.
“Don’t play games with me Ethan. I’ve had enough of your arrogance today.” Erin snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. The action caused her breasts to mash together and swell beneath the lilac blouse she wore – the suit jacket apparently discarded in the kitchen.
Ethan found he much preferred her without it now, allowing his gaze to rest on the gentle swell, memories of holding those twin pair of luscious flesh in his hands inundating his brain. He could feel his body respond and cursed silently, those very hands itching to touch her soft skin, even if it was to brush away the strands of stray hair that clung to her neck.
Damn, he had to stop this foolishness immediately.
Careful to mask his true emotions with a bland look, he shrugged.
“I told you before that I don’t play games Erin. And for the record, your dear cousin and I were just exchanging polite conversation. Isn’t that right Nicky?” He aimed a sardonic smile in Nicky’s direction and she flushed with color, but managed a nod.
Ethan smirked and leveled a triumphant look at Erin. “See Sweetcheeks?” He taunted, “Not everyone sees me as the devil.”
Erin muttered what he took to be a curse under her breath and took one step closer, the action so unexpected he took an involuntary step back. A flash of triumph crossed her face at the action and she took another step closer till they stood toe to toe.
“Oh you’re so much worse that the devil Ethan.” She said, her tone so soft he doubted Nicky or Ryan could hear. She smirked at him, though her eyes held a wealth of anger. “So much worse. But don’t forget, even the devil can be defeated and all it takes is just one clever woman.”
Oddly, her words set off a wave of desire so strong it almost brought him to his knees. God, he enjoyed sparing with this woman, and why did her words turn him on so bad?
He returned the smirk, allowing his gaze to rake over her body in an almost offensive manner.
“What are you going to do?” he taunted, with an amused chuckle, though a part of him warned that he should probably take her threat seriously. “Seduce me to death? I should warn you that I’ll probably take as much pleasure in dying as you will in killing me.”
She looked disgusted, which irked him. He had expected her eyes to darken in desire and maybe…but no, the damn woman had to go and look disgusted. As though he were nothing but slime.
Which he probably was, given the cruel way he’d talked to her in the elevator.
“Erin?” Nicky’s voice broke the spell and they both turned, realizing once more that they had company. Nicky was looking at them both with a troubled expression, her eyes lingering on how close they stood.
Ethan took a step away. No need to go and complicate matters any more than they already were. He reasoned.
Erin smoothed back a lock of hair, completely ignoring Ethan now as she plastered a big smile on her face. “Sorry, I was just reminding Ethan of an appointment he had to keep.” She shot a meaningful glance in his direction, daring him to contradict her.
On his part, Ethan was too bemused by this newfound defiance of hers. Sure, he’d been the cause but he was suddenly wary as to what Erin might do in this sort of mood.
“Of course.” He said, giving her a mocking look then turned to Ryan. “It was a pleasure meeting you Ryan.”
“Likewise.” Ryan smiled, though the puzzled look remained. “Will you be attending the wedding? It’s two Saturdays from now.”
“No!” Nicky and Erin exclaimed in unison, each woman’s look of horror closely mirroring the other.
“I don’t think Ethan will want to attend a wedding.” She continued, while Nicky nodded in full agreement. “I’m sure he’s got something slated already for that Saturday.”
Ethan chuckled, completely enjoying himself. “I’ll have to check with my assistant, but I’m almost certain I have nothing planned then.”
Erin looked ready to kill him. Her lips tightened in displeasure and she glared at him. Nevertheless, her tone was sugary sweet when she murmured. “I’m almost certain you will be otherwise engaged Ethan.”
“Perhaps.”
Ethan shrugged, already tiring of the conversation. He had a meeting to get to and tormenting the Goslings was certainly not the way he intended to spend what little time he had in between.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have a business to run.” He gave them a curt nod and strode past, towards the revolving doors.
******
“We have a problem.” Marcus strode into Ethan’s office in quick, agitated strides. He approached the huge desk where his friend sat, one eyebrow raised in a silent question.
“What problem?” Ethan shut the file he’d been going through and leaned back against the chair. He studied Marcus, noting the worried frown that marred his face.
Marcus grimaced and flopped into one of the chairs in front of the desk, raking a hand through already ruffled hair and cursed softly.
“You’re not going to like this.” He warned Ethan, shooting him a wry look. “It’s about the Saunders negotiations.”
His curiosity aroused now, Ethan sat up straight, blue eyes piercing as he leveled Marcus a stern look. “Don’t tell me the old man is stalling again?” He asked, struggling to keep his temper under control. “I thought we had agreed on three million? What now? The old weasel is trying to push for more?”
“I actually wish he was stalling this time.” Marcus grimaced again, already dreading his friend’s reaction. “Then we’d know how to deal with this. I’m afraid it’s much worse than that.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “How much worse?”
“He called off the deal.”
There was silence for a minute as Ethan digested this in. His eyes narrowed even further as he pierced Marcus with a searching look, trying to ascertain if this was one of his practical jokes again. The pissed off look on his friends face finally convinced him and the searching look changed to one of incredulity.
“What?” The words dripped with ice cold anger.
Marcus held up both hands in self-defense. “Look ET, before you bring down your wrath on my head, I just want to let you know that I was just as stunned as you are now when Mr. Saunders called to tell me he was backing out of the deal. And you should know I tried to reason with him, but he was….”
“Why is he backing out?” Ethan cut in, not in the mood to listen to explanations. The idea was simply too incredible to believe. His prior assessment of the small construction company had shown a business on the brink of financial bankruptcy, what little profit being made instantly consumed by careless spending and a whole stack of bad business investments.
Ordinarily, Ethan would have never considered making a bid for such a company, but the building itself was located in a prime upmarket location – perfect to be overhauled and converted to a small annex of Holbourn.
Mike Saunders, the ageing CEO of the family business had been reluctant at first when Ethan’s team of lawyers had approached him with the offer, but Ethan knew it would only be a matter of time before the man caved in. Three million dollars was more than enough money to keep the Saunders progeny comfortable for the rest of their lives and he’d been pretty certain the deal was in the bag.
So to hear that the old man was pulling out of the deal came as a big surprise indeed. Unless….
He snapped his mind back to the present where Marcus was still rattling on about heaven knew what.
“Let me guess.” He murmured, his voice cool despite the rage that soared through him and the urge to throttle Mr. Saunders. “He thinks I’m desperate enough to up the price from three million?” It was the sort of crooked deal he expected from the termagant.
To his surprise, Marcus shook his head. “No, and that’s the weird thing. He said he didn’t need the money anymore as he’d secured other plans for the company.”
Puzzled now, Ethan took a moment to consider the turn of phrase Marcus had used. “He had secured other plans? Were those his exact words?”
Marcus nodded, clearly pissed at the turn of events. “Sounded quite cheerful about it too. Now your guess is as good as mine on what exactly this ‘other plans’ are, but whatever it is, it’s thrown a screw in our plans.”
Ethan’s mind worked furiously, trying to come up with a viable reason for the cold feet. “Did you try to speak with him face to face?”
“The second I got off the phone, I went over to Saunders house to try to reason with him. But the man was not even available to see me.” Marcus screwed up his nose in disgust. “Had to deal with his bloody housekeeper who seemed happy to tell me the old man was not seeing any other visitors.”
“Hmm…” Ethan caught himself drumming his fingertips on the desk and frowned, wondering when he had picked up the habit. “Something or someone must have happened to change his mind.”
Marcus nodded, rummaging in his jacket’s inner pocket for a piece of nicotine gum. “I’ll bet. I smell the proverbial rat in this.” His search came up empty and he looked disgusted with himself. “Damn, I’m out of gum. Of all the damn times to quit smoking.”
Ethan shot the lawyer an exasperated look. “Get a team of private investigators on it ASAP. And I mean right away.” He rose from the desk, straightening his clothes. He strode to the coat rack and retrieved his coat, shrugging into the sleeves.
“Already done.” Marcus replied, standing up too. He looked distinctly uncomfortable and Ethan was sure he was not going to like what he heard next.
“Turns out the old man had a meeting a couple of days ago. With someone you might know.”
Ethan paused in the act of fastening the coat and looked at Marcus impatiently. “Well, who?”
“Erin Gosling.”
For the second time that day, Ethan was stunned.
Erin? The name reverberated in his skull like a gong, sending chills running down his spine. Still, he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Marcus giving him a worried look. “You okay ET?”
How the hell did Erin get involved in his business? He wondered, still incredulous. There was no way she could have known he was planning the buyout. And even if she had, how the hell had she known to sabotage him this way?
A multitude of questions ran through his mind, each one leaving him with a distinctly bad taste in his mouth. Had she had him investigated? Did she have spies among his employees? How the bloody hell had she gotten hold of such sensitive information and known enough to use it?
More importantly. Was this the revenge she had warned him about?
There was only one way to find out.
Striving to remain calm though fury swept through his insides like a tornado, Ethan finished buttoning up the coat and retrieved his phone from the desk, tucking it into his breast pocket.
“I take it you’re going to confront the unlucky Ms. Gosling?” Marcus asked, studying him intently.
Ethan made for the door, not sparing him a glance. “She has a lot of explaining to do.” He replied, giving his personal assistant a curt nod as he strode past her desk, Marcus trailing behind. “And while we’re on the subject, I want a thorough security check on all employees. If perhaps, Erin has managed to get information from one of them, I want to know about it.”
“I’ll get the team on it right away.”
Ethan paused by his personal assistant’s desk long enough to bark out orders.
“Laura, call down and have my car waiting at the entrance of the building. Then call Peter and let him know he’s in charge of the meeting with the naval commander this afternoon.”
“Yes Sir” Laura replied, already reaching for the phone.