Bedding The Billionaire(9)

"I'll call you tomorrow, Big Boy." She winked at him. "I might need this place tomorrow night again. That okay?"

His grin widened. "That'll cost you extra."

"You just name it," Lucy crooned, "and I'll do it. You know that."

The Neanderthal looked like he would drag her into his cave right there and ravage her, but he held back, hooked his thumbs into his pants, not caring to cover the telltale bulge, and lasciviously watched Lucy's behind as she walked away.

Abbey took note of the way her friend walked. One foot directly in front of the other so that her hips swayed sexily and her butt had the right amount of wobble. She would have to try that. Tomorrow night.



The seminar was a success so far. Nick's introductory speech had been well received, and the software was bug-free so the demo was easy. He'd have to ring the VP of Development later to congratulate him and offer bonuses to his programmers.

Nick had never felt so relieved in all his life. He'd done speeches before, he'd taken over large corporations, and small ones, and he'd rubbed shoulders with elite businessmen around the world. But he'd never given a demonstration of software in his life. It wasn't that hard, if you knew what you were doing and had a great program.

Maybe he could do the next one in March in the U.S. If he did, there would be nothing for his VP of Marketing to do. Which meant he could fire him. Good, because Vane had crossed the line this time.

Nick had put up with a hell of a lot from Vane. Coming back to the office drunk after a lunch meeting, groping the female staff, turning up late to work every day because he'd been out all night partying. For a forty-year-old that was a hell of a lot of partying.

Nick was tired of it. Usually he wouldn't allow anyone in his employ to treat their work and colleagues with such disrespect, but Vane was good and came with a wealth of experience. But Nick couldn't put up with his behavior anymore. Enough was enough. Skipping out just before a major seminar where he was supposed to give demonstrations to potential clients was more than he could put up with.

Nick strolled up King Street toward Collins Street and his hotel, laptop case slung over his shoulder, suit jacket over his arm. He'd taken it off and rolled up his shirt sleeves when he left the air conditioned Crown Complex where the seminar was being held. He'd been inside all day and the heat hit him like a force field.

He blew out a breath and kept walking, the heat prickling his skin, engulfing him like a blanket. It was already five o'clock but the sun still burned fiercely. 

A typical hot summer's day. The sort of day he'd have spent down at the beach in his youth, catching some waves, lying in the sun with a gorgeous girl next to him. Not anymore. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone to the beach. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this hot. Usually he drove everywhere in his air conditioned BMW, or sat in his air conditioned office or North Shore house.

It was actually kind of liberating-sweating, feeling the sun on his bare arms, wanting to drink a beer, wanting to feel a soft woman in his arms...

Nick swallowed. He hadn't thought of Abbey all day, thank God, but now her image was returning to haunt him thick and fast. He wanted nothing more right now than to lie with her, naked, surrounded by sand and the crashing waves. He would take her, slide over her hot body, enter her slowly, tease her a little before plunging deeply until she called his name...

He cleared his throat and moved his jacket in front of him, covering his painful erection. He glanced around but everyone was bustling home after a day at the office, not taking any notice of him. He drew in a deep breath and blew it out again.

He forced himself to slow down. She wasn't coming back, and even if she did, he would send her packing this time. He, Nick Delaware, investor and multi-millionaire, didn't go in for that sort of thing. And not with that sort of woman.

No, Nick would have to settle for a cool shower, a cold beer and an air conditioned bar. He had more demonstrations to prepare for tomorrow and he wanted to brush up on the potential clients he'd scheduled into the day.

As soon as he got back into work mode the better, so he could stop thinking about Abbey.

"Going somewhere, Big Boy?"

The familiar voice jolted him from his thoughts. His head, and another part of his anatomy, jerked up. "Abbey?"

He stared back at the woman who appeared in front of him, suddenly not sure what he should say to her.

What do you say to a hooker after an incredible night of passion?

CHAPTER 3

Nick cleared his throat. "It is Abbey isn't it?"

Abbey wore her hair long. A few strands fluttered around her face and Nick resisted the urge to catch them and tuck them behind her ear. She wore sunglasses so he couldn't see her eyes, which was a pity because he liked her eyes-bright blue and piercing.