Seduced by the Enemy
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Sara Orwig
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One
When Abby entered the oak-paneled boardroom on a Saturday morning in August, she looked directly into the electrifying coffee-colored eyes of Nick Colton. As her gaze locked with Nick’s, she tingled.
Tall, handsome and sexy, Nick Colton was a ruthless rival of her father’s and dangerous to her well-being. Yet his thickly lashed eyes held her transfixed even when common sense told her to break the contact. Still watching her, he walked toward her.
At other meetings their paths had crossed, but they had never actually met. She had always noticed him because he stood out in any crowd, and today was no exception.
Dressed in chinos and a navy knit shirt, he looked ready for a casual party, not construction. A slight smile hovered over one corner of his sensual mouth. His stride was relaxed, his whole being embodying confidence, and as he approached her, her pulse sped up.
“We finally meet,” he said in a low-pitched voice, offering his hand. “Nick Colton.”
When she reached out, his hand enveloped hers in a warm, firm grip. “I’m Abby Taylor, and I know who you are,” she replied. “I’m sure everyone in this room recognizes you. I believe you and my father have crossed paths in business,” she added, knowing her innocuous statement didn’t hint at the fierce antagonism between the two men.
“Yes, but to my regret, you and I haven’t met until now,” Nick replied smoothly, as Abby withdrew her hand. “I understand you’re the liaison for the press, so you’ll work with me.”
“Yes. And you’re in charge of the group who will start building a house. Today’s work is quite a switch for you.”
He shrugged one broad shoulder. “A long time ago I spent more than a year in construction. The work we’ll do today is for a terrific cause.”
“I didn’t expect you to be the type to volunteer for manual labor for charity. I’ll have to reassess my opinion of you,” she said, aware of his height. She was five feet ten inches tall, and she was as tall as, or taller than, most men she encountered. She guessed Nick to be at least five inches over six feet.
“I’d like to discover more about your opinion of me,” he said and the electricity between them revved up another notch.
“You’re such a competitor of my father that I don’t think you want to hear my views of you,” she answered lightly.
One of his eyebrows arched. “Now you’ve really piqued my curiosity, and I have to discover what you think of me. I’m thick-skinned.”
As she laughed, his eyes twinkled, and she enjoyed the sparks dancing between them. “I doubt if your ego would weather my views,” she retorted.
“My self-esteem is big enough to withstand a volley of criticism. Try me and see,” he challenged with a flash of eagerness in his eyes. “When we’re finished with this building project, go to dinner with me tonight. An evening together will give me time to hear your scathing report on my character.”
“You want to socialize with your enemy?” she asked. “You know the old saying, ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’”
“You and I can’t be foes,” he replied smoothly. “That’s something I’ll have to rectify immediately, so give me a chance.” His husky voice was velvet and as sensual as his dark eyes and full lower lip. Sparring with him was exhilarating, adding spice to a morning that she’d expected to be dull. His invitation was tempting.
“It would take years for you to make up for everything,” she informed him bluntly, smiling to take the bite out of her words.
“Ahh, that’s a challenge,” he said, his voice dropping even lower, giving a different twist to his answer. “Now you have to accept and let me try to improve your perception of me. How’s sevenish?”
Smiling, she considered and knew, in spite of their light banter, he was an opponent her father detested. Nick’s dinner offer was comparable to a proposal to swim with a shark. She thought about her volatile response to him, which made the prospect of an evening with him even riskier. Why flirt with danger? Her answer should be a polite refusal, but the thought of going out with Nick excited her because he was the ultimate enticement. When she looked up into intense dark eyes and Nick’s craggy countenance, he was too irresistible. “I suppose I should give you one chance,” she replied lightly.
“Only a single opportunity?” he repeated. “Then I’ll have to make it impressive—another dare,” he replied in that fuzzy tone that was as sexy as a caress. “I can’t wait for this evening. I’ll need your address,” he said, withdrawing his BlackBerry from his hip pocket.
As they talked, she was aware of people moving around them and others arriving, but surroundings were a blur and her entire focus was on the tall man in front of her. His compelling dark eyes and sexy air heightened his appeal.
She took his phone and typed in the address of her condo and the code to get through the gated entrance, then handed the device back to him.
“This morning we’re to meet here first for instructions before everyone goes to their assigned task,” she said. “I was told that you’ve volunteered to lead the group who will start construction on a new house. Ed Bradford offered to lead those who’ll repair an older residence. I’m to coordinate your groups with the press, who scheduled a brief interview with you about HOPE Charities and what you’re doing today. You’ll give them an interview, won’t you? With the city’s elite executives volunteering today, the charity coordinators are striving for maximum publicity for this event.”
“Of course. I’ll do anything you want,” he said with a seductive emphasis on anything, flirting with her and changing the intent of his words.
She smiled. “That’s great to hear,” she replied matter-of-factly, even though his remark stirred tingles. “The press can meet with you first.” She glanced at her watch. “You should be on location and have your crew working by ten o’clock at the latest. Do you think noon will be all right for you?”
“Noon should be fine. You have the location of the property where we’ll build?” he asked.
“Yes. Tarrant Hitchman will interview you, and he’s experienced.”
“And you’ll be with him?” Nick asked.
“Yes, of course. That’s part of my assignment. I’ll be along, but definitely on the sidelines.”
“My weekend has improved immeasurably,” Nick replied.
“Don’t get your hopes up, Nick Colton. Surely, there’s no way you can forget that we’re enemies?”
“We don’t have to remain hostile to each other. Even warring countries have had peace treaties. I’ll see what I can do to remedy this rift tonight,” he reminded her.
“I’ll see you at your assignment at 11:00,” she stated firmly and walked away, her back tingling because she knew he watched her. She couldn’t resist glancing over her shoulder and when her gaze met his, her pulse jumped again.
Lecturing herself about turning around to look at him and feeding his vanity, she tried to get her attention on finding Ed Bradford, yet it was impossible to put out of her mind that she had a dinner date with Nick Colton, thirty-two-year-old billionaire developer and hated enemy of her father.
Tonight Nick would kiss her, and the anticipation made her heart pound. What would it be like to kiss him?
From that moment until she drove up to the construction site at eleven for his twelve o’clock interview, it was impossible to shake Nick out of her thoughts.
To her surprise, when she arrived they already had a framework set up. Hammering on a two-by-four, Nick stood on a ladder. He had shed his navy shirt, which was draped over a lower rung, and he wore a hard hat. Splashed with sunshine, Nick’s muscles rippled and flexed and his skin held a sheen of sweat. As her gaze roamed freely over him, down to his low-riding tight jeans, her breath caught. Slung around his narrow hips was a tool belt.
The moment she stepped out of the car, a stocky, blue-eyed man in dusty jeans, T-shirt, boots and hard hat put down lumber and approached her.
“May I help you?” he asked, extending his hand. “I’m Greg Bowden.”
While she introduced herself, she shook his hand. “I’m Abby Taylor and I’m here with the media for their interview with Nick Colton.”
“Fine. Come with me first, and I’ll get everyone a hard hat.” They turned to wait for the camera crew and the newsman to join them, and then Greg led the way to a trailer serving as a temporary office. As soon as each person had a yellow hard hat, they followed him to join Nick, who was still on the ladder, his attention on his hammering.
Greg whistled and Nick paused to look around. The moment he saw Abby, he smiled, wiped sweat off his nape and climbed down the ladder. When he turned, she couldn’t resist one quick glance over his muscled, bronze chest with a mat of dark curls that narrowed to a black line, disappearing beneath his jeans. Glancing up, she met his mocking gaze.
“Well, hello, Miss Taylor,” he drawled, stepping down in front of her.
Flushing with embarrassment, she tried to keep her voice brisk. “Hi, Nick. Just call me Abby, please. It’s still an hour before interview time, but we wanted to get set up. Nick, this is Tarrant Hitchman. Tarrant, may I introduce Nick Colton,” she said, and Nick turned to the tall, brown-haired newsman and shook hands with him, greeting him by first name. She realized the two knew each other and she remained quiet while they chatted until Tarrant glanced around.
“We need a place to interview you and we’d like to have the construction in the background,” Tarrant said.
“They’ve got the largest part of the beginning structure on this end, so right here will give you an interesting shot,” Nick replied, taking charge and directing cameramen where to stand. “If you set up from the south, you’ll have the sycamore behind you, which will look appealing in this scorching weather,” Nick continued.
Amused that Nick had taken control, as well as surprised the crew took his suggestions, Abby sauntered a few yards away to the shade of the sycamore. Greg appeared with a folding chair, opened it and motioned to her. “Have a seat. You can wait in the trailer if you’d rather, but it’s cool out and if you sit here, you can enjoy Colton’s interview.”
“I’m fine,” she said, continuing to stand. “You’re making surprising progress for the short time you’ve been working on this.”
“We’ve got a lot of volunteers, and Nick and some others have done construction before. Consequently, with someone in charge who knows what to do, our work has moved more smoothly. I was afraid we’d all be out here staring at one another and wondering where to start.”
“No need to worry about organization with Nick around,” she said, watching Nick directing the men around him. “Thanks for the chair.”
“Sure,” Greg replied and strode away to return to work on the house. She watched as Nick continued to supervise, finally strolling over to her. He removed his hard hat. His thick black hair was plastered damply to his head, and he combed his fingers through it, leaving it in a tangle that fell across his brow. He looked disheveled, sexy and appealing. He was half-naked, with a superb build, and erotic images taunted her.
“You can sit in an air-conditioned trailer if you want,” he said quietly, pausing just an inch or two closer than he should. She was intensely aware of his body, fighting the desire to let her gaze drift down over him again, tormented by a pull on her senses.
“You look as if you need a dip in a pool. Will you be doing this all day?”
“I’m afraid so. It’s the only way to get it done. We can’t finish in one day, but we all volunteered for one Saturday each month for three months, through to October. After this, the weather should be bearable or even excellent.”
“I’m amazed how much you’ve already constructed this morning. I find it difficult to believe that you’d give three Saturdays to this endeavor.”
He shrugged. “This morning we have lots of help. I don’t mind giving three Saturdays to this cause.”
“I heard this morning that you donated the property and the materials for this house to the charity.”
He grinned, touching her collar lightly. “Don’t sound so shocked that I can do something nice for someone. I have my work cut out for me tonight, only I don’t view spending the evening with you as a chore, but as an exhilarating challenge.”
“I’m definitely not any such thing as a challenge to you!” she exclaimed, smiling at him. “I’ll have to admit that I’ve had to reassess my opinion of you as a ruthless, cutthroat, self-centered businessman who in another day and time would have probably been a pirate or outlaw.”
His grin widened. “What a view you have of me! I’m amazed you’ll go to dinner with me tonight, but you’ve accepted, so no backing out now. Besides, I think you have a streak of that ruthlessness in you because your father’s blood flows in your veins, too.”
“Perhaps, but dinner won’t involve one iota of business or I won’t be going.”
“I can guarantee you that it won’t involve talk about our jobs,” Nick replied, his tone dropping and desire flaring in his brown eyes, making her pulse speed up yet again.
“You know that it’s insane for us to spend an evening together,” she added in a sultry drawl that made his dark eyebrows arch.
“That’s what makes life interesting. Stay away from dull and conventional. Two enemies will have a truce because it’s beyond working hours.”
“Or are you just setting me up for something devious you’re undertaking?”
“You’ll see what my intentions are this evening,” he drawled in a hoarse voice, his reply heavy with innuendo.
“So I’ll be walking into the wolf’s lair,” she retorted.
“I’m just a guy who wants to meet a girl,” he said with so much innocence that she had to smile.
“Oh, sure. Mr. Ordinary,” she replied with amusement.
“I hope not,” he answered quietly and brushed her nose lightly with the tip of his finger. “I do have to repair my image with you. I’ll dedicate myself to that tonight. In the meantime, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll freshen up for this interview. I don’t think they want to see me like this,” he said, starting to walk away.
“The females in your audience wouldn’t mind seeing your impressive pecs,” she said, flirting with him and knowing she was taunting a tiger, but she couldn’t resist because she enjoyed sparring with him.
“Ah,” he said, his dark eyes glittering as he turned back to her. “Now I really will be counting the minutes until tonight.”
She laughed. “Go on and don’t let me interfere with your interview. I’m here to keep everything flowing smoothly, not cause delays.”
“We’ll get back to this conversation tonight,” he said in a low tone that had developed a rasp, and she wondered if she was going to regret flirting with him. She waved him away and watched as he left in long strides. He walked over to a water bottle to open it and pour it over himself, rivulets sparkling in sunlight against his dark skin and giving a sheen to his virile body.
While her gaze ran over him again, her mouth went dry. He didn’t sit behind a desk all day. His arms bulged with muscles and his chest and back rippled with them. He yanked down a towel that had been hanging over a tree limb and dried off, glancing her way to catch her studying him. With a crooked smile, he pulled on his navy shirt and headed toward the trailer.
When he returned, his shirt was tucked into his pants and his hair combed; he looked as cool and well-dressed as he had earlier in the morning.
The cameraman set up his equipment and got ready for the filming. They commenced and she sat and watched. Nick was cool and collected. She guessed he had given enough interviews that this was routine. He looked completely relaxed and still had that air of being the man in charge.
As soon as he finished, he shook hands and thanked Tarrant. Then Nick turned to her.
“That went well, but then you’re somewhat of a pro,” she said.
He shrugged. “It was a short and easy spot and Tarrant is pleasant. HOPE officials are bringing lunch for us and setting up out here so we can eat quickly and get back to work. You don’t have Ed scheduled with Tarrant until two o’clock, so where do you eat lunch?”
“We have the next interview with the president of HOPE Charities at their office on Mockingbird. We’re eating there in an air-conditioned room, and then this afternoon, after finishing the other interview, I’ll be free to assist on Ed’s project,” she said. “I can repair, but I can’t build a house.”
“You might reconsider,” Nick said, lowering his voice again. “I can find something you can do and I’d be glad to have you here. I’ll give you any help you need.”
She laughed. “Nice try, but no thanks. I’ll stick to the original plan and see you tonight.”
“Today is going to be a thousand hours long.”
“It’ll pass and tonight will arrive. See you then,” she said, walking away from him. When she got into her car, she glanced back. Nick was once again in his hard hat, minus his shirt, and back on the ladder, hammering as if he had forgotten her. Humming a tune, she put the key into the ignition to drive to the headquarters for the next interview.
She had known for the past few years that Nick and her father had clashed in business, but her father’s hatred of Nick was so unreasonable that she wondered what else was involved. Perhaps nothing. Her father hated competition, and she knew Nick had many times come out the winner on something the two men or their companies had battled over. Nick was a generation younger than her father, yet Nick’s rise in the commercial real estate world had been meteoric. That alone was enough to make her father angry and jealous.
And today was going to be a thousand hours long for her, too, she thought, trying to decide what she would wear this evening.
Twice while she dressed, she had her hand on the phone to cancel her evening with him. This was a huge venture for her, so contrary to her nature. Her father would be in a rage when he discovered she’d gone out with Nick. And there was absolutely no future for her with Nick. None. What was the point of tonight? Suppose she liked Nick and he asked her out again? That would only compound the problem—one that could have only one result.
She didn’t do everything her father wanted her to do—but this was different because her father’s hatred of Nick was pervasive. Yet all she had to do was think about the day and the excitement Nick generated, and she wanted to go out with him tonight.
Dismissing any notion of canceling, she continued with her plans.
Changing clothes several times, she stood looking at the slim, sleeveless black dress with a low-cut V in front. She stepped into spike-heeled black sandals and studied herself. Her auburn hair was looped and pinned on her head. She wore only her watch and a diamond-and-ruby ring that had belonged to her mother. Glancing at the watch, she saw it was time for Nick to arrive.
As if thinking about him conjured him up, her door chimes rang.
When she opened the door, he stood there in a charcoal suit, red tie and white shirt and was breathtakingly good-looking. His gaze swept over her briefly, and she saw the approval in his expression. “You look stunning,” he said.
“Thank you.” Pleased by his compliment, she smiled and stepped back. “Come in and I’ll get my purse.”
“Thanks. I’d like to see where you live,” he said, entering and closing the door behind him.
“I’ve been here a year now,” she said as they walked along the flagstone entryway and she stepped into a sunny room. “Here’s the formal living room,” she said, watching while he walked to the center of the room to gaze around. He was the one who was stunning, she thought. His rugged looks were handsome, and there was a sexy air about him even when he wasn’t saying or doing anything. She’d seen enough of her father’s thousand-dollar tailor-made suits to recognize that Nick’s was one also with its flawless fit. With his commanding air, he embodied success and self-assurance, and she eagerly looked forward to the evening with him.
Her living area would pale in comparison to his, she was certain. She watched as he surveyed her light yellow walls with white trim and a vivid oriental area rug on the hardwood floor. Her chairs and a sofa were covered in yellow silk.
“Very attractive,” Nick said, smiling at her and strolling toward her. “But then I’m not surprised. It fits you.”
“Thank you, but I don’t believe we know each other well enough that you can recognize whether or not the decor fits my personality,” she said, her pulse racing as he came nearer and stopped only a few feet in front of her.
“I’ll debate that with you. This room is elegant, organized, has a high standard, while at the same time it’s inviting, unforgettable,” he said, getting that husky tone that indicated he wasn’t actually describing her living room.
She laughed. “Thank you! That’s a stretch, though. My living room elegant? Unforgettable?”
“Absolutely,” he said, smiling at her. “I can’t wait to see more,” he added thickly.
“You want me to show you more?” she asked in a sultry voice, touching the V of her dress lightly, flirting with him. Whenever she did, she could see the change in his expression and could tell that she had fanned the flames of desire. When his gaze became hot and sensual, she knew he was not thinking about furniture any more than she was.
He moved closer to her, and her heart thudded. “I want you to show me everything,” he said in a gravelly rasp. He caressed her nape and ran his index finger lightly over her shoulder and along the neckline where her dress lay over her collarbone.
Their gazes were again locked, scalding and causing her to tingle.
“You can follow me,” she said, making an effort to get back on a casual footing, leading him into a small adjoining formal dining room with cherrywood furniture and antiques.
“Gorgeous,” he said, looking directly at her.
She shook her head and motioned him to go with her into her antique oak kitchen with a granite countertop and a bay window overlooking her enclosed patio.
“Do I get to see the bedrooms?”
She turned to face him. “I think we’ll save those rooms for another visit.”
His brown eyes held amusement as he turned away. “Very well. Ready to go to dinner?”
“Yes,” she said, walking to the entryway and turning on her alarm before leaving with him. “I programmed the TV to tape your interview so I can watch it later tonight,” she said as they walked to his sleek black sports car that she knew was one of the most expensive cars made. “Fancy car,” she observed.
“I like fast things,” he replied, making it sound as if his remark held a double meaning just as most of his conversation with her did.
“You flirt the way you breathe. Constantly and without effort,” she said.
“Makes life more interesting,” he replied in a warm tone. “And I believe you’ve flirted a little yourself, which I like.” He held the door and she slid onto the luxurious white leather seat, glancing up to catch him looking at her legs.
As he circled the car, she studied its interior. She was accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle because her father had always been successful, but Nick’s wealth was vastly beyond her father’s and the car was impressive. Studying the walnut-paneled dash filled with an array of gauges, a satellite navigation system and technical equipment, she ran her hand along the soft leather upholstery. She buckled her seat belt and turned slightly to watch Nick. He sat behind the wheel and as they drove away, he asked, “You saw my interview, so why tape it?”
“I want to look at it as others see it.”
He smiled. “Whatever your reason, I’m flattered and pleased.”
“I imagine several other females will tape it, too.”
He grinned. “You must think I’m a womanizer or party animal.”
“If you deny the first, I won’t believe you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen your picture with some beauty and not the same stunner, which you already know. Two reasons for me to be cautious tonight. I think you’re accustomed to breaking hearts.”
“What a view you have of me! I’ll have to rectify it. Your ‘enemy, heartbreaker, womanizer.’ You’re amazed I’ll help others. You’ve given me a huge challenge that I need to devote time and attention to.”
“Don’t make me another project,” she replied, amused and certain he wasn’t actually concerned.
He drove her to a small, exclusive restaurant tucked away on landscaped grounds that were shaded by ancient live oaks. A profusion of exotic tropical plants filled the wide lobby. A white-coated maitre d’ greeted Nick and led them across a dimly lit interior while soft music was provided by a piano player. Adding to the romantic ambience, a large fountain splashed in the center of the main dining room. Linen-covered tables were centered with round crystal vases of floating yellow water lilies.
A white-coated sommelier came to take their drink order and they settled on a bottle of sauvignon blanc. Then they were alone.
“In the interest of peace between us,” Nick said lightly, “I suggest we agree to refrain from discussing our pasts tonight. We’ve already decided to avoid business topics.”
She smiled. “So that leaves very little for us to talk about.”
“Not at all. Hobbies, news, friends, the future—without business—trends, special interests. There are myriad subjects we can converse about.”
“Very well, I’ll agree because if work is left out of it, we’ll fare better, but I think that also means skipping any discussion of the future. Mine is all tied up in the company I work for. Taylor Properties is my life.”
“Surely there will be more in the prospects of a beautiful woman than the office. What a loss that would be!” he exclaimed lightly.
“Ah, I think your life is more tied up in your offices and your acquisitions than you care to admit. I work for one business—under your Colton Enterprises, you own multiple international enterprises, businesses and property. You’re on boards, and you have a multitude of investments and properties you manage. For you to be such a success, your businesses have to take most of your time. I’m equally certain that you’re as dedicated to your job as I am.”
“You know more about me than I do about you, which is something I’ll have to remedy.”
Smiling, she shook her head. “When it comes to me, you’re not on a ‘need to know basis.’”
They paused when the sommelier returned with the bottle of sauvignon blanc and opened it for Nick’s approval. After the man departed, Nick raised his glass for a toast.
“Here’s to a long friendship.”
She laughed and touched her glass to his with a faint clink. “Impossible! But I’ll drink to it anyway.”
“How can you find our friendship impossible?”
“Enemies—remember? But for now, we’re friends. May it last.”
“I’m working on it,” he said, gazing at her intently.
To her surprise, they did manage to skirt any further discussion of business or their pasts as they talked. Soon, the waiter came to tell them about their dinner choices. After they both ordered beef tenderloin, they returned to their conversation about hobbies.
Nick was charming, as she had expected him to be, and time flew until the waiter brought their meals. With the first bite, she smiled. “It’s incredible! This is delicious.”
“It’s my intention to see to it that you have a great evening and I keep you happy,” he said, smiling at her, creases bracketing his mouth.
“You make that sound as if I’m impossibly demanding and that’s a momentous challenge for you.”
“No, not in the least. Just that I aim to please,” he replied. “I have to repair and change the image you have of me because it’s way off the mark. I’m not the ogre you think. At least, I don’t see myself that way.”
“No one does,” she replied drily. “But give it your best shot, Nick. I can change my opinion. It’s not set in stone.”
Amusement flashed in his expression, and he gave a slight nod. “I’ll see what I can do tonight to impress you.”
“Actually, my views have already undergone a transformation. You’re quite charming,” she said, knowing she could add virile, sexy and a few other appealing adjectives, but he flirted enough already. And she still believed that a streak of ruthlessness existed in him.
“Ahh, great!” he replied, smiling at her. “I’m on the right track with you. I’ll see what I can do the rest of the evening.”
“I’m not a project,” she reminded him, knowing she couldn’t say one word that would change what he’d set his mind to do.
In spite of the delicious tenderloin, talking to Nick held her interest more than eating, and she noticed that he was leaving a lot of his dinner untouched, too. In fact, their food was only half-eaten when the waiter removed the plates and brought Grand Marnier mousse for dessert, which they barely touched also. Nick had unbuttoned and opened his suit jacket and as he sipped his water, he glanced around and set down his glass.
“We can’t dance here. Let me take you dancing.”
The evening had been exciting so far, and dancing with him appealed to her. “Sounds like a great idea,” she replied, smiling at him.
“Excellent,” he said, satisfaction flaring in the depths of his eyes as he stood and came around the table to hold her chair. He followed her out of the restaurant and they waited while a valet brought Nick’s car.
“Nick, that was a delicious, delightful dinner,” she said as soon as he was seated beside her in the car.
“Let’s see if I can make the rest of the evening even better,” he said lightly. “You were telling me about your European trip.”
“Which is probably old hat to you, but I’ve only been once and I loved it, particularly Rome,” she said, conversing with him about her visit. Finally, she focused on the surroundings outside her window.
“Where are we going?” she asked abruptly. “We’re at the airport!”
