Home to Me (The Andrades, Book 2) by Ruth Cardello Page B

Maddy hung up. Speaking to her was always a little bit like stepping into a hurricane: You had to fight to keep your footing. Nicole had been right—Maddy definitely had a problem with the word no.
    A few minutes later, Rena was still gathering her thoughts when Nick walked into her office. She should be used to seeing him in a suit and tie, but the sight still took her breath away. No matter how many times he came up to see Gio, Rena’s response to him was the same. Her heart beat triple-time and her hands itched to reach out and mess his recently tamed hair.
    “Is Gio in?”
    “He stepped out for a meeting.”
    “Do you know when he’ll be back?”
    “He didn’t say.”
    Rena cursed herself for being angry at Nick for respecting her wish to ignore what had happened between them. He had been completely businesslike each time they’d met since and it made her more confused.
    It was probably easy for him since he likely consoled himself in the arms of his secretary.
    Bastard.
    Rena knew she should be happy that Gio and Nick had come to something of a truce. Nick had come by to talk to Gio almost every day recently, and it looked like Gio was trusting him with more and more responsibility. Gio had even mentioned that he was impressed with how Nick was both coming to him for guidance and bringing his own ideas. If all went well, the two would indeed end up as partners. Nick was surprising everyone.
    And looking so damn pleased with himself I want to throw a shoe at his head.
    He walked over to the side of her desk and laid one hand down flat, bringing his mouth close enough that he could speak softly in her ear. “I can’t tell if you’re angry with me because I kissed you that night or because I haven’t kissed you since.”
    Rena kept her eyes glued to her keyboard. “I’m not angry at all.”
    “Is that why you glare at me every time I come in here? I won’t apologize for what I said to you afterward.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “You’re not fooling me, Rena. I know you enjoyed that kiss as much as I did. The thought of repeating it is keeping me up at night. Just being in the same room with you makes me painfully hard. I want to fuck you, Rena. It’s going to happen. How long can you hold out, pretending you don’t want it as much as I do?”
    In a voice much more breathy and excited than she’d intended, Rena answered, “I’m not pretending.”
    “Look me in the eye and say that, Rena.”
    She couldn’t. If she turned her head she wasn’t sure she could stop her lips from seeking his. “I—”
    Her denial was cut off by Gio entering her office. “Nick, you’re here. Good. I wanted to update you on our newest client.”
    Nick straightened. “Great. Did you mention the stats I gave you?”
    “I did and they were a nice touch. Good thinking. Rena, hold my calls for the next thirty minutes.”
    “Absolutely,” Rena said, striving to sound unaffected by her exchange with Nick.
    Nick followed Gio, but just before he stepped into Gio’s office, he turned and winked at Rena. A deep red flush spread up her neck and face.
    She glared at him.
    He smiled back at her and closed the door behind him. Rena laid her head on her desk and groaned audibly.
    “Is this a bad time?” a woman asked tentatively.
    Rena rolled her head to one side and peered at the woman with one eye. She was in her mid-twenties, with long blonde curls that hung wildly around a heart-shaped face and stunning green eyes. If the tiny waist and huge breasts were anything to go by, she had to be Janet.
    “No,” Rena answered as she raised her head. “I was reading over some notes.”
    The woman glanced down at the empty desk in front of Rena, then shrugged. “Hi, I’m Janet Wagner. We’ve spoken on the phone a few times. I’m Nicholas Andrade’s secretary. Do you have a minute?”
    With a sigh of resignation, Rena sat back in her chair, “Sure. What do you need?”
    The young woman stepped closer to Rena’s desk.