Family Business (Mixing Business with Pleasure Book 3) Read online

  “It’s not funny to joke about a wedding.” I meant to be snarky. If I had managed, maybe all those fears would have come to light, but it came out small and breathy.

  "I didn't think so either." He kissed my forehead.

  8.

  The moment we deplaned and greeted our hosts in Hong Kong, the all too familiar and irksome boulder of dread settled in my gut, and settled down deep. I got nauseous as I shook hands and bowed to our would-be associates. Everything was wrong, but almost imperceptibly so. I couldn't put my finger on the real issue any better than Nick.

  The moment there was a lull in the conversation as one of the businessmen left the dinner table I caught Nick’s attention.

  "I see what you mean,” I said plainly over my martini glass as if we were seamlessly continuing the conversation from Thanksgiving morning when Nick had asked me to come in the first place.

  He nodded and it was the only interaction we had until we returned to our suite.

  "It doesn't seem right to you, either?” Nick asked, his voice businesslike as he loosened his tie.

  "No. I don’t trust them at all."

  "Me neither,” he grumbled as he slammed his jacket on the coffee table in dramatic fashion.

  I wanted to take in our view of the night lights but Nick’s eyes were the shade that pulled at my heartstrings. I followed him to the bedroom, slowly peeling off jewelry as I went. When I walked in on a ball of rage, blindly bumbling at his cufflinks, I was glad I’d trailed behind.

  "Any idea what it might be?” Nick asked through gritted teeth.

  "No baby, sorry. Not yet anyhow."

  I slipped off my shoes and stepped toward him, deftly pushing his hand away, undoing the cufflink for him. He took a deep breath and a little light filtered into his features. I think he even managed a small smirk as he turned and walked away, continuing to shed his accessories and shoes.

  Now that he’d relaxed fractionally I allowed myself to walk over to the windows and look out on the harbor. The floor to ceiling glass reminded me of home, but the electricity that bubbled up to the 118th floor was uniquely Hong Kong. The life of the city danced against the glass the way electricity hummed between us. A two-finger scotch came over my shoulder as Nick pressed up against me.

  “It’s amazing up here." I sipped slowly. "Makes Times Square look understated."

  He chuckled softly. "I suppose. You should see it from where I'm standing." I smiled to myself, loving the line he’d used the very first night we'd spent together. "Beautiful," he added. I smiled my biggest smile and sipped my scotch before gripping the rim and letting it rest by my thigh.

  Nick pressed his erection against me; it twitched just before he took the glass. I was wearing a fairly conservative outfit compared to our first night. This time Nick had to work to pull the gray knit blouse out of my high waisted white pants. His eyes locked on mine in our reflection.

  "A little more work than the last time you had me up against the windows." I laughed a small, husky laugh.

  "More sexy now than you were then.”

  His hands wandered up underneath my shirt and pushed the cups of my bra down, freeing my breasts. His fingers stayed hidden as they gently flicked and tugged on me, making my nipples taut and slickness spread between my thighs.

  MMMmmm.

  My purr had his hands at the hem of my shirt and pulling. Once my chest was exposed, it didn’t take long for him to undo my zipper and let my pants billow to the floor. As soon as I was naked, he pressed my body against the windows; the cold glass made me jump and my breath fogged the window beneath my lips.

  Nick kissed each of my shoulders then backed away to pull off his shirt. I ached for his skin to press up against mine. Instead, he turned me and pushed me down to my knees. I folded beneath him and let him run his hand through my hair. He leaned in and braced himself against the window.

  When he gently caressed my cheek, I knew what he was asking and undid his fly, freeing his cock. I moved to catch him in my waiting mouth. As soon as he felt my wet lips around him, he slammed in. It was unexpected, but oh-so delicious. I hummed, holding him tight, as I rocked back and hit the glass with my shoulders.

  My throat burned as he picked up pace, thrusting repeatedly between my lips. He leaned heavily on the glass, and his free hand laced into my hair as he held me. I let him move deeper than I would have pulled him in on my own. I focused on the twists of my tongue rather than the growing strain on my jaw. My hands wrapped around his thighs, and I wished they grasped at skin rather than his lightweight wool trousers. At least I had the presence of mind to change that.

  As he controlled my mouth, I scrambled to work the waistband down his legs. He paused to let me, then pushed the fabric to the side with his toes. When his focus returned to me, he used his hand, still tangled in my hair, to hold me perfectly still. I was trapped. His hips pistons against me as he took the liberty of fucking my face.

  He loved this, control like this. I loved his expressions and moans as he fell apart above me. Even the lightness he would radiate afterward. This was the natural rhythm of our relationship and that was what made everything inside me clench. Nick banged his fist against the window and I simply hollowed out my cheeks and sucked as hard as I could.

  Little waves wracked his body the way they usually did mine. He went rigid a single heartbeat before he shot, hot and salty, into my mouth. His fingers pulled on my hair hard enough to bring slight tears to the corner of my eyes. He moaned as my throat rippled along his still-hard shaft. I swallowed as best I could but some of his cum spilled out of the corner of my mouth.

  When he finished, Nick stumbled backward slightly. He dropped to his knees in front of me while I stayed resting against the window, trying to catch my breath. His eyes caught fire when my tongue lapped at the cum drizzling from the corner of my mouth. Nick’s thumb reached for my chin and wiped off the last little bit. When I gasped it made it all the easier for him to press his salty coated finger between my lips and against my tongue. I arched my eyebrow as I closed my lips around him and sucked. Hard.

  He moaned again before lunging and pinning me by the lips to the window behind me.

  “God damn.” He pushed his tongue into my mouth. “Sweets.” His tongue tangled with mine. “You are…” He nibbled on my lip. “…sexy." Nick devoured my lips in a kiss again.

  His strong hands reached for my hips, and he lifted, rearranging me so I could slip under him on the soft carpet. His phone rang but he didn't pause. He kept up kissing and nipping, this time at my inner thigh as he slowly pulled my thong down along my legs.

  Nick’s phone rang again. Part of me wanted to urge him to answer. The other part of me didn't give a damn. I fully focused on his lips as they brushed my ankle. Then my phone rang.

  "Should we get that?" I gasped.

  “No.” His answer was short and sweet.

  Good enough for me.

  My attention snapped back to him, the sensation of my skin against his, and the way his tongue lazily explored my inner thigh. The intense drumming of my heart filled my ears and the way I tingled where his hand held my legs open made every inch of me flex.

  A knock at our suite door settled my bowing back to the carpet. Nick grunted but didn't waiver. Jaime's voice accompanied a second knock, asking to speak with him immediately.

  "I'll kill him.” Nick grimaced as he sat back on his heels.

  I was breathless on the carpet. “You’ll kill him?” I was more than ready to strangle Jaime myself. My fists balled and I banged them back against the floor.

  “Sorry." He helped me off the floor and kissed my forehead before turning away. There was another knock. "Coming!" he roared at the door. I grabbed a robe while he pulled back on his suit pants.

  Nick whipped open the door and growled at Jaime. God love Jaime for only looking mildly taken aback. "Sir, I apologize for interrupting but it’s important."

  "What could possibly be that important?” I was relieved not to be on
the receiving end of that tone.

  "Should we discuss this in private?”

  “No," Nick answered sharply and I let out a deep breath I hadn’t known I was holding as I settled into a plush chair.

  “Sir, it's Christopher."

  My eyes went wide.

  "What?" Nick bellowed. His tone was dangerous enough that I got up and went to him. I put my hand on the small of his back hoping my touch would calm him the way his did me.

  "He was found today." Jamie's shoulders were braced against the coming onslaught.

  "Where?"

  "Ari's apartment. Neither she nor Laura was home but every indication was that he intended on waiting for them."

  "Are you serious?" Nick's voice became a wholly unearthly sound.

  “Nick." I tried to calm him even if it was slight. "Jaime wasn't there, you can’t yell at him."

  "Of course I can!” Nick swiveled and roared in my direction. "Can you imagine if they had been home?"

  I cringed away from him and he swallowed when he saw his harshness reflected back. His demeanor softened. "I would be twice as angry if we were talking about you." He kissed the inside of my palm and then walked away.

  Nick poured another round of scotch and sank onto the couch. He held out my glass and signaled for me to come next to him. As soon as I did, he pulled me tightly to his side. His hand wrapped around me and he started to make circles on my skin through the robe, pushing harder than normal.

  "Sit, Jaime. Explain,” he commanded.

  “The new security system went off, unbeknownst to Christopher, just as planned. Upon arrival Colton found the deadbolt dismantled.”

  Nick’s hand stopped circling and started gripping, slowly getting tighter and tighter. He was downing scotch faster than normal too.

  "He swept the apartment and found Christopher in Ari's room, digging in her, um…” Jaime turned green. “…unmentionable drawer."

  My stomach lurched and Nick went stone faced, his eyes a matching slate. His hand clamped harder on my hip.

  “Ouch, Nick.” I didn't swat him away, but pain was pain, particularly when it lacked pleasure. Wordlessly he switched back to circling.

  "And…?" Nick questioned.

  "They fought. Christopher fled the scene. Colton is dealing with the police now."

  "Where did he go?" Nick's voice dropped to low and lethal.

  "Colton pursued but due to injuries sustained he couldn’t keep up. By the time backup arrived Christopher had disappeared."

  “What injuries?” I piped up, my worry for Colton overtaking any sense to keep quiet.

  Nick’s eyes swept up my body then fixed on Jaime, waiting patiently.

  “A black eye and a broken nose, Kate.” The corner of Jaime’s mouth turned down the smallest bit but fell right back into place.

  My body went rigid, my shoulders shooting to my ears, waiting for the tempest next to me to break.

  "Thank God Ari's in France. Where is Laura now?" Nick’s voice was choked rather than angry.

  “Work, but we've reserved a suite at the Waldorf. We plan to tell her rats were found in the kitchen and that we’re bringing in an exterminator."

  "You shouldn't lie to her,” I said without pausing to soften my tone.

  Silence greeted me as I looked from one man to another.

  "I'm trying to protect her." Edge was back in Nick’s voice. "For you."

  "And thank you. But she's a smart, intelligent, sane woman. If you tell her what’s going on, she'll play by the rules. After what happened in the park…" I swallowed on the words, and Nick went whiter if possible. "…she knows when you say there’s an issue, there actually is an issue.”

  I turned and stared at Nick’s profile. His jaw clenched and flexed, a muscle on his neck seemed particularly interested in staying defined. Steely eyes flitted toward mine a few times but he wouldn’t meet my gaze full on.

  “Fine.” He shattered the silence.

  Nick's eyes locked on mine and I shrugged. We stayed frozen for a moment then his hand started moving again but it had a hard time making even circles.

  "Should you be dealing with this?” Nick grumbled at Jaime; his fingers paused and flexed against my skin again.

  "I trust Colton." Jaime was adamant. "I wish I was there. I wish we all were, but it's only because I feel a little powerless from here."

  “The feeling’s mutual,” Nick mumbled his agreement.

  "I could stay here with Jaime, take the meetings for you," I offered.

  "No." Nick’s tone switched back to harsh.

  "It was only an offer. With you in mind, Nick." I was comfortable getting sharp right back.

  “I'd never leave you." He clenched too hard on my skin again.

  "I'm sorry I suggested it.” I let sincerity color my words.

  "Keep tabs on it, Jaime, and let me know what’s going on. If you need to go, I’ll manage here.” Jaime stood to leave before Nick added, “Make sure they keep police involvement minimal. You know how I feel about that.”

  Jaime nodded briskly then headed for the front door. The familiar feeling of fear churned wildly in my stomach. I’d never been able to shake the feeling that last time, had there been a police report, a restraining order, something, Ally may have kept her distance. Every bit of me screamed that we should be following the proper steps this time around. I bit my lip though, recalling the scars law enforcement had left on Nick’s childhood.

  The moment the door closed behind Jaime, Nick stood and silently walked away. He filled another glass of scotch and pulled out his computer. He slunk to the desk space in our bedroom, and I let him go.

  I wanted to go to him, to hold him, to discuss this whole madness, but he hasn’t asked me to join him. He needed space and a brawl would do nothing to chase away what was brewing in his eyes, so I made myself bite my lip, curl onto the couch, and answer emails. Swallowing my words tasted a bit like chewing on wood.

  "Did you want to talk about what's going on at home?” Nick reappeared in the doorway and stood watching me with an arched an eyebrow. I squinched my nose and shifted to chew on my lip instead of answer. “Kate, I know you have opinions on the matter.”

  “I do. Have an opinion that is. But we’ve had a discussion once or twice about trust.” I made sure to roll my eyes as wildly as I could. “Nick, you made a good decision to tell her. I'm grateful for that. I’m not completely unreasonable.” His mouth dropped. “I want you to protect my family to the best of your abilities.”

  "Who the hell are you, and what have you done with Kate?" He wasn't quite playful but relief colored his features.

  Any remaining tension melted when he walked over, pushed my hair behind my ear, and kissed the sensitive skin just beneath, paying extra attention to the spots he’d scraped with headphones just yesterday.

  When I got around to calling Laura, we went ten rounds about Nick, his family, and all the shit that followed in his wake. Our conversation ended with her shouting, "You're a masochist, you know that right?" I'd mumbled something at her, completely defenseless, before she added, "And thank you for looking out for me."

  Someone forgot to tell my stomach that Laura was safe, and I'd been forgiven; it churned all night. I woke feeling off but since I wasn’t shooting up, gasping for air, I took it. Nick was already awake, hunched over a screen, and didn’t budge when I stretched beneath the comforter. He even waved me off when I told him I was sneaking to the gym, letting Jaime take me without comment.

  My stomach somersaulted.

  Nick's mood did not improve over breakfast, or in the car, or even once we arrived at the massive building that housed his associate’s corporate offices. As our day rolled on, I found myself glowering and my jaw clenching too.

  We should write this facility off. Ulterior motives be damned.

  I would have told Nick as much except he'd made it clear with monosyllabic grunts he wasn’t really in the mood to chat. I distracted myself with coffee and lots of it. After what had to
be a whole pot, I had to use the restroom. I only half listened to directions, desperate to break free of the stagnant thickness filling the conference room. My lack of attention landed me significantly deeper in the offices than anyone intended.

  When I rounded a corner, trying to find my way back, a man caught my eye. My feet followed him before I gave it a conscious thought. There was something hauntingly familiar drawing me toward him. And when he stopped to chat with someone in a side office, I caught his profile and my back bristled. Victor Alexander was slithering down the hallway in front of me.

  Oh you fucking bastard!

  Instinctively I flattened into a recess as Victor spoke animatedly and in casual, friendly Cantonese with some nameless executive. I watched as he bowed, and when he rose, he twisted the slightest bit and his beady little eyes raked over me and my chest seized.

  Victor pulled his shoulders back and furrowed his brow. He’d been caught red-handed but rather than look contentious, remorse colored his face. He turned toward me slowly, making every inch of my skin crawl.

  We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Victor’s mouth flopped open and closed like a fish. My heart pounded so hard I couldn’t tell if he made a sound. In the end, he moved first, starting toward me but then reconsidering.

  “It’s Christopher, Kate." He almost choked on the words. I almost choked on the shock. "I'm sorry, I didn’t understand…I just wanted revenge. And now I’m in too deep…” His voice trailed off. "Tell Bryant to be careful."

  Victor turned without another word. My mind had stalled out completely. That name on those limps made my heart hurt. I was torn between running after him for an interrogation and rushing back to Nick. Victor Alexander's hatred of us ran too deeply for me to believe he would legitimately warn us of anything.

  Right?

  The mere mention of Christopher had me doubting that. After all, how else could he even know?