Bait: Alpha Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (13 page)

“You’ll be moving in with me tonight.” I sat down on the arm of the chair that Charlie was sitting in and pulled her close.

She jumped up and my hands fell from her body with a thump. “Umm, no freaking way. I’m not moving in with you. I never agreed to that and I’m not agreeing to it now.”

“I knew you would object so I already arranged everything.” I raised my hand to stall any further arguments.

Talk to the hand woman. I’m in love with you and Nolan Banks always gets what he wants.

“No worries,” I said. “I’ve personally boxed up your intimate collection of toys and whatnots. Of course, with me around, you won’t need those anymore. I’m even better than the rotating rabbit dual action.”

“You have reached a new low, Nolan Banks–”

“What, you don’t agree?” I stood up, jutted my hips and pointed at my groin. “I’ve never had any complaints. Besides, if this is going to work, we want everyone to think we are a couple? Engaged couples live together.”

This was actually my mother’s idea, but I would never let Charlie know that. There were a few secrets that Charlie didn’t know and as long as I had breath in me, it would stay that way. Sometimes the old dragon actually did know best.

“People can live separately before marriage,” she snapped. “Where I come from in Georgia, its southern etiquette for a woman to live with her parents until she becomes betrothed.
And
, a belle always gets courted properly.”

I hugged her tight. “Honey, if you’re that attached to the apartment, I guess you can stay. However, I have to tell you. I was a little worried about the particular smells coming from 4B.”

“Believe it or not, that is where my ninety-year-old neighbor lives,” she argued and tried to squirm away. “She’s got glaucoma. The smell adds to the ambience of the place.”

“The entire floor reeks of weed, sour cabbage, and spoiled diapers,” I said, driving my point home and wrapping my arms tighter as I planted butterfly kisses on her throbbing pulse. “Plus, your scum lord is overcharging you on rent and maintenance charges.”

“Are you serious?” Charlie was getting that unsteady look again. “I knew he was up to something. But how did you find out?”

“I have my ways.” No need to tell her those ways involved a shitload of money. “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore. He and I came to an agreement. Your entire lease is paid off so your apartment will be there after this is all said and done, and you can return to your own personal brand of odorous utopia.”

But you won’t. I’ll make sure of it.

Charlie sighed. “I could be really mad at you if I wasn’t so tired. But then, that’s all part of your diabolical plan, isn’t it?”

“Let’s give it a chance,” I said, kissing the top of her head to seal the deal. “If it doesn’t work out, you can always go back. You know my apartment has plenty of room, rooftop pool and tennis court, private exercise room, weekly grocery delivery, dry cleaning drop off and delivery, daily maid service… hell, we’ll never fight because the only things couples fight about are money, chores and sex.”

“Okay, okay,” Charlie said, her resolve clearly weakening. “You had me at maid service and free dry cleaning. That will save me a fortune right there.”

“What about the sex?” I chuckled and gave her a kiss on the cheek before letting my arms fall to my sides. “When you get home tonight you should find everything you need. If not, just let me know.”

“Where will you be?” she asked.

“I have a meeting with the new sales manager. We’re having drinks at Gramercy Tavern.” I remembered that Chase really wanted to meet Charlie. He probably just wanted to check her out. “Hey, why don’t you join us for dinner?”

“Sounds like I have some unpacking to do tonight,” she sighed. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

“Marta will have your things already unpacked and put away by the time you get home.”

She rolled her eyes and chewed the skin at the end of her thumb. “I’ve heard the steaks at the Gramercy are to die for…” she pondered her options. “You know how much I love red meat.”

“I could lock this office door right now and give you a dose of meat,” I said with a wag of my eyebrows.

Charlies snorted and shook her head. “Just dinner. I do have a lot of work to catch up on.”

“See you around seven-thirty. You can take the car service from now on. I’ve already arranged it with your assistant.”

“Wow,” she breathed, her mouth forming a perfect circle. “Car service too? You really know how to wow a woman.”

“Only the best for my princess.” I waved goodbye before Charlie could change her mind and headed for the conference room, where my next meeting was already under way.

Today was shaping up to be a good day. Charlie was moving in. Our engagement party was in good hands with Candy. And my best friend was coming to work with me. What could go wrong? The Nolan Banks charm was firmly intact.

Chapter Seven

The art of bromance was alive and well tonight in the heart of New York City. As two handsome, well-dressed men having dinner at a steakhouse, we turned a lot of heads of both the male and female variety.

The institution of a fine bottle of Johnny Walker was an important facet of the male-male friendship just as much as a good, thick steak and the freedom to speak our mind and cut loose a little bit.

Scotch.

Is sexy.

It seemed like most of our conversations always came back around to women.

“Charlie is meeting us for dinner,” I said.

“I’m finally going to meet the Harvard educated Charlene?” Chase lifted his eyebrows as I nodded. “It’s only appropriate that your best friend meet the lady that finally captured that wandering heart of yours.”

“I wouldn’t say it was my heart that was doing the wandering,” I conceded.

Chase laughed. “No, but I know it takes a certain kind of woman to lasso you.”

“She is pretty special.” I took another sip of the Johnny Walker Black that we’d ordered for the occasion.

“How’s your mother handling the situation?” Chase asked as he toyed with the white linen tablecloth. He knew my mother was always a point of contention in any conversation. “I know she can be intimidating when it comes to your significant others.”

“Man, I thought Charlie was going to back out on the deal after she met old mamadukes. She was not happy about the size of the guest list that my mother conjured up for our engagement party.”

Chase raised his glass. “Your mom knows how to throw a good party. You gotta give her that.”

“That she does,” I agreed. “I’m just worried about Charlie.”

“She’s not up to the task of dealing with the mominator?” he asked with a chuckle. Good thing he’d still retained his sense of humor after so many years of dealing with her. Chase wasn’t my mother’s favorite.

“I think it might be a little much with everything else she has going on at work,” I sighed and paused to fortify myself with another sip of scotch. I welcomed the burn. “She not only has to keep my ass out of trouble, but she’s working on closing several of our other real estate deals and heading up the housing project and new office development. She puts in a lot of hours. Now, I’m adding the stress of an engagement party.”

I didn’t add that Charlie was duped into the engagement. I wasn’t sure if Chase would see things my way when I explained how Charlie fit into the equation of getting this deal done. Or maybe I just didn’t want to hear it.

“Cut the girl some slack,” Chase advised. “Send her away for a day at the spa. Nothing says love like getting a massage from a six-foot-seven Norwegian guy named Sven who has the hands the size of a meat locker.”

No. Fucking. Way.

All hands on Charlie from now on were mine. Or female.

“See, now you’re talking,” I agreed. “Except the part about Sven.”

I just shook my head. Chase had always been more in tune with the female sex than me, so how had I ended up the one engaged while he was happily single? Although, I don’t think he was necessarily happy. Chase just hadn’t found the right one after getting his heart smashed into a million pieces by his former fiancée.

As we finished our drinks, I asked Chase if he was ready to start working. But his attention was elsewhere.

“Earth to Chase.” I snapped my fingers at him.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” he asked and snapped to attention.

“Do you want to pick your sales team? We have a lot of candidates to choose from. I thought we would narrow it down to around five or six people committed to it.”

“Any of the girls on your sales team look like that?” he asked, nodding discreetly to the hostess stand.

“What? Who?” I asked, following his dreamy gaze over to the front of the restaurant. A dark hair beauty in a black strapless dress talking to the hostess looked familiar. I laughed when I realized who it was. “As a matter of fact, she does work with us.”

I waved the gorgeous girl over to our table. Chase’s mouth hung slightly open when I introduced them.

“Charlie de Monaco, meet my best friend, Chase Bradenton. Chase, meet my fiancée, Charlie.” I stood and gave Charlie a quick kiss on the lips before pulling out a barstool for her sit on.

To Chase’s credit, he recovered quickly. “Nice to meet the lady who stole this guy’s heart,” he said as he stood to place a kiss on her hand.

I bristled.

Back the fuck off. Best friend or no best friend.

“I’ve heard absolutely nothing about
you
,” Charlie said laughing.

“Not quite true,” I interjected. “She’s heard about some of our college adventures.”

“I hope you were selective about the ones you told her,” Chase replied as he blushed.

Blushed.

“I didn’t tell her the one about you taking a hooker to our winter formal, if that’s what you’re referring to,” I said.

“Kamisha? She prefers to be called ‘lady of the evening.’” Chase turned his attention to Charlie, whose shoulders shook with laughter. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have a glass of white wine, thanks.”

“How long will you be in New York?” Charlie asked.

Chase shot me a look. “She doesn’t know?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell her.”

Charlie looked back and forth between the two of us. “Now what? Haven’t I had enough surprises today, Nolan Banks? Or, are you going for ‘bad things happen in threes?’”

“Chase will be working with us on the Banks Building,” I explained as I waved the bartender over to order Charlie’s wine. “He has his real estate license and has dabbled here and there with investments. He’ll be heading up the sales and leasing team.”

“Well, I should say welcome to the team.” Charlie smiled brightly and held up her hand to give Chase a high-five.

“Nolan was telling me that you’re the head of the legal department now. That must be a stressful job,” Chase said.

Charlie chuckled. “It has its moments.”

“I bet.” Chase nodded. “Cleaning up after this guy’s messes would keep anyone busy.”

“There have been a few close calls already,” Charlie added.

“Hey!” I shouted. “I’m sitting right here, you know.”

They both laughed. Like they’d known each other for years and always shared intimate inside jokes with each other. I was glad they were hitting it off but really? I wanted all of Charlie’s attention on me.

“I may have had a few missteps lately, but I always do what’s best for the company,” I said.

“Nolan hasn’t gotten
you
into any messes, has he?” Chase asked.

Charlie looked at me for a moment and pursed her lips.

Afraid of what she might divulge, I jumped in. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”

“Because I know you. We’ve been best friends since grade school. You attract trouble.”

I pointed a finger at him. “That’s not true.”

It was true.

Chapter Eight

“Are you ready to go?” I asked, peeking my head around the corner.

“I need help with my zipper,” Charlie said, her hands behind her back as she tried in vain to pull it upward.

Looking at Charlie literally took my breath away. She was drop dead gorgeous wearing a baby pink
dress that featured a sweetheart neckline, fitted silhouette, and full lower skirt. Soft sequin beading accentuated the pink tulle fabric.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as I continued to stare at her. I must’ve looked ridiculous standing there with my jaw dropped to the floor. My cock twitched in my dress pants. Probably because I hadn’t been able to make love to Charlie since that first time. The time I’d been re-playing over and over again in my mind. Now, she was here all the time, a breath away and I couldn’t even make a date with my right hand unless it was in the shower.

“Nothing, nothing.” I walked over to her. “You just look amazing. Like a beautiful siren who has been basking in the Caribbean sunlight while the ocean waves kiss your body.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Are you high?”

As she turned around, I found the hidden zipper and pulled it up. Brushing her hair aside, I kissed her shoulder. Her skin was so soft. My embarrassing personal problem of swelling and straining became even worse. “You smell fantastic.”

“Yeah, I showered,” she said, brushing my hand away.

“I’ll have to keep a close eye on you tonight.”

I watched as Charlie slicked lip gloss across her full lips, then winked at me in the mirror. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m all yours for one month, right?”

“Ouch,” I said, covering my chest with my hands. “Straight to the heart.”

The comment did sting a little. “What if I wanted this to last longer than a month?”

Charlie grabbed her silver high heeled shoes and slipped them on. “Well, then I guess we’ll have to renegotiate our terms.”

At least I know where I stood.

“Now, I’m ready,” she said, giving me her arm.

Tonight was a good night as any for a sham engagement party. I had a few special surprises for Charlie and couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw them. After everything I’d put her through, I was feeling a little guilty. A day at the spa was a nice start, but I felt Charlie deserved something more.

“Where is the car service?” she asked as we walked out of the building.

“That’s our ride.” I pointed to two perfectly matched white horses pulling a grand carriage.

Charlie snorted. “Seriously, Nolan.”

We watched as the horses came to a stop at the curb in front of us. I held out my right hand in a sweeping motion. “After you, my lady.”

The carriage driver opened the door and I held Charlie’s hand as she scooted inside and arranged her skirt to avoid wrinkles. I gave my mother’s address to the driver and took my seat next to Charlie.

“You amaze me,” she said turning to me. “Just when I think I’ve got you figured out, you go and do something like this.”

The carriage driver handed me a bottle of champagne and two flutes that I had specially ordered for this ride to my parents’ penthouse. I poured two glasses and handed one to Charlie.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said. “Here’s to a wonderful party and successful engagement.” I tipped my glass to hers.

And an end to my sexual frustration later if all goes well.

“Is this what the engagement is to you, Nolan? Strictly a business deal? You don’t have any feelings for me?” Charlie brought the flute up to her lips and took a small sip.

Her question threw me off guard because she’d been the one touting the business arrangement bullshit for days. How was I supposed to answer when I wanted to lick the bubbles off her lips? I wanted to wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me. Kiss her lush lips. Make her mine in body and soul.

Instead, I tossed some flippant words her way, “That’s what we agreed to.”

“Well, I plan to enjoy all this while I can,” Charlie said, leaning her head back. “Because at the stroke of midnight, all this is going away. I know it. I don’t believe in fairy tales.”

The rest of the ride remained quiet as we rode a few more blocks to the Lennox Hill area.

“The Banks family is closely related to the Rockefellers. My great grandfather was married to a Rockefeller descendant. That’s when the real estate development started.” I pointed to a grand brick building on our left. “Our family owned the entire block from 57
th
to 58
th
Street before we converted a row of mansions into luxury apartment buildings. My grandparents’ money originally came from owning railroad companies and investment banking.”

“Your family sounds like a real life monopoly game. I can picture your father as a short, stocky man with a black, tall hat and walking cane,” Charlie said. “Am I close?”

“Actually, that describes my great grandfather more than my dad,” I answered with a chuckle. My dad was still super attractive at fifty-five and he got around. A lot. But being married to my mother for almost thirty years, who could blame him.

“I’m a little nervous to meet your father. He travels a lot?”

I nodded. “No need to be nervous. He’s a big kitty cat compared to my mother. He just wasn’t around much when I was growing up. Our family company has a lot of interests overseas, and he lives over there more than in the States. Of course, living with my mother is a bit of a challenge. I’m sure he’s enjoyed his time away.”

No need to tell her about the bevy of hot, younger mistresses.

Charlie pursed her lips.

I laughed at her discomfort, but not really understanding. I had no idea what it might be like to not have money but have love. “Relax. Everything will be okay.”

Up ahead we spotted a line of limos and private cars. My mother had arranged a private valet service for those who drove into the city.

Charlie touched my arm. “You’re really a great guy. There’s more to you than meets the eye, Nolan Banks.”

A wave of heat encompassed all four of my limbs and shot straight to my heart. I cleared my throat. “I apologize in advance for any… if anything happens tonight. I’ll speak to my mother again and remind her to be on her best behavior.”

“No need to apologize,” Charlie said. “I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to this. I’m a big girl and can handle myself. I’ve managed worse than your mother. She’s just a woman who loves her only son.”

I gazed at Charlie as we arrived. I couldn’t help but feel a new appreciation awakening in my heart for her. She was doing this for me, something that she could’ve refused to do, and it meant more to me than she would ever know. I’d never had anyone do something for me for all the right reasons. Not wanting anything in return.

The red ball of the sun had just dropped below the horizon when we exited the carriage.
I took her hand
and pulled her into the fray.
Like ripping the Band-Aid off a skinned knee.

We could hear the lively sounds of a band playing as we walked into the penthouse. I placed my hand in Charlie’s, giving it a quick, reassuring squeeze as we found ourselves being swallowed up by a throng of elegantly dressed people.
I looked around for my parents but couldn’t see them anywhere.

“Nolan, I don’t know who any of these people are,” Charlie whispered through a smile. “Oh god, what was I thinking.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “If anything gets too sticky, just let me know. I’ll take care of you.”

“We should have a safe word,” Charlie suggested.

“Like when having sex?” I whispered in her ear. “How about cock ring?”

She pursed her lips and speared me with a glare. I guess there would be no lightening the mood right now until she felt more at ease.

“No, like as in tonight,” she pleaded. “If I find myself getting anxious, I can say bacon and you’ll know we need to blow this place.”

“Bacon? As much as I love a good piece of bacon or the entire pound, it’s too simple. If you won’t let me use cock ring, how about a slightly more entertaining word, like …”

“Hoodwink?” Charlie suggested.

“Well, I was thinking of something a little bit sexier,” I said with a wink as I rubbed her back. “Like throb.”

“We’ll go with crocuses.”

“What the hell is a crocus…” I started, but a group of ladies from the legal department swooped in and grabbed Charlie.

“We need to speak with your lovely fiancée for a moment,” Stacey said, looping her arm around my girl. “We’ll have her back in a jiffy.”

“All right.” I watched the group descend upon the bar. Looking around, I found Chase sitting on the terrace with my parents. I blew out a breath and decided to face them head on. Maybe I could smooth the way for Charlie before she made her appearance.

***

“Nolan, darling.” My mother sat on the terrace with my father and Chase, her legs elegantly crossed in a perfect vee. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Where’s that fiancée of yours?”

I shook my father’s hand. “She was abducted by some of the girls from work. She’ll be out in a moment.” I turned my attention to my dad. “Father, always good to see you. How were your travels abroad?”

“Oh you know, the usual wheeling and dealing,” he said with a wink. His wheeling and dealing included fucking his latest college aged girlfriend. “We finally received approval to start construction on the Cambodia hotel. Pretty soon, Banks Investment will have a foothold on the tourist industry in Southeast Asia.”

“What about the Malaysia deal?” I asked.

“We lost the bid on the first property, but we’ll be bidding on our second and third choices next week,” the elder Banks explained.

“So you won’t be in town for long?”

My father lit a cigar and let out a plume of smoke. It was a disgusting habit he’d picked up in South American. I wished he wouldn’t do it in front of Charlie. “Heading back on Tuesday. I thought I would stop by the office on Monday and see how things were going.”

I brought my dad up to speed on the new Banks building and other plans. “You’ll meet Charlie soon. She’s heading up our legal department and also running the housing project.”

“I’ve heard a lot about her from your mother,” he said with narrowed eyes. Lord knows what my mother told him. None of it true.

A low grunt escaped my mother’s lips. “There wasn’t much to tell.”

I shot my mother a warning look. “You promised…”

“I also heard that Chase has recently joined us,” my father interjected, saving me from having an argument with my mother.

Chase tipped his beer toward me. “I told your father all about my first day on the job. I felt just like a kindergartner on the first day of school.”

“He’s going to do well,” I told my father. “Chase may have been out of the real estate game for a few years, but I have a feeling we’ll be at fifty percent sold by the end of our first sales month.”

“I have no doubt that he’ll accomplish great things, but why didn’t we put Chase with our international group?” my father asked with a gesture to my best friend. “I could use a good man like him. He was just telling me all about his travels throughout Southeast Asia. I don’t know of anyone else better qualified than he is for that part of our business.”

“I think I’m ready to throw down some roots. Settle in for the long haul,” Chase said. “Although I’m flattered to think you want me in the trenches out there, I think working with Nolan on the new office project is better suited for me right now.”

My father slapped Chase on the back. “If anything ever changes, call me.”

“I’m going to see if I can find Charlie.”

I looked through the French doors at the growing crowd inside. There must’ve been a hundred or so people already mingling about, drinking champagne and munching on appetizers. Wait staff mingled everywhere and their trays were always full. I didn’t want Charlie to feel abandoned among people she didn’t know.

“Stay put. I’ll be back,” I instructed my dad.

It took me a few minutes, but I finally found Charlie surrounded by a gaggle of women. I recognized a few ladies I went to school with, some ex-girlfriends. I hung back for a moment, hidden by a large potted plant where she couldn’t see me, so I could hear how she was handling herself.

“Tell us again how you landed the biggest fish in the city?” asked a bleached blonde who was once a swimsuit model and featured on
Sports Illustrated
four years ago. She now owned a PR firm and was out to land a husband. My friends had tried to set me up with her in the past, but she wasn’t my type.

“What do you mean?” Charlie asked.

“What did you do to corral that gorgeous hunk of a man?” She gripped her red tipped nails around the stem of her wine glass.

“Please do tell us,” another woman asked. “Matty has been trying to get her claws into Nolan since they were in diapers.”

“I’m afraid I didn’t ‘land’ or ‘lasso’ him,” Charlie said, her upper lip curling just a fraction of a hair. “He’s not some kind of animal or fish. But if you must know, we met through work.”