Stubborn Love - A Contemporary Romance: Falling for Him (Falling for Him Contemporary Romance Series Book 6) (7 page)

Clara was jaded, but extremely proud of her accomplishment. And nervous! She’d have a big role in the moderation of tomorrow night’s event and didn’t want to let anyone down.

She was both happy and sad at the same time. It had been great to spend so much time with Nigel. During this long day she’d come to admire his work ethics and the way he dealt with problems -  so calm and considerate.

He treated his employees well, helping them when they were stuck, criticizing their work when needed, but always more constructive than hurtful. Nigel inspired loyalty in his employees, and his encouragement helped everyone perform their jobs better. This was the man she’d met in the airport.
A far cry from the jerk that first interviewed me!

Now he had offered to drive her home, but she wasn’t sure she could handle being cooped up inside a vehicle with him. She latched onto the only excuse to present itself and suggested, “I wanted to walk home to get some fresh air.”

Nigel nodded and agreed to escort her, “Fine. Let’s go.”

They exited the building and walked for a while in complete silence. Night had fallen over the city. Clara still was in awe about New York City, especially at night. The city looked so peaceful. It was hard to reconcile what her eyes were seeing tonight, with the various crimes reports she knew would make headlines come morning. Now she was glad to have Nigel by her side. She felt safe with him.

They reached her apartment fifteen minutes later, and a sense of déjà vu struck her as they once again found themselves on her front steps. She looked up at him and their eyes locked. His soft and loving expression sent electric waves through her body. The love, which he tried to hide during the day; all because of his stupid rule not to mix business and his private life.

Nigel seemed transfixed by her figure and she observed his eyes travel up and down her person before he whispered, “Delightful.”

There it is again, that word.
She thought it was so sweet. Without thinking, Clara leaned against him, just for a moment. Instantly, she felt his hard body pressing against hers and struggled not to give in to her baser instincts. She endured so much need and hunger, emotions that had been locked away for too long.

When Nigel dropped his head towards hers, she closed her eyes and gave into the urge to savor his lips once again. What started as a simple kiss, grew into a soul-shattering experience of passion and oneness. This kiss was even more passionate than their first kiss on Liberty Island because they’d locked up their emotions for such a long time. It was like the bursting of a dam – once they started, there was no holding back. Feverishly they explored each other’s mouth.

Their tongues intertwined, probing, licking, touching. It was the softest, most passionate feeling. Clara’s senses overwhelmed, and her whole body reacted to Nigel’s kiss. She felt the heat rising, the desire growing, brushing all other thoughts aside.

She had stopped thinking; all she wanted was to kiss him forever, when he suddenly pulled away, saying,  “Sorry, this shouldn’t have happened.”

She looked up at him with her heart in her eyes, “Why not? Why do you hide your emotions?”

He tried to explain himself, but all that she got from the conversation was a bunch of confused ramblings that made absolutely no sense. Clara was shattered. Hurt beyond imagination. This had to stop or she’d go down with a broken heart.

“Clara, you’re a very sweet girl, but I don’t…”

Her hurt had transformed into anger. She exploded, “You know what, Nigel? Just save it! You’re an egocentric, cold and emotionless jerk!”

She was furious, and the tears flowed as she turned away from him and rushed inside, slamming the door behind her.
How dare he!

The next morning it took everything Clara could muster up to find her strength and crawl from bed. She determined to forget Nigel and move on.
I deserve so much better than a man who isn’t willing to show his feelings for me!

Tonight the big event at the flagship store took place, and she wanted to do an excellent job. Not for Nigel, but for herself, for her career and for her co-workers. When she arrived at the store, she was glad that Nigel wasn’t around yet. She’d have to deal with him soon enough.

A temporary runway had been set up in the store, complete with curtains to segregate the backstage area from the rest of the store. Everyone was busy with last minute preparations. Clara helped everywhere she was needed.

During the day Nigel avoided her and looked away whenever he crossed her path. But she felt awkward. Soon they’d have to share the stage and spend the next few hours together moderating the evening.

Clara grew more nervous by the minute. It was her first time on a stage, and she felt the effects of how important this moment was in her life. This anxiety was only aggravated by the need to stay away from Nigel.
How will I get through the evening?

When it was time to go backstage and wait for the opening signal, she felt sick. Her heart raced, and her hands were sweating. But she was too proud to admit her stage fright to anyone but herself. She thought she’d been doing a good job of hiding her nervousness, until Nigel came up behind her and whispered in her ear, “Try to find a familiar face in the room and concentrate on that person.”

She tried a small smile. He tried to calm her stage-fright, but his nearness was creating a nervousness of an entirely different nature.

He didn’t pick up on that and leaned down to whisper in her ear once again, “Sara will be in the audience as well.”

What Nigel had intended as something to build her confidence, now had Clara physically shaking in her four-inch heels. His attempt to comfort her had gone terribly wrong. She resembled a terrified rabbit being confronted by an enormous snake!

Nigel must have seen the terror on her face when she looked up at him. Reacting to her nervousness, he put an arm around her shoulder, ramping up the nervous energy stemming from their intense attraction to each other.

She leaned into him without thought and felt his body tighten in reaction.
At least I’m not the only one suffering!

Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths, letting his strength and calm seep into her bones and brain. Nigel made her feel so secure.
I could stay in his arms forever!

While Clara was still enjoying that thought, she felt him pull away – again!  She was done with his topsy turvy emotions. That rollercoaster ride wasn’t fun. At. All.

Before she could hiss at him, the manager of the store announced the event was ready to begin. Nigel gestured for her to precede him through the dark blue velvet curtain, and she took her place in front of the podium. Next to him.

The program went off without a single hitch. Everyone complimented Clara on a job well-done as well as commenting her on the gorgeous red dress she was wearing. It was one of Nigel’s wonderful creations, and the centerpiece for Bella’s new product line.

Nigel had given her honest compliments about how fabulous she looked in the dress, and he had even recommended suitable accessories and shoes. She’d seen the desire flicker in his eyes when he saw her the first time wearing
his
dress.

As the evening started to wind down, Nigel and her job as moderators was finished. He held the curtain back for her as they headed backstage to return the microphones to the sound personnel. On the way down the stairs, she stumbled over a cable. Nigel walked right behind her and she would have fallen, if it wasn’t for his quick reaction. He had reached out with his free arm and lifted her off her feet, dragging her backwards against his chest.

“Oh!”
“Easy there. I’ve got you. Here, take this microphone.” Nigel handed Clara his microphone to hold and then swept her off her feet and carried her until the wires were no longer a tripping hazard.

The instant attraction between them came rushing back again and she, without even wanting it, relaxed in his arms. Her body trembled from the withheld anxiety and unfulfilled desire. She almost didn’t dare to look up into his eyes.
Will he let me down again?

Nigel looked at her with warmth and love in his eyes she couldn’t look away. She’d wanted to, but she couldn’t resist him. “Clara, what I feel for you is so much stronger than anything else I’ve ever experienced.” 

Without another word, he dipped his head and kissed her. Soft. Romantic. Loving. His lips barely touched hers and he softly pressed her body against his. Holding her in his arms. She almost forgot where they were and wanted the kiss to never end.  She was so happy in his arms!

Her happiness was interrupted as the cleanup crew arrived to begin dismantling the makeshift stage. Nigel set her down on her feet, took the microphones from her hands and laid them on the soundboard, and then escorted her back out into the crowd.

She was still trying to process Nigel’s last statement, when Sara approached them, saying, “You two make such a nice couple!”

Clara blushed and Nigel removed his hand from her shoulder as if he’d been caught red-handed. Her heart fell when Nigel instantly tried to convince Sara otherwise. “No! No! Business and Private lives don’t mix well.”

Sara shook her head and countered his comments. “Nonsense. Some of the greatest designers in history have been working couples.  Think of Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro, Simon Bolzoni and Katie Walsh, or Swaim and Christina Hutson. None of these designers would complain about working with the love of their lives.”

“How do you know that? Those couples might fight constantly, while putting on a good show for the media.” Nigel was like a little boy, and wasn’t willing to even consider that his perspective might be flawed.

“Nigel, you are such a pighead!” Sara sighed and then graciously changed the subject, commenting on the event’s success and their great moderation.

Clara had said nothing. She got more furious by the second! Why
does he insist? After what just happened? And what he said to her?

She excused herself, rushing over to the bar.
I’m forgetting about Nigel Jacobs, right here and now!
She quickly downed two glasses of Champagne, finally feeling a light buzz and ready to take on the world.

She was only a teensy bit tipsy – but that was good place to be if she intended to put her plan into action.

Nigel watched Clara as she downed two glasses of champagne, a frown forming on his face.
She’s drinking too much – too fast!
He accepted responsibility for the fact that she was hurting and angry, and he excused himself from Sara to go after her. He intended to talk to Clara whether she wanted to hear it or not.

But he kept getting waylaid. It seemed everyone in the room wanted to talk to him and congratulate him on the event. He was desperate, but had to put a good face to the matter. It was his business after all. All the while he tried to keep one eye on Clara.

When she turned on the barstool, he felt his blood run cold as he realized she was flirting with a guy at the bar!
A good looking one nonetheless!
He was so jealous, he could barely see straight.

He attempted to extricate himself from his adoring fans with more rigor, growing jealous every time he caught a glance and Clara and that guy.
I’m gonna beat that man to a pulp.
When the man laid a gentle hand on Clara’s shoulder, he saw red. He felt his stomach clench and locked his jaw tight.
What in the hell is this guy doing? Clara is my girl!

He watched them through squinted eyes and tried to edge that way once again. He had no idea of what he’d say to the interloper when he reached them. Nigel couldn’t well say “Hands off, I love that girl but I was stupid enough to let my principles stand between us?” Anyhow, he needed to get there first, the rest would follow.

Nigel still tried to cross the room when he saw Clara leave with that guy. His boiling blood evaporated any pretense of being polite to those surrounding him. He shoved his way through the crowd, even as his inner voice told him how stupid he was acting.
I need to stop Clara from leaving with that man.

“Nigel, I was hoping we could discuss your new line and an order…”

He waved the buyer for one of New York’s largest department stores off, “Not now! Call me at the office later next week.” Shock showed on several faces around him, but he was beyond caring. He didn’t care about his business anymore. The one thing on his mind was Clara. She was all that mattered.

When he finally made his way to the front door, Clara and her companion were nowhere to see.
They’ve left the building!
He couldn’t believe it. Clara had left the event with a man she’d just met. He re-entered the store with hanging shoulders. After making small talk with a few people, he finally gave up the pretense and let the store manager know he was heading home.

Nigel reproached himself, having trouble coming to terms with the fact that he had driven Clara away from him and straight into the arms of another man!

I’ve lost the woman I love!
He was walking down the sidewalk when that fact finally registered in both his heart and his brain.
Yes! I love her!
He walked faster, doubts and emotions haunting him. Even though they hadn’t known each other for very long, she was constantly on her mind. All the time.
But I drove her away and now she’s with that other guy!

When he reached his home, he realized that he didn’t want to spend another day, or even another minute, without telling her how he truly felt.
My principles be damned!
They were fine for a time, but that time had come to an end.

He considered storming to her apartment right then and there, but then decided to wait until morning. Nigel owed her a huge apology, and anything worth doing, was worth doing right. He’d visit her in the morning, his heart in his hand, and tell her exactly how stupid he had been, how much he wanted to be with her. Hopefully she would be gracious and forgive him for being so stupid!

With that thought, he headed home to grab a few hours of sleep, and to plan the most important apology of his lifetime.