Double Dare (16 page)

"Sure thing, dynamite girl. I'll be there."

Chapter Seven

Nathan put Zac's double espresso down in front of him and peered at his face with a frown. "Blimey, who died?"

Zac responded with a wry smile. "I'm about to do something I may or may not regret for the rest of my life." The screensaver on his laptop chose that moment to spring into action, which threw him. He teased the mouse, re-read the e-mail he'd typed and hovered over the send button.

"Is it something I should know about?"

Zac shrugged. "I'm bringing the Robertson Corporation end-of-contract meeting forward. I've requested it be next Monday rather than the following one, and I'm going to attend myself."

Nathan's eyebrows lifted. "I take it this is because of Abby?"

It may well be because I'm going insane
. Life had been bizarre, to say the least, since he'd met Abigail Douglas. What had started as a situation where Abby's possible private agenda bothered him had somehow flipped over and he now felt as if
he
was the one leading a double life—that
he
was the one with something to hide. And he didn't like that feeling one little bit. "Yes. It is about Abby. I've invited her to spend the weekend with me, but after that I want this thing resolved. No matter which way it goes."

"Are we done digging for information on her?"

"I think so."

Nathan nodded slowly, as if weighing up his response. "Do you want to keep seeing her?"

Zac didn't hesitate for a moment. "In an ideal world, yes."

"In that case, are you sure you want to do this?"

"You were the one who pointed out it would come out at some point."

Nathan pursed his lips. "True."

"I don't want to throw her while she's busy working on the portfolio. But for the sake of my sanity it has to be soon, hence the compromise."

Nathan opened his own giant latte and took a mouthful, watching over Zac with a speculative expression.

Zac hit send. As soon as it was gone, he had the crazy urge to call her. He picked up his phone as soon as Nathan left the room and turned it in his hand, thinking it over, trying to quell the impetuous need he felt to control this situation.

He wanted to see her. He wanted to spend every minute with her that he could, in case it all fell apart. Would that help though? Wouldn't it be better to keep some distance, just in case it did crash and burn? Logic didn't seem to help. He had to face it. He was falling for her.

* * * *

Abby stared at the email in astonishment. Adrianna wanted to bring the meeting forward by a whole week.
Damn
. In her mind, she had three weeks to prove herself. She'd hardly begun to do what she'd planned for that space of time. She hadn't even secured a property deal yet.
Keep your head
, she told herself.
You've taken significant steps. That is all you can do, given the lack of time.

She looked at it again. It had been copied to Tom, so there wasn't any point in trying to negotiate, he'd just insist they put the client's request first.

There was a knock at the door and Caroline came in to the office. She walked over and plunged a stack of papers down on Abby's desk. She frowned when she noticed Abby's expression. "What's up?"

"Ashburn renewal meeting has been brought forward, just when I'm getting a grip on it."

"That's a shame, but you've stamped your name all over it already from what I hear." She grinned. "Everybody's been talking about it. Besides, this client is pretty much bound to renew. She's retiring and she's probably ready to hand it all over now she's seen how good you are. You'll be fine."

Caroline had a point. "I hope so. I'm away this weekend so I'll have to do all my prep by Friday. "

"I've got something that will cheer you up."

"Is it about Blayne?" Her spirits lifted immediately.

"Yup. I've been in contact with a senior Dublin heritage advisor. They would be happy to support your proposals for the property."

"That's fabulous news."

"The previous owners let the estate run down over the last twenty years, but it's not beyond repair, far from it. Apparently they've been concerned about it being bought for land use alone, for cattle. The inland part of the estate is good pasture, but the heritage in the property could be lost if that was the main focus, so your interest was good news to them."

"That's interesting." Her mind was turning over with ideas. "I must make a note to mention the land potential in my report, as an added incentive. The client could rent out part of it immediately, to gain income while doing the restoration work."

"Sounds great, you're onto a winner."

"I'm so pleased," Abby replied. "Now all we need is Adrianna's okay, and I'm good to go on the auction."

"So, spill, why is this account so important, is it because you're flying solo and concerned it will look good?"

"Yes, and I've set myself a challenge with this account. It was a good opportunity to test myself. I wanted to see how well I could do on my own."

Caroline nodded. "It's been good for you, we can all see that."

"The important thing is that I'll be able to advise Adrianna to purchase Blayne Castle within the profits from the share sale. There are still enough funds left to see the early planning and restoration phases through."

"Nicely done," Caroline replied.

"If I pull it off it will be a real achievement. The portfolio manifesto was weighted toward property but I wanted to do something unique. I'm going to send my proposals through to her this afternoon then contact some architects. I'd better get back to the heritage people too and keep them on board. I'll be pushed for time on this, but I'll try to get a full outline of the proposals ready for the meeting on Monday."

"Have you met her?" Caroline asked.

"The formidable Adrianna? No, not yet."

Caroline laughed. "Good title, she is quite formidable, and a little eccentric. I met her when Tom called me in to look at the special terms in the contract for her account."

"The daily reports?"

Caroline nodded. "I hope I'm like that when I'm her age. Sharp as a saber and easy on the eye."

"I've been looking forward to meeting her, I have to say. Ed said that she's a very interesting person." She paused a moment, her thoughts distracted as she saw the castle being whisked away from her hands by its rightful owner. "I do hope the Ashburn account is extended, so that I can monitor its progress after it has passed away from my control."
That's if I even stay here.

"Well, you could always watch from afar," Caroline replied. "And go visit the castle when it's all done, knowing it was your idea."

"Yes, I could do that." Abby's mind was drifting to her private image of the castle, with a dark prince and a big white bed.

"Now, you're talking." Caroline chuckled.

From her bag, Abby's phone began to chime.

"I'll leave you to it," Caroline said, grabbing her stack of papers and heading out.

"Cheers. We'll talk more later."

Abby glanced at the display on the phone. It was Zac. Her stomach gave a little flip, her emotions spinning. As she went to answer the call, she wondered how such a little thing could have such a big impact on her. "Hello, Zac, there isn't a problem about tonight is there?"

"No, I just had to speak with you. I was wondering...can you meet me for a half hour, now?"

Yes
, her body answered, her pulse racing. She glanced at the clock. It was mid-morning. "I guess I could call you lunch," she replied, with a naughty smile. "Why?"

"Why do you think?" His voice was tight with need.

He wanted her. There was a sense of desperation in his voice that freed a thrill inside her, one that plumed through her entire body.

"Tomorrow I'll be in Paris. I know we're meeting tonight, but if I can grab you for a half hour now...Abby, I'm desperate to put my hands on you."

"Oh, Zac," she murmured into the phone, her womanly center melting in response to his words.

"I'll get a taxi and come for you."

"Yes, I can be outside the building in say...twenty minutes."

By the time she put down the phone, she was as eager for the interruption as he sounded. She had to write her report for the formidable Adrianna, but she had the afternoon to do that. She wanted every moment too. She felt as if time were short. It had to be his imminent departure for Paris that gave her that feeling, but she would be there with him soon enough. Maybe it was because she felt he could just as easily disappear from her life as he had entered it. She was getting all the signs that this was an affair, a fling. When she was with him, she couldn't help hoping for it to be more, but could she really take the risk with a man like Zac? A man who was as elusive as he was the embodiment of every fantasy she could possibly have.
Don't fall for him, he's not the type.

She looked at her watch and grabbed her bag. Whatever it was she was doing with him, she sure as hell was going to enjoy every moment of it, Paris included.

In the lady's restroom, where she was touching up her lipstick, Suzanne came in and darted over, grinning.

"Hey you, how's the love life?"

"Couldn't be better."

"Excellent. I'm pleased to say mine is looking up too."

Abby rolled her lipstick down and shoved it into her bag as she looked at Suzanne. "Yes? Tell me all."

"Well, whoever is employing the men down at that courier company has good taste, I can tell you that much." Suzanne laughed. "The next one that came in was just as sexy, and this time I snagged him."

"Ha, that is great news. You have fun, I want you to tell me all about it." She glanced at her watch. "I've got to dash now though. I've got a lunch date."

"Now let me guess. It wouldn't be with Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, otherwise known as Zac, would it?"

"You're too good at this game." Abby hugged her then set off, her spirits high.

In the foyer, she could see the busy London street thrummed with movement and noise. The sun was high in the sky, lighting up the crowded pavements between the tall buildings in the heart of The City. She took a moment to absorb the atmosphere as she walked out of the tall, glass and steel revolving doors. The street was buzzing and so was she.

* * * *

Zac gestured to the taxi driver. "Pull over, just ahead."

The driver slowed and signaled.

Zac leaned across the back seat and opened the door for her. She moved, leggy, sophisticated and beautiful, toward the car. His pleasure at seeing her immediately turned carnal. His cock hardened as soon as he caught sight of her standing on the side of the road.

She was immaculately presented for the corporate world in a cream colored fitted skirt and jacket that brought out her coloring and showed off her figure superbly. Beneath the jacket she wore a top that gaped enticingly as she got in, allowing him a look at her cleavage for a moment. High heels and the short skirt showed off her long elegant legs to perfection and Zac simply stared, not trusting himself to say anything about her appearance.

She was smiling, her cat's eyes twinkling with pleasure. He reached over to kiss her long and hard on the mouth.

"Where to?" The driver had a smirk on his face as he observed the two of them clinched together in the back seat. Miles away, Zac had forgotten they were on one of the busiest streets in the City, and on a double yellow line at that.

"Just drive," Zac ordered.

The driver shrugged and set off. "Your call," he replied, glancing happily at his meter.

Abby leaned into him and he captured her in his arms, her breasts crushing against him as he held her. All woman. "All mine." The words escaped him as he kissed her neck.

"Yes."

He kissed her mouth, his tongue tasting her. He couldn't get enough.