The Deal (Trading Hearts #3) (6 page)

His commanding tone left her no choice. Her legs parted. She trembled, afraid of what was coming – but longing for it too.

"Reach under the table and touch yourself."

The force of his will compelled her to act.

She put her hands under the tablecloth. Hitching up her skirt, she put her fingers inside her panties, resting them over the curve of her mons.

"Touch yourself, make yourself come."

With a finger either side of her clit, she squeezed, nudging free a quiver of pleasure. She had to open her mouth to breathe properly

"Nice?" His smile lingered as he watched, his expression keen.

She nodded. "Is anyone looking?" She gulped air, realizing how that sounded, blushing furiously. "I mean, I don’t want anyone to notice, not here."

"Just me. I'm the only who know what you're doing."

The thought that she was stroking herself to orgasm under his command in a posh restaurant tripped a switch somewhere though, and she rocked her body against her hand. She rubbed slowly at first, then faster as her body cried out for relief. The look on Lucas's face urged her on, until she was pressing so hard it was moments away.

"You're about to come, aren't you?"

He could tell. It pushed her over the edge.

A burst of pleasure suffused her groin, followed by hot waves of relief pooling over her entire body.

"Give me your hand. Let me taste you."

His request made her groan. She felt so horny that she could climb over the table and straddle him right there and then. She pulled her hand out from under the table and laid it over his. Her fingers were coated in her juices. He drew her hand to his lips, kissed and licked her fingertips.

Her core tightened. She glanced about. He took one finger in his mouth and sucked it clean. "That's only made me want you even more," she commented.

Lucas gave a husky laugh.

"In that case, my gamble paid off."

"Do you ever lose?" she responded, amused.

"I try not to." He studied her intently. "I assess the risks, then I make my move on an informed assessment of those risks."

Her breath was trapped in her lungs. "What are you risking now, Lucas?"

"Everything."

Chapter Eight

Naomi quickly realized Georgio Melandros enjoyed the undercover sleuthing way too much. Was it partly the dressing up fetish Lucas had mentioned? She smiled to herself when she thought about it. Dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, Yankees cap and shades, he led her through major London department stores pointing out possible locations for a Drusilla's display. They taxied between the venues and Naomi quickly got a feel for the way he worked and his network of contacts.

On their third stop, the flagship store of a national chain based on Oxford Street, she began to see his vision for her range. It excited her to think it was actually going to happen. 

"It's beginning to feel real now," she commented.

"Brace yourself, Naomi," Georgio responded, "you're going places."

Her mood was buoyant. "I'm so glad you took me on."

"You’re a star in the making."

"We'll see." She was a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, we'll see all right. I'm picturing you here there and everywhere. And we have to get you into one of the franchises at Heathrow and Gatwick. That's an international gateway platform right there. You’ve got your passport up-to-date right?"

She nodded.

"Be ready for anything."

That sounded like advice she could have done with three weeks earlier, when Lucas was about to step into her life.

"When opportunities to showcase you come by we can't afford to pause or falter," Georgio added. "Now, see the area over there by the escalators." He gestured to guide her. "One of my successful ventures with a client was where we organized a unique display stand placed at the bottom and top of the escalators, so buyers were looking at the unique features of the items on display as they arrived onto that floor. That would work well for your designs. The colors and the textures are so eye-catching." He pointed at a suitable space.

Naomi nodded. "I see how that'd work. I'd never realized before."

"Oh, lookie. See the guy over there? He's the floor manager." Georgio pointed from behind the clothes rack they were stationed at. "We used to have a thing," he added, lowering his shades down his nose so she could see his eye roll.

"A thing?" Naomi laughed.

"A
liaison dangerous
."

"Why was it dangerous, because you have a work connection?" The question was as much about her relationship with Lucas as it was about Georgio and his fling with the floor manager. Doubt still trickled through her mind when she questioned things. She'd heard it said often enough – don’t get involved with someone you work with. Yet Lucas had held fast to his promise about staying out of it. Georgio was her man.

"Good lord, no. That wouldn’t be a problem. It was dangerous because Freddie is so gorgeous. I lose my heart far too quickly."

You and me both
, Naomi reflected.

Georgio put his fist to his chest, but he didn’t take his eyes off Freddie.

Freddie was indeed a fine looking man, Naomi noticed.

"Oh my, he's coming this way." Georgio faced away, and grabbed Naomi's hand. "Here honey," he said in a loud and rather dreadful American accent, "I've found the perfect gift for your Auntie Nora."

As they walked away, they both giggled.  

"He's handsome," Naomi whispered.

Georgio nodded, and winked. "Right," he said, looking at his watch, "I'd better put you in a taxi. You have a meeting with Lucas at three. He's got your offer of representation and contract done, all signed and ready for you."

"Aren't you coming back with me?"

"Lucas said he'll see you on his own. I think he likes you."

That set her pulse racing. Did Lucas have some plan underway? Her libido responded rapidly.

Georgio pulled his cap low on his brow and adjusted his shirt. "I think I might swing by and say hi to Freddie."

"That sounds like a great idea." Had he worn the outfit with Freddie in mind? The idea tickled Naomi. Instinctively, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "For luck. And thanks for this morning, it's been great."

"Lots more fun ahead," he assured her.

While she was in the taxi, she kept thinking about being alone with Lucas. That alone was exciting enough, and she would sign her contact with him today. She thought about Megan, who was manning the shop in Edinburgh, and sent her a text message to let her know she was about to sign the contract. Megan would be excited to know it was happening.  It signaled change for them all. Megan would take over management of Drusilla's in Edinburgh while Naomi worked with Georgio to expand and launch the brand internationally.

Once again she walked through the reception and into the elevator, headed for the Eaglestone Suite. The receptionist led her to Lucas's office and she stepped confidently through the door, thanking the receptionist as she went.

Lucas was at his desk and watched her as she approached.

She drew to a sudden halt when she realized Lucas already had someone with him.
Clara.

Naomi stared, disbelieving at first. Her heartbeat rapidly went off kilter.

Lucas rose to his feet and gestured at the empty chair facing his desk.

Naomi stared at him in horror. Surely he couldn't be serious? He couldn't intend to have them both sitting next to each other on the other side of his desk?

She shook her head, vehemently. "I didn't realize you had company. I should leave."

Lucas inclined his head, his expression earnest. "I asked Clara here so we could meet for just a few minutes, the three of us."

This isn't happening
. Naomi had been expecting something sensual and intimate, a glass of champagne over his newly presented contact. Not this.  She remained rooted to the spot and riddled with doubt, just inside the door. Scoping the set up she noted Clara's position in her chair was facing away from the empty chair next to her. Clara was no more in the mood for this than she was.

She also noticed Lucas's ex-wife looked glamorous – dressed more for happy hour than this situation – in a little back dress with jeweled neckline, sheer stockings and high heels. Her copper hair was arranged high on her head, as if she'd just stepped out of the salon. An expensive designer handbag rested against her chair. Her immediate reaction was Clara had dressed for Lucas, to win him back. It made Naomi want to leave. Immediately. There was no way she was lowering herself to fight over a man. It wasn't in her nature. If a man wasn't man enough to know which woman he wanted, she didn’t want him.

Lucas gestured at the chair again. "Naomi, please. Take a seat. I've asked you both here to agree to some boundaries. I need you both to hear me out."

"Control freak," Clara muttered.

That was low
, Naomi thought. Clara was using her personal knowledge of Lucas to kick out at him. She pursed her lips, still considering the door.

"Jesus, Clara!" His expression turned thunderous. "I'm trying to be civilized here. Do you have to undermine every conversation you ever have?"

Naomi walked over to the chair he'd indicated. "It's going well so far, this being civilized attempt, I see."

"Sorry." Lucas looked at her, and there was a silent request in his expression.

She sat down and folded her arms loosely over her waist.

"I'm asking you to be civil, Clara, because Naomi is in my life now and – I hope – for a long time to come."

Despite Naomi's annoyance at the set up, his words did touch her.

"There are going to be times when you cross paths, simply because of Toby. It's happened already. I figured if I could introduce you two properly it would make things easier. "

Clara snorted.

Naomi's tension levels ratcheted. Shifting in her chair, she unfolded her arms, ready to leap out of the seat.

"Everything has to be a business negation to Lucas," Clara commented.

Naomi pressed her lips together, determined not to respond, when she realized Clara had directed the comment at her. Besides, it wasn't true, not exactly. It was just his way.

"Clara. Naomi and I met when she came here for representation. We've been seeing each other a while. It was unfortunate that you met in Switzerland, without preparation, but that's behind us now."

"Representation, huh?" Again Clara addressed Naomi. "And he made a move on you. Classy."

Why the hell do I have to listen to this
? Naomi wondered. Her hands had locked over the arms of her chair. She did it for him, for Lucas. It was the only way she could stop herself from taking flight.

"Speculating does you no favors." Lucas glared at his ex. He was getting annoyed.

Clara ignored him and kept looking Naomi's way. "So you slept with him because it's good for your business. Digging a little gold were we?"

That was the last straw. It was so important to Naomi that wasn't the case. She'd walked away from an Eaglestone contract to prove it to him.

She rounded on Clara. "You’ve been an absolute bitch to me for no good reason. What the hell is it you are afraid of?"

She hadn't even thought it out. The words just popped out of her mouth, but her question stunned Clara. The atmosphere grew taut, the silence ringing in Naomi's head.

"I'm not afraid…" Clara mumbled eventually. Her forehead crinkled. "Well, I guess I am a bit. It's just hard...starting over."

Her voice hiccupped as if she was about to cry.

Naomi risked a glance at Lucas.

His thunderous expression was fast morphing into disbelief. She could tell he was riveted. As was she. The desire to be gone was still urging her to stand up and walk, but she wanted to know what Clara would say next.

Clara's vitriolic mood vanished in a heartbeat. "I'm on my own with a small child, and Lucas manages to get it right the first time with a happy ever after."

So that's what she really thought, Naomi realized, that Lucas was happy. And it didn’t suit his ex one little bit.

"Clara," Lucas said, "we're not in competition. I'm there for Toby as much as you need me to be. I agree that I've got lucky meeting Naomi, but I've been alone a while."

"I'm sorry. I suppose I have been a bit...unreasonable." Clara started rooting around in her handbag, her voice faltering as she spoke. She pulled out a tissue and began sobbing into it.

Oh dear god.
Naomi rose to her feet, unwilling to watch Lucas's ex sniveling, nor Lucas trying to console her.  "If you'll excuse me, I think I've said all that needs to be said. You two can sort your differences without me."

Lucas rose to her feet. "Naomi?"

She shook her head at him, her emotions far too unsteady to talk any more. She gestured at his ex. "This is obviously way overdue."