All Wrapped Up

Meanwhile, what did she have to do to appease the new president of the firm? Darned if she’d copy Brandi’s style, but there were some things she could do.

First, the black turtleneck had to go. Her office was warm enough to wear her sweater without it. The white cashmere plunged to a deep V but tied securely at her waist. She’d spend her day trying to keep it together so her bra wouldn’t show, but at least it would demonstrate she was trying to loosen up.

She’d dawdled too long to waste more time going to the inconveniently located women’s restroom at the end of the outer corridor. It would only take a few seconds to peel off the turtleneck and slip back into her sweater. She stood and quickly started stripping, not really wanting to get caught in the act by her snotty little intern.

The air was cool on her bare shoulders and back, and she shivered in her lacy peach bra.

When a sharp knock on the door startled her, she called emphatically, “Wait just a minute.”

The dark oak door banged inward on loose hinges, and she faced her visitor in an underwire bra that gave her enough uplift to launch a rocket.

“Now, that’s what I call effective public relations,” the newcomer said, pushing the door shut without taking his eyes off her cleavage.

“Nick!”

“Do you do a striptease for all your potential clients?” He had a devilish smile, and he beamed it at her full force.

She was too stunned to continue dressing. Five years had weathered the last vestiges of boyishness from Nick Matheson’s face, but his deep-set eyes were as blue and penetrating as ever.

“What are you doing here?”

“Sorry. The receptionist said to walk right in.” He turned his back to her.

“Are you a potential client?”

Her fingers felt thick and clumsy, but she managed to get into the sweater and yank the ties into a tight knot.

“Not exactly.”

“It’s been a long time,” she said. “How have you been?” Other than gorgeous, sexy and cocky.

“Fine.”

“You can turn around now. How did you know I work here?”

She tried not to squirm as he turned and gazed at her.

“You still look spectacular, Liv.”

“Thanks.”

He still had the annoying habit of dodging questions, but her own reaction concerned her more. How could he possibly look even better at twenty-nine than he had as a twenty-four-year-old graduate student? He was dressed in a conservative jacket and slacks, a big step up from the jeans and sweatshirts he used to live in, but his long, lanky body looked even harder and more muscular. His hair was shorter but still combed back from his forehead. He was clean-shaven, and his skin had a honey glow with high color in his cheeks from the cold outside.

“If you came for an apology, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, your message.” His little grin vanished. “My dentist leaves a friendlier one.”

“I’m sorry about that. I was upset.”

“Because your sister invited me? If you didn’t want me to be there, it’s okay.”

She was touched that Nick cared enough to look her up, but rattled because her heart was pounding. She had to fight a crazy urge to jump into his arms and kiss him silly.

She’d imagined seeing him by accident someday, maybe on the street or at a party. She’d thought up all kinds of clever, witty comments to show him that she was over him, so why couldn’t she remember a single one now?

“It’s not that. The party is canceled. My parents won’t be celebrating their thirtieth anniversary because they’re getting a divorce.”

“Liv, I’m really sorry. I know what a blow it is when parents split.”

“Yeah, and I never saw it coming.”

“If it’s any consolation, mine are much happier apart. They’ve both remarried and like their new lives.”

“Well, I’m sorry my message was so abrupt. I’d just found out, and I had so many people to call and—” She started twisting the ties of her sweater then forced herself to stop. She’d been calm and collected talking to her parents’ friends and canceling the party. It was what everyone expected of her, and more importantly what she demanded of herself. She took a deep breath, then another, locking her arms across her chest. Nick meant nothing to her anymore, so why was she feeling so emotional?

“No problem,” he interrupted. “You didn’t even know your sister had invited me, did you?”

“Well, actually no.”

Now that the initial shock of seeing him was wearing off, she remembered the months of heartbreak after he’d left her. She wasn’t a girl to put her hand on a hot burner twice.

“Well, thank you for coming by.”

“Actually, seeing you is only a bonus. I didn’t know you worked here. I’m chasing a lead on a story.”

Nick always had an ulterior motive—the warm glow she was feeling at seeing him again was replaced by icy suspicion.

“Here?” she asked.

“Your firm represents someone I badly need to interview.”

“We don’t divulge client information.”

“Yes, I’ve already been told that, but the receptionist hinted you might be able to help me.”

Mary, the receptionist, was fifty-seven and seven times a grandmother. Was there no female who was immune to Nick’s charms? At least Liv knew she was.

“She was mistaken,” Liv said.

“If I could explain—”

“I’m sorry, Nick, but William Lawrence Associates keeps all client information confidential.”

“Let me tell you what I’m after, then I’ll accept your decision, whatever it is,” he said.

He was relentless. Soon she was going to be wrapping her sweater ties around his gorgeous neck. “You aren’t going to talk me into betraying a client,” she said.

“I don’t even know if you still represent this one. Let me take you to lunch,” he urged. “We can talk about it.”