Mick hesitantly released Nicole. He really didn’t mind her sitting on his lap, but it really wasn’t a professional way to carry on a business meeting. However, he was relieved to know that his nearness still rattled her. For the first time that he could remember, he felt guilty for lying to a woman. His reputation with women tended to be a little rocky, which was one of the reasons he didn’t have a lasting relationship with the women he dated. At least he was good at one thing – getting his way when it came to business decisions. So, when he could see Nicole wasn’t going to back down, he tried to make her believe that he had feelings for her. He hadn’t lied when he’d told her she was beautiful the other night. And although he couldn’t get that elevator kiss out of his head, that didn’t mean he had feelings for her. So, okay… he thought about her every time he smelled the lilac scent or saw someone with silky chestnut hair, but that didn’t mean anything. In fact, the reason she’d bee

Stop it! Nicole mentally shook out the disturbing thoughts. One way or another, she needed to get him out of here before she did something really stupid. She moved around her desk, heading for the door. “So maybe we should postpone that discussion—”“Hey,” he said, grasping her arm, stopping her.He gently pulled her closer. Her heartbeat hammered erratically. This was bad, so very bad.“Why don’t we go out for lunch? We can talk about things over some food. Aren’t you hungry?”She was, but not for food… Inwardly, she scolded her mind for wandering off again. “But you need to change.”“I have another shirt in the car.”He slid his hand down both of her arms, linking their fingers together. Now, more than ever, she was aware of how bare her shoulders were without her jacket, and she desperately needed covering.“Nicole, I was proud of the way you handled the situation with Kate. Any other woman would have stressed out or fainted from seeing everything you had.” He softly squeezed her h

She sighed. “No, Mick. We have more important things to worry about right now.”He sat back in his seat and folded his arms. “You’re right. Let’s contact your shareholders and pray that they haven’t been bought out by my father.”She frowned. “Oh, Mick. What if they have?”“We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it. There’s no use worrying about it now.”“You’re right, of course. We’ll call them. I’ll take the top half of the list, and you’ll take the bottom half. We’ll get this accomplished today.”His gaze narrowed. “But sweetheart, I don’t have a list.”A mischievous grin curved her luscious lips. “Yes, you do. I saw it the other night in your suitcase when I was snooping through your things while you were passed out on the bed.”“You were a very naughty girl.”“Yes, I know, and I’m sorry for going along with Mary’s plan. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything to blackmail you over… which is why I let Mary into the room to take pictures.”He nodded. “I figured as much. And just so y

“Poppie, I’m trying to stop him, but I don’t know what to do. He’s already paid off two of our shareholders.” “I know what you can do.” He nodded matter-of-factly. “You do?” Hope sprang inside of her and she sat up a little straighter. “You must talk to Mick. He’ll help. He won’t let his father take over my company.” She scowled and folded her arms across her chest. “Mick Remington? I can’t trust that man, Poppie.” “You have to. He’s the only one who can help us.” She jumped to her feet and paced the floor around her grandfather’s bed. “No, there’s got to be another way. He’s as deceitful as his father.” “Do you know him? Because if you truly knew him, you wouldn’t think that. Mick has a kind heart. He cares about people.” She rolled her eyes. “Poppie, how long has it been since you have talked to Mick? Years? Because I can promise you, he’s not the boy you remember. He’s been working alongside his father for too long.” “Please, Nikki. Do this one thing for me, even if it’s t

“Tonight, at seven. Okay?” He turned toward his car. “Okay, Mick. Love you.” He climbed in the car, not wanting to give her a reply. He didn’t love Tara. He’d never had those kinds of feelings for the super-model, and it wasn’t until he’d shared that electrifying kiss with Nicole that he realized he needed to break things off with his current girlfriend. There was no use making Tara think there was more to their relationship when there wasn’t. Ten minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of Adkins Dev-Tech. Once again, he was hit with nostalgic memories. This was where he’d met James Adkins – the man who’d treated Mick as though he was very important and meaningful in his life. James knew who Mick’s father was, but Adkins had never held that against him. It was actually his relationship with James that had made Mick want to get to know his father better. That had been a huge mistake. Although it had made Mick a rich man, he’d rather be a hard-working poor man with a father wh