The Billionaire's Matchmaker(68)

That’s right, he’d given people the day off, to catch up on affairs. Because some people had lives outside this house. “Looks like you’re going to have to roam on your own again,” he told him. “Just don’t tell Jenny.”

Jenny. The name stabbed him in the chest. What on earth made him think she’d be different from anyone else not on his payroll? At least the dark spared him seeing the expression on her face when she finally saw him. The fact she ran away was cutting enough.

The rejection wouldn’t be bad if he hadn’t spent the night reliving the feel of her body against his. Masochistic, yes, but how could he not? After years of solitude and celibacy, he’d gotten to experience physical contact. For a few glorious seconds, he’d been his old self, holding a beautiful woman who wanted him. The memory of those moments would be a long time in fading. Even now, he could recall the taste of her kiss, the way her hips ground against his erection. And, the sounds she made… He’d almost come in his pants from the sounds alone.

Jesus, he was getting hard again. No woman had ever aroused him like this. Much as he wanted to blame celibacy alone, he had a sad feeling his attraction had as much to do with the woman herself. She was smart and quick and perceptive. Talking with her was the best foreplay he’d ever experienced.

“I must have gotten used to being in pain these past couple years to insist on torturing myself like this,” he said to Charlie. “I’d be better off walking the dog than indulging in useless fantasies.”

Barking his agreement, Charlie tore off toward the foyer. Nick did his best to keep up, his back aching with each step. This kind of pain, however, he could handle. Physical pain could be managed. Or it could be pushed to the point where he collapsed in oblivion. Either way, the results were better than thinking about a woman who clearly found him abhorrent.

“As long as we stay out of the woods,” he called ahead. If he wanted to keep thoughts of Jenny at bay, last thing he needed was to return to the scene of the crime. “We’ll stay near the garden.” Being Saturday, no one would be arriving to surprise him.

Charlie was already rolling on the Persian carpet. In less than twenty-four hours, he’d turned the priceless object into doggy central. Cyrus was furious. Nick considered it an apt reward.

“Come on,” he told the terrier. “You can dig up the mums the gardener planted yesterday.” Grabbing a wide brimmed hat to protect himself from the sun, he opened the front door only to come face to face with the woman he’d been thinking about.

The hat slid from his fingers.





Chapter Five



“Hey,” she greeted.

She stood on the threshold, bright and gorgeous, the sunlight crowning the top of her head. Desire and tension overtook his tired limbs. His fingers itched to comb through her hair, to feel the golden strands as they slid like silk through his fingers while his blood pulsed hot and needy in his groin. Why was the universe doing this to him? Sending him another woman to want, unrequited? What did he do to deserve such torture? He glared straight into her eyes, waiting for the inevitable pity to flash in their depths. Instead…Was that a blush?

“Are you heading somewhere?”

“Taking Charlie for a walk,” he replied, not trusting what he thought he saw. “Since letting him roam free has branded me irresponsible.”

He could tell from the way her eyes widened his comment surprised her. “My injuries left me with physical limitations early on. I wasn’t able to walk him myself, and there wasn’t always a staff member available.”

“So you let him loose, trusting he’d come wandering back.”

“On the contrary, I figured he’d find someplace better.”

“Why didn’t you say something yesterday? Oh.” Understanding broke across her face.

“In my position, the fewer people who know my limitations, the better.” Crossing his arms, he leaned against the doorframe. That she looked as appealing as ever annoyed him. Today’s outfit was more layered than yesterday. Baggy beige cardigan over a heavy brown turtleneck sweater and ankle-length skirt that looked like she was trying to blend with the fading foliage outside. Unfortunately for him, Nick knew the bulk hid a sweet set of curves. He’d mapped them with his hands.


“How did you get past security?” he asked her. The guard at the end of his driveway was the one employee he hadn’t given the day off.

“Lowell,” she replied. His scrutiny must have been getting to her because she wrapped the cardigan tighter. “Your guard. I had his son for twelfth grade English.” She offered a half smile. “Kid wouldn’t have graduated if I hadn’t given him extra credit. He owed me. Please don’t be angry with him,” she added.

The pleading in her brown eyes was too much to bear “Lord, you really do think I’m a monster, don’t you?”

“No,” she rushed. “Not at all.”

“Nice recovery. Don’t worry. Lowell’s not in trouble. I’m sure you charmed him quite admirably.” No doubt, using her wood sprite features without mercy. “I’m afraid your efforts were for nothing. I took care of your veterinarian bill this morning. Instructed Dr. Roth’s office to send any further bills directly to me.”

“I—Thank you.”